River cruising - newbie questions...

[waylandertoo]

Hi all,

 

we're toying with the idea of doing a river-cruise at some point but we both have a few concerns/questions. 

 

- the obvious question has to relate to the possible age groups on these cruises (Rhine/Danube in particular). Whilst we're not party people neither are we old and we're not really looking to be either the youngest (or oldest!!) on this type of cruise.

- I'd imagine that the cruise itself will be similar to a sea cruise but with no 'sea-days'?

- if the cruise is Rhine/Danube would it be a full day ashore with time to do what you want trip-wise (like a sea cruise)?

 

There are likely to be loads more queries I've got but these are the main ones at this point

 

TIA

[Canal archive]

Look  at the bits at the top of the River Cruising page lots of info there, check the different companies on line. Plus for instance Emerald is supposed to be aimed at a younger age group than Scenic. Most trips rarely have full days away from the boat but for instance Scenic does on their Seine cruise when visiting WW1 sites and WW2 sites with lunch at a restaurant on both days.

Age is very subjective 80 year olds can bop with the best and outlast 30year olds in the lounge.

[Daisi]

Welcome @waylandertoo, may I suggest you read over the articles at the top of the main page to get an idea about what river cruising is all about. Also, if you don't have a TA, try to find one whom you are comfortable with, as their experience can be invaluable.

 

As for ages on cruises, I've seen everything from a family travelling to celebrate their daughter going to Uni (so 2 girls 20-18 or so), another couple in their mid 20's, some in their 40's, 50's and older.  Don't be afraid about the older ones slowing you down, some of the seniors on our cruise were extremely active and off doing everything. As long as you can be sociable, don't worry about the party. Most entertainment for the evening is a piano player, some dance, but most just sit and chat with new friends. A typical day runs from breakfast around 7:00, out for a morning tour from about 8:30 - 11:30, back for lunch, and back out for another tour if you wish from about 1:00 - 3:30 or 4:00.  Time to freshen up, head up to the lounge for a refreshing drink and the port talk for the next day, then down to dinner which is a little longer, figure close to 2 hours. After that, you can go back to the lounge to chat, or to your cabin to catch up on the news from home.

 

Yes, most sailing is done at night, except if there is a good distance between ports - Amsterdam to Cologne, Budapest to Vienna - or a scenic area. River cruises are heavily geared to learning about the history of the ports you go to, over spending time in the ship. Think of the ship as your floating hotel that follows you along the river.

 

Usually time in ports is 3-4 hours. The guided tours will usually give you an hour or so after to wander, shop or enjoy a bit of time at a local cafe in the square.  You can take the tours (most lines have at least 1 included tour a day), or if you know the area or are comfortable going on your own, you can split off and tour on your own. Just let the CD know so you can make sure to know when to be back to the meeting area to get back to the ship. There are some ports where you will be there all day, but there are also lots that you set sail during lunch to have another new port for the afternoon.

 

Pick you budget, then where you wish to cruise, and the length of time you can travel. It's recommended (but not necessary) to add on at least 1 day prior to your cruise just in case you miss a connection, or your luggage does. Coming from the UK, you probably won't need it to get over your jet lag, but it can be a nice way to relax and start your trip.

 

The most important thing you can do is ask questions. The more you know of what to expect, the more you will enjoy your trip.

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

You will find that the majority of river cruises will not have children. Most children would be bored. You will find that most of the cruisers will be those in there 50s, 60s and 70s who are well traveled and fit. You won’t find wheel chairs or walkers. That doesn’t mean there won’t be the occasional grandparents traveling with their grandkids, the occasional family with older kids or the occasional younger couple. But, they are the exception. 

[Roz]

3 hours ago, waylandertoo said:

I'd imagine that the cruise itself will be similar to a sea cruise but with no 'sea-days'?

 

There are distinct differences between ocean and river cruising.  As previous posters have already suggested, it would be a good idea to read the "stickies" at the top of this forum.  Lots of good info and things to consider.  

 

Things are more structured than ocean cruises, and entertainment is minimal.  Tours are included in the fare, and if you decide to go off on your own, the ship may or may not be at the dock when you return.  

