Ocean VS River Cruising: What’s the Difference?

When planning a cruise holiday, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to choose an ocean cruise or a river cruise. While both offer the chance to explore incredible destinations by water, the experiences are quite distinct — from the size of the ship to the style of travel and the type of destinations you’ll visit.

If you're unsure which suits your travel style better, here’s a breakdown of the key differences between ocean and river cruising.

1. Ship Size and Atmosphere

• Ocean Cruises: These take place on large ships that can carry thousands of passengers. They often resemble floating resorts, with a huge range of facilities including multiple restaurants, swimming pools, theatres, and shops. The atmosphere is lively and varied, offering lots of choices for entertainment and dining.
• River Cruises: River ships are much smaller, typically carrying under 200 guests. The vibe is more intimate and relaxed. With fewer passengers, it’s easier to get to know fellow travellers and the crew. Facilities are more limited, but the focus is often on comfort, personal service, and cultural experiences ashore.

2. Destinations and Accessibility

• Ocean Cruises: These usually travel across seas and oceans, visiting coastal cities and islands across vast regions — from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean or even worldwide itineraries. However, due to their size, ocean ships often dock outside city centres, requiring transfers inland.
• River Cruises: River ships sail inland waterways like the Danube, Rhine, or Seine, often docking in the heart of cities and towns. This means you can step straight off the ship into a historic town square or riverside village — no lengthy coach transfers required.

3. Scenery and Views

• Ocean Cruises: Offer breathtaking views of the open sea, with occasional glimpses of coastline or islands. While days at sea can be relaxing, there may be long stretches without land in sight.
• River Cruises: The scenery is constant and ever-changing. You’ll glide past vineyards, castles, farmlands, and picturesque towns, often just metres from the riverbank. It’s a great option for those who love scenic landscapes and photography.

4. Time at Sea vs Time in Port

• Ocean Cruises: Often include full days at sea, especially on longer itineraries. This gives you time to enjoy the ship’s amenities, but it also means fewer hours on land in some destinations.
• River Cruises: Rarely include full days at sea. Instead, you'll visit a new town or city almost every day, with more time to explore on foot and take part in shore excursions.

5. Onboard Entertainment

• Ocean Cruises: Entertainment is a major part of the experience. From live shows and cinemas to waterparks and nightclubs, there’s always something going on.
• River Cruises: Entertainment is more low-key and culturally focused — think local musicians, guest lectures, or wine tastings. The emphasis is often on the destinations rather than onboard distractions.

6. Excursions and Cultural Focus

• Ocean Cruises: Offer a wide variety of shore excursions, but these can often be larger group experiences. Some ports are more touristy and commercialised due to high passenger volumes.
• River Cruises: Tend to focus on authentic, local experiences with smaller groups. Many river cruise lines include guided tours in the fare, and itineraries often revolve around history, food, and regional traditions.

7. Stability and Motion

• Ocean Cruises: As they cross open seas, ocean cruises can be subject to rougher waters. While modern ships are well-stabilised, some passengers may feel seasick during choppier conditions.
• River Cruises: Rivers are calm and smooth, with hardly any motion. If you're prone to seasickness, a river cruise may be the safer bet.

8. Cost and Inclusions

• Ocean Cruises: Often have a lower base fare, but many extras like excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities come at an additional cost.
• River Cruises: Typically come with more included in the price — such as excursions, wine with meals, Wi-Fi, and airport transfers — which can make them feel more all-inclusive, even if the upfront cost is higher.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

• Choose an ocean cruise if you:
  • Enjoy lots of entertainment and facilities
  • Want to explore large-scale destinations
  • Prefer resort-style holidays with more variety onboard
• Choose a river cruise if you:
  • Prefer a quieter, more intimate experience
  • Enjoy cultural immersion and scenic landscapes
  • Like the idea of visiting smaller towns with easy access from ship to shore

Whichever you choose, both ocean and river cruises offer a fantastic way to see the world — just in different ways. One offers the thrill of the open sea, while the other brings you close to the heart of each destination. The decision comes down to your travel style and what you value most in a holiday.

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Call us on 01962 396 100 to book your next Cruise with New Era Travel.