Why You Will Fall in Love with River Cruising

I went on my first river cruise a bit by chance, unsure what to expect but open to a new type of travel adventure. As someone who has been on many large ocean ships, I was not sure what I would think about the smaller, quite different experience. But, I quickly realized that this way to travel fit me perfectly - and I think is a great option for almost anyone. Here is why:

Think of a river cruise as a floating hotel. With most having about 100 guests, the experience is intimate and feels like staying at a 5-star hotel that is in a different location each day. There are no security lines, tenders, etc. like you find on big ships with thousands of people. Instead, each staff member will know your name by the second day in addition to what you like to eat, drink, etc. In each port, you can simply walk off and wander around or choose one of the included tours. It is very much a “choose your own adventure.”

Because of the nature of the itineraries, some stops are larger cities but some are small towns that one would typically never visit on their own. However, these are some of the most magical, local aspects of a river cruise vacation - filled with surprises, local cuisine, and unique experiences. I love chatting with people who live in the area and learning more about their daily life, experiences, and what makes their town or area special.

Onboard, the experience is relaxed yet luxurious - with wonderful lounge spaces to enjoy the slowly passing scenery. Breakfasts and dinners are typically taken on the ship and the food on every river cruise I have been on has been exceptional. There has been a huge assortment of choices including vegetarian options and local flavors and food that the chef gathered in the market that morning. They really try to enhance the overall travel experience with the flavors of the region.

Of all the river cruise companies, I find Uniworld to be an exceptional product - with itineraries all over the world and a very custom, out-of-the-box experience. If you want to learn more about traveling in this way, reach out!