What’s Included: River vs. Ocean
The river fare looks higher until you count what is inside it.
Get Free River Cruise QuotesOcean cruisers are used to a low fare and a long list of extras: shore excursions, drinks packages, specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi and daily service charges. River cruise fares are built differently. They look higher at first, then the list of extras turns out to be much shorter.
Side by Side: Who Pays for What
| Item | Typical ocean cruise | Typical river cruise |
|---|---|---|
| Meals in the main restaurant | Included | Included |
| Specialty restaurants | Usually extra | Few exist; usually included if offered |
| Shore excursions | Usually extra | Guided tour in most ports usually included |
| Wine and beer with meals | Usually extra | Included on many lines |
| Wi-Fi | Often extra | Usually included (can be patchy on rivers) |
| Gratuities | Often added daily | Varies by line; included on some |
| Port charges | Often shown separately | Usually included; check your quote |
| Bicycles | Rare | Carried by some lines |
This is a general picture. Each line draws the line in a slightly different place, so read the inclusions for the exact sailing you are looking at.
How to Compare Fairly
Take the ocean cruise you know and price it the way you actually travel: the excursions you would book, the drinks you would have, the gratuities, the Wi-Fi. Then put that total next to the river cruise fare. The gap is often much smaller than the brochure suggests — and sometimes it closes completely.
- Count excursions per port, not just the number of ports.
- Check whether drinks are “with meals” or “all day.”
- Ask whether tips for guides and drivers ashore are covered.
- Add hotel nights and transfers, because river cruises often start and end in different cities.
What Is Still Extra on a River
Optional tours
Special excursions such as a concert, cooking class or a longer day trip.
Premium drinks
Top-shelf spirits and fine wines, even on lines that include house wine.
Spa treatments and laundry
Usually charged when available.
Flights and hotels
Unless they are part of a specific offer.
Travel insurance
Strongly recommended for any trip with flights and a ship.
A Worked Example in Words
Imagine a seven-night ocean cruise with five ports and two sea days. You might book an excursion in each port, buy a drinks package, pay daily gratuities and add Wi-Fi. Now imagine a seven-night river cruise with a town every day. On many river lines the guided tour in each town, house wine and beer at lunch and dinner, and Wi-Fi are already in the fare. The river fare is higher; the bill at the end is smaller. Which one costs less in total depends on the lines, the dates and how you travel — which is why we price both for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a drinks package?
On many river lines, wine, beer and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and some include an open bar all day. Other lines sell a drinks package. Check before you compare fares.
Are tips included?
On some river lines, yes. On others, gratuities are added to your account or left at the end of the cruise. Ocean lines commonly add a daily service charge.
Are flights included?
Not usually by default, though many river lines run air offers at certain times. River cruises often start and end in different cities, so you will want open-jaw flights.
Compare a River Cruise With Your Last Ocean Cruise
Tell us the ocean cruise you took and the river you are curious about. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will show what each fare includes, side by side.
Compare the Real Cost