Does anyone NOT recommend river cruising

[Twice_a_year]

We did the Viking - Budapest to Amsterdam September 2006 and I think it was SPECTACTULAR. I usually go on deep water cruises but I found this to be excellent. We had extremely favorable weather and great fellow passangers. I could not preceive any river cruise being this good again.:)

[letsgo39]

Hello Twice,

I am curious if you like the river cruise so much why are you going back to deep water cruising? Why not another river cruise?:confused:

[bcrcornet]

(Oops. See following post.) :)

[bcrcornet]

My wife and I took our first river cruise (Budapest - Amsterdam) in November, 2006, after having experienced and enjoyed seven ocean cruises. As with your experience, we had a FABULOUS time on the river cruise.

As to whether I would NOT recommend river cruising, I would seriously take into consideration to whom I am making the recommendation. Examples of when I would NOT recommend river cruising:

• families traveling with children or teenagers
• young adults or couples if I know they are mostly interested in partying or very active outdoor sports
• people who have shown themselves to be bored or uninterested in art, architecture, history, geography, etc. (yes, I know some people who are like that)
• people who have shown themselves to dislike new or different environments, foods, cultures, etc. (yes, I know some people who are like that)

That said, I would enthusiastically recommend river cruising to most people that I know.

[Steamboatin]

We have enjoyed 4 river cruises and hope to take a minimum of 3 more.

We have enjoyed 11 ocean cruises with another booked.

However, the river cruises are the ones that are the most expensive. So the cost of a river cruise in comparison to the cost of an ocean cruise is a reason many do not go.

[cv sailor]

Though I've only taken three ocean cruises, I am not sanguine that ocean cruises offer better value for money. Certainly, one can spend less for days traveled on lines such as Carnival, but the experience mimics Las Vegas. Smaller ships (e.g. Oceana Star Clipper) are certainly worth the steep price, but that price exceeds many river cruises.

I think it mostly a lifestyle thing; i.e., those who desire casinos, 24-hour feeding frenzies, and shows should stick to ocean cruising.

.

[Cathy Maneri]

I have also done many cruises as you can see from my signature. I'm getting bored with Caribbean as I live in Miami and have and can go anytime I want. In the last year I have done the Panama Canal and Hawaii. I have an upcoming cruise to Alaska in May and one more booked for January 2008 to the Eastern Caribbean, but after that I'm considering either a train trip out west or a river cruise. I'm ready for something different.

 

I've been collecting brochures from the many river cruise companies and so far I'm looking seriously at Avalon and Viking.

 

I've hear the Rivers of France is one of the best ones, but they all look fabulous to me.

 

I'm glad there are no negatives to river cruising. But then how could there be, being on the water is very relaxing.

[martek]

With my limited experience I would say that if you enjoy being pampered and having something to do 24 hrs a day. then the ocean cruising is the way to go. If you are into traveling to experience different cultures and foods then river cruising would appeal to you. Dont' expect luxury on the river cruise, but the destinations are the thing! Also if you have limited energy or stamina stick with the ocean cruising. Usually no elevators on river ships and lots more walking and climbing on the shore excursions. Also entertainment is basically nonexsistent on river cruising. Sometimes local folk music or dancing. Again the cultural experience is the payoff on the river cruise.

[Twice_a_year]

Hello Twice,

I am curious if you like the river cruise so much why are you going back to deep water cruising? Why not another river cruise?:confused:

 

Our river cruise was excellent. However, it is very easy to recognize the potential pitfalls that may present themselfs on a river cruise - low or high river water levels, inclement weather (very little alternatives on the boat), and not quite such an amiable group of fellow passengers. All this said, I believe that we experienced the ultimate river cruise vacation. Therefore, I am very reluctant to venture into another river cruisefor fear that I will be disappointed.

[rogerdawhip]

From 1993 to 1999 was on 12 ocean cruises. I always travel single and at the time these ocean cruises were seemed to be the best way for me travel. From 1999 to the present I have been on 7 river cruises and have not gone back to the ocean.

 

I like the small number of passangers on river cruises. I tis much easier for me to meet other passanges with similar interests.

 

I've have never been interested in the varied entertainment, casinos and constant availablity of food on ocean cruises. I mainly liked the ports and the ability to relax and read a book. I keep looking for another ocean cruise to go on but alway seem to gravitate to another river cruise.

[ggo85]

My husband and I have done both ocean cruises and river cruises. We'd do (and are doing) both again, but for different reasons/purposes.

