River cruises offer an alternative to those who do not want to spend a long time at sea but still want to visit a number of luxury destinations and enjoy luxurious surroundings. Rhine cruises have been popular for a long time and for many, the starting point is the trendy city of Amsterdam. Many of these cruises are aimed at adults, so passengers will find that they are not disturbed by the noise of young children.
The luxury vessels used for the river cruises are naturally much smaller than the ocean-going vessels, but have all the amenities that one needs for luxury holidays. The feel of a river cruise is very different to an ocean cruise. Black-tie dinners, for example, do not happen, and activities are limited due to the smaller space available. However, the dining facilities are elegant and the cabins often have full-length windows in order to make the most of the stunning views as the boat sails along the river.
Stops along the river might include Amsterdam’s city centre and there are often guided tours provided by the cruise company. Other places of interest along the route include Cologne and Koblenz in Germany, and Strasbourg in France.
One advantage for those taking luxury short breaks or longer holidays on a river cruise is that the ship is able to take visitors right into the heart of the city that they are visiting. There is no requirement for visitors to spend time making their way from the port to the city centre and many tourist attractions are often only a few minutes’ walk away.