River cruising: The best affordable luxury river cruise lines

18 June 2026

Highlighting the top affordable luxury river cruise experiences and why they stand out

Photo of Kyle Wilson
Kyle Wilson Senior Content Writer

Kyle has over two years of experience creating and improving content for Iglu Cruise, and over five years of experience creating digital content in both travel and entertainment elsewhere. When he's not learning about new cruise destinations and planning his next getaway, he's improving the cruise-related content you see and creating content that helps you plan your next dream holiday.

River cruising is one of the most exciting ways to explore the world, inviting you to sail aboard stylish, smaller ships with itineraries that visit sensational destinations ocean-bound cruise adventures simply can’t. With river cruise ships typically boasting region-inspired menus in elevated restaurants, entertainment that draws on the talents of local musicians and performers, and shore experiences that invite you to immerse yourself in every place on your itinerary, this can be a sensational way to see parts of Central Europe, Southeast Asia, and beyond. You’ll also find that river cruises, even the more affordable options, feature an impressive selection of inclusions, attentive service from an experienced crew, and comfortable accommodation to unwind in.

If you’re interested in your own escape along one of the world’s major waterways, and you have a holiday budget to adhere to, below you’ll find an exploration of some of the best affordable luxury river cruise experiences available, highlighting the wealth of inclusions available with each one and the reason why they deserve your attention.

On top of this, you’ll find a curated collection of sailings with each river cruise line, offering you a snapshot into the interesting itineraries you can expect to encounter when it comes to booking your own dream getaway.

Contents:

  1. Emerald River Cruises
  2. Riviera Travel
  3. Travelmarvel
  4. TUI River Cruises

Emerald River Cruises

A luxury river cruise line that invites you to broaden your horizons with itineraries that unveil majestic wonders and explore exhilarating cultures throughout Central Europe and Southeast Asia, Emerald River Cruises’ sailings are extraordinary and unmissable. Affording you the unique opportunity to explore sensational destinations along several scenic rivers, from vibrant cityscapes to quaint villages, the river-bound escapes you’ll experience with Emerald River Cruises are a fantastic way to learn more about local life, admire iconic landmarks up close, and sample some of the finest regional wines and culinary delights – all while travelling in complete comfort, wanting for nothing.

Whether you embark on an adventure with Emerald River Cruises along the Rhine, the Danube, the Main, the Moselle, the Rhône, the Douro, or the Mekong River, you’re guaranteed an adventure of a lifetime on their impressive fleet of Star-Ships.

These itineraries are complemented by a stylish selection of suites and staterooms; well-appointed and equipped with innovative features, every moment of your time onboard will be comfortable. When ashore, you’ll be invited to enjoy Emerald River Cruises’ collection of interesting included EmeraldDISCOVERY, EmeraldPLUS, and EmeraldACTIVE shore excursions – with extra-special DiscoverMORE experiences available at an additional cost, which encourage you to explore each destination in even greater depth. With Emerald River Cruises, your enjoyment comes first, and it’s hard not to enjoy the exciting escapes available with this luxury river cruise line.

Exploring Central Europe with Emerald River Cruises

Emerald River Cruises inclusions and key amenities

When you embark on an exciting escape with Emerald River Cruises, you’ll be invited to enjoy Exceptional Emerald Value, an impressive selection of inclusions resulting in an onboard experience closer to what you would hope to experience aboard an ultra-luxury river cruise line. This is a testament to both the incredible quality you’ll experience aboard Emerald River Cruises’ Star-Ships and the fact that Emerald River Cruises’ sailings are sensational value for money.

Throughout your scenic sojourn with Emerald River Cruises, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in an elevated dining experience in an elegant restaurant, with all meals and their accompanying beverages included in your river cruise fare. With the menus available aboard Emerald River Cruises’ Star-Ships drawing on local ingredients and flavours, this is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the regions around you further; you’ll also find that each day’s menu has been thoughtfully paired with a regional wine, ensuring every time you sit down to dine is truly delightful.

