{"id":2735,"date":"2011-03-02T00:26:53","date_gmt":"2011-03-02T07:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?page_id=2735"},"modified":"2022-05-26T08:59:17","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T12:59:17","slug":"staterooms-river-cruisers-vs-cruise-ships","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/new-start\/abcs-of-river-cruising\/staterooms-river-cruisers-vs-cruise-ships\/","title":{"rendered":"Staterooms: River Cruisers vs. Cruise Ships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
With river cruising<\/strong> growing in popularity each year, more travelers are looking at these voyages as an excellent alternative to traditional land-based tours. Even those who typically cruise on much larger, oceangoing cruise ships are getting into the act, as river cruise operators expand their itineraries and fleets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those used to sailing on traditional cruise ships, however, the change can be daunting. Unlike cruise ships, which tend to offer standard stateroom configurations that vary remarkably little between cruise lines, river cruise staterooms can vary widely in terms of size and amenities, even among a single line. Carefully reading the brochure \u2013 or using our own River Cruise Ship Reviews<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 is an absolute necessity to ensure that you make the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n Further complicating matters is the fact that some ships, like those sailing many Asian and Egyptian itineraries, are chartered by the cruise line, but owned and operated by another line. While this isn\u2019t necessarily a negative (particularly in Asia, where ships like Victoria Anna and Victoria Jenna offer some of the largest staterooms in the river cruise world and are chartered by more than one line), it is something to be aware of, particularly as detailed information on these ships can be tough to find, and standard amenities may not be available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n River Cruise brochures are typically different in layout, with more emphasis placed on itineraries, as opposed to the ships themselves. It can also be difficult to determine exact stateroom features and size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what should you know if you\u2019re considering leaving the megaship world and taking a river cruise? We took a look at several aspects you should consider when booking your first voyage on some of the world\u2019s most beautiful waterways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to check the stateroom specifications here on River Cruise Advisor, in the brochure or online. Staterooms on some river ships, primarily vessels sailing in Russia, can be as small as 90 square feet. To compare, the staterooms aboard Royal Caribbean\u2019s Sovereign<\/em>-class are often referred to as \u201ctight,\u201d at 120 square feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, as the chart illustrates, many river cruise vessels are comparable to their cruise ship counterparts. Be sure to see our Comparisons of Stateroom Sizes For All River Cruise Companies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\nSmall Staterooms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cruise Ships vs. River Cruise Ships: Average Stateroom Size <\/h2>\n\n
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\n\t Holland America Line<\/td> 185 square feet<\/td> AmaWaterways<\/td> 170 square feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Norwegian Cruise Line<\/td> 165 square feet<\/td> Avalon Waterways<\/td> 172 square feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Princess Cruises<\/td> 175 square feet<\/td> Uniworld River Cruises<\/td> 150 square feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\t Royal Caribbean<\/td> Older ships: 150 square feet
\nNewer ships 170 square feet<\/td>Viking River Cruises<\/td> 172 square feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n