Are you ready to head out on a cruise with your partner, family, or friends? Are you struggling to find the perfect cruise option for your vacation? Trust me, you are not alone! There are so many things you need to be aware of when considering a cruise. After all, there are two types of cruises. River cruising and ocean cruising. Today, I am going to cover the main differences between river cruising and ocean cruising. This will ensure you choose the best type of cruise for your upcoming vacation.  

Difference Between River Cruising and Ocean Cruising 

Ports of Call 

One of the main differences between river cruising and ocean cruising is the ports of call you visit. On river cruises, you see more of the towns and smaller cities in one country. This allows you to fully embrace the culture and traditions of that country. You also get to spend more time with the locals on river cruises.  

Ocean cruises normally have ports of calls in numerous countries for a single cruise. You don’t get in-depth views of a country or even a single port of call. Most of the time, you head out on an excursion for a couple of hours and then go back to the ship. There is limited exploring of the different ports.  

You also spend much more time out at sea since the ports of call are so far apart. While you see lots of water in the ocean, it doesn’t compare to the views of the towns you see while on a river cruise.  

Itineraries 

When you choose to go river cruising, you will need to be prepared to be busy in port from morning till night. This is because river cruise itineraries are packed with things to do in each new destination you visit. And since the boat sails at night, you aren’t wasting time waiting to arrive at the next port of call.  

Ocean cruising offers a more laidback vibe on the days you are at sea. Since you can’t leave the ship, you will have plenty of downtime to swim, enjoy the spa, or take a nap.  

Ship Size 

Ocean cruise ships are massive. The size can be a plus, because those ships can offer quite a few activities. However, those larger ships hold a lot of people. And that means you may not be able to find a quiet spot to enjoy during your cruise.  

River cruise boats are much smaller. You won’t stand in line for hours to board or get something to drink from the bar. It is easier to make new friends while on a river cruise, because you actually have time to talk to the few people you see.  

Dining Options 

A river boat may have one dining room for a special dinner. But for the most part, it is all about the buffets. But not your average buffets. I’m talking about farm to fork dishes. These dishes are filled with fresh, organic, and local ingredients.  

You can enjoy all those dishes in a glass-walled dining room, out on the deck, or in the comfort of your own room. Yes, you can absolutely order room service on a river cruise! So, indulge during this precious time away from home and eat some of the most delicious cuisine in the entire world.  

Oh, and you won’t want to skip past the local wines and beer with your meals. Your river cruise is the perfect time to find a few new wines and brews to add to your most-loved list.  

Ocean cruises will offer more restaurants for you to choose from for dining. And you will also be able to choose the buffet for many of your meals too. However, the sheer number of people on the ocean cruise ship will make enjoying meals slightly difficult. You may face long lines and wait times when you are ready to eat.  

The food won’t be as fresh by the end of the ocean cruise either. This is because all the food would have been brought on board, as you were boarding the ship.  

There are a couple other differences between river cruising and ocean cruising. But these are the ones that most people seem interested in knowing the most. The most important thing to remember is that an ocean cruise will take you to a country, while river cruises will take you through a country. There is a huge difference between the two! Hopefully, you now know which type of cruise will be best for your next vacation. If you are still not sure, we can always chat so I can answer a couple more questions before you make your final decision.  

So, are you ready to book a river cruise or ocean cruise for your next vacation?  

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

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