Dining on The Terrace

When you’re not tucking into something tasty during one of the designated dining times onboard, you’ll have the chance to take advantage of complimentary Wi-Fi internet access; while connectivity can vary depending on where you are in the world, this fantastic inclusion will help you stay connected while exploring spectacular destinations along some of the world’s most scenic rivers. Or stay connected while unwinding in your comfortable stateroom or suite, all of which feature modern amenities and inclusions such as individual climate control, luxury ESPA toiletries, a hairdryer, and an in-room safe. You’ll even find complimentary bathrobes and slippers in your stateroom or suite, ensuring your stay is as comfortable as possible.

Deepen your exploration of each destination with Emerald River Cruises
Trier, in Germany's Moselle Valley

Your river cruise fare also covers all onboard tips and gratuities, alongside any additional port fees, and an impressive selection of complimentary shore excursions at every port on your itinerary and you’ll find the included excursions available vary dramatically; so, whether you’re hoping to embark on a walking tour of a destination’s historical highlights, a scenic coach tour of the surrounding landscapes, an insightful wine-tasting experience, a cycling sojourn past picturesque scenery, or an exciting kayaking excursion on the river itself, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Emerald River Cruises invites you to explore the world in a way that works for you, and the impressive inclusions you’ll enjoy when you embark certainly support that.

Why does Emerald River Cruises stand out?

Embarking on an exciting escape with Emerald River Cruises is never a bad idea, and there are several reasons why you may want to choose this particular luxury river cruise line over another affordable option. Not only do Emerald River Cruises’ custom-built Star-Ships invite you to explore an array of sensational destinations along some of the world’s most remarkable rivers, all while you travel in comfort and style, but they also afford you the opportunity to experience these destinations in a wealth of different ways, thanks to an impressive range of included shore excursions.

Explore more with Emerald River Cruises

During an Emerald River Cruises sailing, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a wide selection of shore excursions at no additional cost, ensuring you’ll always have something to look forward to when you disembark at the destinations included on your itinerary. These shore excursions are organised into three broad categories, highlighting the variety on offer; these are: EmeraldDISCOVERY, which covers guided walking tours and sightseeing experiences; EmeraldACTIVE, which includes more active experiences like cycling tours and hiking excursions; and EmeraldPLUS, which invites you to immerse yourself further in the cultures around you through folklore shows, culinary classes, and more.

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, is just one place you can visit with Emerald River Cruises' DiscoverMORE experiences

Adding to the impressive cultural entertainment and regional cuisines you’ll enjoy onboard, these interesting complementary shore excursions add to the immersion of each itinerary, highlighting just how excellent the value of Emerald River Cruises’ sailings are; throughout, you’ll be invited to explore the region around you thoughtfully, further deepening your connection to the world around you and your appreciation of the fascinating cultures found along some of the world’s most spectacular rivers.

Emerald River Cruises’ remarkable value is also reflected in the wider inclusions you’ll have the chance to take advantage of when you set sail. Not only are you able to enjoy a range of carefully paired complementary drinks during dining times, but you’ll also be able to attend a daily afternoon tea service onboard, find bottled water in your stateroom or suite daily, and have access to an array of wellness experiences at no additional charge. These, when considered alongside other inclusions like tips and return airport transfers to and from your river cruise ships, further highlight the sensational value you’ll enjoy when you choose Emerald River Cruises.

Stress-free sailing with Emerald River Cruises

Taking this a step further, while also highlighting the impressive innovation Emerald River Cruises employs, every one of Emerald River Cruises’ Star-Ships features an aft-facing heated swimming pool, an uncommon feature to find on intimately-sized river cruise ships. During the day, this spacious pool hosts guided aqua aerobics classes and provides everyone onboard with a place to stay cool while the sun is shining. Then, as the evening rolls around, the area transforms into a quaint cinema, offering guests even more exciting onboard experiences. This only adds to Emerald River Cruises’ sensational offering, ensuring each getaway is utterly unforgettable.

Emerald River Cruises deals you won’t want to miss

With such an incredible river cruise experience awaiting everyone who embarks, there’s no time to lose; below, you’ll find a curated selection of sensational upcoming sailings with Emerald River Cruises:

If you’re looking for even more Emerald River Cruises deals, you’ll find more sensational sailings right here.

Riviera Travel

Offering everyone the chance to enjoy enriching and effortless exploration of some of the world’s most stunning regions along scenic waterways and rivers boasting remarkable destinations and breathtaking landscapes, Riviera Travel is a remarkable river cruise line that boasts one of the most affordable river cruising experiences, while also offering an impressive array of inclusions that rivals some of the most ultra-luxurious river cruise experiences available elsewhere. 

