After last month uncovering how the escorted tour narrative is being rewritten, Riviera Travel's product director, Will Sarson, has uncovered the most common myths surrounding river cruising and why the "magical experiences" on board trump misconceptions
"When most people think of a cruise, they imagine the Caribbean or other ocean adventures. However, river cruises are a unique experience, allowing people to indulge in many different cultures via some of the world’s most iconic rivers."
"River cruises are a unique experience..."
"They still have all the charm of an ocean cruise including on-board facilities and chances to socialise with other travellers. Let’s dive into some of the most common river cruise myths."
Prohibitive pricing: are river cruises expensive?
"Firstly, one misconception regarding river cruises is that they’re unnecessarily expensive, here at Riviera Travel, our facilities offer great value for money. With no hidden fees and price-match guarantees, travellers know they’re getting the best deal possible.
"Our total fees even include costs such as flights, airport transfers and excursions on touring days, making the most of your time and money!"
Are you forced into shoreside excursions on a river cruise?
"There are so many amazing destinations to be found along rivers such as the Danube, Seine and Rhone. Whether you’d prefer to explore on your own or join an informative and interactive excursion tour, the choice is completely up to you."
"River cruises often dock in the heart of the cities you’re visiting - unlike ocean cruises - making exploring and returning to the ship easier than ever."
"River cruises often dock in the heart of the cities you're visiting... making exploring and returning to the ship easier than ever."
There's nothing to do on board
"On our river cruises, offering an engaging experience onboard is high on our priority list. That’s why, we have a variety of ships offering different facilities to keep travellers entertained. This includes hairdressers, salons, spas, gyms and even putting greens!
"Additionally, each night, our river cruises put on some incredible evening entertainment such as dancing and live music. As the trip progresses, travellers have more time to socialise with other passengers, allowing them to establish relationships and make lifelong friends. It’s safe to say, there’s plenty to keep people occupied throughout a river cruise."
Do you get seasick easily on a river cruise?
"Unlike our ocean cruises, river trips are often on calmer waters, leading to less turbulence and - hopefully - less seasick travellers. Motion sickness occurs much less on a river cruise, allowing people to sit back and enjoy their holiday without the stress of feeling ill."
"Motion sickness occurs much less on a river cruise, allowing people to sit back and enjoy their holiday..."
"While seasickness isn’t entirely avoidable, the calm motion of a river cruise minimises the risk of falling ill while on the water. This is why they’re a much safer option for those who are prone to seasickness."
River cruise cabins are cramped and uncomfortable
"Finally, this last misconception about river cruises couldn’t be more wrong! At Riviera Travel, we have some of the most spacious cabins you can find, with our largest suite being an incredible 32 square meters.
"Inside our river cruise cabins, travellers have storage space, comfortable beds and a range of facilities such as Wi-Fi and a TV. While not every river cruise is the same, our cabin spaces are perfectly designed to offer room for relaxation and recharging.
"Overall, there’s a range of misconceptions, or myths, regarding river cruises. However, they can be magical experiences, offering a variety of facilities onboard and a mixture of great destinations off the ship."
Will Sarson is product director at Riviera Travel.
