River Cruising – A Good Choice for Seniors

River cruising has become hugely popular for vacationing in Europe and is and is a good choice for senior vacationers. It took me a while to try river cruising but once I did, I was hooked.

I have taken 6 riverboat cruises with 3 different companies. This post describes my experience on 3 European River Cruises on Grand Circle Cruises.

I had heard about river cruising from friends but waited many years to try it. On one hand, I knew all about cruise ships and I loved them. On the other hand, I knew nothing about riverboats. What if I didn’t like it and was stuck on one for a week or 10 days?

Grand Circle had tremendous mark downs on their Last-Minute page so one winter, I took the leap and booked a 12-day Christmas Markets Along the Rhine cruise. In future posts I will describe this cruise in detail.

I loved the riverboat from the moment I boarded. Four more riverboat cruises followed over the years. I am only going to discuss Grand Circle Cruise Line in this post.

Definition of a Riverboat

 A riverboat is a large boat with a flat bottom or shallow draft for use in carrying passengers and cargo on rivers. It provides many of the same things as a cruise ship but provides them on river instead of the ocean.

Cabins

The cabins on Grand Circle are all basically the same: 2 sofas attached to the wall on either side of the cabin that convert to beds at night. This means you cannot sleep next to your cabin mate. There is a small table between them. The cheaper cabins are on the lower decks and may only have a long, narrow window just above the waterline.  On the upper, more expensive decks, there are cabins with French balconies. French balcony cabins have sliding glass doors that open to the outside but there is no actual balcony. Instead, there is a railing to keep you from falling overboard. You can pull up your chair and enjoy the breezes and the views.

The size of the cabin remains the same for all categories at about 160 square feet. There are no suites. The price changes based on what deck you choose.

Dining

GCT has open dining.  Technically, you can dine between certain hours but in reality, everyone lines up at the designated opening time, files in and sits where ever they like. As passengers get to know one another they tend to save seats for each other. Entering late could mean having difficulty finding two seats together or intruding on an existing group that has formed.

Entertainment

Evening entertainment is rather basic. Every night before dinner, one of the program directors discusses the next day’s port (the Port Talk). Afterwards, the passengers line up at the entrance to the dining room for an open seating meal. After dinner, a keyboardist may play some dance music and sing some songs.  In addition, the company often brings local, traditional entertainment groups onboard. There are staff skits and game shows sometime during the cruise.  I found it all very charming and homey.

Fitness

There may be a small fitness room containing an exercise bike and treadmill. Some have a sauna or whirlpool.

Beverages and Snacks

There is a self-serve coffee/hot chocolate machine that makes excellent coffee and is available 24/7. This is especially appreciated when coming back to the ship after exploring the Christmas Markets in freezing, snowy weather. The coffee from the machine tastes better than the coffee in the dining room and I would often take a coffee cup from the machine into the dining room. In the afternoon they will serve a plate of cookies which instantly vanish.

Dress Code

There are no formal nights on these riverboats. Passengers dress casually: pants and shirt for men and pants and tops or dresses for women suitable for river cruising. There may be a captain’s dinner one night where the women may wear a fancier top and the men might wear a sport jacket but they are in the minority.

Tours

Walking tours are conducted by the program directors in each port. All other touring is done by excursions that are sold by the Grand Circle. Of course, you can always explore on your own. You can decide how much walking you want to do.

Side by Side Docking with River Cruising

Since riverboats often dock side by side instead of lengthwise, don’t be surprised if you have to pass through the lobbies of several other docked boats to get to the dock. This is an opportunity to glance around and get a look inside other ships, at least from their lobby.

Bar/Lounge

There is a large lounge that will hold most of the passengers including a bar. This is where people gather for presentations, entertainment and cocktails before dinner.

Sun Deck

The top deck is sun deck which can be enjoyed in good weather. It’s fun to watch the scenery go by much different from the endless ocean views on cruise ships.

Included Air

At one time, the air was included in the price but now you are given the option to arrange your own air. This is not a bad idea because it allows you to use frequent flyer miles and schedule your flight in a way most convenient for you. If Grand Circle schedules the air, they generally choose the flights based on price. This can lead to some crisscrossing the country and adding additional transfers.

Deals

Grand Circle has the lowest cost cabins of all the river cruising companies. If you can leave home at the last minute, check out their Last Minute Cruise page for some incredible deals. Check frequently because they change it daily. Grand Circles has good deal but it is not luxurious cruise line. I call it bare bones cruising.  Some of the optional excursions leave something to be desired.

Age of Passengers

Grand Circle Riverboats definitely appeal to an older age group. The company was founded by the president of the AARP in 1958 and still attracts a much older demographic.

Language

Grand Circle is an American Company out of Boston therefore all announcements are in English. Most passengers are American.

Mobility Issues with River Cruising

• Cabin Location: It’s a good idea to choose a cabin near the dining room if your mobility is impaired. Although there is an elevator, it may go to all the levels.
• Exiting the Ship: Riverboats do not have the steep gangways that cruise ships do so it is easier to disembark
• Excursion buses: Walks to excursion buses are generally shorter than those on cruises ships.
• On the Boat: The riverboats are much smaller than cruise ships so everything is closer together and located on only 3-4 decks.
• Sightseeing:  On a riverboat, you have sights to enjoy on both side of the boat. So even if you decide not to disembark, you will be able to see much of the country through the window or on the deck.

The Solo Experience

For those traveling alone, Grand Circle Cruises offers the following

• Comfort and security – there is always someone available to help and answer questions at the front desk and from your program manager.
• Low cost single supplements
• Free single supplement on pre- and post-trip extensions
• Free roommate matching program (same sex)

In Conclusion

For those on a budget, you can’t beat Grand Circle rates for river cruising. The cabins are comfortable but not luxurious. Without a doubt, their Last Minute Deals are amazing. The basic cruise will include some city walking or bus tours with your program manager plus you can add optional excursions. However, these will add to the cost of the cruise so make sure you budget for them.