As with any vacation, when it comes to river cruises, there’s more to getting the best value than meets the eye.
Nearly all European river cruises include Wi-Fi, meals, coffee and tea throughout the day, and some excursions. But some include only the most basic city tours in groups as large as 40 or 50 people, charging extra for experiences that are unique; others include a wide range of excursions in the fare. Some lines charge extra for dinner wines and gratuities, while others include them. Cabin designs and menus also vary.
What matters, of course, is what matters to you.
Our group of 12 decided on the river less traveled — the eastern Danube, then traveled overland on our own to the easily reached cities of Vienna and Salzburg.
Once we decided on a destination, we made a list of all lines that sailed that route. Then we created a group spreadsheet on Google Docs to ensure that we were comparing features correctly. Each couple was assigned a line; some called the company directly, while others consulted with cruise travel agents recommended by national magazines.
Our categories:
- Number of cabins onboard
- Range of cabin costs (low to high)
- Total number of nights included (some included hotel nights)
- Driving time from embarkation city to ship (in our case, one to five hours)
- Cabin design (some open to provide balconies, others don’t)
- Types of excursions included in fare
- Maximum number of guests per excursion
- Sample menus
- Wine included?
- Cocktails included?
- Airport transfers included? (yes, or if not, average cost)
- Bicycles on board?
- Pool?
- Tips included? (yes, or if not, the amount recommended)
- Any special features
- Potential extra costs
Once we had narrowed to a handful of lines, we consulted our favorite of the river-cruise specialist travel agents we’d spoken with. She served as a reality check against our own research, so we felt confident.
More importantly, she alerted us to a special airfare that was far cheaper than anything we could book on our own, and another promotion that allowed us to book into a higher cabin level at a small premium. She also arranged a group discount and handled the air bookings and payments — no small matter with this group.
Everyone in our group agreed we would recommend her: Angelica Berwick at Fine Voyages.
When we added up inclusions and promotions, we found the value of upscale Scenic Cruises outweighed lines with lower base fares. Included were all tips, house liquors and wines, butler service, a wide range of small-group tours and electric bicycles. Because we booked on the “Diamond deck,” a rave-worthy degustation dinner and laundry were included.
