Which river cruise lines include excursions in the price?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
These 28 river cruise lines say their fare includes shore excursions on their own websites, read 10 November 2026. Each card gives what the line says about it, with the ship, sailing, length, price or number where it names one, then why to choose it, what to ask for and the limits it publishes.
Which river cruise lines include excursions in the price?
28 river cruise lines in the Uncompromised Travel table say on their own websites that they say their fare includes shore excursions; Phoenix Reisen, VIVA Cruises and CroisiEurope have the most Google reviews under the line's own name.
Abercrombie & Kent
- Best for
- Guided river journeys and canal barge cruises
- Excursions
- Includes fully guided sightseeing as noted in the itinerary, with park and entrance fees; optional activities are extra.
- Why choose them
- Founded by Geoffrey Kent, it has sold travel since 1962. Trustpilot (whole company): 4.4 out of 5 from 795 reviews, newest 3 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Canal Barge Cruise, which includes all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on board and transfers to and from the vessel.
- Not the fit if
- you travel with children under 12: journeys including a European River Cruise have a minimum age of 12.
- Money protection
- ATOL number 2881, issued by the CAA, for flight-inclusive packages (UK bookings).
- Website
- abercrombiekent.com
AmaWaterways
- Best for
- Europe, Nile and Mekong river cruises
- Excursions
- Includes daily onshore experiences, with a choice each day from guided walking tours, culinary tastings, bike rides and vineyard hikes; optional excursions cost extra.
- Why choose them
- Offers over 100 river cruises across 35 countries on 12 rivers. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 67 reviews; Trustpilot: 1.7 out of 5 from 109 reviews, newest 24 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Not the fit if
- you need a doctor on board, as medical doctors are not available on any vessel.
- Money protection
- ATOL 11232 for flight-inclusive UK packages; ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393.
- Website
- amawaterways.com
American Cruise Lines
- Best for
- All-inclusive US river cruises with excursions
- Excursions
- Includes at least one Featured shore excursion in each port; Premium excursions cost $10 to $99 per person and Signature excursions $100 or more.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 1972 by shipbuilder Charles A. Robertson with his wife Carol.
- Ask for
- Ask for the hotel night and transfer to the ship included on new bookings, plus the Featured shore excursion included in each port.
- Not the fit if
- you need a lift on every ship, as American Independence, American Star and American Spirit have limited lift access.
Antara Cruises
- Best for
- Ganges and Brahmaputra cruises in India
- Excursions
- Includes all excursions on its Artisans of Bengal voyage, with a dedicated tour guide whose itinerary can be tailored to you.
- Why choose them
- Sails four cruise ships, four catamarans and one private houseboat, sailing in India since 2009. Google: 4.5 out of 5 from 19 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Ganga Vilas sailing from Kolkata to Varanasi, 19 nights, or a private charter on MV Nauka Vilas.
- Not the fit if
- you need a fixed route: routing depends on water levels and the Master's decisions and itineraries can change without notice.
- Website
- antaracruises.com
Aqua Expeditions
- Best for
- Small-ship Mekong and Amazon expeditions
- Excursions
- Rates include all excursions, run twice daily in groups of no more than 12 with expert guides.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 2007 by Francesco Galli Zugaro, it runs excursions in groups of no more than 12. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a high-water departure, mid-August to November, when Aqua Mekong sails between Ho Chi Minh and Siem Reap.
- Not the fit if
- you want to sail to Siem Reap from December to mid-August: low water keeps the ship between Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh, with a complimentary flight to Siem Reap instead.
- Website
- aquaexpeditions.com
Avalon Waterways
- Best for
- Suite Ships with open-air balconies
- Excursions
- Includes up to 28 excursions per cruise through Avalon Choice in Classic, Discovery and Active styles; its Active & Discovery cruises average 22 included excursions. Optional excursions cost extra.
- Why choose them
- Its Panorama Suites in Europe measure 200 square feet, which it says is an average of 30% larger than others. Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 22 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.4 out of 5 from 1,905 reviews, newest 25 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Avalon Choice Excursions on your sailing, in Classic, Discovery or Active style.
- Not the fit if
- you use a wheelchair or walker: outside the United States you must be able to walk up and down steps and ramps without one; many of its small ships have no lift.
- Enquiry
- avalonwaterways.com/contact
Century Cruises
- Best for
- Yangtze, Danube and Rhine cruise tours
- Excursions
- Includes one complimentary shore excursion at every port on its European tours, with paid upgrades such as Schönbrunn Palace at $142.
