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Travel By Darcy

Creating Memorable Vacations Since 1996

Cruise

Ocean vs. River cruising: Which one is right for you?

When it comes to taking a cruise on river or ocean, it’s pretty tough to go wrong. Both offer incredible views, luxurious amenities, and the opportunity to explore interesting ports.

But each one comes with its own unique perks, and depending on your specific needs for your next trip, you might find that one is a slightly better fit than the other. So what are the major differences?

One big difference can be summed up in one word: intimacy. River cruises tend to be much smaller (190 max vs. up to 6,200 on the largest ocean cruises), and as a result, you’re much more likely to be interacting with other passengers and crew members.

That smaller scale translates to all areas of the river cruise. You dine on a regular schedule at tables with other passengers (wine is included in the price of the cruise). Instead of 50 different things to do on board, amenities tend to be more modest with river cruises — think libraries, a workout room, cultural programs, and free Wifi vs. ten kids’ playrooms, glitzy Broadway shows, and a skydiving simulator. There tend to be fewer kids on river cruises, making them popular for couples seeking quiet and relaxed time together.

You stop almost every day at a new port with river cruises, often for walking tours through quaint towns with little tourist traffic, and you’re always in view of land. With ocean cruises, you can go days without seeing land, and ports of call and excursions tend to be more exotic and high-adventure.

Because of their larger size, ocean cruises offer plenty of options for many ages, from young kids to octogenarians, and they are often more able to accommodate a wide variety of special health needs. For this reason, they tend to make the best option for multi-generational family gatherings that include young children. For the traveler who is into high-octane adventure, ocean cruises provide a wide variety of activities on board, as well as exotic and more daring day excursions.

River cruises do tend to be more expensive per person — but that price also includes more things. Ocean cruises have a lower sticker price per person, but you are often charged extra for alcohol and other amenities.

When you’re getting ready to plan your next on-the-water trip, here are a few questions to consider:

  1. How many people are traveling? What are their ages?
  2. What time of the year do you want to travel?
  3. Do you need the amenities of a mega ship — spas, gyms, a dozen restaurants, and many activities? Or are you looking for something calmer, more intimate and easy-paced?
  4. Are you seeking authentic inter-cultural experiences? Or do you prefer more familiar settings?

As always, I’m here and would love to discuss your next cruise. We can look at all the moving parts of your upcoming trip — what you need, what you want, what your dream is — and together we can come up with a cruise you and your loved ones will remember fondly for the rest of your life.

Romance At Sea

back view of young couple hugging at sunset on cruise ship

Amazing sunset, warm breezes and romance at sea…

 

There are two types of travelers: Those who love cruising, and those who haven’t yet experienced the right cruise. Popular cruising destinations include the Caribbean, Mexico, Mediterranean, Alaska, and Hawaii, and the right cruise offers luxe accommodations, superb restaurants, and enlightening excursions—along with the priceless ability to unpack once while you get to know several different destinations. For the perfect romantic escape at sea, here are several of my essential cruising tips:

 

  • Not all cruise lines are created equal—they vary in quality (food/service/accommodations), size (small to mega), duration (average is 7-10 days), and style (adults-only to family-friendly and everything in between, from luxe to barebones). 
  • Don’t be lured by online deals—find the cruise line, ship, and itinerary that’s just right for you. The initial pleasure of saving a few dollars won’t mean anything if you’re unhappy the whole cruise. 
  • Book a suite or a cabin with a balcony—splurge, it’s your honeymoon! 
  • You can book more than a year in advance, which is ideal if you want to budget for your honeymoon, or take advantage of a payment plan. 
  • Consider a non-traditional cruising option, like a river cruise, which you can enjoy in many destinations around the world, including Europe, Asia, and the United States. 
  • Think beyond the cruise itself—extend your honeymoon with a hotel stay or vacation home rental before and/or after the cruise.

You’ve got a sea of options—and, unfortunately, just as many potential pitfalls. Consider me your cruising life preserver! I know the cruise industry inside and out, and I can help you navigate all your choices until you’ve arrived at your ideal cruise. From Destination Weddings at sea or an exotic port to romantic sailing adventures around the globe, we have the right cruise experience for you. Remember, I’ve spent the past 20 years as a Romance Travel Specialist, and my job, my passion, is making travel dreams come true. (See how this process works, and the many benefits of using a travel agent.)

