Ask The Experts: 10 Reasons Why Shannon River Cruises Are Perfect for a Honeymoon

Ireland is an incredibly popular honeymoon destination for couples that want to spend a special holiday together in a country that is overflowing with magical history and beautiful landscapes. Whether you opt for a colourful city break somewhere like Dublin or Belfast, choose to stay in an ancient castle in the hills, or explore the coastlines and rural villages of the island, there’s plenty of choice for newlyweds.

It’s easy to see why Ireland has gained the nickname of ‘the Emerald Isle’ when you take a look at its rural landscapes, and many couples decide that there’s nothing more romantic than exploring the hills, fields, mountain ranges and cliffs together. One of the best ways to properly immerse yourself in all this natural beauty is a canal and river cruise, allowing you to discover Ireland from its waterways.

Ireland is home to a range of rivers and canals, but River Shannon cruises are by far one of the most popular options. The river’s long length and rich history make it a wonderful route for a boating holiday, especially if you’re seeking a romantic atmosphere.

In this article, expert river cruising holiday provider Locaboat explains ten reasons why Shannon River cruises are perfect for a honeymoon.

What is a River Shannon Cruise?

Boating holidays have been growing in popularity all over the world and are a great option for newlyweds looking for a slow travel honeymoon option. Cruises on the River Shannon are popular along its whole length thanks to the history of the waterway and the number of different counties that it winds its way through.

The River Shannon is the longest river in the British Isles, stretching from County Cavan all the way to County Limerick where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s 360km long and was named after the Celtic sea deity Sionnan who was said to have formed the river when she took the cover off the mythical Well of Wisdom.

A Shannon River cruise is a boat trip along a section of the river that allows you to discover the towns and scenery that line its banks. On a honeymoon cruise, you’ll spend at least a couple of days floating down the River Shannon and stopping off at various attractions on the way, or just mooring in a secluded spot and enjoying the peace and the scenery.

When you rent a boat on the River Shannon with a provider like Locaboat, you’ll be in charge of steering your vessel along the river, giving you full control over where you’d like to go and what you’d like to see. Your boat will be kitted out with everything you need on your trip, so all that’s left is for you to do is plan your route and enjoy the views along the river.

10 Reasons to Choose a Shannon River Cruise Honeymoon

Now that you understand what cruising the Shannon River on your honeymoon involves, why should you choose this type of trip for your honeymoon? Here are ten of the top reasons that a river cruise makes the perfect post-wedding adventure.

A Unique Experience

Your honeymoon is one of the most important holidays of your life, so why wouldn’t you want to choose a travel experience that is unique?

One of the top reasons why couples should opt for a River Cruise on the Shannon is that it’s a totally unique experience. Instead of a classic honeymoon experience like a fortnight on a tropical island or a cruise in the Mediterranean, a river cruise offers a new way of exploring a country and a truly unforgettable trip that moves at a calm pace perfect for post-wedding relaxation.

Not only can you celebrate your first holiday as a married couple with a totally new experience for both of you, but you’ll have plenty of stories to share with friends and family when you return home. Conventional honeymoons have been done before – a Shannon River cruise is a new and exciting option!

Learn Something New

Whilst river cruises on the Shannon that include a crew and a driver are available, one of the most popular options is to choose a self-drive boat and explore the river under your own steam. This is a great way to learn something new on your honeymoon and make unforgettable memories together by taking on the challenge of learning to drive your own boat.

Self-drive boats for river cruises are very easy to steer and don’t take long to get the hang of driving. They also don’t go very fast and most of the river will be straight and very easy to navigate, so you won’t need to worry during your honeymoon.

You’ll be given an induction on driving your boat when you collect it and will only need to set off when you feel confident. You and your spouse can split the driving so you both get the chance to gain a new skill and can learn from and encourage each other as you set out on your journey.

Ultimate Relaxation

One of the main reasons that river cruises are such a popular holiday option is that they’re a classic form of slow travel. Rivers and canals have pretty slow speed limits, so you will be floating along at a pretty sedate pace which is ideal for maintaining a relaxing atmosphere.

Planning a wedding can be very stressful and hectic, so many couples just want a honeymoon where they can unwind and recover from the excitement of their big day. A River Shannon cruise is a brilliant option if this is the case, as you’ll be able to just watch the scenery go by as you cruise along the route and relax on the deck surrounded by Ireland’s marvellous landscapes.

