SO YOU’RE GOING ON A
RIVER CRUISE!
INDEX
Introduction 3
Companies & Ships 4
River Cruise Demographics 4
Amenities 4
Cabin Differences 5
Docking Locations / Port Addresses 5
Physically Challenged 6
Laundry 7
Irons 7
Internet Access / Computers 8
Cell Phones / Tablets 8
Fitness Equipment 9
Dietary Needs 9
Staterooms AC / Heat 9
Smoking 9
Electricity 10
Tipping Guidelines 10
Walking 10
Sides Of The Ship 10
Children 11
Entertainment 11
Dress Code 11
Onboard Language 12
Safes 12
Television 12
Elevator 13
Stateroom Phones 13
Medical Facility 13
Barge vs. River Cruising 14
Introduction
I book many different types of travel – independent travel, partial tours, full tours, ocean cruising, and river cruising.
Probably because it is fairly new to the average traveler, I get more questions on river cruising, so I decided to create a simple document to answer some questions and create some familiarity for the traveler.
This document is meant as a guideline to provide information about river cruising. It is provided to give first-time river cruisers a better feel for their upcoming trip. It is by no means meant to be a complete review of everything having to do with your river cruise.
River cruising –the companies, ships, and policies – are constantly changing.
Always contact me with questions or concerns and I will provide you with the most current and accurate information that is available.
Company and Ship Differences
There are a variety of river cruise companies in existence. Each company has differences in policies, ships, etc.
Each ship within a river cruise line can be very different.
This is a very dynamic industry that is rapidly growing, and change occurs quite quickly. Part of my responsibility is to keep up on the changes – policies, ship and cabin renovation schedules, pricing changes, itinerary shifts, etc.
It is always a good idea to have me provide the answers to any specific situations and questions you might have.
Nothing beats current information. It is my job to stay on top of the changes and provide you with the best information available to help you choose the right vacation that you are sure to enjoy.
River Cruising Demographics
The average age of a river cruise traveler is around 50 – 65. As the popularity of river cruising has increased, the average age is dropping.
Amenities
Typically your stateroom will contain all the amenities you would expect in a hotel room: shampoo, soap, mini-fridge, hair dryer, etc. Some will provide robes and slippers.
The quality of these amenities will depend on your specific river cruise company and ship.
I will certainly be able to provide you with the amenities listing for your particular trip.
Cabin Differences
River cruise vessels usually have any where from 3 to 5 different room categories that span 3-4 decks. There are reasons for these categories.
For example, the entry level (least expensive room, usually the rates you see advertised) cabin may only have porthole style windows.
Other cabins may offer French balconies, or actual small balconies at higher rates.
Square footage of the cabin also can vary with different room categories.
This will all be dependent upon the river cruise line and the cabin category you select.
Docking Locations / Port Addresses
While your ship is scheduled to dock at certain location (for example, Regensburg, Germany), it is impossible to be sure of the exact location where your vessel will be docked.
There are other river cruise ships on the rivers, and sometimes you may be docked a little further down or up the river than planned.
Sometimes you might have multiple ships docked at the same spot and you may need to walk through or on top of other ships to reach shore.
On occasion your ships position in that grouping may change if a different ship leaves or another one arrives. So always make sure you end up on the right ship! Following is a photo of two ships next to each other at a docking location:
TIP: Whenever you disembark from your ship, stop at the desk and they will give you a slip of paper with the actual location. This way, if you need to take a taxi
back to the ship or get lost and have trouble finding it, that slip of paper will be very helpful!
Physically Challenged
Sadly, river cruising is not as sensitive to the needs of others as the United States. So traveling via river cruise ship may prove particularly daunting or impossible – narrow gangplanks, rooms with no special accommodations for maneuvering, showering, etc. As a rule, mobility issues and river cruising create serious problems. The use of wheelchairs onboard is typically impossible.
Also remember that all river cruise trips require a good amount of walking. Couple that with many cobblestone streets, and this could be daunting at best.
It is always best to have me check the specifics of the trip you are interested in and I will help assess what the challenges will be, and if the trip is feasible.
Laundry
Most ships provide a laundry service for a fee; some include it with certain cabin categories. Typically turn-around time for laundry is about 24 hours.
There will not be any dry cleaning service available.
Irons
Clothes irons, hot curling irons and such are usually not allowed on river cruise vessels. It is never a good idea to be heating metal implements up in your room on a small ship.
If you have severely wrinkled clothes, place them on hangers, put them in the bathroom. Run the shower on HOT for 15 minutes with the door closed. After 15 minutes shut the water and keep the door closed. This will help remove any wrinkles in your clothes.
River cruise companies will typically have a very firm stance on irons (clothes or curling). Safety is always going to come first over a wrinkle or a bad hair day. Local municipalities have a say in this as well, and fines, etc. may become an issue.
This is a serious safety issue that is taken very seriously by the river cruise companies. Safety first.
Internet Access / Computers
Typically there will be a few computers onboard for you to access. Realistically, you are on a moving ship in river valleys thousands of miles away from home, so sometimes access will be slow to non-existent. Some river cruise lines have computers in your stateroom. Wi-Fi is usually available except while going through locks or in remote areas.
Remember that you are on vacation, and your focus should be on relaxing, new experiences, and new friends. The digital world will still be there when you return home.
Cell Phones / Tablets
Aside from the risk of theft, you run the risk of huge data charges from your carrier for international voice and data rates, even with international plans. Check with your carrier before you leave home. Some carriers have better plans than others.
Purchasing an overseas phone card WHILE OVERSEAS will allow you to keep in touch with folks back home if there is a need. It will save you money and remove the risk of loss or damage to your phone or tablet.
