Cruise are a remarkable way to travel. They offer the opportunity to visit many different ports of call without having to check into multiple hotels or transfer luggage. However, while ocean liners are still very popular, river cruises are emerging as the latest and greatest way to enjoy a star-studded vacation among the elite.

Why River Cruises are the Next Big Thing in Luxury Cruising

River cruising allows you the opportunity to cruise through areas that ocean liners simply can’t access. The Rhone, the Yangtze, the Seine, the Rhine, and the Danube, to name a few all offer resplendent chances to see unique scenery that one simply can’t be afforded while cruising on the high seas.

But that’s not all. River cruises have some other distinctive advantages over their larger, sea-faring counterparts.

1. Smaller with more privacy

Because rivers aren’t open like the ocean, river cruise ships are smaller so there are less guests cruising on the ship. The services and amenities are more personalized and detailed too, adding a touch more opulence than the big cruise ships do simply because there is more room for each guest to enjoy, less guests to share the amenities with, and the clientele is of a high echelon than cruise ships.

2. Less hassle at destinations

With the large size of ocean liners, there are long lines to get on and off the ship at destinations. Because they must dock at ports that can accommodate them, they are not right in the center of the action. River cruises are able to dock at the most popular sites that are closer to the center of the towns you’ll travel through, making it easier to enjoy your time on land.

3. Some are completely inclusive

While there are many high-caliber river cruising companies, a smart choice is to go for one that is all-inclusive. Like cruise ships on the high seas, you’ll be given meals and amenities included in your cost. But completely all-inclusive river cruises go a step beyond and include it all so that during your entire cruise, you never have to think about anything but enjoying yourself. This is a fantastic option because when you’re having fun, you don’t want to think about hidden costs and fees that you’ll have to settle at the end of your trip.

4. No seasickness

Perhaps the most compelling reason of all to try out a river cruise is that you won’t get seasick. Rivers don’t have the kind of waves the ocean does so there’s no rocking back and forth. They move along so subtly that it’s hard to tell it’s even moving at all!

5. Better service

Want to be waited on hand and foot? River cruises distinguish themselves by providing unmatched service. Not only is the staff impeccably trained, but also there are less guests per river cruise ship and more staff to handle them with. This means you get more attention to detail, where it feels like everyone knows your name and your needs are anticipated before you can even speak.

In short, river cruises are the best way to see more of the world from the water without getting too terribly far from the land, and feeling completely spoiled rotten from the many perfect indulgences you’ll have at hand.