LAZY DAYS ON WATERWAYS

How to prepare for your first river cruise

- CLAIRE FAHY

As cruising reaches new levels of popularity, river cruises offer travellers an opportunity to explore multiple cities in one leisurely trip. Unlike huge liners with multiple restaurants and a plethora of activities, the smaller river boats, which can dock right in the middle of port cities, often stay longer, encouraging passengers to get off the ship and see the sights.

While the best time to travel largely depends on your desired destination, the most popular months for river cruising, especially in Europe, are May and September, and most cruise lines recommend booking a few months out to secure a spot.

Here's what you need to know before setting sail.

The river you select makes all the difference when it comes to your experience, which is centred around time spent in port and watching the landscape go by, instead of spending most of your time being entertained on board.

Ralph Grizzle, a river cruise expert who runs the website River Cruise Advisor, said that he recommended the Danube for first-time river cruisers, since itineraries often include marquee cities such as Vienna and Budapest.

Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, a European river cruise line, suggested the Danube or the Rhine for first timers. Rhine cruises often involve Amsterdam, as well as charming smaller cities and places like Zurich or Basel in Switzerland.

Both rivers, she said, "feature all of the things that people think about in river cruising, with the scenic views and castles and wineries and vineyards".