Move Over Motion Sickness! What To Expect On A River Cruise Vacation

For travelers who ‘can’t do ocean because of motion!’, river cruising is the answer for a cruise vacation. Not only is there truly no sea sickness on the rivers, but the ships dock in ports that are close to everything and can be explored at your own pace. A river cruise vacation is like staying at a boutique luxury hotel that happens to move from port to port.

Cruise without a crowd

River ship sizes are regulated to fit into the locks of the rivers they sail. They are smaller and more intimate ships than ocean liners and carry fewer guests (perhaps 150 instead of 3,000). These smaller ships have a more intimate ambiance, making it easy to get to know fellow guests and crew members.

See, instead of sea

Unlike ocean cruising, with river cruising, the ship is not the primary experience; the destinations are the experience. The vessels dock right in the heart of each destination … right in front of the Eiffel Tower or adjacent to elephants bathing in the Chobe River, for example. Daily excursions take travelers to the center of the destinations by foot, bike, or bus. Guests can also walk off the ship anytime it is docked to explore a destination on their own.

On most river cruise itineraries, more time is spent docked than sailing. There are frequent overnights in port rather than days and nights at sea. Daytime sailings allow one to sit on the deck and watch the landscapes, villages, and castles go by while sipping a favorite beverage.

Set your own pace

On a river cruise, you can customize each day. Most excursions do not require reservations and are included in your cruise fare. There are excursions offered for various interests and activity levels. If you fancy a long bike ride or hike, it will likely be offered at one or more ports. Enjoy wine tasting? Interested in history or architecture? Prefer a slower-paced tour or no tour at all? All possible on a river cruise. Best of all, while you enjoy breakfast, you can decide what you feel like doing that day.

Life onboard…not bored

If you love casinos, Broadway shows, and late-night dancing, river cruising may not be for you. River cruise onboard entertainment focuses on local culture, music, folkloric dances, and local events. Entertainers join the ship at one dock, perform, and leave the ship soon after. Most ships also have a pianist or guitarist and vocalist who perform nightly during cocktail hour and after dinner.

Since river cruise ships are smaller than ocean-going vessels, so are the gift shops onboard. Depending on the cruise line, you will find assorted logo apparel like t-shirts, hats, and jackets. Most gift shops also stock seasonal and regional items…Christmas ornaments and gift items during the holidays, handmade lace dollies on the Danube, or small bottles of Port on the Duoro. However, quantities will be limited, so if you see something you like, buy it!

For basic toiletry items like toothpaste or shaving cream, ask at the front desk. Remember that you will likely be within walking distance of a pharmacy in port, where the selection and quantity of products will be larger.

River cruises invite travelers to become immersed in destinations while enjoying the amenities of a floating boutique hotel. It’s the perfect balance of what’s great about a land-based vacation and the ease that comes with cruising. River cruising provides guests the chance to get off the beaten path, cruise without a crowd, and explore undiscovered destinations at their own pace.

Ready to experience a river cruise vacation?

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Header photo by Sergey Sh