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Booking a river cruise can be daunting, especially if you're a first-timer, but even seasoned travelers can make mistakes during the process.
There are many river cruise lines to choose from, with more companies entering the market each year, and a dizzying selection of itineraries in European waterways and other destinations around the globe, including the U.S.
There are also different types of river ships, including small luxury barge vessels in Europe with as few as six guests, intimate river ships on the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia with just 36 passengers and Viking's Mississippi River ship, which accommodates up to 386 guests.
With so many options to choose from, it's easy to make mistakes when booking a river cruise, from selecting the wrong date to reserving the smallest cabin on board the ship or even booking the wrong cruise line for your vacation style.
If you're ready to set sail along one of the world's scenic waterways for your next vacation, we can help you avoid one of these 10 common mistakes people make when booking a river cruise.
Not understanding the booking terms
Since most cruisers book their river trips far in advance, it's important to know the payment due dates and the deadlines for making changes to the reservation or canceling the trip. You'll also want to know what the penalties are for missing those deadlines. A delay in making payments or changes can cost you anything from losing your deposit to even forfeiting your cruise fare and possibly missing your entire vacation.
Correcting problems with the booking will depend on the river cruise line, sail date, rate paid and how much money you've already invested. If you need to cancel before the final payment is due (which is typically 90 days from the sail date for a weeklong cruise), you may lose your deposit or nothing at all if you're rebooking the trip. But if you have to rebook, you could lose a promotional rate or additional perks that you received with the original booking.
If you've booked a nonrefundable fare or have already made the final payment, it might not be possible to change the dates; in this case, you could lose the deposit, a percentage of the total cost or even the entire fare, depending on when you cancel. And if your cruise line lets you rebook or gives you a credit for a future cruise, you may have to pay change fees or sail within a specific amount of time (such as a year from the cancellation).
If you're booking your cruise on a European website, be sure to reverse the day and month for the departure date of your cruise — and make certain you've selected the right year (which is a common mistake people make when booking online). If you catch the error quickly, it will be simple to correct, but any delay can result in losing your deposit and fees, as mentioned above — and possibly even the loss of your trip.
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Before you click the button online to confirm your booking, review all the details of your reservation, including the sail date, the final payment date and the last date to make changes to your booking. Most importantly, read the fine print in the cruise contract so you know the line's cancellation policies should you need to change your travel plans.
Related: 9 best river cruises in Europe
Not shopping around for the best deals
Be sure you've researched all your options before finalizing the booking. While there are fewer variables to consider when booking a river cruise over an ocean cruise, you should still compare the costs.
Cruise fares and the additional perks can vary, depending on whether you're booking directly with the cruise line, through an online aggregator site (like Expedia) or with a travel agent. Also, many companies offer early booking discounts and extra benefits, so start checking the prices as soon as you decide on the destination.
Savvy cruisers may know all the tricks to finding the best deals, but newbies may want to consult with a travel agent specializing in river cruises.
Dismissing the more expensive options
Some fares may seem more expensive at first, but never assume that a certain cabin class or fare is not affordable without calculating the total costs and understanding what the pricing covers.
If you're cruising Europe's picturesque waterways, you'll want a cabin with a view and either a Juliet balcony or veranda. You may also want to upgrade to a more convenient location on the ship or splurge on a spacious suite, which may be more affordable than you think, especially if you receive an upgrade as a perk when booking during a special promotion or with a travel agent.
River cruise lines are mostly all-inclusive, with fares covering all meals and beverages and several excursions in each port (but compare the lines to make sure what is included). For example, some lines only serve beer and wine at lunch and dinner, while others include all alcoholic beverages in the pricing. If you want a predinner cocktail every evening, you'll have to budget for the extra expense if it's not covered in your cruise fare.
You may also want to book the excursions that cost extra (not the complimentary ones), so review the tours available in each port to determine the extra charges. Once you compare all the costs, what started as the most expensive cruise may include nearly everything you want for the trip and potentially be less expensive than the one with all the add-ons.
Related: My latest river cruise adventure included kayaking, biking and hiking — here's how yours can, too
Choosing the wrong river
Even if you score a great deal on a sailing, you'll want to be sure the destination aligns with your travel preferences.
"There are so many rivers to sail on, and it is important to think about if you want an exotic river cruise like the Magdalena River [in Colombia] that offers cultural immersion, a wine-lover's cruise in France or want to stick close to home and explore American rivers," said Teresa Tennant, the senior vice president of Seattle-based Cruise Specialists. "It's a real miss when people don't know about all their options!"
"It's nearly impossible to be unhappy on a river cruise, but those who are typically didn't work with a professional," she added. "A travel advisor's job is to get you on the right river, ship and overall itinerary (including pre- and postcruise travel) so that you will have an amazing experience. People who are new to river cruising and decide to DIY it might not understand that not all rivers are the same."
Booking a ship that's not right for your travel style
In addition to finding the best destination, you must ensure the ship fits your travel style.
