The Viking River Cruise Experience compared to Ocean Cruising
Which is better – River Cruises or an ocean voyage? You would not believe how many times I am asked this. I will framework with only a Viking river cruise as I am obviously well-versed in the product.
To sea or to river?
First up, I exclude Viking ocean cruise ships in this discussion about Viking river cruises vs Ocean cruising, because the product is not the standard ocean liner setup.
Rivers vs ocean? My knee jerk reaction is to say that it is like comparing apples to oranges. That’s somewhat true, but it is an easy cop out.
After being asked this same question time and again, I was forced to think about it a little more.
I have previously stated this in another post but it does bear repeating. This is a misconception that is held by most of those who have never done a river cruise before – for the longest time, if I’m honest, an ocean going Cruise Director at the time, I imagined a river ship in the same category as a ferry. It would be a come-down from Ocean, both as a Cruise Director and as a guest. Yeah, I totally got that wrong!
So taking Viking River Cruises is better than a general Ocean cruise?
No. But it is very different. I need to be careful here as I do not wish to write an infomercial for Viking cruises. Obviously I know the product very well and will be detailed about it. However, I also know general ocean cruising well. I will try and present both in a fair and unprejudiced light.
Any river cruise will offer guests a relatively motion free voyage, mostly smooth as silk, unless you are going through a lock which has just a few bumps. Naturally, an ocean cruise is weather dependent. A storm at sea can be fun for some but many do not enjoy the constant motion.That is BIG difference #1.
Obviously the amount of guests is far less on a river ship, lending a more exclusive and less frenetic experience than a large ocean ship. Generally you will have a maximum of 188 other guests to share the space with. On a river ship there are no ‘inside cabins’. Naturally, depending on the size of the ship, your fellow guest can number in the thousands on an ocean cruise ship.
The ambience on a river ship is one of relaxation and serenity. On Viking we do not have children under the age of 18.This means that the volume and chaos afforded by the little ones is not present. The emphasis is on destination and gaining an understanding of what you are seeing.
However, for young families or grandparents wishing to spend time with their kids, an ocean cruise will afford you the perfect environment. With youth staff at hand, you can get a great balance of kids vs no kids during the day. (at least that is your own kids). They will be endlessly amused and entertained.
On a Viking river ship, you have come to Europe, Russia or Asia to see another culture and experience that culture. You are immersed with spectacular tours and private access to places others will not see. You do travel the world in comfort.
But, does this mean that ocean has no place? Absolutely not. On the ocean you can enjoy a whole new world of fun. Obviously it is cruise line dependent but there is truly something to be found for all on an ocean cruise. I have worked on the large ships as Cruise Director for many years. I loved it! And so did the guests.
An ocean cruise offers something for everyone and to be bored or restless on the cruise ship would be highly unlikely.These are veritable floating villages or small cities with all the trappings of a resort on land.
You get the spa, the gym, the pampering, the casino, the nightlife, the Vegas type productions, the diversions of duty free shopping, eating until you literally drop, using the pools, the slides and sunbathing on deck.
And you need these distraction on a cruise ship. Most itineraries will have sea days where all to view will be an endless 360 degree view of nothing but blue. And that is fabulous. Sea-days are the days of really enjoying being on the ocean and doing a whole lot or a whole lot of nothing. It’s totally your choice.
The games, the quizzes, karaoke, the movies…it’s almost an endless list of hedonistic euphoria. In itself, without a port of call, a cruise ship on the ocean is an experience for the senses.
On a river cruise, we are in port everyday. The main thrust of the amusement and interest is directed at the destination – exploring the city or town, eating lunch out, shopping and doing both the tours as well as your own thing. You will be walking through foreign lands and soaking up the culture.
The focus on a Viking river cruise is about the scenery. On the move and you are enjoying passing riverine landscapes of quaint towns and villages and fairy-tale like castles and monuments of history. It is a luxury moving observation deck 24/7. Yes, even at night the cities and towns light up magnificently.
When you arrive at a destination, you will be greeted by local guides who will take you around their city or town and paint the pictures in your mind of all the history that has taken place for centuries…in the very spot you’re standing. It is fascinating.