[CPT Trips]

The specific itinerary has a lot to do with whether or not you can have a full day away from the ship and do as you choose. The daily schedule for the cruises we were on typically was a morning tour of about 1.5 hours, about the same amount of free time, return to the ship for lunch, then “afternoon at leisure or explore on your own,” and then back to the ship. Seldom have we had two ports in a day, so plenty of time for being out and about on our own. We frequently maximize this free time by not returning to the ship for lunch; grabbing a quick bite in town works well for us.

[CastleCritic]

Ive been on 4 cruises at this point (all on the same company, Amawaterways).  On at least 2 Ive been the youngest guest at mid 40s... on the first there was a single lady in her 20s with her grandmother she's the youngest Ive seen (actually one of the youngest people on the boat was the captain).  I'd say 50s-60 is the average age.

 

Port time really depends on the cruise line and the locations involved. There are some lines more aligned around being in port to allow people to get dinner drinks/nighttime entertainment.  And some that basically are designed around showing you the highlights in the day and then moving on.

 

Obviously if you skip the "planned" activity, you can explore the town from the time the ship ties up until it leaves for however long that is. Ive had ships stop for 30min to let the passengers off for the planned expeditions and ships that stay the entire day.  Sometimes this is planned and encouraged, (Strasbourg France for instance with Amawaterway there is a scheduled tour at 9 then an every hour bus to or from the ship for most of the rest of the day for you to do whatever you want).

 

Sometimes the ship will dock somewhere just to meet the buses to take you somewhere inland (Salzburg from Linz Austria on the Danube, Heidelberg from...well when I did it it was Ludwigshafen literally a cargo port on the Rhine, they also list this as a dock for Speyer though last year we just docked IN Speyer).

Edited July 7, 2022 by CastleCritic

[milling73]

We have taken several Viking river cruises in Europe and China. Most of your questions can be answered on cruise line websites, or reading this site more thoroughly, but here is what we can tell you briefly about Viking River Cruises: 

First off, if you are an ocean cruiser seeking all day activities on board, dancing, and unlimited dining choices, this is not for you. There are no casinos, no children, no pool, no all day dining, no bar playing the latest /loudest hits. 

What a river cruise does offer is genuine sightseeing. Civilization rose along rivers in Europe, and unlike an ocean cruise, there are always upclose scenic views when sailing.  On average enough time is allowed at each port to do their included tour, and/or one of your own. And it takes just a minute to walk on/off. 

Age - Honestly I would not even include Passenger Age  in my “should I take a river cruise?” consideration. It is hardly a nursing home setting. Most passengers will be well-traveled, mature, congenial, and very interesting to talk to. The cruise lines are offering more physical options in their itinerary stops, such as biking / hiking to appeal to the younger and more active. And you free to join any of their itineraries or go off on your own. 
 

[notamermaid]

14 hours ago, waylandertoo said:

- if the cruise is Rhine/Danube would it be a full day ashore with time to do what you want trip-wise (like a sea cruise)?

 

1 hour ago, milling73 said:

And you free to join any of their itineraries or go off on your own. 
 

One thought on that. You have included excursions in your cruise price so if do not go on these you are in a way paying for a service you are not getting (of your own choosing). You can book optional excursions for an additional price. You can be as active or inactive as you wish, but action at night you are unlikely to get and on shore there will be little opportunity at night as the ship usually does not do overnight stays in ports. If you want those check the itineraries very carefully. Some lines have evening concerts included or as an optional, in a castle or palace, have a look at those.

 

A shorter cruise in terms of kilometres sailed compared to days spent on the ship can be an indicator of more immerse time in ports on the Danube and the Rhine but not so much necessarily on other rivers. Again, look at the itineraries carefully.

 

If you want to be completely free of included excursions to wander off on your own you can choose one of the few lines that give you that option.

 

notamermaid

 

[pontac]

I'm based, like you, in the UK. I've taken 10 river cruises, all with Viking, and no ocean cruises. But from reading this board I think you'll find that river cruising is nothing like ocean cruising except that you're on a boat. The size of that boat is governed by the size of the locks ab height of the bridges on the river.

