River cruising is surging in popularity and a number of questions come up over and over again. How much does a river cruise cost? When is the best time to book? What time of year offers the best value? What’s included in a river cruise? And most importantly, do river cruises offer good value for money? 

Bradley also says the level of inclusions can surprise first-time river cruisers. During the earlybird season, it’s quite common to see packages that include flights and transfers offering excellent value for money.

“You also need to make sure you know what’s included so you don’t pay a little now and end up paying a lot more later. That’s where all-inclusive cruises come in, they can save you a lot,” he explains. That’s especially true once you get to Europe and find yourself paying for everything in Euros instead of AUD.

River cruises can vary widely in price and typically inclusions are the biggest differentiator. 

At the budget end of the spectrum, inclusions will cover accommodation, transport and meals. As you move towards the luxury end, however, you’ll start to see much more included in the price of each ticket. That includes big-ticket items such as shore excursions, as well as a swathe of small-but-important extras that add up quickly, such as alcoholic drinks, site-entry fees, port charges, Wi-Fi, laundry and tips.

Emerald Cruises, Scenic's sister brand, offers guests the ability to tailor their journey to suit their interests by choosing from handpicked excursions, all included in the fare. This includes options from the EmeraldACTIVE program, which offers guests the opportunity to experience each destination from a different perspective, with excursions such as hiking, biking and canoeing; and the EmeraldPLUS program, which provides rare insights into what makes each destination tick, including a range of special cultural activities such as a home-hosted lunch in Bratislava or a mosaic making lesson in Portugal.

Meanwhile, Scenic is the cream of the crop. Scenic specialises in ultra-luxury river cruising, which means accommodation in a suite, butler service, up to five dining experiences as well as all on-board meals, premium beverages (except a very small selection of fine and vintage drops), and even e-bikes to explore independently. However, the real value is its included Scenic Enrich events, which are true once-in-a-lifetime experiences curated by its journey designers, along with its Scenic Freechoice program, which includes a range of activities that allow each guest to personalise his or her journey.

Debbie Rivers, from Perth, recently cruised from Amsterdam to Budapest with her partner. She has travelled a lot, but it was her partner’s first trip outside Australia, so they settled on a river cruise.

“I’ve done a bus tour around Europe and I wouldn’t do that again. We spent eight hours a day on the bus, but with a river cruise you get to see a lot more – Germany, in particular, was beautiful,” she says.

Debbie expected the cruise would be really “chilled”, with lots of time sitting and floating down the river, but says she was pleasantly surprised by the amount of activities. Some days, their ship relocated  at lunchtime, meaning she and her partner got to explore two separate destinations in the same day.

“I would highly recommend (a river cruise),” she says. “It covers your accommodation, your food, your drinks and your transport from one side of Europe to the other, plus it’s luxurious. You have a free tour every day, you have entertainment, you have everything you need. We both got a lot out of it.”

Time of year can also influence the cost of a river cruise. European summers are famously beautiful, but infamously crowded, however deals can still be found for escapes in July and August.

According to the Cruise Lines Industry Association, an increasing number of travellers are booking river cruises that embark earlier and later in the season. Both sides of summer are incredibly beautiful, with budding flowers in spring and vibrant leaves in autumn, and it’s another great way to get the best prices.

River cruising is a great alternative to independent travel, because if you choose the right inclusions to suit your travel style, you can forget about your hip pocket and focus on enjoying the experience.

For more inspiration, visit River Cruising Escapes. To book, visit Scenic or Emerald Cruises or contact your local travel advisor.