7 Things River Cruise Lines Won't Show You on The Adverts

If you're considering your first river cruise you may be wondering if a river cruise is really like the adverts you see on TV. In many ways they are but there are a few things that the cruise lines will never show you.

I've been cruising since I was a child but it wasn't until this year that I took my first river cruise. I've taken two this year and have another planned for next. River cruising is brilliant and I'd thoroughly recommend it.

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I strongly believe that preparation is the key to any positive cruise experience, by watching this video you'll be better prepared than most!

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[kmnmalaska]

We cruised the Danube from the Czech Republic to Hungary in 2017 on Avalon Cruise lines. It was the trip of a lifetime. The captain was a big German lad, and when he walked into the dining room, you knew who was in charge. They docked and left ports like clockwork. We ate like royalty, and had the time of our lives. I would highly recommend Avalon.

[EJbtinkerbell]

I don’t know why this video came up in my feed, but your so sweet I had to watch to the end, enjoy your river cruise 😁

[Toobula]

LOL I went up to the top deck on a viking cruise when we went through a double lock on the Rhine in the middle of the night. A crewman was up there and he said to me "Don't you ever sleep?" I said "Not when there'e cool stuff like this happening!!". I'm a boater and the boat stuff is my favorite, including storms at sea, bridge tours and a very awesome personal engine room tour by the captain of one ship.

[noelwhittle]

The Mother in Law was on a european river cruise, they came back from a day trip and went straight to the bar and booked a nice bottle of champagne to their room tab and enjoyed it in the drinks lounge. When they left the bar, got to the room and the door key wouldn't work.
They then realised they were on their cruise ship's identical Sister ship ! Their own ship was double moored on the river side.
:)
.

[edithlyman]

Very useful video. I paid for a suite on our first river cruise and the only time we had a scenic view from our cabin was when moving. Every time we were docked our view was into a cabin on another ship. I did not consider this value for money.

[sarge]

I've been on 13 cruises on the mega-ships and river cruises was always in the back of my mind. Not anymore! Thanks for the info Emma. I know you didn't do this video to discourage people from river cruises but both and my wife and I are mildly handicapped where climbing stairs would be a challenge. Never thought about the points you made.

[Manna]

Thank you this was very helpful. I’m disabled and had no idea about the docking together and stairs.

[lmlmd]

Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan really have taken double-docking to a whole new level. Most I ever counted was six deep - though I've never seen anyone having to walk over on them

[leeedsonetwo]

My wife and I went on a family river cruise on the Nile which was excellent, apart from the things you mention the main omission from the brochure was the fact that for a portion of the trip soldiers would come on board and mount a heavy machine gun at the stern and bow of the ship. Our youngest was 12 at the time and thought talking with the soldiers and touching the gun was the best bit of the cruise.

[angelahorton]

Great video and so honest and objective. You raised points that I hadn't even considered. I certainly haven't seen them mentioned on any River cruise advert or brochure. We are considering a river cruise in the future but I now feel more aware of what aspects I need to research. Thanks for all your hard work Emma, I feel you saved us from an expensive mistake.

[KandeShack]

I could listen to you speak all day! You have such a pleasant voice. Thank you for the info!

[Temptation]

5:38 sitting here on this awful day 24/2-2022 and hearing this feels so strange and sad

[happytraveller]

Did a 28 day RC. ONLY DOCKED next to other ships 3 times. We only walked through the ships. And were able to have a poke around ( all ships were the same companies). Great fun.
Most of our locks were at night. Didn’t notice them much .
Usually the captain tells you if he has to move the ship while your out on excursion..

5 RC. Never changed itineraries... our captain would pull up if he saw markets on the side. Fabulous..

Even if our top deck had to pop down, we were allowed to sit upstairs but just bend down. Great fun.

RC is the BEST.

[jeffreythornton]

Emma, this was a great video, very informative. Must admit that I hadn’t fully appreciated the impact of side by side docking, especially for those passengers with limited mobility. Keep up the good work 👏👏

[knarrie]

I work on a river cruise ship and sadly due to Corona everything is on hold but everything mentioned in this video is correct. Great clip

[davemccarthy]

Excellent discussion - really nice to know these before river cruising, thanks.

[firebird]

I'd love to take a river cruise. But I'm glad you highlighted some of the things that aren't in the ads.

[k.chriscaldwell]

Reminds me of a river cruise up and down the Potomac my employer took me on a few years ago. Nothing like the brochure, as the river is wide and most of what is visible is commercial and industrial infrastructure. I still had a good time, but the contrast with the brochures was amusing.

[canam]

I always wanted to take a European river cruise. I never thought about the proximity to other boats but I guess it's to be expected after all it's a river not the ocean. Thanks for the insight.

[BruceJSkelly]

I would say it is a frequent occurrence that Viking ships moor next to each other. It really isn’t a problem because the automatic doors align with each other, and you just walk through. Just remember to stop when you get to your ship.