Not all cruising is the same. Many travelers are familiar with the the large ocean ships: sail away parties, sea days, the excitement of getting lost in all the ship amenities. Whether you love the call of a large ocean ship or find this style of travel overwhelming, there is another way to see the world from the water: river cruising.
River cruising offers smaller ships which means fewer guests, fewer restaurants, and less flashy onboard entertainment. But that’s the point. On a river cruise, every day is port day. You’ll dock closer to the action and immerse yourself in riverside cities and towns.
River cruising is most accessible in Europe where you can find itineraries all over the continent. Popular itineraries like the Danube and the Rhine let you explore multiple countries without packing up your suitcase multiple times. However, just like ocean cruises, you’ll find itineraries all over the world including Columbia, Africa, and Asia.
Deeper Discovery at Each Port
On a river cruise, the ship docks in the heart of town, not at a port that can handle large ships at least a taxi ride away from most major sites. You’ll step right off the ship in the middle of major cities like Vienna and Budapest or steps way from a coffee shop in a small town. No shuttle bus, no taxi.
Plus, river ships often stay in port late into the evening or overnight. Coming from an ocean cruise, an all aboard time of 3 am on a river cruise was a shock to me! This means more time for dinner, late night drinks, and sightseeing with the city lights on. It’s easy to stumble into a cute bar, shop, or hidden gem the tour might not have covered just like you would on a land-based trip. Just note that all aboard times are a little less constant than on an ocean cruise, so make you double check each day!
It’s worth noting that there are beautiful small ship ocean options that can dock in smaller port and river cruises often offer day trips with longer transfer to nearby sites. But in general, river cruises give you more access to sites than the typical large ocean liners.
Sailing Feels different
Ocean cruisers know motion. Some love it, some tolerate it, some quietly dread the open-water crossings. River cruising is calm in a way that’s almost hard to describe until you’ve experienced it. The water is calmer and more stable. In many cases, you forget you are on a ship in the first place.
Plus, on a river cruise, you’re never looking at open water. You’re watching vineyard-covered hillsides slide past on the Rhine and villages appear around a bend on the Danube. And with a small ship, you can find a cozy spot to enjoy the view anywhere. Sip coffee from your balcony, find a chair on the sundeck, or hang out inside near a large window.
The Scale Is Intimate
River ships often carry just a few hundred passengers or less. Coming from a large ocean ship, you feel the difference immediately. No lines, no crowds, no getting lost in a maze of corridors. You’ll make fast friends with crew and other passengers. And when you don’t want to socialize, the ship never feels overcrowded. It’s easy to find space to relax alone.
Generally, you’ll find just a few restaurants, intimate evening entertainment, and relaxed schedules. But this doesn’t mean a lack of options. Menus often change daily or you can switch it up by eating in the port. The entertainment is found exploring the ports on the ship. Drink options are usually inspired by local wine, beer, and liquor. Small doesn’t mean less. It just means different.
You Might Choose Your Cabin Differently
On an ocean cruise, I will always choose a balcony. I love having a private outdoor space and watching the ocean at night. Not everyone feels like this is worth the additional cost, but for me, it is an no brainer. On a river cruise, I would still argue that the extra space of a balcony is worth but I am not as strict about it. Because river cruises are smaller, you’ll likely head up to the sun deck for sightseeing and it will never feel overcrowded.
Additionally, it’s good know that river cruises sometimes dock side by side on busy port days. This means your balcony might be blocked by another ship and you’ll be walking through another ship to reach the shore. You’ll likely be out exploring anyway so this might not matter. Overall, I do use my balcony on a river cruise when I have one but don’t miss it if it’s not there.
Is it right for You?
River cruising is the right option for you if you are looking for a more destination immersive experience on a smaller ship. It’s not better or worse – just different. River cruising just means exploring different kinds of destinations in new ways in a smaller group. Every day is port day!
