River cruising is one of our favorite journey styles here at Wandermust Journeys. If you are the type of traveler who enjoys immersing yourself into the local culture of a destination or exploring a region in depth, river cruising should certainly be a part of your travel portfolio.

For those that have been on a river cruise in the past, know that cruise lines are offering a greater array of experiences in ports of call to appeal to a variety of travelers and are venturing into territories worldwide. River cruising extends beyond Europe and from cruise line to cruise line, itineraries may be different even when sailing the same river. On some rivers, the same line may offer varying itineraries. So, if you have cruised in the past by river, there may enough variety out there to engage you. And, if you have never been on a river cruise, it may be time to put this form of travel on your radar.

Here are some things to know about modern day river cruising.

Think of a river cruise as an intimate hotel with your transportation and experiences wrapped up into one. A river cruise enables you to travel quite comfortably and seamlessly from one destination to the next. Like ocean cruising, you have the benefit of only having to unpack and pack once and your hotel just moves along with you.

From boutique settings inspired by your destinations to modern and sleek environments that provide you with the creature comforts of a 5-star hotel, design and settings vary depending on the cruise line. Either way, expect to have comfortable nooks and crannies to lounge in during the evening and open top decks that enable you to take in the river and surroundings during your journey.

The warm and inviting staff that take care of you onboard and during your experiences onshore will likely leave you feeling as if you have found your home away from home. During our last river cruise, with a few in our group being vegetarian, our waiter and chef surprised us one evening with a special vegetarian dish for the table that wasn’t even on the menu and it didn’t disappoint. Our waiter shared stories with us about his home and heritage in Romania and we looked forward to sharing some laughter with him every night. Moments like this were unanticipated but are the ones we still talk about today.

Speaking of meals, along with the beer and wine that accompany them, expect locally inspired and sourced menus and selections on many of the cruise lines. During our cruise that sailed through the Wachau Valley, we enjoyed a local Riesling wine and an apricot dessert during dinner. Even my husband, who doesn’t like apricots, savored the dessert that evening. And, as I am a Celiac, the chef made a special gluten free version for me. Given how delectable it was, I wouldn’t surprised if my gluten free version may have been better than the non-gluten free one.

Ships are small and intimate. Generally 100-200 guests, sometimes smaller depending on the itinerary and destination. No contending with crowds on these ships.

Despite some perceptions that may be out there, river cruising is not limited to older clients. I don’t believe age is the most important factor in deciding whether to river cruise or not. Rather, it should be about the experiences, the destination and whether this form of travel is right for you. I have met honeymooners, families with teens, couples and larger groups of travelers on river cruises. Not all river cruises are equal so it’s really important to be matched up with the right type of experience for you and your traveling companions.

One of my favorite aspects of river cruising has been being amongst like-minded travelers who also enjoy the same type of immersive travel experiences. I am sure that you will find yourself exchanging travel stories with your traveling companions along your journey. And, if you enjoy traveling in a larger group, river cruising is the perfect type of trip. Enjoy well designed experiences during the day and sharing highlights of the day when you are all together in the evening. And, members of your group can each enjoy the experiences they want to have. On our Danube cruise, some of us went on an immersive walking tour of Passau while others decided to take a scenic riverside bike ride from Germany to Austria with a stop to enjoy some local refreshments.

For many of us, it’s these types of experiences and the destinations on our itinerary which draw us to travel. When it comes to truly localized and immersive experiences led by experts, river cruises do shine. Local experiences are included in your ports of call and generally will take in the highlights of a region with professional guides. Our guide in Cologne was an accomplished professor who brought the Roman history of the area and the magnificent Gothic Kölner Dom (Cathedral) to life for us. I certainly left Cologne with an appreciation for how rich of a destination this city is and didn’t have this perception before our day here thanks to the professor.

While in the Alsace region on our cruise along the Rhine, we visited a centuries old family owned winery. We learned about their deep history producing wine in the region from the winemaker himself. His passion was truly endless. He led us in quite an engaging and lively discussion about wine as we enjoyed tasting several varieties from the estate.

