During river cruises the countryside is usually in view, so they are especially relaxing—and interesting—to those who prefer land nearby. River cruises usually last from 7 to 15 days, although some can last 3 weeks or longer.
Some river ships resemble 5-star hotels, with sun decks, dining rooms, lounges, fitness facilities, swimming pools, casinos and other entertainment. Accommodation, meals on board, entertainment and special events (holidays, festivals, contests, concerts, etc.) are usually included in the cruise price, while bar expenses, sauna, massage, laundry and cleaning, and phone calls are not.
Most cruises have a variety of onboard and onshore activities. The latter include guided tours to historic and cultural sites, visiting local attractions, museums and galleries, and other points of interest. Guides give a running commentary while sailing.
A river cruise provides travelers a unique way to travel. According to Douglas Ward, "A river cruise represents life in the slow lane, sailing along at a gentle pace, soaking up the scenery, with plentiful opportunities to explore riverside towns and cities en route. It is a supremely calming experience, an antidote to the pressures of life in a fast-paced world, in surroundings that are comfortable without being fussy or pretentious, with good food and enjoyable company."
Mr. Ward continues: "A river cruise is very different from an ocean cruise. For a start, you are in almost constant sight of land and stops are far more frequent than they are at sea. The vessels are like small, friendly, floating inns, whereas ocean-going ships tend to be bigger, flashier, busier and livelier, the crew practised in the art of moving up to 4,000 people from one port to another and getting them on and off the ship. In contrast, when your river cruise vessel docks you simply walk up the gangway and into the town or city—in many cases the dock is located right at the heart of things. Despite these differences, however, most people who enjoy ocean cruising and the relaxing rhythm of life afloat are attracted to river cruises as well."
Popular river cruises include trips along the Nile, the Amazon, the Mississippi, the Yangtze, the Mekong, the Danube, the Loboc River, the Rhine, the Seine, the Volga, the Douro or the Po river in Italy. There are several dozen river cruise companies ranging from single-ship businesses to large shipping companies operating dozens of river cruise ships.
Cruises
OCS210501-17 - Grand Journey: Italy & The Greek Isles
From $7,589.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Crystal Symphony2022 : Impressions of the Seine & Paris : 7-Night Cruise with 4 Nights Pre-Cruise and 2 Nights Post
From $6,159.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms AmaDante
OverviewCRUISE FROM : Paris to Le HavreDiscover both the popular sites and hidden gems of Paris as well as sites memorialized by famous ...2021 : Christmas Markets on the Rhine : 7-Night Cruise with 2-Nights Pre-Cruise and 4 Nights Post-Cr
From $5,249.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: ms AmaLucia
OverviewCRUISE FROM : Amsterdam to BaselExperience the deep-rooted holiday traditions of Europe at its most festive time of year and get...2022: Active & Discovery on the Rhine with 1 Night in Amsterdam (Southbound) (WAWQ) - Expression
From $3,658.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Expression2022 - 15 Day Black Sea Explorer with Transylvania: Budapest to Bucharest aboard Scenic Pearl (Combo)
From $6,470.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Pearl
Flight Offers2022 - 15 Day Jewels of Europe: Amsterdam to Budapest aboard Scenic Crystal (Cruise)
From $8,095.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Crystal
Flight Offers2021 - 18 Day Peru and Chile Explorer: Callao (Lima) to Buenos Aires aboard Scenic Eclipse (Combo)
From $14,695.00 (USD)
Destination: South America
Ship: Scenic Eclipse
Save $$ Per Couple2021 - 11 Day Luxury Irrawaddy: Mandalay to Yangon aboard Scenic Aura (Cruise)
From $5,866.00 (USD)
Destination: Asia/Far East
Ship: Scenic Aura
Flight Offers2022 - 18 Day Jewels of Europe with Paris: Budapest to Paris aboard Scenic Ruby (Cruise)
From $10,951.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Ruby
Save $$ Per Couple2022 - 11 Day South of France: Lyon to Lyon aboard Scenic Sapphire (Cruise)
From $6,695.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Sapphire
Flight Offers2021 - 14 Day Beautiful Bordeaux with Paris: Paris to Bordeaux aboard Scenic Diamond (Cruise)
From $8,520.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Diamond
Flight OffersYES220821-07 - Yachting Gems of the Aegean
From $8,049.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Crystal EspritRDB220718-07 - Romantic Rhine
From $5,799.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Crystal DebussyRMH220409-07 - Danube Dreams & Discoveries
From $4,999.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Crystal Mahler2023 - 16 Day Adventures through the Inside Passage: Anchorage to Vancouver aboard Scenic Eclipse (Combo)
From $12,959.00 (USD)
Destination: Alaska
Ship: Scenic Eclipse
Save $$ Per CoupleRBA210913-10 - Enchanting Moselle
From $8,249.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Crystal Bach2022 - 15 Day Romantic Rhine & Moselle: Amsterdam to Zurich aboard Scenic Crystal (Cruise)
From $7,695.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Crystal
Flight Offers2022 - 15 Day Black Sea Explorer with Transylvania: Bucharest to Budapest aboard Scenic Jasper (Combo)
From $6,770.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Jasper
Flight Offers2022 - 19 Day Ultimate Mediterranean Discovery: Lisbon to Civitavecchia (Rome) aboard Scenic Eclipse (Combo)
From $16,642.00 (USD)
Destination: Europe
Ship: Scenic Eclipse
Save $$ Per Couple2022 - 14 Day Across the Arctic Circle: Bergen to Oslo aboard Scenic Eclipse (Combo)
From $18,775.00 (USD)
Destination: Scandinavia/Russia
Ship: Scenic Eclipse
Save $$ Per Couple