What to Look For in a European River Cruise

We encourage you to consider what the vacation is going to cost you at the end - not the beginning.  Compare the quality and location of hotels or other accommodation, and be clear on the number and quality of inclusions such as meals, sightseeing, special events, entrance fees, local guides and tipping.  Check which and how many of these things are actually included in the price.  All the "little extras" that you have to pay for on tour can add up to a sizeable amount that increases the true cost of your vacation by the end.

Scenic Tours "All Inclusive Touring" means that everything is included in your tour cost up front. You will be able to devote your personal spending to those souvenirs that you want to take home to remember your trip of a lifetime!

A river cruise is like vacationing in a floating hotel.  Your cabin will be your home for a week or two or more, so you need to be sure of what you are getting.  There are many river cruise ships, but not all have the space and amenities that people have come to expect.  Check the size of your cabin to make sure that you're going to be comfortable.  And check the services, facilities and amenities that are being provided.

Scenic Tours river cruise ships are Europe's newest luxury fleet - our oldest ship was built in 2008 - and we also feature the most spacious suites available.

Many river cruise ships claim to offer balconies - check that they are true balconies.  Some other ships offer an inside area in your stateroom alongside a sliding door/window.  When the sliding door is opened, you find yourself against the outside railing of the ship.  You can't actually step outside.

Scenic Tours offers true private outdoor balconies, featuring a table and two chairs, on 82% on our cabins.

Eating out can be very expensive in Europe.  Be clear which meals are actually included on your tour and which are not.  Also note whether the dining areas are of a sufficient size to allow everyone to be seated at the same time, for maximum flexibility.  Ask if you are restricted to group tables, or if you can make up your own tables of two or four.  Are there other dining alternatives, or just the main dining room?  Will you have a variety of menu selections to choose from, and an opportunity to sample some regional specialties? 

Scenic Tours includes all meals on board, has three dining venues, open seating at all meals, and a wide range of menu selections, including regional cuisine.

You will be spending a fair amount of time in the various public areas of the ship.  Look for inside public areas that are spacious and light-filled, with excellent views.  Your vessel is also the viewing platform from which you will see a great deal of Europe.  Check out the size and availability of outside viewing areas, ensuring that they are spacious and have comfortable seating.

Scenic Tours "Space Ships" feature 22% more space on board, including large and comfortable public areas, inside and outside.

Check to see what is included - tea/coffee, beer, wine and soft drinks with meals, laundry/pressing services, room service, cabin amenities, tipping and gratuities.  If these are not included, the costs can really add up.

Scenic Tours offers complimentary espresso coffee and a fine selection of teas available all day, as well as complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with meals, superior service and cabin amenities, and all tipping.

A brochure or itinerary will often talk about "included sightseeing" - ask what this means.  If you are going to "see" something, does that mean a quick drive past on a tour coach, or an in-depth visit?  Are you taken to a venue then left to line up and pay your own entrance fees, or are you escorted to the front of the line and have your entrance fees included?  When you visit a city, do you just get a blurred memory of what may have been a European jewel, or do you get a proper guided tour with a professional English speaking guide, with personal amplification devices to ensure you don't miss a word?

Scenic Tours includes all sightseeing with our award winning, English speaking local guides, including Whisper headsets so everyone can enjoy the informative commentary.

Often optional tours are portrayed as a means of providing flexibility for guests, but what do they cost?  In many instances, if you don't buy all the optional tours offered, you will miss out on the very sights and activities that you came to Europe to experience.  And when you add the cost of these "optionals" to the basic tour cost, it can increase your overall cost significantly.

Scenic Tours is proud of our innovative SCENICFreeChoice, SCENICEnrich and SCENICFreeTime programmes, providing you with the flexibility of choice, but all included as part of your tour at no additional cost.

Take care!  It is common in Europe that certain shopping venues will pay a commission to either the tour director or the tour operator.  Visits to some shopping venues may be overly long, and take away from the valuable time you may wish to spend at other sites.

Scenic Tours does not take guests on shopping excursions.  If requested, we will make suggestions of reputable vendors based on our local knowledge and experience, but there is no link back to the company or our Tour Directors.