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As I mentioned, most European river cruise lines are more alike than different.
Usually, beer, wine and soft drinks are served during lunch and dinner at no additional charge, but spirits and premium drinks are usually extra. YMMV.
Another difference between river cruising and ocean cruising is docking. Because of the scarcity of docking berths and the popularity of European river cruising, riverboats often have to dock in tandem style, that is, the first boat "parks" by the dock. The next riverboat sidles up alongside parallel to the first riverboat. The third riverboat pulls up alongside parallel to the second riverboat. I have seen up to three riverboats in tandem. The result is that you may open your curtains and see directly into the other riverboat and into another cabin. And they can see you!
"On European rivers, dock space at several ports can be so tight that there is only one tie-off point to be shared by numerous vessels. When that happens, one will line up alongside while the remainder must sandwich side by side and link together.
For the passengers of the riverboat farthest from the dock, they must pass through one or more others to reach the shore. If you've never done it before, it's a curious practice."
Just to be clear I was talking about a US river cruise I took - not a European one. The availability was more than the brochure led you to believe, maybe because we were passing through Bourbon country.
I believe the OP was inquiring about the new Viking US cruise on the Mississippi but I may be wrong. The riverboat I was on, often just beached on a boat ramp - with a gangway to the land - no dock needed. Only used a dock in one or 2 ports.
As far as passing over other ships, I have had to do that when visiting some Navy ships where pier space was limited - getting piped about was very different experience when the ship was Canadian or Austrailian.
For a 50th Anniversary, consider Regent Seven Seas. You won't find younger people, or families, or wild partying. Everyone will be age appropriate, appropriate shore excursions, and luxurious. Regent is owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines.
Regent is expensive, but all inclusive. You'll find the clientele to be in synch with your desires.
I know Regent does world cruises; I don't know if they do river cruises but it is worth investigating.
So I'm thinking the river cruises are more for relaxing? Personally, I don't see the justification for the extra cost.
On the ocean cruises we would hit the saunas/gym if we were not going to shore (I book cruises with the most port days). Swim in the pool, attend a lecture.
I like the variety and quality of food (exception is the Hawaii cruise, the whole experience was subpar). Even though there is an added charge, I like going to the restaurants (Benihana style, south american meat fest (can't remember what it was called), etc.).
The ocean cruise sounds very low key, which seems geared towards the 70+ crowd. Though I could be off base?
River cruises are much more Historic than for tourist activities or shopping - most of the tours are included, often several places in a day - I think there was only one tour that was extra that was the day before the cruise. There were also bikes and other stuff you could check out included.
Much more personable - with so few, you meet most everyone - crew or guests. I would guess that the average age was about 60-65 - there were only a few over 70 and a few under 50.
Ours cruise did have shows - mostly 3 or 4 singing and dancing most nights and also a ship Riverlorian that gives presentations and is always available to give info on the area you are travelling through with some of the history. The gym was about the size of one in a decent hotel - 4 or 5 machines and a great view of the water. If you wanted a spa day, I suppose you could do it out in town. There was also a library/game room and a snack room that was always open. Going ashore is a walk of maybe 100 feet to a waiting bus and normally stops at a different port every single day.
Really not an extra cost because all the extras on ocean cruises are included, on ours it included a night at a 5 star hotel and a brekfast buffet before the cruise also - so different from any ocean cruise we have been on. I would like to do one in Europe - I assume somewhat the same.
IDK about some of the costs some are giving - we paid a lot less than what I see that others say they paid.
We are doing a river cruise in June and chose Avalon. We chose it because the staterooms are so much larger. The ship is same size as Viking, but has less passengers. Cost was the same.
Really not an extra cost because all the extras on ocean cruises are included, on ours it included a night at a 5 star hotel and a brekfast buffet before the cruise also - so different from any ocean cruise we have been on.
I forgot about that, the Viking Cruise in China spent two nights in Beijing before boarding the boat, then two nights in Shanghai at the end. One was at a Westin and the other a Ritz Carlton, and they did do city tour stuff each day.
