How to Choose the Right River Cruise

by Marcia Simon

An Ama Waterways longship docked riverside in Passau, Germany (Photo courtesy of Ama Waterways)

A European river cruise is a bucket list trip for a lot of people and, once hooked, those rivers keep calling.
 
If you’re exploring a river cruise for the first time, there’s a lot of nitty-gritty information that river cruise companies don’t tell you upfront. First of all, there is no “one size fits all” best river cruise company, but there's likely one brand that is "best for you" based on your interests and style.
 
Some are true luxury in terms of culinary and beverage offerings, cabin furnishings and depth of immersive excursions, while some are more streamlined to provide a comfortable waterfront escape from your daily routine. Some river cruises cater to older (aka retired) travelers while others direct their activities to more active adults and multigenerational families.
 
Because river ships are all built to be long and low to be able to pass through locks and under bridges, they all comply with a standard width; it's how each company designs their space that makes them different. For example, some feature outdoor verandas, while others use that space to create a larger cabin with oversized French balconies.
 
Viking is undoubtedly a leader in the river cruise travel space. The company has spent $2.8 billion on advertising, including TV ads, magazine ads, social media ads and direct mail flyers to potential and returning guests. Other companies, such as Ama and Avalon, have different marketing strategies that focus more on educating travel advisors who, in turn, can guide clients through their options.
 
River cruising feels different than any other type of vacation. There's a sense of cultural immersion through the foods and wines. Local entertainment comes onboard to perform in the evening, and being docked at the gateway of cities and villages allows you to explore the area on foot, bicycle or cultural tour.
 
Let's face it, while not every traveler is budget conscious, most are value conscious. And river cruising, overall, delivers a great value. In essence, your ship serves as an all-inclusive floating hotel.
 
To make sure you choose a river cruise directed to your personal interests and style, here are:
10 Tips to Help You Find Your Best River Cruise Vacation:

1. The offered or "starting at" price in the catalog or ad is not the price you should expect to pay. Cruise companies lure travelers by sharing their lowest cabin category, which often features small fixed windows. If you want the big open balcony with sliding doors and possibly a veranda, that upgrade can run thousands of dollars above the advertised price.
2. Cabin location matters. Although river cruises are normally very gentle because you are not sailing through ocean waters, you'll likely feel the least amount of motion mid-ship. Inquire about stairs and the ship layout. Some people like the convenience of being centrally located, others prefer the quietness of a cabin away from activities. Some ships have elevators; others don't.
3. You need to pay port fees – usually a few hundred dollars per person. These are sometimes rolled into the total price but, one way or another, you're paying for them.
4. Alcoholic beverages may not all be included. Often, the trip includes beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages at lunch and dinner. There's a trend now to include happy hour cocktails and post-dinner drinks.
5. Most river cruises include excursions as part of the package. You can expect something for free every day. However, other options may be available – often for a fee – and these, not surprisingly, tend to be the day trips that sound like the most fun.
6. Climate change. The weather around the world is becoming less predictable. This means that winters may be mild or furious, affecting snowmelt and springtime water levels. If water is too high, ships can’t always pass under certain bridges. On the flip side, if it’s a hot, dry summer, water levels may be too low to get through parts of the passage. There is absolutely nothing any river cruise company can do about this other than assure passengers that they will accommodate to the best of their ability – either transporting guests by bus, or putting passengers in a hotel for a night to catch up with a different ship the next day. Before you book, ask the company how they address water level situations, and if they offer any type of credit for passengers who are inconvenienced due to climate change.
7. Travel insurance is always a good idea. Some policies now cover trip interruption due to water levels in the river. It's important to know if your insurance covers this and other trip interruptions.
8. If you purchase airline flights from the cruise company as part of your package, ask if these include nonstop flights and seat assignment. There may be an upcharge for these conveniences. Booking air through the cruise company usually entitles you to free transfers from the airport.
9. If you have a special interest, look for themed itineraries – Christmas Markets, Jewish Heritage, wine cruises, children's week, LGBTQ cruises, solo cruises. You might want a music afficionado itinerary, culinary deep dive or exploring port villages with a bicycle group.
10. You will never get a bargain during peak season. Ships are small and sell out quickly. The best deals can be found at the beginning and end of shoulder seasons. This is great for travelers who want to avoid crowded destinations and don't mind if the weather is imperfect. Take advantage of earlybird and last-minute deals, And talk with a travel advisor who can keep the radar up for special promotions that would work for you.

Marcia Simon, APR, CTA, is a travel writer and travel advisor. Connect through facebook.com/friendlygrouptravel, Instagram @friendlygrouptravel or email [email protected].

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