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According to one tour operator, there has been a 22% increase in the number of people booking a river cruise in 2011, compared to 2010. Some of this is no doubt to do with an improving economy, but this can’t take all the credit. More people want to try a river cruise.

River cruising, as evidenced by the above statistics, is a growing market. More and more people want to give cruising a try and not everyone wants to hop on a giant floating resort and cruise around the Caribbean. The price of the average cruise has been steadily falling in recent years, opening up the market to families, young couples and singles. This changing demographic, coupled with consumers’ growing ambition to explore more of the world, is the driving factor of change.

So why choose a river cruise?

Obviously, like every type of holiday there are both pros and cons, but depending of course of your personal travel preferences, river cruising has very few negatives. So here are three reasons why you should consider a river cruise and if you want more information on river cruises Europe, check out Avalon Cruises, they have just added new boats to their fleet.

Travel in style and no need for repacking

Trying to see as much of a region as possible in a very short time frame seems to be the way of the day. However, if you are travelling across Europe by more conventional means of transport, such as trains and buses, you will end up sleeping sporadically and uncomfortably and you’ll wake up in a different bed almost every morning, having to pack and repack just as often. However, cruising along one of Europe’s great rivers, you’ll traverse several hundreds of miles but you’ll always sleep in the same bed and only unpack and repack once.

Value for money

The initial outlay may seem high, as you are paying for everything, including food, accommodation, transport – throughout the trip obviously – and excursions in advance. However, seeing as you won’t be delving in your pocket every five minutes for something to eat, drink or do, you’re more than likely to spend less than you would on a conventional land-based holiday.

Diversity

Travelling through many countries is obviously going to offer more diversity than the average one-location city break or beach break. But doing so on a river cruise will take the diversity level up a notch. One day you can be in a major capital city spoiling yourself with afternoon tea, shopping and many gallery visits; the next day you can explore the ruins of an ancient fort, in the middle of nowhere. River cruising turns the journey into the holiday so you won’t always be asking, ‘are we there yet’. Your final destination is just another stop along the way, not the reason for the holiday.