Another thing that was different from ocean cruises is we could bring alcohol onboard, my wife and I went out on a beer mission at one stop to get as many samples of different local Chinese beer as we could fine for my Dad to try, we were able to walk right on the boat with it in a backpack. I've seen people talk about strategies for sneaking booze onboard past the xray machines with ocean cruises so assumed it isn't allowed on those.
Clarification: Viking is not all inclusive for alcohol. It includes wine at lunch and dinner only. If you want more than that, it's pay by the drink or purchase an additional alcohol package.
With cruising, It's the add-ons that financially get you. Required gratuities, tips for your guides, spa treatments, alcohol, port charges, room service fees, airfare, etc etc etc. Viking does include several of these in its base fare. A few luxury cruise lines include all/everything in their base fare. It makes comparing the costs very difficult.
One personal comment on European rivercruises: all that gorgeous scenery that you're seeing in this PBS commercials? Not really gonna happen. The ships dock during the day and travel at night.
Scenic is an Australian company and it is very inclusive, as is popular here because of our low tipping culture. It seems expensive but we have heard many good reports of their cruises. The most expensive trip we have ever done was a month in Sth America with them, but even my frugal husband was impressed as it really was very inclusive.
I agree comparing costs is very difficult. I have been looking at a few for next year and nearly given up!
We went on a Viking European river cruise and loved it. River boats are much smaller than their ocean-going counterparts.
Many of the passengers were of retirement age but there were some in their 40s. It is definitely an upscale group income-wise I would say, but the folks were not stuffy. The passengers were overwhelmingly white.
Actually, I preferred it to the casino party boats. Seating for meals was casual as was the attire. Perhaps it is not for everyone, but we enjoyed it immensely. The crew was very responsive and friendly. The Viking cruises tend to be pricey, however.
We took a Viking river cruise about 10 years ago, we sailed the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basel. We booked our own air, as we spent time in Amsterdam pre cruise to get over the jetlag & also to explore that part of Holland. It was springtime, so we saw some beautiful tulips & gardens. We also then did our own self guided tour (train) of Switzerland, once we disembarked.
I found the cost very reasonable. Every morning we would be in a new town & after breakfast, we would be taken on a guided tour. Mostly we had the afternoons to explore the town by ourselves. I do not recall anyone smoking, on the ship. We took one or two optional excursions also. I thoroughly enjoyed it all. I want to do another one soon, ( South of France) but still waiting for the go ahead from hubby.
I looked at some of the ones that sail domestically, & I thought they were very expensive.
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Good tip to spend a few days before the cruise exploring the city and getting over jet lag.
Clarification: Viking is not all inclusive for alcohol. It includes wine at lunch and dinner only. If you want more than that, it's pay by the drink or purchase an additional alcohol package.
With cruising, It's the add-ons that financially get you. Required gratuities, tips for your guides, spa treatments, alcohol, port charges, room service fees, airfare, etc etc etc. Viking does include several of these in its base fare. A few luxury cruise lines include all/everything in their base fare. It makes comparing the costs very difficult.
One personal comment on European rivercruises: all that gorgeous scenery that you're seeing in this PBS commercials? Not really gonna happen. The ships dock during the day and travel at night.
I did not realize that about the commercials being so misleading. Disappointed, a bit, but I guess that helps them keep to their schedule and still allow exploration during the daytime when they dock at various ports. Noted, thanks!
I did not realize that about the commercials being so misleading. Disappointed, a bit, but I guess that helps them keep to their schedule and still allow exploration during the daytime when they dock at various ports. Noted, thanks!
I refuted that point after she made it. We saw plenty of scenery. From the ship. We mostly set sail just before dinner, so we saw lots of sights along the river banks as we ate dinner. Plus if you got up early, you could see much from the cabin window also, if one travels in the summer, the days are very long, not getting dark till later on. I am not sure if that poster has actually taken a river trip. We did, & on Viking. Loved it. I also think we had one day that was spent entirely on the river, as we sailed though a valley with many castles. The guide narrated it for us.
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