How Do Included Excursions Work on a European River Cruise?
One of the biggest perks of choosing a European river cruise over an ocean cruise is the incredible value packed into your upfront price. Unlike ocean lines—where shore excursions can easily add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your final bill—river cruises include guided shore excursions at every single port of call!
However, how those excursions work (and how many options you get) depends heavily on the cruise line you choose.
Here is a full breakdown of how river cruise excursions work, how to choose them, and how to get the most out of your time on shore.
1. Single Included Excursion vs. Multiple Options
Every major river cruise line approaches excursion selection a bit differently:
Viking River Cruises: Typically offers one complimentary core excursion per port, which is usually a classic city walking tour or panoramic bus ride. If you want more specialized or active experiences, Viking offers optional paid excursions.
AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways & Emerald Cruises: Provide multiple included choices per port (often 2 to 4 options per stop) at no additional charge!
Active Tours: Guided bike rides and scenic hikes.
Experiential & Culinary: Wine tastings, cooking classes, and local food tours.
Classic Tours: Guided walking tours focused on history and architecture.
2. Optional Excursions (At an Extra Cost)
While most daily activities are completely free, many cruise lines also offer optional premium excursions for a fee.
These premium options are ideal for experiences that require exclusive tickets or travel further inland from the river—such as attending an evening classical concert at the Vienna Opera House or taking a full-day excursion to a distant historic landmark.
3. How to Pre-Select Your Excursions
Before you set sail, most cruise lines allow you to lock in your tour selections online:
Pre-Booking: Depending on the cruise line, online booking opens anywhere from 45 to 90+ days prior to departure (once your reservation is paid in full).
Onboard Selection: Certain cruise lines (like Emerald Cruises) prefer guests to select their tours once onboard the ship.
4. Onboard Flexibility & Daily "Port Talks"
Worrying about getting locked into a plan? Don't be! River cruising is designed to be flexible.
Every evening before dinner, the Cruise Manager hosts a Port Talk in the main lounge to go over the next day’s itinerary, meeting times, and activity levels. If you decide you'd rather sleep in, switch from an active hike to a gentle walking tour, or simply explore the town on your own, you can easily update your selection with the front desk.
Book Your Next River Cruise with The River Cruise Queen
Whether you want active bike tours through Austrian vineyards or relaxing walking tours through ancient French villages, The River Cruise Queen helps you match your travel style to the right cruise line!
Comments