Did you ever take a break from NCL and try a river cruise?

Just curious. After many years of traditional cruising, my husband threw out the idea of doing a river cruise in Europe. It looks interesting. They appear to be more theme oriented, so it will be harder to select an itinerary and time to fit our needs. Retirement is coming soon so maybe we'll give it try to mix things up. I can't see doing it more than once though because of cost and we love traditional cruising.

We actually did the Viking (Avignon to Lyon) last summer and enjoyed it immensely. We usually sail NCL Haven type suites as we have a teenager with us- but this was couples trip (we are a few years away as well). We stopped in all sorts of little French towns, strolled the markets, visited cathedrals and ate the most amazing croissants! We were the youngest on the ship by about ten years (we are early 50’s). Loved and and will do something similar again.

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We did AMA Waterways last summer on the Danube. It was fantastic! It was very similar atmosphere to luxury cruises we've been on. I thought it might get boring but with a port each day you are very busy! They offered a nice selection of included tours at each port with various activity levels. We also did the Prague extension in the beginning and that was amazing!!!

No interest whatsoever, especially Europe.

We did an 8 day last year on Viking from Nuremburg to Budapest on the Main/Danube. It was a great trip. We had a 3 day extension in Prague beforehand and 1 extra day in Budapest. Beautiful scenery and culture. Lots of locks to traverse. Their lock system was very interesting. We will definitely do it again.

We love river cruising (10 so far with Grand Circle Travel). We now ocean cruise only once or twice a year so we can fit in the river cruises (time-wise and money-wise). Check out the River Cruise forums on CruiseCritic for information.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=7&f=191

For us, river cruises are not as relaxing as ocean cruises (where we frequently end up on a beach - reading or relaxing in the surf). On most river cruises, you will be grouped with other passengers (20 to 40 of you per group) to go on guided walking tours of the towns you visit. You will probably have free time after lunch to go back into the towns for shopping or in-depth touring (on your own). Most sailing is done over night- unless you're on a scenic stretch of the river.

Many river cruise companies offer last minute specials (maybe one or two months in advance or as quickly as a week). Once you're retired, you may be flexible enough to take advantage of these specials at a significant cost savings. Check out their websites.

I’m 54, not old enough...I’m closer to 34 at heart.

My teen is doing one next summer, and we will probably join him.

We are in our 60's. Tried a Viking cruise, couple years ago, Paris-Normandy. Loved those two stops, however rest were kind of the same and not much to see/do. Ship's dining, cabins, etc. fine, but little to do in evenings. Feel, over-all, that river cruising is a little over-priced. We'll probably stick with Ocean Cruising!!

I had the chance to do a free river cruise 7 years ago but chose to do a Med cruise instead. My reasoning was that at night there wouldn't be much to do as there is no casino or entertainment offered (except for a piano player) and I was in my early 50's and liked to have fun. I thought that my then husband and I would be bored so we stuck with what we knew and did a 9 day Med cruise.

Fast forward to now and I am kicking myself for not doing the river cruise. I am now divorced and I can't afford to do the river cruise solo. I have put the river cruises on my bucket list and hope to do one soon.

Did the Carnival Triumph last year and went down the Mississippi. Very nice.

Several river cruise lines offer low single supplements, sometimes they drop them all together. The low/reduced supplements seem to run 10-20% of the base fare. The number of cabins is limited.

This 43 year old NCL-junkie will be hitting the Danube next March on Ama, and couldn’t be more excited.

Edit: I even cancelled an Edge Sky Suite for the opportunity - easy decision.

This 43 year old NCL-junkie will be hitting the Danube next March on Ama, and couldn’t be more excited.

 

Edit: I even cancelled an Edge Sky Suite for the opportunity - easy decision.

We are in our early 40s had a fantastic time on AMA. You might have a slightly older demographic in March..we went in July and there were lots of "younger" people (40s-50s) If you do the Prague extension...you might enjoy a beer bath...tub filled with most ingredient of beer and all the beer you can drink!

This 43 year old NCL-junkie will be hitting the Danube next March on Ama, and couldn’t be more excited.

 

Edit: I even cancelled an Edge Sky Suite for the opportunity - easy decision.

Now I don't have to go. I can just live through your review and feel like I've been there!

My Husband and I want to try a river cruise. I guess we are waiting on our teenagers to no longer cruise with us :') Every year, I look at all the itineraries hoping I can intrigue the girls, but no luck yet.

Did the Carnival Triumph last year and went down the Mississippi. Very nice.

I've done that too. Once was enough.

Did the Carnival Triumph last year and went down the Mississippi. Very nice.

Hahhhaa! Great post!:')

No interest whatsoever, especially Europe.

So why bother answering. The OP asked has anyone done not interested

Whats wrong with Europe - is this because you think the world ends in whichever country you are based.

This 43 year old NCL-junkie will be hitting the Danube next March on Ama, and couldn’t be more excited.

 

Edit: I even cancelled an Edge Sky Suite for the opportunity - easy decision.

Its very different but hope you enjoy it - everyday is different and the vessel is one big Haven

We did our first river cruise a year ago on AmaLyra, Paris to Normandy. It's more expensive but all wine and beer and excursions included. We loved it and will do it again first chance we get. We are 59 and 64.

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I’ve done the Rhine, Danube and Volga itineraries. It’s a wonderful way to explore Europe, and the cities and towns on the rivers. The places you’ll never get to via NCL.

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We did a two week cruise on AMA from Budapest to Luxembourg, with a 3 night extension in Paris, in 2015. Absolutely loved it! I'd love to do more, but it really is so much more expensive than ocean cruising. I highly recommend giving it a try.

Just curious. After many years of traditional cruising, my husband threw out the idea of doing a river cruise in Europe. It looks interesting. They appear to be more theme oriented, so it will be harder to select an itinerary and time to fit our needs. Retirement is coming soon so maybe we'll give it try to mix things up. I can't see doing it more than once though because of cost and we love traditional cruising.

According to many friends who have done this, it is a wonderful and very different experience but also very pricey. The other concern is walking issues for older cruisers. Apparently river cruises are for those who are in great physical shape and can handle challenges. I wish they had been so popular when we were about 20 years younger.

According to many friends who have done this, it is a wonderful and very different experience but also very pricey. The other concern is walking issues for older cruisers. Apparently river cruises are for those who are in great physical shape and can handle challenges. I wish they had been so popular when we were about 20 years younger.

AMA seemed very considerate of "gentle walkers" as they called them. They had tours at each spot with minimal walking..sometimes providing the train like trolleys in various towns. There were always three levels of options available.