Ocean vs River vs Expedition: How to choose the right cruise

Cruising with 9Travel brings you the best tips and tricks plus everything you need to know, from self-confessed cruise addict, Honida Beram aka Cruising With Honey. She has sailed the seven continents of the world, on a seafaring mission to uncover the globe and share her adventures.
Setting sail on an adventure on the high seas is becoming the holiday of choice for many Australians. And it’s really no surprise.
With so many different styles of cruising, there really is a cruise out there for everyone. 
So how do you choose the right cruise for you? From mega ships to boutique expeditions yachts, it can be overwhelming.
READ MORE: These are the most Instagrammable sunset spots around the world
The first step is to decide the type of cruise experience you wish to explore; ocean, river or expedition cruise.
Here’s a quick guide to help you get underway.
When most people think about cruising, ocean ships are what first comes to mind. As with all styles of cruising, these ships range in size, but typically share many of the same features; a large number of guests (up to 7000 people), multiple dining venues, entertainment options ranging from large theatre productions to musical duos and a daily list of activities including fun group events like bingo and trivia.
READ MORE: How to visit the locations in Emily in Paris
You’ll most likely find youth clubs for a range of ages – babies to teenagers. A gym, casino and spa are also common features. Some ocean ships have outdoor ‘gardens’, massive water parks and even indoor skydiving and ice-skating rinks. 
During an ocean cruise, the days are split between ‘sea’ and ‘port’ days. A sea day is a full day of sailing, and a port day is when the ship makes a stop for passengers to spend a day ashore. On port days, all passengers need to be back onboard at a certain time, usually late afternoon. Very rarely is there a late departure or an overnight stay.
Ocean cruises are the most family-friendly, and a great way to visit several destinations in a short period of time. This is the most affordable type of cruising.
READ MORE: ‘How to choose the best cruise ship cabin – and add a sneaky upgrade’
If a more laid-back cruise is on your wish list, a river cruise might be right for you. The beauty of river cruising is that the ships are smaller, more intimate and you’re never far from land.
River cruising generally attracts an older demographic, but this does depend on the destination. There are less facilities onboard – you won’t find a waterpark, but the service is more personalised. 
Another plus is that the process of getting on and off at ports is much easier. This is due to the smaller number of passengers (on average up to 250 people) and that water shuttles aren’t required to transport guests to shore. 
Dining options are limited – however the quality is high and most meals are a la carte. Entertainment typically features cultural performances from the region the ship is visiting (think a Cambodian dance troupe while cruising the Mekong or a soprano in Austria).
Every day is a port day, meaning the ship cruises through the night and arrives for a full day at a destination. This is another bonus as guests can spend more time ashore on day and night excursions. 
If you suffer from motion sickness, it’s virtually impossible to feel sea sick on a river cruise. There are no waves and you’ll have the fascinating experience of travelling through locks.
Most river cruising is all-inclusive (dining, drinks, excursions); however some premium drinks and excursions aren’t included in the fare.
Attention adventure seekers. If jumping aboard zodiacs to jet through sea ice in Antarctica, or being amazed by the wildlife at the Galapagos islands is your thing, then an expedition cruise is for you.
While expedition cruise ships range from ultra luxury to the more practical, the focus is on having a unique experience and immersive experience. Expedition ships are smaller than large ocean mega ships, but most are custom-built for the terrain. This allows expedition ships to get to those remote places that other ships can’t reach.
Forget on board entertainment – the destinations are the entertainment. Typical cruise activities are swapped for lectures and information sessions. Dining options are limited but generally of a very high quality.
Be warned, not everything always goes to plan on an expedition cruise so it’s important to go with an open mind. Be prepared for itinerary changes and, especially if you’re cruising to Antarctica, don’t forget the travel sickness meds. Expedition cruises aren’t generally great for people with mobility challenges.
The price tag can be a hefty one, but when you spy your first orca frolicking by the side of the ship among icebergs or a giant tortoise slowly making its way through the scrub, then this sting fades away, knowing you’re witnessing something truly priceless.
Whichever style of cruising is most attractive to you, remember to do your research and choose a cruise to fit your budget, your level of fitness and your lifestyle. Happy cruising!
Stay tuned for more expert advice in the next instalment of Cruising with 9Travel.