Wave season is upon us and with an array of offers ripe for the picking, there’s no better time to book your next river cruise than right now.
Where will you go? When will you sail? Those decisions might be made for you depending on which offer takes your fancy. If you’re an early planner, Earlybird deals are the perfect choice for you to take advantage of some fantastic savings. Yes, it locks you in well before you set sail, but the savings speak for themselves.
Let’s look at what Earlybird specials are currently on offer.
Viking‘s Super Earlybird offer
Viking are currently promoting a “Fly Free Sale” which will save you thousands of dollars when it comes to your next holiday.
The promotion is available on all 2025, 2026 and 2027 river voyages (restrictions apply), and only for new bookings made before 15 November 2024. To redeem this offer you must use the code FFR23 when booking.
The Fly Free (economy) offer is up to the value of $2,300 per person on all River itineraries (including Europe, Egypt, Mekong, and Mississippi), or $2,300 per person discount in lieu of flights.
Guests can use the $2,300 offer to upgrade to business class or premium economy (if booked through Viking) with the cost taken off business/premium economy airfares.
Transfers are included only if flights arrive or depart on the same day and city that the cruise commences.
There are several itineraries included in the offer, including Viking’s European Sojourn 23-day journey combining its Grand European Tour and Passage to Eastern Europe cruises. Guests will discover eight countries in Western, Central and Eastern Europe while cruising the Rhine, Main and Danube on this voyage.
Riviera River Cruises 50% off Earlybird offer
Looking ahead to 2026? Now is the time to take advantage of Riviera’s whopping 50% off all 2026 river cruises offer on sale now. The discounts also include solo river cruisers as well. That’s 50 per cent off the brochure price on all itineraries on its 2026 voyages, but you need to hurry, the offer expires on 15 December.
Riviera has also expanded its offering on its river cruises, with drinks now included on all its river ships from 10am to midnight.
The company is also adding a new ship in 2026, the Riviera Resplendence, which will sail across multiple itineraries. The line has also expanded its theme cruises offerings, with new gastronomy cruises on the Rhine and Danube. For horticulture enthusiasts, there’s also a new Rhine cruise on offer. Plus, for solo travellers, a new Medieval Germany river cruise taking in Bamberg, a drive on the Romantic Road to Rothenburg, where you’ll discover the art of glassblowing and more.
Scenic‘s last-minute Earlybird deals
Scenic has a variety of exclusive offers and super early bird deals on select itineraries across its program for 2024 and 2026.
The cruise line is offering early access to its 2026 European river cruise itineraries at 2025 prices for a limited time only. The Super Earlybird offer also includes Economy Flights, or Business Class air credit of up to $4500 per person on select river cruise itineraries of 11 days or longer (terms and conditions apply).
Savings on 2026 departures include $2500 off per person for river cruises of 8 days or longer or $2900 per person off when booking a combined river and land journey – both deals excluding flights.
If you’re eager to go this year, it’s not too late and you’ll be saving with your last-minute booking. Scenic are offering up to $4000 per person off on selected 2024 Europe River cruises available on its Jewels of Europe on 28 October, November 7 and 11 November, and a Christmas & New Year 23 December departure only.
AmaWaterways discounts Colombia & more in Earlybirds
It’s shaping to be a big year for AmaWaterways in 2025, with the line celebrating its 22nd anniversary. And what better way to mark the occasion than with a sale! The cruise company is offering 20% off your 2025 river cruise for select Europe, Mekong, Colombia and Egypt sailings booked before 31 December 2024.
What better way to experience AmaWaterways’ newest ship, the AmaMagdalena, when it sets sail next year than on either The Magic of Colombia or Wonders of Colombia itineraries, both included in the special offer.
The 60-passenger Ama Magdalena will be the first luxury ship to sail Colombia’s Magdalena River, opening the South American country to river cruising.
Other itineraries included in the special offer are sailings across the Mekong River, on either the Charms of the Mekong or Riches of the Mekong journeys. Both are 7-night tours and include visits to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises boasts 20% off
Touted as a ‘floating boutique hotel’, the all-inclusive super luxurious Uniworld river cruises are some of the best on the market. For a limited time, Uniworld are offering up to 20% off selected 2025 and 2026 itineraries. The Early Booking Savings are subject to several conditions, including full payment on some 2025 sailing dates. Offered only to new, individual bookings, the offer is also subject to availability and need to be booked before 31 October 2024.
As Uniworld is still adding 2026 itineraries to its website, it’s better to speak to your travel advisor to take advantage of these savings.
Itineraries included in the 20% savings include its Grande Italia itinerary, sailing 13 days from Milan to Rome on 18 April 2025, or Venice & the Jewels of Veneto, an 8-day Venice round trip cruise on 3 November 2025.
The best Earlybird offer – WIN a Uniworld cruise
What’s better than a discounted river cruise? A free one!
Cruise Passenger and Uniworld are giving one lucky reader the chance to sail on Uniworld’s Venice & the Jewels of Veneto itinerary in our latest competition. Enter here for your chance to WIN.
All prices quoted in this article is in AUD and correct at the time of publishing.
