10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR FIRST EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISE
It’s easy to understand why River cruising is becoming so popular. Unpack your bags just once and enjoy the changing scenery from your stateroom balcony as you sail through multiple countries and charming European towns. Some things you may not know about river cruising…
They’re not just for baby boomers
While river cruising is still quite popular with travelers of a certain age, the market is opening to younger couples and families. Adventures by Disney teamed up with AmaWaterways to sail the Danube River, with the Rhine aboard custom-designed ships featuring connecting staterooms and suites that accommodate up to four passengers each. Disney guides lead so-called Junior Adventurers on special excursions and host a kids-only dinner in the ship’s lounge nightly, so you may even forget they’re on the ship at times.
Call a Travel Team Agent today at 1-800-788-0829 for more information or to book your river cruise!
Overpacking is bad, but being under-prepared is worse
It’s important to pack smart for a river cruise. That said, you will need to be prepared for a variety of situations—everything from strenuous hiking to dinner at the ship’s chef’s table to getting caught in the rain in Salzburg. Take advantage of your ship’s laundry service as a way to cut back on what you bring. It’s worth repeating an outfit or two if that leaves precious room in your luggage for souvenirs.
You will break a sweat
You can go ahead and indulge because you’re averaging 20,000 steps a day. Popular shore excursions in Austria’s Wachau Valley include climbing to the ruins on Dürnstein Castle (1,023 feet straight up) and a 22-mile bike ride between the riverside towns of Melk and Krems. But if you feel like that’s not enough, you can always power-walk a few laps on the sun deck or sneak a workout in the exercise room before dinner.
It’s a good way to visit Europe for the first time
With a day in each port, river cruising provides a “best of” when it comes to all the sights and experiences the region has to offer, with your own semi-private guide. If you take advantage of all the excursions your cruise provides, you’ll be kept busy from just after breakfast until dinner—and still feel like there’s so much more to see.
Call a Travel Team Agent today at 1-800-788-0829 for more information or to book your river cruise!
Free time is priceless
Remember that everything on your daily itinerary is optional. (Except for the port departure time). Discover on the first day that you absolutely despise guided walking tours? Take the charter bus with your group and then tour on your own. Hear great things about a local restaurant, but your dinner is scheduled on the ship for that night? Ask the front desk to help you book a reservation and a cab.
Take advantage of daytime sailing
While ocean cruises often include a day at sea, this is much less common on the river, where you sail through the night and wake up in a new city. If daytime sailing is on the itinerary, consider skipping that afternoon’s excursion (or at least, coming back early) and spending your time relaxing on the sun deck. Some of the best views of the countryside are from the water.
Read the fine print
While river cruises typically don’t involve many final statement surprises as their ocean counterparts, some require additional payment for shore excursions, tips, and onboard amenities. Lines like Disney and Tauck are truly all inclusive, others like Viking and Avalon charge for excursions beyond a guided walking tour of that day’s port city, so if you want to tour Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace or take in an evening Mozart concert, you’ll have to pay up. Good news: Wi-Fi is almost always included, as well as unlimited local beer and wine with meals.
Expect personalized service
Being aboard a river vessel with less than 200 other passengers is much different experience than on a typical cruise ship. The crew, from the wait staff to the front desk, will quickly learn your name and how you take your coffee, and most likely will surpass your expectations.
Call a Travel Team Agent today at 1-800-788-0829 for more information or to book your river cruise!
Take advantage of the ship’s crew and local guides
Your best resources in a new city are the locals, and they may be the faces you see on your ship every day. Get to know the staff and ask for their recommendations for places to explore (and eat!) in your free time. Their insights will save you time and help you see the best of each destination.
You may not be ready to leave
Why would you want to when you wake up to a different scenic landscape every day for a week. Extend that warm feeling by bringing a piece of each city home with you. One such way: The streets of Central Europe are rife with local artists, and you’ll be able to amass an impressive collection to hang on the wall when you get home.
Call a Travel Team Agent today at 1-800-788-0829 for more information or to book your river cruise!
Ready to plan your dream vacation or river cruise?
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