Cruise holidays are seeing a revival in popularity in recent years, with more and more people choosing to spend their holidays on the water, and taking full advantage of the wider variety of experiences and destinations that cruise ships have to offer. 

Cruises allow travellers to visit multiple world class destinations, whilst having plenty of time to relax and destress between excursions. For this reason, they’re particularly popular with people seeking a slow style of travel, with an emphasis on culture and relaxation.

River cruises offer a fresh perspective to cruise holidays, taking you along some of the world’s most iconic waterways, like the Danube, the Rhine, and the Mekong. That’s why Maria Hughes, travel expert at Good To Go Travel Insurance, is sharing her insights into this popular holiday trend, and what travellers need to know.

Why choose a river cruise?

Maria shares, “Unlike traditional ocean cruises where you can spend days at a time at sea, a river cruise offers breathtaking landscapes throughout the entire journey. River cruises have the ability to take you to the heart of picturesque cities and historical towns, which you can start exploring as soon as you step foot onto land. In short, river cruises offer an authentic cultural experience as you stop in iconic cities, with the added benefit of being able to absorb beautiful scenery as you navigate down the river.

“River cruises also appeal to travellers embracing the ‘Slow Travel’ trend, that places a deeper focus on immersing into a destination’s culture and moving at a relaxed pace, beyond just a checklist of typical tourist sites. More travellers are keen to explore every aspect of a destination at a gentle, intentional pace, and a river cruise is perfect for this.”

What should travellers know before booking a river cruise?

Grant Winter, Compliance Expert at Good to Go, says, “Before booking a river cruise, it’s important to make sure you have adequate travel insurance. You need to check what is covered in your policy as it may not extend to cruise holidays. Standard cover will sometimes provide the essential protections for a cruise, such as medical expenses and emergency airlift off of the ship, but you will need to add on cruise cover for protection against circumstances like missed port departure and cabin confinement. 

“Cruise ships often have limited medical facilities, so obtaining treatment can be particularly challenging. Ensuring that any emergency medical expenses are covered on a cruise, where they will be expensive, is essential. It’s also important to make sure that your cover includes airlifting from the ship if necessary. Check whether these inclusions are covered by your policy; if not, you can add cruise cover on, or opt for specialist cruise cover, depending on your provider’s policy.

“Make sure you detail all of the countries you will be visiting, even if you are only going somewhere for a day, as it’s important to make sure you’re covered for emergency medical treatment in every country you visit. 

“Cruise holidays can be expensive, so it’s a good idea to buy your travel insurance as soon as you book your trip to ensure that you have cancellation cover in place straight away.”

Destination inspiration

The Danube

Europe: Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Romania

Maria says, “The Danube, one of Europe’s most famous rivers, is a perfect cruise destination, giving you the chance to see amazing capital cities, such as Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava and Belgrade, as well as charming towns, and  scenic countryside.” 

The Rhine

Europe: Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland

Maria says: “Tours along the Rhine let you explore medieval castles and picturesque villages and towns. You’ll visit exciting cities like Amsterdam and Cologne, the beautiful sights of Strasbourg and Basel, and you’ll be treated to stunning scenery in between.”

The Rhône

Europe: France

Maria says: “A cruise on the Rhône offers a rich combination of beautiful scenery, gastronomy, and history, journeying through France’s charming towns of Lyon and Avignon. As you travel south, you’ll be able to see rolling hills, lavender fields, and historic Roman towns in Provence.”

The Nile

Africa: Egypt

Maria says: “If you’re looking to explore outside of Europe, a river cruise along the Nile is an ideal way to take in the scenery and some of Egypt’s most well-known historical sites. The river plays a central role in Egypt’s civilisation, so it serves as a practical and popular vantage point for Egypt’s ancient history. You’ll stop at iconic sights such as Luxor, The Valley of the Kings, and Aswan, seeing historic monuments and ancient temples.”

The Mekong

Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia

Maria says: “Finally, the Mekong flowing through some of Asia’s most popular destinations, Vietnam, and Cambodia, is a great way to experience southeast Asia, offering a blend of diverse scenery and immersive cultural experiences. A river cruise here provides a unique view of the region’s beauty and an opportunity to embrace southeast Asian culture.”

For more information, visit: https://www.goodtogoinsurance.com/travel-insurance/cruise-insurance