Have you heard the saying, go big or go home? Last month we hit a big milestone, our 25th wedding anniversary! We always knew we would get there, and now we are looking forward to 50. Since it was our 25th, we decided to do something a bit more than our usual dinner, or 4-night getaway somewhere. We decided to hop on a plane, head to Europe for one of our favorite types of vacations, a river cruise. We started our adventure in Prague and ended in Budapest. We were also able to share this great experience with a group of friends and clients (who are now friends).
As a Travel Professional, 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. While there are slower paced options available, this is for the more active adults or 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 200 passengers or less per boat, so the waitstaff will likely know your name by the end of the first meal (and so will your fellow travelers). The food on river cruises always includes local specialties as well as traditional fare for the less adventurous. Most cruises have one dinner seating time, but you are open to sit wherever you please. Some of the newer ships are starting to introduce alternative dining options, and yes, still included in the cost.

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. Because of extended port times, you are often also able to go into the town for a local experience. A few years ago, in Cologne we did a “pub crawl”, and this year in Vienna, we attended a Classical Concert.

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. Some lines will include one excursion per port, others will include as many as you can schedule in your port day There are also all-inclusive river cruise lines.
River cruising continues to gain popularity among American travelers. With the wide variety of choices, it can be the perfect option for a first trip to Europe, or your 20th trip to Europe. As this has quickly become one of my favorite types of vacations, I’m sure you’ll hear more about the rivers from me in the future.

Happy Travels,

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