What Are the Differences Between Ocean and River Cruises?

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Cruises have always been a means of transport where one can visit several places and at the same time be able to enjoy the comfort of a hotel on water. When it comes to the different kinds of cruises, there are two that are quite different from each other, namely ocean cruises and river cruises. Both have their own benefits, and serve different audiences and purposes of travel. This article compares and contrasts ocean and river cruises so you can determine which type of cruise may be right for your next vacation.

Difference Between Ocean vs. River Cruises

1. Size and Type of Ships

The first thing that may be easily noted when comparing ocean and river cruises is the difference in the ships used.

• Ocean Cruises: Ocean cruise ships are usually much bigger than river cruise ships. They can transport thousands of passengers and provide numerous services including several restaurants, cinemas, swimming pools, spas, and numerous entertainment facilities. These ships are built for large ocean waters hence can be used for long distance transport across seas and oceans.

Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean International

• River Cruises: River cruise ships are much smaller with a capacity of 100 to 200 passengers at most. These vessels are relatively small in size and thus can easily move through the narrow and shallow rivers, through locks and under low bridges. Surprisingly, River cruise ships are relatively small, but they are comfortable and spacious with high levels of service.

Photo by jggrz at Pixabay

2. Destinations and Itineraries

Ocean and river cruises are different in terms of the destinations and the routes that are taken, which makes them quite unique.

• Ocean Cruises: Ocean cruises are available to many different locations around the globe. Some of the popular routes are Caribbean Sea and its islands, Mediterranean coast, the coast of Alaska, and the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans. Such cruises may have sea days, which are days when the ship is sailing in the middle of the ocean before getting to the next destination.
• River Cruises: River cruises are more centered on the waterways within a country or region, and give a better view of the cultural and historical side of a place. Some of the famous rivers for river cruises are Rhine, Danube, and Seine in Europe, Nile in Egypt, and Yangtze in China. River cruise itineraries are more port focused with daily stops that enable passengers to go ashore and interact with local communities, historical sites and beautiful sceneries.

3. Onboard Experience

The experience of the cruise difference between ocean and river cruises due to the size of the vessels and the type of the cruise.

• Ocean Cruises: When on an ocean cruise, one is likely to find a lot of activities going on and a very social environment. The bigger vessels provide a wide range of entertainment facilities such as theatrical performances, concerts, gambling, and dancing. There are also many places to eat, ranging from fast food restaurants to elegant restaurants. Ocean cruises are versatile and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and preferences, so families, couples, and individuals can go on a cruise.
• River Cruises: River cruises are more personal and less crowded than ocean cruises in terms of the experience on board. These cruises are ideal for people who want to relax and have less crowd since there are fewer passengers as compared to the other cruises. It is more about the entertainment at the destination rather than on board entertainment. Such activities may include- sightseeing, cultural speeches and drama. Meals on river cruises are usually local, giving the guests a feel of the places that they are visiting.

4. Shore Excursions

Visits to the shore are always a pleasure for the passengers as they get a chance to visit new destinations. The kinds of trips that are involved in these cruises are also different between the ocean and the river.

• Ocean Cruises: Shore excursions on ocean cruises are as varied as beach time and water sports, sightseeing in cities, and exploring the wilds. Because of the large size of the ocean cruise ships, they anchor at large ports, which gives easy access to large cities and famous tourist destinations. There are cases where the time taken to get to certain areas of interest may be longer than others.
• River Cruises: Shore excursions that are associated with river cruises are usually more engaging and are inclined towards cultural experiences. River cruises go to the smaller towns and areas that are not easily accessible and therefore passengers get to explore the places in a more intimate manner. Sightseeing tours may involve guided strolls, shopping trips to the local markets, wine tours, and historical tours. The nearness of the ship to the shore makes it possible to conveniently explore the surrounding areas.

5. Cruise Duration and Pace

The length and speed of ocean and river cruises also differ, and they are designed for different kind of tourists.

• Ocean Cruises: Ocean cruises range from a few days to several weeks in duration. They have a balance of days at sea and days in port so that the guests can engage in different activities on the ship. The tempo can be slow or fast depending on the planned activities and the desires of the tourists.
• River Cruises: River cruises are usually of shorter duration, from a few days to two weeks at most. The itineraries are more specific, with daily port calls and a less intense rate of sightseeing. This makes river cruises suitable for travelers who do not want to spend much time at sea without a structured itinerary.

6. Scenery and Views

The views that are presented by ocean and river cruises are different, which means that the two offer different visions of the world.

• Ocean Cruises: Ocean cruises provide expansive sea views, and one can be privileged to watch the sunrise or sunset over the horizon. The views can be of isolated islands, coastlines, and sometimes even the sea animals. The feeling of being enclosed by the sea is quite thrilling and calming at the same time.
• River Cruises: River cruises are characterized by constantly changing views as the vessel moves along the water body. The passengers can get a good view of historical towns, vineyards, medieval castles and beautiful countryside. The fact that the view changes all the time is one of the biggest advantages of river cruises – it is like discovering something new all the time.

Conclusion

In a way, deciding between an ocean and a river cruise is more of a matter of personal preference and what you want to get out of your trip. Cruises are perfect for those who want to have a lot of different things to do, to be entertained and to visit different places, all this while being on the ocean. River cruises, in contrast, are more personal, leisurely, and focused on the cultural aspects of the destinations, with the appeal of navigating through the rivers and visiting the charming towns.