 | By Caren Hansch – Candy’s Carefree Travel, Inc. |
Everyone is doing it! River cruising in Europe has become as main stream as Ocean cruising. What a wonderful way to experience cities and towns in the heart of Europe in a safe and controlled environment. One of the many benefits of river cruising is being able to enjoy impressive views right from the comfort of your cabin. All River cruise companies offer a variety of cabin options to choose from, including some with Walk out balconies, French balconies, or picture windows. Beyond the incredible room styles available, river cruises provide a variety of extra amenities to help make you more comfortable while traveling. Most river cruises offer complimentary Wi-Fi, plush robes and slippers, luxury toiletries, in-room safes, personal fridges, and hair dryers. Some have bicycles to borrow in port and small fitness centers. Food onboard is usually quite good, with some doing a better job than others at regional fare and local wines! River cruise companies are committed to making your trip a relaxing and memorable experience.
As with any travel product – trying to sort through the myriad of options can be daunting. That is why using a travel professional will assure that you are asked the right questions, and are given choices that fulfill your desires. With so many cruise lines in operation along the waterways of Europe and elsewhere throughout the world, it’s never easy to answer one of the most basic questions travelers are likely to have: How are each of these river cruise companies different from one another?
I recently returned from a Tauck River Cruise on the Danube. The fall colors where fabulous and Tauck did a great job of taking care of their guests. The pictures in this Blog were taken on that trip! The food and service were excellent! I’ve also cruised on Avalon on the Rhine, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was on my latest cruise that I came to the realization that there is so much more than the price point that should drive a decision as to which cruise line or itinerary to choose. I have been a travel professional for over 30 years and have planned many river cruise vacations for clients. My conclusion is that they are not all created equal – and while cost usually plays a factor in quality, the value of our expertise in knowing each individual cruise line and what that means to you, the consumer, is invaluable! People ask me all the time – which Cruise Line is the “best”. Well, the best choice for you might not be the best choice for the next person.
What is important to you? How big is your cabin? (Some staterooms are only 135 square feet!!) How old is your ship? (Some ships are more than 20 years old) Are the excursions and gratuities included? These all add value to your cruise experience. Itinerary, stateroom size, ship age, food, entertainment, inclusions, extras, all play a factor in picking which cruise option best suits you. A river cruise is a big investment and making an informed vacation decision will save you from those unpleasant surprises.
What is important to you? How big is your cabin? (Some staterooms are only 135 square feet!!) How old is your ship? (Some ships are more than 20 years old) Are the excursions and gratuities included? These all add value to your cruise experience. Itinerary, stateroom size, ship age, food, entertainment, inclusions, extras, all play a factor in picking which cruise option best suits you. A river cruise is a big investment and making an informed vacation decision will save you from those unpleasant surprises.
Seasoned river cruisers tend to book their trips far in advance. Some of the cruise lines are reporting that they’re already at 80 percent capacity for their 2016 river cruises–including being completely booked for the entire month of September in some of the higher category cabins! River cruises are available from mid to late March through the holiday season, so schedule your trip as early as possible. This will help to ensure that you get your top choice of cruise line, newest ships, best itineraries and cabin category. Keep in mind that water conditions play an important part in river cruising, and Mother Nature can be very unpredictable. The most popular time to travel on a river cruise is late spring and early fall. Summer is always popular, but cities and airports will be crowded with tourists. If you’re looking for a quieter trip, I recommend booking for early spring, late fall, or during the holiday season when fewer cruisers travel. You need to find the perfect time that you’ll enjoy traveling, and that time is different for everyone. Some people enjoy the hustle and bustle of other river cruisers around them, while others want a quieter experience.
In closing, let me just say if you’re calling the Cruise Lines direct, their job is to sell you a cabin with their company. They’re only going to offer you information on their product. They aren’t interested in establishing a relationship and learning about you! If you don’t know what questions to ask – they aren’t going to offer answers. Each river cruise has its own unique personality. If you pick your cruise solely based on price then you may not get what you really want. All of us at Carefree Travel care about our clients and want them to have the best trip imaginable. Our job is to find the perfect option just for you. My expertise will add value to your vacation, no matter what type of cruising environment you’re looking for. I can help you pick the right one! Give me a call and let’s get to know each other!
Caren Hansch
Destination Specialist
[email protected]
In closing, let me just say if you’re calling the Cruise Lines direct, their job is to sell you a cabin with their company. They’re only going to offer you information on their product. They aren’t interested in establishing a relationship and learning about you! If you don’t know what questions to ask – they aren’t going to offer answers. Each river cruise has its own unique personality. If you pick your cruise solely based on price then you may not get what you really want. All of us at Carefree Travel care about our clients and want them to have the best trip imaginable. Our job is to find the perfect option just for you. My expertise will add value to your vacation, no matter what type of cruising environment you’re looking for. I can help you pick the right one! Give me a call and let’s get to know each other!
Caren Hansch
Destination Specialist
[email protected]
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