The short answer
River ships are small (often well under 200 guests), dock right in town, and include more in the price; they cost more per day. Big ocean ships cost less per day and have more entertainment, but many extras cost more and some ports are far from the sights. Small and expedition ships reach remote places for the highest prices.
At a glance
| Feature | River ship | Big ocean ship | Small / expedition ship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guests | Usually about 100-200 | About 1,000-5,000+ | Usually under a few hundred |
| Where you dock | Often in town | Often an outer port; some tenders | Small harbors, remote spots, Zodiacs |
| What's included | More (tours, meal drinks on many) | Less (many extras cost more) | Often a lot |
| Entertainment | Quiet, lectures, music | Shows, casino, pools | Lectures, naturalists |
| Kids | Rarely suitable | Best choice | Sometimes |
| Seasickness | Very little | Possible in open sea | More likely in rough seas |
| Cost per day | About $300-$700+ (see source) | Lowest per day, but extras add up | Highest |
River cruises
- Ships are long and low so they fit under bridges and through locks. Guests are typically older, and there is little or no kids' programming.
- You usually dock in or near the town center and walk off the ship.
- More is included: most lines include a guided tour in most ports and wine or beer with meals; some include everything (see the cruise lines topic).
- Typical price per person per day has been about $300-$600 for European river cruises, with premium lines above $700 (River Cruise Advisor, updated Oct 2026). A Seine survey average rose from $529 (2019) to $634 (2025) per day.
- Ships often 'raft' side by side at busy docks. You may walk through another ship's lobby to get ashore, and your window view may be another ship.
- Most newer European river ships have an elevator, but it may not reach every deck (for example, a common report is that the lowest cabin deck is not served). Ask before booking.
Ocean cruises
- Ships range from about 1,000 to over 5,000 guests on mass-market lines. More pools, shows, restaurants and kids' clubs.
- Big ships often dock at an industrial port. Rome's port (Civitavecchia) and Florence's (Livorno) are a train or bus ride from the city.
- Some ports require tenders (small boats) because the ship anchors offshore.
- Extras add up: drinks, specialty dining, wifi, excursions and daily gratuities (for example, Celebrity's standard rate rose to $19.50 per person per day on July 29, 2026).
Small ship and expedition
- Small luxury and expedition ships (often under a few hundred guests) can enter smaller harbors and remote areas like Svalbard, Greenland or tiny Greek islands.
- Expedition ships use Zodiac boats for landings; you need to step in and out of a moving boat, which can be hard with mobility issues.
- Prices are usually the highest per day. Many include drinks, tips and excursions.
Your checklist
Sources & what we could not confirm · 4 sources · checked 2026-11
- River Cruise Advisor: The rising cost of river cruising (updated May 1, 2026)
- River Cruise Advisor: Viking river cruise prices (updated Oct 1, 2026)
- River Cruise Advisor: Are there elevators on river cruise ships? (last updated 2018)
- CruiseMapper: Celebrity raises daily gratuities (Jul 30, 2026)
Still being confirmed
- Guest counts per ship type are general ranges, not from one official source.
- Ocean cruise cost per day for Europe was not verified from a primary source, so no dollar range is given.
- Elevator details come from a 2018 article; confirm with the line for your ship.