If you aren’t a certain age, are you too young for a river cruise? Demographically speaking and referring to overnight itineraries, the average river cruise passenger is 55+ years old. The funny thing about river cruise demographics is that they can make you feel like you don’t belong or you won’t fit in with the crowd.

1. Are You Too Young For a
River Cruise ?

2. If you aren’t a certain age, are you too
young for a river cruise? Demographically
speaking and referring to overnight
itineraries, the average river cruise
passenger is 55+ years old. The funny
thing about river cruise demographics is
that they can make you feel like you don’t
belong or you won’t fit in with the crowd.
Not so fast, though. If it’s something
you’ve thought about doing but thought
you were too young, you could be missing
out on an awesome travel experience.

3. Is river cruising for you? It depends what
you like to do. River cruises are more
cultural, experiential, educational and
scenic. Enjoy the ride, take in the
surroundings, learn about cultures, and
experience the destinations in a
thoughtful way.

4. If you like adventure travel, you’re not
likely to find it on a traditional river
cruise. Although, you can experience
travel in a jungle-like setting in Borneo,
Malaysia, on the Tarcole River in Costa
Rica and on the Amazon River in South
America. If you like adventure rafting,
Costa Rica has some of those, too.

5. What’s a river cruise ship experience
like? Well, if you’ve been on an ocean
cruise, you’ll at least have some
familiarity with traveling along the water
on a cruise ship – just a smaller version.
Ocean cruise ships are generally much
larger in terms of both ship size and
passenger capacity.

6. River cruise ships carry 100 to 200
passengers for most European river
cruises. Russia and Ukraine carry
between 200 and 225.
Cruises on the Yangtze have a passenger
capacity of about 400 on some
itineraries, but that’s about as big as
they get. The point? You probably won’t
get lost in the crowd and should have a
chance to interact with most people on
the cruise ship.

7. On a river cruise, you won’t have as
many choices with restaurants and
onboard activities; but the scenery
should make up for it. You’ll be traveling
close enough to land to take in the
spectacular scenery in some locations
and to view the bustling or quiet towns
as you sail by.

8. At each port, you’ll have a chance to visit
the city. Shore excursions are included in
river cruise packages. If you’re interested
in anything UNESCO, many river cruise
itineraries feature visits to these sites.

9. Traveling with kids? River cruising might
not be the best venue unless you choose
a package designed for families. This is
mainly because the cruise lines don’t
have special accommodations or
programs set up for children. Most will
allow children who are at least eight
years old – some even younger. The
youngest recommended age is eight,
though.

10. Tauck offers river cruise packages
designed for families with children at
least three years old. And Uniworld offers
multi-generational cruises for families
with children at least eight years old.
If the thought of barge cruising or sailing
on a very small vessel appeals to you,
some Amazon River cruises allow young
children. You can also charter a barge
river cruise in France for you and your
family. No age restrictions there.

11. Whether or not you have children doesn’t
really matter. River cruising is a unique
experience that should be an option for
every traveler. Does age really matter if
it’s something you might enjoy? Not
really. And the demographics can’t
change unless they do change.

12. Younger than 55 years old? Enjoy the
wisdom and listening to the travel stories
from some of your fellow passengers.
They don’t care if you’re younger than
they are. They’ll enjoy your company
anyway. Jump onboard sometime. It’s
something you might really enjoy.

13. About Lauri Wakefield
Lauri is a travel writer
who specializes in river
cruises in Europe and the
U.S. Connect with her
on Twitter andGoogle+.