River cruising is a LOVELY way to experience Europe! It has become extremely popular over the last decade and even more so in the last five years. Things have changed quite a lot in that time as well. Some aspects have presented challenges. However, most change have been great for the industry and for travel enthusiasts!

Recent changes include innovations in ship design, amenities and unique product offerings. But the biggest change is simply the unprecedented growth of the market. Demand has increased significantly and in response to the demand, the cruise lines are building new ships each year. As an example, a single company arguably flooded the market by releasing 12 new ships into the European river cruise market in 2015.

The positive result of increased product supply and competition is better service, amenities and sightseeing options for the travelers. This requires the cruise lines to handle challenges with ingenuity, innovation and stellar management strategies. Behind the scenes staff and management have been forced to adapt to larger operations. Most of this is good news for the guests enjoying the rivers!

Here is some insider info, tips, what to expect & ways to maximize your European river cruise experience:

• River water levels: There is a lot of information out there about water levels and how they affect river cruises. Too low or too high river levels can effect the operation of a cruise. Sometimes the cruise lines have to operate the trip via motorcoach and use hotels in some instances. The cruise lines are not required to report exactly how many sailings are altered due to unnavigable rivers. Some cruise lines are more transparent than others. A good estimate is less than 5% of river cruise sailings result in alterations. Keep in mind there are risks of interruption with ANY vacation anywhere in the world! Weather, hurricanes, civil unrest, strikes, etc! I am on team 'no fear' when it comes to traveling. There are always risks when you travel but the benefits of travel FAR outweigh the risks!
  
• Time of year to go: There are pros & cons to the different times of year to cruise the waterways of Europe.
  
  • Spring pros: budding flowers, less crowds both on the ground and ships on the rivers, & lower prices. Cons: weather can be variable and a little chillier than summer and early fall. Sometimes its challenging to plan spring trips right after the Holidays.
    
  • Summer pros: lower cruise prices, great weather, and a lot of times easy for people to get away in the summer. Cons: crowds! Weather can be hot. High airfares!
    
  • Fall pros: less crowds than summer but still busier than spring, weather is usually excellent, in general it is a good time to travel for a lot of people. Cons: fall cruises sell out fast, book early! The discounts on fall cruises tend to end quicker as well.
    
  • Winter: obviously the weather is the biggest drawback. But, the prices are usually great and the Christmas markets are a lovely experience!
    
• Lots of ships on the waterways: Back to my comment about all the cruise companies and ships navigating the rivers. No matter the time of year but more so during the busier seasons – parallel docking is a reality of cruising. Again, because of the increase in traffic and nature of the tiny ports, the ships often must dock paralell to one another which means that you must walk through a ship or two to disembark. This also means that if you're up against another ship, your stateroom might be inches away from another guest's stateroom on another ship. Mostly this is a non-issue as this happens while you're out and about sightseeing or at night but please be aware that if you paid for a balcony, you might not always be able to use it.
  
• Your river cruise vessel is essentially a floating hotel. This is a big difference from ocean cruising where your ship is a destination in and of itself. Your highlights are the ports of call and excursions on land; all enjoyed comfortably via mobile accommodations!
  
• Cabin types: be sure to carefully compare the different cabin choices aboard your vessel and enlist an experienced travel professional to help you make the best choice. Some travelers are perfectly happy to have a smaller cabin on a lower deck without a balcony in order to save money and splurge elsewhere like excursions and pre & post cruise extensions. However, many travelers absolutely relish the extra space and ability to get fresh air and gorgeous cruising views from the comfort of their own stateroom.
  
• A notable trend in river cruising recently has been more active and experiential options for cruisers. Most cruise lines are offering bicycling, hiking, canoeing, fitness classes, more spa amenities and experiences like wine tasting and cooking. If you're interested in staying active on your cruise and having some unique and enriching experiences, be sure to ask your travel consultant about what is available!
  

