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How to Pick Between An Ocean or River Cruise
Written by Sabina Sobczak
Find out which cruise style is for you, from vast oceans and mega ships to winding passages and boutique riverboats.
Ready to set sail but unsure which cruise type is right for you? The differences between ocean and river cruising span styles of onboard entertainment, itineraries and destination ports, so the type of ship you board can have a huge impact on your experience.
Read on to find out if ocean sailing or a river voyage is the cruise style for you.
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Ship size
From towering ocean liners to cosy riverboats – does size really matter when it comes to cruising?
Ocean cruising
Ocean cruise ships are exceptionally large, carrying anywhere from hundreds to thousands of passengers and coming equipped with multiple decks, swimming pools, theatres, bars and restaurants. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America features an impressive 13 restaurants and seven bars and lounges, while you can enjoy facilities such as a ballroom, yacht club, aqua therapy centre and more aboard Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth.
River cruising
River cruise ships tend to be smaller, a requirement when they have to navigate narrow and shallower rivers and pass under low bridges. Most river cruise vessels can accommodation between 100 to 200 passengers, making for a more intimate atmosphere. The smaller size of a river cruise ship doesn’t mean compromising on facilities though, many still have one or two restaurants or lounges, library, spa or more.
Destinations
Will the ocean’s call or the river’s current guide you on your choice of cruise?
Ocean cruising
Ocean cruises may visit multiple countries, entire regions or island archipelagos in one voyage. Due to the size of the ships, they favour porting in larger coastal cities, sometimes focusing on regions with vast coastlines such as the Caribbean, Mediterranean or Scandinavia. An Alaska cruise might dazzle you with towering fjords and glaciers while Mediterranean coastlines offer ports in cities home to world-class shopping, dining and architectural landmarks.
River cruising
River cruises allow you to explore a mixture of smaller destinations and inland cities. Journey down major rivers like the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Amazon or Mekong while stopping at destinations that ocean liners can’t reach. A Europe river cruise might take you to Strasbourg, Amsterdam or Budapest, while an Amazon River cruise will call at remote rainforests, and a Nile River cruise will explore ancient temples and cities.
Itineraries
Ocean cruising
Ocean cruises tend to spend more time on the water, meaning more sailing days and more time on the ship. This is why ocean liners are jam-packed with onboard entertainment, from outdoor film nights, simulated skydiving and wine tastings aboard the Ovation of the Seas to a lavish spa, fitness centre and casino on Holland America’s Noordam. When you do stop and disembark for a shore visit, time spent back on land is usually between 8 to 12 hours per destination, with different excursion options such as surfing, volcano hiking or helicopter sightseeing (noting these may be at additional expense).
River cruising
A river itinerary can include more frequent stops and less cruising time, with the vessels sometimes porting multiple times per day. Excursions may focus on cultural and historical experiences, such as walking tours, visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites, wine tastings, or exploring castles and cathedrals. You might find yourself marvelling at Europe’s gothic and Baroque architecture on guided tours, stopping by Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank House, or learning about the Hungarian Parliament Building and Buda Castle in Budapest.
Onboard experience
Do you want the dazzle of a Broadway show at your fingertips? Or perhaps you’re seeking more personalised and immersive experiences.
Ocean cruising
The onboard experience of an ocean cruise is just as important as the stops throughout the voyage. From the second you embark, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a range of dining options and fun-for-all facilities such as the aqua park, comedy club, thermal spa and beach clubs featured on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic. Family-friendly facilities such as dodgem cars, arcades and kids’ clubs can be found on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, promising fun for passengers of all ages. Many ships also offering adults-only spaces and entertainment.
River cruising
River cruising can be well suited for those seeking a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere, with onboard entertainment often placing more emphasis on cultural experiences, lectures, local musicians or cooking demonstrations. Plus, with fewer passengers on board, there’s a sense of camaraderie among travellers and you get to know the crew and other guests more personally.
Excursions
From adventure and thrills to cultural immersion, choose the cruise type that floats your boat.
Ocean cruising
Excursions are often adventure-oriented or beach-focused, such as discovering Kimberley’s Horizontal Falls and Lacepede Islands, or exploring the natural splendours of Akiyoshido Cave in Japan. Shore activities are usually optional and incur an additional charge, with a choice of different options at each port, although some cruise lines will have premium excursions included in the cost of your sailing.
River cruising
Excursions and activities on a river cruise are often included in the cost of your voyage and form a significant part of the overall experience – akin to how a small-group tour might operate. The activities tend to focus on the culture and history of your port, including guided walking tours, authentic local experiences and visits to historic landmarks.
Pace
Do you prefer to cruise in the fast lane or the slow lane?
Ocean cruising
With so much time to unwind on the ship during sailing days, ocean cruises tend to be more fast paced when stopping enroute. This is great for those who like to be on the go, tick off every bucket list destination and relax in between.
River cruising
With a strong focus on destination immersion and more time spent in each port of call, river cruises tend to be more laidback. You will sometimes stay in a destination overnight, leaving ample time to wander and explore. If you like to take your time to appreciate local culture and lifestyle, this type of cruising may be the one for you.
Value
Big savings or all-included perks – what do you value the most?
Ocean cruising
Ocean cruises offer more varied pricing with options to suit every budget, whether you’re after a lavish voyage with all the luxury perks or after a great-value multi-generational package for a family escape. The choice is yours whether to save on a budget-friendly cabin and basic dining inclusions or splash out on a luxe suite with a balcony, butler, all-inclusive dining, nightly canapes and in-room champagne – there’s truly something for every type of traveller.
River cruising
River cruises can be more costly on a per-day basis, but the pricing structure can work out to be more inclusive. Aboard Riverside’s Riverside Debussy from Basel to Amsterdam, all-inclusive dining, premium drinks, butler service, off-shore excursions and much more are covered in the overall cost. This means less out-of-pocket spending during the trip, which can often add up otherwise. With fewer passengers aboard a riverboat, a more personalised service also means you get more bang for your buck.
Discover more about Seabourn and AmAWaterways on the new season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays, airing Thursdays 8:30pm AEST* on Foxtel Lifestyle.
This season of Luxury Escapes: The World’s Best Holidays is brought to you by Citi Credit Cards. This product is provided by National Australia Bank Limited, using certain trademarks temporarily under licence from Citigroup Inc.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Cabin Fervour: How to Pick the Perfect Cruise Cabin.
