River cruising is still on the up and with so many different operators offering so many different itineraries, there is plenty of choice when it comes to where you can go and what you can do when you get there.

However, there are still plenty of people out there that have yet to experience the laid-back luxury of sailing down one of the world’s rivers and stopping off at many exciting ports along the way. You may have contemplated a holiday of this kind in the past, or this may be the first time it has ever crossed your mind, but here are some great reasons why you’re sure to love this exciting experience.

A More Inclusive All-Inclusive –

You may have been put off by the price of a river cruise in the past, but it’s important to consider what this includes before you rule out a holiday because of the cost. Usually, not only will you receive a beautiful cabin to stay in and delicious meals to refuel the explorer inside you, you will also be able to enjoy copious wine and beer with your meals and additional extras at each port.

These port additions are typically in the form of a guided tour around the town or city, but can be opted out of in favour of doing your own thing if you prefer. Some operators will also include other things in their price. For example, AmaWaterways cruises include a fleet of bicycles on the ship which you can borrow in order to discover every nook and cranny of each place you visit.

Many No-Fly Options –

Whether you have a fear of flying or you would just rather not have to go through the hassle of the airport process, avoiding a plane journey can often be a stumbling block to booking any trip away. However, with a European river cruise, there are so many no-fly options that you can remove this stressful step from your plan altogether and still have a great range of choices.

By taking the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels you can easily and quickly connect with many different local high-speed rail services in order to get to your departure destination. If you don’t mind spending an extended period on the train, you could even go as far as Vienna, Prague or Budapest to start you river cruise, but with Dutch & Belgian waterways trips as well as Seine and Rhone river cruises from Lyon, Paris and Amsterdam you needn’t have to.

A Few Views For You –

Because of the narrow structure of a traditional river cruise ship, the idea of an inside cabin is something that you will never have to contemplate. Every room on your floating paradise will grant you great views of the passing scenery and you won’t have to fight with anyone else in order to enjoy it. Simply pull up a chair on your balcony or lay down on your comfortable bed and you will have the best seat in the house as some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world glide right past your eyes.

It’s A Relaxing Way To See The World –

Whilst large ocean liners filled with thousands of other passengers might leave you feeling more stressed than you were when you started your holiday; the smaller, more intimate nature of a river cruise vessel is sure to leave you relaxed. There is much more of a focus on the destinations you will visit, instead of various over the top facilities which often lead to long queues and stressful waits. Therefore, all you need to do is sit back and watch the world go by as you sail peacefully to your next port.

That’s not to say that there aren’t any great facilities on river ships, though. Beauty salons, spas, swimming pools, panoramic lounges, movie nights, and wine tasting sessions will still offer plenty to keep you occupied.

Rivers Run Everywhere –

Although European river cruises are the most popular sub-category in this part of the travel industry, there is no reason to restrict your holidays to this continent. Most operators now include Myanmar and Mekong river cruises in amongst their options, whilst many will also offer trips along the Mississippi, Snake, Columbia, Tennessee and Ohio rivers in North America.

You can even, if you are feeling extra adventurous, take a journey into the wilds of the Amazon; sailing from the Brazilian city of Manaus with Amazon Nature Tours.

If you are contemplating a river cruise for your next holiday but still aren’t sure whether it is something you will enjoy, the friendly and helpful team at Fred. are on hand to answer any questions you may have. As you can see, though, there are plenty of reasons why river cruising is a great way to travel and there’s little doubt that this part of the industry will continue to grow.