River Cruising Isn’t for Me. Here’s Why
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
I've been on six river cruises with three different companies on three different rivers.
The problem is always choice. If you're adventurous with food, if you're happy to try something once, you'll be fine.
On a river cruise, none of that exists. If it's 10:00 at night, you're hungry and the ship is sailing, tough.
River cruising doesn't lack quality, it lacks the courage to do things differently.
Creator's Tips & Advice
🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Port Highlights
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
River Cruising is often sold as the perfect alternative to ocean cruising. Smaller ships. Scenic waterways. No crowds. No queues. A more “refined” way to travel. But what if River Cruising simply isn’t for you? In this episode, Dan gives an honest, no-nonsense take on River Cruising and explains why, despite giving it a fair chance, it still doesn’t work for him. This isn’t River Cruising through rose-tinted glasses, and it’s not a sales pitch. It’s a genuine reaction from someone who knows cruising inside out and isn’t afraid to say when something doesn’t land. We talk openly about what River Cruising does well, but also where it falls short, especially for travellers who love big ships, sea days, entertainment, variety, and the sense of scale that ocean cruising brings. From atmosphere and pace to onboard experience and personal preference, this video explores why River Cruising is not the automatic upgrade many people claim it to be. If you’re considering River Cruising, already booked a river cruise, or simply curious why it divides opinion so strongly, this video is for you. And if you love River Cruising, you might strongly disagree with Dan, which is exactly the point. Let us know in the comments: Is River Cruising your idea of perfection, or do you feel the same way Dan does? Subscribe to Sail Away Magazine for just £4.95 every two months: https://sailawaymagazine.com/cruise-magazine/ YouTube: @sailawaymag Instagram: @sailawaymag Facebook: @sailawaymagazine TikTok: @sailawaymag Twitter: @sailawaymag Website: https://sailawaymagazine.com/ Contact us: info@sailawaymagazine.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ✔✔ You Can Check Out Our Other Videos Here : 👀 Why We’re Boycotting US Cruises (And What Trump's ESTA Changes Mean for You) Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi7UGZYY9g4&t=360s 👀 I Didn’t Think This Cruise Line Would Last 5 Minutes! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aNpdYmdtnM&t=1s 👀 Gary Bembridge: Are Older Cruisers Being Discriminated Against By Cruise Lines? Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QmZfsmVTys&t=112s 👀 Queen Mary 2: The Last Great Ocean Liner | Full Documentary [2025] Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECRSZz3dVYk&t=2734s 👀 The Sinking of Oceanos: The Cruise Ship Without a Captain Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhexxj6fnaw 👀 Travel Blog Jamie: YouTube Scandals & Pet Peeves with Cruising Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXnryZEMNa4&t=1390s 👀 What's a SWINGERS CRUISE Really Like? Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzqUkD0bl3E&t=166s 👀 JANE BOULTON Spills Airline SECRETS You Never Saw on TV! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swIFbEEOuk&t=7s 👀 Virgin Voyages: Sex, Parties, and X-Rated Cruising! Link: https://youtu.be/eYQopfu_0tg?si=kkLmckV0ez-QVJlR 👀 Cruise Ship Officer Reveals What It's REALLY Like Working at Sea Link: https://youtu.be/bXbDyHy-KL8?si=LQm4PjCY0CtlncbM 👀 P&O Cruises vs. Maleth Aero: Who Owes Passengers £500K? Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cWi8fp1Tqc&t=266s