Over the past decade, European river cruises have been extremely popular. However, fewer people seem to know that there are fantastic river cruising options right here in the USA. You have a choice of great American rivers, such as the Mississippi River, Ohio River, Columbia and Snake Rivers, and the Great Lakes. There are multiple destinations to choose from also, such as, Alaska, New England, Pacific Northwest, The Music Cities, New Orleans, and Puget Sound & San Juan Islands. When you choose to river cruise in the US, you can embrace the history here in the U.S. while experiencing a luxurious, all-inclusive lifestyle.
The crew on a river cruise will go above and beyond when it comes to meeting your expectations during your cruise. While keeping everything spotless and clean, they will make sure you have everything you need from the moment you step onboard until it's time for you to leave. Your time on the ship will be filled with time to relax between all the stops you make at different ports. Since you are on a river, there will always be something to see on either side, rather than a vast ocean to stare at for hours. Instead, your focus will be on the buildings and natural surroundings of every city and town you pass.
Your river cruise ports will include complimentary small group excursions to historical and cultural attractions, as well as the option to explore at your own pace. When you take a guided tour, you will be shown around your current destination by a local expert who knows the regions surrounding the river. They will explain the history of where you are, what you are passing by, and where you will be stopping next. You will learn quite a bit about the different regional traditions and cultures of every area you visit. Many of the river cruise companies also offer a hop-on, hop-off option that lets you to explore at your own pace. This allows you to spend more time at locations you are genuinely interested in and less at attractions you are not as impressed with.
When you're on the ship, your time can be spent relaxing by your room or at one of the many entertainment venues. Live music, naturalists, historians, and legendary stories can be heard and watched throughout the day and night. You'll find a variety of entertainment offered nightly, usually designed to complement each destination. There are a lot of options when it comes to nightly entertainment on the ship!
You will be impressed with the stateroom options on a river cruise. You can choose from an inside or an outside stateroom. The outdoor staterooms come with either an open veranda or a private veranda. The open verandas are great, but you must be prepared for other people to be walking by on the deck as you are enjoying the scenery. Most travelers prefer an outdoor stateroom with a private veranda because they are not disrupted by other people. This is perfect if you like to sip your morning coffee outside as the sun rises in the morning or have a cocktail under the moonlight.
There are lots of amenities included on a river cruise in the U.S. A pre-cruise hotel stay is included to allow you to have a relaxing experience before departing the next day. Your cruise includes internet, open bars and lounges, delicious regional cuisine, coffee, snacks, and tea. Shore excursions, daily lectures, and Broadway-syle entertainment are also included in your fare.
If you prefer a more inclusive and enhanced experience while on your river cruise,you can purchase premium excursions. You will never lack for anything when you are cruising along a U.S. river!
If you're interested in exploring river cruising in the USA, Vacations256 would love to discuss all the options with you! We can help you decide which of the cruise lines would be better for your next vacation. There is definitely a river cruise for everyone!