Five things to know before your first river cruise

River cruising is one of the easiest ways to see a lot of Europe without packing and unpacking every second day. It is also the trip people ask us the most questions about. Here is what our advisors find themselves explaining most often.

Your ship is smaller than you think

Most river ships carry between 100 and 190 guests. That means no queues at breakfast and no fighting for a deck chair, but it also means fewer onboard facilities than an ocean liner. If you are picturing a rock climbing wall and four pools, this is a different holiday.

The itinerary is the attraction

On an ocean cruise the ship is the destination. On a river you are docking in the middle of a new town most mornings, often close enough to walk off and be in the old quarter within minutes. Read the port list closely, because that is genuinely what you are buying.

Water levels can change your route

Unusually high or low water can mean a coach transfer between ships or a reordered itinerary. It is uncommon, it is nobody's fault, and every good operator has a plan for it. Travel insurance and a flexible attitude both help.

What is actually included

• Most fares include daily excursions, meals onboard, and beer and wine with lunch and dinner.
• Flights, transfers, travel insurance and specialist excursions usually sit outside the fare.
• Gratuities are sometimes included and sometimes not. It is worth asking us before you compare two prices side by side.

Book earlier than you would expect

The best cabins on the most popular sailings go twelve to eighteen months out, and earlybird fares are genuinely better than late deals on this style of travel. If you have a date in mind, talk to us early.

Come in and see the team. We have sailed most of these rivers ourselves and we are happy to talk through which one suits you.