Editor (Travel)
The world cruise is inherently associated with the sea and conjures images of languid days sailing aboard vast ships, spying land on the horizon and slowly taking in a tour of a region’s ports. But what about those who prefer a faster pace?
Imagine waking up in the heart of Amsterdam, Barcelona or Johannesburg — a holiday that took you to a dozen varied destinations and requires you to unpack your luggage only once. When you take a river cruise, your hotel travels with you, allowing you to unpack and relax as each destination comes to you.
By choosing a river cruise, you can enjoy the excitement of waking up just a few steps from markets, museums and landmarks, in the very heart of a new town or city. With no time-consuming port transfers, you can instantly absorb yourself in a local culture from the moment you step off the ship.
Not all of the best cities are built on ports but most of them are accessible by river. Boats were once the easiest, most effective means of transporting people and goods from city to city, so many early settlements sprang up around river systems, which still provide important links between the cities today. This allows river cruise operators to offer an extensive itinerary of varied cruises, taking in different countries, cultures and themes.
The world’s most scenic waterways were the original highways between great cities built along the water’s edge, which means that between cities on a river cruise, you could find yourself amidst vineyards, farmland, ancient castles and vibrant cross-sections of local life that would take hours to reach by road. Travelling by river allows you to view hidden gems that even local people rarely see, whilst sampling the delights of a cruising holiday on a small scale.
Although river cruises are more compact — the average vessel takes around 150 passengers — they do not skimp on the luxury afforded on ocean cruises. The more intimate nature of the cruise assures excellent service, and you will never have to have queues to board or disembark. From the moment you step on-board, you’re treated to five-star service that matches the river cruise liner’s contemporary and lavish interior. Cabins may be more compact than on an ocean liner, but with clever space-saving designs and high quality furnishings, they still offer world-class comfort and luxury. Some cabins have French balconies, which allow cruise-goers to take in the scenery sailing past their floating hotel room at any time. And on a river cruise, there’s something different to see at all hours of the day and night, so you won’t miss out.
In line with the experiences offered by ocean cruises, river cruise-providers aim for the ultimate in luxury every moment of the day. Champagne breakfasts and fine dining in warm, personal surroundings with good wine and good company are as much a standard in the river cruising world. Daily city stops allows the river cruise chefs to work with seasonal local ingredients, wherever you might be visiting; so keep an eye out for the specials board.
Many cruises include shore side excursions within the price, and AMA Waterways even offer their customers the free use of bicycles to roam the cities they stop at. Top-of-the-range amenities associated with hotels, such as free wireless internet for instantly sharing unbelievable holiday snaps with friends, libraries and dry cleaning services, are also available on many river cruise vessels.
By taking a river cruise, you don’t simply only visit a destination, you experience it – seeing cities from new angles and gaining a whole new perspective on cruising.
Image Courtesy: Tuner Tom; Mike1979 Russia; Axel Mauruszat | Wikimedia Commons
Ingrida Kurlinkute
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