8 Things to Decide River over Ocean – #7 How Many & Who Do You Travel With

When you take your cruise, will you want to be around a lot of people, or a more intimate experience onboard?

 Will you travel by yourself, or will you travel with a friend or partner – or maybe kids and grandkids?

Your choices may determine what’s right for you.

This is a page from my guide, which I’ve summarized below.

• The largest river cruise ship has 190 people. The largest ocean >6000
• River cruisers tend to self-select (well-traveled, foodies, culture-fiends)
• River cruises attract couples (& solos) rather than families (some exceptions)
• Ocean cruises (& numbers onboard) attract a wider demographic
• River cruises tend to have fewer guests, offer better service + fresher cuisine
• Most river cruises only allow 2 passengers/cabin (rarely 3 or 4; rarely connect)
• Ocean cruises offer triple or quad rooms; suites; connecting options.
• Rivers can have more ‘forced’ socializing as dining usually for 4,6, or 8
• Oceans tend to have assigned tables for dining (unlike rivers)
• Room service is more common with oceans than river cruises.
• If you want to meet fellow travelers, river cruising may offer more opportunities
• River cruises tend to have a more international mix of passengers than oceans
• River cruises do not tend to have ocean cruises’ “sales pitches” and shopping.

Which one sounds more like you?