Luxurious River Cruises – An Alternative To Tradition
Filed Under (River Tours) by rivertours on 29-05-200929 May
Bruce Pickett asked:
When most people think of a luxury cruise, they visualize a hugh ship out on the ocean, sailing from one exotic tropical port to another. There is an alternative type of cruising, though, that provides quite a different cruise experience while still pampering passengers with luxury and exceptional service. It is called river cruising and it is an amazing way to cruise.
An alternative to traditional cruising
Whether you are a first time cruiser or have experienced many, there is much to like about river cruising. As an alternative to the traditional cruise, it provides a different view of the countries and cities visited on the ship with a more intimate and casual atmosphere. When we consider the areas where these river cruises are most popular, Europe, Asia and South America, one may wish to take a little more time to absorb the sites, culture, locals and the history. The ship`s motion on the water is quite different on a river compared to an ocean cruise, and is much less likely to bother someone who may be prone to motion sickness.
Smaller ships
River cruise ships are necessarily smaller than ocean cruise ships, as they have to navigate the sometimes shallow and tricky waters of an inland waterway. River cruising should not be confused with barging – where passengers float on a barg in man-made canals – because with a powered cruise ship you can explore a country via natural rivers and waterways. Most river cruise ships generally accomadate between 100 and 200 people, although, some are even smaller.
Casual, flexible, personal
River cruising is much more casual than traditional cruising. Dinners are casual and comfortable, and in most cases, do not even require wearing a dress jacket or suit coat. Seating is generally open rather than assigned, giving you an opportunity to dine with different people every night, and there is only one sitting rather than two. Passengers can eat what they want , when they want, and in the company of whom they want – the ultimate in flexibility.
Slower pace, more relaxed
A river cruise vessel travels at a much slower speed than a traditional cruise ship, allowing passengers to better appreciateand enjoy the passing countryside. The slower cruising speed allows the ship`s atmosphere to feature a slower pace and a more relaxed enviornment, something that most river cruisers particularly enjoy. The sometimes frenetic pace of activity on an ocean liner simply does not exist on a river cruise, making it an exceptionally relaxing way to vacation.
Intimate view of the country
River cruising allows you to have a unique and intimate view of the countries you visit. A river cruise takes you well outside of the cities that are typical stopping points and lets you explore the countryside that reflects the true culture and spirit of a country. River cruises usually include stops in smaller villages in towns, where you can mingle with the locals and enjoy a unique cultural experience.
Luxury and exceptional service
A slower pace and a more relaxed atmosphere does not mean that river cruising lacks in luxury and service. On the contrary, because a river cruise ship carries fewer passengers, the crew can provide exceptionally personal service, catering to your every need or want. And because river cruise ships generally do not have a hugh array of bars, entertainment facilities and other nightlife venues, they tend to be quieter and more subdued than ocean liners. You still have access to entertainment and recreational activities, just not as many as on a larger ship.
River cruising season
In warm weather climates, river cruising can occur year round, but most cruise lines still curtail their sailings from November to March. In northern climates the rivers freeze over the winter, necessitating a shorter season that usually runs from April or May through October or November, depending on river conditions. Because river cruise ships hold fewer and do not run as often as ocean liners, accomodations tend to fill up rather quickly. Your best bet is to book your luxury cruise on a river at the earliest date possible to ensure your place on the ship.
If you have any questions or want further information, please go to my web site TPI Travel-Bruce Pickett and send me an email with your thoughts.
When most people think of a luxury cruise, they visualize a hugh ship out on the ocean, sailing from one exotic tropical port to another. There is an alternative type of cruising, though, that provides quite a different cruise experience while still pampering passengers with luxury and exceptional service. It is called river cruising and it is an amazing way to cruise.
An alternative to traditional cruising
Whether you are a first time cruiser or have experienced many, there is much to like about river cruising. As an alternative to the traditional cruise, it provides a different view of the countries and cities visited on the ship with a more intimate and casual atmosphere. When we consider the areas where these river cruises are most popular, Europe, Asia and South America, one may wish to take a little more time to absorb the sites, culture, locals and the history. The ship`s motion on the water is quite different on a river compared to an ocean cruise, and is much less likely to bother someone who may be prone to motion sickness.