River cruising vs Ocean cruising? "I guess there has to be an element of subjectivity to any answer I give, however, in my experience, the fundamental difference between river and ocean cruising would be down to this: On the ocean, with the large passenger cruise lines, the destination is the ship with the ports as a bonus. On river, the destination is your itinerary and the ship is your floating luxurious home".
On the river, the emphasis is on access to history and culture and truly experiencing the pulse of the city or town. Yes, I agree, to those not history inclined, that sounds deadly boring.
Don’t get the wrong idea. The learning experience is not lecturish on Viking river cruises. It is subliminal, an infused style of education that subtly lodges in the grey matter effortlessly with the fun memories and experiences.
The river cruise presents a lot more than history. You have entertainment on board, of course lower key. The socializing is more informal, the crew are like your family. You get to know most guests personally and certainly a majority of the crew.
You get the enjoyment in the cities, the dinners in the restaurant, the local and resident musicians, the game evenings… the sunsets on sundeck. These are the ingredients to a bountiful and satisfying vacation.
It’s a different experience entirely to a cruise ship. Sure, some cruise lines offer a great enrichment series and many aspects to what I mention. However, in most cases, the experience is less focused and more generalized.
Anyhow, that is not the cruise ship ‘raison de etre’. The reason for being, as a cruise ship, is to entertain, to party, to have fun at the slots or tables (in most cases) and to have an escape from reality for awhile.
And why not? Getting dressed up to enjoy a gala evening in the theatre and being dazzled by feathers, dance, song and costumes is fantastic.
Late night on a cruise ship and the disco is available, along with sing-a-long bars, late night comedy and deck parties. It’s an absolute blast!
To understand the Viking cruise experience cultural aspects better, check out Viking.tv.
Viking River Cruises vs Ocean
On a Viking river ship, the distractions are few. The bling of diversion is not there. You do not have a spa, casino, Vegas style shows, a shopping mall, gym and fast food outlets or an array of restaurants to indulge in. (at least not on board)
Fundamentally, the real difference of river cruising is that you get to penetrate the country you visit and do not stay limited to a port or close by city as you do on a cruise line.
Europe, Asia and other destinations are literally delivered on your doorstep (or in this case, gangway). Of course ocean liners go to ports as well. But these will always be the bigger cities with large deep water sea ports and the actual city or town will not be directly off the gangway. An ocean ship will bring you the fringes of a country. A river ship will explore within.
River cruises, certainly the Viking Way, are about you as the guest and delivering to you, not only great service and good standard cuisine, but some of the most fascinating and spectacular towns and cities in Europe and other exciting regions of the world.
Depending the sailing grounds, an ocean liner may also take you to a private island with water sports and amenities, obviously not something a river boat can do. The recreational aspect is really good and sometimes catering is provided on the island itself from the ship.
You will naturally also be able to visit large and famous cities in the world and enjoy many aspects of the destination on a cruise ship.Perhaps you’ll miss out on the charms of less urban areas and the landscape.
Another big difference is that tendering will not happen on a river boat and large crowds with lots of waiting around can be avoided. On river, you arrive and soon you disembark. You are not waiting on port authorities to clear the ship or lines of guests to get off.
The river itself offers tranquility and riverine scenery that leaves you aghast as you whisper by beautiful, quaint riverside villages and towns, farmlands and natural embankment flora. This is what a Viking River Cruise brings…along with meeting some new friends, a friendly atmosphere and a very attentive crew. It is truly an exceptional experience.
So, the verdict: a Viking river cruise or ocean cruise?
An ocean cruise has very advantageous dimensions to it. Both river and ocean offer aspects of each other. Actually, truth be told, the real commonality is that they both use ships as a means of transportation and accommodation.
Price point is a consideration too. General ocean cruising is less costly. For those who suffer motion sickness but love the concept of taking a cruise, then river cruising is ideal for you.
So, here’s my suggestion, and it’s not a cop out. Don’t try and make a choice. Do both! Add the ocean cruise into your portfolio with river cruises. (or vice versa) Get the best from both worlds! You will be experiencing two entirely different spheres of experience.
