River Cruise Fares: What's Included and What's Not?
Among the many distinctive differences between river and ocean cruising, one of the most notable variables is the cruise fare. Travelers accustomed to finding cruise deals for less than $100 per night, for example, may find river cruising's price tag unsettling, even when searching the latest river cruise deals.
Yet even within the world of river cruises, not all fares are calculated equally. River voyages tend to differ drastically when comparing river cruise fares in Europe, the U.S. and beyond.
After reviewing river cruise tips, travelers may notice the term "inclusive" is used by many popular river lines. What exactly do river cruise lines mean by this term? Are river cruises all-inclusive? Read on to learn what river cruise lines mean when touting their sailings as inclusive.
All-Inclusive River Cruises: What Are They and What Exactly Does "Inclusive" Mean?
In river cruising, "inclusive" is the term for amenities that are already part of your river cruise fare. Part of what makes river cruising so attractive -- and pricey -- is that more items such as shore excursions, Wi-Fi and/or wine at meals are already wrapped into the cost. Which items are included in your fare depend on your chosen itinerary and cruise line.
Which River Cruise Lines Tend to Be the Most Inclusive?
In the river cruise world, the lines that have more amenities bundled into the price tend to be more luxurious and expensive. These include Tauck, Scenic and APT, followed by Uniworld and AmaWaterways.
An exception to this is Emerald Waterways (also known as Evergreen in Australia), which is owned by the same tour company as Scenic. Although it's considered a more moderately priced line, Emerald offers a fair number of inclusions, primarily because many of its travelers are Australian (and prefer fares to be more bundled than a la carte). The same applies to Australia's Travelmarvel, which is owned by APT.
Which River Cruise Lines Are Known to Be the Least Inclusive?
River cruise lines with European owners, such as CroisiEurope and A-Rosa, tend to be the most a la carte. However, these lines have tailored their offerings, making them more inclusive for North Americans while keeping pricing a la carte for Europeans.
For example, they'll include shore excursions and waiter-served dinners for Americans and Canadians, while these remain pay-as-you-go for Europeans. A-Rosa does include all alcoholic drinks and gratuities -- measures that appeal to its primarily European passengers.
Many river cruise operators have optional add-ons for elevating guest experiences as well.
River Cruising: What Does Each River Cruise Line Include in Its Fares?
AmaWaterways River Cruise Fares
Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch, dinner and happy hour; sparkling wine, tea, gourmet coffee and bottled water at breakfast
At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port; all excursions included on voyages in Africa
Bicycle rentals on European voyages
Dining and specialty restaurants
Wi-Fi
American Cruise Lines River Cruise Fares
Drinks at happy hour before dinner
Beer and wine at dinner, soft drinks anytime
Some complimentary shore excursions, depending on itinerary
Wi-Fi
American Queen Voyages River Cruise Fares
One-night hotel stay before trip
Transfer to the ship from hotel
Gratuities, port taxes and fees
Unlimited beverages
Shore excursions
Bikes for passenger use
Specialty dining
Wi-Fi
APT River Cruise Fares
Airport transfers to and from the ship
Unlimited beverages
Gratuities and port charges
Choice of shore excursions in each port
Specialty restaurants
Wi-Fi on some itineraries
A-Rosa River Cruise Fares
Premium All Inclusive Fare includes the following:
All-day beverages
Gratuities and port charges
E-bikes onboard (except on A-Rosa Alva)
Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet along with daily teatime snack
One waiter-served dinner (the rest of the meals are buffets -- you'll have to pay if you want a second served dinner)
Wi-Fi
Basic Full Board fare option includes the following:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets and daily teatime snack
Daily onboard entertainment
Use of onboard amenities, such as the spa and fitness center
Port charges
Avalon Waterways River Cruise Fares
Beer and wine with lunch and dinner, sparkling wine with breakfast on all European river cruises. Complimentary coffee and teas served throughout the day, along with bottled water.
At least one complimentary shore excursion in every port
Bikes and limited E-bikes for passenger use
All-day dining options and room service
Wi-Fi and computer stations
Access to fitness center
CroisiEurope River Cruise Fares
All meals and beverages
Shore excursions for North Americans
Port taxes
Wi-Fi
Emerald Waterways/Evergreen Tours River Cruise Fares
Airport transfers to and from the ship
Selection of wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner
Coffee, tea and bottled water throughout
Gratuities and port charges
At least one shore excursion in each port
Cycling and canoeing experiences
Wi-Fi
Grand Circle River Cruise Fares
All onboard meals
House beer, wine and soft drinks
At least one guided tour in each port
Gratuities for local guides and drivers
Port charges
Wi-Fi
Scenic River Cruise Fares
Airport transfers to and from the ship
Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
Gratuities, port fees and taxes
Choice of shore excursions in each port
All dining and specialty restaurants
E-Bikes for passenger use
Room service and in-room mini-bar
Wi-Fi
Tauck River Cruise Fares
Airport transfers to and from the ship
Complimentary hotel stays or land extensions on select itineraries
All alcoholic drinks, sodas, specialty coffees, teas and water
Complimentary specialty dining venue on select ships
Onboard and ashore gratuities
All shore excursions
Bikes for passenger use
Wi-Fi
Travelmarvel River Cruise Fares
Airport transfers to and from the ship
Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner
Gratuities for crew and local guides and drivers
Most shore excursions and guided tours
Bikes for passenger use
Wi-Fi and/or internet stations
Uniworld River Cruise Fares
Airport transfers to and from the ship
All alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Gratuities
Choice of shore excursions in every port
All dining and specialty restaurants
Bikes for passenger use
Wi-Fi on select ships
U River Cruises Fares
Complimentary coffee, tea and water; juice at breakfast
Meals in the main restaurant
Gratuities
At least one shore excursions in every port
Bikes for passenger use
Wellness classes
Wi-Fi
Viking River Cruise Fares
Beer, wine and soda at lunch and dinner; welcome cocktails
Complimentary specialty coffees, teas and water throughout
All meals and al fresco dining
At least one shore excursion in every port
Port taxes and fees
Wi-Fi