River Cruises
What I Learned at the ASTA River Cruise Expo: How to Choose the Right River Cruise
Attending the ASTA River Cruise Expo gave me the opportunity to tour multiple river cruise ships, compare cruise lines firsthand and better understand how different ships, staterooms, excursions and onboard experiences can affect a traveler’s vacation. Here are the lessons that matter most when choosing the right river cruise.
A real traveler question
“How do I choose the right river cruise line and ship for the way I like to travel?”
Quick Answer
The best river cruise is not necessarily the newest ship or the lowest price. After touring multiple river cruise ships and speaking directly with cruise-line representatives at the ASTA River Cruise Expo, I found that ship design, stateroom layout, included excursions, activity level, dining, onboard atmosphere and itinerary can vary significantly between brands. The right choice starts with understanding how you personally like to travel.
This article also answers
- What should I compare when choosing a river cruise?
- Are all European river cruise ships basically the same?
- How do river cruise lines differ from each other?
- Does the ship matter on a river cruise?
- What should first-time river cruisers look for?
- How important are excursions when choosing a river cruise?
- Are river cruise staterooms different between cruise lines?
- How can a travel advisor help me choose the right river cruise?
Key takeaways
- River cruise lines can feel very different even when they sail the same river.
- Ship layout, stateroom design and public spaces can significantly affect the onboard experience.
- Included excursions and activity levels vary by cruise line and itinerary.
- The newest or most expensive ship is not automatically the best fit for every traveler.
- Dining style, wellness options and onboard atmosphere should be part of the comparison.
- The right river cruise should match your travel personality, priorities and preferred pace.
- Touring ships firsthand helps reveal differences that are difficult to understand from brochures alone.
What the ASTA River Cruise Expo Taught Me About Choosing the Right River Cruise
Attending the ASTA River Cruise Expo gave me something that brochures and websites cannot fully provide: the chance to step onboard multiple river cruise ships, compare the spaces firsthand and ask detailed questions directly of the cruise lines.
That experience reinforced something I tell travelers often:
Not all river cruises are the same.
Two ships can sail the same river, visit many of the same ports and still deliver very different vacations.
The differences can show up in the staterooms, excursions, dining, ship layout, activity level and overall atmosphere.
The Ship Matters More Than Many First-Time Cruisers Expect
When people first start researching river cruises, they often focus almost entirely on the itinerary.
That makes sense. The destinations are a major reason to river cruise in the first place.
But after walking through different ships, I was reminded how much the onboard environment matters too.
You may spend less time onboard than you would on an ocean cruise, but you still return to the ship every day.
The layout, lounges, dining areas, outdoor spaces and your stateroom all affect how comfortable and relaxed you feel.
Stateroom Design Can Change the Experience
One of the most useful things about touring ships in person is seeing how different staterooms actually feel.
Square footage alone does not tell the whole story.
A room can look spacious on paper but feel less functional because of the layout.
Another room may be slightly smaller but use the space much more efficiently.
When comparing staterooms, I look at things like:
- Window and balcony configuration
- Storage
- Bathroom size and layout
- Bed placement
- Seating
- Natural light
- How easily two people can move around the room
Those details are easy to overlook when you are comparing cruise fares online.
Balcony Styles Are Not All the Same
River cruise lines use several different balcony designs.
Some ships offer French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that open.
Others offer traditional outdoor balconies.
Some combine the two.
There is not one balcony style that is automatically best.
The right choice depends on how you use your room.
If you love sitting outside privately with coffee, a true balcony may matter.
If you prefer maximizing interior space and spend most of your time exploring, a French balcony may be perfectly comfortable.
Excursions Can Be One of the Biggest Differences Between Cruise Lines
Many European river cruises include shore excursions, but the number and style of options can vary considerably.
Some cruise lines keep the daily schedule simple.
Others may provide several choices at different activity levels.
Depending on the cruise line and itinerary, you might find:
- Traditional walking tours
- Gentle walking tours
- Active walking tours
- Hiking
- Biking
- Food and wine experiences
- Cultural programs
- Specialty excursions
This can be especially important when couples or friends travel together but do not want to do the exact same thing every day.
Consider How Active You Want Your Trip to Be
River cruising does not have to mean sitting on a coach and taking slow walking tours every day.
Some cruise lines put a much stronger emphasis on active experiences.
That can include bike tours, hikes, fitness classes and wellness programs.
Other cruise lines focus more heavily on classic sightseeing and a quieter onboard experience.
Neither approach is better.
What matters is whether it matches how you like to travel.
Dining Style Is Part of the Experience
Dining is another area where brands can differ.
Some cruise lines focus on a very consistent dining experience each evening.
Others may offer specialty dining or additional venues depending on the ship.
I encourage travelers to consider more than whether the food is “good.”
Think about:
- How much variety you want
- Whether regional cuisine matters to you
- Whether you enjoy a structured dinner every evening
- Whether specialty dining appeals to you
- How important wine and beverage inclusions are
Food is a significant part of a river cruise, especially because evenings are often spent onboard.
