Two years ago, Margaret and Holley Wallace were deciding whether their first cruise should be on the ocean or a river. “We knew we wanted a cruise but couldn’t decide between the amenities of a big ship or the intimacy of a smaller one,” Mrs. Wallace recalled. “In the end, the laid-back atmosphere of a river cruise matched our travel style.”
The choice proved rewarding. The Wallaces enjoyed their Viking river cruise so much that they booked another within a year. “As much as we loved the destinations, it was the onboard experience that made the trip,” Mrs. Wallace said. “We never had to worry about anything. The service was incredible. One staff member overheard me mention that I liked a particular wine; an hour later, a bottle appeared in our suite. Little surprises like that made it special.”
Interest in river cruising has been rising. Many travel advisors report increased demand for river cruises because smaller ships offer a different, more relaxed experience than large ocean vessels.
One advantage is ship size. With most river vessels carrying fewer than 200 passengers, lines are short at embarkation and disembarkation. Smaller ships are easier to move through, so you won’t need to navigate large public spaces just to reach your cabin or the pool.
Smaller ships can also dock right in town, removing the need for tenders and making exploration effortless. “The focus of river cruising is the destination,” said Michal Maguire, vice president of marketing at AmaWaterways. “The onboard experience offers many possibilities, but the purpose is to educate guests about where they are. Local guides and a wide range of excursions let travelers experience iconic sights as well as lesser-known delights.”
PHOTO: © AMAWATERWAYS
River cruise lines offer a wide variety of excursions that go beyond standard walking tours and cooking classes. In Bordeaux, for example, you can join an oysterman on his boat to sample the day’s catch with a glass of Sancerre or create a custom Cognac blend. In Cambodia, guests can kayak or take a skiff to floating villages. Other options include guided market shopping in Cairo, cycle tours through Vietnam’s rice fields, and private classical performances in Vienna. On a river cruise, most activities are arranged for you—just show up and enjoy.
City-center docking also makes independent exploration easy, whether on foot or by bike—many lines provide bicycles for guest use. Ships typically offer maps, bottled water, snacks, and staff recommendations to help you make the most of your time ashore.
Smaller vessels can also access remote regions via waterways that larger ships and roadways cannot reach. In the Amazon basin, for instance, purpose-built riverboats navigate channels that open up immersive wildlife and cultural experiences. On three- and four-day cruises through Peru’s Amazon, Delfin Amazon Cruises takes guests into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve for activities such as swimming near pink dolphins and nighttime excursions that may reveal nocturnal wildlife. “The remoteness of these locations, accessible only by our vessels and local fishermen, enables guests to explore hidden corners of the Amazon where few others venture,” said Aldo Macchiavello, CEO and co-founder of Delfin Amazon Cruises. “It’s an exclusive experience.”
PERKS PLUS
Smaller passenger counts give river cruise crews more opportunities to deliver personalized touches that reflect local culture. You might be welcomed back from a day exploring German Christmas markets with a cup of mulled wine or find an impromptu tasting of vintage Ports while sailing the Douro. Many menus feature regional dishes prepared with ingredients sourced locally that morning—try them to experience authentic flavors.
If you’re still unsure whether a river cruise suits you, consider this: calm, flat rivers mean far less motion than the open ocean, reducing the chance of seasickness. “The only swaying you’ll feel is if you decide to dance after dinner,” joked Joan Smith, a Virtuoso travel advisor who has taken more than 50 river cruises. “A river cruise is pure relaxation.”