Smaller ships
River cruise ships are necessarily smaller than ocean cruise ships, as they have to navigate the sometimes shallow and tricky waters of an inland waterway. River cruising should not be confused with barging – where passengers float on a barg in man-made canals – because with a powered cruise ship you can explore a country via natural rivers and waterways. Most river cruise ships generally accomadate between 100 and 200 people, although, some are even smaller.
Casual, flexible, personal
River cruising is much more casual than traditional cruising. Dinners are casual and comfortable, and in most cases, do not even require wearing a dress jacket or suit coat. Seating is generally open rather than assigned, giving you an opportunity to dine with different people every night, and there is only one sitting rather than two. Passengers can eat what they want , when they want, and in the company of whom they want – the ultimate in flexibility.
Slower pace, more relaxed
A river cruise vessel travels at a much slower speed than a traditional cruise ship, allowing passengers to better appreciateand enjoy the passing countryside. The slower cruising speed allows the ship`s atmosphere to feature a slower pace and a more relaxed enviornment, something that most river cruisers particularly enjoy. The sometimes frenetic pace of activity on an ocean liner simply does not exist on a river cruise, making it an exceptionally relaxing way to vacation.
Intimate view of the country
River cruising allows you to have a unique and intimate view of the countries you visit. A river cruise takes you well outside of the cities that are typical stopping points and lets you explore the countryside that reflects the true culture and spirit of a country. River cruises usually include stops in smaller villages in towns, where you can mingle with the locals and enjoy a unique cultural experience.
Luxury and exceptional service
A slower pace and a more relaxed atmosphere does not mean that river cruising lacks in luxury and service. On the contrary, because a river cruise ship carries fewer passengers, the crew can provide exceptionally personal service, catering to your every need or want. And because river cruise ships generally do not have a hugh array of bars, entertainment facilities and other nightlife venues, they tend to be quieter and more subdued than ocean liners. You still have access to entertainment and recreational activities, just not as many as on a larger ship.
River cruising season
In warm weather climates, river cruising can occur year round, but most cruise lines still curtail their sailings from November to March. In northern climates the rivers freeze over the winter, necessitating a shorter season that usually runs from April or May through October or November, depending on river conditions. Because river cruise ships hold fewer and do not run as often as ocean liners, accomodations tend to fill up rather quickly. Your best bet is to book your luxury cruise on a river at the earliest date possible to ensure your place on the ship.
If you have any questions or want further information, please go to my web site TPI Travel-Bruce Pickett and send me an email with your thoughts.
Pretty Li River and Gorges Yangtze River Cruises
Filed Under (River Tours) by rivertours on 27-05-200927 May
huiya asked:
My two cruises along the Li River in Guilin and the Yangtze River are the most highlights in my fabulous 10 days china vacation. My trip starts from Beijing. After 3 days traveling there and a wonderful Beijing Duck dinner, we fly to Guilin and rest at Fubo hotel.
Guilin’s scenery is quite different from Beijing. Not so modern and filled with more native soil feeling. The hills look so elegant. My tour guide is a lovely lady. She told us “if you come to china without visiting Guilin, your trip is not completed”. Is it true?
My essence tour in Guilin starts at next morning after my breakfast. We drive about 40 minutes away from the city and start an excursion by boat along the Li River. The boat we took is a three levels one with an open deck on the top where I like to climb to enjoy the scenery along the bank or take photos. Along the river, we are inspired by the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, crystal-clear water, lush bamboos and villages with water buffaloes. The famous scenic spots like “Yearning for Husband Hill, Crown Cave, Painted Cliff, Reflection of Yellow Beach, Xingping Town, Five Fingers Hill, etc.” are so pleasing to the eyes and the mind. The most interesting part is we come to a small village for 1 hour to visit a nearby school after we arrive at Yangshuo. I even get two grapefruits from the local students as gifts. They all look so lovely. I like the way to communicate with local Chinese directly.
In all, this 4-5 hours sailing was a fabulous trip and we were enjoyed so much and eager to tell more people to do this.
The popular food in Guilin is local noodle. It is quite different. If you visit there, don’t forget to taste it.
Yangtze Cruise is the last destination in my 10 days trip. I want to have a look of the largest water conservancy project- Three Gorges Dam.
