Phila Airport Parking Vacations

Whereas ocean cruises offer great views of the sea, Danube river cruises offer a completely different perspective. The river passes through many countries including Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Austria and Germany. You can experience the inland territories over a stretch of over 2,000 miles. Western Europe cruises such as these are the best way to see some wonderful landscapes and breathtaking scenery that no ocean cruise can give you.

River cruises have a particular advantage over ocean cruises in that you get to see more of the countries passing by your window and less scenes of endless stretches of water. The waterways are narrower and the Danube river cruises use smaller boats to navigate the narrow canals and rivers. Passenger numbers are usually less than 200 per boat and provides the opportunity to get to know your fellow guests rather well.

It is commonly assumed that western Europe cruises that travel the rivers are not as of high quality as sea cruises. This is in fact incorrect; the river boats have many comfortable cabins that offer all the amenities you would expect from an ocean liner. You are even privy to having your own balcony where you can watch the locals go about daily life on the shoreline as you glide by.

The barges also tend to dock at smaller locations and you can disembark to discover a completely different way of life in rural areas of the varying countries you visit. The boats also dock in the well known towns and cities so you will not miss the chance to see famous landmarks.

Cruise companies are now also offering Danube river cruises with particular themes. If you like classical music, golf, opera or cycling, then there are certain packages tailored towards these activities. A popular themed cruise involves Christmas shopping at the bright and lively markets held in this part of the world.

Searching for western Europe cruises is a straightforward task. If you have the internet, then you will find many cruise operators that have their own websites with further details. You can reserve a slot on a cruise by filling in an online form. If you have any particular needs that would need to be addressed before you board, make sure that you mention them when booking your trip.

The duration of your trip can vary in length; there are no stipulations about how long you should take for your cruise. Many packages are available from cruise companies; you could choose a mini break which lasts three of four days or a longer break lasting 14 nights.

Whatever you are looking for, there will be Danube river cruises that will appeal to all kinds of travelers. This type of trip is a fantastic opportunity to delve into the real lives of different cultures and to create many wonderful memories of a relaxing time in western Europe.

A luxury cruise vacation can really enrich your life. Not only will you be traveling with like-minded people who love cruising, you will develop great, lasting friendships among your many cruising companions.

When you cruise you can sail to fabulous ports of call anywhere that cruise ships visit. Not only are there mega cruise ships which everyone is familiar with, there are a number of sizes and types of ships. The medium, and especially the smaller size cruise ships can navigate further up inland waterways to historic cities and famous landmarks where larger ships cannot go.

The larger cruise ships generally have one or possibly two organized shore excursions at each port of call. If there are two sightseeing shore excursions scheduled the same day, one may happen early in the morning and the second one in the afternoon. Most shore excursions at take place in the morning normally get back to the ship in time for the people to dine on a fantastic lunch buffet.

Occasionally, on a second excursion, you may arrive back at your cruise ship late in the afternoon or early evening. This could possibly make you a bit late for dinner if you’ve been scheduled for the first sitting.

It is also your prerogative to explore the city, town, or island attractions and landmarks on your own. Please remember that it is your responsibility to get back on time or your cruise ship could sail without you. However, if you choose to book a shore excursion with the cruise ship, they will not sail until everyone is back on board.

Take full advantage of the time you have in port by using it wisely. Some vacationers decide to disembark and go it alone by hiring a car and driver to take them to see and explore the sights. Usually taxi drivers charge by the carload and not per person so if you want to save some money you can split the cost with a few other fellow passengers. If you leave early in the morning you may be able to get back in time to enjoy the lunch buffet.

When you cruise you should bring a detailed guide book that covers each of the destinations you know that you will be visiting. Even if the weather is inclement for your shore excursion, always take your camera as the weather can improve very quickly.

And don’t judge a port by the dock and its surrounding area. It is usually a freighter loading and unloading area and the major warehouse and industrial district of a city or town. You may have to travel out of the port area and into the city or town to really see the unique tourist attractions and historical sites as well as experience the local culture.

What is the difference between a river cruise and a barge tour?

Although they have similarities, there are major differences between these two types of sightseeing tours. Firstly, the ships that sail the rivers can accommodate approximately up to one hundred and eighty people, while barges usually only can accommodate five to twenty-five people. The second big difference is that the river cruises can visit a number of countries and cities in a week, while barges travel on man-made canals from town to town moving at a much slower, walking pace, and can only cover approximately fifty miles in a week. Thirdly, river cruise ships have a restaurant, lounge, and entertainment, while barges are essentially first-class, floating hotels, and have a dining room and lounge as well as a sun deck. The most popular river cruises and barging tours are located in Europe.

What is a luxury cruise tour package?

A cruise tour land package is similar to a cruise that stops for half-day or full day shore excursions but gives you the best of both a luxury cruise and a land holiday combined in one. The main differences between the two is the land part of your vacation includes transportation by train or motor coach travel to a quality hotel accommodation at your inland destination. You will be accompanied by an expert tour guide for the land segment of your itinerary. These combo packages are generally longer, lasting from approximately ten days to three weeks or even a month or more. On most cruise land tours you can decide to take the land part of your holiday either before or after your cruise.

Besides Europe, you can book a cruise tour for South America, Australia, Asia and the United States. Alaska is one of the most popular cruise tour destinations in the world.

If you would like to enjoy the best of both worlds – an incredible dream cruise holiday and a land tour adventure – a luxury cruise tour is the ultimate vacation experience.