River cruising

A River cruise is a voyage up and and a river / river touching at a series of ports.

River cruising is a form of traveling in inlands waterways of the world. Unlike large ocean cruise liners, river cruise ships are smaller, accommodating between 100 and 200 passengers. Due to their smaller size and low draft, river vessels sometimes can go where no other transportation can, taking passengers to the heartlands of nations where rivers are the only way to reach attractions (Russia, China, Canada, etc:).

During river cruises the countryside is always in view, so river cruises are very popular among those who prefer to get to know mainland country enjoying the reassuring nearness of the firm land. River cruises usually last from 7 to 15 days.

Some river ships are small, other closely resemble five stars hotels offering their passengers sun decks, dining rooms, lounges, fitness facilities, swimming pools, casinos and many other kinds of entertainment facilities. Accommodation, meals onboard, entertainment programs and special events (Party Boat, evening dinner & dance cruises, holidays, festivals, contests, concerts) are usually included in the cruise price while bar expenses, sauna, laundry and cleaning services, and telephone calls are charged to a passenger's shipboard account.

Common cruises are: Nile, thames, Mississippi, Yangtze, Mekong, the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Volga,

The river thames is common for special events rather than long cruises, a Party Boat is a common vessel on the river. Often the high land cost of a big city can encourage the use of the river to be used an an extra source of land for a special event.

Most cruises offer onboard the offboard activities. The latter inlcude guided tours to historic and cultural, sightseeing, visiting local attractions, museums and galleries, and points of interests. Guides also give a running commentary on regions of particular interest while sailing past.