River Cruising has long been considered a more “civil” mode of travel – something only couples and retirees could afford and appreciate. This pigeonholing of the industry left river cruising out of reach, even delegating it as a form of travel not to be considered for families. Well, no more.
Ama Waterways and Adventures By Disney were pioneers in transforming river cruising into a family event – a multigenerational experience. Welcoming grandparents, parents, and grandchildren to travel together and to discover the history, food, culture, and beauty of Europe (and other destinations) in ways both the kids and adults can appreciate.
Most commonly thought of in Europe, on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Douro, and even Po rivers, river cruising is also extending itself to Russia, China, Vietnam & Cambodia, and – yes…even the United States.
Many of the traditional voyages are “themed”, for special interests such as “wine immersion”, “Tulip Time”, “Jewish Heritage”, a popular “beer tasting cruise” along the Rhine, and the ever-popular “Christmas Markets” cruises during November and December.
Family river cruising also offers great flexibility and variety – just the right balance of shared activities and downtime; thoughtfully choreographed trips with a blend of culturally–immersive guided sightseeing ashore, organized onboard fun, and time for just relaxing and doing as your family pleases.
Here are several reasons why so many travelers are switching to river cruising…
The boats are smaller and more intimate (60-170 passengers) so you can actually get to know your fellow guests and not feel like you are being herded along like cattle…You may eat with whom you choose each evening and have a choice of a few onboard dining venues for variety.
It is as close to hassle-free as you can get. There are no lines to get on or off the boat and, when you arrive at your next stop, you can usually walk right off and be immersed in your destination. Europe grew up along its rivers, so there are some very charming and interesting small towns and big cities to explore. Very few ports require bus transfers, which makes it easy to come and go at your leisure.
The trip can be totally all-inclusive, depending on the cruise line and ship you have chosen. Most itineraries even include shore excursions in every port, airport transfers, Wi-Fi, and all gratuities. Since your “hotel” travels with you, you only need to pack and unpack once. Without having the distraction of travel planning for each destination, you’re free to spend quality time with your family, enjoying fun-filled days and nights.
Being on the river, there are no waves, so seasickness is not an issue. Also, most cruises include transferring through a series of “locks” to accommodate the changes in elevation, which most people find super interesting to watch. You can literally touch the walls of the locks from your balcony as you pass through!
You’ll be in the company of like-minded families. In the evening, you won’t find “Broadway-style extravaganzas or amusement park rides of some ocean cruises”, but you will find live music in the lounge, authentic regional food, cooking demonstrations, and perhaps local entertainers in some ports, such as an OomPah band in Passau Germany or Gypsy dancers in Budapest. Plus, there are informative talks on the ports of call and cocktails with your newly made friends from around the world.
The price tag of a River Cruise can cause a little bit of “sticker shock”, but when you figure out everything you are getting for the cost, it becomes much more manageable, and quite a good value.
Viking River Cruises is one the most well-known of the River Cruise lines because they spend boatloads (literally) of money on television and print advertising, and they have done a lot to introduce travelers to the River Cruise concept.
However, there are many other River Cruise lines with higher customer satisfaction rates and more complimentary inclusions just waiting to show you the time of your lives as well.
The AmaWaterways / Adventures By Disney partnership and the Tauck Bridges Family River Cruising packages are among my personal favorites for families.
A travel advisor who specializes in families and river cruising (like me!) and has relationships with sales reps from all the different lines can be incredibly valuable in helping you sort through all of the options and find the perfect fit!
River cruising is also a great option for small groups of friends or work colleagues who would like to travel together.
Who would you like to sip champagne with as you cruise through the incredible Wachau Valley in Austria’s wine country?
96% of first time River Cruisers say they would recommend the experience to a friend!
Embrace The Magic Travel is authorized to sell all the lines and we would love to help match you (and your friends) to the perfect experience!
Get on board and explore the new generation of the River Cruise movement.
Are there any big milestones coming up in the next year that you’re excited to celebrate?
A river cruise is the perfect way to break away from the same ‘ole, same old and start a NEW TRADITION everyone in the family will enjoy.
Celebrate the next big event in your life with a special trip you and your loved ones will remember for the rest of your lives.
