- While I don’t particularly enjoy ocean cruises, I instantly fell in love with river cruises on my first voyage.
- When on a river cruise, I find myself fully immersed in the places we visit.
- The peacefulness and smaller crowds on a river cruise are a major plus, not to mention the absence of seasickness.
Over a decade ago, I eagerly booked a cabin for an ocean cruise, hoping to fall in love with the experience. It seemed like the cool thing to do. However, I encountered numerous issues on the massive ship, from long embarkation lines to minimal time spent at ports. It felt more like a party on a ship than an authentic cultural experience. Despite this, I didn’t give up on cruising and recently tried my first river cruise, which instantly won me over.
My river cruise was a refreshing departure from the ocean cruises I had previously experienced.
River cruises offer a more intimate and convenient setting
River cruise ships are significantly smaller, typically consisting of just three decks and accommodating 100 to 250 guests, often even fewer. In contrast, ocean cruises feature behemoth vessels with over a dozen decks and thousands of passengers.
I thoroughly enjoyed the coziness of a small ship during my river cruise. It allowed for easy access to the top deck, restaurants, and the shore. This convenience was especially appreciated when I forgot my phone in my room and could quickly return to retrieve it. In comparison, on larger ocean cruises, navigating across massive decks can be time-consuming.
Malika Bowling
Furthermore, smaller river cruises result in shorter wait times for boarding and disembarking, as well as fewer crowds overall. As someone who leans towards introversion, I appreciate the tranquility and reduced socialization on these types of cruises.
A river cruise perfectly suited my preferences, providing a calmer atmosphere compared to the often loud party scenes on ocean cruises. With thousands of passengers on a large ocean cruise and days spent solely at sea, finding a place for solitude can be rare.
River cruises eliminate seasickness concerns and offer better accommodations
Seasickness is a common deterrent for potential cruisers, but it’s not a concern on river cruises. The absence of waves means motion sickness is virtually nonexistent when cruising on a river.
The calm and peaceful waters of rivers, unlike the choppy ocean, make it easy to forget that the ship is even moving. I could enjoy scenic views of vineyards and elegant homes gliding by from the comfort of our balcony.
Another advantage of river cruises is the absence of inside cabins. While not every room has a balcony, all rooms have at least a window, which cannot be said for the vast ocean ships.
Most importantly, river cruises provide an authentic travel experience
Some people use cruises as a way to check off destinations from their travel list. However, I prefer to truly explore and immerse myself in a place rather than merely setting foot there for a few hours and collecting souvenirs.
One of my main issues with ocean cruises is the limited time spent at ports due to the vast distances covered. In contrast, river cruises focus on docking at port cities, often with walkable city centers. This allows for more time spent exploring and less time spent traveling on water. River cruise passengers are typically occupied with off-ship excursions, such as wine tastings and historical tours, rather than drinking and partying onboard.
For instance, during my Rhone River cruise in the south of France, we had knowledgeable guides leading us on tours that provided in-depth insights into each city’s history and culture.
Malika Bowling
In addition, many port cities on river cruises offer walkable areas with local shops and cafes, allowing for independent exploration. While ocean cruises may offer more onboard activities and entertainment, my true goal when traveling is to venture out and discover. With a river cruise, I felt like a genuine traveler, able to immer
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