River Cruises: A Great Way to See the World

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04/26/2024

River Cruises: An up-and-coming way to see the world.

Cruising is a very popular way to see the world these days, and for good reason. Taking a cruise allows you to see numerous different cities and/or countries within a single vacation, and it’s pretty hassle-free. No need to coordinate hotels and transportation for multiple different destinations, just get on the boat and everything is taken care of for you. And it can be done affordably, if you know some good industry tips and tricks (which WorldMark by Wyndham Travel does, and is happy to share with you — read on).

Ocean cruises are perhaps the better-known option, but river cruises are an up-and-comer in the travel industry, and have grown increasingly popular in the last decade or so. Because of their new-found fame, more and more river cruise vendors are springing up, giving you more options, more price points, and more flexibility if you’re looking to book a river cruise. At this point there are just as many options for river cruises as there are for ocean cruises, which means you can pretty much have your pick of amazing cruises the world over. If a river cruise is calling your name, here is everything you need to know about booking a river cruise.

River cruise options.

Pretty much every large river that is near a major metropolitan area has a river cruise option. The European river cruises are probably the most well-known of the river cruise options, and for good reason — Europe’s waterways are very well-connected, making cruising from city to city within Europe an easy way to experience more than one place. But Europe’s rivers aren’t the only ones that offer river cruises. Check out these popular river cruise options, listed by continent:

Africa

Egypt — Nile River
South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe — Chobe and Zambezi rivers"

Asia

Cambodia and Vietnam — Mekong River
China — Yangtze River
India — Ganges River
Russia — Volga River

Australia

Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia — Murray River

Europe

Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary — Upper Danube River
Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania — Lower Danube River
Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands — The Rhine River
France — The Seine, Rhone, and Saone rivers
Portugal and Spain — The Douro River
Italy — The Po River

North America

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee — Mississippi River
Oregon, Washington, and Idaho — Columbia and Snake rivers
New York — Hudson River"

South America

Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador — Amazon River

The perks of River cruising.

There are many perks and benefits to choosing a river cruise over an ocean cruise. For starters, the most obvious benefit is that river cruises can take you to places that ocean cruises can’t. Sure, large ocean liners can hop from island to island in the Caribbean, no problem, but they can’t take you down the Nile River past the pyramids in Egypt, or up the Amazon River surrounded by the Brazilian rainforest and exotic wildlife. When you cruise on a river, you’re able to sightsee 24/7 — there are no full days or nights at sea without land in sight. You’re constantly surrounded by beautiful scenic landscapes, interesting landmarks, and urban areas, both big and small. You’ll never run out of things to look at on a river cruise.

Additionally, river cruises are smaller and more intimate than ocean cruises. On an ocean liner, there may be thousands of passengers and hundreds of options for things to see and do on board. River cruise boats are smaller, with a passenger list in the hundreds instead of thousands, and are quieter, with a more relaxed setting and less glitz and glamor. Unlike ocean cruises, river cruises tend to be truly all-inclusive; on ocean cruises things like shore excursions, alcohol, and some entertainment options cost extra, whereas on river cruises everything from your nightly cocktail to your museum tour is included in the cost. And a bonus: calm river waters generally mean you won’t get seasick!

When to take a river cruise.

For obvious reasons, certain rivers are only accessible for cruises during certain times of the year. This isn’t the case for all, but some rivers have high and low seasons, and during low season the river may not be passable, so it’s important to research the seasonality of the river cruise you’re interested in. Generally speaking, there are pros and cons to cruising in each season of the year. Cruising during spring and summer can offer access to local outdoor events and festivals that occur during the warmer months; keep in mind that these types of events also bring more crowds and a higher cost. Cruising during the fall and winter generally brings cooler weather and lower crowds, offering a slower pace and quieter overall experience — just plan for cooler temps and pack accordingly. Cruising during the winter holiday season can bring Christmas markets and festivals, which can add an extra layer of fun (and complexity) to your travel experience. Keep in mind that seasons vary throughout the world, and that the Southern Hemisphere experiences summer and winter at opposite times of the Northern Hemisphere (summer in the U.S. is winter in Australia, for example).

What to expect from a river cruise.

River cruises can vary in length, although anywhere from eight to 15-day itineraries are fairly common. The onboard atmosphere of a river cruise tends to be more boutique and intimate, with understated luxury being the focus. Most river cruises have only one or two onboard dining options, and will focus on featuring gourmet local fare made with fresh, homegrown ingredients. You’ll never eat so well as on a river cruise — it’s part of the allure. River cruises usually offer a rooftop sundeck area where coffee, tea, and light refreshments are served on a regular basis, giving guests a place to relax and watch the scenic landscape float by while reading a book or sipping on sparkling water. River cruises tend not to have the more flashy amenities of ocean cruises — you won’t find casinos, movie theaters, or waterslides on a river cruise, but you may find a library, onboard cultural presentations, and local entertainment.

How to book a river cruise.

If you’ve got questions, need a recommendation, or are ready to book an amazing river cruise vacation, make sure to give WorldMark by Wyndham Travel a call. Their friendly, knowledgeable Travel Advisors are well-equipped to make your river cruise dreams come true (and they’ll book your flights and transportation, too!). WorldMark by Wyndham Travel will help save you time and money, and remove the headache of trying to plan and book it all on your own. Give them a call or visit their online booking page today.