Travel Counsellor Fiona Dinnis is challenging the average traveller’s perception of cruising as she deems river cruises are ‘perfectly’ able to meet today’s demand for slower experiential travel
“When you think of cruising, what comes to mind first?”
“For many clients, a cruise still conjures up images of big ships, vast oceans, many days at sea and big production shows. Yet there is another side to cruising that lends itself perfectly to today’s demand for slower, more experiential travel – river cruising.”
The ways of the river
“We already know that cruisers love to cruise and that once they are converted, repeat business is high. They love the fact that there are multiple destinations in one trip, the convenience of unpacking once and the great value for money cruises can offer. River cruising builds on this with smaller ships, an even more relaxed atmosphere and the chance to step off your ship right in the heart of your destination, whether that is a grand capital city or a small character-filled town.”
“Across Europe, each river has its own personality and its own type of client. The Danube is ideal for those who would like to explore grand imperial capitals, while the Rhine appeals to anyone who loves castles, vineyards and storybook villages. Art and history lovers enjoy the Seine, and the Douro offers more intimate, wine-focused cruises through Portugal’s dramatic river valleys. Beyond Europe, long haul rivers such as the Nile, Mekong, Yangtze, Magdalena and Amazon add a genuine sense of adventure and “time travel” as ships sail past temples, fortresses and riverbank communities that feel as if they have not changed in centuries.”
A cruise for everybody
“Through my own work as a co‑founder of The River Experience (a business focused exclusively on river cruising), I have seen how powerful river cruises can be in opening cruising up to a wider mix of customers. Themed itineraries range from those with a focus on wellness, golf, food and wine to Christmas markets and music, giving clients the chance to choose a river journey that reflects their own interests and travel style.”
“At The River Experience, our focus is simple. We match each client with the river, the ship, the itinerary and their budget, to find a cruise that fits them best in the hope of converting them into loyal river cruise fans who come back to explore a new waterway each time they sail.”