River cruising is a fabulous way to see Europe and I hope this information has helped you understand more about this unique product. Choosing the right cruise line, itinerary, and stateroom maximizes your experience and travel investment dividend. Managing expectations and understanding that sometimes you must 'go with the flow' when traveling sets you up to have the vacation of a lifetime!

Thanks for reading! HAPPY CRUISING!

Traveling soon? This post was originally written for traveling to Europe but most of this can be applied to worldwide travel! Packing and planning can get a little overwhelming but don't worry because here are some great tips, lists and packing advice! Here is a handy checklist too, CLICK HERE!

Packing Tips!

• Check weather and pack accordingly! Some resources: www.weather.com has great info and you can look at the next 10 days of weather and month averages. Or, simply google “average weather Athens” or wherever you're going! If you're traveling to more than one destination be sure to check each place as weather can vary from place to place.
• Think of the various activities you might participate in and pack accordingly: city sightseeing (comfy shoes), exercise, beach or pool, hiking, nice dinners or theater, etc.
• I always suggest layers, layers and more layers! Even if the weather will be hot, the air conditioning on coaches and in restaurants can be chilly so a light sweater or shawl can be a lifesaver! Almost anywhere you go, rain can be a possibility. I always recommend bringing a light rain jacket or umbrella. Rain does NOT have to ruin the enjoyment of a destination and your experience!
• Outfits: I recommend one weeks worth of tops maximum even if you're traveling for more than a week. Plan to wear every top twice if traveling for two weeks. Jeans, shorts, skirts, trousers, capris: bring 3-5 pairs and plan to wear them multiple times. Bring a small container of laundry soap to do a few items in places you're staying more than one night (hang dry in your hotel room). Keep in mind that if you're in humid areas it takes longer to dry so plan accordingly!
• Have some clothes you are not crazy about or are kind of old and maybe could be worn just once more? Bring them, wear them once, and toss them! This makes room for all the stuff you're going to buy! Great idea also for old undies and socks! 

Some things you might not have though of to pack:

• Reusable shopping bag: great for picnic lunches or use as a laundry bag or wrap souvenirs
• Plastic bags for dirty shoes, leaky toiletries, and zip lock bags for snacks
• Portable corkscrew
• Dryer sheets keep your clothes smelling fresh!
• Over-the-counter medications: probiotics (GREAT preventative for belly upsets), antacids, diarrhea medication, pain killers, motion sickness pills and cold medication in case you catch something. Being sick on a trip is NO FUN and not all countries have the same over-the-counter medications as the US!
• Reusable water bottle – fill up where there is filtered or bottled water!
• Flip-flops – great for pool side and walking around your hotel
• Always pack essential items and one change of clothes in your carry-on in case bags get lost (God forbid!). Passport, credit cards, all medications, cell phone, laptop, chargers, change of clothes (at least undergarments and a top), camera, and basic toiletries.

Money tips for traveling to Europe:
For cash you can bring US dollars and exchange at a money exchange office OR bring local currency from your bank. However, the most convenient option (and best exchange rates) is to bring a debit card and take out cash from ATM machines at your destination. Usually you will find an ATM machine at the airport when you arrive or right near your first hotel. Some people prefer to have a little bit of local currency prior to arrival but please note that most European airport money exchange counters are notorious for having horrendous exchange rates. When you use your debit card to withdraw cash from the ATM there will be fees (usually 1-2% for international transactions plus outside bank ATM fees, check with your bank). Even with the fees, the exchange rates are so good that it ends up being a better deal than exchanging money at a bank or a money exchange office. Try to estimate how much money you'll need for a few days, perhaps withdraw $100-$200 each time. You do not want to be carrying too much cash at one time but you do want to minimize the number of ATM withdrawals so you don't end up with a lot of fees. Always bring at least two cards and keep them in separate places in case you lose one. Credit cards are great too for larger purchases like shopping, excursions and nice dinners. Make sure your cards have chip technology. Be sure to know what is expected as far as tipping and gratuities on your trip.