- Why choose them
- Century Star will host 174 guests in 87 cabins on the Danube.
- Ask for
- Ask which cabin categories on its European tours come with complimentary international flights.
- Not the fit if
- your plans may change: the $500 per person deposit is non-refundable and cancelling within 30 days of departure costs 100% of the full fare.
- Website
- centurycruises.com
CroisiEurope
- Best for
- French family line on European rivers
- Excursions
- On its Po and Venice cruise all 12 listed excursions are marked included, among them Burano and the lace museum (2h00) and Padua at Christmas (4h30); its Elbe programme also lists 12.
- Why choose them
- Runs a fleet of 50 ships and barges. Google: 3.6 out of 5 from 134 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5 from 448 reviews, newest 9 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a CroisiFamille river cruise, where up to 2 children up to 16 sail free in a paying cabin.
- Not the fit if
- you may cancel late: from 90 days before a river cruise you lose 20% of the price, rising to 100% from 8 days.
- Website
- croisieurope.com
Delfin Amazon Cruises
- Best for
- Small-ship Amazon cruises in Peru's Pacaya Samiria
- Excursions
- Includes every excursion with its naturalists and local crew, among them skiff safaris, kayaking and paddleboarding, night safaris and pink river dolphin observation.
- Why choose them
- Delfin III, its largest vessel, carries up to 44 guests in 22 suites.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Delfin II Suite or a Delfin III Suite or Upper Suite on a departure where the single supplement is waived.
- Not the fit if
- you might cancel late: from 150 days before departure the deposit is not refunded; it grants no other refund or reschedule, even in case of force majeure.
- Website
- delfinamazoncruises.com
Emerald Cruises
- Best for
- Star-Ship river cruises in Europe and Asia
- Excursions
- Includes most shore excursions, plus EmeraldPLUS experiences and EmeraldACTIVE activities; optional DiscoverMORE excursions cost extra.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 2013, it now sails eight Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong. Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 37 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Solo Program Preferred Fare, which gives 50% single supplement savings.
- Not the fit if
- you need time after booking: the deposit on river cruises is due within 48 hours.
French Country Waterways
- Best for
- Six-night hotel barge cruises in France
- Excursions
- Includes a daily excursion by private motorcoach to castles, historic towns or vineyards, with some château tours led by the owner.
- Why choose them
- Each barge is accompanied by an air-conditioned motorcoach for daily sightseeing and carries her own bicycles. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the barge and region that suit you: Burgundy on Adrienne, or Central Burgundy (April to June) or the Upper Loire (July to October) on Nenuphar.
- Not the fit if
- you want the Upper Loire outside July to October: Nenuphar sails it only in those months.
- Website
- fcwl.com
Grand Circle Cruise Line
- Best for
- Small-group Danube and Seine cruises with airfare
- Excursions
- Includes a set number of guided activities on each trip: 12 on Holland & Belgium in Springtime, among them a Home-Hosted Op de Koffie and a visit to Keukenhof Flower Park.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 1958 by Ethel Andrus to serve Americans over 50. Trustpilot (whole company): 4.0 out of 5 from 20 reviews, newest 7 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a departure with a free or low-cost Single Supplement, or for roommate matching, which carries no single supplement even without a match.
- Not the fit if
- you use a wheelchair or motorised scooter: most trips are not accessible and guests needing help must travel with an able companion.
- Enquiry
- gct.com/about-us/contact-us
Heritage Line
- Best for
- Small-ship Mekong and Vietnam bay cruises
- Excursions
- Includes daily group shore excursions with entrance fees on lower Mekong cruises; optional cycling excursions on The Jahan and Jayavarman cost extra.
- Why choose them
- The Jahan cruises the lower Mekong with 26 staterooms and suites, all with large balconies.
- Ask for
- Ask for a selected cruise with no single supplement for solo travellers.
- Not the fit if
- your children are under 5: they are not allowed on board unless Heritage Line grants special permission.
- Enquiry
- heritage-line.com/contact
Iberostar Grand Amazon
- Best for
- All-inclusive Amazon cruises from Manaus
- Excursions
- Includes all expeditions, such as jungle hikes, speedboat rides in the Anavilhanas Archipelago, piranha fishing and night outings with expert explorers; you choose the next day's excursion each evening.
