Many people are reluctant to try river cruises because they think they will feel bored and will feel claustrophobic only for older people or on small boats. Five years ago, we had the same idea First River Cruise. We’re in love with river cruises, so we want to share 10 things River cruise is better than ocean cruise (We think).
If you love cruising but aren’t sure if you’ll enjoy river cruising, keep reading because you might be surprised!
Disclosure: Some of the river cruises we have done in the past were invitations to cruise companies, but we always provide honest comments and feedback. This article is not sponsored.
1. River cruises include standard cruise prices more
On a river cruise you can expect Including flights, pickups, food, drinks, wifi, tours, activities and entertainment. Although the price is usually higher than the ocean cruise, this experience is more inclusive than a typical ocean cruise.
This is a huge benefit of river cruise, and when you consider all the extra extras you need to pay, the price is less expensive.
Each River Cruise Line includes slightly different. For example, we have already cruised on three different river cruise routes:
- Amawaterways: Transfers, food, drinks, wifi, tours, activities and entertainment
- Riviera River Cruise: Flights, pickups, food, wifi, offsets, activities and entertainment (sometimes including drinks in promotions)
- Tui River cruise: Flights, transfers, food, drinks, wifi, activities and entertainment
read: What is included in the Riviera River Parade
read: What is included in the Tui River Parade
2. River cruises have more time in the harbor than ocean cruises
This is because the distance between destinations is much smaller than that of ocean cruises, so the travel time between each port is greatly reduced. This is the benefit you can Stay in the port for longer.
It gives you more time to explore the place and even have the opportunity to enjoy the destination in the evening. Stop overnight More common in river cruises, giving you the greatest time in the harbor.
We were at night in Budapest in Rudesheim Vilshofen and Linz. During these overnight stays we went out for dinner and found a walking distance to the local bar to make the most of our time at our destination.
We experienced incredible sails from Budapest as the ship left!
Unfortunately, itinerary and expensive port allegations mean that ocean cruises limit the time you have to visit your destination. Returning to the boat for a lot of time can also be eaten in the harbor in the day.
If you missed the boat on the ocean cruise, it might be tricky and expensive to get to your next destination than if you just missed the riverboat and had to take a taxi on a short distance.
We even kept cruising the river and the captain turned around and returned to the passengers, which had no effect on our arrival at the next port.
Because the destinations you visit during a river cruise are much closer to each other, you can even Visit two places in one day. You can start the morning at one port, return to the boat for lunch, and then visit another port in the afternoon.
So far, we have done this on every river cruise we have experienced. For example:
- Vislhofen and Passau
- Kalocsa and Mohacs
- Donji Milanovac and Golubac
- Koblenz and Boppard
- Heidelberg and Spear
All we know is a marine cruise line that does this Celestyproviding island jumps in Greece.
3. The river mail boat can pick you up from the cruise tour
In some cases, river cruises can actually Pick you up at the end of your cruise. Yes, this really sounds unusual!
On the river cruise you can set out from a place you tour on the shore and the riverboat will meet you by the riverside at the end of your tour.
It’s cool, we’ve experienced a few times on the Euro River cruise. The huge positive thing about this is Greatly reduce your transfer time (No one gets stuck on the coach longer than necessary) and gives you more time to see your destination.
4. Boarding is faster during river cruise
When you get to the riverboat, all you have to do is name you at the front desk, they just take a picture and hand over your cruise card to you! That’s it!
You don’t need to wait for age in the cruise dock, you don’t have to go through safety, and you don’t have to worry about trying to find your own cabin. The crew on the riverboat will show you your cabin in person.
One thing you might have to do is Leave your passport to the front desk. But this is only on rivers on the borders of rivers, for example, if you are going in and out of the EU. We had to do this on the eastern cruise of the Danube because we visited Serbia, which is not in the EU.
This means River cruise handles all customs inspections And you don’t need to get off the boat to handle it. When we returned to Southampton and arrived in Dubai, we had to line up for a long time.
We already have some quick boarding times for ocean cruises to be fair, but even so, boarding for river cruises is still a smoother and faster process.
5. The river pier is located in the center of the destination
If you’ve ever had an ocean cruise with Rome, Paris, or Florence on your itinerary, you’ll know that these ports are actually far from them. These “For” ports (for example, Le Havre in Paris) mean that your ocean cruise can be parked in these cities for a 2 or even 3-hour drive.
By comparison, River cruises can take you into the heart of your destinationso in most cases you can walk directly from the boat into the town or city you are visiting.
Capital cities such as Budapest, Bratislava, Belgrade, Paris and Amsterdam It is accessible directly from your river cruise ship.
We really like how easy it makes river cruises and we can make the most of exploring a place without having to make a long transfer time in the last time of our day.
6. Enter the bridge
Can you imagine cruising the ocean and then jumping onto the bridge to see a chat with the captain? This is not uncommon in river cruises!
The captain on the river cruise ship is usually Very happy that the passengers visited the bridge And look inside. Organized travel is available for free whenever you request it. Most of the time, the captain is happy to stop and chat with you.
The only time you shouldn’t bother the captain is when the boat is locked or in and out of the port.
7. River cruise is better
On a river cruise you can Experience more destinations You didn’t even step on the boat. This is done in a number of ways:
- Local dishes on the menu of the onboard restaurant
- Local wine and beer are served in the bar
- Local groups offer exclusive performances for cruise passengers
Not only was this a cruise of the luxury river, but we also experienced it on a budget-friendly river cruise. On the first night of our Tui River Cruise, there was a Hungarian folk group who performed some very dynamic traditional dances.
Amawaterways Services when we visit Vienna Sacher Torte Have lunch and apricot dumplings in Budapest.
On our Riviera River cruise, local wine and beer are served every evening at dinner, and there is another local dish on the menu.
Don’t worry, there are certain things you will recognize on the menu, but it does give you a chance to try new things.
8. No chance to parade the river
If you are a little sick on an ocean cruise, you’ll be glad to hear that river cruises aren’t. Even in bad weather, Sailing smoothly on river cruise.
If you have been postponed for ocean cruises due to marine disease, river cruises are a great option.
9. The dress code for river cruises is easy, even at night
The atmosphere on the boat is Relax more during a river cruise Compared to many ocean cruises. You can leave cocktails and suits at home for dinner.
We even went to the restaurant in clever shorts during the river cruise, and no one even knocked on the eyelids.
People are still dressed up on the evenings of river cruises, but definitely not what you experience on a typical ocean cruise.
If you are not sure what to wrap, Read our guide What to wear during a European River Parade.
10. All cottages on the riverboat have a window
All river cruise cabins have at least one window, even if not a balcony. River cruise no internal cabin. Even if you choose the cheapest cabin on a river cruise, you still have windows.
We’re even in The river boat has a balcony.
One thing no one can guarantee when docking is a view.
Are you interested in learning more?
We recommend you watch this video next How to choose the best river cruise.
