River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising

Are you an avid cruiser and wonder what it would be like to take a river cruise?  Or maybe you have never cruised but want to explore Europe in a hotel on the water?  Having done both, I hope to provide you with some information to make the right decision for you.

I love to cruise (actually, I love any type of vacation), but cruising is a favorite.  When everything came to a standstill with Covid, I had multiple cruises canceled.  I optimistically would reschedule with the hopes that I would eventually get to sail.  I didn’t care where it went, or what the itinerary was, I just wanted to go!  Luckily with restrictions on cruising loosening, I have been able to sail on 3 cruises recently – 2 Disney ocean cruises and 1 AmaWaterways Rhine River cruise.  I also have another Disney and Royal Caribbean on the books for this spring.

I have been cruising since the early 2000s on various cruise lines… visiting Alaska, Canada on a fall foliage cruise, and multiple itineraries in Mexico and the Caribbean.  However, I really wanted to try a river cruise and when the opportunity arose to leave right after Christmas to visit the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, and Germany, I quickly jumped on it.

Let me say that I loved the river cruise, but I still love ocean cruising as they have a completely different feel.  Here are some of the main differences I experienced:

• Ocean cruising allows you to primarily interact with your traveling companions if you choose, while the small number of passengers on a river cruise promotes getting to know others. At the end of my recent weeklong cruise, I could tell you things about all 47 of the other passengers.  Yes, this was an unusually small number due to Covid, but most never have more than 200 passengers.  Don’t let this scare you.  If you prefer time alone, there was a couple on their honeymoon who really didn’t care to hang out with the rest of the group, which was perfectly understandable.
• The embarkation and debarkation process was super easy for a river cruise, no worries about your luggage not getting to your room or waiting for your group number to be called to leave the ship. This was also true when leaving the ship at ports, a simple scan and you were out the door without lines.

• While ocean cruises usually have days at sea to relax and recuperate, river cruises typically visit a new port every day for exploration. There is no sleeping in on a river cruise unless you don’t wish to exit the ship for the day.  However, evenings provide less entertainment and activities, with usually music or local talent before or after dinner, providing more time for relaxation, and getting to bed earlier.  I enjoyed not having the fear of missing out.  On an ocean cruise, I am exhausted and need to sleep but don’t want to miss out!
• While ocean cruises provide a larger selection of dining options, river cruises generally have one or two options. The cruise I recently completed had a main dining room for all three meals of the day, light options in the lounge at meal times, a chance to dine at the Chef’s Table for an exclusive dining event once on the cruise, and light snacks mid-afternoon and late evening.  If you like 24-hour access to pizza and room service, you won’t find it on river cruises.

• Maybe this doesn’t need mentioned, but the river boats are definitely smaller as they need to navigate smaller bodies of water, locks, and dams. Unlike many huge ocean liners, you can travel from one end of the ship to the other in less than two minutes, with reception, lounge, and dining all located nearby.  There were also only three floors for guests, much less than an ocean cruise that requires checking the map several times to see where to go.  Many times, I only know my way around by the time the cruise is over!
• While there are less options for shore excursions, they are usually included in the price of your river cruise, and include at least two to choose from as well as many bike tour options. You can skip the prearranged tours, but I found them to be very nice, and they did allow time to explore on your own. 

• River cruises typically include more things such as excursions, drinks, tea, cappuccino, etc. in your initial cruise cost. We were quite surprised at the end of our cruise with a low bill, as many times in the past it has been a shock!  Typically, river cruises are more expensive, but in the end it comes down to value for your money and which experience you want. 
• One of the things I loved the most aboard the river cruise was the scenery along the way. While many times on the ocean your only scenery is the ocean, a river cruise allows you to pass picturesque towns and villages along your way.
• Do you have to be old to river cruise? No. Our cruise was overwhelmingly people in their 40s and 50s so I guess it depends on what you call old!  We did have a teenager on board who loved the experience and a younger honeymooning couple.  However, river cruises do attract an older crowd who are less about the festive onboard atmosphere and more about relaxing, cultural experiences, and exploring the ports.  AmaWaterways, which we sailed, is working to promote themselves as a wellness experience and encourage younger travelers. 

• A river cruise is definitely a more pampered, personal experience. Your cruise director knows you by name, and staff throughout the ship know your preferences almost immediately.  Again, this isn’t for everyone. Some prefer the excellent, yet less personal experience of an ocean cruise; there is no doubt that certain staff on an ocean cruise will also anticipate your needs.
• Needing a kids’ club or babysitting options? You won’t find those on a river cruise, in fact there are a lot of things you won’t find.  There are no waterslides, no Broadway shows, no crowds by the pool.  Ocean cruises are designed to be a resort with everything you would want to do; in fact, you wouldn’t have to get off at a single port to stay entertained.  River cruises, on the other hand, are more of a floating luxury hotel, transporting you from site to site.

In parting, I love both. I really think it depends on the type of experience you are looking for, and I highly encourage everyone to try both.  Still undecided?  We would love to talk and help you decide which is right for you.  I can’t wait to get started planning my next river cruise!

Contact your favorite Pineapple Escapes’ agent today, or email us at info@pineappleescapes.com for a quote for a river cruise or an ocean cruise. Our agents help make your vacation seamless with our expertise, customized itineraries, and extra pixie dust!

Share Our Post To Social Media!

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin

Post By

Subscribe

Receive Notifications of Our Newest Posts!

Fill the form to subscribe to our mailing list!