 

So you may find the cabin smaller and a lack of entertainment found on ocean cruisers,. But every day there is land based entertainment. When the boat is moored you're free to just walk off and explore. No tenders.

 

As you rightly say, there are no 'sea days', every day is a see day - i.e. there's something to see on both sides of the boat and you're never out of sight of the land.

 

You don't say where in the UK you are, but if one of the major airports is near you then you are only a short flight to/from the start/end point.

 

The river cruise companies like to sell you a hotel based  land extension at either end. I don't think they are good value, as you are not far from wherever they suggest you can make your own visit there anytime.

 

I like to arrive at the airport, be taken straight to the boat and unpack once.

 

There are a tremendous number of river boat companies, so you have a wide choice of costs and offerings.

 

On travel agents - you'd have to find a specialist in river cruising - high street ones are no use. I have always booked direct with Viking.

 

Most people on this board are in the USA and the offerings and terms there differ from the UK - they seems to be less advantageous, so take note where a poster is if they're talking about booking terms.

 

If you are willing to book at short notice and flexible with dates there are often bargains to be had, so its worth getting on mailing lists of companies that interest you by asking for their brochure.

 

Viking operate about 70 river boats, and market different ones to the USA, Australia nd the UK. IF a boat is not fully booked they open up bookings to other markets at a discount. I've gone several times on trips on dates not listed in the UK brochure/website; I don't know whether other companies operate like this but if you don't mind being one of the few Brits among Americans and Canadians it's worth calling the company and see if they have a sailing coming up soon.

 

I wrote a review of the Rhine Getaway trip we took in April - it's here 

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=687006

Edited July 7, 2022 by pontac

[Daisi]

30 minutes ago, pontac said:

 

 

As you rightly say, there are no 'sea days', every day is a see day - i.e. there's something to see on both sides of the boat and you're never out of sight of the land.

 

 

 

@pontacthat is a fantastic way to describe the main difference between ocean and river cruises!

[Canal archive]

Clever!

[notamermaid]

8 minutes ago, Daisi said:

 

@pontacthat is a fantastic way to describe the main difference between ocean and river cruises!

Yup!

 

One comment. There are a few itineraries that have "sea days", i.e no daytime shore excursion, but so few that for the general argument I find they are negligible.

 

Being in the UK, I agree with pontac, you tend to have better payment options.  The continental European lines, also the ones that the brick and mortar travel agents in the UK are not so familiar with, have similar conditions to the UK, so do check the offers of CroisiEurope, Arosa and Amadeus online, if you think you will enjoy a  French or German influence on your river cruise.

 

notamermaid

 

[ljandgb]

We are frequently the youngest on board, in our early 50's, and it has never been an issue. We've always found good travel companions and even some very good friends we still travel with.  As mentioned, it's not about the age, but about the attitude.  Most folks are well traveled and on the river cruise to get out and see the culture,  not sit at an all day buffet.  We traveled with Avalon and there were bikes available at every port and one day an optional (free) excursion was biking along the river to the next port with the Activities guide.

 

Definitely look closely at the itinerary.  I prefer to have a few nights where the ship either overnights or leaves very late so we have the option of either eating dinner out in town or going out after dinner to explore a bit.  

 

It can be harder to DIY the daytime ports, as frequently the ship moves and the excursion will bring you to the new town/port at the end of the day.  

 

Definitely look at the stickies to compare lines.  Another difference is food options.  We've done cruises were dinner is a set menu, and if you want something different you have to pre-order your chicken breast ahead of. time, and others where there is a larger menu as well as salmon/chicken/steak option for every meal.  

[waylandertoo]

thanks all - really appreciate the information given (especially from a UK perspective). I do think that the Rhine cruise would be a no-no since for us that's a nice little 'road trip' without m/any difficulties (I love driving and so that'd be part of the holiday anyway). That said the Danube trips do hold a lot of interest since I am a lot less likely to go to Romania/Bulgaria on a driving holiday