Pros

River cruises are a popular option for travelers who want to see the world’s great cities.

You’ll only unpack once and need not push through crowded train stations.

River Cruises afford a lot more freedom of movement than any tour bus.

On a river cruise you need never struggle with a foreign language. Nor do you need to decipher a map, read a road sign, or even pick up a guidebook.

Smaller ships are more personal because the numbers are relatively small. As a result, river cruises become far more personal. 

Senior travelers are provided with detailed assistance with even the smallest arrangements.

Since vessels are smaller, crowds are more manageable. Logistics are less complicated if something goes wrong.

You may be provided with opportunity to meet people in the places you visit. This enables you to find out what daily life is like in the city.

As with ocean cruises, river voyages typically include most of your meals as part of the total cost. Meals tend to be served at one sitting, with open seating. Every table has a view.

Unlike many ocean-going trips, some river cruise lines include beer, wine or soft drinks with dinner. There is no added charge.

Cons

Traditional river cruises do not cater to children or young families. In fact, some lines do not allow kids. The itineraries don’t appeal so much to families as they do to history buffs and those who appreciate cultural and geographic diversity. Passengers enjoy sitting on deck, watching the scenery and sipping a cup of coffee as they listen to commentary over the loudspeaker about the castles and monuments they are passing.

If you are intent on sampling specialties at local restaurants in port, you’ll need to put forth extra money and effort.

Unlike ocean-going cruise lines that stage Vegas-style shows and provide floating casinos, the river cruise entertainment is limited to far more basic offerings. However, you can do other things, such as visit the galley for a look at how more than 400 meals a day are prepared in a relatively small space!

Unsafe water levels – too high or too low – are unlikely but possible. Disrupted trips result in plans being canceled or drastically revised. For example. when there is high water and fast currents on the Danube River in Europe riverboats are at risk of being unable to safely pass beneath bridges. Passengers must be transferred to buses and hotel rooms.

Many sailings happen in darkness. They are timed so you’ll be in port cities during daylight when businesses are open. As a result, having a private seat to watch the world go by is rendered unimportant.

Introverts have few places to escape, outside of their quarters.

Many cruises navigate numerous locks on the Danube. Consequently, what starts as a big thrill because some are only inches wider than the ship, can soon become tiresome.

Riverboats sometimes dock far from a city’s downtown, requiring expensive cab rides.

Be an Early Bird

Many river cruise companies offer bonuses such as free flights and on-board credits when you book and pay several months in advance.

“French balcony” isn’t the same as “veranda”

Having a patio door to slide open doesn’t mean you’ll also have outdoor seating.

Insure yourself

Credit cards may come with travel protection benefits, ranging from trip interruption to baggage loss to medical evacuation. But it’s important to have comprehensive travel insurance.

Ensure you know your visa requirements

Travel through Russia, Egypt, India and Southeast Asia requires visas. Apply for any required tourist visas well in advance. This is particularly true of Russian river cruises along the Volga, which require a Russian tourist visa. Oceangoing passengers who are arriving for two days in St. Petersburg, on the other hand, are not required to have such visas. Don’t assume that if you’ve been to one place on an ocean cruise and didn’t need a visa, that the same information will be accurate for your river cruise.

Double-check all your documentation before you leave home.

Make sure absolutely everything relating to your trip is in order. That includes your cruise tickets, your air booking, hotel reservations, and transfer arrangements. Ensure names are spelled correctly, and dates of birth are as they should be. If there are any mistakes, they can be both problematic and costly.

Manage your flights online

Using the record locator, a booking code that is usually a six-digit phrase like UVWXYZ, check the status of your trip. Ensure your flights are still on the same schedule. Frequently, airline schedules can change between the time of booking and your actual trip, and sometimes notifications aren’t provided for those changes.

Select your aircraft seats online

Don’t wait until check-in to pick your seats for your international fights. Waiting limits your choice and increases the chance you’ll end up with a seat you don’t like. In addition, ensure you and your traveling companions are seated together. If a certain type of seat is necessary for your journey (a window seat, or a seat in an exit row), consider pre-paying for that seat if your airline doesn’t offer complimentary seat selection. Don’t be split up on long-haul flights because you waited too long to check in.

Pack light

Storage space is limited on most river cruise ships. The more luggage you take with you, the more you’re going to have to fuss with at airports, on motor coaches and pre-and-post hotel stays. Keep things to one case and one carry-on bag if possible. This is particularly important for river cruises throughout Southeast Asia and China, which can involve multiple intra-country flights and hotel stays. The more you’re lugging around, the more stressed you’re going to be.

Get some local currency

You can use banks, ATM’s and currency exchange bureaus to withdraw Euros before your trip. Particularly in Europe, it pays to have cash for smaller purchases. Many street-side cafes and vendors may not take credit cards, and all but the most touristic places will turn their noses up at those who try to offer U.S. dollars. Euros are also good to have on hand for tipping guides and drivers.

Be flexible

Like most modes of travel, river cruising is an inexact science, susceptible to weather events, strikes, protests, and other unforeseen circumstances that may impact your travel. Try to be as flexible as possible, particularly during high and low water events. The crew have absolutely no control over these matters and berating them won’t succeed in changing the issue. Understand that some delays are as tough on the crew as they are on you.