Luxury River Cruise Excursions
Included tours, choice programs, private events and land stays — how the luxury lines fill your days ashore.
Get Free River Cruise QuotesRiver Cruise Excursions: The Other Half of the Trip
River cruise excursions are where a luxury river cruise earns its price. The ship docks in the middle of town, a local guide is waiting at the gangway, and by mid-morning you are inside an abbey library, a cathedral or a winemaker’s cellar. The best lines turn that into a choice of tours for every pace, private events after the public has gone home, and land stays before and after the cruise.
This site is about the time you spend ashore: what the lines include, how their programs compare, the best excursions on the most popular river, and how to add private touring. For the ships themselves, see Luxurious River Cruises; for luxury rivers worldwide, Luxury Riverboat Cruises.
Four kinds of river cruise excursion
- Included guided tours — usually a walking or coach tour in each port.
- Choice programs — several included options at once, from gentle walks to cycling and kayaking.
- Exclusive events — private concerts, dinners and after-hours visits arranged for one line’s guests.
- Optional and private tours — extra-cost tours, private guides and land extensions.
How the Lines Run Their Excursions
| Line | Excursion approach (per the line) |
|---|---|
| Scenic | Scenic Freechoice excursions plus Scenic Enrich private events; e-bikes in Europe |
| Tauck | Privately guided small-group excursions; up to four Tauck Director-level staff; exclusive evenings |
| Uniworld | “Let’s Go” active tours, “Do as the Locals Do” tours, Village Day on some itineraries |
| AmaWaterways | Guided excursions in every port; complimentary bikes for guided or independent rides |
| Avalon | Avalon Choice: Classic, Active and Discovery options |
| Emerald | EmeraldACTIVE excursions, including guided cycling |
| Viking | One complimentary excursion in every port; optional tours at extra cost |
From each line’s own website, October 2026. Read more about Viking river cruise excursions and active excursions on the luxury lines.
Private Touring and Exclusive Events
The most memorable evenings are often the ones no ordinary visitor can book: Scenic’s after-hours dinner and concert in the Palais des Papes in Avignon on select Rhône sailings, Tauck’s receptions and music in palaces and châteaux, Uniworld’s experiences arranged privately for its guests. Add a private guide for your own interests and the trip becomes truly personal. See private European tours with river cruises.
The Rhine, and Cruise-and-Land Tours
The Rhine packs more sights into a week than any other European river, from Kinderdijk’s windmills to the castles of the Rhine Gorge and the old towns of Strasbourg and Basel. Our pick of the best Rhine river cruise excursions covers them stop by stop. Planning hotel days before or after? Our guide to river cruise tours in Europe explains cruisetours and extensions. For port-by-port ideas on ocean itineraries too, see Europe Port Excursions.
Who Is Behind This Site
Luxury Riverside Cruising is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Tell us what you love to do ashore. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match you with the line whose excursions fit, arrange private touring and send free quotes. Meet Mister Cruise →
Browse every river line in the Official River Cruise Directory and ocean lines in the Official Cruise Directory. Get new offers first with the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter.
River Cruise Excursion Questions
Are excursions included on river cruises?
Usually at least one guided tour in each port. Luxury lines go further: Scenic offers a choice of Freechoice excursions plus Scenic Enrich events, Tauck includes privately guided small-group excursions, and AmaWaterways includes guided excursions in every port. Viking includes one complimentary excursion in every port and sells optional tours.
Do I have to join the excursions?
No. Many guests skip a tour to explore on their own, use the ship’s bicycles, or rest on board. River ships dock close to town centers, so independent exploring is easy.
Can I book a private guide on a river cruise?
Yes. Ask us when you book: we can arrange private guides or drivers for a port day or for hotel days before and after the cruise.
Do I need to pre-book river cruise excursions?
It depends on the line. Some choice programs are booked before you sail or on board early in the cruise; included tours on other lines need no booking. Popular optional tours can fill, so decide early.
Plan a River Cruise Around the Excursions
Tell us your interests — history, wine, music, cycling. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find the right line and itinerary and send free quotes.
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