European river boat cruises are a great way to see many of the countries of Europe.  When people think of cruising it’s often of the tropical, open sea cruise with strict schedules, usual tourist stops and cheesy in-house entertainment. Riverboat cruising is a completely different experience. River cruising ships are smaller and therefore offer a more intimate atmosphere where you can take the time you needs to relax, soak in the scenery and get to know the other passengers. You still have the convenience of a cruise with excellent accommodation and dining, without the long lines and crazy schedules. Instead, sit and just watch the beautiful countryside go by and stroll through the medieval villages you dock in for a great experience.

There are many companies to choose from when considering European river boat cruises, if you are interested in European river boat cruises check out Peter Deilmann, Viking, Avalon, Uniworld. These cruise line companies operate cruises on the great European rivers including the Danube, the Rhine and the great Nile. These companies all offer amazing European river cruise specials and equally amazing destinations. European river boat cruises range from three to thirty-two days and can include a number of different destinations throughout Europe, China, Egypt, Russian and the Ukraine.

European river boat cruises enable you experience the beauty and history of truly memorable sights without the congestion of bus excursions and with the individual attention to deal that a cruise offers. Your time is valued and you shouldn’t have to hop between hotels and flights to have the European vacation you’ve always dreamed of. If you have specific travel needs, a river boat cruise specialist can help you develop a plan for that and help you plan for the trip. This is especially important for those with medical conditions, disabilities or other personal needs.
For a first time Europe riverboat cruiser, a high level of service is exactly what they need to make sure the vacation is what they are hoping for, paid for in the way they are able and is an overall enjoyable experience. Take the time to work with a river boat cruise company and their travel specialist, you can learn about the specials they offer and the special services or extra’s  that are available  that can make your cruise more fun and personally accommodating.

European river boat cruises are certainly worth consideration, whether  you have tired of the regular ocean going version of cruising or are looking for a very different way to explore the historic sites of Europe.

Here are three unusual but valid questions.
Question 1: Which direction should I cruise ?  Upstream or Downstream?

Answer:
In general it does not matter which direction your river boat cruises. The  cruises stop at the same destinations whether travelling upstream or down stream. The actual arrival times at the various destinations along the river will obviously vary depending which direction you start from.  Basically you will not miss out on any stopovers/excursions. (I recommend you check this in your itineray to be 100% certain)

Question 2: What side of the riverboat should I book my cabin?

Answer:
The short answer is that  in general  it does not matter on what side you book your cabin.
From a docking point of view, some days, the port side cabins will be docked facing the shoreline , on other days it will be the star-board side that will face the shoreline. If you want to be 100% sure check with your travel agent once you have picked your particular cruise.

Question 3:  Do riverboats have bath tubs in the cabins?

Answer:
No not all riverboat cabins will have bath tubs. In general most cabins will not have cabins.  A lot depends on the cruise line company and the particular river boat. So if this is an issue for you make sure to check with your travel agent.

 There you have it. I hoped that enlightened you a little more about river boat cruising. If you have any interesting questions or suggestions about river boat cruises please leave a comment below.

J.

If you are wondering if european river boat cruises are for you you might want a check out this article written by Richie Wells. Richie has worked in the online travel industry for many years. His area of specialty is cruise vacations. He is well placed to advise on regular ocean cruising versus river cruises

 Richie gives a brief overview of what to expect from a european river boat cruise.
Discover Cruising With European River Cruises
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Richie_Wells]Richie Wells

Think of a cruise and you’ll probably think of the open waves and enjoying the many benefits of a cruise ship while surrounded by nothing more than ocean on all sides. But a cruise does not always set sail on an ocean.  Some of the best cruises the world has to offer are actually river cruises, and what they might lack in distance travelled they certainly make up for in sights to see.

Are River Cruises Shorter Than Normal Cruises?

Not necessarily.  It’s quite possible to book a seven, ten or even fourteen day cruise that meanders along the length of a single river. River cruises do however have the advantage of being ideal for single day trips as well.  The River Thames in London is not known for its long distance river cruises, but you can spend a whole day cruising along the length of the river and enjoying a unique viewpoint of the city of London.

Evening river cruises are also highly recommended if you have a few hours to spare.  They can often include an evening meal and drinks, and they are a superb addition to any normal vacation, or simply a different way to enjoy a river near to where you live.

River cruises of this nature are an excellent and novel idea for a birthday gift, and can also be a good option for parties and celebrations.  Not all river cruises take place aboard huge ships – the boats which cruise along the Thames, for instance, are actually quite small and are ideal for celebrations for groups of fifty or sixty people.

But if you are attracted by the idea of a vacation cruise, there are plenty to choose from that travel the length of some of the world’s most famous rivers, like the Blue Danube for instance. You’ll get a chance to hop on and off to visit some famous cities and landmarks, and on shore excursions to various locations are often included in the price of your cruise, especially if it is an all inclusive one.

The other advantage of river cruises is that they can often be a good introduction to cruising if you are trying this type of holiday for the first time.  You’re never too far from dry land, which is a bonus if you’re not too sure about travelling for long periods of time at sea. So if you’re after a different kind of vacation, why not consider river cruises?  They certainly provide a whole new way to see the world.

Rich Wells runs his own online travel business. His particular specialty is cruise vacations. Check out these great [http://www.freetime4all.com/Cruise-Packages/]Cruise Vacations ideas and info or the more general [http://www.vacations-discounts.com/Travel-Tips/]Travel Tips and advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richie_Wells http://EzineArticles.com/?Discover-Cruising-With-European-River-Cruises&id=649445

Many thanks to Rich for this contribution. We will hopefully feature more articles from Richie in future posts. I hope this article convinced you that european river boat cruises are worth a try.