Speaking of experiences, depending on the cruise line and itinerary, as we did on the Danube, the cruise line may offer a few options in each port. So, if you want to have an active day, you can consider hiking up to a castle ruin or biking through vineyards. If you want to take in the historical context of a place, take an immersive walking tour. And, if you are a food and wine aficionado, how about visiting a local farmer’s market or hunting for truffles. If you have been to a destination previously or want to do something special or unique, perhaps a private customized experience is in order. There are even itineraries that include optional unique experiences such as flightseeing.

Given that ships often dock close to a town, you may also have some free time to explore on your own. Perhaps visit a museum on your own, shop for some artisan crafts, visit a market or taste a local specialty. Or relax at a café in the town square or enjoy a picnic by the riverside.

At times, you may be in your port into the evening or overnight. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy the town by evening, which will give you a different glimpse of the place than during the day. Perhaps savor the local cuisine while having dinner at a restaurant in town or enjoy the nightlife. (Depending on the cruise line, the staff on board may even give you some recommendations and help you arrange a reservation.) Sometimes, your itinerary will include opportunities to join special evening events that the cruise ship has organized, such as private concerts, shows or dinners that highlight a region’s specialties or culture.

River cruises are not only just limited to Europe. From traditional river cruises on iconic European rivers to in depth explorations around the world in Asia, Africa and South America, river cruising spans the globe these days. In some cases, a portion of your itinerary may include land-based touring followed by or following several days on the river. In other cases, you can add optional land-based itineraries pre or post your cruise, either through the cruise line or customized.

For example, on a typical Egypt itinerary, you will spend a few days at a hotel in Cairo, from where you visit sites such as the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx and see treasures at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Visit souks to shop for local goods or just enjoy the day to day atmosphere. Perhaps have a traditional meal at a restaurant in town. From there, embark on a cruise on the Nile which transports you to the legendary temples along the river, sites such as the Aswan Dam and enjoy local cultural experiences along the way.

There are a variety of river cruise lines out there and river cruises are not limited to river cruise lines. Travel itineraries that include river cruising are not only offered by river cruise lines. Many tour companies include river cruise itineraries within some of their programs. This could mean luxury tour companies, family-oriented providers or actively centered tour operators in addition to the various river cruise companies out there.

Each program truly is different, even when visiting the same destination or set of destinations. The lines and tour companies each have their own unique offerings, day to day itineraries and experiences. The cuisine, the included amenities, the comforts, the level of service, the style of touring options, and the design of the ships vary as well. Depending on the traveler or set of travelers, one program may be better suited to you than the other based on your travel style, expectations and preferences so it’s important to be matched to the program that aligns with you.

One of the highlights of river cruising is the cruise itself. Rivers are the roadways through much of the world. Life along the riverside goes on as you take in your surroundings while you sail on your journey. Going past large towns or cities at times, through small villages at other times or through varied landscapes. Gorgeous and green vineyard strewn hillsides, scenic landscapes, castles and monuments, beautiful churches and temples are some of what you may expect to see. While at times you can expect picturesque views, other times, expect a glimpse of daily life, whether it’s scenic or not. Boatyards, industry, towns, working villages, riverside paths – truly just people living their lives as they normally do. People going about their day, sometimes gliding alongside you, using the river as their highway to transport themselves or their goods. And on some of our world’s rivers, on a river cruise, find wildlife in their natural environment.

Regardless of your travel style, river cruising is a wonderful way to experience a destination. River cruising can provide you with opportunities to interact with local people and experts, to get a glimpse of daily life, and to enjoy the local culture, sites and cuisine. If you haven’t been on a river cruise but this type of experience resonates with you, I am sure there is a river cruise that could be right for you. And, for those of you who have been on a river cruise before and have enjoyed all that it offers, with the array of options available, think about exploring a new destination the next time, or sailing a different itinerary.

Interested in exploring one of the world’s fascinating rivers? Contact us to help you find the ideal river and journey for you.

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