Although Europe has many popular tourist attractions, Diamond Meadows' first river cruise did not include them.
The 28-year-old graduate student took cruises along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, visiting German cities such as Koblenz and Trier (she supplemented her sailings with train trips through Austria, Switzerland and elsewhere).
Meadows was traveling with her mother and her mother's boss, who uses a wheelchair. The group chose to sail with CroisiEurope Cruises due to the ease of sailing with mobile equipment. But she discovered another benefit.
“It really takes you to the heart of the city,” said Meadows, who is based in Tennessee. The approximately 160-passenger ship offered convenient drop-off points to smaller destinations, allowing for “access to more places.”
Last summer, many European destinations were packed with tourists. But continental river cruises offer a more leisurely way to travel, combining popular and less crowded ports with smaller ships.
Are river cruises better than ocean cruises?
Jen Campbell-Bowles, founder of travel agency Explore More Family Travel, says cruising in general is “very rewarding for seeing Europe”, but river sailing is particularly addicting. He said he could. “One of the sayings we use all the time in the travel industry is, 'Ocean cruise ships take you to your destination, but river cruises take you there,'” she says. Told.
Passengers visit major cities as well as quaint villages, often dropping off within walking distance of tourist attractions. Once they're done exploring, they return to the ship, which carries an average of 150 passengers.
“It's more intimate and cozy,” Campbell Boles said. “Obviously you're not fighting the crowd.”
That was part of the appeal for Jim Jones, 57, who took Avalon Waterways river cruises with his wife in 2011 and 2014.
“The small city appealed to me,” said Jones, who is based in Phoenix and works for a software company. For example, he enjoyed visiting Avignon in southern France, once the seat of the Papacy. “I’m a total history nerd,” he said. On his first cruise, he recalled, “almost every town” he visited had a farmers' market and he was able to sample local food.
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Unlike ocean-going cruise ships with large casinos and extensive bars, the ship was “very relaxed and slow-paced.”
Campbell Boles said river cruise ships tend to have “fewer bells and whistles” (though he added that the ships' smaller size allows guests a more personalized experience).
Adam Duckworth, president and founder of Travelmation, echoed similar sentiments. He said on a cruise, where the ship goes is more important than the ship itself. “This is truly an itinerary experience.”
Are river cruises in Europe cheaper than land travel?
Travelers can find cheaper land-based accommodations than river cruises, but there are other factors to consider.
Duckworth says river cruises tend to have higher costs for things like alcohol included in the fare than mainstream ocean cruise lines (though exact policies vary by cruise line). Typically, a day includes at least one excursion for him, Campbell added, as well as Boles.
He said demand in Europe remained “through the roof” and land-based prices were particularly high. “Even if you're staying in a top-tier stateroom or suite, it's still going to cost less than a comparable hotel,” she says.
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Transportation from one destination to another is also included in river cruises, but travelers may have to take a train or make other arrangements to visit different locations. “So this is a great way to see more diversity because it's really increasing in Europe,” Campbell-Boals said.
Passengers can also add on pre- or post-cruise stays, allowing them to “get the best of both worlds.”
“What we can say is that river cruises can often be a premium product,” Duckworth added. “But if you think about what our customers are experiencing – the comfort on board, the (low) stress, the luxury experience – our experience shows that it is actually the best value across Europe. I did.”
Are European river cruises child-friendly?
River cruises require some free time (most cruises are at least seven days) and tend to be popular with older guests, Duckworth said.
But in recent years, he has noticed an increase in the number of multigenerational travelers in this sector. “We're seeing grandparents bringing their grandchildren and we're seeing young professionals go to the river for the first time in Europe,” Duckworth said.
Some carriers offer services that are particularly suited to younger guests. Adventures by Disney offers river cruises by AmaWaterways, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises features the Generations Collection.
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However, Duckworth cautioned that river cruise ships don't offer the same wide range of amenities as larger ocean ships, even if the programming is curated with kids in mind. “If your kids want to go to a water park, ride the FlowRider, or play putt-putt all day long, we have a great line-up, but a European river cruise probably isn't one of them right now,” he said. said.
Some routes may not allow children or have different age restrictions, so it's important to find out in advance.
Campbell-Boals suggested first-timers start with a cruise on the Danube or Rhine, “the most iconic places.”
“So this is Europe,” she added. “It would be great to go to any river.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville, Tennessee. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
