Why a river cruise is our new favourite tradition
While women-only tours are proliferating, planning a vacation that will appeal to all members of the group can be challenging, ocean cruises can be daunting, all-inclusive resorts lack cultural immersion, and overland travel can create logistical nightmares.
This is where river cruises play their part by providing cultural enrichment, minimal packing/unpacking and a range of activities to delight all, from history buffs to adventure seekers. When helping women travellers choose a river, a themed Danube cruise ticks all the boxes. Not only is it ideal for those with mixed interests, but each day offers multiple shore excursion options as well.
River cruises provide a unique blend of advantages that ensure everyone onboard has an enjoyable experience and is in good company. Moreover, the small and intimate setting allows all members to spend quality time together, while still enjoying personal space. The ship is easy to navigate, and you can walk from stern to bow in less than a minute.
Also, unlike ocean cruises, river cruise ships dock right in the heart of the city, thereby making shore excursions accessible to all ages and abilities.
Why female travel groups are taking off
Women are no longer looking for a partner, to travel with. Instead, they choose a group of friends to plan trips together in order to stay safe, connected and empowered. Safety is the number one concern for most women who would love to travel, but feel hesitant when having to go alone. This is where women-only river cruise tours shine.
In a women-only river cruise, you get strength in numbers, which feels reassuring when in an unfamiliar place. Fellow travellers understand this concern and look after each other. This support is a big advantage in certain destinations where solo women may feel exposed or where cultural norms are more conservative. Surveys show that a large majority of women who have never travelled alone prefer to be a part of a group, and many would choose an all-women group. With logistics, accommodation, food and sightseeing taken care of, women are free to enjoy the cruise experience instead of worrying about what could go wrong.
A confidence boost
Women-only river cruising, apart from being safe, also makes one feel strong. There is something powerful about being in a group of women who share your curiosity and courage. When you sign up for an all-female river cruise that you would never do alone you send a powerful message that if others can do it, maybe you can do it too.
Empowers friendship and sisterhood
One of the biggest joys of a female-only river cruise is the community it forms along the way. At the beginning of the trip, you may be strangers, but within hours you will have a lot in common.
On a typical river cruise meant for women, you might:
- Share stories over a meal with women from another country.
- Cheer others on during a hike or any onshore activity.
- Laugh and joke during a cooking class
- Enjoy the evening with a glass of fine wine
For women who don’t have a travel buddy at home, these cruises are a game-changer because you step into a ready-made circle of like-minded individuals for the duration of the trip. Women-only river cruises are becoming popular because they offer a supportive and empowering way to see multiple destinations on a single trip.
This sense of shared interests, community and freedom to travel independently without feeling alone is enjoyed by many women today.
Image credit – Dreamstime
