From 150-passenger river ships to enormous ocean vessels that accommodate 3,000 (and are more akin to floating palaces than boats), the cruise experience can vary quite a bit. Typically, cruisers start with ocean ships, and later branch out and try a river cruise. Do you suspect you’d enjoy one more than the other? Not sure?
A river cruise ship, like an ocean-going ship, includes your floating hotel room and restaurant, but the resemblance ends there. On ocean cruises, the ship itself is a resort offering lots of activities (such as evening stage shows, nightclubs, and sports). On rivers ships, most travellers spend their days on walking tours of villages and towns led by local guides and their evenings onboard, possibly taking in low-key entertainment in the ship’s sole passenger lounge. The emphasis is on experiencing a series of interesting, beautiful places and their cultures to a greater extent than on an ocean cruise, where the boat itself is an attraction.
An ocean cruise liner:
A river cruise ship:
Let’s look more closely at some of the specific differences. On a river cruise:
There are no waves and you’ll always be able to see the shore
This may be positive or a negative or merely a difference, depending on how you’re wired. Some travelers feel safer on river boats. Others miss the vast, unbroken ocean views and the motion of the ocean, and the sense of adventure they provide.
You’re on land every day
Ocean cruises include port days and sea days, but on a river cruise, you’ll be in port at least a portion of every day. Again, which is better depends on your tastes. Some travellers love the serenity of being surrounded by ocean for a couple of days at a time, as well as those schedule-free days to wander the ship. Others can’t wait to land in the next port town.
You’re dropped off in towns
Large cruise ports are usually in generic, uninteresting industrial areas, and you need to travel to attractions (beyond tables full of souvenir t-shirts, which rest assured are set up steps from your trip). River ports are more frequently located someplace scenic and populated.
You’ll be seated with strangers
On river ships, you generally eat at a table with others, which probably means talking to them. On a cruise ship, if you aren’t feeling sociable you’re usually able to find an empty table in a cafeteria or one of the ship’s several restaurants. There are more hideouts on a large ocean ship in general, including your cabin’s balcony. Of course, if you look forward to talking to new people, the ability to avoid them at all costs won’t be a primary consideration.
You must eat meals at specific times
On river cruises, everyone eats at the same time. On cruise ships, there are large windows allotted for meals, and you can grab a bite at almost any time.
Everything on the ship is close by
A river boat isn’t that big, but a hike from one corner of a massive ocean ship to the other can entail hikes down enormous corridors and multiple elevator trips, and feel like an excursion in itself, particularly for older travellers.
You don’t have to wait for a tender to leave the ship
Ocean ships frequently anchor offshore, and smaller boats called tenders bring passengers to the dock. Lineups and waits for tenders are common. This is never the case on river trips.
You’ll see the officers regularly
River cruises can feel more personal, and, for that matter, more like you’re actually on a ship with a captain and crew. You regularly see (and possibly eat meals with) your captain, and the cruise director and cruise managers are always easily accessible. On an ocean ship they’ll only make “special appearances” now and then. All around, the service won’t feel as attentive or personalized, or as nautical.
More is included in the base price, including shore excursions
Ocean cruises are notorious for promoting add-ons – every foyer and hallway has a rep selling extras such as photos, artwork, videos, and spa services, and shore excursions cost extra. On river cruises, guided tours and many other trips are included.
It’s a more intimate foreign experience
River cruises stop in cities, but also in villages and at local vineyards, and you’ll likely feel better-connected to the local culture of the places you visit than ocean cruisers who land in major cruise ports and ride tour buses. Just through meeting and talking to the same people at dinner for several nights, you’ll come to know them and inadvertently learn a little about other parts of the world. Often everything feels a little smaller, and possibly more genuine, on a river trip.
About the author: Abby Clark was bit by the travel bug when she was a teenager. Today she proudly calls herself an experienced traveler and a passionate travel writer. She has explored several famous as well as little known cities and towns around the world. Abby currently writes for Best Quote Travel Insurance, which offers Super Visa Insurance for travel.
