River Cruise vs. Ocean Cruises

I am often asked to explain the difference between a cruise on an ocean (ocean cruising) and a cruise along one of the great rivers of the world (river cruising).  In fact, I have given several presentations on river cruising and why it has grown  in popularity over the past few years. To be sure, more and more travelers have discovered that both kinds of voyages are an excellent alternative to traditional land-based tours. But those who have typically enjoyed a cruise on much larger, ocean cruise ships are now turning to river cruises to add another dimension to their travel experience. As operators of both river and ocean cruises continue to expand their itineraries and fleets, it’s well worth checking out the differences and how to prepare for either, or both!

I came across Wendy Perrin's article in 2012 and have used it as a hand-out for my presentations.  It provides helpful river vs. ocean cruise travel tips for many curious travelers, both first time River Cruisers and seasoned Ocean Cruisers who are contemplating taking their first River Cruise. 

http://www.cntraveler.com/perrin-post/2012/07/river-cruise-vs-ocean-cruises-travel-tips