An exciting and effortless way to see the world, cruising is enjoying a well-deserved moment. And, whether you're planning to board your first ship in the near future or are looking to try something new, you might be wondering, "what's the difference between ocean and river cruising?" To help break it down, we've compared the two styles of travel side-by-side, answering important questions about cost, destinations visited, the size of the ships and more.
Ship Size
The most obvious difference between ocean and river cruises is the size of the ships. Often described as floating cities, the average mega ship — aka the biggest of big ocean cruise liners — can accommodate 3,500+ passengers while the average river cruise carries anywhere between 100 to 250 guests. With this in mind, it’s no surprise the two offer vastly different experiences, both onboard and at sea, with river cruises enjoying exclusive access to small ports and less-traveled destinations while ocean cruises boast endless fun and entertainment fit for the whole family.
Onboard Experience
As mentioned above, ocean ships are massive, and their size plays to their advantage as far as entertainment goes with space for onboard swimming pools, intricate theaters with live shows and events, stylish spas and fitness centers, special kids’ and teens’ zones, a variety of bars and restaurants and so much more. There really is no shortage of things to do, making an ocean cruise the ideal choice for active travelers. On the flipside, with their low passenger count and small ship size, river cruises are much more laidback with less onboard activities and more time spent relaxing and enjoying shore excursions. Speaking of the shore, sailors will find they can spend countless hours admiring the views from aboard a river cruise as they meander winding waterways and pass ancient castles, lush vineyards and rolling countryside along the way.
Popular Itineraries
Commonly associated with tours of Europe, many river cruise brands make stops at popular ports of call along the Rhine, Danube, Seine, Elbe and Douro Rivers. However, The Old Continent isn’t the only place river cruise hopefuls should have on their radar as most lines offer sailings in Africa and Asia too with once-in-a-lifetime adventures along the Nile and Mekong Rivers among others. When it comes to ocean cruises, Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries are some of the most popular with sunny spots like Aruba, the Bahamas, Mexico, Spain, France and Greece being hot contenders. Interestingly, chilly destinations are on the rise too, with Alaska sailings, Icelandic adventures and Scandinavian escapes earning their spot atop cruise loving vacationers’ travel wish lists.
Average Clientele
While some brands like Virgin Voyages, Viking, Saga and P&O Cruises are exclusively for adults, many ocean cruise lines are marketed toward and built for travelers of all ages. Whether they’re older vacationers ready to sail off into paradise, newlyweds ready to party it up on their honeymoon or family travelers with youngsters in tow, they’ll all feel at home aboard an ocean ship. Alternatively, while some brands encourage children to join in on the fun, travelers will find river cruises attract a more mature crowd, with the average passenger being anywhere between 55 to 70-years-old. That being said, some brands like Riverside Luxury Cruises appeal to a younger demographic with a target audience of sailors aged 40 to 50-years-old.
Cost and Inclusions
While prices vary greatly depending on factors like destination, cabin type, time of year, duration and level of luxury, travelers can expect to spend anywhere between $250 to $1,500 per person, per night on a river cruise and between $250 to $2,600 per person, per sailing on an ocean cruise, according to U.S. News. While these numbers might give vacationers sticker shock, river cruisers argue the large investment is worth it as additional costs like meals, shore excursions and local wines are often included in the price. This is opposed to ocean cruises, with sailors often complaining about additional fees tacked onto the final bill for things like drinks, shore excursions and other, non-included activities.
About the Author
comments