River cruise lines are experiencing a boom in passenger numbers. Cruise lines are putting their offerings in the best possible light. And the all-important question potential guests need to ask is: What are the inclusions?

To help, we’ve compared the same route sailed by seven cruise lines for the upcoming season. Each occupies a different category of cruising, from ultra-luxe to high-value.

The top five most common river cruise inclusions

We examined five common river cruise inclusions: Drinks, Wi-Fi, Excursions, Laundry services, and Gratuities.

Then, we compared them against some of the top river cruise lines: Crystal Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Evergreen Cruises & Tours, APT, Scenic, Viking River Cruises and Teeming River Cruises.

Finding the best all-inclusive offerings for river cruises

Our findings? There are vast differences – and some similarities.

And it’s not just the line that can change your inclusions. The route you sail on matters, too.

We examined the inclusions on seven lines sailing the famous Amsterdam to Budapest route in September and also included the lowest available fare with each line.

Complimentary Wi-Fi is offered on all sailings we looked at.

However, Wi-Fi is unavailable on Avalon Waterway’s itineraries to the Amazon or Galapagos in South America. However, the Asian destinations on the Mekong and Ganges have complimentary Wi-Fi in the Panorama Lounge.

Read on to see how the other categories compare.

Crystal Cruises

16-night ‘Grand Europe’ Budapest to Amsterdam from US$12,450 (US$779 per night), AU$17,430 (AU$1,089 per night)

Drinks: All included in Crystal are fine wines, champagnes, premium spirits, and specialty coffees. Also available on board are Master sommeliers and a Connoisseur Wine List. Premium spirits include Grey Goose, Herradura Silver, Knob Creek and Hennessy VSOP.

Wi-Fi: Unlimited Wi-Fi/Internet access

Excursions: All Crystal River Cruises itineraries offer a complimentary shore excursion in every port. More than 200 included excursions are available to passengers, and the line also provides tailored options at an extra charge.

Each river cruise with Crystal also comes with a complimentary Signature Event. This could be one lunch or dinner per cruise in a Michelin-starred restaurant, including wine, gratuities, and transfers, or a private concert of Viennese music in Vienna’s Belvedere Palace after normal closing time.

Laundry: Complimentary launderettes.

Gratuities: Crystal cruisers enjoy pre-paid gratuities aboard and ashore. However, an additional $400 per person is required for taxes, fees and port charges.

Other inclusions: Complimentary airport transfers.

Catch a private concert in a palace after hours.

Avalon Waterways

14-night ‘Magnificent Europe’ from Amsterdam to Budapest from $8,981 ($642 per night)

Drinks: Choice of complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks with dinner & lunch and sparkling wine with breakfast on Avalon Waterways Europe river cruises. Coffee and tea are free of charge throughout the day, from “early riser” breakfast to dinner.

Wi-Fi: All Avalon ships in Europe have complimentary Wi-Fi available.

Excursions: One classic tour is usually included at each port. There are plenty of optional excursions available on this itinerary. The cost of each excursion varies, ranging from $59 for a half-day tour at a working windmill at Zaanse Schans to $152 for an in-depth tour of Salzburg and its surroundings. They also offer private tours and celebration packages for any special occasions you are celebrating.

Laundry: Laundry service is available on board at a fee.

Gratuities: Gratuities to Cruise Director and ship’s crew and port charges are only included in the cruise price for European cruises with Avalon Waterways. Gratuities and port charges are not included in Avalon’s sailings to other destinations.

Tips for your Cruise/Tour Director, local city guides, and other ship personnel are only included if specified.

Other inclusions: Airport transfers vary by destination and the type of cruise you purchase. Air-inclusive river cruise itineraries/bookings would have complimentary airport transfers. The service may only be available for some kinds of itineraries, or it would come with an extra charge.

Evergreen Cruises & Tours

14-night ‘Splendours of Europe’ from Amsterdam to Budapest from $11,590 ($828 per night)

Drinks: Complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner on board.

Wi-Fi: Complimentary Wi-Fi.

Excursions: Evergreen Tours offers 13 included excursions, such as guided tours around the cities and towns, museum and abbey visits, and a canal boat tour in Amsterdam. Passengers can also participate in experiences with the locals as part of the “You’re invited” program, such as home-hosted coffee and cake or traditional performances.

