| A luxury cruise voyage can truly enrich your life. Not | | | | unloading area and the major warehouse and |
| only will you be traveling with like-minded people who | | | | industrial district of a city or town. You may have to |
| love to cruise, you will develop great, lasting | | | | travel out of the port area and into the city or town |
| friendships among your many cruising companions. | | | | to really see the unique tourist attractions and |
| When you cruise you can travel to fabulous ports of | | | | historical sites as well as experience the local culture. |
| call anywhere that cruise ships sail. Not only are there | | | | What is the difference between a river cruise and a |
| mega cruise liners which everyone is familiar with, | | | | barge tour? |
| there are a number of different sizes and types of | | | | Although they have similarities, there are major |
| ships. The medium, and particularly the smaller size | | | | differences between these two types of sightseeing |
| cruise ships can navigate further up inland waterways | | | | tours. Firstly, the ships that sail the rivers can |
| to cities and historic landmarks where larger ships | | | | accommodate approximately up to one hundred and |
| could never go. | | | | eighty people, while barges usually only can |
| The larger cruise ships usually have one or two | | | | accommodate five to twenty-five people. |
| organized shore excursions at each port of call. If | | | | The second big difference is that the river cruises |
| there are two sightseeing excursion events | | | | can visit a number of countries and cities in a week, |
| scheduled the same day, one may take place early in | | | | while barges travel on man-made canals from town |
| the morning and the second one in the afternoon. | | | | to town moving at a much slower, walking pace, and |
| Most morning shore excursions normally get back to | | | | can only cover approximately fifty miles in a week. |
| the ship in time for the people to feast on a fantastic | | | | Thirdly, river cruise ships have a restaurant, lounge, |
| lunch buffet. | | | | and entertainment, while barges are essentially |
| Sometimes, on a second excursion, you could arrive | | | | first-class, floating hotels, and have a dining room and |
| back at the cruise ship late in the afternoon or early | | | | lounge as well as a sun deck. The most popular river |
| evening. This may make you a bit late for dinner if | | | | cruises and barging tours are located in Europe. |
| you have opted for the first sitting. | | | | What is a luxury cruise tour package? |
| It is also your prerogative to explore the city, town, | | | | A cruise tour package is similar to a regular cruise |
| island, or tourist attractions and landmarks on your | | | | that stops for half-day or full day shore excursions |
| own. Just remember that you are responsible to get | | | | but gives you the best of both a luxury cruise and a |
| back on time or your cruise ship could sail without | | | | land holiday all wrapped up in one. The main |
| you. However, if you book a shore excursion through | | | | differences between the two is that the land part of |
| the cruise ship, they will not depart the port until | | | | your vacation includes transportation by train or |
| everyone is back on board. | | | | luxury motor coach travel to a centrally located |
| Take full advantage of the time you have in port by | | | | quality hotel accommodation at your inland |
| using it wisely. Some vacationers decide to disembark | | | | destination. You will be chaperoned by an expert tour |
| and go it alone by hiring a car and driver to take | | | | guide for the land portion of your itinerary. These |
| them to see and explore the sights. Usually taxi | | | | combo packages are generally longer, lasting from |
| drivers charge by the carload and not per person so | | | | ten days to three weeks or even a month or more. |
| if you want to save some money you can split the | | | | On most cruise tours you can decide to take the |
| cost with a few other fellow passengers. If you | | | | land segment of your vacation either before or after |
| leave early in the morning you may be able to get | | | | your cruise. |
| back in time to enjoy the lunch buffet. | | | | Besides Europe, you can book a cruise tour for South |
| When you cruise you should bring a detailed guide | | | | America, Australia, Asia and the United States. Alaska |
| book or books that cover each of the destinations | | | | is one of the most popular cruise tour destinations in |
| you know that you will be visiting. Even if the | | | | the world. |
| weather is less than optimal for your shore excursion, | | | | If you would like to enjoy the best of both worlds - |
| always take your camera as the weather, if | | | | an incredible dream cruise holiday and a land tour |
| inclement, can improve very quickly. | | | | adventure - a luxury cruise tour is the ultimate |
| And don't judge a port by the dock and its | | | | vacation experience. |
| surrounding area. It is usually a freighter loading and | | | | |