8 Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for a European River Cruise

Photo Courtesy Uniworld River Cruises

River cruises in Europe have grown in popularity during the last several years -- and it's easy to understand why.

Set sail, and you'll take in tucked-away towns, incredible castles and charming European countryside without having to pack and unpack every night. With ample excursions and stops, you get an on-the-ground view of plenty of Europe's best sites. Given these perks, it's no wonder European river cruises ranked as the top international luxury destination outside of North America in 2017, according to Travel Leaders Group.

Get Healthy...Go On a Cruise

A study from the University of China found that going on cruise vacations improve three types of wellbeing: emotional, relational and thinking

 

Those who cruised experienced positive feelings up to six months after vacation

 

Cruising? More Reasons Why You Should Call Dancing Moon Travel

If there is one suggestion for cruisers above all else, it is to use a travel agent to plan a cruise.  Many cruisers are unaware that the services provided by travel agents (including Dancing Moon Travel) are 100% free of charge.  They are paid a commission from the cruise lines, and there is no extra cost to you for their services.

Since many first time cruisers are often surprised to hear that a travel agent is free to use, it got me thinking what other helpful bits of information might you not know?

Here's a quick list: 

7 Cruise Port Safety Tips

Cruising allows you to venture to some parts of the world that you may never travel to otherwise. However, traveling – no matter the destination – always comes with a risk. It’s especially hard to disguise yourself from being a tourist when you’re only in the city for a few hours and the locals know there’s a cruise ship docked in port. So, here are some tips to follow to keep yourself safe on a port day during your cruise.

8 Excuses Not to Cruise – Debunked

The popularity of a cruise vacation has been climbing, and is predicted to continue climbing in the coming years. In 2018, a record 27.2 million people will set sail according to the Cruise Lines International Association. This type of vacation is growing faster than land-based adventures by a whopping 20 percent.

Galápagos Adventure 2019

Private Charter to photograph the Galápagos Islands, March 16-25, 2019

10-night photo tour and wildlife photography workshop round trip from Quito, Ecuador.

Why Your Next Vacation Should Be a River Cruise

A vacation can take many forms, and while we all have our unique preferences and comfort zones for the trips we take, it's a fact that taking some kind of an extended break from work at least annually is an all-around good idea.

Trip Insurance is a Rip Off...Says Who??

Q: I'm booking a cruise with my family. The travel agent is recommending I buy a travel insurance policy. Do I really need this? If we can't go, won't they just reschedule us on another cruise?
~ Meredith, Kansas City, Mo

Sorry Meredith, but without that travel insurance, if something goes awry in your life you're out of luck. First there's the airfare to the cruise port...a pre-cruise hotel...plus you've got the cruise cost. If you're willing to risk all that, then go bare.

Here's a true tale to consider:

How do cruise gratuities work? Do I have to tip staff?

Tipping on a cruise ship can be a confusing endeavor, especially for those sailing for the first time.

Most mainstream cruise lines bill passengers between $12 and $15 per person, per day for gratuities — figures that have been steadily increasing in recent years.

The money is then divided among staff.

And although the payments seem mandatory, passengers are entitled to a fair amount of flexibility that they may not be aware of.

Wondering whether you have to pay gratuities? Here are some of your most frequent tipping questions answered: