What is the difference between a river cruise and an ocean cruise?
Again, the basic differences are size and cruising area. A river cruise ship will carry on average about 150 passengers in a comfortable and intimate setting. Ocean going cruise ships will carry thousands of passengers with whom you will be competing for limited shore excursion space, dining venues and dining times, not to mention the time of getting off and then back on the ship at each port. Yes, a big cruise ship has lavish entertainment and Broadway shows, but is that truly what you are looking for on this type of experiential vacation? Another important key difference is that on a river cruise, you will actually see more of the countries you visit, including stopping at various small towns and villages, while on an ocean cruise you may not see more than the harbor of a major port city. River cruise ships also stay longer and later in most ports because they travel less distance than an ocean going ship. Because you generally dock right in the heart of a city, you’ll even have time
