River cruising has quickly become the vacation of choice for many Boomers and Pre-Boomers. This is because it’s a very easy, affordable and experiential vacation choice. But, are you ready for a river cruise? Let’s take a closer look.

First of all, we flat out say that a river cruise trip is not for everyone. That’s right. Not everyone will enjoy the many benefits that this affordable and luxurious cruise has to offer. If you fit the following profile, you might not want to consider a river cruise and might be better served with a more traditional cruise ship vacation.

You are not the river cruise type if you enjoy:

• Being nickel’d and dimed for everything [wine, beer, espressos, snacks, Internet, etc.]
• Paying extra to eat in one of the “nice” specialty restaurants – whoa!
• Paying extra for all your shore excursions which can be over $1000 per person.
• Paying extra for some of the onboard entertainment and venues.
• A large impersonal staff that think of you as “Tip” and never know your name.
• Being jammed on a ship with up to 5000 of your closest friend… and that’s only the passengers.
• Spending 2-3 hours getting on and off the ship each day in port.
• Driving over an hour from the port to the city center to begin your shore excursion.
• Never having enough time to truly get to see a port and mix with its people.
• Dining with 1000 people all trying to be served at the same time with assembly line food.
• Getting seasick with the seas are just a bit rough.
• Having to get dressed up at night – formal nights, and…
• The disco at night… whee!

Now, we don’t want to place too large of a cloud over traditional ocean cruising because the ocean cruise business is the genesis of what has driven the exploding river cruise demand. And, an ocean cruise vacation does have many wonderful elements and is still the second best cruise vacation choice you can make.

Today’s modern ocean-going ship has it all: rock-climbing walls, ice skating, up to 20 different dining venues for your enjoyment [most at an extra fee], and gorgeous accommodations with nice amenities – did we mention you now pay for the movies you watch in your cabin. Ocean ships are now more like a Vegas-style vacation than a cruise, but our main objection is… what ever happened to the all-inclusive nature of a cruise? It is dead and buried!

Between outrageous taxes and fees, to being charged for almost anything you do on the ship beyond taking a walk on deck, the cost of the cruise ticket is generally far less than your onboard expenses. That’s just not right. Period!

Is this truly what you want your perfect vacation to be like? We don’t think so.

While river cruise vacations are extraordinary, the may not be for those under 40, but for those of us who prefer to travel with smaller groups of like-minded people, see and experience a destination in depth, then this type of almost fully-inclusive river cruise vacation is right for you.

By contrast, let’s examine what a luxurious river cruise offers:

• A very spacious ship that on average only accommodates 130 or so privileged guests.
• Sumptuous accommodations with every conceivable cabin amenity.
• Impeccable cuisine, much of which is prepared ala minute [when you order it].
• Complimentary wines, beers, sodas and bottled water.
• Complimentary small-group sightseeing excursions in EVERY port.
• Most ships have gym, sauna, message, hairdresser, pool, FREE internet and free use of bicycles.
• Daily free onboard evening entertainment.
• Complimentary in-cabin Internet, entertainment systems with live U.S. T.V., and free movies.
• Dock right in the center of most towns and it takes only one minute to get on/off the ship.
• Ability to see more of a region and experience in-depth the local culture.
• A resort casual onboard atmosphere – leave the formalwear at home.
• All staterooms, repeat ALL rooms have a river view.
• You can NEVER get seasick on a river cruise ship.
• Impeccable, warm and friendly service by an English only speaking crew.
• A staff that knows your name and favorite beverage by the second day.
• Last, but certainly FIRST in our book: A lifetime of memories from the journey and the people you’ve met.

Another point to consider: what do you really want a cruise vacation to afford you when it comes to the places you visit? We believe a river cruise provides the best possible, easiest way to explore [in depth]and learn about a specific region of a country or countries.

Of course, ocean going ships will take you to Venice, a river cruise ship will not. Ocean cruise ships will go to places a river cruise cannot, simply because that place is not on a river – nothing more. But think about the world before we go beyond this point. Much, if not most, of the ancient world was developed alongside of a river because the rivers were the main source of commerce and easy to navigate. Therefore, places like Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest, Rouen, Paris, Honfleur, Lyon, Strasbourg, Avignon Vienne, Prague, Belgrade, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Beijing, the Nile River, the Mekong River of Vietnam and more can only be reached by river ship! River ships truly afford you the opportunity to see more of the world, visiting intimate, ancient towns and villages that can never be reached by ocean going ships.

In this article, we have covered just a few of the many reasons we feel that this luxurious and affordable vacation alternative is the best choice for most people… those who prefer not to be on a ship with up to 5000 of their closest non-friends, don’t want to pay extra for almost everything, but want to enjoy the intimacy of a small ship with a hundred or so friendly, like-minded co-passengers, the “included” 5-star luxuries and amenities, impeccable cuisine and FREE shore excursions surely will choose a river cruise vacation.

If you’ve not been on an exciting river cruise, you might think your choices are limited, but that’s not the case. Depending on your personal likes and lifestyle, you might choose an exciting food and wine focused French river cruise, a historical Danube cruise, a great for first timers Rhine River Cruise, or a remarkable Eastern Europe cruise. For those looking for something a bit more exotic, what about a Vietnam river cruise on the delightful Mekong River for your next vacation. Our team are experts at working with first time river cruisers to ensure you get the best value and best cruise for you and your lifestyle – that’s really important. Take a look through our website and discover the many wonderful and affordable river cruise vacations we have to offer.

If you’ve never enjoyed an exciting destination based river cruise, talk with a travel agency that specializes in river cruises, you won’t be disappointed is the value and rewards you receive after a truly memorable river cruise vacation.