Travel Insurance
Who needs travel insurance and how do the insurance plans work? Why is it important to buy travel
insurance? We at RiverCruiseDeal.net are affiliated to Travel Guard and Allianz Global Assistance
Insurance; so, what will Travel Guard, Travelex and Allianz Global Assistance Insurance Services offer in their
plans and how will I learn of my coverage before I travel?
Travel Insurance
River Cruises Basics
What to Expect!
Wherever you go, river cruising and canal cruising share some similarities. Mealtimes
are a major focal point of the day. Itineraries are port-intensive. (On some trips, you may visit more than
one port per day, and an actual full day "at sea" is uncommon, though there is some cruising time.) Onboard,
the experience is more laid-back than it is on oceangoing voyages. (Entertainment is not as sophisticated,
and meals can be fairly regimented.) And on ships that rarely top out beyond the 200-passenger capacity
limit, you certainly won't get lost in the crowd.
Here's what else you can expect:
Onboard, river ships feel like smaller versions of seagoing ships. Where they are limited is in onboard features and amenities, particularly in Europe, where ships must be low-slung enough to sail under low-lying bridges. (However, as you'll see below, the lines are getting more creative about adding amenities that fit within their ships' size constraints.)
On some cruises (particularly in Europe and China), you can expect to sail with a very international passenger mix.
Itineraries may incorporate major cities as cornerstones, but your experience will focus as much on smaller towns and villages that you come across along the way.
One big difference between river cruising and ocean cruising: In the former, operators often include shore excursions, typically guided walking tours, in the overall cruise fare. (Double-check though, as policies may vary.) Some lines do charge for specially planned tours (cooking classes, trips to the market and other more offbeat adventures). Your ship may also carry bicycles onboard for complimentary passenger use in port.
Due to the short distances between ports, full days of river cruising are rare. However, there is usually commentary over the public address system during sails along extra-special river banks, such as the Wachau Valley in Austria and the Iron Gate gorge between Serbia and Romania.
Beyond mealtimes, entertainment onboard may be limited to shuffleboard or book-reading. (We're serious.) These ships carry no casinos and offer little in the way of evening entertainment, except, perhaps, a piano player or a local act brought onboard to perform.
Inland waterways are much calmer than those on ocean-based trips -- which is great news for those prone to seasickness.
Finally, while these vessels are comfortable to be sure (and the newer the riverboat, the more amenity-laden the cabins will be), staterooms tend to be smaller and more basic than those on oceangoing vessels. The river lines have recently embraced upgraded staterooms and are building ships with elaborate suites and real balconies (as opposed to the French balconies that used to be the best you could get). Because cabin configurations may vary from ship to ship within a fleet, be sure to get all the details on how your stateroom will be set up before you book.
Here's what else you can expect:
Onboard, river ships feel like smaller versions of seagoing ships. Where they are limited is in onboard features and amenities, particularly in Europe, where ships must be low-slung enough to sail under low-lying bridges. (However, as you'll see below, the lines are getting more creative about adding amenities that fit within their ships' size constraints.)
On some cruises (particularly in Europe and China), you can expect to sail with a very international passenger mix.
Itineraries may incorporate major cities as cornerstones, but your experience will focus as much on smaller towns and villages that you come across along the way.
One big difference between river cruising and ocean cruising: In the former, operators often include shore excursions, typically guided walking tours, in the overall cruise fare. (Double-check though, as policies may vary.) Some lines do charge for specially planned tours (cooking classes, trips to the market and other more offbeat adventures). Your ship may also carry bicycles onboard for complimentary passenger use in port.
Due to the short distances between ports, full days of river cruising are rare. However, there is usually commentary over the public address system during sails along extra-special river banks, such as the Wachau Valley in Austria and the Iron Gate gorge between Serbia and Romania.
Beyond mealtimes, entertainment onboard may be limited to shuffleboard or book-reading. (We're serious.) These ships carry no casinos and offer little in the way of evening entertainment, except, perhaps, a piano player or a local act brought onboard to perform.
Inland waterways are much calmer than those on ocean-based trips -- which is great news for those prone to seasickness.
Finally, while these vessels are comfortable to be sure (and the newer the riverboat, the more amenity-laden the cabins will be), staterooms tend to be smaller and more basic than those on oceangoing vessels. The river lines have recently embraced upgraded staterooms and are building ships with elaborate suites and real balconies (as opposed to the French balconies that used to be the best you could get). Because cabin configurations may vary from ship to ship within a fleet, be sure to get all the details on how your stateroom will be set up before you book.