Normally there are downstream and upstream cruising routes available. Starting from chongqing to Yichang, or Wuhan and Shanghai is downstream where starting from Wuhan, Shangahai or Yichang to Chongqing is upstream. Upstream direction needs one day more on the ship. I choose to leave China from Shanghai so downstream is suitable for me.
The ship we took was Yangtze Paradise, a ship with five decks and houses 196 passengers and 120 crews. The ship is always known as “the flowing hotel.” On the ship we get many Chinese style entertainments such as the lesson about Chinese painting and calligraphy, pearls, Jades. I just try Taiji in the morning. It is not so difficult to try Taiji. There are also traditional folk performance at the nighttime.It is really big fun on this trip. We are not only to view the beautiful scenery but also get more friends from different countries on the board.
The daily shore excursion to Fengdu, Shennong stream and Three gorges dam site also make us exciting. We take a smaller wooden boat called “pea-pod boat” drifting along Shennong Stream. Shennong Stream is a small tributary of Yangtze River with 60 kilometers long, popular with its special virtues of serenity, uniqueness, primitiveness and wilderness. We are quite excited to view the groups of monkeys sporting among the trees, ancient hanging coffins, and the minority people.
Three Gorges Dam is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man. It will be 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 18 meters wide on the top and 130 meters wide at the bottom. Upon arrival at Sandouping, we have a chance to get a bird’s eye view of the magnificent project from the observation deck. We also observe the five-step ship lock, the diversion canal, the dam in construction, and the power station.
If you want to read more, please visit http://www.chinawondertours.com
china tour-China Wonder Tours specialize in providing china vacation packages, Yangtze River cruises and Li River cruise with the best rate.
My two cruises along the Li River in Guilin and the Yangtze River are the most highlights in my fabulous 10 days china vacation. My trip starts from Beijing. After 3 days traveling there and a wonderful Beijing Duck dinner, we fly to Guilin and rest at Fubo hotel.
Guilin’s scenery is quite different from Beijing. Not so modern and filled with more native soil feeling. The hills look so elegant. My tour guide is a lovely lady. She told us “if you come to china without visiting Guilin, your trip is not completed”. Is it true?
My essence tour in Guilin starts at next morning after my breakfast. We drive about 40 minutes away from the city and start an excursion by boat along the Li River. The boat we took is a three levels one with an open deck on the top where I like to climb to enjoy the scenery along the bank or take photos. Along the river, we are inspired by the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, crystal-clear water, lush bamboos and villages with water buffaloes. The famous scenic spots like “Yearning for Husband Hill, Crown Cave, Painted Cliff, Reflection of Yellow Beach, Xingping Town, Five Fingers Hill, etc.” are so pleasing to the eyes and the mind. The most interesting part is we come to a small village for 1 hour to visit a nearby school after we arrive at Yangshuo. I even get two grapefruits from the local students as gifts. They all look so lovely. I like the way to communicate with local Chinese directly.
In all, this 4-5 hours sailing was a fabulous trip and we were enjoyed so much and eager to tell more people to do this.
The popular food in Guilin is local noodle. It is quite different. If you visit there, don’t forget to taste it.
Yangtze Cruise is the last destination in my 10 days trip. I want to have a look of the largest water conservancy project- Three Gorges Dam.
Normally there are downstream and upstream cruising routes available. Starting from chongqing to Yichang, or Wuhan and Shanghai is downstream where starting from Wuhan, Shangahai or Yichang to Chongqing is upstream. Upstream direction needs one day more on the ship. I choose to leave China from Shanghai so downstream is suitable for me.
The ship we took was Yangtze Paradise, a ship with five decks and houses 196 passengers and 120 crews. The ship is always known as “the flowing hotel.” On the ship we get many Chinese style entertainments such as the lesson about Chinese painting and calligraphy, pearls, Jades. I just try Taiji in the morning. It is not so difficult to try Taiji. There are also traditional folk performance at the nighttime.It is really big fun on this trip. We are not only to view the beautiful scenery but also get more friends from different countries on the board.
The daily shore excursion to Fengdu, Shennong stream and Three gorges dam site also make us exciting. We take a smaller wooden boat called “pea-pod boat” drifting along Shennong Stream. Shennong Stream is a small tributary of Yangtze River with 60 kilometers long, popular with its special virtues of serenity, uniqueness, primitiveness and wilderness. We are quite excited to view the groups of monkeys sporting among the trees, ancient hanging coffins, and the minority people.
