River cruises like you’ve never seen them before

Take me to the river! Those inland cruises you thought were just for your parents and the Rick Steves travel set? Take another look. River cruising is reportedly the fastest growing segment in the travel industry, now exploring exotic locales like Egypt, Myanmar, Russia, and Europe. And while the price tag of such a trip may seem daunting, it’s not so bad when you realize what you’re getting for the money. So, before you write off a trip down a river, here are some things to consider:

1. Oh don’t worry – that’s included

There’s no need to be concerned about hidden fees and drink charges adding up. On a river cruise, nearly everything is usually included in the price. You can enjoy excursions, relax with complimentary airport transfers, and have your fill of beer, wine, and specialty coffees without the worry of an extra expense.

2. Leave the planning to professionals

Since your excursions are already included, that means you don’t have to worry about planning which ones you’re going on. And what’s more, the excursions offered by river cruises are almost always accompanied by a local guide. Another huge benefit? You’re able to step off the ship and into the hearts of major cities, like Paris, as well as discover off-the-beaten-path locations, like Provence, without wasting time trying to find transportation.

3. When in Rome…

Prepare to do as the locals do (no matter what city you’re in), as river cruises offer you cultural immersion through excursions and stuff on board. Enjoy local foods, like fresh cheeses, small-batch wines, and ripe fruits, while actually learning a bit about the places you’re going. Most river cruises offer cultural lectures and regional performances too, allowing you to get the most out of your vacation.

Viking River Cruises

4. Go ahead: Post those Instagram photos

It’d be a shame to wait a week to show off those beautiful pics of your trip. Luckily for river cruisers, posting and surfing (the web) isn’t a hassle. Sailing close to land means guests can enjoy Wi-Fi without stressing about an additional cost.

Avalon Waterways

5. Bigger is not always better

Most river cruise vessels have a max capacity of only around 200 passengers. That means there’s no fighting for space at dinner time, lines are basically nonexistent, and the staff is super attentive. Another bonus is that after a day of walking around a foreign city, you don’t have trek a quarter mile around the ship to get something to eat.

Ama Waterways

6. A cruise with a view

Choose to cruise a river and you’ll find that staterooms with generously sized windows almost always come standard. That’s because the ships are generally too narrow to offer inside staterooms, meaning none of the passengers have to worry about claustrophobia.

Like how that sounds? Check out these river cruise lines, available through Orbitz: Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, and Uniworld River Cruises.

Tagged: Cruise, Europe