Will I get bored?

I have done over 30 cruises but the upcoming Amsterdam-Budapest Viking cruise will be my first "River" cruise. I am wondering if there is too much down time between the ports?

How do you fill the cruising time? Hang out in the lounge?

We have booked a suite for the space.

Just asking.....

I have done over 30 cruises but the upcoming Amsterdam-Budapest Viking cruise will be my first "River" cruise. I am wondering if there is too much down time between the ports?

How do you fill the cruising time? Hang out in the lounge?

We have booked a suite for the space.

Just asking.....

As, generally, most port stops are daily, with excursions planned at all stops (most of which may be walking ones), the "down" time is most useful for resting.

We would hang out in the lounge, listen to music, read, play cards. There were also board games available. Sometimes there were lectures/talks, or movies played in the lounge.

The problem on river cruises is usually not being bored during "down time," but rather having the stamina to keep up with the daily pace of shore excursions unrelieved by "sea days." Evenings have low-key entertainment, but after dinner most people are getting ready to rest up for the next day of active sightseeing.

On the average, what time do the tours start in the morning?

On the average, what time do the tours start in the morning?

Rarely before 9 a.m. Occasionally if there's a long day planned you may leave a little earlier but most of the time I have found we leave between 9 and 10. Of course it depend on how long we'll be in port and how much there is to see and do. Without knowing your age group it's harder to determine if you will be bored or not. River cruisers are for the most part over 50 active adults interested in history, art, scenery and culture. River boats do not have much in the way of entertainment in the evening. As others have pointed out, most of us have dinner, maybe spend an hour in the lounge after dinner, then head off to bed around 10. If there is entertainment it's usually a local group of dancers, singers or musicians and they're done by 10 p.m. There's no casino, no live music (except maybe a piano player) but somehow we're never bored. Between ports are people generally congregate on the sun deck to visit and watch the scenery.

I have also been on many, many ocean cruises and will be taking my

first River Cruise in April:D....being bored has never crossed my mind.

Touring during the day is what I plan to do every day.:).....not worried

about the evenings.......after touring, I will have a nice dinner and

hopefully meet some other friendly people.....whatever low key

entertainment is offered will be fine. I know it is totally different

(180 degrees different) than an Ocean Cruise.

If you are the type of person who wants various activities to participate

in? I would think River Cruising would not be the best option. (just my

opinion).

I have also been on many, many ocean cruises and will be taking my

first River Cruise in April:D....being bored has never crossed my mind.

Touring during the day is what I plan to do every day.:).....not worried

about the evenings.......after touring, I will have a nice dinner and

hopefully meet some other friendly people.....whatever low key

entertainment is offered will be fine. I know it is totally different

(180 degrees different) than an Ocean Cruise.

If you are the type of person who wants various activities to participate

in? I would think River Cruising would not be the best option. (just my

opinion).

First time glancing at this forum and, most coincidentally, the first post I saw this morning was yours! So good "to see" you!

I've been contemplating a river cruise too and have the same concerns--especially as a fellow "solo" also accustomed [addicted?] to ocean cruising--as outlined above...

Have a magnificent time! And if you have a moment after your return, please drop me a note to share your impressions...

Best regards,

--Mike

The problem on river cruises is usually not being bored during "down time," but rather having the stamina to keep up with the daily pace of shore excursions unrelieved by "sea days." Evenings have low-key entertainment, but after dinner most people are getting ready to rest up for the next day of active sightseeing.

That is exactly our experience on our one and only (so far) river cruise. We (ages 82, 64, 61, 53, 53) all were exhausted by the end of the day.

One other thing to add - some lines (I know Uniworld) have bikes available. The 'youngsters' in our group took bike rides through a number of the cities we visited during the 'downtime'. I read or napped :D.

The problem on river cruises is usually not being bored during "down time," but rather having the stamina to keep up with the daily pace of shore excursions unrelieved by "sea days." Evenings have low-key entertainment, but after dinner most people are getting ready to rest up for the next day of active sightseeing.

That is exactly our experience on our one and only (so far) river cruise. We (ages 82, 64, 61, 53, 53) all were exhausted by the end of the day.

 

One other thing to add - some lines (I know Uniworld) have bikes available. The 'youngsters' in our group took bike rides through a number of the cities we visited during the 'downtime'. I read or napped :D.

This was my experience as well. I'm 52 and during the limited down time I had on our river cruise, I used to check emails and keep up with CC. Besides keeping up the pace, I would toddle off to bed almost immediately after dinner due to the free pourings of wine at dinner. There were some evenings when I'm sure I had the equivalent of a bottle of wine by myself.:eek: I am normally a very light drinker and an early to bed, early to rise person.

First time glancing at this forum and, most coincidentally, the first post I saw this morning was yours! So good "to see" you!

