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Luxury
River
Cruise
A Luxury River Cruise, back in Mark Twainˇ¦s time, used to be one of
the only places where one could participate in legal gambling. That
element still exists today, but there is more of an emphasis now on
seeing an exotic location and exploring an area whilst on vacation.
Luxury River Cruises are a popular and exciting way to see parts of
Europe, Russia, and China. Riverboats are smaller than ships a
cruise fanatic might be accustomed to, and generally only carry a
hundred or so passengers. Lasting anywhere from one to two and a
half weeks, river cruises offer a taste of a countries
mainlandˇXsomething most other types of luxury cruises cannot offer.
If youˇ¦re interested in a countryˇ¦s culture, and not the face they
present to tourists, a river cruise is certainly a viable option.
Ports of Call on river cruises tend to be somewhat seedier than
youˇ¦ll find on ocean liners; there is usually a special dock
reserved for specific cruise lines, but not always. Take special
care if you find yourself on the docks alone. There are rats big
enough to carry you away (no joke) not to mention a criminal element
that is all too aware of your shipˇ¦s docking schedule.
Expect most of your accommodations to be included with the initial
price of the cruise, but expect additional fees for laundering
clothing, telephone calls (If you plan on making a lot of calls, it
may be cheaper to rent a cellular phone SIM card for the country
youˇ¦re visiting) and anything you get at the bar, or in that little
fridge next to your bed. (Some ships have those. Theyˇ¦re packed with
yum.)
River cruises generally offer guided tours to sites of historical
interest, including local ruins, museums and other local
attractions. Popular Luxury River Cruise options include The Nile,
The Mississippi, The Rhine, Volga, and Mekong, though there are
certainly others.
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