(Updated 2026) My First River Cruise Experience: Aboard the Gentleman
- Esther
- Oct 20, 2025
- 4 min read
My first river cruise experience began aboard the Gentleman, a modern ship from Van Loon Cruises that has been sailing since 2024.
After many years of experience with ocean cruises, this was my very first river cruise and I can say it’s a completely different experience. Both types of cruising have their own charm, each with its pros and cons. In the end, it all comes down to what you value most in a cruise.
I was on board for the maiden voyage of The Gentleman. This new ship from Van Loon Cruises is 135 meters long, accommodates 172 passengers, and features 86 cabins, including 8 suites. There’s premium Wi-Fi on board, as well as a fitness room and a spa. I boarded in Rotterdam during the christening ceremony, and a week later, we sailed for one night during King’s Night from Amsterdam to Hoorn.
One thing that stood out to me was that the ship has a single restaurant, which is open during a set dining window. Within that time, you can dine whenever you like. It gives you a bit of flexibility.
On the top deck, you'll find the sundeck a lovely spot to relax and enjoy the scenery when the weather is good.
River cruising is making a huge change and is becoming more popular also under younger travelers. It offers an intimate, slow-travel experience where your boutique ship glides directly into the historic heart of a destination, no tenders, no transfers, just immediate immersion. Unlike massive ocean liners that dock in distant industrial ports, a river cruise brings the world straight to your doorstep in total comfort.
In short: it’s a refined, beautifully seamless way to explore the world, perfect for those seeking an intimate alternative to life at sea.
Above the restaurant is the lounge, a cosy space with views of the outside, perfect for relaxing. Here, you’ll often find afternoon tea and, in the evenings, live music. This setup makes it incredibly easy to connect with fellow passengers. Since everyone dines in the same restaurant and gathers in the same lounge, it naturally creates a sense of community. If you’re travelling solo or simply enjoy meeting new people, this is definitely one of the highlights of river cruising.
I noticed is that river cruise ships often dock side by side in port. This means that, at times, you may need to walk through another ship to reach the shore. Boarding itself is very simple you just walk on- and off the ship, without the lengthy security checks or large terminals you’d find with ocean cruises.
Most of the sailing happens at night. As a result, you might hear a bit more noise, especially since the ship travels close to the riverbanks and passes through locks fairly often. Light sleepers might want to keep that in mind.
It was truly a wonderful experience to board the ship right in Amsterdam, directly next to Central Station. Within minutes, you’re in the heart of the city. We were lucky enough to celebrate King’s Night in Amsterdam a unique experience. Late that night, the ship set sail for Hoorn, where we arrived early the next morning. From the dock, it was just a five-minute walk to the charming town center, where we enjoyed the festive vibe and all the kids selling second-hand items at the street market for King’s Day.
And just imagine: a river cruise around Christmas, visiting the festive markets in Germany that sounds magical to me. I’m beginning to see so many advantages to this way of cruising.
An interesting detail: Celebrity Cruises, renowned for its premium ocean experiences, is now stepping into the world of river cruising. This move signals a major shift, drawing a younger, style-conscious crowd to the rivers. It speaks volumes about the evolution of this travel style, proving that the days when river cruises were exclusively for seniors are officially over.
My Experience
I really enjoyed the river cruise, it’s a completely different way of being on the water and exploring cities. I’d definitely recommend it, and I’d love to go again myself. One of the biggest advantages for me is that you're docked right in the heart of a city or village. That means you can easily hop on and off throughout the day to join an activity or tour, or simply explore at your own pace. For solo travellers or older guests, it's truly ideal, it’s very easy to meet people and connect.
Want to know more about river cruises? Be sure to check out this video of a magical Christmas river cruise!: https://youtu.be/jDQxvQsZ084
This video was made by my husband, Andrea.
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Want to read more blogs? Check out: The Celebrity Compass Experience: from Ocean to River
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