Specialty lines offer the greatest variety of cruising experiences. Their ships are designed to take travelers up rivers, down canals, or along coastal waterways. Some are masted yachts—magnificent to behold and richly appointed—and others are humble ferries that provide work-a-day transportation from one body of land to the next.
River and canal ships, including barges, provide a leisurely and intimate way of seeing towns and countryside. Coastal ships are smaller than their mega cousins and can slip into scenic harbors and bays. Masted ships range in size from schooners to 600-ft vessels with computer-monitored sails. Ferries and cargo ships may take vehicles as well as passengers aboard and are often the cruise ships of choice for backpackers and independent travelers. Some variables to consider are:
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- Levels of service
- Dining options
- Size and comfort of accommodations
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- Amenities (bicycles; whirlpool)
- Length of stay in ports
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