When you’re planning a river cruise, the first things to consider are the itinerary and the destination. After that, your all-important next question will be: “What is the best room on a river cruise ship?” Even if you’ve been on ocean cruises, choosing accommodations on a river ship is different.
In some ways, it’s easier as river cruise ships are much smaller than oceangoing cruise ships, and you won’t find an overwhelming number of room categories. Best of all, there are no inside staterooms; on river ships, every room comes with a view.
However, there are still considerations to take into account. This step-by-step guide will show you the different options available to help you figure out which room is best for you when you book your river cruise.
Types of River Cruise Staterooms
River View
River View
These staterooms are located on the lowest deck of the ship and have fixed windows that don’t open, but still let in a generous amount of natural light. They are the most cost-effective rooms on the ship, and also an ideal choice for solo travelers.
Each measures 157 square feet and creates a cozy retreat when you want to relax after a shore excursion, take an afternoon nap, or enjoy a good night’s sleep. They are designed with exactly the same care and attention to detail as other rooms, with features such as thoughtful storage and oversized showers—a luxury rarely found on value-for-money rooms on many river cruise ships.
Infinite Balcony
Infinite Balcony
If you enjoy fresh air and scenery without going all out on a stateroom with a balcony, then an Infinite Balcony stateroom is a great pick.
In these rooms, which measure up to 179 square feet, you’ll have panoramic wall-to-wall windows so you don’t miss any of the passing river views. At the touch of a button, the top window lowers down to halfway—or anywhere in between—creating the impression of a balcony where you can look out, rather than step out.
You can sit in your chair by the window and soak up the sights and sounds of the passing villages and towns without having to leave your room and go out on deck.
Balcony
Balcony
With a Balcony room, you’ll have your own private outdoor space with seating for two. These accommodations provide a front-row view of Europe’s most beautiful riverscapes. You can step outside to watch the sunrise over the water while sipping coffee, or unwind with a soda or glass of wine and watch the sunset after a day ashore.
These rooms are a top option if you’re an ocean cruiser who prefers balcony cabins at sea, and are equally appealing if you’re a first-time cruiser and like the idea of going outside whenever you want to feel a soft breeze and watch the passing sights. These staterooms measure up to 225 square feet.
Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite
Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite
This light and airy one-of-a-kind suite has been cleverly designed to bring the river and the sky closer than ever before. The standout feature in this 233-square-foot stateroom is a large ceiling window that opens to the sun and stars, or closes for privacy.
You will also have a wide Infinite Balcony window, extra space to dine and lounge, and a spa-inspired bathroom.
Vista Balcony Suite
Vista Balcony Suite
What is the best room on a river ship ultimately comes down to individual tastes, but for many cruisers, it is having the luxury of booking the top suite.
The exclusive Vista Balcony Suite offers an upscale experience combining space and light with enhanced levels of service. Measuring a generous 252 square feet, this suite has separate living and sleeping areas. There is high-tech ambient lighting and music, as well as sensory details such as curated scents to create the optimal personalized experience. Plus, of course, you will have your butler on call to cater to all your needs.
Read: What Is a River Cruise Like?
Tips for Choosing the Best Stateroom on a River Cruise Ship
Here are some useful tips and facts when you’re deciding which room to book on your river cruise vacation.
What amenities can I expect?
Vista Balcony Suite
Accommodations on river cruise ships are smaller than ocean vessels as they have to conform to a set width to fit into locks, but you can expect all the comforts and amenities of a boutique hotel.
All rooms sleep up to two people and have a king-size bed—with optional twin bed configuration—with luxury linens and bedding, and a daily housekeeping and turn-down service.
Amenities in every stateroom include a complimentary minibar and pre-packaged snacks on arrival, filtered water, flat-screen TV, USB ports, US electrical outlets, ample storage, in-room breakfast service, and a room service menu available on request.
Vista Balcony Suite
In the bathrooms, you’ll find premium towels and toiletries, plus a hair dryer, robes, and slippers. Suite guests can expect extra perks, such as priority check-in, butler service to assist with packing, unpacking, and making dining and shore excursion reservations, an espresso machine, and specialty tea and coffee delivery.
