Let’s get one thing out of the way: not all cruises are created equal. In fact, ocean and river cruises are so distinct in pace, personality and experience that comparing them is a bit like pitting a vintage train journey against a convertible road trip. Both are lovely. Both go places. But the feel? Entirely different.

So how do you choose between them? Let’s take a deep dive (or gentle drift) through the differences and help you find the one that floats your boat (or ship, to be pedantic).

Pace: slow sail vs steady glide

If you like the idea of waking up in a new country each morning, ocean cruising is your fast-pass to adventure. You’ll cover serious nautical miles, often overnight, and pack multiple ports into one week. It’s a thrilling way to get a taste of far-flung corners of the world, from Caribbean island hopping, Greek island circuits, to hopping from Norway to Iceland without once queuing at passport control.

River cruises, on the other hand, are all about unhurried immersion. You glide along glassy waterways not much faster than a strolling pace, often docking right in the heart of a city. Itineraries tend to focus on fewer destinations, but with more time in each. You'll be sipping wine on the Danube, exploring medieval towns on the Rhine or drifting through Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. It’s less about ticking off countries, more about soaking them up.

Destinations: city centres or coastlines?

Ocean cruises bring you sweeping seascapes, remote archipelagos, and dramatic coastlines. They’re unbeatable for scenic cruising; Alaska’s glaciers, Croatia’s jagged coast, the volcanic drama of the Canaries. But you’ll often dock at commercial ports outside city centres, so a bit of a coach transfer is usually part of the deal.

River cruises, by contrast, pull right up to the action. You’ll often be moored just steps from a historic square or market, with walking tours and coffee stops ready to go. Perfect if your idea of discovery includes cobbled streets, museum hopping and spontaneous patisserie stops.

Ship size: floating resort or boutique hotel?

Ocean ships range from sleek to supersized. Some feel like five-star resorts at sea, with pools, theatres, climbing walls and more dining options than you’ll manage in a fortnight. That comes with a buzz, thousands of passengers, lots to see and do, and plenty of variety. It’s a city break that happens to move.

River ships are more like intimate, well-dressed boutique hotels. You’ll travel with 100–200 guests (give or take), which means no queues, no crowds, and a pleasantly familiar atmosphere. Crew will remember your name. You’ll probably be on first-name terms with the sommelier by day three. There’s still entertainment and excellent food, just on a more refined scale.

Onboard culture: social scenes or quiet charm?

Ocean cruises are often lively, social and great for multi-generational groups, couples and solo travellers alike. You’ll find trivia nights, cocktail classes, cabaret shows and themed lounges. If you like options (or are travelling with people who do) this is a fairly safe bet.

River cruising is more subdued. Days are full of enriching excursions, and evenings lean towards lectures, regional tastings and piano music with a nightcap. It’s classy, calm and quietly sophisticated, often attracting well-travelled guests who love the journey as much as the destination.

The people: who cruises where?

Ocean cruising is gloriously varied. Young families love the onboard activities, couples seek romance at sea, and solo travellers can join friendly group excursions. There’s a huge range of lines and price points, too, from party vibes on Virgin Voyages to luxury all-inclusive options with Silversea.

River cruises often attract seasoned travellers, history buffs and culture lovers. It’s particularly popular with those who’ve “done” the ocean cruise thing and want something slower, deeper and more destination-focused. The age demographic can skew older, but that’s changing fast, with more younger travellers discovering the appeal of slow travel and wine-fuelled riverside dining.

So… which is right for you?

If your perfect holiday involves variety, action, and a splash of glitz, head for the ocean. If it’s slow mornings, cultural deep-dives and a good book on the sun deck, a river cruise might be more your style.

Or better yet, try both. One’s about breadth, the other depth, and both offer a way of seeing the world that’s far more enriching than anything involving an airport terminal.

Still not sure? Browse our handpicked river and ocean cruise itineraries at cruise-collective.com and find your perfect fit.