If you love the idea of cruising, but the typical ocean-going mega cruise ship experience is just too large and too overwhelming, the good news is that river cruising may be the perfect solution. With smaller ships, river cruising offers a more personal and intimate experience that a large ocean cruise can’t possibly match, and yet you still can unpack once and see the world!
Smaller Ships Means Fewer Guests
Most river cruise ships have fewer than 200 passengers – and some closer to 100. When you compare this to the average number of passengers on a large ocean cruise (which is more like 3-4000 and could be well over 6000), its immediately clear that a river cruise will be a VERY different experience! With so few guests, the crew-to-passenger ratio can be as low as 1 to 2.3, meaning guests not only enjoy attentive and personal service, but they also will experience a truly intimate onboard atmosphere with staff focused on each guest.
See – and Experience – the World in a New Way
Because river cruise ships are smaller, they aren’t restricted to coastal towns and the big ocean-liner ports that most people think of when it comes to cruising. On a river cruise you’ll sail right into the heart of your destinations and dock in the center of town. With no tendering and no long waits, you’ll be able to step right off the ship and start exploring. This allows for a truly Immersive experience in each town or city with plenty of time to really explore the hidden gems of each destination.
Everything is Included
While most food and some beverages are included in a typical ocean cruise, there are often things that are extra. Specialty dining, beverage packages, and off-ship excursions typically come at an additional cost, and while not required to sail, the fact is that most guests often do add at least some *extras* to their cruise along the way. So the initial price of the cruise may actually end up costing quite a bit more than planned by the time you add in the additional things you want. River cruises on the other hand typically include those things that you’ll pay extra for on an ocean cruise. Specialty dining and all beverages are part of the cruise fare, and cruise lines like Viking even include at least one excursion/port at no additional cost. This means that guests won’t have to worry about additional costs for those extras they want – and instead can focus on having a wonderful vacation without the stress of planning the details and worrying about the cost.
When it comes to the value received for your travel *investment*, river cruises can’t be beat. With amazing and memorable experiences – all included – and the chance to see multiple destinations – and only unpack once – and with the additional benefit of having a truly intimate vacation without crowds, it’s easy to see how a river cruise can truly be the best way to start checking off that travel bucket list!
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