Why you should not take a river cruise

​There are so many reasons why river cruising is the fastest growing segment of leisure travel. But, a river cruise may not be your best vacation choice if your expectations include:​  

• Lavish shows, Las Vegas-style entertainment, casinos, discos or climbing walls. Many ocean vessels are a destination unto themselves.  While the newest river cruise vessels have added many of the amenities found on their ocean-going cousins, the number of public areas is limited.  A river cruise vacation is all about the destination, not about the ship.
• Elaborate kids-camps and teen programs. Some lines have designated select sailings for multi-generational groups and they are becoming a popular way for grandparents to take the entire family on a memory making vacation.  On these sailings, the river cruise lines cater to families with children by offering excursions that are planned to appeal to a wide range of ages to make them enjoyable for multiple generations.  Most of the time however, a river cruise is an adults-only vacation option. In addition, very few cabins accommodate more than two people.
• Accessible ships and ports-of-call. Some river cruise ships have an elevator between certain decks (never to the top deck) and accessible cabins, but there are other obstacles to consider.  In many of the ports, vessels are linked together-called "rafting"-so that passengers must walk over gangways and through other river vessels to get into port.  Once there, streets may be uneven cobblestone or brick.  Those with mobility issues may find the journey challenging.
• Smoking tolerance. Smoking is allowed only on the outside decks.
• Physician onboard. Most river cruise lines do not sail with a doctor onboard since they travel close to shore and can quickly reach towns with medical facilities in an emergency.  Travelers should ask their physician to recommend and/or prescribe medications that might be needed along the way before leaving home.
• Life boats. River cruise vessels do not generally carry life boats since they are always close to land. A safety meeting is held soon after first embarking which includes a demonstration on how to don and secure the life vests located in every cabin.

​For travelers who are collectors of experiences, river cruising offers cultural immersion by sailing through the heart of historic cities and landscapes with plenty of opportunity to explore charming villages, hamlets, sites and monuments along the way.  Our clients return from their river cruise exclaiming that they enjoyed a truly undreamed of and extraordinary travel adventure.

Ready to plan your ‪‎River Cruise vacation? Contact us and we will prepare a quote for you!

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