River Cruise Questions, Answered by Mister Cruise
Straight answers before you book — and a real person to ask when yours is not here.
Ask Mister CruiseRiver Cruise Questions, Answered Straight
This is where Mister Cruise answers river cruise questions plainly. No sales talk and no invented numbers — just what a river cruise is, who it suits, what goes wrong and how to avoid it, and how it compares with an ocean cruise. If your question is not here, ask it and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will answer you personally.
Already sure a river cruise is for you and ready to choose a river, a line and a month? Our sister site Mister River Cruise walks through those decisions step by step. This site is for the questions that come first.
Start With the Big Four
What is a river cruise?
Small ships, inland rivers, a different town most days. The short answer and the long one.
What is a river cruise →
Is a river cruise worth it?
Who gets the most value, who should book something else, and how to judge for yourself.
Is it worth it →
River cruise vs ocean cruise
The ten-second version of the difference, and a quick way to decide.
River vs ocean →
River cruise problems
Water levels, rafted ships, low bridges and more — with the fix for each.
Problems and fixes →Quick Answers to Frequent River Cruise Questions
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| How big are the ships? | In Europe, most carry roughly 100 to 200 guests, sized to fit the locks. |
| Will I get seasick? | Rarely. Rivers are calm; the bigger risk is a stuffy cabin, not waves. |
| Are excursions included? | On most river lines at least one guided tour per port is in the fare. Check each line. |
| Is there entertainment? | Low-key: a pianist, local performers, talks. The towns are the show. |
| Do I need a passport? | For Europe, Asia, Africa and South America, yes. U.S. river cruises do not need one for U.S. citizens. |
| Are children welcome? | Some lines accept them, some sailings are family-themed, and some lines set a minimum age. |
More on every one of these is on Ask Mister Cruise, along with a way to send your own.
Why Ask Mister Cruise?
River cruising is where advice matters most: the ships look alike in photos, but the lines differ in what is included, how active the touring is, and which rivers they sail. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will tell you when a river cruise is not the right fit — and suggest an ocean or land trip instead.
For ocean cruise questions, MisterCruise.com is the main Mister Cruise site; for ships and lines worldwide, see the Official River Cruise Directory and the Official Cruise Directory.
More River Cruise Questions
What is the most common river cruise question you get?
Whether a river cruise will be boring compared with an ocean cruise. It is a different kind of trip: the entertainment is the scenery and a new town almost every day, not a casino or a show lounge.
Are river cruises only in Europe?
No. Europe has the most ships, but people also cruise the Mississippi and the Columbia in the U.S., the Nile, the Mekong, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra, the Amazon and more.
Do I need to be fit to river cruise?
You need to manage some stairs and walking. Many ships have an elevator but not all, gangways can be steep when water is high, and old-town tours are on cobblestones. Ask before you book if mobility is a concern.
How far ahead do people book?
Popular European spring and fall dates are often booked a year or more out. Shoulder dates and some U.S. sailings can be booked closer in. Our cruise advisors will tell you what is still open.
Where to Look Next
Honest comparisons of the lines are on River Cruise Lines; picks by travel style on Best River Cruises; safety on the rivers on River Cruising Safety. Live cruise promotions are gathered on Wave Season and Cruising for Less. Join the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter for new offers, and if you would like to answer questions like these for a living, Be a Travel Agent explains how to become a travel agent.
This site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
More From the Mister Cruise River Network
Got a River Cruise Question?
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