Through a remarkable range of thoughtfully crafted itineraries, Riviera Travel invites you to effortlessly explore some of the world’s most stunning regions, with river cruises travelling through Central Europe, Southeast Asia, and North Africa. Each sailing with this luxury river cruise line unfolds beautifully, with every moment shaped by experts to ensure that your time onboard is relaxing and rewarding, while excursions ashore are exciting and unforgettable.

This incredible river cruising experience is complemented by the impeccable service of an attentive crew and an engaging entertainment programme that features traditional cruise entertainment alongside fantastic performances by local talent. Effortlessly enjoyable and undeniably elegant, each sailing with Riviera Travel is memorable from the moment you embark.

Riviera Travel's William Shakespeare in Central Europe

Riviera Travel inclusions and key amenities

Despite offering a range of more affordable river cruises, Riviera Travel’s river cruising experience is among the most inclusive available; rivalling the river cruising experiences available from the most inclusive ultra-luxury river cruise lines, it’s difficult to deny that Riviera Travel boasts some of the best value for money when it comes to luxury river cruising along some of the world’s most stunning rivers. 

While sailing in complete comfort aboard Riviera Travel’s incredible fleet of luxury river cruise ships, you’ll have the chance to indulge in an exquisite culinary experience in the onboard restaurant; here, each menu balances international fare with regional specialities crafted using fresh local ingredients to deliver authentic flavours and undeniably delicious dishes. 

You’ll also enjoy a range of complimentary beverages with each meal, elevating evening meals with carefully paired wines and affording you the opportunity to kickstart your day with a rich coffee or flavourful tea. Riviera Travel’s European river cruises expand on this selection of complimentary beverages with an all-inclusive drinks package, which is included with every river cruise fare. This package includes a range of house wines, draught beers, house spirits with mixes, both the cocktail and mocktail of the day, and an array of soft drinks.

The Lido Bar on MS Jane Austen

Alongside this, your river cruise fare with Riviera Travel also permits you to enjoy a range of complimentary shore excursions, with at least one experience included at each port of call on your itinerary. Thoughtfully organised and curated to offer engaging and insightful experiences in each destination, the shore experiences available with Riviera Travel range from guided walking tours highlighting iconic landmarks to extended explorations of specific sites. With local guides, you can expect a more immersive, authentic experience every time you disembark to enjoy one of the included excursions. Or, of course, you can explore these destinations at your own pace, or even stay on the ship while in port. You’ll have the freedom to enjoy your river cruise as you see fit with Riviera Travel.

That enjoyment is further enhanced by an incredible array of engaging entertainment, including live music, local folk performers, and more. Available throughout your river cruise, you’ll always have something to look forward to when the sun sets while sailing with Riviera Travel. If you’d rather unwind in the comfort of your stylish stateroom or suite, you’ll find ample entertainment available on the in-room flat-screen TV, too. Other amenities include individual climate control for maximum comfort, an in-room safe for valuables, a hairdryer, luxury toiletries, and plush furnishings.

Suite accommodation on MS Charles Dickens

This impressive, already-inclusive experience is further complemented by complimentary Wi-Fi, return flights, and airport-to-port transfers when necessary, as well as all additional port fees. So, while tipping is still at your discretion, it’s safe to say that Riviera Travel river cruises are sensational value for money.

Why does Riviera Travel stand out?

For those wondering why Riviera Travel’s river cruises stand out from the crowd, you only have to consider the abundant inclusions already discussed. Not only does Riviera Travel boast one of the most inclusive river cruise experiences available, but you’ll also find the staterooms and suites on Riviera Travel’s river cruise ships more spacious than those on other affordable luxury river cruise lines’ ships. So, while you’re enjoying access to a complementary all-inclusive drinks package on Riviera Travel’s European river cruises, which is something you’d expect to enjoy on ultra-luxury river cruises that cost far more, you’ll also enjoy even more room to relax in your well-appointed accommodation.  

While specific sizes differ from ship-to-ship, you’ll typically find that the standard staterooms on Riviera Travel’s river cruise ships are upwards of a square metre larger than those found on ships offering similar river cruising experiences, and suite-level accommodation is even more spacious than that. When sailing on river cruise ships, every inch of space counts, and even a square metre can transform cramped accommodation into a spacious stateroom. So, if you’re worried about not having enough space when sailing, river cruising with Riviera Travel is worth considering.

