River Cruises – The Pros and Cons

River cruises are getting more and more popular, with more itineraries been announced every day, but why have they become so popular all of a sudden?
Well, many cruisers are bored of the traditional destinations, with many turning to river cruises as an exciting alternative.

With fewer than 200 passengers per ship on average, river cruising is more laid-back and intimate than most ocean cruising, without lines to embark, debark or wait for meals or crowds to overwhelm ports.

It can also be more sociable. You meet more people than on ocean cruises, because of the open-seating in the dining room.
The relaxed pace and easy access to city centres are just two more bonuses as to why river cruising is on the up. Indeed, it's one of the fastest-growing segments of travel with up to 60% annual growth for some lines in the past five years — nearly 10 times the rate of ocean cruising. Even with the recession that’s an amazing increase.
Because river ships dock right in the centre of town, cruising the inland waterways offers far easier entrance to a region's heartland — whether small medieval villages or grand historic capitals. Unlike on many ocean voyages, you can walk right off the ship into town — whenever you like. No tendering ashore. No long drives to your destination.
Furthermore, the size and configuration of river vessels guarantees that every cabin is "outside" with a coveted river view. And calm, shallow waters prevent any motion sickness of being at sea.
Finally, river cruising — unlike most ocean liners — often includes excursions and wine with meals.

So All the Pros

1. Exciting new itineraries
2. More intimate ships with a friendly atmosphere, no thousands of other passengers competing for staffs attention.
3. No long waits to get on and off.
4. No crowds overwhelming the port your in.
5. More sociable.
6. No long journey to the town your seeing, just step off the boat into the city centre.
7. No inside cabins, even the lowest grade rooms will guarantee you an outside view.
8. No Sea sickness as no sea.
9. Most packages will include all your excursions and wine with your meals.

And all the cons……………………..

Errr? Sorry I genuinely couldn’t think of any. As long as your happy with seeing the inside of the continent, rather than it's coasts thay seem like a win win situation, and thats cynical old me saying that!
 Have any of my constant readers ever been on a river cruise?
What did you think of it?
Can you help me to come up with some cons to help others make up their mind?
As always, looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this here.

Happy Cruising