Always wanted to go on a river cruise? Here's everything you need to know
New to river cruising? For a holiday to escape from your daily routine, discover new places and experience a different pace of life, a river cruise might just be the perfect getaway for you.
If you've never been on a river cruise before, you've come to the right place, as we've answered some of the most common questions travellers ask before embarking on their first sailing.
From why a river cruise might be better for you than an ocean cruise, to what to expect and the dress code for river ships, you'll want to keep reading for our first-timer's guide to river cruising.
Why should I choose a river cruise over a cruise at sea?
A river cruise is a more boutique cruising option and is ideal for travellers looking for their first cruising experience. With smaller ships and fewer passengers on board, river cruises feel more intimate and relaxed.
They're also a more cost-effective way of having a big adventure, as you’ll visit a variety of places over the course of the trip, meaning you can tick various destinations off your travel bucketlist for the price of one holiday. Many river cruises are also all-inclusive, which means you don’t have to think about the day-to-day costs of your holiday.
Eco-conscious travellers might also want to choose a river cruise over an ocean voyage, as smaller ships are kinder to the environment than larger vessels.
Unlike cruises at sea, river cruises usually take you to the centre of the city you're visiting so you can do more sightseeing and spend less time making your way to the destination. The ports are the main attraction on a river cruise, so you can tick more beautiful places off your travel bucket list.
You'll also find that river cruise ships are less entertainment-packed than larger cruise ships, which often impress travellers with sprawling water parks, theatres and cinemas.
On a river cruise, the entertainment is more low-key and could include live music in a lounge bar, an educational seminar, or a cooking demonstration - as on our cruise of Bordeaux with Raymond Blanc.
What can I expect on a river cruise?
Depending on the ship and destinations you visit, there's plenty to experience on a river cruise holiday. Throughout your trip, you can enjoy excursions and activities in the location you're visiting, as you would on a land-based holiday.
This could involve wine tastings and vineyard tours, which will be a big part of our cruises through Bordeaux and the Douro Valley this year. Other itineraries might take you to iconic historic monuments, like our cruise through Venice, which includes a visit to St Mark's Basilica for an atmospheric lighting ceremony and VIP access to Doge's palace during an early morning visit.
Unlike a cruise at sea, a river cruise allows you to be immersed in nature and feel closer to the surroundings as you make your way down rivers, such as the Douro, or the waterways of Venice.
While on board, you can expect a range of cabin types, from spacious rooms with queen beds to luxurious suites with lounge areas, walk-in wardrobes and private balconies. You might also find loungers on the sun decks for you to soak up the sun as you drift along the waterways.
Scenic Diamond, for example, which you can experience on a French river cruise with chef Raymond Blanc, features a stylish sun deck and a swimming pool, sparkling marble interiors, chic furnishings, and first-class suites.
With multiple onboard restaurants, you’ll be able to sample a number of cuisines during your trip, and Scenic Diamond even has its own cookery school, Scenic Culinaire where you can enjoy live demonstrations and classes.
Most river cruise ships are expertly designed to allow you to appreciate glorious landscapes and cityscapes you'll be passing. Take the lovely A-Rosa Alva, for example, your home-from-home on our eight-day cruise along the Douro. This boutique ship is specifically designed to allow you to soak in the glorious views along the Douro River and boasts a sun deck with recliners, a heated outdoor pool and panoramic windows in most of the cabins.
Many ships also have complimentary bikes so you can explore your surroundings more fully when you disembark at a port.
Tell me more about the ships...
There are different types of river cruise ships and it will depend on the destination you choose as to which ship serves the route. What many have in common are facilities to ensure you can relax on board, as well as welcoming cabins and friendly service to make you feel at home in a boutique space.
You won't find inside cabins on river cruise ships and as these vessels are smaller overall compared to their ocean counterparts, the cabins are smaller too. A river cruise ship could have around 60 to 90 cabins, while some of the ships at sea have thousands of cabins for passengers.
As the entertainment is more modest compared to what you'll find on a large cruise ship, the evenings can be spent in the lounge with a cocktail and enjoying some live music.
How do I know if a river cruise is for me?
A river cruise is ideal if you're looking to slow down from the hectic pace of everyday life and soak up the beauty of a variety of destinations.
Many river cruise itineraries are suited to lovers of culture who like to visit fascinating cities, too. Our cruise of the Venetian Lagoon, for instance, will take you to many of the region's best cultural monuments, including St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and the Santa María Asunta Basilica on Torcello.
Our boutique cruise around Venice also allows you to explore the Italian city without the stresses of having to navigate boat timetables or getting from one part of the city to the next.
Travellers who prefer to keep moving can visit a different location every day. For example, on a cruise around Bordeaux and the Medoc with Raymond Blanc, you'll experience historic Blaye Fortress, the lively farmers markets of Libourne, and medieval Saint-Emilion. If you’re someone who likes your holidays packed with experiences, an excursion-rich river cruise like this could be an excellent choice.
River cruises are also enjoyable for travellers who don't drive or don't fancy planning a rail trip, as your transport is all taken care of. This is especially helpful if you are visiting wine country, like Bordeaux or the Douro Valley – you can enjoy tastings worry-free without having to arrange a taxi or appoint a designated driver.
Will I have to organise my own shore excursions?
Another benefit of a river cruise holiday is handing over the planning and organisation of your trip to the professionals. You don’t need to figure out where you’re going or how you’ll get there, you can just sit back and enjoy your holiday as it unfolds.
Whether you like gourmet tastings and guided walks, visits to vineyards and olive farms, or browsing local farmers' markets, you'll find a range of excursions included in the price of your trip.
Trips to food markets, walking tours around historical sites and the chance to get active exploring the scenery by bike are just a few of the amazing ways to get to know the destinations you're visiting.
Although an exciting schedule of activities will be arranged for you, there's usually a fair amount of free time factored into your itinerary, which you can either use to relax and make the most of the onboard facilities - or explore a little more on your own.
Is there a dress code?
The dress code for river cruises is typically smart casual, despite the often sumptuous interiors of the boats. You can leave your heels and ties at home for most river cruise holidays and consider them a city break on water, where you'll want to spend your days in comfortable clothing and footwear for exploring the highlights, and your evenings in smart casual attire as you relax and socialise in the onboard bars and restaurants.
What you pack will depend on what's on your itinerary. Although most river cruises have a casual atmosphere, you could pack some smarter clothes if you have free time in cities like Paris and Venice, where you might want to visit some of the fancier restaurants and bars.
The dress code can also vary depending on the ship and theme of your cruise, so it’s best to check when you book.
Ready to try a river cruise? Check out some of the exciting trips available from Good Housekeeping Holidays this year.
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