To get started, complete my Honeymoon Questionnaire, call 603-418-8698 or send an email to me at info@travelbydarcy.wpcomstaging.com. I look forward to working with you!

xoxo

River Cruises

Civilization started along the world’s riverways and, today, river cruising is a most civilized way to travel the world, prized for its leisurely pace,  bucolic views, and authentic experiences.

With nearly as many river cruising options as there are rivers, it’s smart to enlist the help of an expert travel agent to match you with the experience that’s right for you. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your river cruise.

Know the Benefits of River Cruising

River cruising invites you to slow down and enjoy the journey along with each destination. In addition, river cruising offers travel benefits like:

  • Ease. As with conventional ocean cruising, you’ll unpack only once, and yet you’ll get to enjoy an in-depth look at a variety of destinations. Some river cruises also include shore excursions that introduce you to places and people well beyond the riverfront cities, towns, and villages, giving you a well-rounded feel for the area;
  • Proximity. Wherever you dock, you’ll typically find yourself mere steps from all the action and—because river cruise ships typically carry less than 200 passengers—you won’t feel like you’re traveling with the masses every time your ship disembarks;
  • History. Once upon a time, rivers were the “roads” and some of the oldest cities, towns, and villages grew up along the rivers—today, river cruising is a convenient and rather romantic way to access this history; and
  • Cost-Savings. The cost for a typical river cruise includes all shore excursions and meals, and some also include limited alcoholic beverages, so you don’t encounter unexpected expenses during your trip.

Know What to Expect When River Cruising

To maneuver comfortably along winding, sometimes-narrow rivers, river cruise ships tend to have tight quarters. But, even on the smallest river cruise ships, there are usually cabin categories with ample breathing room. If you’re budget-minded and opt for a standard cabin, it’s important to note that common areas are often roomy, especially the rooftop deck—a spacious spot to relax, socialize, and take in the impressive and ever-changing views.

Know Where to Enjoy River Cruising

Europe, with its many scenic and diverse rivers, has set the standard for river cruising—but Europe is by no means the only place to enjoy river cruising. The Yangtze in China, the Nile in Egypt, and the Amazon which flows through several countries in South America are also exceptional areas to explore and enjoy with a river cruise. Close-to-home river cruises along the Mississippi River and Snake Rivers are also available in the United States.

Know Your River Cruising Options

A few of our favorite river cruise lines include:

  • Avalon Waterways—this line has a fleet of new and very contemporary ships sailing the rivers of Europe, Asia and South America
  • Viking River Cruises—with its new Viking Long Ships, this is now the largest river cruise line, and offers cruises in Europe, China, and Egypt;
  • Uniworld Boutique River Cruises—this upscale line, with its luxurious interiors, consistently wins “world’s best” accolades for gourmet food and wine; and
  • AmaWaterways—this upscale line has unique land and cruise combinations, and offers cruises in Europe, Africa, and Vietnam/Cambodia.

Know When (and How!) to Book Your River Cruise

The key is early booking. Unlike conventional ocean cruising, where you’ll sometimes find a great last-minute deal, river cruises sell out months before departure. To get the best discounts, and to benefit from the greatest variety and choices, book up to a year in advance. With literally dozens of ships and itineraries —let us sort out the options, and then match you with your best river cruise company and itinerary.  And, because we’re current on all promotions, we can make sure you get the best value. Bon voyage!

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Tel: 603-418-8698
Email: info@travelbydarcy.com

About Me

I’ve come nose-to-nose with a giraffe during an African safari. I’ve strolled along the ancient pathways of Machu Picchu. I’ve honeymooned in the Australian Outback. I’ve stayed in villas, enjoyed all-inclusive vacations, and gone on cruises and escorted bus tours. Collectively, these experiences—and many, many more—add up to a pretty impressive travel resume but, more importantly, they make me a great choice for your go-to travel agent. Read More…

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