The mini-bar will be personalized with the beverages of your choice, while there’s complimentary room service for all meals, daily canapés and treats, and free laundry service—once per voyage—and an extra-spacious bathroom with a shower bench.
Are balcony rooms worth it?
Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite
Consider how much time you are going to spend sitting out on your veranda, especially as you will most likely spend far less time in your room on a river cruise than you do on an ocean sailing.
If you are on a summer river cruise and want to have some private time on your balcony rather than sit on the sun deck, then a balcony room is worth it. On a Christmas market cruise, you are most likely not going to be sitting outside, so you might want to consider another room type instead.
Which side of the ship is best?
Celebrity River Cruises
Unlike ocean cruises, where you might be sailing with long stretches of scenic coastlines on one side of the vessel and the open sea on the other, there is no best side when it comes to accommodations on a river cruise.
Firstly, European rivers, canals, and waterways are all fairly narrow, and there is always passing scenery and something to see on both sides of the ship.
If there are significant landmarks, such as the majestic castles of the UNESCO-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the Wachau Valley in Austria, or the legendary Lorelei Rock on the Rhine, you’ll be informed in advance, or the cruise director will make an announcement. If the sight is not on your side, you can easily go to the lounge or sun deck to get the best view.
Is front or back of the ship better?
Restaurant
Staterooms on river cruise ships are generally located from the midship—the middle of the ship—to the aft, or back of the ship, with main public areas including the panoramic lounge, restaurant, and bar towards the front. Here are some points to consider
If you prefer to be closest to the public areas and the lobby, and don’t want to constantly walk back and forth, then choose accommodations closest to these areas. However, it should also be noted that these are also closest to stairs and elevators, so are noisier when people congregate to leave the ship for shore tours or meet for mealtimes.
Engines on river ships are located at the back. Modern propulsion systems on new river vessels are very quiet, although you might nevertheless experience some sound and occasional vibrations in the rooms closest to the engine room.
Additionally, the crew quarters are located at the back of the ship beyond the guest rooms on the lowest deck, and the door to this area—and the corridor—is used throughout the day and night. If you are a light sleeper, it is best to pick a stateroom elsewhere.
Read: River Cruising 101
Which deck is better?
Balcony
What is the best room on a river cruise ship when it comes to decks? With only three passenger decks, as opposed to the multiple decks on ocean cruise ships, the main decision is which deck to choose according to your personal preference and budget.
The lower deck cabins, which are the most affordable, have fixed windows and are located on the same deck used by crew members. On the other hand, you need to remember that with daily ports of call and no sea days you will be spending far less time in your room than you would on an ocean cruise, so if the price of the cruise is a key factor then these rooms are a good choice.
Rooms on the middle deck tend to be the quietest as they are sandwiched between the lower and upper decks. The most expensive rooms and suites are on the uppermost passenger deck and afford the best views. One thing to note, though, is that they are situated beneath the wheelhouse and sun deck so you might hear other guests and crew members walking around.
What happens when the ship is docked?
The exact position where river ships dock is down to the individual port authorities, and not the river cruise line. In quieter destinations, your vessel might be the only ship in town, or there might be two or three, which means you will normally dock one behind the other with one side of the ship facing the river and the other one next to the bank. When water levels are low, guests in the lowest cabins might find themselves facing the stone wharf that forms part of the mooring spot.
Dürnstein, Austria
In busy towns and cities, when multiple ships are in port, two or sometimes three ships will “raft,” or tie up alongside each other. The inner ship will face the town, the outer ship will face the river, and the middle ship will be in between with no external views from any of the cabins.
Bear in mind, this is impossible to predict, and the captain has no control over which position the ship will be in. If it’s during the day, you will probably be out on an excursion, and at night you will be asleep.
Celebrity River Cruises
Now that you’ve done your research and learned about the different rooms on a river cruise ship, browse Celebrity’s river cruises, start planning, and choose your perfect stateroom.
