The river cruise vs ocean cruise debate is one which’s pretty new. Ocean cruises have lengthy dominated the cruise trade however, with how scenic river cruises could be, they may be coming for the throne. Nonetheless, you would possibly surprise: what’s a river cruise going to supply that an ocean cruise can’t, and vice versa?
River cruises have at all times me nevertheless it wasn’t till I discovered concerning the Essence of Burgundy Wine Cruise taking place later this 12 months that I made a decision I’d really strive one out for myself. It’s a 7-night cruise alongside the Saône and Rhône, two of the highest rivers for European river cruises. It’s hosted by Theodora Lee, a Black legal professional and the founding father of Theopolis Vineyards.
I met Theodora in the course of the Affiliation of African American Vintners twentieth Anniversary Symposium final 12 months in Oakland and Northern California. Wine cruises are a specialty of AmaWaterways they usually have had a whole lot of wine hosts. However Theodora Lee would be the first Black girl wine host. And, she is bringing her wine together with her on the cruise. Theopolis Vineyards in identified for his or her Petit Syrah and it’s scrumptious!
In preparation for the small group tour that I’ll internet hosting on this cruise, I made a decision to analysis all of the variations between river cruises and ocean cruises. Studying what river cruises are like has definitely made me extra excited to go on one. It would encourage you to place river cruising in your bucket checklist, too!
What Is a River Cruise?
There’s after all a simple reply to the query “what’s a river cruise?”: a trip voyage on a river. The definition can really prolong to extra than simply rivers, although. Any inland water physique is honest sport, so lakes depend, too. Among the extra scenic river cruises might also briefly enterprise into open waters, the place the river empties into the ocean.
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Measurement
River Cruise Ships are Smaller and Extra Intimate
Probably the most noticeable distinction between river cruises and ocean cruises is the scale of the ship. River vessels must be a lot smaller than their ocean counterparts as a result of they navigate narrower and shallower waters.
River cruises not often exceed 200 passengers. Some luxurious river cruises even carry lower than 100! Tying into this, there are fewer cabins on river cruise ships, they usually are typically smaller than these on ocean cruise ships. On the plus facet, all cabins on river cruise ships sometimes have home windows.
Ocean Cruise Ships are Bigger and Extra Energetic
For those who’ve seen or been on an ocean cruise ship earlier than, you understand how large they’re! Ocean cruises can usually carry 1000’s of passengers. Even the smaller ones have capacities within the excessive tons of.
Although they’ve extra cabins than river cruise ships, ocean cruise ships even have bigger cabins and suites. Nonetheless as said above, river cruise ship cabins normally have home windows or balconies. Ocean cruises have “inside cabins” that don’t have home windows.
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Onboard Actions
You’ll By no means Run Out of Issues to Do on Board an Ocean Cruise
A significant distinction between river cruises and ocean cruises lies in what you really do whereas on the ship. Ocean cruises have many “days at sea,” or days spent crusing to your subsequent vacation spot. They’ve tons for passengers to see and do throughout nowadays. Ocean cruises will usually have flashy reside leisure, massive swimming pools, a number of retailers, and different actions accessible.
River Cruises Don’t Have As A lot to Do on Board
Alternatively, river cruises get many of the crusing accomplished at evening, so there aren’t many days at sea. Because of this (and likewise due to the smaller measurement), river cruises don’t have many onboard actions. There could also be a number of leisure actions, similar to wine tastings and small musical ensembles.
There are, nevertheless, some exceptionally stunning rivers the place the cruising could also be accomplished in the course of the day. On some scenic river cruises, particularly European river cruises, you possibly can anticipate a number of days to marvel at the fantastic thing about the passing surroundings.
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Excursions & Itineraries
The Ports are the Stars of the Present on River Cruises
Don’t begin to suppose river cruises are boring — it’s the exact opposite! Crusing at evening and docking very first thing within the morning means you’ll have the entire day to discover the ports. Actually, you’ll seemingly go to a brand new vacation spot every single day.
The itinerary on a river cruise normally begins in a big or mid-sized metropolis, similar to Arles within the case of the Essence of Burgundy tour I will likely be occurring this November. Lots of the stops, nevertheless, will likely be at smaller cities and cities.
River cruise ships’ skill to dock at smaller ports signifies that they will usually cease at extra quaint places. That is particularly the case on European river cruises. One small, charming city I’m wanting ahead to crusing into on the cruise is Viviers, the place we’ll be visiting a truffle farm!
River cruises normally embrace excursions and excursions within the worth. THIS IS HUGE!! These are typically largely targeted on historical past and tradition. These cruises even have a number of excursions for passengers to select from every day. I’m tremendous excited for the purple wine and chocolate tasting on Day 5 of the Essence of Burgundy cruise, however there may also be a hike and bike tour on the identical day!
Excursions of the Port Cities are Not Usually Included on Ocean Cruises
Ocean cruises are extra restricted in what stops they will embrace of their itinerary. They bodily want massive ports to have the ability to dock. The cities they cease at additionally must be massive sufficient to immediately accommodate 1000’s extra individuals visiting in a single day!
There may also be fewer, if any, excursions and excursions included. The workers may help you with arranging excursions for you and your group to do on land however they often don’t have pre-arranged excursions included within the ticket worth. I do know from all of the ocean cruises I’ve taken that these tour prices add up! Therefore why generally I simply stroll round on the port lol
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Eating & Consuming
Ocean Cruises Have Extra Eating places to Select From
One side the place ocean cruises firmly have river cruises beat is the variety of eating places. Relying on how lengthy your cruise is, it’s very doable that you could board an ocean cruise and eat at a unique restaurant every day. Cuisines and themes will likely be very different. There will likely be a number of bars, every with their very own specialties, as effectively.