A spacious standard cabin on MS Douro Spirit

Riviera Travel’s remarkable fleet is also home to the world’s first river cruise ship dedicated entirely to solo travellers, MS George Eliot, with this ship hosting a sensational selection of solo-only sailings along some of Europe’s most stunning rivers.

While solo travellers are always well looked after on river cruises, no matter who you’re travelling with, it’s not always easy to find a river cruise stateroom or suite that doesn’t come with an additional single supplement payment. However, with this extra fee waived on Riviera Travel’s MS George Eliot and unique solo-traveller sailings available, this cruise line is a fantastic option for anyone travelling alone.

MS George Eliot

Beyond this, Riviera Travel’s unique “Happiness Guarantee” policy highlights just how exceptional the river cruise experience available with this river cruise line is. With this interesting policy in place, if you’re not fully satisfied with your river cruising experience by your second day of being onboard a Riviera Travel river cruise ship, you’ll be flown home with a full refund. Not only does this give you peace of mind knowing that your escape will be as enjoyable as possible, but it also highlights Riviera Travel’s confidence that their river cruises live up to expectations.

Riviera Travel cruise deals you won’t want to miss

If you’re looking forward to embarking on an exceptional river cruise with Riviera Travel, you’ll find a selection of sailings with this incredible cruise line below:

You’ll find even more incredible Riviera Travel cruise deals right here.

Travelmarvel

Inviting you to explore some of the world’s most fascinating destinations at a relaxed pace, Travelmarvel river cruises are a premium river cruising experience without the premium price tag, affording you the opportunity to embark on an unforgettable adventure while enjoying exceptional value.

While sailing with Travelmarvel, you’re invited to unwind in complete comfort, watching life unfold on the river while soaking in stunning scenery and gorgeous landscapes aboard a state-of-the-art river cruise ship. And with Travelmarvel offering interesting itineraries along some of Central Europe’s most remarkable rivers, as well as Southeast Asia’s Mekong and the Nile in Egypt, those landscapes can be truly spectacular. 

Travelmarvel’s remarkable river cruises are also incredibly inclusive, with Insider Experiences ensuring you’re able to unlock the heart of each destination on your itinerary and make the most of your time ashore, an undeniably excellent dining experience, engaging onboard entertainment, and more. Affording you the opportunity to explore quaint, charming riverside towns alongside vibrant major cities overflowing with exciting experiences, every aspect of your river cruise is carefully taken care of from the moment you embark with Travelmarvel, giving you the chance to enjoy the experience to its absolute fullest.

Travelmarvel Vega in Central Europe

Travelmarvel inclusions and key amenities

When it comes to exploring what’s included in your Travelmarvel river cruise fare, you’ll find an impressive array of inclusions; considering the affordable cost of this luxurious river cruise experience, this makes Travelmarvel sensational value for money.

During your time onboard, when you’re not unwinding in your stylish stateroom or suite – all of which feature a range of amenities like personal climate control systems, a flat-screen TV with entertainment, luscious toiletries, and daily complimentary bottled water – you’ll be invited to indulge in an incredible variety of international cuisines and regional specialities in the elegant main restaurant onboard; on Europe-based Travelmarvel Capella, Rigel, Polaris, and Vega, this is Constellations. Meanwhile, a similarly stylish restaurant venue can be found aboard other Travelmarvel river cruise ships.

Dining in Constellations aboard Travelmarvel Capella

Aboard Capella, Rigel, Vega, and Polaris, however, you’ll also encounter a more casual eatery in McGeary’s Bar: an authentic pub-style space boasting a relaxed atmosphere and familiar pub fare. Travelmarvel’s Nile-bound Travelmarvel Sirius boasts a grill space on the sun deck, while the Le Viet Nam Cafe can be found on Mekong-based river cruise ship RV Lotus. So, no matter where in the world you’re travelling with Travelmarvel, you’ll enjoy a variety of dining experiences and sensational food to suit every mood – whether you’re looking for a familiar favourite or something from the region around you.

