Next time, consider a river cruise!

The next time you plan a vacation, consider a river cruise instead of a large ship cruise.

Why a river cruise?

Unlike it's ocean-going counterpart, a river cruise gets right into the heart of a city. The ship docks, you disembark and are on a tour of Paris, Amsterdam, or Nuremberg within minutes.

Instead of sailing the perimeter of a country, you sail along a river cutting right through the countryside, with mountains, forests or castles on each side. This is sightseeing at a relaxed pace. There is always something to see on a river cruise - you don't spend days staring at the sea.

There are river cruises all over the world - wherever there's a river large enough for a small ship! River cruising got its start in Europe , where cruises along the Danube and the Main take you from Amsterdam to the Black Sea, through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

There are river cruises in France and Portugal, too.

There are river cruises included in tours of Egypt (on the Nile), China (on the Yangtze), and India (on the Brahmaputra).

There are river cruises in the U.S. , along the Mississippi and Columbia rivers. Re-live the travels of Lewis and Clark in the Pacific Northwest! Whatever your special interest, there is a river cruise you can enjoy.

Holiday river cruises, celebrating the Christmas season, are a charming way to see Europe. The weather is cool but not frigid, and the ancient towns are decorated and scented with cinnamon and gingerbread.

Each town has its own Christmas market, so there's plenty of opportunity for shopping!

River cruise ships are much smaller than ocean vessels, so the atmosphere is much more intimate and relaxed.

There are no rock-climbing walls or surf pools here - just lounges for viewing between stops, fitness centers, and occasionally a spa. These cruises are geared for adults, although older children are welcome, too.

I think of the large ships as a theme park on water - great for families and kids; a small ship is more like an elegant, boutique hotel. And, on a small ship, every room is an outside cabin.

The focus of river cruising is the excursions off the ship - and, unlike their larger counterparts,all excursions on a river cruise are included.

And groups on shore tours are limited in size (the ship is divided into smaller groups), so you can see and hear the tour guide.

The river cruise experience is unlike any other cruise or tour you can take. See the world up close, from a small ship, on your next vacation!

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