A draw back, nevertheless, is that alcohol is usually not included in your fare on ocean cruises. Actually, generally even non-alcoholic drinks received’t be included at meals. Some ocean cruises supply drink specials or packages however you’ll must be proactive and inquire about it. That is one other expense to consider!
River Cruises Have Fewer Choices however Extra Is Included
River cruises, being a lot smaller in measurement, normally have only one or two eating places. There will likely be a foremost restaurant and probably a second, smaller one. The eating places usually supply a la carte menus for dinner solely. Breakfast and lunch on river cruises are sometimes buffet-style. As for bars, most river cruises could have one mixture bar and lounge.
Regardless of the restricted variety of eating places, you possibly can anticipate brisker and extra refined fare AND extra native specialties on river cruises, as cooks can go on shore every single day. One of many greatest complaints I hear about cruises is that the meals isn’t excellent. One of many greatest compliments I hear about river cruises is that the meals is great! So I can’t wait to do that out for myself.
River cruises have a tendency to really be extra “all-inclusive” than their ocean counterparts. Alcoholic drinks are virtually at all times included at lunch and dinner on river cruises. There could also be a number of tiers to this, the place premium drinks are solely included if you buy an upgraded bundle.
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Age Limits
Ocean Cruises Hardly ever Have Age Restrictions
One thing that it is best to contemplate is age limits on cruises. Ocean cruises sometimes don’t have any restrictions. Many ocean cruise strains even supply a daycare service onboard, although some have a minimal age that the kid should be to be left at daycare.
Most River Cruises Have a Minimal Age
River cruises are utterly totally different relating to age limits. The road I’ll be cruising with, AmaWaterways, has various minimal age limits, relying on location. It ranges from 4 to 12. You’ll discover that these sorts of age limits and restrictions are related throughout the board relating to river cruises. Because of this, they aren’t superb for vacationers with younger youngsters and infants.
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Seasickness
To some individuals this can be a non-issue however, to others, it may make all of the distinction when deciding whether or not to go on an ocean cruise or a river cruise.
For those who’re somebody who will get seasick, you would possibly already be shying away from cruises total. Nonetheless, river cruises are a completely totally different expertise in comparison with ocean cruises. There’s a decrease probability of getting seasick whereas crusing on a river, versus on the ocean.
The waters are a lot calmer, after all, however the measurement of the ship performs a task, too. On a bigger ship like an ocean cruise ship, you’ll really feel extra of the ship’s motion over the water, particularly whereas on the higher decks.
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Value
River Cruises Are Extra Costly however Extra Is Included within the Value
Cruises generally provide you with nice worth on your cash, however which type is extra inexpensive? It actually depends upon the precise cruise you’re on, what sort of traveler you might be, and what your funds is like.
River cruises are costlier up-front. It is because all-inclusive, luxurious river cruises are the norm. Sometimes, fares for a river cruise embrace all or most meals and drinks, in addition to the worth of the excursions and excursions.
Some additionally embrace lodging earlier than and/or after the cruise. As well as, the truth that there are fewer onboard points of interest, satirically, means there are fewer alternatives so that you can spend whereas on the ship. How a lot cash have you ever spent playing and buying on an ocean liner simply because they’re there?
Ocean Cruises Are Extra Reasonably priced however the Costs Can Add Up
Ocean cruises are very totally different on this regard. The precise ticket worth will usually be cheaper, even when evaluating luxurious ocean cruises to luxurious river cruises. Nonetheless, there’s a excessive probability you’ll find yourself having to spend extra whereas really on an ocean cruise.
One of many foremost issues to think about is that, on many ocean cruises, the worth of drinks isn’t included, at meals or in any other case. Additionally, since excursions and excursions will not be included, it’s a must to issue the price for these into your funds. Additionally, have a look at for river cruises that embrace gratuities which can also be an amazing deal!
No matter which type of cruise you select, preserve your eye out for any and all particular offers and gives!
River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: The Backside Line
To be trustworthy, both one can be a incredible alternative for a trip, however there may be one which stands out as higher for you.
You may be higher suited to river cruises in the event you:
- Desire a extra relaxed and intimate ambiance
- Desire actions which can be targeted on tradition and historical past
- Need to go on loads of excursions and excursions at port cities
- Need to study and style native specialties, each by way of meals and wine
- Are vulnerable to seasickness
Alternatively, it may be good to look into ocean cruises in the event you:
- Desire a livelier ambiance
- Are searching for an extended, prolonged trip
- Need numerous onboard leisure and actions
- Need to dine at quite a lot of eating places, with numerous totally different cuisines
- Might be touring with younger youngsters or infants
Whichever one you select, or in the event you’ve obtained each in your bucket checklist, I hope this publish helped you study all about river cruises and ocean cruises!
I plan to include extra culinary cruises into Culinary Travels! Be a part of me this fall on the Essence of Burgundy Wine Cruise with Theodora Lee of Theopolis Vineyards! Be happy to ship me an e mail to [email protected] with any questions. We plan to do a wine tasting with Theodora in June so join the The Subtle Life publication for updates!
Keep tuned for my upcoming publish evaluating Luxurious Cruise Traces!
Nadeen
