Food, Entertainment & Shore Excursions Included

Written By:
Sharon Bernhardt
President
Westside International Travel Inc.

Always Docked in the Center of Town

Having been on numerous ocean cruises where it was rare that one could walk to anywhere of interest at port stops, except to the souvenir shops that are always located close to the dock, it was so wonderful to step off the ship and be able to walk through the city or town, and be personally involved with our surroundings. It was a unique experience for me and I loved it. I set my own pace. Some days I climbed to the top of the local promontory and enjoyed a commanding view of the river, and some days I just explored locally, chatting with the shopkeepers and my fellow passengers who I would encounter along the way.

The Food was Delicious

The food we were served was delicious. There were buffets for breakfast and lunch if one wanted that type of meal selection, but one could also order from a menu that changed daily. Dinner was always a sit down affair. We shared our table with two couples who were traveling together and were using the cruise as the second week of a trip that had started with a week spent in a villa in Tuscany. River cruising is great option for travelers who usually prefer only land trips because it really is very similar in nature. Both provide a "home base" and then offer day trips of exploration. Because the river cruises cover a fairly small region the shore excursions have more of a "day trip" feel about them.

There were wonderful extra service touches that we noticed and appreciated throughout the trip. For example, my cabin mate got up much earlier than the other passengers, way before breakfast was available. She enjoyed watching the sunrise on the river. After the first morning, the deck staff greeted her daily with a cup of hot tea and freshly baked scones. She loved the special attention and it truly added to her enjoyment of the entire trip.

The Entertainment on Board

The entertainment offered in the evening was low key, in keeping with the style of travel. What I enjoyed most was meeting my fellow passengers. It's so rare that we actually sit and talk to someone these days. We are so consumed with television, headsets, and ipods. Everyone I met had an interesting reason for being there and great personal histories. I felt 'plugged in' as a person in a way that was very special to me.

I guess you can tell I had a fabulous time on my first river cruise vacation. And I have now gone back a number of times since. I love cruise vacationing. It fits my desire to see different places, but be inconvenienced the least in getting from one place to another. Ocean cruises are great for the 'overview'; but when I want to really get to know a region and the people who live there, a river cruise is what I will always choose. As owner of the agency, I have encouraged my staff to experience the rivers of the world and consequently we can assist with first hand knowledge and experience of this great choice for your next vacation experience.