During both lunch and dinner, you’ll also enjoy complimentary beverages, including carefully paired regional wines and local beers, alongside a selection of complimentary soft drinks throughout your cruise. So, although alcoholic beverages outside of mealtimes will cost you extra, you’ll never have to worry about going thirsty while sailing with Travelmarvel. You’ll also find the attentive service you enjoy during mealtimes extends to the rest of your onboard experience, with the experienced crew always on hand to help you during your escape.

The lounge on MS Caledonian Sky is somewhere you can enjoy refreshments throughout your river cruise

While you’re effortlessly exploring the world with Travelmarvel, you’ll also encounter an incredible range of complimentary shore excursions, including exciting Insider Experiences: a curated collection of onshore experiences designed specifically to take your holiday from amazing to extraordinary. Going beyond typical walking tours to offer you insightful and immersive experiences you won’t want to miss, Insider Experiences are available at select stops on each sailing and include things like extended visits to World Heritage-listed sites, culinary tasting tours of regional specialities, and more.

River cruising that is specifically designed to offer you a seamless travel experience from start to finish, with outstanding service and comfortable accommodation, ensuring every moment onboard is as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. Travelmarvel’s river cruises also include complimentary transfers, all additional port fees, and all onboard tips. So, alongside everything else available, you can rest assured knowing that travelling with Travelmarvel won’t feature any hidden costs.

Why does Travelmarvel stand out?

Travelmarvel stands apart from other river cruise lines, offering affordable luxury river cruises by delivering a premium river cruising experience without the premium price tag, leaning on sister company APT Luxury Travel’s wealth of experience offering ultra-luxurious river cruises to deliver an inclusive experience aboard stylish ships sailing through some of the world’s most scenic regions.

The Insider Experiences available at select stops on your river cruise are an excellent example of this; going above and beyond traditional river cruise shore excursions, these unique, complementary experiences are carefully curated to immerse you even further in the incredible destinations you’ll be visiting. From exclusive tours of the Hungarian State Opera with private recitals and culinary classes exploring the secrets to perfecting Black Forest gateau, to wine-tasting tours of the Douro Valley’s most sensational vineyards and so much more, these excursions are a remarkable alternative to the walking tours and sightseeing experiences typically available. When you compare these with what you’ll find on similarly affordable river cruises, it’s clear to see that Travelmarvel’s onshore experiences are a cut above. 

Unmissable wine tasting experiences in Porto, Portugal

Travelmarvel’s exceptional affordability also means you’ll enjoy more freedom to enjoy your escape as you see fit, while still enjoying an impressive array of inclusions befitting a premium river cruising experience. With things like onboard tips and airport transfers included alongside the aforementioned selection of elevated shore excursions, Travelmarvel goes above and beyond the essentials; however, you’ll still have the option to explore the destinations you visit at your own pace alongside these special experiences, while also avoiding paying for any extravagant amenities and additions you might not want to – for example, an inclusive drinks package. Where ultra-luxury lines will charge you up-front for an inclusive drinks experience onboard, you’ll have more freedom to pick and choose when you want to pay for drinks with Travelmarvel’s more affordable cruise fares.

Travelling with Travelmarvel is also far more relaxed than you might expect, given the exceptional quality of the onboard experience; for example, Travelmarvel’s fleet boasts both refined restaurants and venues offering lighter meal options and casual dining. And, throughout your river cruise, you’ll have the freedom to dine in any of the available venues onboard, foregoing the traditional, stricter dining situation found on other river cruise ships, where you only have one onboard restaurant to dine in. 

While you’ll still have to adhere to a dining time to accommodate the day’s shore excursions and any evening entertainment, this still affords you more freedom than you’ll find elsewhere, further fostering the more relaxed atmosphere on Travelmarvel’s river cruises.

A shining example of the stylish accommodation aboard Travelmarvel's impressive river cruise ships

Travelmarvel also boasts one of the youngest river cruise ship fleets in Europe, with improved engineering that minimises disruptions during travel and stylish staterooms that reflect the elevated onboard experience on offer. These modern river cruise ships also feature a bubbling whirlpool on the sun deck, ideal for soaking up the sun; a sunken terrace that elevates the outdoor social spaces where you can unwind; and a compact fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment. If you’re looking for that new ship feeling at an affordable rate, Travelmarvel really is one of the best options.