Another option is to use Skype or What’s App. Calls and texts are free while using Wi-Fi.
If you need to have your cell phone, contact your carrier before traveling.
Fitness Equipment
On a typical river cruise ship there will be some form of fitness room available. Do not expect the state of the art gym that you have at home. It may be just one or two stationary bikes and weights, depending upon the ship.
I can find out specifics about your ship for you, as each ship is different.
Dietary Needs
The food on river cruise ships is typically very fresh and regionally oriented. Since they cannot have huge refrigeration compartments, they usually need to restock every couple of days. What does this mean to you? Fresh food!
There will always be choices on your menu. More often than not, for dinner, there will be a few classic dishes for those with simpler tastes: a grilled chicken, beef, vegetable dish, or something of that nature.
If you have special dietary needs, please make them known to your waiter and the chef. Most cruise lines try hard to accommodate all diets. They will – within reason – have enough of a variety to suit most tastes.
Staterooms A/C and Heat
All staterooms will have their own individually controlled air conditioning or heating system.
Smoking
Not allowed in the interior of the ships. There will be a designated smoking area on a portion of an outside deck.
Electricity
The ships will have 220 volts electrical circuits, not the 110 volts that we are accustomed to in the U.S.A. Plus, they will have different shaped outlets. You may need to bring an electrical convertor to reduce the voltage form 220 to 110, and electrical adapters to allow your rectangular pronged devices to fit the shape of the outlets in the country you are visiting. Many of your current electrical items have built in convertors, so you may only need the adaptors.
These days many river cruise companies will have one outlet – typically in the bathroom – that is set up for 110 volts. If they have that, you will STILL need an adaptor that will allow you to use it.
Tipping Guidelines
Specific tipping guidelines will be provided with your documentation. Where available, you can pre-pay these tips for your trips to help you manage your cash. (On Scenic, Tauck, and Uniworld tips are already included).
Walking
While the vessel will get you as close as possible to where you want to be, there is a lot of walking that is involved in this type of trip.
Prior to leaving on your trip, begin an exercise regimen that includes long walks. It will help get the right muscles in shape so you can make the most of your incredible vacation.
Sides Of The Ship
People often ask if it is better to have your room on one side of the ship of the other. The answer is there is absolutely no difference.
Children
With the exception of a few specific cruises, river cruising is not designed for children. AMA Waterways has partnered with Disney for family cruises. Uniworld and Tauck both have some family cruises.
There are no facilities onboard specifically designed to entertain children, and this type of trip has little to keep a child’s attention or interest.
Typically river cruise companies set age limits for children. I can find the particular regulations for children on the trip you are interested in.
Also please be aware that the vast majority of river cruise ships only allow 2 to a room.
Entertainment
There will usually be some entertainment on board. Typically they are locals.
They can range anywhere from local musicians to someone explaining how the river locks work or what to expect in the next city.
Some nights here may simply be a keyboard player for some nice background music or easy dancing in the lounge.
There will not be the kind of entertainment that is available on ocean cruise ships. You will not find rock climbing, discos, casinos, etc.
Dress Code
Casual, but neat.
Men are asked to wear collared shirts.
Blue jeans and sneakers are fine for the daytime, but are frowned upon in the evenings. Also avoid clothing emblazoned with logos.
Onboard Language
Dependent upon the cruise line and ship, English will be the language spoken fluently by the crew.
All cruise lines are different, and some may make announcements in several languages. Scenic, Uniworld, AMA, Tauck, Crystal, Avalon, Viking, Emerald all have announcements in English.
Safes
First, never take anything on your trip that you can’t afford to lose. Valuables should remain at home.
Each stateroom will have a safe. Never leave anything of value in the room unless it is locked in the safe.
This is true for stays pre-trip or post-trip in hotels as well.
Television
Your stateroom will have a television. There will probably be an information channel for the ship, and a few other channels.
Don’t expect the wide variety of stations that you will find in the U.S.A. Typically there will be a couple of BBS channels, perhaps a movie channel, and maybe one or two others.
Elevator
Many ships these days have an elevator that could accommodate 2-4 people. These elevators usually are not designed to fit a wheelchair.
The elevators are used to carry passengers from the stateroom floors to the main levels (restaurant or lounge) and back. They usually do not go to the top sun deck or to the bottom deck.
Stateroom Phones
There should be a phone in each stateroom. Accompanying the phone should be a card with dialing instructions for inter-national and intra-national calling.
Expect the rates to be high. Use of an overseas calling card will assist in keeping the rates down.
Medical Facility
There are no medical facilities or personnel on most ships. If medical assistance is needed, contact the front desk. They will offer advice as to nearest pharmacy, etc.
If necessary, they will help arrange transportation to the nearest medical facility.
Barge vs. River Cruising
Big difference between these two types of cruising and people often confuse them.
River cruise ships tend to be larger – 60 to 90 rooms – than barges. Barges can hold
6 to 20 people.
Because of their smaller size, barges tend to be more expensive than river cruise ships.
River cruise ships are designed to pass through locks – necessary on European river systems – where most barges cannot. As a result, river cruise ships can sail to many countries.
Typically barge cruising is available in France, Belgium, Germany, or Holland, but the vast majority is in the canals of France.
Barges travel at a much slower rate of speed. They are usually dedicated to canals and therefore often do not hit major points of interest. Often a barge travels at about the pace you can walk. As a result, you will see much less of a given area in a barge than you will on a river cruise.
While there are exceptions, barges are typically not as plush nor do they have the amenities that a river cruise ship offers. The exceptions are, of course, very costly.
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