FAQs
Find answers to commonly asked questions about river cruising. For more answers, contact me during office hours.
In my opinion, a river cruise is the best way to experience Europe–there is just so much to see! The ships are small, intimate, and comfortable, and the crew and staff are friendly. The food and wine are local to each region you sail.
Unlike ocean cruises, there is a clear upfront price that includes most of the expenses of the trip–food, wine & beer, excursions, accommodations, snacks, destination talks, free Wi-Fi, and usually local entertainment. You may pay gratuities separately.
There are no inside cabins–all have a view. With all that is included, it is a good value for the money!
Ocean ships tend to be floating resorts that sail to the major port cities of the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic, and Alaska with a lot of choices of things to do onboard. River cruises offer a quieter, more intimate experience while sailing along the rivers of Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. River ships dock in the heart of the cities they visit, allowing for hosted small group excursions to off-the-beaten-path, charming villages and locations.
If touring Europe looks horribly complex to you due to the different languages, cultures, currencies, and travel by trains and planes between countries, then this is the perfect option. You unpack one time but get to see multiple countries, and you’ll always have an English-speaking tour guide.
Or maybe you’ve been to Europe so many times, but just enjoy the more laid-back atmosphere and smaller, quieter ships that port in the cities.
River cruises include all of your food and excursions, and also beer, wine, and soda with your meals. Both Tauck and Uniworld include all of your cocktails as well. AmaWaterways has a Sip & Sail from 6-7 each night with an open bar, and a specialty dinner at their Chef’s Table, which is included.
River cruise dress code is business casual. No formal wear is required. Most people wear comfortable clothes during the day for sightseeing, but dress up a bit more for dinner, with slacks and a dress shirt or blouse.
There are so many choices, but my experience has been (in no particular order) the Rhine River, for its abundance of castles; the Danube, with Wachau Valley, Passau, where the three rivers converge; and the night cruise of Budapest.
Almost all river cruise lines offer pre/post-stay packages. These will depend on your itinerary–just contact me and I can tell you what they are.
Land packages include a 4 or 5-star hotel stay, breakfast, and your tours. With AmaWaterways, your cruise manager will also travel with you throughout your land package. And as a bonus, if you book your air travel with your cruise line, your transfers will be included.
YES! Group bookings are encouraged and can save you money and add amenities. See the Groups page for more details.
Some lines have gyms and pools, some do not. Almost all have a walking track on the top deck. The gyms are generally small, have an exercise bike or two, maybe a treadmill, and possibly some weight equipment. A new trend is the addition of wellness instructors who conduct classes, and help on guided bike tours and hikes. Several lines have added this perk or have programs emphasizing active lifestyles.
The pools are really different between lines and range from a hot-tub type pool, to a swim-up bar, to a pool that becomes a movie theater viewing room at night. Ask me about these!
I think so. A cruise line that has too many ships or is growing too fast can cause staffing problems. Some owners are very hands-on, while others let the staff handle operations. I think family-owned companies are best.
Unusually low water levels can really affect the river cruise experience. Water levels are unpredictable, and all river cruise lines have developed extensive plans to traverse these difficult situations as best as they can. These include cancellations, refunds, busing passengers, and swapping ships. High water can be another problem, as sometimes ships are unable to pass under low bridges. We have experienced both high and low water on AmaWaterways, and the ships’ crews handled these situations exceptionally well.
All lines have received some criticism for issues related to water levels, which are often reflected in online reviews. At best, the situation is well handled and only causes minor issues. At worst, travelers are still in Europe, so all is not lost–they remain flexible, and their adventure continues. But to be candid, the experience and disappointment of water level challenges have caused some folks to decide not to river cruise again. Some lines have policies that cover these issues. This is something we can discuss, if you have any concerns.
There is a big difference between river cruise lines. Viking does not allow anyone under the age of 18. AmaWaterways has partnered with Adventures by Disney on some great kid-friendly rooms. They also have some connecting staterooms. Tauck Bridges is another excellent family program. Uniworld also has a good program.
That’s easy–contact me! I am your river cruise specialist!
