In this guide
A cruise fare is only useful for comparison when you know what it covers. These are planning-level distinctions for European river cruises, not a substitute for the selected departure's booking terms.
Broadly inclusive programs
- Tauck — scheduled sightseeing, special events, selected onboard drinks, and specified gratuities
- Uniworld — included touring, selected onboard drinks, and gratuities; Masterpiece Collection add-ons cost extra
- Scenic — included Freechoice and Enrich experiences, selected drinks, gratuities, and butler service; check the selected program
- Riverside — compare full-board and premium packages with or without excursions; do not assume every fare is all-inclusive
Generous but not fully all-inclusive
- AmaWaterways — wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour; included touring with some optional experiences; gratuities extra
Meal-time drinks and guided touring
- Viking — beer & wine at lunch/dinner; one excursion per port; flights, gratuities, and off-meal drinks extra
- Avalon — beer and wine with lunch and dinner; included Avalon Choice touring on selected days; confirm airfare and gratuities separately
Emerald: included touring and gratuities
- Emerald — wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; included excursions and EmeraldPLUS experiences; gratuities included in its published European river program. Optional experiences and extra drinks can cost more
What's almost never included
- International flights to/from Europe (Viking and AMA sometimes include them as a promo)
- Pre/post-cruise hotel extensions (bookable, but extra)
- Premium spirits on lines that include 'beer and wine'
- Off-ship lunches and dinners
Tip
Ask for an itemized comparison for your dates and cabin: cruise fare, flights, transfers, hotels, gratuities, drinks, and optional excursions. A VPC advisor can help compare like with like.
Put this into action
Turn this guide into your sailing
A VPC cruise advisor can apply what you've read to current ships, departures, cabins, and supplier offers without an added planning service fee.