Anjana Duff, Author at Boomerang Escapes

While most people have taken a cruise vacation, they are most familiar with the traditional and very popular mass-market ocean cruises. However, river cruising is quickly gaining popularity and is becoming a hot trend in vacation travel. If you think you do not like cruising – or you’re ready for a different kind of cruise experience- read on and learn some of the basic differences between river and ocean cruising.

See which one floats your boat!

SIZE/ PASSENGERS/CABINS
Ocean:
Mass-market cruise lines carry anywhere from 2000 passengers to over 6,000 passengers—multiple cabin categories and cabin sizes from small interior cabins (no window) to 2-story loft suites.
River: Luxury lines carry 90 to 140 passengers. Fairly small cabins – 140 square feet cabins with porthole windows to 200 square feet suites with full sit-out balconies.

DESTINATIONS
Ocean: Caribbean islands, Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Australia, South Pacific, Asia, South America, Antarctica…. just about anywhere in the world!
River: Mostly Europe – Inland cities and towns along rivers such as the Rhine and Danube – big cities such as Amsterdam, Vienna, Budapest to small villages such as Bergerac and St. Emillion in France; Southeast Asia, China, and India itineraries are also offered by several river cruise lines.

EXCURSIONS
Ocean: Wide range of excursions from dolphin swims, zip-lining, snorkeling in the Caribbean to whale watching and salmon bakes and train rides in Alaska.
River: Small-scale walking tours with individual headsets that allow everyone to hear the local guides. Excursions focus on sightseeing, the history, and the culture of the area.

DINING
Ocean: Multiple dining venues; many types of cuisine; multiple seating times. You may or may not get to know your waitstaff, depending on your dining preferences. Relaxed dress code. Room service.
River: One main dining room and one or two smaller venues. One seating time period for each meal. No room service. Seating is open seating. Table sizes vary so that you can sit with your own traveling companion at a table for two or with a group at a table for 10. The dress code is relaxed. Most people dress casual-dressy dinner attire. The wait staff is very attentive. Service is personable and genuine.

ENTERTAINMENT
Ocean: Night clubs, Broadway shows, variety shows, comedians, concerts, casinos, pubs.
River: pianist in the lounge, local talent such including singers and classical musicians

AMENITIES
Ocean: Water slides, cigar bars, ice rinks, 4-D cinemas, rock climbing, zip-lining, bowling, full-service spas.
River: Libraries, sundecks, small fitness centers, 24-hour coffee bars, free Wi-Fi. And not a kids’ play area visible.

PRICE INCLUSIONS
Ocean: Cabin, meals in main dining areas and cafes and a few other venues, tap water, coffee, tea…and on-board entertainment.
River: All meals, beer, wine, soda, specialty coffees and teas, bottled water. Some lines include liquor, transfers, and gratuities. Also included on all river cruises are the daily sightseeing excursions in each port. AmaWaterways even has its own bicycles for guests to use in port.

SO, WHO MIGHT LIKE TO RIVER CRUISE?
Those who enjoy sightseeing, culture, art, history, and unique experiences.

Those who have been there, done that on ocean cruises and want a different type of experience.

Those who prefer a slower pace and calmer experience without the glitz, non-stop action found on many ocean cruises.

Those who enjoy a luxury, cultural experience without having to pack and unpack every couple of days as on an escorted bus tour.
Those who like phenomenal service and attention. With small group sizes, the river cruise staff can completely cater to the guests and truly aim to please them. The staff becomes friends!

Those who enjoy meeting others and making friends. You can certainly keep to yourself, but when there are only 100 or so passengers on board, it is effortless to meet others and make new friends – should you want to! River cruising is especially wonderful for solo travelers!

WHAT ABOUT KIDS?
Generally, river cruising appeals to an older clientele. There are no organized kids programs or nightlife for teens on most ships. However, starting in 206, Disney has partnered with Ama Waterways cruise line and is a European river cruising vacation. This may be just the ticket for your family. With the Disney touch, the river cruising experience will be much more family-friendly.

JUST REMEMBER:
Don’t wait till the last minute! With ocean cruising, you may find a great deal if you wait till the last minute. That won’t be the case for river cruises. These ships are small and fill up very quickly! If you want to take a cruise next summer, put down a deposit now…or at least by January. If you wait too long, you may find your desired itinerary and ship already booked up.

Cruise Travel Today: A 2026 Update from Boomerang Escapes

Editor’s Note — October 2026

Cruising has continued to evolve since this guest article was originally published in 2017. While the basic differences between river and ocean cruising remain, today’s travelers have more choices than ever when it comes to ships, destinations, amenities, and experiences.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding which type of cruise is right for you.

Ship Size and Atmosphere

River cruise ships are generally smaller, often accommodating approximately 100–200 guests, although this varies by ship and destination. Their size allows them to navigate inland waterways and visit towns and cities along the river.

Ocean cruise ships range from intimate luxury and expedition vessels carrying a few hundred passengers to large resort-style ships accommodating several thousand guests.

The size of the ship can influence everything from the onboard atmosphere to dining, entertainment, and available activities.

Family-Friendly Cruising

Ocean cruising remains a popular choice for families, with many ships offering children’s programs, teen activities, pools, and family entertainment.

River cruising has traditionally appealed to adults interested in culture, history, and destination-focused travel. However, some river cruise lines now offer family-friendly itineraries and special departures designed for multigenerational travelers.

The right choice depends on the ages, interests, and travel preferences of everyone in your group.

Dining, Entertainment, and Onboard Experiences

Larger ocean cruise ships typically offer a wide variety of restaurants, entertainment, activities, and amenities. Depending on the ship, these may include live performances, spas, fitness centers, pools, and specialty dining.

