River cruises are a relatively new concept but are quickly growing to be a popular choice with voyagers who like to discover the world at a relaxed pace. The difference between ocean cruises and river cruises isn’t limited to the water body being explored. The onboard experiences are incomparable to each other. If you’ve been on an ocean cruise before, let’s take a closer look at how your river cruise experience would differ.

Smaller Ships, Lesser Crowds
Just as rivers are smaller waterbodies, ships cruising on these rivers are smaller than ocean cruisers. On average, Disney Cruises and Carnival Cruises set sail with over 4000 guests. On the other hand, river cruise ships like those by Avalon Waterways have an average capacity of 100-160 guests. Indian river cruise ships like those by Antara Cruises are smaller yet with a capacity of around 56 guests.

Having fewer people onboard makes river cruising a gentler, more intimate experience. There are shorter queues at the buffet station and no jostling for space on the deck. The atmosphere is also more conducive to making friends with your co-cruisers.

Smaller ships do mean that the cabins are smaller too, but, on the plus side, almost all river cruise ship cabins and suites feature a balcony or panoramic windows. And, don’t mistake a smaller-sized cabin for being any less luxurious than an ocean cruise ship cabin.

Low-Key Entertainment
Entertainment amenities and live shows are big attractions for ocean cruises. Take the upcoming Disney Adventure Cruise, for example. Guests onboard can look forward to Disney-themed live shows, a fun-filled adventure zone with rides built around the Avengers, the Toy Story Place, and plenty more.

On the other hand, river cruises are designed for a more relaxed, laid-back holiday. You’re unlikely to be entertained by acrobats and comedians. Instead, you might be serenaded by a jazz singer or a resident pianist. Daytime entertainment often takes the form of educational talks, cooking workshops, wine tastings, and so on. Instead of swimming pools and rollercoasters, you’ll probably find a whirlpool with lounge chairs, an observation lounge, a fitness center, and a library.

Port-Intensive Itineraries
Most river cruise sailing happens at night with daylight hours dedicated to activities around ports. For example, the 5-night Danube Symphony stops at a new port every morning. You can spend one day exploring the Imperial Palace Complex in Vienna, Austria, and the next, walking through the cobbled streets of Bratislava in Slovakia. On the odd longer cruise, you might find a single day dedicated to sailing non-stop down a river. For example, the Viking 10-night Paris To The Swiss Alps cruise includes one day of cruising.

Like ocean cruises, once you get off the ship at port, you can join a planned excursion or roam around the port on your own. However, many river cruises include a few planned excursions in your ticket price. A walking tour of the port city is one of the most common planned river cruise excursions. Some itineraries may also include golf and kayaking opportunities or activities like a ballet recital. On the other hand, almost all ocean cruise excursions are priced as add-ons.

Higher Price Tags that Include a Lot More
At first glance, a river cruise seems more expensive than an ocean cruise. But when you look closer at the inclusions, you will notice that wines, beers & some alcoholic beverages are included during meal times. In addition, most river cruises also include complimentary shore excursions and Wi-Fi. All of this would add up quite quickly on an ocean cruise. And remember that you are paying for a more exclusive and intimate experience with a higher guest to staff ratio including a professional tour director onboard who brings alive the culture of the region and history of the sights that you will see on your cruise.

Limited, but Delicious, All-Inclusive Meals
A smaller ship implies that river cruise ships have fewer restaurants and bars. While ocean cruisers by cruise lines like Carnival Cruises have almost 30 different dining venues, a river cruise ship will probably have 1-2 restaurants, a bar, and a few alfresco dining options. Your meals may be buffet style or à la carte. Either way, you’ll notice fewer options. That said, the dishes are likely to be fresher and more sophisticated. Given the daily port halts, many river cruise chefs insist on using fresh local produce for each day’s menu. What you might miss is the 24-hour food service available on ocean cruises since river cruises tend to follow stricter meal schedules.

More Adults, Fewer Children
While river cruising is beginning to be seen as a family holiday, you’re more likely to find adult company on your voyage. Some cruises, like Avalon Waterways, do have a minimum age limit for children. Others like Viking River Cruises offer adult-only itineraries. Another reason for the few children onboard is the difference in onboard activities. While adults enjoy workshops and talks, these are not many activities that children can look forward to.

Booking a Cruise for Your Next Holiday
River cruises and ocean cruises are equally easy to book. However, there’s more to it than picking dates and itineraries. You’ll also need to plan flights to and from the end ports, your overnight stay at these ports, visas, insurance, and so on. Not to worry, CruiseBay is here to help. From getting you the best cruise deals to navigating paperwork and handling all the additional bookings, we make holiday planning a seamless, smooth experience. Want to know more - give us a call today.