An educational experience by riverboat offers a relaxed voyage with special advantages: A nimble riverboat can dock in the center of town instead of at a remote cruise port and can access inland destinations that larger ships can't reach. The experience is akin to a small floating hotel. You'll get to learn about and observe daily life along the river, and while riverboats vary in size from 30 passengers on the more intimate ships to over 400 passengers aboard the American Queen, you’ll generally share your ship with fewer than 150 people.

While leisurely sailing through a country’s interior, you’ll become immersed in the heartland in a warm and inviting way. See what life is like beyond the big cities as the countryside gently rolls along and authentic culture takes center stage. These river experiences feel little motion, as these waterways are calm and flat, with locks controlling the current of many larger rivers.

The relaxed, more intimate experience is best embodied during meals, when all passengers eat during the same sitting. Unlike many larger ships, riverboats typically only have one restaurant that is smaller and feature an open-seating policy, allowing you to sit wherever you choose and interact with other passengers aboard. Restaurant staff typically go into port each day to collect fresh ingredients and prepare authentic samplings of local cuisine.