- Why choose them
- Sails one ship from the Port of Manaus on 3 itineraries of 3, 4 and 7 nights.
- Ask for
- Ask for the 4-night Negro River trip, with all daytime and night expeditions included.
- Not the fit if
- you want rivers beyond the Brazilian Amazon: it sails one ship from Manaus on the Solimões and Negro rivers.
- Website
- iberostar.com
Mekong Cruises (Luang Say)
- Best for
- Two-day Mekong slow boat trips in Laos
- Excursions
- Includes guided shore excursions to villages and cultural sites along the river on all cruises.
- Why choose them
- It has run Mekong cruises since 1999 and its Luang Say Lodge in Pakbeng was built in 1998.
- Ask for
- Ask for the 2-day cruise with an overnight at Luang Say Lodge, which it calls its signature experience.
- Not the fit if
- you need to sail downstream on a Sunday or upstream over two days on a Tuesday, as those cruises do not run then.
- Website
- luangsay.com
Mekong Eyes
- Best for
- Small-boat Mekong Delta cruises from Saigon
- Excursions
- Includes the side trips listed in each itinerary, such as sampan trips, village walks and floating market visits, with an English-speaking guide; bicycle tours and cooking classes are on request.
- Why choose them
- Mekong Eyes Classic is a wooden cruiser with 14 cabins, converted from a rice barge. Google: 4.2 out of 5 from 61 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a private cruise on Gecko Eyes (1 cabin) or Dragon Eyes (2 cabins).
- Not the fit if
- you want Dragon Eyes to yourself but book only one cabin: the other cabin may be booked by someone else.
- Enquiry
- mekongeyes.com/contact
Mekong Kingdoms
- Best for
- Small-boat Mekong voyages in Laos
- Excursions
- Includes shore excursions on its overnight cruises; Bohème from Vientiane to Luang Prabang visits Xayaboury Elephant Conservation Centre, Kuang Si Waterfalls and Pak Ou Caves.
- Why choose them
- Its 50-metre boat Bohème has 13 cabins.
- Ask for
- Ask for The Bohème Journey, a 7-day cruise package with a stay at Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane or Avani+ Luang Prabang.
- Not the fit if
- you may need to cancel, as overnight cruises carry a 50% non-refundable deposit and cancelling less than 31 days before departure costs 100%.
- Published price
- from USD 3,750 per person, twin cabin, Bohème Vientiane to Luang Prabang upstream, 5 nights, 3 January 2027 sailing. Read 10 November 2026.
Merit Dahabiyas
- Best for
- Small dahabiya sailings between Luxor and Aswan
- Excursions
- Includes all sightseeing tours and entrance fees with Egyptology expert guides on its 4 nights/5 days itinerary.
- Why choose them
- Its 4 nights/5 days dahabiya itinerary includes all airport transfers, sightseeing tours, entrance fees and Egyptology guides.
- Ask for
- Ask for the 4 nights/5 days itinerary, with meals, sightseeing and soft drinks on board included.
- Not the fit if
- you want to join the Luxor Solar Eclipse 2027 sailing on your own: it is marked Charter ONLY.
Pandaw
- Best for
- Small-ship Mekong and India river expeditions
- Excursions
- Excursions are included in every sailing, in small groups with local guides and with options for different levels of mobility.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 1995 by Scottish historian Paul Strachan, it sails ships with fewer than 30 cabins each.
- Ask for
- Ask for a departure with no single supplement, which it offers on a wide selection of expeditions and dates.
- Not the fit if
- you use a wheelchair: wheelchairs are not allowed and some river stations have steep and sometimes slippery banks.
- Enquiry
- pandaw.com/contact-us
Phoenix Reisen
- Best for
- German-speaking river voyages at published euro fares
- Excursions
- Includes all excursions on its Mekong voyages aboard the MS Lan Diep.
- Why choose them
- Says it has nearly 40 river ships in its fleet. Google: 4.6 out of 5 from 1,259 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a voyage marked Singles sparen, with heavily reduced single cabins.
- Not the fit if
- you do not speak German: there is only one language on board, German.
- Published price
- From 1,099 € per person, 2-bed cabin (stern) main deck, Faszination Douro, 7 days on the Douro Cruiser, 07.04.-14.04.2027. Read 10 November 2026.
