It’s a question that comes up again and again: What side of the ship should I book my stateroom on?
The root of the question itself is understandable: There is a lot to see along the waterways of Europe, and prospective cruisers want to ensure they make the most of their investment by securing the best views.
The truth, though, is this: There’s no “better” side of the ship. It doesn’t matter where you’re going, or what river you’re sailing on, or even what ship you’re sailing aboard. Both sides of the ship are created equal.
The trouble with trying to pick a side of the ship based on something you’d like to see is this. Assume, for example, you’re booking a sailing from Budapest to Nuremberg, and you’d really like to see Durnstein from you stateroom. Because you’re sailing up-river, Durnstein will be on your starboard, or right-hand-side, when you pass.
But two problems will immediately present themselves. First, you have no control over what time the ship will pass Durnstein. Secondly, you have no control over where you might be in that given moment. So, unless you intend to spend your entire voyage cooped up in your room, there’s little point to trying to play the “which-side-is-better” game. Plus, you only need walk up to the top deck for a great view of Durnstein.
The great thing about river cruising is that so much of it can be enjoyed from the ship’s Lounge (always the social hub of any vessel), or the Sun Deck. I’ve sailed down the Danube in everything from a full-on Suite to a full-balcony stateroom to a French balcony stateroom, yet I’ve never spent more than perhaps half an hour at a time in my room outside of time spent changing or sleeping.
The truth is this: There’s stunning scenery no matter which side of the ship you’re on. And if there’s going to be something noteworthy coming up, the program director or your guide will typically announce it over the PA, which allows ample time to for you to come up on deck or gather in the lounge if the attraction is coming up on a side that your stateroom isn’t on.
It’s also important to remember that a river cruise ship is much more navigable than a large oceangoing cruise ship, where you might have to ascend or descend multiple decks to reach a suitable vantage point. On a river cruise ship, the outdoor decks or observation lounges are never more than a 30-second walk away.
So spend your valuable research and planning time selecting your itinerary, ship and stateroom. You’ll be happy that you did, regardless of whether you’re on the port or starboard side.
5 Responses
And one could well ask, what does Budapest to Nuremberg have to do with which side of the ship you are on, which is what this article is about?
What does that have to do with Budapest to Nuremberg?
In November 2013 I had the pleasure of sailing on AVALON artistry 11 . We sailed from Basal Switzerland to Amsterdam on th Rhine river. It was wonderful!!! It was my 1st river cruise and I sure hope to be able to do another!! I have only th best to say about everything that occured on that trip. Do not hesitate to take one I will guarantee you will have a wonderful time!!
Dear Felipe,
Thanks for kind comments about our website. We always strive to be inspiring, informative and above all, honest.
To the latter, you raise some valid points, and I can understand the reasons for your concern. However, I do think you’d be welcome on Viking’s ship, and while I don’t want to put words in Mr. Hagen’s mouth (the chairman of Viking River Cruises), I believe he meant that the person Viking is targeting is someone more like me, than him.
I sat beside him in that interview, and after hearing him speak, I am fairly certain that I am in the target group. I’m 55, middle-class, fond of travel and someone who embraces other cultures and ethnicities.
One reader saw your comment and wrote to me to say that you are “partially right.” However, that reader responded that she has been on river cruises with many ethnicities, African Americans, Latin Americans, Mexicans and people from all parts of the world. She says race and ethnicity has never been an issue. Rather, she suggests the diversity has has often resulted in being a plus. After all, that is part of the reason we travel, to experience what the world has to offer, right?
“Yes, these trips are expensive and they do attract a higher-income crowd,” she adds, “but people are people and down to earth if you give them half a chance.”
I’m not sure whether Viking will be up to the staffing challenges that you mention, but I would assume they will be. There’s good pool of labor to draw from, not only from the masses of unemployed in southern Europe but also by following the lead of the ocean cruise industry and staffing with Filipinos. I met several Filipino staff on my last Viking voyage.
Will the ports and locks be overwhelmed? If you’re worried about that, start with a Christmas Markets cruise. I’ve done one every year since 2006, and I hope to do a lot more. They’re a lot of fun, and a good way to see Europe at its best.
Again, thanks for your thoughtful note. Best regards, Ralph
Dear Ralph: I am an admirer of your blog and I follow it closely. I”ve been to Europe several times but I have not had the opportunity to go on a river cruise. That is one of my short term goals and until recently I wanted to travel on Viking. That was until I read your blog on the launching of 12 new ships in Amsterdam and the interview with the chairman/owner of Viking. Since then all the brochures I receive from them I throw in the garbage unread. If you remember, this person said that his ships were only for people like him,i.e. old,rich,racist and white. His market was white americans,canadians and australians. Blacks,mexicans,brazilians,turks,etc. need not apply. I would like to ask you, are all these river cruise lines for old WASPS only? I happen to be a Mexican, and although I studied in the USA( at the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College) and I am no longer young, I am starting to believe that I am not going to be terribly welcome on any of these ships. Regarding the fact that Viking is launching 12 ships this year and 12 the next, given the owners history of economic boom and bust, one would hope that he has all his economic and managerial ducks in a row. I have over 40 years experience in business and I know for a fact that experienced, trained,motivated and smart employees don”t grow on trees. With that rate of expansion Viking is going to have a hell of a staffing problem; I predict a sudden and dramatic drop in the quality of their service. Also, I don”t doubt that the rivers are big enough to hold all these ships, but how about the locks and ports? I”ve been to Melk and I have nightmares of my Carribean vacations when 2 or 3 4000 -passenger cruise ships arrive at the same time at some tiny island.Brrr!! I hope I haven”t bothered you or bored you with this long,long comment. I would still like to go on a river cruise and I would appreciate your feedback. Best regards. Felipe Ruiz-Milan Monterrey,Mexico