Why Ocean Cruisers Will Fall in Love with River Cruising

If you have sailed on an ocean cruise, you may have also considered trying a river cruise. River cruising is quite different, and once you learn about them, those differences are often what make river cruising seem like a more appealing travel option!

​Here are just a few of the top reasons that ocean cruisers tend to love river cruising:

SLOWER PACED EXPLORATION
One of the most significant differences between ocean and river cruising is the pace of exploration. While ocean liners often sail through the night, covering vast distances between ports, river cruises generally move at a slower, more deliberate pace, allowing you to truly savor each destination.
This unhurried approach has its own set of advantages that are sure to appeal to ocean cruisers. Rather than rushing through multiple ports in a single day, river cruises typically dock in the heart of each city, village, or town, giving you ample time to disembark and immerse yourself in the local culture, history, and atmosphere.
This slower tempo encourages a more mindful and immersive travel experience, as you'll have the opportunity to stroll through picturesque cobblestone streets, linger over a leisurely lunch, and engage with residents in a more authentic way. You won't feel the constant pressure to race back to the ship before it departs, allowing you to truly disconnect and savor the moment.
Additionally, the calmer waters of rivers, as opposed to the open seas, contribute to a more serene and relaxing onboard environment. Instead of the rocking and rolling of an ocean liner, you'll enjoy a smoother, more stable ride, making it easier to fully unwind and soak in the ever-changing scenery that unfolds before you.

INTIMATE, BOUTIQUE STYLE ACCOMODATIONS
If you're used to the grand, sprawling nature of ocean liners, the intimate, boutique-style accommodations on river cruise ships may come as a pleasant surprise. These vessels are designed to maximize the connection between the indoor and outdoor environments, often featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, and thoughtfully curated décor.
The staterooms themselves are typically more spacious and well-appointed than their ocean cruise counterparts, providing a cozy and comfortable retreat after a day of exploration. Many river cruise lines also offer suites with unique amenities, such as Avalon Waterways' Panorama Suites with their wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that transform your room into an open-air balcony or AMAwaterways half and half balcony where you can choose to sit indoors or outside while enjoying the amazing views.
Beyond the luxurious accommodations, river cruise ships often boast a more refined and sophisticated ambiance, with fewer passengers and a heightened focus on personalized service. This creates an atmosphere that appeals to ocean cruisers seeking a more intimate and exclusive travel experience.

CULINARY DISCOVERIES
For many ocean cruisers, the onboard dining is a highlight of the experience, and river cruising delivers on this front as well. The culinary focus on river ships often takes a more destination-driven approach, celebrating the regional flavors and specialties of the areas you're exploring.
River cruise lines frequently partner with local chefs, vintners, and food producers to curate menus that showcase the unique tastes and traditions of each region. This means you'll have the opportunity to savor authentic regional cuisine, from Bavarian specialties in Germany to Parisian-inspired fare in France, all while enjoying the ever-changing scenery of the river.
Many river cruise lines also offer hands-on culinary experiences, such as cooking classes, food tours, and wine tastings, allowing you to delve even deeper into the local food culture. These immersive activities not only satisfy your palate but also enrich your understanding of the destinations you visit.

FLEXIBILITY AND CUSTOMIZATION
River cruises offer a greater degree of flexibility, allowing you to customize your experience to suit your needs, while ocean cruises tend to follow a more rigid schedule.

The intimate nature of river ships means they can navigate through smaller waterways and access ports that are simply off-limits to their ocean-going counterparts. This opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to discover places beyond the big cities.

River cruise lines also tend to provide a wider range of shore excursion options at each port, catering to diverse interests and activity levels. Whether you're seeking a leisurely walking tour, a culinary adventure, or an adrenaline-fueled hike, you'll have the freedom to create a daily itinerary that aligns with your personal preferences. Additionally, it is much easier to change your mind and make changes to the excursions on a river cruise since more cruise lines include at least one excursion per port.

This flexibility extends to the onboard experience as well. Many river cruise lines offer a more relaxed, casual atmosphere, with fewer structured activities and more opportunities to simply unwind and savor the journey at your own pace. You can choose to spend your days exploring the ever-changing scenery, participating in enrichment lectures, or simply relaxing with a good book - the choice is yours.

IMMERSIVE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES
One of the major distinctions between ocean and river cruising is the level of immersion into the local the local cultures. While large ocean ships are like resorts, with all you need onboard; river cruises are designed to fully immerse you in the destinations you visit.
As your ship glides along the rivers of Europe, Asia or South America, you will find yourself docking in the center of the cities or port towns. This proximity allows you to step off the ship and be in the heart of the local culture, exploring landmarks, meandering through charming cobblestone streets, and interacting with residents in a way that's simply not possible on a large ocean liner.
The shore excursions offered on river cruises also tend to be more immersive and authentic to the destination, with a focus on hands-on experiences that allow you to truly connect with the history, cuisine and traditions of each region. From private wine tastings and cooking classes (chocolate making in Belgium is my favorite so far!) to guided hikes and bike tours, the activities are designed to enable a deeper understanding of the cities and towns you visit.
Additionally, the smaller scale of river cruise ships means you will have a more intimate experience, with fewer guests and a higher staff-to-guest ratio. This translates to more personalized service and opportunities to engage with local experts, historians, and cultural ambassadors who can offer unparalleled insight into the places you explore.

REDUCED CROWDS AND CONGESTION
If you have experienced the crowds and congestion that can sometimes come with a larger ocean sailing, you will be delighted by the more intimate and uncrowded nature of river cruising.
River cruise vessels typically accommodate 200 passengers or fewer, a fraction of the capacity of their ocean-going counterparts. This smaller scale not only enhances the overall ambiance and sense of community but also greatly reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed by thousands of fellow travelers.
The reduced passenger numbers also translate to more personalized service and attention from the crew, who have the time and opportunity to get to know you and cater to your individual needs and preferences. You'll find that the staff on river cruises are often more attentive, approachable, and eager to enhance your experience, fostering a level of hospitality that is sometimes harder to achieve on larger ships.
The smaller size and maneuverability of river cruise vessels allow them to dock right in the heart of each destination, meaning you won't have to contend with the arduous tender boat transfers or lengthy bus rides that can be common on ocean cruises, making your time onshore more efficient and enjoyable.

DISCOVERING SMALLER TOWNS AND VILLAGES
While ocean cruises often focus on the major port cities and tourist hubs, river cruising offers the unique opportunity to discover lesser-known destinations and hidden gems that are simply inaccessible to larger ships.
By navigating the intricate network of inland waterways, river cruise vessels can access smaller towns, rural villages, and off-the-beaten-path locations that provide a more authentic and immersive travel experience. These destinations, often overlooked by mass tourism, offer a glimpse into the true heart and soul of a region, allowing you to connect with local communities, explore unique cultural attractions, and witness breathtaking natural landscapes.
From the charming medieval towns along the Danube to the serene vineyards lining the Rhine, river cruising opens up a world of possibilities for ocean cruisers seeking to venture beyond the well-trodden tourist trails. You'll have the chance to wander through quaint cobblestone streets, interact with artisans and craftspeople, and discover hidden culinary gems that you simply wouldn't find on a typical ocean cruise itinerary.
Visiting the smaller towns is often appealing to people who are well traveled and have already visited the big cities and are now looking to dive deeper into the history and culture of the destinations.

If you have been on a large ocean cruise and you are now considering a river cruise, you are in for a remarkable and fulfilling travel experience unlike one you've had before. The smaller scale, immersive cultural encounters, and boutique-style comforts of river cruising may just become your new favorite way to explore the world!