What’s Included on a River Cruise

By
Sue Lobo
-
1810

Initially, some clients find river cruises a bit expensive, but this is perhaps because they are not considering all that is included in the price. When considering a river cruise, it’s important to talk about the experience. You are not on a ship with thousands of guests. The service is more personalized and the cuisine is elevated using local ingredients from the regions you are visiting. River cruising takes you into the heart of historic cities so all you have to do is walk right off and start enjoying the sites. You spend more time seeing the world visiting a new city or town each day. If you are looking for an all-inclusive experience, then consider Crystal or Tauck river cruises. The other still offer a lot in the base rate, but you will a few things left out such as cocktails or gratuities for staff & tour guides.

So what do river cruises include? Here is a an overview of the most popular and reputable river cruise companies you can choose from.

Avalon River Cruises 2021: All meals are included. Choice of complimentary wine, beer or soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner. Sparkling wine is served with breakfast. On the Amazon River, complimentary coffee, tea, select soft drinks and local beer/spirits are available throughout the day. A selection of shore excursions with expert to suit every type of traveler are also included. Avalon is known for offering the traditional sightseeing options along with active discovery tours that include hiking, canoeing and biking in various places. Fitness center and onboard entertainment is part of the cruise experience as well. Onboard bikes are available for use.

AMA Waterways 2021: Sparkling wine and juices are included at breakfast. Soft drinks and unlimited wines are included at lunch and dinner. in Europe, a Sip & Sail cocktail hour is offered daily with wine, beer and spirits. Gourmet teas, coffee and bottled water are included. A choice of guided tours are included daily in each city or town you visit. Complimentary Wi-Fi on most ships. Lounges with entertainment and a fitness center with wellness classes is also included. Onboard bikes and self-service laundry.

Crystal River Cruises 2021: Michelin-inspired open seating dining, with 24 hour room service. Beverages including fine wines, champagne, premium spirits and all non-alcoholic beverages such as bottled water, soft drinks and specialty coffees are included. An exceptional standard of all-inclusive amenities and services elevates the comfortable luxury aboard each ship, with gratuities aboard and ashore to complimentary Wi-Fi, bicycles, shore experiences, airport transfers and more.  Uncompromising service with a butler for every suite is also included.

Tauck River Cruises 2021: Discover the all-inclusive value with one up-front price. All meals, shore excursions, drinks including unlimited beer, wine and spirits are included. Round trip airport transfers, crew gratuities, WI-FI, on board lectures, entertainment and occasionally pre or post cruise hotel stays are included.

Uniworld River Cruises 2021: Unlimited premium drinks and wine, farm to table cuisine, most shore excursions, WI-FI and gratuities on board and on shore. Onboard bikes and self-service laundry, as well as onboard entertainment, enrichment, fitness center and wellness classes. Airport transfers are complimentary. Bicycles and nordic walking sticks for onshore use.

Viking River Cruises 2021: Almost everything is included in a Viking River Cruise. All meals are included, as well as specially selected wine, beer and soft drinks served with lunch and dinner. Specialty coffees and teas are available 24 hours a day and bottled water is replenished daily. WI-FI is included to keep you connected. One shore excursions in each port of call led by knowledge guides. One unique option that many other river cruise companies don’t offer is multiple dining venues.

More River Cruise Inspiration from Our Experienced Travel Advisors:

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo
https://www.atlastravelweb.com
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.

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