Why River Cruises are Better than Ocean Cruises

When people hear about cruises, they also think about the luxury ocean cruises. But, have you ever taken a river cruise? Some people prefer river cruises because they offer an incredible experience to slowly see a country, the world’s most important cities and historical sights. River cruises in Europe are the most popular, but there are river cruises wherever there is a great river: in Southeast Asia, Egypt, China etc. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose a river rather than an ocean cruise.

Large ocean cruise lines might have more than 3,000 passengers on a ship, while the largest river cruises have around 300 people. If you prefer traveling with fewer people, more relaxing and casual atmosphere on ship and more personal attention from the ship crew, a river cruise will be a satisfying experience.

Typically, an ocean cruise offers dancing, gambling and karaoke, while a river cruise offers something more educational and elegant: learning about the history of a region you are passing by, listening to a classical string quartet, tasting local foods and wines, watching regional folklore performances.

Rooms are bigger and better compared to the ocean cruises. Plus, the river cruisers are smaller ships and therefore almost every room has a wonderful outside view. Windows are regular sized or greater (floor to ceiling) and many ships have balconies.

You can see more of a country if you take a river cruise. Ocean cruise are usually restricted to the larger cities located near the ocean, while river cruises allow travelers to see small towns and villages, bigger cities and everywhere in between. The truth is, if you have only 8 hours to explore the city, it’s not enough to experience the culture and the country. Cruising along the river for a few days, allow you to see various towns and to feel the country’s vibe more.