River Cruising....An Immersive and Adventurist Traveler's Dream

Travel Talk Topic: River Cruising...An Amazing Immersive Travel Experience

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When most people think of cruising, images of large ocean liners with thousands of passengers likely flood their thoughts. But there are different ways to enjoy cruising, and river cruising in particular provides an amazing and immersive travel experience totally different from sailing the high seas far away from coastlines.

A river cruise is defined as a voyage along inland waterways on a much smaller-scale vessel which caters to a small number of passengers, offering a very intimate and up-close way to explore the tiny towns and villages that passengers on a large ship would likely never see. River cruises sail just about anywhere there are large rivers, stopping at multiple ports along the way. In contrast, ocean cruises typically accommodate 3,000 to 4,000 passengers and sometimes more, according to Cris Candelino, president of Prestige Travel, Atlantic Highlands, N.J. “River cruising is a much more intimate experience, as ships which sail the rivers typically carry no more than 130 to 200 passengers,” stated Candelino.

The small ships often dock in the center of cities and towns within walking distance of all the main attractions, allowing passengers the opportunity to enjoy land excursions and to experience the real culture of a country. “The land excursions and activities are included with the river cruise,” noted Candelino, emphasizing that all guides are local and very experienced at showcasing the vibrancy and color of their homelands. “It is like floating through time,” Candelino added. In addition, shipboard entertainment is sourced from local talent, allowing more exposure to the culture. And speaking of local, the chefs aboard river vessels literally step off the boat and shop for the best local ingredients to prepare gourmet cuisine for the passengers. “Ingredients are purchased from local farmers and are literally farm-to-table,” Candelino said, adding that the same applies to the wine selections. “Everything is fresh, and in the case of wines, straight from the wineries or vineyards.”

There are many amazing dream destinations and choices for river cruises. Each provides a different experience, and cruises can also be themed, for instance wine river cruises. Destinations include the Seine River in France; The Danube in Hungary; the Moselle and Rhine Rivers in Germany and The Netherlands; the Po River in Italy, and the Douro River in Portugal. But that’s not all. There is also the legendary Nile River in Egypt, the Amazon River in South America, and the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. Passengers can even choose to explore the sacred Ganges River in India, Yangtze River in China, and Irrawady River in Myanmar. Possibilities also include combining an African safari with a river cruise along the Chobe River. There are also domestic river cruises that include the Mississippi, Ohio, Columbia and Snake Rivers.

River cruises tend to attract people who value a more immersive cultural learning experience, explained Candelino. Shore excursions could include themed activities like trips to vineyards with wine tastings right amongst the vines; market shopping trips, or food-oriented options like cooking classes. There are biking, hiking and nature-oriented excursions as well as opportunities for self-exploration.

When deciding on a river cruise versus an ocean cruise or when trying to select a destination, Candelino encourages everyone to consult with a certified travel advisor. “Travel advisors have a great depth of insider knowledge and can provide the latest information on pricing, amenities, and options, really taking the time to know clients and their individual preferences,” she emphasized.

Prestige Travel, an award-winning leisure travel company in business for 34 years, is located at 68 First Avenue, Suite K, Atlantic Highlands, N.J. 07716. The agency was previously located in Airport Plaza, Hazlet, N.J., and is owned and operated by Certified Travel Consultant Cristina M. Candelino (CTC). The telephone number is (732) 739-2424, and the website, which is a fully-functional travel portal, is www.prestigetravelae.com. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment on evenings and weekends. For more information on travel packages, plans and itineraries and for the latest information on COVID-19 and bookings for 2021 and beyond, contact Certified Travel Consultant Cris Candelino at (732) 739-2424 or cris@prestigetravelae.com