River cruises have quickly become the vacation of choice for many Boomers and Pre-Boomers. This is because it is a very easy, affordable and experiential vacation option. But are you ready for a river cruise? Let’s take a closer look.
First of all, we say flatly that a river cruise trip is No for everyone. That’s how it is. Not everyone will enjoy the many benefits that this affordable and luxurious cruise has to offer. If you fit the following profile, you may not want to consider a river cruise and may be better served by a more traditional cruise vacation.
You’re not the river cruise type if you enjoy:
- Be nickel plated and dimmed throughout [wine, beer, espressos, snacks, Internet, etc.]
- Pay extra to eat at one of the “good” specialty restaurants – wow!
- Paying extra for all of their shore excursions which can be upwards of $1000 per person.
- Paying extra for some of the entertainment and venues on board.
- Great impersonal staff who think of you as “Council” and never know your name.
- Being stuck on a ship with up to 5,000 of your closest friend…and that’s just the passengers.
- Spend 2-3 hours getting on and off the ship each day at the port.
- Drive over an hour from the port to the city center to start your shore excursion.
- Never having enough time to really get to see a port and mingle with its people.
- Dining with 1000 people all trying to be served at the same time with assembly line food.
- Getting seasick is a bit rough.
- Having to get ready at night – formal nights, and…
- The disco at night…wow!
Now, we don’t want to put too big a cloud over traditional ocean cruising because the ocean cruising business is the genesis of what has driven the explosive demand for river cruises. And an ocean cruise vacation has many wonderful elements and is still the second best cruise vacation choice you can make.
Today’s modern ocean liner has it all: climbing walls, ice skating, up to 20 different restaurants for your enjoyment. [most at an extra fee], and great accommodations with nice amenities – did we mention you now pay for the movies you watch in your cabin? Ocean ships now feel more like a Vegas-style vacation than a cruise, but our main quibble is… whatever happened to the all-inclusive nature of a cruise? She is dead and buried!
Between exorbitant taxes and fees, to charging for just about anything you do on the ship beyond strolling around the deck, the cost of a cruise ticket is typically much less than your onboard expenses. That is not right. Period!
Is this really what you want your perfect vacation to be? We don’t think so.
While river cruise vacations are extraordinary, they may not be for those under 40, but for those of us who prefer to travel with smaller groups of like-minded people, see and experience a destination in depth, then this kind of almost all inclusive river cruise vacation is right for you.
Instead, let’s examine what a luxurious river cruise has to offer:
- A very spacious ship that on average only seats 130 privileged guests.
- Sumptuous accommodations with every cabin comfort imaginable.
- Impeccable cuisine, much of which is prepared to the minute. [when you order it].
- Complimentary wines, beers, soft drinks and bottled water.
- Complimentary small group sightseeing tours at EVERY port.
- Most ships have a gym, sauna, courier service, hairdresser, swimming pool, FREE internet and free use of bicycles.
- Free nightly entertainment on board every day.
- Complimentary in-cabin internet, entertainment systems with live USTV and free movies.
- It docks right in the center of most cities and takes just a minute to get on and off the ship.
- Ability to see more than one region and deeply experience the local culture.
- A casual resort atmosphere on board – leave the formal wear at home.
- All cabins, repeat ALL rooms have a river view.
- You can NEVER get seasick on a river cruise.
- Impeccable, warm and friendly service from a team that only speaks English.
- A staff that knows your name and favorite drink by the second day.
- Last but certainly FIRST in our book: a lifetime of memories of the trip and the people you’ve met.
Another point to consider: what do you really want a cruise vacation to provide when it comes to the places you visit? We believe that a river cruise offers the best possible and easiest way to explore [in depth]and learn about a specific region of a country or countries.
Of course ocean ships will take you to Venice, a river cruise will not. Ocean cruisers will go places that a river cruiser can’t go, simply because that place isn’t on a river, nothing more. But think of the world before going beyond this point. Much, if not most, of the ancient world developed along a river because rivers were the main source of trade and were easy to navigate. Therefore, you can only reach places like Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest, Rouen, Paris, Honfleur, Lyon, Strasbourg, Avignon Vienne, Prague, Belgrade, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Beijing, the Nile River, the Mekong River of Vietnam and more. by river boat! Riverboats really do give you the chance to see more of the world, visiting ancient and intimate towns and villages that can never be reached by ocean-going ships.
In this article, we’ve covered just a few of the many reasons why we believe this affordable, luxurious vacation alternative is the best option for most people…those who’d rather not be on a ship with up to 5,000 of their closest relatives. -friends, you don’t want to pay more for almost everything, but want to enjoy the intimacy of a small ship with a hundred friendly and like-minded passengers, 5-star “included” luxuries and amenities, impeccable dining and FREE shore excursions you will surely choose a vacation on a river cruise.
If you haven’t been on an exciting river cruise, you may think your options are limited, but that’s not the case. Depending on your personal tastes and lifestyle, you can choose an exciting French river cruise focused on food and wine, a historic cruise on the Danube, a beginner-friendly Rhine river cruise, or an extraordinary 20th century Europe cruise. East. For those looking for something a little more exotic, how about a Mekong River cruise in Vietnam for your next vacation? Our team is adept at working with first-time riverboaters to ensure you get the best value and cruise for you and your lifestyle; that’s really important. Take a look at our website and discover the wonderful and affordable river cruise vacations we have to offer.
If you’ve never enjoyed an exciting destination-based river cruise, talk to a travel agency that specializes in river cruises, you won’t be disappointed in the value and rewards you receive after a truly memorable vacation in a river cruise.