Control Your Itinerary

Another aspect of a river cruise that makes them such a popular holiday option is that you have total control over your itinerary when you choose a self-drive trip. There are plenty of places to stop along the way when you cruise down the River Shannon, and when you’re in charge of your own vessel you can pick and choose where you moor up.

This is a great feature of a honeymoon for couples that don’t want to be too rigid in their plans and instead explore the counties of Ireland at a more relaxed pace without the pressure to reach any destinations at a certain time. You can do some research before you arrive to decide what you want to see, or just take your boat wherever you fancy as you get there, following recommendations and exploring areas that appeal to you both.

Plenty of Sightseeing

Ireland is known for being a country that is home to plenty of historical sites, and when you sail along the River Shannon you’ll be able to enjoy numerous sightseeing opportunities. This is a great feature of a honeymoon river cruise if you both enjoy cultural holidays or like to visit historic monuments and buildings when you travel.

Some of the top sightseeing spots along the River Shannon include Athlone Castle, which was built in 1129, and the 6th-century monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise. Portumna is another popular town with a long history of Celtic heritage, whilst Leitrim is a charming village with a nearby 17th-century castle.

Explore Multiple Locations

A general benefit of a river cruise that is particularly relevant for a honeymoon in Ireland is the fact that you can explore multiple locations in a single trip. Instead of being confined to a single destination where your accommodation is, a self-drive boat holiday lets you take your accommodation with you, meaning you can spend your time wherever you want on the river.

The River Shannon’s huge length means that there are hundreds of different places to explore along the route, and travelling by boat means you can fit in many more of these than if you were on foot or trying to drive the same distance. Moor your boat near a different town or village every evening and discover a wide range of Irish destinations that give you a proper appreciation for all the areas of the island.

Choose from Lakes, Canals and the River

There’s plenty of beautiful riverside scenery when you float down the River Shannon, but what makes this route even more appealing is that you can also explore lakes and canals along the route as well.

The Shannon-Erne Waterway is a 63km canal that connects the River Shannon with the River Erne in Northern Ireland and only has a handful of locks, making it ideal for couples that are new to navigating this kind of waterway. It also gives you access to Lough Erne, which is a stunningly beautiful part of Ireland that is ideal for honeymooners seeking a romantic setting.

There are also three main lakes that form parts of the Shannon River; Lough Ree, Lough Derg and Lough Allen. Exploring these large bodies of water is a wonderful way to spend a day, enjoying the range of wildlife and visiting towns that are settled on the lakeshore.

A Range of Activities

Many travellers agree that a self-drive river cruise offers more than enough to do just by being in charge of your own vessel and choosing where to visit and moor your boat. But cruising the River Shannon also offers a range of activities that will be ideal for couples that want to keep busy with all kinds of things to do on their honeymoon.

There are a lot of fishing opportunities in the loughs on the River Shannon, which is brilliant news for fishing enthusiasts and a fun way to spend an afternoon with your spouse if you’re new to the activity. There are also several fantastic golf courses close to the river, so why not plan a visit to at least one of these spots and stretch your legs on the green for a couple of hours?

Visit the Lower Lough Erne Islands

A particularly magical opportunity for honeymooners cruising the Shannon River is visiting the uninhabited islands of Lower Lough Erne. This is ideal if you’re seeking a romantic setting to moor your boat for the night or want to enjoy a picnic overlooking the water without having to share your surroundings with many other people. Enjoy the total peace and quiet as you enjoy the scenery and marvel at the opportunity to visit a deserted island with your new spouse.

Peaceful Privacy

Finally, one of the best reasons to choose a Shannon River cruise for your honeymoon is that these kinds of boat holidays offer wonderful peace and privacy. With just you and your partner on board, you can take the time to really connect and enjoy the start of married life together without any interruptions.

Whilst some sections of the river may be busy with other travellers, a lot of the time you’ll have whole stretches of the water to yourself. The cosy privacy of your boat creates the perfect place to unwind at the end of each day and with so much of the river available to explore, you won’t struggle at all to find quiet places to moor.

Ireland is a fantastic choice for an unforgettable honeymoon and a cruise on the River Shannon promises a memorable and relaxing experience. You can book self-drive boat honeymoons with providers like Locaboat Holidays who offer a wide range of vessels to suit all needs and are experts in this unique kind of travel.

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