7 Things Ocean Cruisers Get Wrong About River Cruising

If you enjoy ocean cruises, you may look at River Cruises and think they could never be as fun or enjoyable.

Ocean Cruises and River Cruises offer very different experiences. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but both can offer a really enjoyable cruising experience.

In this article, we look at the popular misconceptions people have about River Cruises and bust a few myths!

#1 Smaller Ships Will Be Less Comfortable

Large ocean-going cruise ships have many amenities onboard, including bars, restaurants, pools, spas – and a range of comfortable cabins.

The crew on ocean cruise ships work very hard to ensure you have everything you need, and your hard-working cabin steward keeps your cabin spotlessly clean.

It’s easy to think that smaller river ships won’t be anywhere near as comfortable as ocean-going cruise ships.

In reality, River cruise ships also have comfortable, well-appointed cabins. They have pools, bars and a restaurant, some even have gyms and a spa

These smaller ships offer a more personalised and intimate experience. You will see a lot of the crew. Often, they do multiple jobs – working behind the bar, waiting tables in the restaurant, etc. They really get to know their passengers very well.

There are a range of cabins available. The cheaper cabins are down, closer to the waterline, the suites are on a higher deck. All are very comfortable and of a similar size to cabins on an ocean cruise ship.

#2 There Will Be No Entertainment

Many people think that because River Ships are small, there will be no entertainment, and they will get very bored.

I certainly haven’t found that to be the case. In addition to having talented singers and performers as crew, the ships often have extra cultural performances. Artists from the cities and towns where the ships are docked come onboard to perform.

When I sailed with the over 50’s British cruise line Saga, they had some wonderful Hungarian Folklore dancers onboard to give us an amazing performance. You can see that in the video below:

On the river cruises I have taken, the staff have held port talks about the places you will be visiting.

I also remember learning all about the birds of the Danube Delta when I took a river cruise with Saga. I learnt a lot!

When you are at sea, you will often see miles and miles of ocean stretching out before you.

If you are on a River Ship, the background is constantly changing, you see towns, cities, villages, and open countryside. I find that very interesting!

You don’t always need extra onboard entertainment, just the enjoyment of travelling through the different countries is often enough.

#3 Itineraries Will Be Limited

People seem to think that you will get a limited itinerary on a River Cruise. That is far from the case.

River Ships travel on rivers all over the world, often visiting places that aren’t accessible to most tourists.

One major advantage of River Cruises is that they usually dock close to the city centre. That certainly isn’t the case on ocean-going ships – you might be in a container port miles away

You can often walk into the centre of interesting cities – Budapest, Bratislava or Vienna for example.

A week-long cruise allows you to visit many countries or cities. It is a good way to travel if your holiday or vacation time is limited.

#4 Cabins Are Cramped And Uncomfortable

You may imagine that on a River Ship the cabins would be less comfortable. I really haven’t found that to be the case.

River ships don’t have inside cabins, so the lowest-grade cabin still has porthole windows.

They are on the lowest deck of the ship, which is really interesting because you’re at water level. You might see ducks and other waterfowl swimming by when you look out of your porthole!

Cabins higher up may have large windows or Juliet balconies. They let in lots of light.

I had a suite cabin when I sailed on a Christmas markets cruise. Tui had a discount code for suite bookings, which meant it was a similar price to a lower-grade cabin.

Take a look at that lovely cabin here:

Check out my “Panorama Balcony Suite” on Emerald Liberte below.

It had windows that could be lowered to create a balcony area – similar to “Infinite Veranda” Cabins on the newer Celebrity ocean cruise ships.

#5 Limited Excursions

There is a misconception that there will be fewer places to visit along the way. This really isn’t the case!

There are a whole range of options open to you. Walking tours, visits to historic monuments, cycling adventures – and more...

Many more expensive River Cruises include excursions within the cruise fare. Of course you don’t have to go on them if you don’t want to – but its a great way of exploring your surroundings.

Tour guides are from the local area, so you can get a really immersive experience from someone who actually lives locally – rather than someone from a large tour company who may not be so familiar with the place.

I took a trip on an old salt barge in Germany, where we tried lots of local beers.

Our guide, Eva, was American. Her family was originally from Germany, she had returned to study, married a German gentleman, and never gone back! She was a really interesting lady, and very knowledgeable about the local area.

#6 Less Attentive Staff

You might think that on a River Ship, there will be fewer staff and that you will receive a less personalised experience.

Staff on ocean cruise ships are so kind and helpful, how could a river cruise be better?

In actual fact, because there are only around 100-150 passengers onboard, the crew really go out of their way to make you feel at home and get to know you.

On our Tui River Cruise, we were welcome to go and speak to the Captain anytime when he was in the wheelhouse – if he wasn’t too busy. You can’t just wander on to the bridge of an ocean cruise ship.

The Wheelhouse can sink down into the superstructure of the ship at the press of a button! This enables the river ship to fit under some very low bridges.

I always remember on my Saga River cruise, the Cruise Director offered to walk passengers into the local town. He gave everyone his phone number so he could come back and rescue them if they were to get lost! I can’t see that happening on an Ocean Cruise…

#7 River Cruises Are Sedentary

It’s easy to think that River Cruises are sedentary and more suited to older people. In fact there are river cruises to suit everyone.

The Saga River cruise I took was quite sedate, with lots of gentle walking tours on offer. My Emerald River cruise, however, was all early mornings, hikes up mountains and cycling!

I also took a wonderful cycling cruise on a converted 1930’s Barge through the German countryside. It was amazing – I cycled over 225 km in a week.

Find out all about my “Barge and Bike” river cruise here:

Before You Go

Find out the six things I got wrong about river cruising here:

6 things I got WRONG about river cruising!

Find out how much it costs to go on a budget river cruise with Tui here:

How Much Does It Cost To Go On A Budget River Cruise? (TUI Example)