River cruises generally provide a more intimate experience, often focusing on regional cuisine, cultural enrichment, local entertainment, and the destinations visited along the way.

Small-ship ocean cruises and luxury cruise lines offer additional options for travelers who prefer a quieter, more personalized atmosphere.

What’s Included in Your Cruise Fare?

One of the most important things to consider when comparing cruises is what’s included in the price.

Many river cruise lines include select shore excursions, some beverages, Wi-Fi, and other amenities. However, inclusions vary by cruise line and itinerary.

Ocean cruise fares also vary considerably. Some offer basic accommodations, dining, and entertainment, with additional charges for specialty restaurants, beverages, excursions, Wi-Fi, and gratuities. Others provide more inclusive experiences or bundled packages.

The best value isn’t necessarily the lowest advertised fare. It’s the cruise that provides the experience and amenities that matter most to you.

Finding the Right Cruise for You

Whether you’re dreaming of exploring Europe’s rivers, discovering Alaska, sailing through the Caribbean, or venturing to destinations such as Antarctica, there’s a cruise experience to match a wide variety of travel styles.

At Boomerang Escapes, we help travelers compare cruise lines, ships, itineraries, and inclusions so they can choose a vacation that fits their interests and budget.

Ready to explore your options? Contact Boomerang Escapes and let’s find the cruise that’s right for you!

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Anjana Duff is the owner of Travel Connection, a boutique travel agency specializing in tropical escapes and worldly adventures.

She creates customized vacation packages for individuals and groups. With her expertise, clients can relax before the vacation even begins. They are able to focus on what is truly important – connecting with their favorite people in their favorite places.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in North Myrtle Beach, SC, with agents in TN, MS, CO, ID, and WI.

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Summer is just around the corner, and the vacation season will be underway. If you are cruising this summer, I’m sure you’re getting excited and starting to think about what to pack. Of course, your mind will be on the fun stuff – swimsuits, shorts, cute dresses and tops, comfy pants and loose shirts, fun shoes and sandals. However, there are lots of other things you may not have thought about – things you don’t necessarily need for a land vacation. Cruises are different. Here is a list of things that have come in handy for my family and me when we take a cruise vacation.

Alarm clock/watch – Most cruise ship cabins don’t come with clocks, so if you want to know the time and set the alarm (rather than a phone wakeup call), bring your own. If you’re using your cell phone for this job, make sure you don’t incur roaming charges simply by leaving it on in foreign waters. That can become very costly!

Night light – Once the lights are out and the curtains are drawn, it is very dark in the cabin! Usually, there are no small or dim lights to leave on if a trip to the bathroom or for someone coming in late.

Power surge strip – With today’s technology, everyone has at least one – and often several- devices that need to be charged regularly – phones, laptops, tablets, Kindles, cameras, GoPro’s, etc. Most cabins only have a few extra outlets. If you have several people in a cabin with several devices, pack an outlet strip (or two). This way, everyone can recharge as necessary.

Space savers – Cruise ships do a great job of maximizing the space in the cabin for storage. Yet, it can still get cramped in there – especially if you share a triple or quad cabin. It’s not a bag idea to pack a few hangers, over-the-door hooks, over the door shoe holders (which have up to 20 plastic pockets and great for shoes or for organizing lots of little things – scarves, socks, anything small.

Money savers – Other items you might want to pack because they’re not provided and can be very expensive to buy on board include: bug spray, sunscreen, aloe for sunburns, over-the-counter meds (Dramamine, aspirin, antacids, decongestants, cough remedies), batteries, camera memory cards, earplugs, plastic bags for transporting liquids or wet things (or keeping water out of your gear on water-based tours).

Communication: Once you set sail and turn off your phones, communicating with your fellow cruise mates is not so easy. A great way to stay in contact is to bring a sticky note pad or a dry erase board and markers. Use them outside your cabin doors so that you can leave notes for others in your party. And synchronize your watches – if you still wear one! Another popular option to stay in touch while you’re all scattered about the ship is walkie talkies.

Quick fix – Duct tape goes a long way and is multi-purpose. If you have room to throw in a roll, do it. You’re bound to find the need for it at least once or twice.

Drinks – Bring your own coffee mug if you like to have more than 10 oz at a time. Pack a refillable water bottle if you enjoy the water all day. Water is safe to drink on board. If you enjoy wine, you are allowed to bring one bottle on board with you. Also, bring a corkscrew if necessary.

Money – But be sure to take small bills – 1s, 5s, and 10s – for tipping cab drivers and porters as you travel to and from the port.

Besides, here are some important things to keep in mind:

ALWAYS keep all important documents with you. Make sure you pack your necessary IDs and cruise documents in your carry-on bag. Never pack them in your checked luggage. So even if your suitcase misses the boat, you can get on board.

Carry on: When you check-in at the port, your big suitcase will be taken and brought to your cabin. You may not see it again for a few hours – sometimes not even until dinner time …or, unfortunately, sometimes later if it has been misplaced. Make sure to take a “day bag” with you and keep it with you when boarding the ship. Pack a change of clothes, maybe even your outfit for dinner that night, a bathing suit, cover-up, flip flops, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a book in your carry on so that you can enjoy the afternoon – and evening- even if you don’t have your luggage. Of course, keep any medications, valuables, contact lenses, glasses, and other important items in your carry-on bag.

Follow these tips and ensure that you will be sailing smoothly on your next cruise!

Anjana Duff is the owner of Travel Connection, a boutique travel agency specializing in tropical escapes and worldly adventures.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Anjana Duff

River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: Which is Right for You?