If you're an active traveler, consider one of the "Active & Discovery" itineraries with Avalon Waterways, which offers adventurous pursuits like hiking, biking and canoeing.
If your focus is on top-notch dining and fine wines, AmaWaterways is a member of two prestigious culinary associations: La Chaine des Rotisseurs and Tables et Auberges de France.
And while you won't typically find young children on river cruise ships, if you prefer an adults-only experience, consider booking a cruise aboard one of Viking's river ships.
Review the types of activities on board the ship (such as guest lectures, wine tastings and entertainment) and the onshore excursions to make sure the river cruise line is a good fit for you.
Related: I thought river cruises were just for retirees, but a Disney river cruise proved me wrong
Waiting too long to book your river cruise
River cruise ships are small, and there are limited options on some of the smaller rivers, such as the Nile, the Amazon and the Mekong. So, you'll want to book your vacation as soon as you've decided on the destination.
Also, popular cruises with a short window sell out quickly. Examples include the sailings during tulip season in Holland (late March through mid-May), fall leaf-peeping itineraries along the Hudson River with American Cruise Lines and Christmas market cruises in Europe during the holidays. Theme cruises, such as the wine and culinary sailings in Europe with AmaWaterways, also book up quickly.
If you wait too long to book your cruise, you may also miss out on your top choice for a cabin or suite.
Making reservations for excursions and any other onboard activities
River cruise dining is more relaxed than on large cruise ships, so you won't need to make reservations for lunch or dinner. But you will want to plan for excursions or onboard activities available that you can reserve, so you don't miss out on your first choices.
You may not need to make reservations for every excursion or tour, but check with the individual cruise line once you book the trip to see how it handles the onboard and onshore activities.
Not consulting with a travel agent
It doesn't cost you anything to hire a travel agent, but you might lose out on added benefits if you don't use one.
Travel agents specializing in river cruises can assist in the arduous process of deciding on an itinerary and a specific ship, as well as finding the best sailing for your budget. They can also access exclusive fares and amenities. Who doesn't want Champagne and flowers awaiting them when they arrive at their suite?
They may also be able to offer upgrades for accommodations, flights and precruise and postcruise hotel stays, in addition to coordinating all the travel arrangements for your vacation. Additionally, travel agents can assist with special requests and ensure you have the proper documentation for different countries, including visas and the correct form of ID, so you can board the ship.
"Travel advisors often have access to amenities that the general public does not, and these can add a lot to the vacation — and they can get you into group space (even if you only need one cabin!) that protects you from fare increases," Tennant said.
Experts in the river cruise market can also advise clients on which rivers are best to sail in a particular year.
"Travel advisors pay great attention to ski season for river cruises. The ski season in Europe can be a terrific indication of how well the rivers will be for the summer and fall season. If the snowfall is generous, we get excited for river cruise season," said Beth Flowers, founder of Flowers Travel Consulting — an independent affiliate of Birmingham, Alabama's Brownell Travel, a Virtuoso member agency.
"Travelers interested in river cruising need to be aware that a river cruise can quickly turn into a 'coach tour' and their travel advisor is monitoring the river cruises departing ahead of theirs so clients' expectations are managed," Flowers added. "I prefer spring river cruises when Europe is less crowded overall, plus it's rare to run into water level issues."
Flowers advises that if the water levels are a problem, the ship is typically used as the "hotel," but she explains that the cruise lines are "excellent at accommodating the guests and getting the boxes ticked as far as [the] experiences/destinations." According to Flowers, the Danube and Rhine rivers are typically where the problems arise, but the Seine can also have low or high water levels, depending on the year.
Not buying travel insurance
Travel insurance protects your financial investment — and your future vacation.
It's best to purchase a policy as soon as you remit the deposit to avoid any issues with preexisting conditions, should you have to cancel the trip. Also, most plans will not cover any new issues that arise if you wait to buy the insurance.
But if the plan is in place as soon as you book the cruise, and you or your companion falls ill before the trip and cannot travel, you can recover the costs of the canceled trip under most travel insurance policies.
It's important to note that Medicare patients will need to purchase health insurance if they travel abroad, as Medicare does not cover medical expenses outside the U.S. If you have a Medicare supplement insurance policy, some will cover medical expenses outside the U.S., so check with your supplement insurer before you travel.
Missing the final payment deadline
Mark your calendar for the final payment due date.
Most river cruise companies require final payment within 90 days of the trip. If you miss this date, you could lose your deposit and any other payments you've already made — and even forfeit your entire cruise. Rather than call and remind you, the cruise line will cancel your booking and charge you the appropriate fees as stated in the cruise contract.
If you're working with a travel agent, they'll handle the final payment details so you don't miss the deadline, another benefit of hiring a knowledgeable professional.
Bottom line
Booking a river cruise may seem overwhelming, and it's possible to make missteps along the way, but they can be avoided.
Planning, online research and paying attention to the fine print and details are the best ways to ensure you book the right trip without making any mistakes.
If you're not up for handling the job alone, consult with a travel agent who can take the worry out of the booking process for you. They may even be able to offer upgrades, extra perks and more.
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