Travelmarvel cruise deals you won’t want to miss

An excellent river cruise line boasting premium adventures along the world’s most scenic rivers without a premium price tag, you’ll find a selection of sensational Travelmarvel river cruises below:

And, for even more unmissable sailings aboard Travelmarvel’s magnificent fleet, you’ll find more Travelmarvel cruise deals right here.

TUI River Cruises

A sensational, award-winning river cruise line that offers an incredible array of interesting itineraries along some of the world’s major rivers, TUI River Cruises’ getaways are a premium river cruising experience at exceptional value. From the Rhine and Danube in Central Europe to the Nile in Egypt and beyond, you’ll be sailing aboard a fleet of stylish river cruise ships boasting modern amenities and thoughtfully designed public spaces, visiting a variety of world-famous cities and charming riverside towns around the world. When you’re not disembarking in these incredible destinations, you’ll have the chance to enjoy outstanding service in several onboard restaurants and bars, with a range of international and regional cuisines available alongside all your favourite tipples.

TUI River Cruises pairs this exceptional culinary experience with ample onboard activities and entertainment, ensuring every moment you spend sailing with this river cruise line is enjoyable. From introspective guided wellness experiences to interactive games and unmissable live entertainment, there’s something for every type of traveller to enjoy; that is, when you’re not soaking up the sensational scenery and glorious sunshine on the sun deck, or relaxing in your well-appointed accommodation. Inviting you to immerse yourself in some of the world’s most stunning regions, TUI River Cruises offer fantastic variety with exceptional quality, ensuring every moment of your escape is unforgettable – and truly excellent value.

TUI Bahareya on the Nile

TUI River Cruises inclusions and key amenities

When embarking on an exciting escape with TUI River Cruises, you can relax knowing you’re getting an impressive selection of inclusions and access to an array of modern amenities at an incredible cost. While not an all-inclusive experience as standard, TUI River Cruises are exceptional value, making exploring some of the world’s most scenic regions even more rewarding; and you can upgrade to one of TUI River Cruises’ all-inclusive packages for a small additional fee, giving you even more value and making each moment of your adventure sensational and stress-free.

TUI River Cruises include incredible full-board dining at two onboard restaurants, each with its own interesting menu that balances international favourites with dishes drawing on regional cuisines and local flavours. With both enjoying an open seating policy and no set dining times, you’ll find yourself with ample choice when it comes to dining, with the freedom to choose where and when you sit down to tuck into something tasty throughout your river cruise. TUI River Cruises’ European cruises also include a selection of complimentary drinks during mealtimes, including a selection of hand-picked, expertly paired wines from the region you’re exploring.

Dining with TUI River Cruises is always exciting

In addition to this, on sailings over five nights, you’ll be invited to attend an incredible six-course gala dinner; an elevated dining experience where TUI River Cruises’ culinary team pull out all the stops, this is the perfect opportunity to dress to impress and celebrate your sensational adventure so far.

When you’re not exploring the world around you through food or heading ashore to immerse yourself in the interesting destinations on your itinerary, you’ll also encounter a healthy variety of complimentary entertainment and activities to engage with. 

During the day, this can include everything from insightful wellness classes to interactive deck games, while the evenings will invite you to enjoy incredible live music and the talents of local performers, all of which you won’t want to miss a moment of. If you’re looking for something a little more laid-back, you’ll also have the chance to enjoy more low-key entertainment options like interactive quizzes and silent discos during your cruise. Ultimately, there’s something for everyone to enjoy when sailing with TUI River Cruises.

Taking in the sights on the deck

The stylish staterooms and suites you’ll be staying in when sailing with TUI River Cruises are also well-appointed with an impressive array of amenities. With individually-controlled air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV with ample entertainment options, complimentary Molton Brown toiletries, a hairdryer, and more, this rivals the inclusions of other luxury river cruise lines. TUI River Cruises’ accommodation also features tea and coffee-making facilities, while suite-level rooms boast more luxurious amenities like rainfall showers, continental breakfast in bed, and a nightly turndown service – elevating your experience even further. While this is certainly worth considering, even the Standard Cabins on TUI River Cruises’ ships feature an incredible collection of amenities and inclusions, ensuring everyone’s river cruising in comfort.

