River Cruises provide a great travel option for 2016
Published Monday, December 28th 2015 - Updated Monday, January 4th 2016
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For those looking for an alternative to the mega ocean ships, river cruising has become popular in the past few years. With river cruising you will find it is more about the destinantion than the ship, though you will find river cruise ships to be quite nice. The "Suite Ships" of Avalon Waterways include wall-to-wall/ceiling-to-floor views of the picturesque waterways of the world from the comfort of your stateroom.
"Suite Ships" - Avalon Waterways
In 2015 I was fortunate to have experienced two European river cruises, and have become a big fan of river cruising. I love the intimacy of the small ships (less than 200 guests), and that these ships are able to dock in the heart of some of Europe's most historic and charming cities. The scenery along these rivers is breathtaking, with medieval castles, gothic cathedrals, hillside vineyards, and villages, which have retained their old-world charm. For ships to sail these rivers they can only be a certain length, width, and height to ensure they are able to transit the locks and go under the bridges that line these waterways. Therefore, if you are looking for a rock climbing wall, a mega waterslide, a casino, or a Broadway production show on your cruise ship, you won't find them aboard a river cruise. What you will find are comfortable accommodations; intimate lounges (both inside and out) which allow you to take in the amazing scenery; delicious culinary dishes (including local delicacies); courteous and professional staff; and destinations infused with history, culture, and old-world charm.
The destinations were definitely the highight of my 2015 river cruises, which included a Tulip Time river cruise aboard Avalon Panorama in April, and a Christmas Market river cruise aboard Viking Idi in November. From windmill villages and tulip gardens, to cathedrals, castles and Christmas markets, these European river cruises took us to awe-inspiring sites in the Netherlands, Begium, Switzerland, Germany, and France. Complimentary guided tours which provide historical and cultural elements, and many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, were included on these European river cruises, just as you will find on most river cruises.
The local guides on the included tours were very knowledgable, and many quite entertaining. I enjoyed the tours. I learned a lot about the places we visited, and the tours gave me the opportunity to get my bearings in each destination. However, you may choose to take in the sights on your own, do some shopping, or do as the locals do, and enjoy a coffee, wine, or bier at a sidewalk cafe. Some cruise lines, such as AmaWaterways, provide bikes for their guests. Therefore, you may choose to take in the sights by bicycle, or even ride to meet the ship in the next port.
Bicycles aboard AmaWaterways - a great way to see Europe
A few additional inclusions found on most river cruises:
Dining is typically open seating for all meals, and the dress country club casual. And, with less than 200 guests, and as few as 140 on many ships, the intimate setting provides a great opportunity to develop new friendships. I met some amazing couples on my river cruises, shared a lot of laughs, and created some wonderful memories.
Another benefit of these smaller ships are the seamless embarkations and disembarkations throughout the cruise...that's right, no lines to wait in here!
Having worked on ocean cruise ships for 7 years, I have a great passion for cruising the oceans of the world, and now having expererienced river cruising that passion has expanded to cruising the rivers of the world as well.
With numerous new river cruise ships christened in 2015 and several more to be launched in 2016, as well as the introduction of new itineraries, 2016 is shaping up to be a great year to take a river cruise. And, with so many river cruise lines and itineraries to choose from, it is always best to work with your travel agent to find the perfect fit for your travel needs. Whatever one chooses, a river cruise is sure to be a travel adventure filled with memories to last a lifetime! Bon Voyage!
Below are a few photos from my 2015 European river cruises.
Zaanse Schans - A Traditional Windmill Village near Amsterdam - Tulip Time Cruise
Keukenhof, Holland - Tulip Time Cruise
Sidewalk Cafe Middelburg, Netherlands
Heidelberg, Germany - Christmas Market Cruise
Gothic Cathedral Cologne, Germany - Christmas Market Cruise
Sailing the Rhine - Christmas Market Cruise
Sailing the Rhine - Christmas Market Cruise
Viking Idi Staff Singing Christmas Carols
"Suite Ships" - Avalon Waterways
In 2015 I was fortunate to have experienced two European river cruises, and have become a big fan of river cruising. I love the intimacy of the small ships (less than 200 guests), and that these ships are able to dock in the heart of some of Europe's most historic and charming cities. The scenery along these rivers is breathtaking, with medieval castles, gothic cathedrals, hillside vineyards, and villages, which have retained their old-world charm. For ships to sail these rivers they can only be a certain length, width, and height to ensure they are able to transit the locks and go under the bridges that line these waterways. Therefore, if you are looking for a rock climbing wall, a mega waterslide, a casino, or a Broadway production show on your cruise ship, you won't find them aboard a river cruise. What you will find are comfortable accommodations; intimate lounges (both inside and out) which allow you to take in the amazing scenery; delicious culinary dishes (including local delicacies); courteous and professional staff; and destinations infused with history, culture, and old-world charm.
The destinations were definitely the highight of my 2015 river cruises, which included a Tulip Time river cruise aboard Avalon Panorama in April, and a Christmas Market river cruise aboard Viking Idi in November. From windmill villages and tulip gardens, to cathedrals, castles and Christmas markets, these European river cruises took us to awe-inspiring sites in the Netherlands, Begium, Switzerland, Germany, and France. Complimentary guided tours which provide historical and cultural elements, and many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, were included on these European river cruises, just as you will find on most river cruises.
The local guides on the included tours were very knowledgable, and many quite entertaining. I enjoyed the tours. I learned a lot about the places we visited, and the tours gave me the opportunity to get my bearings in each destination. However, you may choose to take in the sights on your own, do some shopping, or do as the locals do, and enjoy a coffee, wine, or bier at a sidewalk cafe. Some cruise lines, such as AmaWaterways, provide bikes for their guests. Therefore, you may choose to take in the sights by bicycle, or even ride to meet the ship in the next port.
Bicycles aboard AmaWaterways - a great way to see Europe
A few additional inclusions found on most river cruises:
- Complimentary WiFi
- Complimentary bottled water as you leave the ship for tours, as well as in your stateroom
- Complimentary sodas, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner (some lines offer these complimentary throughout the cruise)
Dining is typically open seating for all meals, and the dress country club casual. And, with less than 200 guests, and as few as 140 on many ships, the intimate setting provides a great opportunity to develop new friendships. I met some amazing couples on my river cruises, shared a lot of laughs, and created some wonderful memories.
Another benefit of these smaller ships are the seamless embarkations and disembarkations throughout the cruise...that's right, no lines to wait in here!
Having worked on ocean cruise ships for 7 years, I have a great passion for cruising the oceans of the world, and now having expererienced river cruising that passion has expanded to cruising the rivers of the world as well.
With numerous new river cruise ships christened in 2015 and several more to be launched in 2016, as well as the introduction of new itineraries, 2016 is shaping up to be a great year to take a river cruise. And, with so many river cruise lines and itineraries to choose from, it is always best to work with your travel agent to find the perfect fit for your travel needs. Whatever one chooses, a river cruise is sure to be a travel adventure filled with memories to last a lifetime! Bon Voyage!
Below are a few photos from my 2015 European river cruises.
Zaanse Schans - A Traditional Windmill Village near Amsterdam - Tulip Time Cruise
Keukenhof, Holland - Tulip Time CruiseSidewalk Cafe Middelburg, Netherlands
Heidelberg, Germany - Christmas Market Cruise
Gothic Cathedral Cologne, Germany - Christmas Market Cruise
Sailing the Rhine - Christmas Market Cruise
Sailing the Rhine - Christmas Market Cruise
Viking Idi Staff Singing Christmas CarolsLeave a Reply
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