Why go on a river cruise?
Cruise Circle
Explore cities, towns and villages simply a stroll away
Venturing inland (but still on the water) you'll wake up every day with somewhere new to explore, right next to your ship. Like ocean cruising, there's plenty of excursions laid on by the cruise lines, but with such close proximity it's usually a doddle to go exploring by yourself too.
Float along on small, perfectly-sized vessels
River ships rarely have more than 250 passengers, so you'll be spotting the same friendly faces at breakfast, with crew delivering a more personalised experience than you would typically see on larger ships. Uniworld even have a catchy phrase for this, TNT = Tiny Noticeable Touches. Love it.
Despite their size these ships often have facilities that you wouldn't expect, utilising clever designs to maximise space. For example both AmaWaterways and Emerald Cruises have been able to pack in an onboard cinema.
During the evenings there's a relaxed ambience, typically featuring live music with local musicians.
Immersive excursions in intimate groups
Smaller ships means, naturally, fewer guests on your excursions. Venturing out in small groups (with some special, exclusive experiences available), you'll typically have a number of activities to choose from, to suit your pace.
Take in scenic vistas
Ships rarely spend a full day on the river, but when travelling to your next stop you'll typically be cruising past magnificent scenery. A good number of itineraries feature UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with landscapes of outstanding beauty (and cultural significance).
Jam-packed with value
Often operating on an all-inclusive basis river cruises have premium drinks, excursions, tips, flights & transfers covered.
