River cruises are great value for money as they usually include much more than just your accommodation for however long your trip lasts. Depending on which operator you sail with, you can look forward to enjoying a whole host of extras that you would normally have to pay additional charges for.
Here are a few of the add-ons you can look forward to taking advantage of on your river cruise and the operators that offer them.
Alcohol
Practically all river cruise lines offer free tea and coffee throughout the day, as well as bottled water which is replenished every day in your stateroom. However, many also throw in alcoholic beverages as part of the package so you don’t have to worry about racking up a heaving drinks bill during your holiday. Whilst operators such as AmaWaterways and Viking River Cruises supply free-flowing alcoholic beverages with lunch and dinner, a trip with Scenic Tours or Uniworld includes complimentary wines, beers and spirits all day long.
Shore Excursions
The best way to enhance your river cruise is to see as much of the various destinations that you visit as possible. This means taking part in all the different shore excursions that are arranged by your cruise operator. Expert guides will lead you on walking tours, wine tastings, castle visits and much more and headsets are provided in most cases. Major lines like AmaWaterways, Viking River Cruises and Avalon Waterways all have at least one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call.
Internet
In the modern age, we never want to be too far from an internet connection and sometimes it feels as though our mobile devices are glued to our hands. Even when we are on holiday, there is still a need to keep in contact with loved ones back home, as well as share your wonderful experiences with everyone over social media. Luckily, river cruise lines are realising the need to stay connected and are continually improving the speed and availability of their internet. Sailing with operators such as Scenic Tours, Emerald Waterways and AmaWaterways will mean you have access to complimentary Wi-Fi wherever you are on the ship.
Bikes
If you don’t fancy joining everyone on the scheduled shore excursion then there is always the option to explore on your own. Trouble is, however, that if you find yourself in a city you have no knowledge of, you can waste most of the time you have in port just trying to find your way around. AmaWaterways and Tauck offer a complimentary fleet of bicycles to help you get around faster. This way, you will get to see more each destination, even if you lose your way a few times. As well as bikes, Uniworld have Nordic walking sticks that you can borrow if you fancy hiking the local landscapes.
Gratuities
Gratuities are often the one hidden charge that everyone forgets about. You can get to the end of a wonderful trip only to have it tainted by the extra cost that is placed on your final bill. And then there’s the problem of knowing how much you are supposed to tip and who you should give your tips to. Things are made a lot easier when gratuities are included in your cruise fare. This is something that Emerald Waterways, Scenic Tours, Avalon Waterways, Tauck and Uniworld all offer.
Knowing which cruise operators offer which extras can help you save money when choosing your river cruise. Our team will help you find the right cruise line for you. Call us today or submit your enquiry online.