Boats or ships?

For years, after taking dozens and dozens of cruises, I trained myself to always call it a ship—never a boat. And then, suddenly, I found myself on a boat.

If you love travel primarily to explore new places, a river cruise could be a perfect fit. River cruises emphasize the destinations with guided tours and opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture. However, if you’re looking for a trip packed with nightlife, casinos, big shows, multiple bars, pools, waterslides, rock climbing walls, specialty restaurants, an internet café, or BINGO—an ocean cruise might be a better choice.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of a river cruise is its intimate feel. With fewer passengers, the experience is more personal, and the attentive crew takes time to know each guest. It’s a wonderfully focused way to see beautiful cities and towns up close while enjoying a relaxed, friendly atmosphere on board.

What’s the difference between a boat and a ship?

Technically, the main difference between a shipand a boat lies in their size, function, and capacity:

1. Size: Generally, a ship is larger than a boat. Ships are built to operate in the open ocean, while boats are typically smaller and often used in inland or coastal waters.

2. Function and Design: Ships are designed to carry cargo or large numbers of passengers over long distances. They are built for stability, durability, and safety on the high seas. Boats, on the other hand, are often used for shorter trips and have more specialized purposes, such as fishing, recreation, or river transport.

3. Crew Requirements: Ships require a professional crew to operate due to their complexity and size. Boats can often be operated by just one or a few people.

4. Structural Features: Ships have deep drafts (the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull) for stability in the ocean. Boats tend to have shallower drafts, making them better suited for shallow or calmer waters.

In short, ships are large, ocean-going vessels typically used for transport or cruises, while boats are smaller craft used for rivers, lakes, or coastal areas.

When comparing river cruises to ocean cruises, a significant difference lies in the availability and scope of each type. Ocean cruises offer hundreds of routes worldwide, covering diverse regions like Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. In contrast, river cruises are limited to select rivers that are navigable and popular with travelers, such as the Danube, Rhine, and Mekong. This limited selection means river cruises often have fewer options than ocean cruises, but their smaller, more intimate vessels create opportunities for unique experiences.

For example, smaller ships are ideal for destinations like Antarctica, where there are strict environmental guidelines limiting the number of passengers allowed ashore at any one time to a maximum of 100. While ships with up to 500 passengers can visit Antarctica, only vessels carrying fewer passengers are typically granted the flexibility for more frequent and varied landing sites. In fact, many Antarctic cruise ships carry around 100 to 200 guests to ensure access to multiple disembarkation points and a more immersive experience. Larger ocean-going ships cannot offer this same level of intimacy or access in such ecologically sensitive areas  .