 

River cruises are great for seeing a relatively small geographic area and for someone who wants to visit different cities, often within the same country, every day without having to pack and ride a bus. Your idea of fun MUST be the port visits and/or enjoying the passing scenery because there is little to do on the boat. No casino, Broadway shows, scarf tying, ice carving, etc. No sauna, no spa and, on most boats, no pool. That's why most river cruises have few if any "at sea" days. Cabins tend be be pretty standard (usually about 150') without upscale amenities (i.e., sitting areas, bathtubs, minibars, jacuzzis, room service). Passengers tend to be older and more experienced cruisers. There are no "formal nights" and no assigned seating.

 

There are no lines, no waits, no pushing and shoving or taking numbers. On most river cruises, some or all tours are included, so no pressure to take tours. Boats generally pull right into the town, so doing your own exploring is very easy. Agree that river cruises are probably not good for families with young kids, people who want entertainment and activities aboard, people who want to get a suntan full-time, and/or people who want action/adventure activities (rafting, bicycling, etc.). I would guess that, as a general rule, if you liked an Alaskan cruise or cruisetour, you probably will like river cruising.

 

However, even if you love river cruising, you may need to hit an ocean ship if the place you want to visit is -- well, on the ocean. For example, we cruised the British Isles last year -- can't do that on a river boat. Can't do Alaska or Caribbean on a river boat. Can't do the Med or the Baltic or Hawaii or . . .

 

I must say that, all things considered, we'd do a river cruise every time if we could. However, there are places we want to go but can't go on a river boat; for those, we head back to the ocean.

[WIT]

Twice a Year: I had actually thought that MY cruise was the ultimate river experience anyone could possibly experience - the best fellow passengers, the most capable crew, the serendipitous co-incidence of best possible weather, events in the cities visited, availability of elite local guides, airline performance, and to make an unbelievable experience nearly the signature event of recent human history, none of us got sick! However, I was reluctant to compare myself with others, so I have just posted a few photos of my trip.

 

I actually have noticed a bit of "my trip was better than your trip" enthusiasm on the part of some river cruise posters which made me initially discount what was read and viewed from those folks. But I now realize I was wrong and have gone back to enjoy those posts and photos. Unfortunately, I have yet to read or view anything from you.

 

What I do not understand is your 'reached perfection, won't risk the probable disappointment of a repeat' argument. Have you applied this strategy to other areas of your life? One of the more interesting moments of our cruise was watching how our crew overcame a delay getting into Nuremberg.

[WIT]

Twice a Year: I had actually thought that MY cruise was the ultimate river experience anyone could possibly experience - the best fellow passengers, the most capable crew, the serendipitous co-incidence of best possible weather, events in the cities visited, availability of elite local guides, airline performance, and to make an unbelievable experience nearly the signature event of recent human history, none of us got sick! However, I was reluctant to compare myself with others, so I have just posted a few photos of my trip.

 

I actually have noticed a bit of "my trip was better than your trip" enthusiasm on the part of some river cruise posters which made me initially discount what was read and viewed from those folks. But I now realize I was wrong and have gone back to enjoy those posts and photos. Unfortunately, I have yet to read or view anything from you.

 

What I do not understand is your 'reached perfection, won't risk the probable disappointment of a repeat' argument. Have you applied this strategy to other areas of your life? One of the more interesting moments of our cruise was watching how our crew overcame a delay getting into Nuremberg.

[WIT]

Having watched this board re:European river cruising since I booked my 12/06

cruise I should have noticed your 9/20/06 and subsequent posting about the joys and disappointments of your cruise. I failed to notice this in my recent post. I apologize.

[arby70]

I would love to take 3 or 4 river cruises! Europe definitely offers a number of beautiful waterways to see, and Viking has a fantastic line of ships that visit China. I had never really considered China other than Hong Kong for a trip in my retired future. Right now I have a Western Caribbean trip booked on Carnival, and hope to do a longer Hawaiian cruise on NCL next year. I do think that river cruising would be our cup of tea so to speak as we do like the laid back approach. Also, love the idea of visiting the out of the way smaller ports to get a taste of the culture and people of the area. Love the fact that most provide the excursions at each port which is included in the price. Another biggie is no heavy seas to deal with and constant scenery for viewing. Right now they're a bit out of my price range, but I hope there's 3 or 4 overseas river cruises in my future.