Three Gorges Dam is the largest water conservancy project ever undertaken by man. It will be 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 18 meters wide on the top and 130 meters wide at the bottom. Upon arrival at Sandouping, we have a chance to get a bird’s eye view of the magnificent project from the observation deck. We also observe the five-step ship lock, the diversion canal, the dam in construction, and the power station.
If you want to read more, please visit http://www.chinawondertours.com
china tour-China Wonder Tours specialize in providing china vacation packages, Yangtze River cruises and Li River cruise with the best rate.
Take Your Hobbies on a Vacation
Filed Under (Travel and Hobbies, Vacation Activities) by rivertours on 26-05-200926 May
Many vacations provide you with more free time than you know what to do with. After the first couple of days unwinding from the every-day stress of “normal” life and when you have had time to unwind, you may start to feel bored. This is why it’s recommended to plan ahead and bring things to occupy the extra free time you’ll have when you are away on a trip or vacation. These are also great things to have in case the weather is just not really good and you get stuck indoors.
Top hobbies that you can take on your vacation (some are not as good for a cruise, but you can tell which work for what kind of trip):
- Photography – whether you are taking photos of your friends or family, or beauty shots of the places you will visit, photography is a great thing to plan ahead for (don’t just make it an afterthought). You may need to think about a good photo album for your photos (see some here – photo albums). If you are using a digital camera, bring extra memory chips. You may need electrical adapters for power supplies in foreign countries. Do your research on the type of electrical outlets that are used in the places you plan to visit. If your camera or flash device uses batteries, bring along extras! Here is a photography website with tips for digital photography.
- Scrapbooking – Your photos can be saved up to use in a scrapbook to have a memory book about your trip, so take pictures with your scrapbook in mind. Also, save mementos and other souvenirs that will be flat enough to put in a scrapbook. These things you can save and bring home make excellent scrapbooking embellishments. Plus you can buy some stickers or other scrapbook embellishments after you return home.
- Music – Take along your mp3 player, iPod or other device to listen to your favorite music. Another more radical idea is to take along an instrument, especially if you are trying to learn to play one. For example, you could get those guitar lessons, because of a dream to learn to play guitar and take them along when you will have some time to actually use them! A course on DVD would be great if you can bring along a DVD player or a laptop computer to view your lessons on.
- Books – This goes without saying that you may want something to read in your time off. Books, magazines and puzzles or crossword books are always so great to have around on a vacation. Check out the book reviews and see what you thing you’d like to read.
- Needlework - Small needlework projects (knitting, crochet or embroidery) are wonderful to have around when on a trip – especially if your trip includes a long plane ride.
Hopefully, you’ll have so much sunny weather on your vacation or trip, you won’t have to spend too much time indoors with your hobbies or reading. But just in case, plan ahead to make your next vacation the best one it can be.
All you Need to Know About European Cruises
Filed Under (River Tours) by rivertours on 25-05-200925 May
Amelie Mag asked:
It should come as no surprise that Europe is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. European cruises are perfect for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the costal cities without having to worry about where to stay and where to dine. If you would rather travel into the very heart of Europe and still enjoy the comfort of a cruise ship, the European river cruises are what you’ve been looking for. No matter what part of the continent you plan to sail to, Europe will offer you one of the greatest experiences of your life.
Content:
It should come as no surprise that Europe is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. European cruises are perfect for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the costal cities without having to worry about where to stay and where to dine. If you would rather travel into the very heart of Europe and still enjoy the comfort of a cruise ship, the European river cruises are what you’ve been looking for. No matter what part of the continent you plan to sail to, Europe will offer you one of the greatest experiences of your life.
There are plenty of reasons why visiting Europe by means of a cruise ship is one of the best ways to travel. First of all, many of the grand European sites and cities are situated either on the course of a navigable river, either on the sea shore. Cruising through Europe can take you to most of the important tourist attractions and enables your journey to be a very comfortable one. You won’t have to worry about packing and unpacking several times, about where to eat or how to get to a specific place. When you’re on board of a cruise ship everything is taken care of for you. Most European cruises offer guided tours for the passengers so you won’t have to worry about not finding the important sites. European cruising is also a very efficient way to see Europe. Cruise ships usually travel by night and by early morning you’re already in your next port of call so you can enjoy a full day of sightseeing. This is possible because the distances between the important ports of call in Europe are not that great and can be covered during the night.