 

I've been contemplating a river cruise too and have the same concerns--especially as a fellow "solo" also accustomed [addicted?] to ocean cruising--as outlined above...

 

Have a magnificent time! And if you have a moment after your return, please drop me a note to share your impressions...

 

Best regards,

--Mike

Welcome to the River Cruising forum!

I suggest you start by reading the sticky New to RIVER CRUISING??? at the top of this forum, especially the downloadable pdf:

http://pdf.cruisecritic.com/travel-guide/UltimateGuidetoRiverCruising.pdf?et_cid=1262487&et_rid=99616845

which discusses each cruise line and compares them to ocean cruise lines and hotels [this will give you a frame of reference]. The range among river cruise lines that market in the US is fairly small -- but there are differences from the bottom to the top, and the prices don't vary as much as it first appears because the more expensive lines include more things that cost extra on the "cheaper" lines. For information on choosing a river, read the sticky River Cruise Basics articles on Cruise Critic at the top of this forum. I also recommend the book Berlitz guide to River Cruising in Europe by Douglas Ward, which may be found at your public library.

I think it depends on what you like to do. My husband and I are "scenic" (not the proper name ;-) cruisers and one regret of our cruise (a Christmas Markets river cruise) is that so much of our cruising was at night so we were unable to sit on deck and watch the world go by. That's our favorite thing to do on an ocean cruise, and we do various versions of it on any vacation. So what you term "down time" would actually be a highlight of a trip for me.

I am not a river cruiser - for various reasons, it's not my preferred type of vacation (though, as I've stated repeatedly in posts and my review, we had a great cruise on Avalon and would recommend them to anyone who seems a "river cruising" type;)) but boredom is NOT one of the reasons it's not for me. We were up early every day (I'd have to look back at my notes, but I feel we were off the ship by 8 or 8:30 most days, contrary to what Hydrokitty experienced - maybe that's itinerary specific?), go go go most days, then a drink, nice relaxing dinner, and pretty much bed. Maybe a half hour in the lounge (on Avalon Vista, we preferred the rear lounge - no music) and then sleep.

And we're younger than the average and pretty active - we walked a LOT during the day (we were 41 and 46 on the cruise - 2014 December).

River cruising is about sight seeing. Do you get bored on land vacations? Then you'd be bored on a river cruise. We're relatively young and have been on many ocean cruises. River cruising is far from boring, but you have to want to go out and experience and learn. On a river cruise it is always the destination. The ship is only the method to get there

LOL - sorry, what is this bored you speak of! :D I'm never bored - except possibly once or twice when I've been stuck with boring people and didn't have a book to read :)

We're going on our first river cruise in August and I'm reading the itinerary and wondering if there will be ANY down time when I'm not sleeping. I could probably sit up on the deck and just watch the scenery go by.

On an ocean cruise, I can sit and stare at the ocean for hours, so I guess I can't be of much help. I've wondered the same thing when people say they are bored or worry about being bored on an ocean cruise.

I guess the question should be, what do you like to do and is that available on the river cruise you are considering.

River cruising is about sight seeing. Do you get bored on land vacations? Then you'd be bored on a river cruise.

We enjoy independent land vacations. They offer the most flexibility and freedom and allows us to go out when we choose and stay in when we choose, with no schedules. We are more active on land trips as are rarely in our room and we maximize our days and evenings based on our personal interests.

I have been bored on certain river cruises. For us, daytime sailing is best in very small doses. We prefer to be out and about, exploring and experiencing.

For this reason we are careful to choose itineraries that have limited daytime sailing and that offer at least a few overnight stays in port. We enjoy going for a walk after dinner in town, and sometimes stop for a nightcap along the way to enjoy a bit of local culture.

Independent land vacations are our top choice when traveling as a couple or with friends. River cruises work for us when traveling with my mom, who is 84, as it allows us to be as active as we choose and her to rest as needed. It is harder for us to find that balance when on a land vacation, as we often take day trips that do not allow for easy return to a hotel room for a nap.

We leave in a week for ten nights in Italy with family and extended family. Age ranges from 22-84. We will be in Florence for the first five nights, and have three day trips planned from there. Next is Parma for 4 nights, with two day trips booked from there. Our final night will be in Florence as we have an early flight departure from there on our trip home. We are traveling by train most of the time, and have one day booked with a private driver to visit the countryside.

I rented apartments in both locations so that we can socialize as a group in the evenings and those that want to dine in occasion can do so. I know that DH and I will be out most of the time, absorbing as much of the local culture and street life we can.

I know we will not be bored on this trip, as we know and love the areas we are visiting.

LOL - sorry, what is this bored you speak of! :D I'm never bored - except possibly once or twice when I've been stuck with boring people and didn't have a book to read :)

 

We're going on our first river cruise in August and I'm reading the itinerary and wondering if there will be ANY down time when I'm not sleeping. I could probably sit up on the deck and just watch the scenery go by.

