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.

There are 4 reasons I prefer river boat cruises to ocean cruising .  You want to know what they are?

Okay here goes:

No1. – Size
I don’t know about you but for me size matters. In this case less is more. I prefer the smaller riverboats than the large ocean liners. It’s very simple, large cruise ships mean large crowds. That is large crowds getting on and large crowds getting off . It is the same for most things. It means large everything.

Let me put it in context a typical riverboat may have somewhere between 50 and 150 passengers. A large cruise ship may have a thousand plus passengers. In my experience there is a better opportunity to meet fellow passengers and strike up meaningful friendships on a smaller cruising boat. This also applies to cruise ship employees. I believe you get a more personal service from staff that get to know you over the cruise. I am sure loads of people will argue my point but so be it.

No.2 – Time & Distance
Something I have noticed about river boat cruises is that once you step on the boat, time and distance become totally distorted. I know this sounds strange but its true. You can step aboard, cruise all day and at the end of the day discover that in actual fact you have only travelled ten or twelve miles. Yet you have been cruising all day, possibly viewed scenery like never before  and may be even stopped off at a hidden medieval village or town.
I know, at this point you are thinking I am insane.

No.3 Stop overs & Ports
Generally, large cruise ships tend to dock at larger ports. If suitable docking is not available they will drop anchor off shore and tender people on to shore in small groups.  Large ships need plenty of space and deep water.

The smaller river boat cruises can dock at smaller river ports or even little piers. The reasons for this is that most villages, towns, castles and places of interest along the river will have their own simple but safe moorings in relatively shallow water.

No.4 Excursions and Activities:
For the reasons outlined above river boat cruises tend to have more frequent short excursions on a daily basis rather than the larger ocean cruisers. So in my opinion you get a greater variety of experiences in a shorter time. I am sure there will be those that will contradict me but hey this is just my opinion.

There you have it. Why I prefer river boat cruises.

Feel free to leave a comment below,

Jeff

A riverboat cruise is a great way to see the world at an affordable price through an unconventional medium. When people think of cruises it’s often of the tropical, open sea cruise with strict schedules, touristy stops and cheesy in-house entertainment. Riverboat cruising is a completely different experience.

A riverboat is smaller and therefore offers 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 conveniences of a cruise with four star accommodations and dining, without the long lines and crazy schedules. Instead, sit and just watch the beautiful country go by and walk along the villages you dock in for a great experience.

There are many companies to choose from when considering a riverboat cruise, if you are interested in European riverboat cruises, France and much more, then consider the rivers along those areas and look for riverboat cruises that offer them. These rivers generally include the Danube, the Rhine and the infamous Nile.

Some of the most popular river cruise companies include Uniworld, Viking and Peter Deilmann. These companies all over amazing European river cruise specials and equally amazing destinations. Cruises range from four to thirty-two days and can include a number of different destinations throughout Europe, China, Egypt, Russian and the Ukraine.

Through a riverboat cruise you can experience the beauty and history of these places without the congestion of a bus tour and with the individual attention to deal that a cruise offers. Your time is valued and you shouldn’t have to jump between hotels and flights to have the European vacation you’ve always dreamed of.

If you have specific travel needs, a riverboat 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 needs. For a first time riverboat cruise vacationer, this 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.

When you take the time to work with a riverboat cruise company and their travel specialist, you can learn about the specials they offer and the special services or add-ons that are available through that cruise to make your cruise more fun and personally accommodating