- Website
- phoenixreisen.com
Riverside Luxury Cruises
- Best for
- All-suite European river cruises with butlers
- Excursions
- Includes RIVERSIDE CHOICE shore excursions in each port in its Excursion Package, with an audio-guide device for each guest; CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION private activities cost extra.
- Why choose them
- Its suites range from 20 to 82 m² with a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:4.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Harmony Suite on Riverside Mozart or the Melody Suite on Debussy, Ravel or Mahler, where solo travellers pay no suite surcharge, subject to availability.
- Not the fit if
- you use a motorised scooter or need full wheelchair access: scooters are not allowed and wheelchair accessibility is limited.
- Website
- riverside-cruises.com
Riviera Travel
- Best for
- All-inclusive European river cruises with excursions included
- Excursions
- Includes guided tours in every port, led by English-speaking local experts; you can opt out of any included excursion.
- Why choose them
- Says it has welcomed more than 1.75 million guests worldwide and launched its river cruises in 2009.
- Ask for
- Ask for a solo departure with the single supplement waived, or a Cruise & Stay with three nights in a 4-star hotel.
- Not the fit if
- you use a wheelchair: there are no wheelchair accessible cabins on any of its ships.
- Money protection
- Says it is fully bonded with the CAA and ABTA, which are UK bodies, so your money is safe in any eventuality; its US booking conditions carry Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST40993.
- Enquiry
- rivieratravel.com/contact
Scenic
- Best for
- All-inclusive Europe and Mekong river cruises
- Excursions
- Includes a wide selection of daily excursions and special events on all river cruises, with a choice through Scenic Freechoice; helicopter and hot air balloon rides cost extra.
- Why choose them
- Its river fleet is growing from 13 to 16 ships, with new additions planned for 2027 and 2028.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Solo Program Preferred Fare, which gives 50% single supplement savings, with a free single supplement on select dates.
- Not the fit if
- you live outside the United States: these fares and offers apply to legal residents of the United States.
- Published price
- from US$4,528 per person, double occupancy, Castles & Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle, 8 days, 2027 season. Read 10 November 2026.
Tauck
- Best for
- Fully guided European river cruises, excursions included
- Excursions
- Includes a choice of privately guided small group excursions, with an average of 15 guests per local guide ashore.
- Why choose them
- Founded in 1925, it now offers nearly 200 itineraries across land tours and river and small ship cruises. Google: 3.4 out of 5 from 41 reviews; Trustpilot (whole company): 2.7 out of 5 from 93 reviews, newest 13 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Category 1 cabin on a European river cruise, which carries no single supplement.
- Not the fit if
- you need help walking or use a motorised scooter: Tauck cannot provide individual assistance and cannot take scooters on any trip.
- Enquiry
- tauck.com/contact-us
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
- Best for
- River cruises with drinks and gratuities included
- Excursions
- Includes scheduled excursions on cruises of 7 nights or more; optional or additional excursions cost extra.
- Why choose them
- Its cruises of 7 nights or more include onboard meals, premium beverages, onboard gratuities and scheduled excursions. Google: 3.6 out of 5 from 33 reviews; Trustpilot: 2.6 out of 5 from 34 reviews, newest 13 October 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Generations programme departure if you are travelling with children.
- Not the fit if
- you need mobility devices or personal care on board: it provides neither and cannot guarantee full accessibility in all locations.
- Published price
- From $2,969 per person, double occupancy, Delightful Danube, 8 days Budapest to Regensburg, 19 March 2028 (early booking offer; regular $3,299). Read 10 November 2026.
- Money protection
- Travel Industry Compensation Fund, TICO registration number 50018458 (Ontario); California Seller of Travel CST #2075415-20.
- Website
- uniworld.com
Viking
- Best for
- Europe, Nile and Mekong river voyages
- Excursions
- Includes one guided shore excursion in every port of call; optional excursions cost extra and all are rated easy, moderate or demanding.
- Why choose them
- Says it was voted #1 for Rivers in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, the sixth consecutive year. Trustpilot (whole company): 1.7 out of 5 from 384 reviews, newest 10 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Viking Inclusive Value fare, with one shore excursion in every port, or the current Special Solo Traveler Fares.
- Not the fit if
- you are travelling with children: Viking says its river ships have no children on board.
- Website
- vikingrivercruises.com
VIVA Cruises
- Best for
- All-inclusive river cruises with tips included
- Excursions
- Includes all shore excursions only on its Culinary Cruises, such as Normandy; on regular sailings excursions are booked at extra cost.
