How to Best Enjoy Excursions on a EuropeRiver Cruise
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
Anne Schrader, Certified Travel Counselor & Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist
The more we study and read about river cruising and their excursions, the more we realize how confused folks are about making the right decisions to get the “best” trip possible.
My hope in writing this blog is to try and provide some advice about ways to enhance your trip by taking advantage of a sound process to determine how you should go about selecting your excursions. Along the way, perhaps I can also reveal some myths about excursions that seem to permeate new and seasoned river cruise sailors that are just not true, in my opinion.
Excursions Overview
Cruise Manager Rolf holding a sign which allows guests to program their quietvox listening devices to hear the guide’s presentation about the excursion sites.
One of the huge advantages of a river cruise is that the excursions are included in the fare. There is a huge difference in the quantity and quality of some excursions offered by various line—I wrote about the extra charges that some lines impose on their guest in a blog a few weeks ago this year—if you are interested or have forgotten about this topic, here is the link:
Understanding Extra Charges on 7 River Cruise Lines
As a starting point, there are 2 main advantages of the organized excursions on a river cruise. They are:
You will see so much in so little time.
River cruising is all about the destinations. Even though I have been traveling to Europe for over 52 years and we have led several group tours, I could not do what the river cruise companies do in one week—these folks are experts in showing you the best sights in the least amount of time. It is truly a unique way to see the interior of a country.
It was over an hour bus ride to visit Cesky Krumlov, but well worth for me.
It is different from a land-based tour and different from an ocean cruise. One of the best advantages is that most often your riverboat will dock near or in the center of the city, town, or village you are about to explore. In five minutes, all guests are off the boat and seeing the sights. Most lines also offer different groups during the tours—regular, active walkers or gentle walkers, so your desired way to see the destination is matched with your tour.
Even while on board there is always something to see on the banks, as you cruise along to the next destination.
It is easy to do the Activities that Appeal to You.
Maybe the best part of a river cruise is the flexibility. Want to skip the tour—no problem! We often go off on our own, love walking the quaint towns, using the provided map or even a GPS device.
In the larger ports, it is easy to really go off on your own using subways or buses or even a taxi if time is the critical factor. How about a bike ride? Many of the better lines feature escorted bike rides or you can go on your own. Want a special excursion? Again, the better lines have good, limited tour options. Some are extra but many lines include most of the tours in your cruise price. Each year we see different options available, and they are getting better and better.
Add to this list is the theme cruises—we especially like the wine cruises on AmaWaterways and often take them, as the wine is provided by the wine host at no extra charge—what a value!
On a wine cruise with one of the hosts and Dejan (right) on the colors of Provence Cruise
Anne and Hank at a wine tasting on an AmaWaterways cruise
Myths About Excursions
There is just too much to do—I’m exhausted!
I guess I have a hard time understanding this because some truly believe they have to go on every tour, or they didn’t get their money’s worth. It is true that there are usually 2 tours per day, one in the morning, then a return for lunch and one in the afternoon but who said you had to go on every option? Just use a little common sense—if it is too much stay onboard the ship.
Don’t let FOMO rule you (Fear of Missing Out). Sometimes just sitting on our balcony with a bottle of wine and watching the ever-changing scenery go by is one of the best parts of the trip for us.
It is Too Organized, Regimented and Boring
Again, I have a hard time understanding this—if we think it is too hard to explore a place on our own, we use the convenience of the transportation to get us there if we can’t walk or take public transportation. It is our experience that only some all-day tour options, with longer bus rides could become problematic for some, but then you must weigh the inconvenience cost of getting there with the opportunity to see some amazing sites.
Many enjoy learning about the more interesting sites of new places in Europe with the help of the guide explaining facts about the sites, while others want to wander or shop—just tell the guide you are going off on your own and be sure to know where the meet up place is to get back to the ship.
There is plenty of time to shop on most Christmas Markets cruises—here we are with our newly purchased hats in Regensberg with the shop owner
A Sound Process to Select the Best Options for Your Excursions
Research a little about the ports and things to see—we have some port guides that will help and route itineraries for most cruise ships we follow on our website. Then listen carefully to the nightly briefing about the next day’s offerings. Will the pace be too difficult or challenging for your physical abilities? Is the bus ride too long? Am I going to see something by driving by it or am I going to experience something by walking and investigating the site?
Don’t be afraid to seek out the cruise manager’s help with questions about the options after the briefing—they will be glad to help.
Remember, all do not have to do the same thing on the offered excursions, as family members may have different ideas of what is best for them, so don’t be afraid to pursue different options from your traveling companions.
Our Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this report. Your trip can be as jammed full as you desire, or more relaxed—pick the right pace for you, take advantage of the tours that are the best fit for you, and don’t worry if you might have missed something.
We are travel experts, ocean and river cruise specialists, and Europe destination experts. We have first-hand knowledge of almost anywhere you want to visit in Europe. We know our products and the vendors who sell them to you. We have designed special tours for dozens of clients, led several and will continue to find just the right vacation that will exceed your expectations.
When you are spending your hard-earned money for a vacation, you want an advisor who can match you with the right trip. You want someone who will understand your expectations and fuel your anticipation (or excitement) to get you the best possible trip experience. And, you want someone who can help you with the decision making process. We think we have all these qualities.
Whatever your Dream Destinations are, we are here to help you get the best possible vacation based on what is important to you! We will provide you high quality, expertly planned travel. Please give me a call 713-397-0188 (Hank) or email me at hschrader@dreamdestinations.com. We want to help you: Savor life…make memories…Visit Dream Destinations! Your journey begins here!
ANNE has earned a degree from the University of Houston in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Serving as the President of Visit Dream Destinations, LLC, since 2016, she is uniquely experienced professional travel advisor with over 26 years’ experience in the travel industry. Among her numerous certifications, she is a Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) by the Travel Institute, considered the gold standard in travel agent certification and she is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC) by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), as well Luxury Cruise Specialist also from CLIA. Having traveled often to Europe since 1989, she has expanded on her certification as a Destination Specialist in Western Europe (DS) with extensive first-hand experience in luxury vacations. She holds numerous other specialty designations from individual vendors. An expert photographer, she delights in capturing the true essence of destinations to share with all.
HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 52 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
