With so much choice on offer, it can be overwhelming deciding what to do for your next holiday and where to go. Those who’ve taken a cruise in the past already know what makes river cruising so special and why there’s so much hype surrounding it. 

If you haven’t yet been river cruising, once you give it a go you’ll become a convert and be preaching about how great it is. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 30 million passengers cruised in 2019, which was an increase on 2009, when 17.8 million passengers cruised. This reflects an annual growth rate of 5.4%.

So what is it about river cruises that is so special? There are plenty of reasons you should consider a river cruise for your next holiday, and here are just 10 of them.

  1. No inside cabins

You won’t have to worry about having an inside cabin, because every cabin has a balcony or porthole for you to take in the amazing views. You can cruise in luxury with the light streaming into your stateroom. Many staterooms are at water level, so you’ll feel as if you’re on the water itself. To add to the experience, the river cruise ships have glass railing. 

Depending on your budget, if you select a stateroom with a living room you’ll be treated to a room with ceiling to floor windows allowing you to take in all the sights and experience the magic that comes with river cruising. Each stateroom has been designed with precision and the utmost care to ensure that you have the best time.

  1. Architectural magnificence 

Like the staterooms, all the common areas, such as the library and the dining rooms have been designed by architects who have invested time and care. 

During the day the sun will stream on your face and at night time you’ll be able to watch the sun go down. Throughout your journey, there’ll be many opportunities to take photos of the amazing views and ever-changing landscapes.

  1. Smaller ships

River cruising offers a more intimate experience. The average river cruise ship is just a fraction of the size, with lengths ranging from 90 – 120 metres. River cruise ships typically only have four decks. 

Despite their smaller size, there is still plenty to do onboard. Many river cruise ships offer guests the opportunity to watch movies on a flat-screen TV in a lounge and will supply popcorn.

You won’t need to worry about getting lost because due to their small size it is much easier to get to where you need to go. There’s fewer passengers to deal with. Most river cruise ships take up to 150 guests, so you’ll have a more personal and private experience. 

This allows you to mix and mingle more with your fellow passengers and make some lasting friendships with like-minded people. Best of all is that when you go cruising in the future you’ll immediately have a group of people you can call upon if you want to travel in a group.

  1. Unique destinations

River cruise ships can dock at some of the most obscure and unusual destinations, giving you a way to see parts of the world that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to see.

  1. Smoother sailing

When you sail in the ocean, it may feel like you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere, with land nowhere in sight. That’s not at all the case with river sailing. There’s always land to either side of you and the ride is much smoother so you won’t need to worry about getting seasick, which is perfect for those who are sensitive to motion sickness. You’ll be delighted with all the pleasures of cruising and each day you’ll get to enjoy a new destination.

  1. Easier access

River cruise ships are much smaller than ocean cruise ships, so you can travel to destinations that larger ships can’t travel to and you’ll see some amazing destinations with breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. It can be a truly eye-opening cultural experience.

  1. More time on land

When you take a river cruise, there’s less of a focus on the onboard experience and more of a focus on the destination that you’re travelling to. This gives you plenty of time for guided tours, day trips, and excursions. You’ll be able to visit museums and shopping centres, experience the local culture and immerse yourself in the heartland of some wonderful destinations. 

  1. A holiday at your own pace

Some cruisers like to travel in large groups and take guided tours. Other people prefer to explore a destination themselves. It’s all up to you when you take a river cruise. If you just want to see the destinations from the comfort of the river cruise ship then there’s no need to get off the ship either. The decision is yours, making it the ideal vacation for those who like to make their own decisions.

  1. Less time packing

One part of travel that people hate is having to repack. Taking a river cruise effectively means you’re cruising on a moving hotel so you don’t need to pack and unpack several times. You’ll also save time and effort taking your luggage to different places and spending time checking in and out of hotels at new destinations. You only need to unpack once – when you get to your main destination and when you return home, so you can enjoy your trip.

  1. It’s all included

Land holidays can be full of unplanned expenses. There’s everything from the flights to the hotels, rental cars, on-land shopping, and food. Everything’s included when you take a river cruise. The cruise ship is your floating hotel and your transportation, plus the food is all included so it’s easier to plan and budget for your holiday. Once you’ve paid you don’t need to think about food or on-land costs unless you go on excursions. Many cruise lines offer included shore excursions, and some also have additional options for those who may want active, cultural or bespoke experiences.