Buying a loved one the perfect holiday gift isn’t easy, especially if you’ve been giving them gifts for years. So, let’s think outside the gift box, shall we? The gift of travel creates memories that last a lifetime, so how about a cruise?
And not just any cruise – a river cruise. River cruising is hot right now, with lines such as Viking and Uniworld offering incredible new itineraries all year round. But what, really, is the difference between an ocean cruise and a river cruise?
While ocean cruises offer luxury and fun on a grand scale, accommodating thousands of passengers at a time on some of the mega-ships, river cruises offer a more relaxed, intimate experience that caters more to intellectual and cultural curiosity. A typical river cruise ship holds under 200 passengers. The staff-to-guest ratio is very high, ensuring an unmatched attention to service and detail.
These smaller ships are able to sail right into ports that a larger ocean vessel wouldn’t be able to access directly, requiring them to dock miles away. On a river cruise, just walk right off the ship, and you’re right in the middle of everything.
Imagine sailing along the Seine, with ever-changing French scenery on either side of you; one minute you’re looking up at Notre Dame, and another day picturesque villages dot the landscape. That’s river cruising. While the ocean offers stillness, serenity, and a sense of infinity, there’s always something new to see around you on a river cruise. And don’t be surprised to see locals greeting you along the riverbanks – just make sure you wave back!
Both ocean and river cruises offer incredible dining. While river cruise ships have fewer restaurants to choose from, they specialize in destination-focused cuisine. You’ll dine on the freshest foods, often sourced from only a few miles away, and sip local wines and beers crafted in the area. Cooking demonstrations and classes are also featured on sailings, so you’ll be able to re-create your favorite dishes at home.
Activities are a bit more easygoing on a river cruise; you won’t see a rock-climbing wall, skydiving simulator or Broadway-style show. Instead, you’ll see crafts demonstrations, local folklore and dancing performances, peruse well-stocked libraries, and have leisurely chats at the coffee bar. Spa services are available on most ships, and most have fitness centers as well.
One of the truly great benefits of a river cruise is that they are all-inclusive. One payment includes all dining options, beverages, and even most shore excursions. Everything is at your disposal, and you won’t be “nickel and dimed.”
Shore excursions on river cruises are rich in history and cultural immersion. Once you’ve been introduced to your destination on board via seminars and dining on local cuisine, take a walking tour that includes a visit to a resident’s home to experience what life is really like in some of the most fascinating parts of the world. That distinctive touch even extends to Viking’s shore excursions in St. Petersburg, Russia, where you’ll have private, exclusive access to the archives of the magnificent Hermitage Museum.
As you’ve probably guessed, river cruises cater more to adults than children, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t amazing opportunities for families. AmaWaterways has partnered with the Walt Disney Travel Company to create family river cruise experiences for Adventures by Disney. Your whole family will enjoy educational and adventurous excursions with local experts, as well as highly-trained Disney “adventure guides,” as you sail along the beautiful Rhine and Danube rivers.
Nor are river cruises only available in Europe. You can take a trip along the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam, sail the Yangtze and see China’s greatest sights, and explore the wonders of India along the sacred Ganges River. Discover the beauty of Africa along the Zambezi River. Follow the “Road to Mandalay,” along the Irrawaddy to mysterious Myanmar. And yes, you can cruise the Amazon as well. Wherever you are in the world, there’s a river cruise that will take you right into the heart of every culture.
That includes the United States, too! Some of life’s greatest adventures can happen close to home. Have you ever wanted to ease down the mighty Mississippi River on a genuine paddlewheel steamboat? You can aboard American Cruise Line’s Queen of the Mississippi. See the rugged Pacific Northwest up close on the newly refurbished Queen of the West. In April 2018, the brand new American Constitution will embark on her inaugural American Revolution cruise, an 11-day journey through history that will visit the towns and cities along Chesapeake Bay that helped give birth to a new nation.
With so many amazing places to explore, you might want to make the gift of a river cruise an annual event! You’ll certainly never run out of ideas.
Here’s a list of some of the best river cruise lines:
Avalon
Viking
Uniworld
AmaWaterways
Crystal
American Cruise Lines
Many of these lines are expanding their fleets, with brand new ships with amenities such as full-service spas, heated swimming pools, and swim-up bars.
Contact an experienced travel professional for more details, and to find the trip and pricing that’s right for you.
Happy Holidays, Happy Gift-Giving, and as always, Fair Winds and Following Seas!
Donna Hazel
Land and Cruise Specialist
CRUISE PLANNERS
6518 Seaspray Ave.
Arverne, NY 11692
Ph: 646-932-5692
www.fairwindstravelllc.com
Facebook: Cruise Planners @FairWindsTravelNY
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