River Cruise for 1st timers

badger09

I’m looking for help with River Cruise co selection. I’ve done lots of ocean, but no river cruises. Family have asked for advice. They have no experience of cruises & haven’t travelled much. 

He: mid/late 60s, very active, gets bored easily, dislikes flying but ok with short flight. Part time job ties him to school holidays so looking at Aug 2024 7-8 days. 

She: early 60s, disabled, uses small walking frame, tires easily, very sociable. 

I’ve looked at SAGA, Viking & Emerald. Thinking Danube or Rhine are good options. Prices seem similar (more than we’re used to paying)

Can anyone offer advice from personal experience? Any other I should look at? Is a balcony cabin worth the extra cost?

daveyjp

Very different to ship cruising as the boats are moored overnight.  During the day there may be some cruising, or shore visit on coaches which then travel to the next berth to meet the boat which has made the trip up or down river.

Plenty of insight and tips on youtube:

 https://youtu.be/KUS3LOU5ZqQ?feature=shared

Misslayed

My husband and I went on a Viking river cruise on our honeymoon! (Late 50s, second marriage for both, but first honeymoon). We loved it. We were naive travellers, but they took care of every detail. We flew to Munich, were met by a Viking rep and taken to the ship in Passat by coach. We travelled to Budapest, arriving late evening, which was spectacular as the city is lit up to welcome the ships. It was VERY hot in Europe that year, but the ship was perfectly air conditioned, and we were greeted with ice cold towels and iced drinks after each outing. The food was fabulous, the service exceptional. We had a 'Juliet' balcony, but we didn't use it as it was too hot and the room filled with bitey things! Our bed was extremely comfortable and everything was spotless. There were walking tours at every stop (Viking seem to get the best berths), always at two different paces. Coaches followed the ship to take us on trips further afield. It was expensive, but we felt it was worth every penny. We were planning another for our 10th anniversary, but health issues got in the way. Would go again in a heartbeat. 

There are talks and activities every day on board, something for everyone. Giant chess on deck.  No seating plan for meals - just sit with new found friends or avoid the boring folk! Thought we wouldn't like that but it was perfect. Not sure about accessibility, as it wasn't an issue at the time. We really enjoyed watching the scenery drift past, we went through a heavy industrial area at the dead of night! 

badger09

daveyjp said:

Very different to ship cruising as the boats are moored overnight.  During the day there may be some cruising, or shore visit on coaches which then travel to the next berth to meet the boat which has made the trip up or down river.

Plenty of insight and tips on youtube:

 https://youtu.be/KUS3LOU5ZqQ?feature=shared

Thanks. I realise they are totally different experiences, hence my question. 

badger09

Misslayed said:

My husband and I went on a Viking river cruise on our honeymoon! (Late 50s, second marriage for both, but first honeymoon). We loved it. We were naive travellers, but they took care of every detail. We flew to Munich, were met by a Viking rep and taken to the ship in Passat by coach. We travelled to Budapest, arriving late evening, which was spectacular as the city is lit up to welcome the ships. It was VERY hot in Europe that year, but the ship was perfectly air conditioned, and we were greeted with ice cold towels and iced drinks after each outing. The food was fabulous, the service exceptional. We had a 'Juliet' balcony, but we didn't use it as it was too hot and the room filled with bitey things! Our bed was extremely comfortable and everything was spotless. There were walking tours at every stop (Viking seem to get the best berths), always at two different paces. Coaches followed the ship to take us on trips further afield. It was expensive, but we felt it was worth every penny. We were planning another for our 10th anniversary, but health issues got in the way. Would go again in a heartbeat. 

There are talks and activities every day on board, something for everyone. Giant chess on deck.  No seating plan for meals - just sit with new found friends or avoid the boring folk! Thought we wouldn't like that but it was perfect. Not sure about accessibility, as it wasn't an issue at the time. We really enjoyed watching the scenery drift past, we went through a heavy industrial area at the dead of night! 

Thank you so much. 

That is exactly the sort of info was hoping for. 

As experienced ocean cruisers I know exactly what to look for and what to avoid on them. I really want my family to enjoy their experience. It’s a big expense for them and as inexperienced travellers I want it to go as smoothly as possible, otherwise it could be their 1st & last proper holiday.  

Eldi_Dos

Not a river cruise but as chap gets easily bored could I suggest Lake Garda, plenty of things to keep you busy. There are many ferrys that ply the lake taking you to all the different towns round the lake, you can spend all day on some of the routes or just half a hour if that is all you feel like that day. They are well geared up to helping those less mobile with plenty of staff at boarding and unboarding. The ferry piers are very central taking you right into the centre of resorts and scenery is spectacular, especially at north end of lake.
If they do go getting the slow ferries is more pleasing than getting the faster services, more time to enjoy the scenery and pace of life.
Most of the resorts with the exception of Limone and Malcesine have flat promenades and lakeside areas that are suitable for less mobile, plenty of seats in the shade, that type of thing.

JGB1955

You mentioned disability.  It may not be an issue but, as I understand it, river cruise boats don't have lifts, so there may be a fair amount of stair walking every day....

badger09

JGB1955 said:

You mentioned disability.  It may not be an issue but, as I understand it, river cruise boats don't have lifts, so there may be a fair amount of stair walking every day....

Thank you. That’s something I hadn’t even considered. She can get up & down a normal flight of stairs at home 2 or 3 times a day but doubt she could manage 4 or 5 flights. 

Neil49

JGB1955 said:

You mentioned disability.  It may not be an issue but, as I understand it, river cruise boats don't have lifts, so there may be a fair amount of stair walking every day....

Not completely accurate. 

We have been with Avalon river cruises twice and both boats had lifts covering all decks apart from the top sun deck. No river cruise boat has lifts to the top deck because of bridge height restrictions - even the bridge of the boat sometimes has to be lowered in order to get under some bridges.  You should study the deck plan of each boat as they all vary. 

We are going with Riviera this year and our boat doesn't have a lift to the lower passenger deck. 

The gangways can also be an issue if you have a walking disability. They are narrow and can be fairly steep due to variances in river levels and height of the dockside.

There was a lady who used a wheelchair on our first trip (although she could walk a short distance with sticks) and she just about coped. Her husband had to do the pushing and at the end of the trip he did comment that he wouldn't want to go on another river trip. They really enjoyed it but it was just too much. If you are strong enough then fair enough but just be aware.