{"id":30019,"date":"2017-09-12T16:57:51","date_gmt":"2017-09-12T22:57:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/?page_id=30019"},"modified":"2017-09-26T04:48:35","modified_gmt":"2017-09-26T10:48:35","slug":"three-modes-river-cruising-river-cruisers-barges-paddlewheelers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/three-modes-river-cruising-river-cruisers-barges-paddlewheelers\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Modes Of River Cruising: River Cruisers, Barges and Paddlewheelers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three Modes Of River Cruising: River Cruisers, Barges and Paddlewheelers. Which Should You Choose?<\/h1>\n
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Crystal Mozart, double the width of most river cruisers. \u00a9 2017 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

While there are invariably differences between vessels\u2014some boast indoor pools, spas, multiple restaurants and whatnot\u2014these are the basic categories to help you wade through what\u2019s out there.<\/p>\n

What Are River Cruisers?<\/h2>\n

These are the biggies, carrying between 100 and 200 guests. These elongated, flat and sleek vessels make up the majority within the leisure river cruising industry, appearing somewhat like squashed ocean liners. The low profiles, no more than four decks high, allows for the cruisers to maneuver under bridges and maintain a shallower draft. Some are shorter in length\u2014such as the 103-foot Juno, cruising Sweden\u2019s canals\u2014but most hover somewhere around 400 feet in length and 40 feet in width.<\/p>\n

One exception to this last dimension is Crystal Mozart, Crystal Cruises very first river cruiser, which entered the scene in July of 2016. \u00a0This ship is 75 feet wide; nearly twice the width of most river cruisers, making even more room for public spaces like the four dining venues and staterooms with king-sized beds. This no doubt gives Crystal Cruises boasting rights, but Crystal will soon have a competitor. AmaWaterways has announced a similar-sized vessel to launch in 2019, the AmaMagna, carrying 194 guests in staterooms that will measure more than 300 square feet.<\/p>\n

You may be wondering, if that\u2019s a river cruiser, than what exactly is a \u201clongship?\u201d This is simply the term that Viking River Cruises coined (well, and the original Vikings, of course) to be inline with its moniker, but it\u2019s simply a \u201criver cruiser.\u201d The same goes for Crystal River Cruises\u2019 \u201criver yachts,\u201d Emerald Cruises \u201cStar Ships,\u201d Scenic\u2019s \u201cSpace Ships,\u201d and Avalon\u2019s \u201cSuite Ships.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"scenic

Scenic Diamond sailing the Garonne River in Bordeaux. \u00a9 2017 Ralph Grizzle<\/p><\/div>\n

River cruisers don\u2019t quite match the luxury standards of ocean-going vessels, but river cruisers do come close. As for what\u2019s included and what\u2019s not on a river cruise, refer to our chart for a company-by-company comparison.<\/p>\n

Attributes Of The Top River Cruise Companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
<\/th>AmaWaterways<\/strong><\/th>Avalon<\/strong><\/th>CroisiEurope<\/strong><\/th>Emerald<\/strong><\/th>Riverside<\/strong><\/th>Riviera<\/strong><\/th>Scenic<\/strong><\/th>Tauck<\/strong><\/th>Uniworld<\/strong><\/th>Viking<\/strong><\/th><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Excursions Included?<\/B><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beer\/Wine Lunch & Dinner?<\/B><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>**<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Onboard Bicycles<\/B><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fitness Center<\/B><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Exterior Balconies\/Veranda<\/B><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Two Room Suites<\/B><\/td>\"checkmark\"**<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"**<\/td><\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"**<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Own & Operate<\/B><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"**<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Room Service<\/B><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>**<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>**<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mini Bar<\/B><\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"**<\/td><\/td>**<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>**<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dining Venues<\/B><\/td>3**<\/td>2**<\/td>1<\/td>3<\/td>5<\/td>2<\/td>6<\/td>2<\/td>**<\/td>2<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Personal Butler<\/B><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port Charges Included<\/B><\/td><\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Airport Transfers<\/B><\/td>**<\/td>**<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>**<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prepaid Gratuities<\/B><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>**<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gratuities Included<\/B><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td>**<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laundry Included<\/B><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td>**<\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>\"checkmark\"<\/td><\/td>**<\/td>**<\/td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nPlease note that the table can be scrolled horizontally so that you may view all data on mobile devices or small screens.<\/b><\/span>\n\n

What Are Barges?<\/h3>\n
\"raymonde\"

CroisiEurope’s 22-guest Raymonde on the Petit Seine in France. \u00a9 2017 Lynne Harty<\/p><\/div>\n

The differences between river cruisers and barges are vast but essentially boils down to this: Barges are much smaller, are able to navigate canals as well as rivers, and host no more than two dozen people. Typically, you\u2019ll travel with friends and family, or like-minded individuals, on quiet waterways through bucolic countryside. Your means of conveyance, referred to as \u201cluxury hotel barges,\u201d feature all-inclusive menus that include tours, bikes, beverages and gourmand-worthy cuisine.<\/p>\n

Because of the size of the vessels, canal cruises represent more intimate experiences than those found on river cruises, and you\u2019ll often pay handsomely for this autonomy. Luxury barge cruises along the picturesque canals of France are not inexpensive vacation experiences. Rates ranges from $300 per person per day up to more than $1,000 per person per day, plus suggested gratuities from 5 percent to 10 percent of the total cost of the cruise depending on how generous you\u2019re feeling.<\/p>\n

On a per-diem basis, barge cruises are certainly among the most expensive travel experiences offered, but as is often said, you get what you pay for. At these prices, you better. What I learned in talking with guests is that for some of them, six days on a barge through a small slice of France was a lifetime aspiration that they had spent years saving for.<\/p>\n

There are aspects of barging that seem disparate with the price tag: Staterooms, for example, are typically small but well-configured on the hotel barges. And, while it\u2019s not true across the board, they tend have much more casual and understated decor.<\/p>\n

Often these vessels once carried cargo and were gutted to house a \u201chotel\u201d structure. It\u2019s best to refer to them as \u201cluxury hotel barges\u201d to counter the common association of cargo barges. Unless you\u2019ve been swindled, you won\u2019t be traveling with coal or cattle. A few examples of companies offering barge sailings in Europe include CroisiEurope, European Waterways and French Country Waterways.<\/p>\n

Due to their size and accompanying engine power, barges move at slower pace than river cruisers, allowing for you to step off at locks to walk, run or ride bikes. My typical day aboard barges go something like this: Wake up, have breakfast. Go out on the sun deck and watch the landscape pass by. Step off at a lock to bicycle for a couple of hours. Return to the barge for lunch. Join an afternoon guided tour, and return to the barge for fine dining and comfortable accommodations.<\/p>\n

I created a short video that takes you aboard a barge cruise, and while it was filmed in 2012, it will give you a sense of what a barge vacation is all about.<\/p>\n