How to prepare for your first river cruise

Claire Fahy

Aerial view of the Danube river with green hills and a cruise ship. Photo / Avalon Waterways

New to river cruising? Claire Fahy has the complete low-down on where to go, when to go and what to expect on-board.

As cruising reaches new levels of popularity, river cruises offer travellers an opportunity to explore multiple cities in one leisurely trip. Unlike huge liners with multiple restaurants and a plethora of activities, the smaller river boats, which can dock right in the middle of port cities, often stay longer, encouraging passengers to get off the ship and see the sights.

While the best time to travel largely depends on your desired destination, the most popular months for river cruising, especially in Europe, are May and September, and most cruise lines recommend booking a few months out to secure a spot.

Here’s what you need to know before setting sail.

Choose your river

The river you select makes all the difference when it comes to your experience, which is centered around time spent in port and watching the landscape go by, instead of spending most of your time being entertained onboard.

Ralph Grizzle, a river cruise expert who runs the website River Cruise Advisor, recommended the Danube for first-time river cruisers, since itineraries often include marquee cities such as Vienna, Austria and Budapest, Hungary.

Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, a European river cruise line, suggested the Danube or the Rhine for first-timers. Rhine cruises often involve Amsterdam, as well as charming smaller cities and places like Zurich or Basel, Switzerland.

Avalon ship sailing past a hilltop castle at golden hour. Photo / Avalon Waterways

Both rivers, she said, “feature all of the things that people think about in river cruising, with the scenic views and castles and wineries and vineyards”.

France is also gaining popularity as a river cruise destination, Hoffee said, where you can sail along the Seine from Paris to Monet’s water lily inspiration in Giverny and go to Normandy for excursions to World War II landing beaches.

Wake up to Rhine Valley views from your Viking veranda suite. Photo / Viking

Be prepared to spend more

River cruises can often be more expensive than an ocean or sea cruise, Grizzle said, with some top-tier packages costing around US$600 to $700 ($1025 -$1200) per passenger per day. Fares often include meals, complimentary wine and tea and coffee, according to Cruise Critic, a review website.

The best deal is usually found by booking a room on a lower deck, which will still have a view, just from a lower vantage point. European itineraries can also be cheaper than those in the United States or along the Nile.

Travelling in early spring or autumn can also help keep costs down, as mid-May through September marks the popular season. Hoffee recommended sailing in April or November for budget-conscious travellers. Those months usually offer low price points and fewer crowds in city ports.

But in recent years, noted Grizzle, “some cruise companies have told us that they have better offers during the peak summer season”, as more would-be river cruisers are put off by the heat and crowds of summer.

Aerial view of Marksburg Castle on the Rhine with a Viking longship below. Photo / Viking

Get ready to make friends

River cruises are much smaller than ocean cruises, making them a more intimate affair. For Avalon Waterways, Hoffee said, the average ship size caters to about 150 passengers and tops out at 166, compared with the largest cruise ships, which can carry more than 7000 people. There are no mega ships on the Danube.

There also tends to be one main restaurant on board as opposed to multiple options serving different cuisines, Grizzle said, which means you will be dining with your fellow travellers every night. While tables of two or four are becoming more common, he said, most river cruises he has been on seat guests at circular tables of six or so.

Each river boat tends to contain a few lounges, some of which feature games and books and provide spaces where passengers can socialise, Hoffee said.

Step onto your private balcony and take in the Danube's sweeping riverside scenery. Photo / Viking

Pack your walking shoes

Because river boats spend more time in port than ocean cruises, there is more time for land exploration, Hoffee said. On river cruises, the journey is really about the ports, and for most river cruise lines, some excursions are included in your fare — a significant departure from ocean cruises.

“That’s the thing that makes river cruising so special, is that we really do cruise through the heart of the destination,” Hoffee said. “We dock in the centre of cities, typically, where you can get off the ship and go and start exploring immediately.”

River cruises are also often in port overnight, Hoffee said, which provides guests the opportunity to really explore port cities and take advantage of well-known places to eat and drink. Avalon provides its cruisers with information on where to dine in port cities at night, she added.

Relax poolside on the Nile, where Egypt's ancient desert landscape stretches into the horizon. Photo / Viking

Adjust your expectations

When it comes to entertainment, the offerings are very different from what is typical aboard an ocean cruise.

Hoffee said there were no casinos, nightclubs or Broadway-esque shows, but that didn’t mean guests got bored. Trivia, dance parties and performances by local entertainers from the port city du jour are all offerings provided by the cruise lines, she said.

On a river cruise, the setting is also part of the entertainment, Grizzle said. Instead of being out at sea, the cruises sail right by land, offering guests views to enjoy from the balconies of their rooms. And the relaxed vibe doesn’t end there. Grizzle said he also enjoyed taking advantage of onboard yoga classes and other low-key amenities.

Written by: Claire Fahy