What’s Included on a River Cruise
Read the fare before you compare the price.
Ask Mister Cruise for a Free QuoteRiver cruise fares bundle much more than ocean cruise fares — but how much more depends on the line. Here is what is almost always included, what sometimes is, and what you should budget for, so you can compare quotes fairly.
Almost Always Included
- Your cabin and all meals onboard, from breakfast to dinner.
- Guided walking tours in most ports, usually with personal audio headsets.
- Onboard talks, local performers and port briefings.
- Coffee, tea and water throughout the day.
- Port charges in most cases (check your quote).
Sometimes Included — Check the Line
| Item | All-inclusive lines | Premium and value lines |
|---|---|---|
| Wine and beer with meals | Included | Often included with lunch and dinner |
| Open bar all day | Usually included | Often an extra-cost drinks package |
| Gratuities | Usually included | Often extra |
| Choice of excursions | Usually several per port | Often one included, others optional |
| Wi-Fi | Included | Usually included, but river Wi-Fi can be patchy |
| Airport transfers | Often included with line air | Varies |
| Bikes onboard | Some lines | Some lines |
Inclusions change, so treat this as a guide to the right questions. Your quote from our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise spells out exactly what is in your fare.
What to Budget For
Flights
Usually open-jaw: into one city, home from another.
Hotel nights
Arriving a day early is wise. Many lines sell pre- and post-cruise hotel packages.
Optional excursions
Special tours, such as a concert in Vienna or a cooking class, are usually extra.
Premium drinks
Top-shelf spirits and fine wines can be extra even on inclusive lines.
Spa and laundry
River ships have small spas or massage rooms; laundry service is usually extra.
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended for cancellation and medical cover.
Reading an “All-Inclusive” Claim
“All-inclusive” is a marketing word, not a standard. Two lines can both use it and still include different things. Before you compare, Mister Cruise suggests checking four details in the fine print:
- Drinks: is it an open bar all day, or wine and beer with lunch and dinner only? Are premium spirits and wines extra?
- Gratuities: are tips for the crew, the cruise director, local guides and drivers all covered, or only some of them?
- Excursions: is there one included tour per port, or a choice of several? Are the special-interest tours extra?
- Air and transfers: are flights part of the offer, and if so, from which airports and in which cabin class?
Once you know those four answers for each line on your shortlist, the fares become easy to compare. That is exactly the work our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise do when they put your quotes together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cheaper fare always the better deal?
Not always. Add drinks, tips, excursions and Wi-Fi to a lower base fare and compare it with an all-inclusive fare. Sometimes the gap closes or reverses. We do that math for you on every quote.
Are flights included in river cruise fares?
Usually not by default, but many lines run air offers at certain times of year. Your quote will show whether air is included and from which gateway.
Should I buy travel insurance?
Mister Cruise recommends it for every international trip. River cruises involve flights, hotels and a ship, and a policy that covers cancellation and medical care abroad gives you peace of mind.
Compare Fares the Fair Way
Ask for quotes from two or three lines and we will show you what each fare includes, side by side.
Compare My Options