When travelers begin to think about a cruise vacation, they often think about ocean cruises: big ships sailing across big expanses of water to beautiful ports of call. But, there’s another option for a cruise vacation – sailing on one of the storied rivers of the world. If you haven’t tried one yet, here’s a quick look at what to expect on a river cruise.
River
ships are much smaller than ocean-going ships, which makes it a different kind
of cruise experience. The ships are small because they must be able to glide
under bridges, through shallow water, and into narrow docks. Ocean-going ships
may carry thousands of passengers, but many river ships carry less than 200,
providing more opportunities to get to know your fellow passengers.
River
ships stay close to land. Part of the enjoyment of a river cruise is watching
the scenery on shore, which can quickly change from farmland to bluffs or from
small villages to urban centers. The narrow design of river ships means almost
all cabins are exterior, with big windows or sliding glass doors.
While river
water isn’t always perfectly smooth, the chances of motion sickness on a river
cruise are much less than on an ocean cruise.
Many river
cruises call on a different port each day; a full day on the water is rare. Shore
activities may include walking tours, hiking, bike rides, cultural experiences,
visits to museums and markets, and more.
River
cruise dress codes tend to be relaxed and casual. The focus is always on what
there is to see and do on shore, so what you wear to explore on land is fine on
board, too. There may be one gala evening suited to more formal clothes, but dressing
up is usually not required.
As for
where to cruise, Europe provides a variety of itineraries on major rivers. Sail
through multiple counties on the Rhine or Danube, or enjoy France by cruising
the Seine or the Rhone. For an Italian voyage, look to the Po. To spend time in
Portugal’s wine country, sail the Douro.
River
cruise options in Asia include China’s Yangtze, Southeast Asia’s Mekong, and
India’s Ganges. You can take an adventurous cruise of South America’s Amazon,
or stay closer to home for a cruise on the Ohio, Mississippi, or Columbia.
To find
out more about the many delights of and options for river cruising, talk with Anita,
your professional travel advisor.
Find
us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel
