![Why take a river cruise? [pt. 2]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ced997a8dd7450001849380/1691614541052-9TT0I0WTHWI9S2PM1KT3/Riverside+1.jpeg)
As you saw in part 1 of this post, there are lots of reasons to consider a river cruise for your next trip. Need more convincing? Keep reading, people. [Seen atop the page: one of the lounge areas on the Riverside Mozart.]
The river experience
When I say ‘you’ll see the sights up close,’ I’m not kidding. [Also, hi, Sandra’s mom.]
Just floating down the river, watching the world creep by from the roof deck or your cabin (or better, open window or balcony) is ultra-peaceful. I assumed this would be nice; it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Watching the sights, like the Hungarian parliament building or villages of Austria’s Wachau Valley or castles along the Rhine, as you and your ship glide along is a top travel experience in my very long travel book.
Convenience
Another big advantage of river cruising: you unpack once, and your hotel floats with you down the river. Having been on trips where you pack up and move every day, or every-other day, I can attest that this is worth A LOT.
You can eat three (or four) meals a day on your ship, and the food is generally very good. Or, you can eat in town if you want at the stops. Up to you.
Sometimes, I read a book at dinner. Sometimes, I dine with rowdy travel advisors and our Avalon rep.
Also up to you: how much time you spend with other people. Whether you go on group excursions and meet people, or mingle at dinner—totally your call. I tend to travel solo and explore on my own at least half of the time. Typically, I take a book to meals and read—but on my cruise with Avalon and stay with AMA, I found myself engaged in conversation at every meal. I’ll say this: it’s easier to do make connections on a smaller ship than one with 4,000 people. But, it’s just as possible to keep to yourself if you prefer. [Seen below: making friends in medieval castles, NBD.]
This floating hotel of which I speak—it’s also pretty luxe. Even the ‘mid-range’ cruise lines offer a really nice product (AMA and Avalon, Amadeus, Viking in its suites). If you want true luxury, I’ve got you covered. Scenic and Riverside (and also Uniworld) gild the river cruise experience, and upholster it with rich fabrics. Fancy-schmancy pools, spa treatments also available. [Seen below: did someone say ‘luxury?’ Riverside Mozart’s lounge, dining room, big suite, its HUGE bathroom, top deck, and more ‘normal’ sized cabin. Very nice.]
Speaking of food
Food is a big draw for many cruisers, and also for many Europe-bound travelers. I had meals on six different ships from five cruise lines over two weeks and found very little to complain about. As mentioned in the previous post, I attended the ASTA River Cruise Expo in Budapest this year—where I got to experience aaallll the river cruise things.] Seen below, foods from AMA, Avalon ships.
Since I stayed on an AMA ship and cruised with Avalon, I have the most experience with them—and really, really enjoyed the meals. One nice feature: the portions aren’t huge. And the waitstaff were very accommodating. When a companion and I didn’t like a too-adventurous entree (a regional Slovakian dish with sheep-cheese . . . no), our server didn’t bat an eyelash and brought us both second entrees (which were great). Avalon’s afternoon tea set-up was also a nice bonus (I’m sure other lines do this, too).
ASTA president Zane Kirby found this inclusion particularly satisfactory.
Inclusions
Each line’s cruise fare includes a different set of stuff. How do you navigate this? You call me. Generally speaking, Viking and German-based rival Amadeus offer fewer. Avalon and AMA offer more, and luxury lines like Scenic and Riverside, still more.
Most offer beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and have some sort of open-bar happy hour. Avalon also has an afternoon tea with cakes and other light bites every afternoon, plus has snacks out all day in the club lounge. The chef’s table experience is included on AMA but has to be reserved when you board.
Navigating all this can take a pro. Which is why you call ME. [Seen below: a special after-hours concert on a visit to Belvedere Palace, home of Klimt’s The Kiss.]
A word on Viking: They spend the most money marketing and in doing so have put river cruising on most people’s radar. In my experience, there are other, better river cruises for many people–but they don’t know about them. I match my clients with the option that best fits them. Often, that’s not Viking. That said, if you come to me and want to book a Viking cruise, I’m a certified agent with them and will be happy to book you.
Speaking of other cruise lines, see below, a quick tour of three of Scenic’s luxe cabins (big suite x3 pix, medium suite x2 pix, standard cabin x3 pix).
As your travel agent, my role is to help you find the best travel experience to fit your preferences, sightseeing wishlist, pricing considerations, etc. When you’re ready to talk about a river cruise, or some other way of discovering Europe, contact me. I’d love to help. Or, come with me on a hosted trip. They’re FUN, and I’ve got two river cruises lined up—one on the Rhine with AMA this Thanksgiving, and another with Avalon on the Danube in early December 2024. Join us! [And for lots of pictures of AMA and Avalon ships, see here.]
