Fall is here, and I’m loving the cooler temperatures and the changing colors of the trees. The trees have been especially pretty along the rivers in Europe. I should know because I recently returned from a river cruise in The Netherlands and Belgium. Because the demand for river cruising is increasing, I thought I’d share my Top Three Tips for choosing the river cruise that’s right for you.
Tip #1: Identify what you’d like to experience.
It sounds easy, but this can be quite challenging—especially if you’ve never been on a river cruise or traveled to a foreign country. What are some of the places you’ve dreamed of seeing? Are you interested in visiting specific countries, multiple countries, have an interest in history/culture or wine or castles?
Tip #2: Identify the rivers and available cruise lines.
Once you’ve identified the areas and experiences of interest, then it’s time for the next step which is identifying the rivers and canals that will enable you to get to those places, and the cruise lines operating there (and when). For example, if you’re a wine enthusiast, Portugal and France might be the countries you’d wish to visit.
Once the rivers/canals have been identified, then it’s time to find out which cruise lines operate on those rivers/canals and when they are sailing. You could do your own searching on the Internet, but don’t you think it would be more efficient to work with someone like me who has actual river cruising experience and has sent many clients on river cruises?
Tip #3: Evaluate your options.
Let’s say you’ve determined you’d like to sail through France on a wine-focused river cruise. You’ve found five river cruise lines whose names you recognize, either from the cruise line’s marketing efforts or from people you know. All five cruise lines will stop in the same ports, but the prices, sales promotions, and cabin choices have you confused. Well, this is a perfect example of not all river cruises being created equally. Unless you’re working with a professional travel advisor like me, this step will require you to get down to the nitty gritty details to determine which river cruise line and itinerary are perfect for you. For example, does each cruise line offer complimentary port excursions, or must you pay for each port excursion? Are alcohol and soft drinks included in the cruise price? How does a “free airfare” promotion really work? Still think you want to plan your river cruise trip yourself? 😉
Bonus Tip: How active do you wish to be?
Several cruise lines are now offering more activities, such as hiking, bicycling, and onboard fitness classes for guests seeking more physically challenging ways to explore the destination while still offering excursions for people who prefer a gentler pace for exploring. So, ask yourself how active you’d like to be on your cruise, and then identify the cruise lines that are offering the activity-levels you are seeking, based on your individual fitness level and those who will be traveling with you.
Interest in river cruising has increased over the past few years as people seek more immersive experiences while traveling with fewer people on the ship. A lot of advanced work goes into choosing the right river cruise to suit your individual needs. A professional travel advisor like me who has first-hand river cruising experience—on multiple river cruise lines—can be a tremendous asset to you when planning your river cruise adventure.
Think you’d like to try a river cruise? Why not travel with me in April 2024 when I return to The Netherlands and Belgium on the “Tulip Time” itinerary with AmaWaterways? Contact me for more information!
Until next time,
Jennifer