Two years ago, when Margaret and Holley Wallace were considering their first cruise, the couple found themselves in a quandary about whether to book an ocean or river journey. “We knew we wanted a cruise but couldn’t decide between the amenities of a big ship or the intimacy of a smaller one,” recalled Mrs. Wallace. “In the end, we decided that the laid-back atmosphere aboard a river cruise was more in line with our travel style.”

The decision turned out to be a good one. The Wallaces enjoyed their Viking river cruise so much, they booked another one less than a year later. “As much as we loved our destinations, it was the experience with Viking that really made the trip,” noted Mrs. Wallace. “We never had to think or worry about anything. The service was incredible, too. One staff member overheard me mention how much I liked a certain wine; an hour later, a bottle appeared in my suite. Surprises like that really made it special.”

The Wallaces aren’t alone in their appreciation of river cruising: Travel Age West notes more than 60 percent of travel advisors are seeing an increased interest in demand in river cruising.

One reason is ship size. Since the average river cruise vessel carries fewer than 200 passengers, lines are minimal, even at boarding and disembarkation. A smaller ship is easier to navigate, too, meaning you won’t end up walking through the casino in your bathing suit as you attempt to find a shortcut to the pool.

Even better, smaller ships can dock right in town, making tenders unnecessary and exploration a breeze, which, for both cruise lines and passengers, is pretty much the point. “The focus on river cruising is the destination,” said Michal Maguire, vice president, marketing, AmaWaterways. “The onboard experience is certainly full of possibilities, but the purpose is to educate guests about where they are at the moment. Local guides and an abundance of excursions give guests a variety of ways to experience both well-known sites and lesser-known delights.”

PHOTO: © AMAWATERWAYS

For guests who want to explore with a guide, river cruise lines came up with a huge variety of cool excursions that go beyond walking tours and cooking classes. In Bordeaux, France, for instance, you can join an oysterman aboard his boat to sample the day’s catch with a glass of Sancerre, or create your own custom Cognac blend; visitors to Cambodia can kayak or take a skiff to some of the country’s famous floating villages. There are guided shopping excursions to markets in Cairo, cycle tours through Vietnam’s rice fields, and private classical performances in Vienna. On a river cruise, all you have to do is show up.

City center berths also make it easy to explore on your own, either on foot or aboard one of the bicycles many cruise lines keep on hand for that purpose. Whichever you choose, count on maps, free bottles of water, snacks and lots of personal recommendations from ship staff to help make your foray a success.

The diminutive size of river-going vessels also allows them to delve deeply in a vast space like the Amazon basin, which lacks roadways but is crisscrossed with waterways only purpose-built ships can navigate. On three- and four- day cruises through Peru’s Amazon region, for instance, Delfin Amazon Cruises takes guests deep into Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Peru’s largest national park, for activities like swimming with the region’s famous pink dolphins and nighttime excursions where, if you’re lucky, you might spot a jaguar. “The remoteness of these locations, accessible only by our vessels and local fishermen, enables our guests to explore hidden corners of the Amazon where few other visitors venture,” said Aldo Macchiavello, CEO and co-founder, Delfin Amazon Cruises. “It’s an exclusive experience.”

PERKS PLUS
Smaller ship size means fewer passengers; for river cruise staff members that equates to opportunities to delight guests with welcoming gestures that offer a glimpse — or a taste — of local culture. Don’t be surprised if you’re greeted with a cup of steaming hot wine when you return to the ship after a day of exploring Christmas markets in Germany, or if your lazy afternoon on the Douro is interrupted by an impromptu tasting of vintage Ports. And if you see an iconic local dish on the dinner menu, give it a try! Chances are, the chef purchased the ingredients in town that same morning.

Still wondering if a river cruise is for you? Here’s a final benefit: Flat rivers have calmer water, meaning no seasickness. “The only swaying you’ll feel is if you decide to dance after dinner,” laughed Joan Smith, a Virtuoso travel advisor with Travel Wizard who has taken an astounding 54 river cruises. “A river cruise is pure relaxation.”