Beyond all of this, your TUI River Cruises fare also includes complimentary Wi-Fi internet access where connectivity allows, airport transfers to and from your river cruise ship, and all onboard tips and service charges – as well as any additional port fees and taxes. When you consider the elevated quality of the experience on offer, these inclusions and amenities highlight TUI River Cruises’ exceptional value.

If you’re looking to elevate your onboard experience even further and enjoy a truly stress-free sailing without additional costs, TUI River Cruises offers an incredible All-Inclusive Drinks Package. Available at a per-person, per-night rate, this includes unlimited drinks outside of mealtimes, including branded spirits, cocktails, and premium coffees.

Why does TUI River Cruises stand out?

There are a lot of excellent reasons why you should consider river cruising with TUI River Cruises; one of the most significant ways TUI River Cruises stands out from the crowd of other affordable river cruise lines is the fact that TUI River Cruises’ entire fleet of modern ships is adults-only. 

However, that’s far from the only thing worth talking about when it comes to TUI River Cruises. 

TUI River Cruises’ sensational sailings also feature Cruise & Stay options, which are now available in both Egypt and Hungary. If you’re heading on a river cruise along the Danube and Rhine, or Egypt’s historic Nile, you’ll now be able to add up to an additional seven nights to your escape with a wonderful variety of Cruise & Stay options in cities like Budapest and Luxor. With local tours and more also available, you’ll have no trouble curating the getaway that suits you with TUI River Cruises.

Although when you’re enjoying the wonderful adults-only experience onboard, you’ll find that the relaxed atmosphere TUI River Cruises creates is enhanced by relaxed dining times onboard, meaning you can indulge in some of the sensational regional cuisines available at your own pace; and you’ll also find a remarkable range of onboard activities and entertainment experiences that ditch formality for fun.

Engaging entertainment is always included

What does this mean? Well, it means that while you’ll still have the chance to enjoy a more traditional river cruise entertainment experience, you’ll also be invited to engage with silent discos, laid-back craft workshops, and deck games like giant Connect Four and giant Jenga.

TUI River Cruises is also starting to introduce themed river cruises to its already excellent selection of sailings through Central Europe and beyond. A fantastic example of this would be the upcoming Rewind on the Rhine sailing, a sensational three-night river cruise along the Rhine that takes you back to the 70s and 80s with live DJ sets from the BBC’s Gary Davies, performances from ABBA Revival, and more music-themed fun. You can find more information on this sailing right here: Rewind on the Rhine from Frankfurt (3 nights) - TUI Skyla

TUI River Cruises’ impressive fleet also features dedicated solo staterooms, meaning solo travellers can embark on exciting adventures along some of the world’s major waterways without worrying about an additional single supplement payment; these are often included when solo travellers book standard double occupancy staterooms or suites, to account for the fact that only one person is staying in them, making solo travelling even more expensive. However, the selection of solo staterooms available on TUI River Cruises’ ships means that everyone has the chance to enjoy an affordable river cruising escape, whether you’re travelling alone or otherwise.

Spacious solo accommodation with TUI River Cruises

You’ll also find that, generally, TUI River Cruises afford you a flexibility you don’t often encounter elsewhere, with their more affordable river cruise fares foregoing inclusions like shore excursions and inclusive drinks packages to give you more freedom when it comes to spending your money as you see fit. Travelling from the UK is still a breeze, though, with TUI River Cruises’ fares often including flights and airport transfers. However, beyond that and the basics like onboard tips, Wi-Fi internet access, and full board dining, you’ll have the freedom to book interesting shore excursions at fascinating destinations, buy drinks a la carte, and more as and when you want to.

TUI River Cruises deals you won’t want to miss

With such a wealth of incredible cruises available, choosing the right sailing for you can be complicated; so, you’ll find a selection of unmissable adventures with TUI River Cruises below:

Beyond this, you’ll find even more TUI River Cruises deals right here.

Book your next remarkable river adventure with Iglu Cruise today

Iglu Cruise is home to an incredible selection of river cruise deals for you to check out when booking your next escape, but there's so much more to explore. From luxury cruises and all-inclusive packages to some of the world's most sought-after destinations available alongside last-minute deals on ocean-bound adventures and so much more, there really is something for everyone when it comes to travelling with Iglu Cruise.

You'll also find more travel inspiration and information from the Iglu Cruise creative team with the latest from Iglu Cruise Insider, the perfect accompaniment to the hottest cruise deals out there right now.