European cruises are commonly divided into Mediterranean cruises and Northern cruises. A Mediterranean cruise takes you on an unforgettable voyage through the costal cities and exotic islands which used to be the jewels of the ancient world. When going on a Mediterranean cruise you can choose one of several routes. You might want to sail through the Aegean Sea, visiting the costal cities of Greece and Turkey and islands such as Crete, Rhodes or Mykonos. Another popular route takes you from the Adriatic Sea to the Straight of Gibraltar. You will enjoy the glamour and beauty of cities like Monte Carlo, Venice, St-Tropez and Barcelona. If you’re thinking of a more oriental experience you should definitely visit the Southern Mediterranean. Adventure and mystery awaits in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. No matter which one of these European cruises you are considering you will surely have an incredible journey.
Some travelers are more drawn to the Northern landscapes than to the Mediterranean. Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe are famous for the sophisticated cities and rugged beauty of the landscapes. Whether it’s England or Norway, the architectural beauty of the ports of call you’ll be visiting is one of a kind. Modern masterpieces coexist with ancient castles in a fascinating natural setting. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the finest art, from London to St. Petersburg. European cruises and European river cruises in this part of the world are very popular during the summer because of the mild temperatures.
If you’d like to visit the European inland cities and still enjoy the comfort of a cruise ship, there are quite a few European river cruises to choose from. A Rhine river cruise will take you throughout the fascinating landscapes of Germany and you can even take another waterway to Austria, Hungary or the Netherlands. You can choose to experience the romance of the French cities and castles, sailing on the Rhone or Seine. Danube river cruises offer a voyage throughout the rich cultures of central end Eastern Europe. Russia, Italy and Spain are also popular river cruise destinations that you should consider. We are delighted to offer you more information about European river cruises at european-river-cruiese-eu.
A European cruise will offer you a fantastic experience: you’ll see unforgettable sights, you’ll meet incredible people and you’ll enjoy remarkable cuisine. No matter what route you take, Europe promises to inspire you and leave you yearning for more. European cruises certainly make for the best vacations and we are prepared to give you all the information you need to know before setting off on the trip of your lifetime.
It should come as no surprise that Europe is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. European cruises are perfect for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the costal cities without having to worry about where to stay and where to dine. If you would rather travel into the very heart of Europe and still enjoy the comfort of a cruise ship, the European river cruises are what you’ve been looking for. No matter what part of the continent you plan to sail to, Europe will offer you one of the greatest experiences of your life.
Content:
It should come as no surprise that Europe is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world. European cruises are perfect for those who want to enjoy the natural beauty of the costal cities without having to worry about where to stay and where to dine. If you would rather travel into the very heart of Europe and still enjoy the comfort of a cruise ship, the European river cruises are what you’ve been looking for. No matter what part of the continent you plan to sail to, Europe will offer you one of the greatest experiences of your life.
There are plenty of reasons why visiting Europe by means of a cruise ship is one of the best ways to travel. First of all, many of the grand European sites and cities are situated either on the course of a navigable river, either on the sea shore. Cruising through Europe can take you to most of the important tourist attractions and enables your journey to be a very comfortable one. You won’t have to worry about packing and unpacking several times, about where to eat or how to get to a specific place. When you’re on board of a cruise ship everything is taken care of for you. Most European cruises offer guided tours for the passengers so you won’t have to worry about not finding the important sites. European cruising is also a very efficient way to see Europe. Cruise ships usually travel by night and by early morning you’re already in your next port of call so you can enjoy a full day of sightseeing. This is possible because the distances between the important ports of call in Europe are not that great and can be covered during the night.
