We look at the highlights of ocean and river cruising from around Australia and the world, what to expect and the difference between the two. Regardless of which is for you, you’ll unpack once and experience the relaxation, discovery and endless hospitality that a cruise offers.
An ocean cruise is as much about the onboard experience as it is the off. It’s an enriching holiday full of award-winning dining options, world-class entertainment, diverse activities to suit all interests, contemporary accommodation and unique sightseeing tours for lasting memories. Cruise the sun drenched Mediterranean, the rugged and unspoiled Australian coastline or the majestic fjords of New Zealand, all the while still offering those local sightseeing highlights and cultural experiences. Your time on board can be as slow paced as you like with most of the bigger cruise ships offering included dining options at your leisure, state-of-the art Spas with rejuvenating treatments plus world-class entertainment.
Starting with the onboard dining, this in most cases is a diverse range of casual to specialty fine dining experiences of chef prepared international dishes and Michelin star menus. Some cruise liners have also changed the dining areas, rather than one big main dining room instead you will find several smaller dining rooms which feel quieter and much less busy. Enjoy the onboard intercontinental restaurants serving wood-fired pizzas, sumptuous steaks, contemporary Asian and more in addition to relaxed poolside options or cocktail and wine bars perfect for pre or post dinner drinks. Specialty restaurants, while at an additional charge, offer a special occasion celebration or just a treat yourself option that becomes a must-do for many guests!
Engaging entertainment is the foundation of many a cruise ship. With award-winning Broadway productions at sea with dazzling stage sets, artists from around the globe, modern hits and timeless classics, there are plenty of options to suit everyone. Listen to live music at the bar as you sip a nightcap, or have your dancing shoes at the ready for the onboard nightclubs playing all the latest tunes and classics! Watch feature films, thrilling concerts and live sporting events on the big screens, or sit back on the comfortable pool lounger and feast on complimentary fresh-popped popcorn for an evening movie!
Each cruise ship offers a great selection of onboard facilities and activities catering for all ages, from rejuvenating spa treatments, golf putting, art galleries to fitness centres, wine tastings, games and more. There is so much to do. Or you can just relax by the pool after a day of exploring on one of the sightseeing tours offered in each port.
For more of an immersion into each destination, river cruising could be your answer. A much smaller ship than ocean liners, this style of cruising is all about the scenery along the way, and somewhat of a more intimate cruising experience. Floating past indescribable scenery each day, like a striking hilltop castle to your right and rustic vineyards to your left in Europe, or passing through the floating markets and villages of Vietnam, you can almost touch it from your cabin. It offers both a relaxing and more personal way to experience either single or multiple countries on the very waterways that helped shape them.
With this type of holiday, expect not only a seamless experience from start to finish, but also often the money can’t buy exclusive experiences and expertly designed itineraries that provide the perfect holiday balance.
Capturing the food and culture of the visiting region is what a lot of river cruising operators do very well. On board cuisine is adjusted to cater to the local cuisine and light entertainment to include local musicians performing as they would on land. In Austria? Expect to see Weiner schnitzels served. In Germany? Expect to sing along with a local Bavarian folk band. Most meals are generally included and often feature a buffet style breakfast, a range of lunch options from sit down meals to a relaxed barbecue on the deck, with dinner being a 3-course sit down fine dining experience. Beer, wine and soft drinks are also included during lunch and dinner service with one sitting time for each mealtime with open seating.
Guided sightseeing tours with knowledgeable local guides are offered in each stop and at varied fitness levels, from slow paced to moderate and high, to suit a majority of travellers. For the more adventurous, bikes can be hired from the ship concierge in selected ports giving you the freedom to explore the city at your leisure. Many operators provide unique and local experiences as part of each itinerary, which you would be hard pushed to achieve as an independent traveller - like an incredible hosted home experience, sharing afternoon tea with a local family in their home and learning of their day to day life.
Cruise the historic and storybook scenery of Europe, the natural wonder that is Australia’s mighty Murray River, quintessential Southeast Asia along the majestic Mekong Delta and experience the wonderful possibilities of river cruising.
Click here for our river and ocean cruising holidays or contact the Holidays of Australia & the World team on 1300 854 897 or email holidays@holidaysofaustralia.com.au.
Image credit: Princess Cruises, Evergreen, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O
