Many of us are guilty of falling into a dreary work week routine that has us counting down the minutes until Friday.  Does that sound like you? While on a luxury river cruise you’ll say goodbye to your standard routine.  Leave behind the grind of your everyday activities.  Explore further to find out if luxury river cruising may be right for you.

Say hello to outdoor activity, fine dining, and relaxation. When you’re not off touring one of the incredible destinations, you’ll enjoy the luxury amenities offered onboard, and soak up breathtaking views from the exterior decks.  One tremendous benefit of river cruising is the smaller number of passengers on board. You’ll have more time to enjoy the amenities offered in a more personal way. Many river cruisers feel more like guests on a private vessel than passengers.  That’s how personal your river cruises will be. 

What can you expect onboard? So, are you interested in what a typical day may look like on your river cruise? What types of amenities are offered?  We heard you and we have those answers for you.  Read on to learn more.

Fitness Center & Classes

Most ships offer a fitness center to help you stay active between excursions.  The treadmill isn’t your preference?  Cruise lines like Ama Waterways, offer trained Wellness Hosts and daily classes. Why not start your day with a yoga session on an exterior deck?  How about a spin class or a light stretch class?  You’re sure to set the tone for your relaxing day. 

Top-Notch Gourmet Meals

Enjoy a delicious coffee and a bountiful breakfast each morning and take in the glorious views that surround you. Most passengers will leave the ship after breakfast to explore the port city.  Even so, there are light lunches and refreshments onboard throughout the day.  Hit the shore for a while, bounce back to have a quick bite, then go back to explore more.  Once night falls, revel in exquisite meals prepared nightly with locally sourced ingredients.

Need more convincing that luxury river cruising is right for you?

Salon & Spa

Why not pamper yourself while away on vacation? You’ve earned it! On-board spas offer a great array of massages throughout the day so you can relax on your own schedule. With fewer guests on board, you won’t have to fight for an appointment.

Feel like going out for the evening while you’re in port? Yes! It’s one more terrific benefit of river cruising.  Overnight stays in port are common and give you a fabulous opportunity to experience charming hamlets and cities after dark.  When you do decide to go out for the evening, let the stylists at the salon give you a new look. They’ll help you look and feel your best for an event or anytime.

Pool & Outside Decks

Though you’re not taking a tropical cruise, you can still relax and enjoy the sun on the pool deck! Most river cruises have heated pools (some even have swim-up bars!) and/or Jacuzzis. Perfect for relaxing your tired muscles while cruising past the graceful, castle-filled countryside of Europe.

Feel free to come back on deck when the sun goes down. As your cruise passes larger cities, the views of bridges full of lights or cathedrals lit up under the stars are extraordinary.

This is the perfect place to socialize with your group and with other guests. Many cruisers have truly built long-distance and lasting friendships while river cruising. They even return time and time again to cruise with people they’ve met on previous sailings!

Excursions

No matter which river you cruise or which cities are included, the variety of excursions to choose from is vast.  Activity levels vary to suit your preference for the day and bikes are available on some river cruise lines. Hop on one a explore the town.  Not an early riser? Some ships also offer touring options later in the day, just for you. Go ahead, take advantage of your lush, luxurious bed and catch a few extra zzzs. 

During some stops, you might want to hike. On others, take part in a wine tasting or tour a Kölsch brewpub.  Or, you could take your free time with your group and meander through the city, exploring at your pace. Some of our favorite days are strolling through the cobblestone streets of obscure cities to immerse in the local culture.

Outstanding Service

Is there is a single component most likely to turn a good vacation to great other than excellent service?  Not for us.  With uber-low passenger-to-staff ratios, luxury river cruises take pride in building relationships with each of their guests and creating a family-like, comfortable feel for your journey. It’s Casualux all the way!

Need a more visual approach to see if luxury river cruising is right for you? Click here for itineraries, photos and more! So, what are you waiting for? We are on standby to book your next vacation.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have about traveling through Europe by river.  And happy to get your end-to-end travel meticulously planned and confirmed.  Let’s find the right experience for you!  Decide when you want to go and who you’d like to travel with!  Also, many river cruise lines offer valuable perks when you use a Virtuoso affiliate such as Luxury Travel Authority. You can view examples here. We’ll take care of the rest. 

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