Ocean Vs. River Cruising

Ocean vs. River Cruises - Which One's Best for You?

When you hear the phrase “cruise vacation,” your mind usually goes to the sea, picturing a large ocean liner visiting exotic islands in the Caribbean or plying the fabled waters of the Mediterranean. However, river cruises through Europe, China or Africa are gaining in popularity, making some passengers to wonder which one provides the better vacation experience.

Both cruising styles offer great value, allowing you to experience a parade wonderfully prepared meals and many to choose from, nightly entertainment and onboard activities. The key to choosing the one that’s best suited to your vacation needs is to understand each style’s unique benefits, which are listed below.

Benefits of Ocean Cruising

Bigger Ships=More Variety
The large ocean-going cruise ships—getting bigger every year—now offer an unbelievable variety of restaurants, cabins, entertainment, pools, nightclubs, casinos, activities and adventures at sea plus complete fitness centers and spa treatments. In essence, the ship is the destination itself, a destination you can enjoy on days at sea or before and after port explorations.

Travel Further
Ocean cruising itineraries tend to cover more ground than river cruises, exposing you to a wider variety of cultures across countries and continents. For instance, an eastern Mediterranean voyage can stop in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, and perhaps, Egypt in just 12 days.

Transcendent Ocean
Civilizations were born on rivers, but the oceans always held man’s heart. Staring out at the endless ocean—a view that’s forever moving but never changes—has a calming influence that can only be described as transcendent.

The Allure of Islands
In the eyes of many, paradise is found on the islands. From the tropical wonders of Hawaii to the white-sand masterpieces of the Caribbean, the call of the islands is powerful and can best be satiated by an island-hopping ocean cruise.


Benefits of River Cruising

Smaller, Boutique Ports
While the allure of islands is strong to some, the serene and historic beauty of a centuries-old riverside village is more appealing to others. River cruises visit both bustling cities and scenic villages during the same voyage, letting you easily disembark right into the heart of the destination without having to navigate a boisterous and crowded dock.

Leisurely Exploration
On a river cruise, you often awaken with the vessel already docked at the day’s port of call and don’t set sail again until midnight. This gives you all day to explore the destination and culture in depth, using your ship as a home base to jump on and off of as needed.

An Ever-Changing View
You’ll enjoy breathtaking scenery from just about everywhere on the ship, where panoramic views can be found in the restaurant, on the sun deck or from the privacy of your stateroom.

Included Shore Excursions
Many river cruise companies include daily shore excursions at each port for free, allowing you to enjoy a tour of the port city’s highlights before venturing off on your own.

Intimate Camaraderie
On a river cruise filled with no more than 300 guests, you will see the same people day in and day out, giving you a prime opportunity to get to know your fellow passengers and form long-lasting friendships. By contrast, ocean-going vessels hold up to 5,400 passengers.

Which sounds the best to you?
Whichever it is, My Vacation Lady can help make your cruise dreams become reality!
Contact us to help you plan your next vacation!