River Cruising - The pro's about going small

As a Travel Professional,  and a couples travel concierge, I’m often asked about the newest or hottest trends in travel.  One of the hottest trends in travel right now is river cruising.  Many of Europe’s greatest cities are accessible by river, and river cruising is all about the destination.  The river cruise ships are smaller than the ocean going vessels providing a much more intimate environment and travel experience.

I for one thought that this was for the older generation but I was completely wrong in more ways than one. This new way to cruise is for the adventurous. You are docked right into the heart of the city. You walk on cobblestones. You are eating pho, knockwurst and other traditional foods. You are there to really experience the cultures and sounds of the world.  This is for the “Bucket List” crowd.  

Although an increasingly popular and an amazing experience, river cruising is not for everyone.  The river cruise ships are not designed with small children in mind; there are no children’s programs, activities or menus available.  River cruising can also be a challenge for physically challenged guests as well; the ships are not designed with handicap accessibility for the most part.  Many ships have no elevators, or if they do, they may not reach the lower decks on the ship.   Cobblestone streets and many stairs throughout Europe can also present challenges.

River Cruising - The pros about going small:

For those only familiar with the rules of big ships, here are three reasons riverboat fanatics come back, time and again, for more.

Dinner
Forget buffet dining with 2,000 strangers. River cruises average about 200 passengers per boat, so the waitstaff will likely know your name by the end of the first meal (and so will your fellow travelers).

Evening Entertainment
Instead of dance clubs, karaoke, and glitzy Vegas-style reviews, nightlife on river cruises trends toward string quartets, guest lectures on regional history, local entertainment, and staring out at actual scenery, not just a watery horizon.

Extra Costs
The dirty little secrets of ocean cruises? They always charge extra for excursions, and beer and wine costs are on par with pro sports arenas. River cruise lines opt for flat fees up front.  Yes, your excursions are included, as are wine and beer with various meals.  (Each river cruise line has its own version of their inclusive plan)

River cruising is such a fast-growing trend that there are twice as many new river ships debuting in 2012 than there are traditional big ships. In fact, Viking River Cruises is building 6 new ships to accommodate the demand.
 

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