River Cruises With Airfare Included
The flights are only worth what they would have cost you.
Check a River Cruise Special FreeRiver cruises with airfare included can be excellent value for North Americans flying to Europe — or barely worth anything, depending on where you live and how you like to fly.
What “Airfare Included” Usually Means
- Gateway list: included flights usually depart from a set list of airports. Others may cost extra.
- Class: economy as standard; premium cabins are an upgrade.
- Schedule: the line chooses flights that connect with embarkation, which may mean early or long routings.
- Transfers: airport-to-ship transfers are often, but not always, part of the package.
- Taxes and fees: check whether they are in the offer or added on.
- Changes: line-booked tickets can be harder to change than your own.
How to Value the Air
Look up what you would really pay for flights on similar dates from your own airport — Airfares for Less is a quick place to check — and add a transfer. That is the value of the “free” air to you. Then compare the air-inclusive fare with a cruise-only fare plus your own flights on the same or a competing line. A line-booked package also has a hidden plus: if a flight delay makes you miss embarkation, the line is usually responsible for getting you to the ship. That protection is worth something.
Flying from a major gateway
Included air is often strong value.
Flying from a small city
Check for add-on fares and connection times.
Using miles or premium cabins
A cruise-only fare plus your own booking may win.
Airfare Included: Questions
Which river cruises include airfare?
Air-inclusive offers appear most often on European river cruises sold to North Americans, and lines such as Viking have been known for running airfare promotions. Which sailings carry them changes often; check the current offers.
Can I choose my flights?
Sometimes, for a fee. Line-booked air usually comes with set gateways and schedules; upgrades to premium cabins or a choice of times may cost extra.
What if I would rather book my own flights?
Ask whether a cruise-only fare or an air credit is available instead. If not, the included air has no value to you, and another line’s cruise-only offer may be better.
Questions to Ask Before You Accept Included Air
- Which airports are included from my area, and is there an add-on fare from mine?
- Can I choose the flight times, or arrive a day or two early for a hotel stay?
- Is the transfer from the airport to the ship included at both ends?
- If I decline the air, is there a credit or a cruise-only fare instead?
- What happens if my flight is delayed and I miss embarkation?
Arriving a day early is wise on any river cruise that starts in a big city such as Amsterdam, Budapest or Paris; ask whether the included air can be timed to allow it.
Value an Air-Inclusive Offer
Tell us your home airport and the sailing. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare air-inclusive and cruise-only options and send free quotes.
Compare Air Options