The Overall Atmosphere Can Feel Very Different
This is one of the hardest things to understand from a website.
Different river cruise lines can attract different types of travelers and create different onboard energy.
One ship may feel quiet, understated and traditional.
Another may feel more social or active.
Some travelers want peaceful evenings and early mornings.
Others enjoy meeting people in the lounge after dinner.
There is no universal right answer.
The goal is to find the environment where you will feel comfortable.
Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better
One thing the Expo reinforced for me is that the newest or most elaborate ship is not automatically the best choice.
A beautiful ship can still be the wrong fit if the itinerary, excursions or atmosphere do not match your priorities.
Sometimes a traveler will be happier on a simpler ship because the itinerary is better.
Sometimes the stateroom configuration matters more than the public spaces.
The “best ship” is the one that works best for you.
The Itinerary Still Comes First
Even though the ship matters, I would never choose a river cruise based on the vessel alone.
The itinerary remains one of the most important factors.
Look at:
- Which cities and towns are included
- How much time you have in port
- Whether certain stops are especially meaningful to you
- Whether excursions you care about are included
- Where the cruise begins and ends
- Whether you want pre- or post-cruise time
A great ship on an itinerary you do not love is still the wrong vacation.
Cruise Line Inclusions Matter
When comparing prices, make sure you are comparing what is actually included.
A lower fare may not be a better value if another cruise line includes more of what you were already planning to purchase.
Depending on the company and itinerary, inclusions may involve:
- Shore excursions
- Wi-Fi
- Beer and wine with meals
- Specialty dining
- Bikes
- Wellness programming
- Airport transfers under certain conditions
Always compare the total experience rather than the headline fare alone.
Who You Are Traveling With Matters
The right river cruise can also depend on your travel companions.
Couples may want different things than a group of friends.
A multigenerational family may need a wider range of activity levels.
Solo travelers may care more about social opportunities and single supplements.
This is why I ask clients a lot of questions before recommending a river cruise.
The cruise line that is ideal for one traveler may not be ideal for another.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a River Cruise
Before booking, ask yourself:
- What destinations matter most to me?
- How active do I want to be?
- Do I want several excursion choices each day?
- What kind of stateroom will make me comfortable?
- Do I care about a true balcony?
- What kind of onboard atmosphere do I prefer?
- How important are dining variety and wellness?
- Which inclusions are actually valuable to me?
- Am I comparing total value or just the advertised fare?
Those answers can narrow the choices quickly.
What Touring Ships Changed for Me
Seeing different river cruise products firsthand reinforced why it is so important to look beyond marketing photos.
Small differences become much more obvious once you walk through the spaces.
You notice whether a lounge feels inviting.
You see how much room there really is around the bed.
You understand whether the balcony takes away interior space.
You can picture what it would feel like to spend a week onboard.
That firsthand experience helps me ask better questions when matching travelers with river cruises.
My Bottom Line
The ASTA River Cruise Expo reminded me that choosing the right river cruise is less about finding the “best” cruise line and more about finding the best match.
The river matters.
The itinerary matters.
The ship matters.
The excursions matter.
And most importantly, the traveler matters.
When all of those pieces line up, river cruising can be one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to experience Europe.
Who this is best for
This guide is especially helpful for first-time river cruisers, travelers 45+, couples and solo travelers who are comparing European river cruise lines and want to understand what really matters before choosing a ship or itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Are all European river cruise lines basically the same?
What should I compare when choosing a river cruise?
Does the ship really matter on a river cruise?
Are river cruise excursions usually included?
Which river cruise line is best for active travelers?
Should I choose a river cruise based on price?
Is a French balcony or an outdoor balcony better?
How can touring river cruise ships help a travel advisor?
Sources & references
- Viking — “Viking River Cruises — La Semilla Travel”
- AmaWaterways — “AmaWaterways — La Semilla Travel”
- Avalon Waterways — “Avalon Waterways River Cruises”
- Riverside Luxury Cruises — “Riverside Luxury Cruises”
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises — “Uniworld Boutique River Cruises”
- Tauck — “Tauck European River Cruises”
- Amadeus River Cruises — “AMADEUS River Cruises”
Keep exploring
Not Sure Which River Cruise Fits You?
Let’s Narrow the Choices Together
There are a lot of river cruise lines, ships and itineraries to compare. Tell me how you like to travel, what matters most to you and what kind of experience you want, and I’ll help you narrow the options to the river cruise that fits you best.
About the author
Mary Plousha
Founder of La Semilla Travel, La Semilla Travel · Carlsbad, California
Mary Plousha is the founder of La Semilla Travel, a boutique travel agency based in Carlsbad, California. She specializes in thoughtfully designed custom group journeys, with particular expertise in women's group travel, river cruises, Bali, Vietnam and meaningful cultural travel.
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