 

On an ocean cruise, I can sit and stare at the ocean for hours, so I guess I can't be of much help. I've wondered the same thing when people say they are bored or worry about being bored on an ocean cruise.

 

I guess the question should be, what do you like to do and is that available on the river cruise you are considering.

I think you we may be long lost twins! What you describe is exactly what we do on both river and ocean cruises....right down to the books, which I always bring to sit on my balcony in the sun and watch the waves go by..there's something hypnotic about the ocean....I must admit that I am rarely bored whether at home or on vacation.

First time glancing at this forum and, most coincidentally, the first post I saw this morning was yours! So good "to see" you!

 

I've been contemplating a river cruise too and have the same concerns--especially as a fellow "solo" also accustomed [addicted?] to ocean cruising--as outlined above...

 

Have a magnificent time! And if you have a moment after your return, please drop me a note to share your impressions...

 

Best regards,

--Mike

Hi Mike, hope you are doing well:) if you have my address you can

email me too;) and good to see you as well!

I am very much looking forward to this cruise and for the first time in

13 years I have nothing booked with Celebrity:eek:

We enjoy independent land vacations. They offer the most flexibility and freedom and allows us to go out when we choose and stay in when we choose, with no schedules. We are more active on land trips as are rarely in our room and we maximize our days and evenings based on our personal interests.

 

I have been bored on certain river cruises. For us, daytime sailing is best in very small doses. We prefer to be out and about, exploring and experiencing.

 

For this reason we are careful to choose itineraries that have limited daytime sailing and that offer at least a few overnight stays in port. We enjoy going for a walk after dinner in town, and sometimes stop for a nightcap along the way to enjoy a bit of local culture.

 

Independent land vacations are our top choice when traveling as a couple or with friends. River cruises work for us when traveling with my mom, who is 84, as it allows us to be as active as we choose and her to rest as needed. It is harder for us to find that balance when on a land vacation, as we often take day trips that do not allow for easy return to a hotel room for a nap.

 

We leave in a week for ten nights in Italy with family and extended family. Age ranges from 22-84. We will be in Florence for the first five nights, and have three day trips planned from there. Next is Parma for 4 nights, with two day trips booked from there. Our final night will be in Florence as we have an early flight departure from there on our trip home. We are traveling by train most of the time, and have one day booked with a private driver to visit the countryside.

 

I rented apartments in both locations so that we can socialize as a group in the evenings and those that want to dine in occasion can do so. I know that DH and I will be out most of the time, absorbing as much of the local culture and street life we can.

 

I know we will not be bored on this trip, as we know and love the areas we are visiting.

Sounds like a wonderful time will be had by all......safe travels to you.:)

Thanks to all for your responses We are active 69 / 71 youngsters. Both independent travelers and cruisers. I like being busy but do not need to be entertained so I think I will do just fine. Come 10 PM I'm ready for slumber ! No disco needed.

We lived in German for 11 years between 1970 - 1992 ( 3 army tours ) therefore, the love of travel. Looking forward to being back "home"

Thanks to all for your responses We are active 69 / 71 youngsters. Both independent travelers and cruisers. I like being busy but do not need to be entertained so I think I will do just fine. Come 10 PM I'm ready for slumber ! No disco needed.

We lived in German for 11 years between 1970 - 1992 ( 3 army tours ) therefore, the love of travel. Looking forward to being back "home"

Now that we know more about you I can safely say you're going to be just fine with a river cruise and you'll fit right in. Maybe our paths will cross someday....somewhere....:D

With my second river cruise coming this fall, and first European cruise, and a 14-day one at that, I don't worry so much about being bored as being exhausted. When we travel independently we go at our own pace, and like to have time to sit and smell the roses, so to speak.

I look forward to the handful of half days of day-cruising, and I intend, weather permitting, to watch the scenery go by up on deck as much as possible, as well as reading about our destinations and, yes, napping.

I also wouldn't be surprised if we missed an excursion or two, or skip off on our own to wander. Our Egyptian Nile river cruise was action-packed with just a couple of hours to relax most days. But those couple of hours were golden.

I think you we may be long lost twins! What you describe is exactly what we do on both river and ocean cruises....right down to the books, which I always bring to sit on my balcony in the sun and watch the waves go by..there's something hypnotic about the ocean....I must admit that I am rarely bored whether at home or on vacation.

LOL! So true about the hypnotic quality of the ocean! I see you've also been to Bermuda - it's my favorite!

LOL! So true about the hypnotic quality of the ocean! I see you've also been to Bermuda - it's my favorite!

That was our very first trip outside of the US or Canada and one of the few places I really want to go back to. We were very young and it was a belated honeymoon (and twin babymoon as it turned out!) and we did everything. I especially loved the "swizzle cruise"...when we got back to shore every taxi in Bermuda was lined up at the pier because nobody was in condition to walk farther than across the street! :D