European river cruise itineraries also include at least one EmeraldACTIVE activity. Look forward to bike tours, hikes when you get onshore or yoga, pilates and aqua aerobics in the pool while aboard.

Laundry: Laundry facilities are limited on board. The service comes at an extra charge and may only be available on some ships.

Other inclusions: Airport transfers to and from the ship, port taxes and charges, and all tipping and gratuities (all drivers, local guides, porters—1 piece of luggage only, and meals included in your tour).

Teeming River Cruises

14-night ‘Encore European Tour’ from Budapest to Amsterdam with Christmas Markets from $1,869 ($134 per night)

offers complimentary coffee and tea, and drink packages are available for house wine, draft beer, and sodas in the restaurant. The drinks package for the 15-night itinerary comes up to $179 per person ($12 a night).

The drinks in the ship lounge come at an additional cost and are not included in the drinks package.

Wi-Fi: Complimentary Wi-Fi

Excursions: Shore excursions are not included in the cruise fare and may be purchased for an additional cost. In most ports, there is also a complimentary Teeming App for a self-guided City Walking Tour.

Laundry: Laundry is available at an extra charge.

Gratuities: Prices exclude gratuities. Typical gratuities for the Crew and the Cruise Director run €15 per person daily ($23.85 or $357.75 for the cruise).

Teeming inclusions
The drinks package for the 15-night itinerary comes up to $179 per person ($12 a night).

Viking River Cruises

14-night ‘Grand European Tour’ from Amsterdam to Budapest from $8,595 ($614 per night)

Drinks: Complimentary hot teas and specialty coffees are available on board anytime. House wines, beers, soft drinks, onboard lunches, and dinners are also included.

Wi-Fi: All of their ships offer free Wi-Fi.

Excursions: The itinerary includes 12 guided tours and one shore excursion in each port of call. The excursions are often walking tours in the cities and towns or visits to the main attractions like castles and some UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Gourmet tours to sample Dutch cheese and German beers or visits to history and other museums are also offered but come at an extra charge.

Laundry: Laundry service is available aboard and charged per article of clothing.

Gratuities: Shipboard gratuities for shipboard personnel and local guides are included in your cruise fare on Viking Cruises’ Europe itineraries.

Other inclusions: Transfers are included with roundtrip airfare purchases. If air is not purchased from Viking River Cruises, transfers between the airport and ship/hotel may be purchased separately at an additional cost per person, per direction.

APT

14-night ‘Magnificent Europe’ from Amsterdam to Budapest from $9,695 ($693 per night)

Drinks: Complimentary beverages are served on board. Premium spirits, French Champagne and selected wines are available at an additional charge.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is included.

Excursions: All-inclusive sightseeing in up to 16 destinations.

Laundry: Complimentary laundry is available for select suites only.

Gratuities: Prices include transfers, port charges, gratuities and sundries.

Other inclusions: APT is running a fly-free offer for travellers departing from Australia. APT will pay air taxes of up to $300 per person. Surcharges will apply if air taxes exceed this amount.

Scenic

14-night ‘Jewels of Europe’ from Amsterdam to Budapest from $9,690 ($693 per night)

Drinks: Unlimited complimentary beverages. Choose from their extensive bar menu and enjoy their complimentary in-suite mini-bar.

Wi-Fi: Scenic advises that limited Wi-Fi is available on Scenic Space-Ships in Europe.

Excursions: The itinerary includes 10 Freechoice and Enrich excursions and local experiences.

Laundry: Laundry services are available on river cruise ships at an additional charge. There is no dry cleaning on river cruise ships.

Gratuities: Scenic Tours has pre-paid specific tips and gratuities for you, including all drivers, local guides, porters (1 piece of luggage only), and meals included in your tour.

Other inclusions include return airport transfers, Scenic Sundowners, and exclusive cocktail events where you can cap off a day’s exploration in the company of newfound friends. Scenic also runs early bird fly-free offers.

* All information is accurate at the time of publication. Inclusions are subject to change.

We help you compare river cruise offerings

Seeking all-inclusive bliss on your next river cruise? Cruise Passenger compares offerings from top cruise lines to help you find the perfect itinerary for your dream vacation. From onboard amenities to shore excursions, we provide detailed insights to ensure you enjoy a seamless and memorable experience on the water.