Best Savings on River Boat Cruising on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, & Rhone
Savings and discount fares are often available for luxury European river boat cruises including the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and Rhone.
photo credit: martinroell
Luxury riverboat cruising on various European rivers is increasingly popular with especially companies aiming at American passengers adding newer and innovative boats. The traditional cruise rivers are the Rhine and Danube Rivers but cruises are also available on rivers in France (Seine, Saone, and Rhone), in the Netherlands and Belgium, and several further rivers in Germany including the Mosel, Main, Oder, and Elbe. Discounts are often available and cheap fares are up for grabs for early bookings and for celebrating special anniversaries on luxury cruise lines as diverse as Peter Deilmann and Viking River Cruises.
Great Savings on Luxury European River Boat Cruises
Cheap deals and great savings may be available for cruises in 2009. Debate is raging in the media on whether cruise bookings are running ahead of last year or lacking behind. However, capacity is increasing and even if bookings are up, more cabins are available and good deals are clearly on offer.
- A-rosa, a major luxury German river boat cruise line, has just announced that early-booking discounts are being extended by a month – a sure sign that cabins and deals are available for the taking. A-rosa also often have last-minute deals available for cruise departures within days or weeks from booking.
Savings Offers on Luxury River Boat Cruise Lines
It is important to note that many internet reservation services cannot book all discounts that may be available to the intrepid traveler. Always compare prices on a couple of reservation services and visit the website, or carefully read the brochures, of the cruise line actually operating the river boat.
Most cruise lines have deals for early bookings – check the dates carefully as it would be a shame to lose easy money just by booking a day too late! Peter Deilmann and Viking River Cruises have special discounts for special birthday and wedding anniversaries – read the fine print but it is usually a round number or a special anniversary such as 25 years any time during the calendar year that the cruise is taken.
Discounts are also available for a third bed in a cabin but many internet reservation services do not list this option. In some cases, children may even cruise for free with accompanying adults.
Save on Transfers and Excursions on European River Boat Cruises
Transfer services and excursions on luxury river boat cruises can be ridiculously expensive. It is often easy to save money by making own arrangements.
However, do not penny pinch at your own expense and inconvenience. Transfer services between say Frankfurt Airport and a departure from Trier are convenient as own arrangements would be fairly complex. However, Frankfurt Airport to a Frankfurt departure is an easy taxi ride (or even train if preferred). Europe generally has great public transportation options with trains often stopping in the basements of major airports.
Similarly, excursions are often not included on cruise fares. Many travelers may find finding their own way in European river ports as rewarding as and cheaper than booking excursions. In many cases the port is an easy walk or right at the center of town. Excellent public transportation along many European rivers such as the Rhine mean it is easy enough to catch up with the ship or to miss a part of the cruise when wanting to stay in a particular spot longer.
Save on Non-Inclusive European River Boat Cruises
Cruise lines such as Peter Deilmann and Viking River Cruises often sell similar cruises in different markets at vastly different rates. Cruises sold in Europe – and especially the huge German market – often do not include excursions and transfers. Many Europeans prefer to make their own arrangements and non-Europeans can often save a lot by doing the same.
Some cruises do not include all meals – it is easy enough to find a cheap lunch ashore making it a worthwhile saving not having to return to the boat for lunch. Some cruise lines are stingy with the drinks – play the system and carry own drinks aboard.
- The best way to save is to be aware of the prices that are available. Use several internet reservation services to see what fares are available for different cruises and departures and always be sure to compare similar offering with the same options, fees, and taxes included in the quoted price.
Note: Peter Deilmann has suspend riverboat cruises from the 2010 season. Most of Peter Deilmann’s riverboats and routes are now operated by Nicko Tours.