Ocean Cruise or River Cruise: Which European Vacation Is Right for You?

If you’re dreaming about seeing Europe by water, you have two very different ways to do it: an ocean cruise or a river cruise.

Both can be wonderful vacations. Both allow you to unpack once and visit several destinations. And both can take much of the stress out of traveling through Europe.

But the experience is very different.

The best choice really comes down to the kind of vacation you want.

## Ocean Cruises: More Ship, More Entertainment, More Choices

Ocean cruises are what most people picture when they hear the word “cruise.”

These are the larger ships sailing the Mediterranean, Greek Islands, Northern Europe and other popular regions. Depending on the cruise line, they may carry anywhere from a few hundred passengers to several thousand.

One of the biggest advantages is choice.

You may have multiple restaurants, swimming pools, theaters, lounges, casinos, shopping, live music and plenty of activities throughout the day.

That makes an ocean cruise especially attractive if you enjoy having plenty to do while you are onboard.

Ocean cruises can also be a good value because there are so many cruise lines and itineraries competing for travelers.

### An ocean cruise may be right for you if:

– You enjoy entertainment and lots of onboard activities.
– You like having several dining choices.
– You want to visit famous Mediterranean ports.
– You enjoy spending time at sea.
– You prefer having many cruise lines and price ranges to choose from.

## River Cruises: Smaller Ships and a Closer Look at Europe

River cruising is almost a completely different type of vacation.

Instead of sailing across the open ocean, you’re traveling along rivers such as the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Seine or Douro.

The ships are much smaller, often carrying fewer than 200 passengers.

And here’s one of the biggest differences:

On an ocean cruise, the ship is often part of the destination.

On a European river cruise, **Europe itself is the destination**.

River ships frequently dock right in or near the center of historic towns and cities. In many ports, you can simply walk off the ship and start exploring.

You may wake up in Austria, spend the afternoon cruising past vineyards and castles, and have dinner while sailing toward Germany.

That’s a completely different experience from spending a day crossing the Mediterranean.

### A river cruise may be right for you if:

– You enjoy history, culture and sightseeing.
– You prefer smaller ships and fewer passengers.
– You want to spend more time exploring European towns and cities.
– You like a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere.
– You would rather watch castles and villages pass your window than spend a day at sea.

## What About Excursions?

This is another important difference.

On many ocean cruises, shore excursions are an additional expense.

River cruise lines often include at least one excursion in many ports, although exactly what’s included varies by cruise line.

These excursions may include walking tours, visits to historic sites, castles, wineries or other local attractions.

For travelers who like having much of their trip planned in advance, this can make river cruising particularly appealing.

## Which One Is More Relaxing?

I’d give river cruising the advantage here.

Large cruise ships are fantastic, but they can also be busy. You may have thousands of passengers moving around the ship and getting on and off at the same ports.

River cruising tends to move at a slower pace.

There aren’t giant theaters, water slides or dozens of restaurants.

Instead, evenings may include a quiet dinner, local entertainment or simply sitting on deck watching Europe go by.

For someone looking for a **stress-free European vacation**, that’s pretty hard to beat.

## There Is One Important Thing to Consider

River cruises can involve quite a bit of walking.

Many European towns have cobblestone streets, hills, stairs and historic areas where buses can’t always get close to the attractions.

Travelers with mobility concerns should look carefully at the itinerary and excursions before booking.

Ocean cruises can sometimes provide more options for travelers who prefer to spend less time walking.

## So Which Cruise Would I Choose?

If your idea of a great vacation includes entertainment, lots of dining choices, beautiful ships and famous Mediterranean destinations, I’d lean toward an **ocean cruise**.

But if your dream is seeing historic European towns, castles, vineyards and villages while enjoying a slower and more intimate experience, I’d seriously consider a **river cruise**.

Neither one is better.

They’re simply different vacations.

And choosing the right one can make the difference between having a good trip and having the trip you really wanted.

## One Final Tip

Don’t choose a cruise simply because someone tells you it’s the “best” cruise.

Start with the experience you want.

Ask yourself:

Do I want the ship to be a big part of my vacation, or do I want the destinations to be the star?

Answer that question first, and choosing between an ocean cruise and a river cruise becomes much easier.

**Travel smarter. Travel better. And most importantly, choose the trip that’s right for you.**

— Mike Gray
**Traveling With Mike Gray**