As a River Cruise Specialist and Luxury travel advisor, I am always seeking the cruise that best fits the individual traveler; a cruise that will provide the best, most delightful travel experience for your time and money. I have sailed on a wide variety of river cruises so you will have the benefit of my experience. River cruising is my favorite way to travel, simply because it is so rewarding and so easy.
For those of you who have not had the opportunity of river cruising, I want to assure you that it is completely different from ocean cruising in that you are on much smaller ships with the resulting smaller groups of people. No large crowds. This facilitates easy opportunities to make new friends. There are generally 130 to 160 people on a river cruise as compared to thousands of people on large cruise ships. Getting on and off the ship is simple, quick, and easy; meals are much more casual with open seating and you are not stuck with “sea days”. And best of all, you don’t have to worry about getting seasick! The rivers of Europe and even the mighty Mississippi provide a smooth relaxing ride as you watch the scenery go by.
Through experience, I have determined that not all river cruise companies are made equal. In fact, there is a significant difference between river cruise lines in what you get for your money. Some river cruise companies offer low initial fares, while they charge extra for every single excursion and amenity so that you end up spending much more than other river cruise companies that include the excursions and other amenities in the cost. I have had clients who have insisted on taking the seemingly cheaper cruise, only to see them spend much more than they would have spent on an all inclusive river cruise.
I like to recommend reputable river cruise companies that are known to be tried and true to give exceptional service. This includes the following:
When evaluating a river cruise line, I take into account the ratio of crew to guests. A high ratio means better service and a more pleasant vacation for you. It is nice when the crew gets to know the guests by name and the personal preferences of each guest, especially at mealtime.
I am always on the lookout for thoughtful ship and cabin design and understated elegance, which is an important element to your pleasant travel experience. I can assure you that there is a considerable contrast in the comfort and atmosphere between river cruise companies. This can make all the difference in creating treasured magical memories.
The quality of onboard evening entertainment featuring local talented musicians and folk dancers. Some river cruise companies do not offer any special evening entertainment at all, leaving guests with nothing to do at night as they sail.
I work hard to match available sailing times with your travel dates. Remember, you will always get the best accommodations and best prices when you book as early as possible. Many of the most sought after and creative itineraries are sold out a full year in advance, so getting your booking secured sooner is to your advantage and will ensure that you get the sailing and cabin selection you desire. My experience tells me that the very best pricing in river cruising is always when the cruise itineraries are first introduced. About 18 months in advance.
One of the very important aspects of excellence in river cruising is the time and duration of each port of call along your voyage. I research each cruise itinerary and compare the stops along the way, including what type of excursion and how many options for excursions are included in the price of the cruise. This research helps me to make the best and most personalized recommendations for your vacation. Some excursions offer guided hiking, speciality cuisine, wine tastings at sought-after vineyards, wellness theme cruises, bicycles to use in a group or on your own, glorious garden tours, golf river cruises and many other options for all activity levels.
Some excursions allow you to interact with local people, and others offer local experts that enrich your experience by sharing their expertise and their experiences, family stories and inside tips.
I like to make your travel easy and stress free by helping you to explore the various options for arriving early before your cruise. Having a few days to explore, get familiar with your new locale and adjust to the time difference will help you to enjoy your entire vacation much more. Additionally, having a few days to tour the area after your cruise is a nice finale to an exciting journey before returning home. From experience, I can tell you that the river cruise companies that I recommend really excel at these pre and post cruise discoveries.
When working with Lisa at Great Escapes,
* With my experience as an expert at river cruising, I work diligently to give you the most for your money with early sign-up savings, group discounts, exclusive perks and insider tips not available elsewhere.
*You will have a professionally planned, seamless vacation just for you without the stress of wondering if you have booked good hotels, tours, and other important details.
*I get numerous calls after people are completely frustrated with trying to book their vacation online. Many times, those low online advertised prices turn out to be no more than bait and switch, or do not exist. Additionally, it is very difficult to determine which hotels, river cruise companies, tours and other elements are really as advertised and whether they are a good value.
*If you have a group traveling together, I will take out the stress of booking flights, hotels, cruises and tours for a group of any size.
*You will have a professionally planned seamless vacation, save time and get more for your money.
*Most of all, we make your vacation easy and fun for you. Bring your friends along and join us on our hand selected scheduled river cruises every year.
