blog post

by Dawn Stevens

For those only familiar with the rules of big ships, here are three reasons riverboat fanatics come back, time and again, for more.

Dinner

Forget buffet dining with 2,000 strangers. River cruises average about 200 passengers per boat, so the wait staff will likely know your name by the end of the first meal (and so will your fellow travelers).

Evening Entertainment

Instead of dance clubs, karaoke, and glitzy Vegas-style reviews, nightlife on river cruises trends toward string quartets, guest lectures on regional history, and staring out at actual scenery, not just a watery horizon.

No Extra Costs

The downside of ocean cruises?  They always charge extra for excursions, and beer and wine costs are on par with pro sports arenas.   Most river cruise lines include daily excursions in the cruise fare.   Many also include wine, beer or soft drinks with dinner.   When you factor in these inclusions, the fare is usually not far off a balcony cabin on an ocean cruise.

The New Trend

River cruising is such a fast-growing trend that there are twice as many new river ships debuting in 2012 than there are traditional big ships. In fact, Viking River Cruises is building 6 new ships to accommodate the demand.

This new way to cruise is for the adventurous. You are docked right into the heart of the city. You walk on cobblestones. You are eating pho, knockwurst and other traditional foods. You are there to really experience the cultures and sounds of the world.  This is for the “Bucket List” crowd.

The Nile in Egypt

My first river cruise was on the Nile with my family.  The kids were 14, 12 and 9.  They had a fabulous time!  The sights of Egypt by land and river are unparalled.  The Sphinx, great pyramids of Giza, The Valley of the Kings, are the stuff of an Indian Jones movie!  Nothing can quite beat riding a camel though the desert in view of the Sphinx!  All tours were included with our personal Egyptologist who regaled us with the intriguing stories of Egyptian Pharoes.  On Egyptian night, we picked out our costumes, which ranged from Egyptian princesses, Pharoes, to nomadic farmers.  Family games included who could wrap up a mummy (our son, with toilet paper) the fastest, riding on a camel (made out of two people under a camel costume), blindfolded guessing games and the like.  We got to know our fellow cruisers well and made good friends!  It was the journey of a lifetime for the whole family!  Later, when my 9 year old was asked by his teacher about his favorite vacation, his answer surprised even me.  From a list of fun 'kid' type vacations which he loved (including Disneyland, Disney World, water-skiing at Lake Powell, boogie boarding on the ocean at Carlsbad, and snow skiing in Canada and Utah) his answer was...Egypt!

The Yangtze in China

My second river cruise combined land tours in Beijing, Shanghai and Xian with Viking River Cruises in China.  Our guide was the best I’ve ever had and took care of us like a mother hen.   My dream of walking on the Great Wall was as inspiring as I had imagined.  The Terra Cotta Warriors, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden Palace all came to life before our eyes.  We sat on our balcony in the middle of the warm night (awake from jet lag) and watched the countryside float by in the moonlight.  Enchanting!  Dining onboard consisted of a perfect mix of western and Chinese meals, all delicious.  Through interesting on board lectures, we learned about China’s history and ever evolving present.  We shopped the sparkling underground malls (nice to browse but pretty expensive) and the chaotic “knock-off” market places (where I spent plenty on pearls, jade, ties, baby clothes and a the perfect rolling back-pack).

 The Danube in Europe

My third river cruise was a Danube cruise on AMA Waterways in December 2011.    Yes, it’s a bit colder in December but a magical time to be in Germany and Austria, where there are hundreds of outdoor Christmas markets to browse.   Ornaments, gingerbread, decorative items and all manner of gifts are displayed by the thousands.  Music, lights, and hot drinks make for the most festive Christmas atmosphere anywhere!   Every day we were treated to an included half-day tour and the rest of the day was on our own to shop the markets, relax on board or pursue another interest in town.    We visited Vienna, Melk, Passau and Regensburg in addition to our anchor cities of Budapest and Nuremburg.   It was a perfect mix of bustling big cities and small villages.   We walked on cobblestone and learned about history and culture from local guides.  

The ship was decorated with Christmas trees and wreaths.  Soft Christmas music wafted through the lounge where we relaxed while watching the manificent countryside and swans on the river.   We received an education about locks on the river and went through about 20 of them.    The cuisine was excellent!  Breakfast was a buffet with an omelet station and freshly baked pastries and breads.   A few menu items were also offered.  Lunch was a buffet as well as menu items.  Dinner was always a four or five course goumet meal.   Unlike an ocean cruise, we were treated to local cuisines as we sailed.  Hungarian Goulash and Paprika Chicken in Budapest, Schnitzel and sausages in Germany.   American options were always offered as well.   We are excited to do another river cruise in the summer or fall when the weather will be more conducive to taking out the bicycles on board and riding along the river trail.  There is a paved river trail the whole way through Austria.   Overall, we found a Chrismas time river cruise a most enjoyable way to spend the holidays!

My Next River Cruise

My River Cruise Bucket List includes the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia, the Volga in Russia, and the Rhine in Germany.   What's on your Bucket List????