Friday, October 9, 2009

The Rhine River Cruise: A Unique and Pleasant Experience

By Samson Mandez

A Rhine river cruise is one of the best ways to see some of the hidden delights that this beautiful stretch of water has to offer. The Rhine runs all the way from the Alps to the North Sea and provides many great sights and sounds along the way. The advantage of European river boat cruises is that they give you a taste of the life of the residents of different countries, something that a sea cruise cannot directly do.

Generally the Rhine river cruise ships are smaller than ocean liners so that they can navigate the smaller waterways and canals. The usually carry an average of 200 passengers but are as comfortable and luxurious as the larger cruise ships.

The barges and riverboats that cruise the Rhine are as luxurious as any of the big ocean liners and you will find that many have the advantage of a balcony to enjoy the breathtaking views. They have various facilities including en suite bathrooms, hair salons, saunas, internet access and various activities onboard.

For those who don't like the thought of staring at endless miles of ocean, a River Rhine cruise is the perfect answer. The boat travels past interesting villages, forests and many internationally important cities. You can spot famous landmarks, or simply admire the passing castles, vineyards and wildlife as the boat speeds along.

This is another advantage of these types of cruises. You are not swept along at a hundred miles an hour and miss the chance to see some amazing landscapes and scenery. The riverboat goes faster than an ordinary canal vessel but slower than an ocean cruise liner. There is no chance of missing any interesting sights and sounds when taking one of the European river boat cruises on offer.

The European river boat cruises do have something in common with the ocean liner cruise; they will still stop at various locations so passengers can disembark and take in the attractions and landmarks in person. The Rhine river cruise usually involves stopping at quaint little villages such as Cochem, followed by a cruise on to the impressive city of Cologne.

Locating and booking European river boat cruises is an uncomplicated and prompt affair. The internet will provide many operators who have packages to suit every need and many will let your reserve your place on their website. Be prepared to provide some specific details at the time of booking such as the names and details of your party and your insurance company details. It is at this stage that it is wise to advise the operator of any specific needs such as diet and mobility.

Taking a Rhine river cruise is an ideal option for all types of travelers and is something completely unique. If you are looking for an alternative to sea cruises then this is most definitely a wonderful option.

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