European cruises are commonly divided into Mediterranean cruises and Northern cruises. A Mediterranean cruise takes you on an unforgettable voyage through the costal cities and exotic islands which used to be the jewels of the ancient world. When going on a Mediterranean cruise you can choose one of several routes. You might want to sail through the Aegean Sea, visiting the costal cities of Greece and Turkey and islands such as Crete, Rhodes or Mykonos. Another popular route takes you from the Adriatic Sea to the Straight of Gibraltar. You will enjoy the glamour and beauty of cities like Monte Carlo, Venice, St-Tropez and Barcelona. If you’re thinking of a more oriental experience you should definitely visit the Southern Mediterranean. Adventure and mystery awaits in Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. No matter which one of these European cruises you are considering you will surely have an incredible journey.
Some travelers are more drawn to the Northern landscapes than to the Mediterranean. Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe are famous for the sophisticated cities and rugged beauty of the landscapes. Whether it’s England or Norway, the architectural beauty of the ports of call you’ll be visiting is one of a kind. Modern masterpieces coexist with ancient castles in a fascinating natural setting. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the finest art, from London to St. Petersburg. European cruises and European river cruises in this part of the world are very popular during the summer because of the mild temperatures.
If you’d like to visit the European inland cities and still enjoy the comfort of a cruise ship, there are quite a few European river cruises to choose from. A Rhine river cruise will take you throughout the fascinating landscapes of Germany and you can even take another waterway to Austria, Hungary or the Netherlands. You can choose to experience the romance of the French cities and castles, sailing on the Rhone or Seine. Danube river cruises offer a voyage throughout the rich cultures of central end Eastern Europe. Russia, Italy and Spain are also popular river cruise destinations that you should consider. We are delighted to offer you more information about European river cruises at european-river-cruiese-eu.
A European cruise will offer you a fantastic experience: you’ll see unforgettable sights, you’ll meet incredible people and you’ll enjoy remarkable cuisine. No matter what route you take, Europe promises to inspire you and leave you yearning for more. European cruises certainly make for the best vacations and we are prepared to give you all the information you need to know before setting off on the trip of your lifetime.
Luxury Cruise Tours – Travel on a Floating Resort Hotel to Exciting Destinations
Filed Under (River Tours) by rivertours on 24-05-200924 May
Dorothy Yamich asked:
A luxury cruise voyage can truly enrich your life. Not only will you be traveling with like-minded people who love to cruise, you will develop great, lasting friendships among your many cruising companions.
When you cruise you can travel to fabulous ports of call anywhere that cruise ships sail. Not only are there mega cruise liners which everyone is familiar with, there are a number of different sizes and types of ships. The medium, and particularly the smaller size cruise ships can navigate further up inland waterways to cities and historic landmarks where larger ships could never go.
The larger cruise ships usually have one or two organized shore excursions at each port of call. If there are two sightseeing excursion events scheduled the same day, one may take place early in the morning and the second one in the afternoon. Most morning shore excursions normally get back to the ship in time for the people to feast on a fantastic lunch buffet.
Sometimes, on a second excursion, you could arrive back at the cruise ship late in the afternoon or early evening. This may make you a bit late for dinner if you have opted for the first sitting.
It is also your prerogative to explore the city, town, island, or tourist attractions and landmarks on your own. Just remember that you are responsible to get back on time or your cruise ship could sail without you. However, if you book a shore excursion through the cruise ship, they will not depart the port until everyone is back on board.
Take full advantage of the time you have in port by using it wisely. Some vacationers decide to disembark and go it alone by hiring a car and driver to take them to see and explore the sights. Usually taxi drivers charge by the carload and not per person so if you want to save some money you can split the cost with a few other fellow passengers. If you leave early in the morning you may be able to get back in time to enjoy the lunch buffet.
When you cruise you should bring a detailed guide book or books that cover each of the destinations you know that you will be visiting. Even if the weather is less than optimal for your shore excursion, always take your camera as the weather, if inclement, can improve very quickly.
And don’t judge a port by the dock and its surrounding area. It is usually a freighter loading and unloading area and the major warehouse and industrial district of a city or town. You may have to travel out of the port area and into the city or town to really see the unique tourist attractions and historical sites as well as experience the local culture.
What is the difference between a river cruise and a barge tour?
Although they have similarities, there are major differences between these two types of sightseeing tours. Firstly, the ships that sail the rivers can accommodate approximately up to one hundred and eighty people, while barges usually only can accommodate five to twenty-five people.
