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A Viking Longship sails the Main River (Credit: Viking)

River Cruise Fares: What's Included and What's Not?

A Viking Longship sails the Main River (Credit: Viking)
Contributor
Lori A. May

Last updated
Sep 8, 2023

Read time
5 min read

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?

Exploring the grounds of the Electoral Palace in Trier, Germany (Photo: AmaWaterways)

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.

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River Cruising: What Does Each River Cruise Line Include in Its Fares?

Ama Waterways Ship 7 R J 2400x1440

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

Emerald Radiance (Photo: Emerald Waterways)
  • 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

S.S. La Venezia (Photo: Uniworld)
  • 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

Publish date January 08, 2020
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