Pubished on 26-02-2008

Cruise is a relaxing word. You imagine deck chairs, ocean breezes - and no responsibilities. The word lets your thoughts drift at sea - unless you’re my husband.

John feels confined on ships, he feels confined in the tuxedo he’s expected to wear to formal dinners on board and he can’t be conned into feeling fine about it.

When in doubt - or you can’t get your way - compromise. We compromised by sailing on a small ship - eighty passengers, casual dress and one seating for meals with a set menu.

One advantage of this type of vacation is having to unpack only once. One disadvantage on a small ship is finding a place for everything in a three-drawer locker with three feet of hanging space. There’s no decoration in the utilitarian cabin, but an attractive sign saying, “Less is more” would have been appropriate.

The sign, however, wouldn’t fit in the bathroom, which contained a toilet, sink and hand shower in a four by five foot space. Thankfully, I never got very dirty - I wouldn’t have fit in the bathroom.

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Pubished on 26-02-2008

Cruise is a relaxing word. You imagine deck chairs, ocean breezes - and no responsibilities. The word lets your thoughts drift at sea - unless you’re my husband.

John feels confined on ships, he feels confined in the tuxedo he’s expected to wear to formal dinners on board and he can’t be conned into feeling fine about it.

When in doubt - or you can’t get your way - compromise. We compromised by sailing on a small ship - eighty passengers, casual dress and one seating for meals with a set menu.

One advantage of this type of vacation is having to unpack only once. One disadvantage on a small ship is finding a place for everything in a three-drawer locker with three feet of hanging space. There’s no decoration in the utilitarian cabin, but an attractive sign saying, “Less is more” would have been appropriate.

The sign, however, wouldn’t fit in the bathroom, which contained a toilet, sink and hand shower in a four by five foot space. Thankfully, I never got very dirty - I wouldn’t have fit in the bathroom.

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Think of a cruise and you’ll probably think of the open waves and enjoying the many benefits of a cruise ship while surrounded by nothing more than ocean on all sides. But a cruise does not always set sail on an ocean. Some of the best cruises the world has to offer are actually river cruises, and what they might lack in distance travelled they certainly make up for in sights to see.

Are River Cruises Shorter Than Normal Cruises?

Not necessarily. It’s quite possible to book a seven, ten or even fourteen day cruise that meanders along the length of a single river. River cruises do however have the advantage of being ideal for single day trips as well. The River Thames in London is not known for its long distance river cruises, but you can spend a whole day cruising along the length of the river and enjoying a unique viewpoint of the city of London.

Evening river cruises are also highly recommended if you have a few hours to spare. They can often include an evening meal and drinks, and they are a superb addition to any normal vacation, or simply a different way to enjoy a river near to where you live.

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