The second big difference is that the river cruises can visit a number of countries and cities in a week, while barges travel on man-made canals from town to town moving at a much slower, walking pace, and can only cover approximately fifty miles in a week. Thirdly, river cruise ships have a restaurant, lounge, and entertainment, while barges are essentially first-class, floating hotels, and have a dining room and lounge as well as a sun deck. The most popular river cruises and barging tours are located in Europe.
What is a luxury cruise tour package?
A cruise tour package is similar to a regular cruise that stops for half-day or full day shore excursions but gives you the best of both a luxury cruise and a land holiday all wrapped up in one. The main differences between the two is that the land part of your vacation includes transportation by train or luxury motor coach travel to a centrally located quality hotel accommodation at your inland destination. You will be chaperoned by an expert tour guide for the land portion of your itinerary. These combo packages are generally longer, lasting from ten days to three weeks or even a month or more. On most cruise tours you can decide to take the land segment of your vacation either before or after your cruise.
If you would like to enjoy the best of both worlds – an incredible dream cruise holiday and a land tour adventure – a luxury cruise tour is the ultimate vacation experience.
A luxury cruise voyage can truly enrich your life. Not only will you be traveling with like-minded people who love to cruise, you will develop great, lasting friendships among your many cruising companions.
When you cruise you can travel to fabulous ports of call anywhere that cruise ships sail. Not only are there mega cruise liners which everyone is familiar with, there are a number of different sizes and types of ships. The medium, and particularly the smaller size cruise ships can navigate further up inland waterways to cities and historic landmarks where larger ships could never go.
The larger cruise ships usually have one or two organized shore excursions at each port of call. If there are two sightseeing excursion events scheduled the same day, one may take place early in the morning and the second one in the afternoon. Most morning shore excursions normally get back to the ship in time for the people to feast on a fantastic lunch buffet.
Sometimes, on a second excursion, you could arrive back at the cruise ship late in the afternoon or early evening. This may make you a bit late for dinner if you have opted for the first sitting.
It is also your prerogative to explore the city, town, island, or tourist attractions and landmarks on your own. Just remember that you are responsible to get back on time or your cruise ship could sail without you. However, if you book a shore excursion through the cruise ship, they will not depart the port until everyone is back on board.
Take full advantage of the time you have in port by using it wisely. Some vacationers decide to disembark and go it alone by hiring a car and driver to take them to see and explore the sights. Usually taxi drivers charge by the carload and not per person so if you want to save some money you can split the cost with a few other fellow passengers. If you leave early in the morning you may be able to get back in time to enjoy the lunch buffet.
When you cruise you should bring a detailed guide book or books that cover each of the destinations you know that you will be visiting. Even if the weather is less than optimal for your shore excursion, always take your camera as the weather, if inclement, can improve very quickly.
And don’t judge a port by the dock and its surrounding area. It is usually a freighter loading and unloading area and the major warehouse and industrial district of a city or town. You may have to travel out of the port area and into the city or town to really see the unique tourist attractions and historical sites as well as experience the local culture.
What is the difference between a river cruise and a barge tour?
Although they have similarities, there are major differences between these two types of sightseeing tours. Firstly, the ships that sail the rivers can accommodate approximately up to one hundred and eighty people, while barges usually only can accommodate five to twenty-five people.
The second big difference is that the river cruises can visit a number of countries and cities in a week, while barges travel on man-made canals from town to town moving at a much slower, walking pace, and can only cover approximately fifty miles in a week. Thirdly, river cruise ships have a restaurant, lounge, and entertainment, while barges are essentially first-class, floating hotels, and have a dining room and lounge as well as a sun deck. The most popular river cruises and barging tours are located in Europe.
What is a luxury cruise tour package?
A cruise tour package is similar to a regular cruise that stops for half-day or full day shore excursions but gives you the best of both a luxury cruise and a land holiday all wrapped up in one. The main differences between the two is that the land part of your vacation includes transportation by train or luxury motor coach travel to a centrally located quality hotel accommodation at your inland destination. You will be chaperoned by an expert tour guide for the land portion of your itinerary. These combo packages are generally longer, lasting from ten days to three weeks or even a month or more. On most cruise tours you can decide to take the land segment of your vacation either before or after your cruise.
If you would like to enjoy the best of both worlds – an incredible dream cruise holiday and a land tour adventure – a luxury cruise tour is the ultimate vacation experience.