Cruise Vacations on a River

Cruise vacations on a river are great for those who do not want to see the sea for long durations of time. Being able to cruise down the Nile, Amazon or the "Yellow" River are very appealing for many people. Do you enjoy nature, scenery and gorgeous views? If you said "yes" to this, then river cruising is for you.

Benefits of River Cruising

A river cruise, like coastal cruise vacations, focuses on allowing their passengers to enjoy all sorts of scenery and the boats are built to maximize the ever-changing scenery. Everyday will be a new experience as there will be new views, cities and places to see. Disembarking is easier on a river as all you have to do is tie up to the short and simply walk off the vessel. The overall environment of river cruises is relaxed. There is never a pretentious atmosphere and you will never feel "stuffy". The pace is often very slow and you can bask in the river scenic glory at its fullest. River cruising is great for those who get sea sick because the pace of the boat is slower than ocean cruise lines and the ship never rolls or pitches. Many smaller cruise lines that offer river cruises focus on quality over quantity and is reflected in the breakfast, lunch and dinner arrangements. Unlike ocean liners, most river cruisers have port side cabins (each cabin has windows). Many river cruises sail during the day and dock at night. The benefit of this is that you can go out and enjoy the nightlife of a foreign city and come back to your cabin when you're full of food and festivities. Rivers offer a sense of constant full, something that you won't experience when you're on a coach tour. Coach tours tend to be very tiring as the participant is always on a bus tour and needs to pack/unpack their suitcases and change hotels frequently. You will never have to dress formally (unless you want to) and the overall atmosphere while cruising along the river is relaxed and non-pretentious.

Downside of River Cruising

Usually the cabins are quite cramped for taller people. The average bed size is less than 6 ft. Also, since the boats are quite small compared to their ocean counterparts, the rooms might be closer to the engine and motor board, which means a constant humming noise in your cabin. The smoking and non-smoking sections of the boat are close together and are usually not enforced by ship personnel.

European River Cruises

European river cruising provides a way to soak in a lot of scenery while being able to pass through various countries and cultures. Imagine experience 5 different countries in a matter of days. You could experience different cultures, architectures, foods, languages and people all within a weeks worth of time. River boats are close to land which means you will be able to board and dock easily and go to places that would be difficult to travel to by land. Most river boats are air conditioned and comfortable for summer travel and are very luxurious and suitable for even the most picky travelers. European river boats are reaching a sophisticated level and focus on good service and the meals can be expected to be of good to high quality. The best type of food can be found on the Austrian, German and Swiss river boat companies. Most meals are served buffet style and some dinners offer 3 to 4 course meals. Usually, a typical cruise will cost passengers approximately $800 to $3,000 for a one-week cruise. This will include your cruise, meals, cabin, trips, airport/railway transfers and own bathroom. Did you know that a cruise down the Danube river will allow you to visit nine countries? Note, if you want a quieter cabin, try to request one that is away from a deck walkway. Remember, every cabin has a window so you won't have to request this when purchasing your cruise.

Nile River Cruise Vacations

If you are looking for something a bit more exotic, you can always try a Nile river cruise. The best way to see the Nile is of course, by river. There are over 7,000 expeditions each year and 300 boats float upon the mighty Nile every year. Most ships vary from extremely poor to very good service. Usually each ship is equipped with a river specialist that can answer all questions about the Nile. Most cruises last about four to five days and extended cruises last about seven or eight days. Some trips may include voyages to El Amarna, Tuna El Gabal and Cairo.