Wanting information

I am interested in doing a river cruise -- no definite plans as to destination or even when I'm going, but I love planning future vacations. I've been on several regular cruise, for lack of a better word -- been on NCL, RCCI, Carnival, and Princess. I enjoy those, but I think I would have a great time on a smaller river cruise.

What are your favorite things about a river cruise as compared to traditional cruising? I LOVE history so it seems like this would be a much better way of getting up close and personal with some great historical sites. Are there any cons?

What is your favorite river cruise line and why?

I appreciate any input/information you give.

I have been on 2 "regular" cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean. In 60 days I depart on my second Avalon river cruise, Munich to Basel which includes the castles on the Rhine. In 2013 I did a Prague to Budapest on the Danube which was spectacular.

The river boats are tiny compared to ocean cruise ships. Mostly 150 passengers, mostly seniors. Every morning a tour is included in the price. The breakfast and lunch buffets are not as large as on cruise ships. Wine is usually included at dinner. Dinner is open seating at 7pm. Usually late afternoon there is a port talk on tomorrow's port. No casinos, only a piano player and dancing for entertainment.

Some river lines are all inclusive. The sticky at the top of this board has great information.

Order brochures in the mail. Read this board and you will get all kinds of information.

Happy sailing!

I am interested in doing a river cruise -- no definite plans as to destination or even when I'm going, but I love planning future vacations. I've been on several regular cruise, for lack of a better word -- been on NCL, RCCI, Carnival, and Princess. I enjoy those, but I think I would have a great time on a smaller river cruise.

 

What are your favorite things about a river cruise as compared to traditional cruising? I LOVE history so it seems like this would be a much better way of getting up close and personal with some great historical sites. Are there any cons?

 

What is your favorite river cruise line and why?

 

I appreciate any input/information you give.

favorite things about a river cruise: Less crowded, everyone eats at the same time and it's open seating every night. Ports are generally in or close to the city center so you can go on your own or with a guide.

Cons: (I don't necessarily think of these as cons, but differences that may or may not be really important to you) There's no evening entertainment to speak of. After dinner you may head to the lounge and there will be a guy/gal paying the keyboard or piano or there will be local entertainment like a choral group or small band or dance troupe. There's no gambling; most ships have no pool or spas. There's no midnight buffet and nobody will be constantly on a loud speaker trying to sell you something in the arcade or asking you to donate to some charity on behalf of the crew...oh wait, that's a good thing.

I've done 6 trips with Vantage and I have 2 more booked for this year and 1 for next year. I like them because they include most shore excursions. There's a walking tour in every port that you can join or not; and then often a more comprehensive tour (still included) that might involve a bus ride to a place of historical or scenic importance; and occasionally there will be an optional tour which is extra and would involve a tour bus, local guide, admission to something special and often lunch in a restaurant. Again you can join or not but they're usually well worth it. I have never had a bad experience with Vantage, the cabins are nicely sized, comfortable and clean (we always go with a french balcony) but the cabins are the same size in all categories; the food is excellent (wine and beer are included with dinner only on some cruises, but not all); the staff all speak perfect English and bend over backwards to make sure you enjoy your trip.

Major downside to river cruising is that once you've done one, you're hooked!!

Hello pk414,

river cruising is good for history lovers, but a land trip is probably better if you really want to immerse in a specific area for its history. River cruising I find tends to be as much if not more about landscape and experiencing towns. Having said that, some of the towns you can visit on a river cruise go back to before Christ, either as a town or at least some sort of settlement.

Perhaps try and decide on a specific type or time in history you would like to experience. Pre-Roman, Roman, medieval or modern, or a combination or anything inbetween? An area famous for this or a river known for that ...

For history I personally prefer the Rhine to the Danube, the Moselle has its merits, the Main is another option. For an early visionary approach to a united Europe do the Amsterdam - Budapest stretch.

From my land trip I can say that for me the South of France is unrivalled for Roman history.

Many people have reported on the moving trip to the Normandy beaches, that is the cruise on the Seine starting in Paris.

Or might you prefer a more exotic region?

How about Russia?

It might be a good idea to look at what your comfort zone as regards weather and climate is when you are on holiday.

For experiencing history I might steer away from the Christmas market and Christmas time cruises. Some places of interest are not so nice in dull winter weather. Some sights are even closed, although cruise lines in general seem to make sure they choose mostly places that are open all year for their itineraries.

Have a look at the river cruise port section for very detailed info about the various ports.

Have fun planning.

notamermaid

You will also find that the river cruise lines are asking for final payment far earlier than ocean lines. There is an ongoing discussion here about getting extensions to this time line, but be ready to make full payment shortly after booking especially to get best deals. And plan on booking early since the best dates go quickly. 2015 is pretty much gone right now.

Biker1972 - Viking is the only company that requests payment not long after the deposit is placed. Most of the other cruise lines require final payment 90 days before sailing. Please don't try to compare Viking to the other lines. They have many business practices that are specific to them and the other lines follow a more traditional river cruise model.

pkay414 - if you haven't done so, please read the sticky on this board for New to River cruising. There are many differences between ocean cruising and river cruising and it helps to have an understanding of these differences before you cruise.

Because the river cruise ships are so much smaller than ocean cruises, and there are less ships on the rivers, inventory is significantly less. It is not unheard of for people to put their deposits down 12-18 months in advance for a river cruise. If you have a lot of flexibility, you can still find openings for this year, but you may be better served to start looking for next year. I recommend that you find a travel agent who has experience in river cruises to help you. If you don't want to go this route, contact all of the major river cruise companies (Tauck, Avalon, AMA, Uniworld, Scenic, Vantage, Viking, CroiseEurope, Arosa - I'm sure I'm leaving some out) and request to have a brochure mailed to you. This way you can get a feel for each company, see what is included and what is excluded, look at itineraries, etc.

I'm with you in that I get so much enjoyment out of the planning. Good luck and feel free to come back here with specific questions.

There are two companies that do not sell through travel agencies that you might want to consider - Grand Circle and Vantage. You might want to take a look at their websites. Also, if you can travel sort of last minute both offer "last minute" deals with a degree of regularity, some are real "2 for 1" trips.

Hello pk414,

 

For history I personally prefer the Rhine to the Danube, the Moselle has its merits, the Main is another option. For an early visionary approach to a united Europe do the Amsterdam - Budapest stretch.

 

From my land trip I can say that for me the South of France is unrivalled for Roman history.

 

How about Russia?

 

Have a look at the river cruise port section for very detailed info about the various ports.

 

Have fun planning.notamermaid

All really good advice from someone who LIVES there!! Only points I would comment on are for a first cruise Amsterdam - Budapest is a great choice...it was our first river cruise (#6 & 7 coming up) and it will always remain one of my favorite trips.

We did France as a land tour as well, and while it was a grueling 3 weeks, it was marvelous and I have no regrets.

I also did Russia with Vantage and while it was wonderful, I wouldn't recommend it as a first river cruise.

Have fun with the planning and we're all here to help you.

There are two companies that do not sell through travel agencies that you might want to consider - Grand Circle and Vantage. You might want to take a look at their websites. Also, if you can travel sort of last minute both offer "last minute" deals with a degree of regularity, some are real "2 for 1" trips.

pkay414 - I am not sure where it is you call home???

If you are in Canada, Grand Circle & Vantage aren't as easy to access - primarily US based.

Fran

pkay414 - I am not sure where it is you call home???

 

If you are in Canada, Grand Circle & Vantage aren't as easy to access - primarily US based.

 

Fran

I'm in the US :-)