Have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend a week on a river cruise? Do you want to plan one, but want to make sure you maximize your river cruise experience? Well, today I am going to share what you can expect from the moment you board the ship. And how to maximize your river cruise experience from embarkation to excursions.  

Maximize Your River Cruise Experience from Embarkation to Excursions 

Arrive at the Ship 

Your excitement will build as the time to board the ship gets closer. If you arrive via airplane a day or two before, you will head to the ship from your hotel. And if you just landed at the airport, you could easily find transport to where the ship is docked.  

If I plan your river cruise vacation, I will take care of all these small details for you. This way you won’t need to worry about finding a cab, bus, or other means of transportation.  

Boarding the Ship 

Boarding the ship is quite simple for a river cruise. Yes, you still have security to clear and the check-in process. However, all the river cruise lines have made this a seamless process. So, you won’t need to wait too long before you are on one of the decks enjoying a drink or two.  

Waking Up Each Morning 

You will always want to rush to the window each morning to see the new views that are available! It is usually best to wake up a couple hours before your excursion starts. This will allow you to get dressed, pack your bag for the day, and eat breakfast at the buffet.  

If you have questions about your schedule for the day, or what is happening on and off the ship, there is always a friendly staff member ready to help.  

Excursions 

There are always a couple of different excursion options available at each port you visit. You can sign up for the excursion of your choice when you book your river cruise. Many of these excursions are included in the cost of your river cruise, but one or two may have an extra fee.  

I highly recommend going on as many of the excursions as you can if you want to truly maximize your river cruise experience. These excursions are some of the best ways to learn about the local cultures, see the sights and attractions, and try the delicious local cuisine.  

Sailing Times 

If you have taken an ocean cruise before, you know the ship normally sails from port to port at night while you are sleeping. A river cruise is going to be a little different with its sailing times.  

You may be out on an excursion and your ship sails to the next port without you. Don’t worry! They make arrangements for you to take transportation to meet up with the ship. It’s all part of the river cruise experience!  

Other times, you may board the ship right before lunch. As you are eating, your ship starts to sail down the river to the next port. This is an amazing experience, because you get to watch as you pass by different towns and villages along the riverbanks.  

And yes, there are times when the ship will sail while you are sleeping, and you will wake up to gorgeous views you haven’t seen before.  

Onboard Experiences 

You will find there are plenty of onboard experiences to choose from while you are on the ship. You can listen to lectures about different topics. Enjoy a wine or beer tasting with all the local wines and beer. You may even have the opportunity to take a cooking class to learn how to make some of the local cuisine.  There’s even a chance you will find a new hobby to pursue. 

The opportunities are endless when it comes to enhancing your river cruise experience while onboard the ship.  

Nighttime Fun 

Your day isn’t over yet when it hits five o’clock. Instead, this is when things ramp up again on the ship. Dinner will be served. You can choose to dine alone or with some of your new friends.  

Be prepared to sit at the table a little longer than you planned, thanks to all the different courses you can order. Plus, the alcoholic beverages will be flowing, so you may keep asking for one more round, as you contemplate the dessert menu.  

After dinner, there is almost always a performance to watch. One night you may be listening to a string quartet, while the next a piano player may be performing in the lounge. Most of the performers are locals and they will make you feel like a local by the end of your river cruise.  

Bedtime 

When you arrive in your stateroom at the end of the day, you will find the next day’s itinerary waiting for you on your bed. Your bed will be nicely made, the room will be straightened, and you will feel like you are living the life of luxury.  

When you reach the last night of your river cruise, you will feel a little emptiness when you walk into your room. Yes, it will be clean, and your bed will be made. But there won’t be an itinerary waiting for you. And that small thing will have you feeling disappointed with the fact you are disembarking the ship the following day.  

This is only a small portion of what you should expect while on a river cruise. There is so much more involved, and every river cruise line offers something unique. As your travel advisor, I will make sure you are aware of all the perks for your river cruise vacation. I will also make sure your days are filled with the things that will give you the best river cruise experience.  

So, are you ready to book a river cruise and maximize your experience on the ship?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a planning session with me. When you click this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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