By Leigh Tacker
Travel can be a lot of work. We travel to open our minds and experience other cultures. It’s worth it, but sometimes the thought of getting lost driving from town to town, packing and unpacking every day, and checking into a different hotel each night just makes you feel tired and want to stay home. A river cruise may be the answer. A modern river cruise boat is much smaller than the ocean liner you might automatically think of, usually holding 200 or fewer guests. Boat size is limited by the size of the river and the height of bridges the boat must fit under. It is a small floating hotel, complete with a restaurant and entertainment, moving you from town to town. You won’t get seasick and you only have to unpack once.
Most European cities were built around river transport, so seeing them from the river is a great way to experience them. River boats are able to dock right in the heart of a town. You can just walk off and start exploring, no car required. Boats often dock in towns for the night, allowing guests to experience evening activities and nightlife, not just midday tours. A cruise down the Danube or the Rhine lets you see towns and countryside at a leisurely pace. You won’t just see the country; you’ll experience it in a way modern life rarely allows. Most cruise lines offer shore excursions ranging from a traditional city tour to biking through vineyards. Some carry bicycles for guests to use on their own. Many now offer experiences geared towards gastronomy and oenology with visits to Farmers’ Markets, cooking classes at local restaurants, and wine tastings at vineyards. River cruises in France particularly focus on local vintners and cuisine.
Generational cruising is increasingly popular, with several generations or an entire family reunion traveling together. A river cruise allows less mobile family members to enjoy the river view and amenities onboard while more active members can explore the countryside.
River cruising in Europe has exploded in recent years. Over 30 river cruise companies provide experiences ranging from opulent to rugged adventure, so it is important to pick the right one. Viking Cruises takes an understated Scandinavian approach, Uniworld and Crystal an all inclusive luxurious one. For a more hands-on, culturally interactive experience, look at G Adventures. An experienced travel agent can help find the right fit. Meals and some beverages are provided. Alcoholic beverages may be an additional cost, so it is important to check what is included before running up a huge bar tab. Gratuities and shore excursions are extra on all but the top lines.
You don’t have to go to Europe to take a river cruise. Several companies offer cruises on the Mississippi and Columbia Rivers, a great way to experience the majesty and history of America. You can read Mark Twain on the deck of a paddle wheeler and watch the banks slip by.
Great civilizations grew along the great rivers of the world. You can cruise on the Ganges, the Yangtze, the Mekong, and even the Chobe in Africa. Recreate Agatha Christie’s classic Murder on the Nile and see the antiquities of Egypt from the Nile, a truly breathtaking journey. There are cruises on the Amazon as well, for the hardy and adventurous.
While cruising is still very much a couple’s world – with costs based on double occupancy – some companies are starting to cater to the single traveler, waiving single supplements on specific sailings (albeit for less desirable cabins). This allows a single traveler to easily and safely experience places they might not otherwise bother with.
The next time you want experience new places, consider slowing down to the speed of the river and relax while the world drifts by.
Leigh Tacker is a life-long traveler and can currently be found planning her next adventure at Gulliver’s Travel of San Luis Obispo.
Rhine River photo by Felix Koenig.
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