Why Cruise the Rivers Rather Than the Oceans?

Why is River Cruising one of the fastest-growing segments of travel with up to 60% annual growth for some lines in the past five years — nearly 10 times the rate of ocean cruising.

Why the surge? With fewer than 200 passengers per ship, river cruising is more laid-back and intimate than most ocean cruising, without lines to embark, debark or wait for meals or crowds to overwhelm ports. Due to their smaller size and low draft, river cruise ships can go where ocean cruise ships cannot, and sometimes to where no other transport is practical rivers are an excellent way to reach some attractions, for example in Russia and China. Some river ships resemble five stars hotels, with sun decks, dining rooms, lounges, fitness facilities, swimming pools, and other entertainment. There are now ships that offer now offer balcony cabins and wine with lunch and dinner.

Unlike taking a tour where you stay in hotels and have to pack and unpack every day, board your floating hotel, unpack once, sit back and relax and your floating hotel will take you to experience the history and beauty of the great rivers of the world

Before there were roads, there were the rivers. River ships dock right in the center of town.  Cruising the inland waterways offers far easier entree to a region's heartland — whether small medieval villages or grand historic capitals. Unlike on many ocean voyages, you can walk right off the ship into town — whenever you like. No tendering ashore. No long drives to your destination. One line is offering self paced shore excursions with an ipad provided by the cruise line.

Fast-growing Viking River Cruises today made cruising history in 2013 with the naming of 10 new ships at once. Dubbed "longships," they boast a new design that includes the largest suites ever for a river ship in Europe as well as cabins with balconies -- a feature made possible by an innovative new cabin area layout that includes offset main corridors. The cruise line has ordered 12 more longships for delivery in 2014 -- an unprecedented expansion that will cement its lead as Europe's biggest river cruise operator catering to North Americans. By the end of next year, the company will be operating 28 of the vessels. Viking is boasting that the longships are the only river cruise vessels in Europe with an array of true suites -- that is, cabins that have an en-suite sitting room in addition to a bedroom. The longships also have innovative all-weather indoor/outdoor terraces at their fronts -- a new concept for river ships in Europe. The terraces have retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

For 2014 the river cruise lines are all trying to add inclusions to the cost of the cruises. These include:

All gratuities included

All shore excursions included

Shore excursions at your own pace with a provided ipad

All inclusive wine, beer and alcohol.

Alternate restaurants or visits to local gourmet restaurants ashore

A selection of shore excursions in select cities

The cruise lines are now becoming separated into three distinct levels by the amount of amenities included in the base rate of the cruise and the daily per diem rates.

Super inclusive

Tauck. Scenic A’rosa  Uniworld

Best Value:

Avalon Waterways, Amawaterways, Viking

Economy: Valueworld, Cruisieurope, Ewaterways

There are major differences between the lines concerning cabin sizes, provided amenities, destinations and the per diem cost per day.  For this reason it is advisable to use a specialist river cruise travel agent.  Someone who has sailed the ships, taken the tours, eaten the food and slept in the beds.

Contact Riverdiscounts.com at 800-640-4899 for expert advice and prices always lower than the cruise lines