First Timer – Is a river cruise vacation for you?

Dec 29, 2010 by Paula

Obviously, our first response would be YES, since that’s what we hope to have you purchase from us. So, why do we think so? Here’s the company line: We think a river cruise is today’s best international vacation value and provides you the most rewarding, most luxurious and most relaxing way to experience some of the most beautiful and storied regions of the world.” Choose from a Rhine, Main or Danube River cruise, a Yangtze or Mekong River cruise, a Nile River Cruise or an Eastern European River cruise.

We understand if you’re not totally sold yet, and need a bit of convincing… We have some very good reasons why river cruises are the best vacation, and we’ve outlined them in this article.
You may have read elsewhere on the site that our Premier team is very experienced and has been fortunate enough to travel the world. We’ve also been on almost every major ocean going cruise ship and many of the river ships we sell. That said, we’re probably much like you, over 50, enjoy travel, enjoy learning as much as we can about a region, its people and their culture rather than struggle through a “if it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium” type vacation. Sure we still want to experience it all, but would prefer to do it with people “like me” who share similar interests, are fun, enjoy exploring and learning, and want a bit of pampering along the way… you know by day you want to interact with the people and places you visit and by night you want a fine Cabernet, a poached fresh salmon with asparagus, and great accommodations for the night – right? Yep.

Maybe you too have been on one of the newer generation of mega-cruise ships, you know the ones we mean, those that you share with 3500-5000 of your “best friends,” the crew never knows your name, you wait in line for almost everything, and it can take up to two hours to disembark the ship, only to wait in yet another line to get on to a crowded shore excursion bus – who enjoys that, no matter how “cool” the ship is.

I also would prefer not to think about the rigors of a traditional bus tour with 50 or so folks, making a stop every two hours for a look at another curio shop, one more church or to allow someone with a pea sized bladder yet another “restroom” break! And, do you really want to spend 13-15 nights in hotels you didn’t choose, packing and unpacking each day of the journey, eating from very selective menus in restaurants you don’t know, and complaining that everything costs too much? I wouldn’t and don’t think you would either.

So why not do what so many experienced travelers are doing? Choose a destination from your personal “bucket list.” Book a river cruise vacation and leave the driving to the ship’s captain. Meander along stunning rivers whose banks and hillsides are lined with medieval castles and vineyards, visit ancient and mystical places along the Nile River, explore the alluring floating markets of the Mekong River as it winds through fascinating Vietnam, or explore China’s incomparable Yangtze River. Today’s luxurious Eastern Europe river cruise ships allow you to experience any of these extraordinary places you’ve yearned to explore – in an up close and personal manner.

We want to welcome you to the incredibly immersive world of river cruising, where there are absolutely NO LINES, you can get on or off the ship in 30 seconds, the crew knows your name, your favorite beverage and provides you with warm, unpretentious ”European style” service. Best of all you travel with 130 or so like-minded folks who are there for the same reasons as you are, to experience a destination and its people in a very personal way, and to scratch off one the places on their “personal bucket lists.”

Today’s modern river cruise ships operated by distinguished companies such as Ama Waterways, Avalon Waterways, Scenic Tours, Uniworld, Tauck and Viking River Cruises. They have all the creature comforts including; gourmet food and complimentary regional wines, spacious and luxurious accommodations, all with a great river view [no inside cabins on river ships], in cabin entertainment including movies and U.S. T.V shows and much more. Your value-packed price also includes most of your guided, English only sightseeing tours and even includes free bicycles and Internet. [Please note that Viking River Cruises does not include complimentary regional wines on all sailings]

Do you still need a bit more convincing? Just think about this… unpack and pack only once, do as much as you want or very little, as you control the pace, exercise off the calories in the gym or relax in a sauna or on some ships, swim in the pool. You’ll also spend much more time seeing the places you visit because river cruise ships usually dock right in the center of town where you are only footsteps away from the local residents, the best sights, and if you choose a great walking streets for you to sit and enjoy a pastry and espresso as the world passes before you. Oh yes, river cruise ships stay later in port and in many cases that allows you to go ashore after dinner to get a different view of the city at night.

Oh yes, one more thing… if you’re like me, I love the fact that they don’t require you to dress up each night while you are on vacation. Leave the tux and the formal wear at home, and at dinnertime dress in relaxed, casual resort attire – it’s your vacation, why not enjoy it!

Are you getting ready to celebrate a Milestone Events such as a special birthday or significant anniversary? If so, there’s no better way to truly “celebrate” than on a value-packed and wonderfully rewarding river cruise. And, there’s no better way to get the most out of the celebration than by bringing a group of family or friends along with you to help celebrate!

At Premier River Cruises, we are the first travel company to recognize the importance of such Milestone Events by providing you and your guests who travel with you special cruise values, on-board acknowledgement of this important event and special gifts. To learn more about how we share in your Milestone Event, please see our Milestone Event section for complete details.
Your decision process can best be concluded by taking a few minutes to read our column entitled, “A day in the life of a river cruise guest.” This short diary-type view let’s you see what a typical day on a river cruise ship is like. Then we suggest you speak with one of our Premier river cruise experts to get you booked on that perfect river cruise, one that will fulfill your personal desires.

Shakespeare’s famous question and response has been uttered for centuries – “What’s in a name?” “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” – On the river cruise topic, we’d have to mightily disagree as a river cruise by any other name – bus tour, ocean cruise – is simply not the same!

If you have questions, don’t hesitate… call and speak to one of our river cruise experts at 877-777-7273, or drop us an email at info@premierrivercruises.com. We have the answers that will help guide you to the best river cruise line selection, best cruise, and best value!