- Why choose them
- Says the Swiss shipping company Scylla AG, which owns a fleet of 40 ships, stands behind the brand. Google: 4.4 out of 5 from 289 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.9 out of 5 from 178 reviews, newest 6 November 2026. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a Culinary Cruise with Falstaff, where all shore excursions are included in the price.
- Not the fit if
- you want a doctor on board: there is none, though first aid can be given on all ships.
- Money protection
- Guarantee certificate handed over before the 20% down payment is due.
- Website
- viva-cruises.com
Which of these show a dated price on this page?
4 of the 28 cards show a price for a sailing, with its currency and a date or season. AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Assam Bengal Navigation, CroisiEurope, Delfin Amazon Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Heritage Line, Mekong Cruises (Luang Say), Mekong Eyes, Pandaw, Riviera Travel, Tauck and Viking publish fares on their own websites without a sailing date, a per-person basis or a currency on the pages read, so no figure is shown for them. Ask every line for a written quote with the departure date and what it includes.
Which of these lines name a scheme that protects your money?
5 of the 28 lines name a scheme, bond, licence or account that protects payments for some or all bookings; check the number with the scheme before you pay.
- Abercrombie & Kent: ATOL number 2881, issued by the CAA, for flight-inclusive packages (UK bookings)
- AmaWaterways: ATOL 11232 for flight-inclusive UK packages; ABTA bond, membership no. Y6393
- Riviera Travel: Says it is fully bonded with the CAA and ABTA, which are UK bodies, so your money is safe in any eventuality; its US booking conditions carry Florida Seller of Travel Ref. No. ST40993
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: Travel Industry Compensation Fund, TICO registration number 50018458 (Ontario); California Seller of Travel CST #2075415-20
- VIVA Cruises: Guarantee certificate handed over before the 20% down payment is due
Who to contact first
Start with the 3 lines on this page that publish both a sailing price and their cancellation terms on their own websites, then add any other card that fits your dates and the sailing you want.
What to ask each one to set out in writing:
- What the fare includes, line by line: excursions, drinks, gratuities, wifi, flights, transfers and hotel nights before and after.
- The ship: how many guests it carries, the cabin size and whether it has a French balcony, a full balcony or a window.
- The deposit, when the balance is due, what you lose if you cancel and what the line does if low or high water changes the route.
- Which scheme or licence protects your money and what you need to walk on the excursions if mobility matters to you.
River cruise excursions included: the questions people ask
What should I ask a river cruise line before booking?
What the fare includes, line by line; how many guests the ship carries and the size of the cabin; the deposit and what you lose if you cancel; what happens if low or high water changes the route; and which scheme protects your money.
Can I book with these lines directly?
Yes. Each card links the line's own website or enquiry page; ask for a written quote that lists what the fare includes and the cancellation scale.
Do these lines all sell the same kind of river cruise?
No. Each card names the sailing, ship or offer the line's own website gives; ship sizes, lengths, rivers and prices differ, so compare the cards before you ask for quotes.
What happens if the river is too low or too high to sail?
16 of the 28 lines set out on their own websites what they do when water levels change a sailing, such as a ship swap, a coach transfer or a refund. Ask each line in writing before you book.
Which of these have the most Google reviews?
Phoenix Reisen, VIVA Cruises and CroisiEurope, in that order. A count says how many people reviewed a line, not whether it fits your sailing; each card gives the rating and count, read 10 November 2026.
Which of these have Trustpilot profiles?
9 of the 28: Abercrombie & Kent, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, CroisiEurope, Grand Circle Cruise Line, Tauck, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Viking and VIVA Cruises. Each card gives the TrustScore, the review count and the newest review date, read 10 November 2026.
Which of these publish their cancellation terms?
20 of the 28 publish a cancellation scale on their own websites. Ask each for the full scale in writing before you pay a deposit.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Each card links the pages of the line's own website its lines were read from, with the date they were read.
How were these lines chosen?
Each one is in the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table, built from the river cruise lines ChatGPT names most often. On its own website it says its fare includes shore excursions. A line is on the page because its published facts fit the question, never because it paid.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Companies are added at each update. Want to be the company this page features?
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each line published on its own website, read on 10 November 2026, with links to the pages read, with its Google and Trustpilot figures where the listing carries the line's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel river cruise lines table. Cards are in alphabetical order. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.