River Cruise Bargains
Where low river cruise prices really come from — and how to tell a bargain from a trap.
Find My BargainRiver Cruise Bargains: Where Low Cost Really Comes From
River cruise bargains are real, but they rarely look like the “70% off” banners of the ocean cruise world. River ships carry so few guests that lines do not need to slash fares to fill them. A true bargain comes from knowing where the lower prices naturally sit: shorter itineraries, lower decks, busy rivers, value-minded lines and the shoulder months.
This site shows you those places, and just as importantly, the false bargains — fares that look cheap until you add what they leave out. We never post prices, because river fares change daily. For today’s live promotions go to Wave Season or Cruising for Less; for help putting a bargain together, ask our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise.
Six Places to Look for a Bargain
| Where | Why it costs less | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Shorter sailings | Four or five nights instead of seven or more | Cheap river cruises |
| Lower-deck cabins | Same ship, same food, same tours; smaller, higher windows | Cheap river cruises |
| Busy rivers | The Rhine and Danube have the most ships and departures | Cheap in Europe |
| Season edges | March, early April and November instead of May or September | Cheap in Europe |
| Value-minded lines | Simpler ships and service, often with drinks still included | Best cheap picks |
| The whole trip | Flights, hotels and transfers can cost as much as the cabin | Affordable whole trip |
Bargain or Not?
A low fare is only a bargain if the trip is still the one you wanted. A cheap cruise on a river that bores you, at a time of year with high-water risk, on a line that charges for every drink and tour, can end up costing more than a fuller fare that includes it all. Our false bargains page lists the traps we see most often.
If you want the step-by-step method for negotiating the best deal on a cruise you have already chosen, our sister site Great River Cruise Deals covers it.
Start Exploring
Cheap river cruises in Europe
Which rivers, months and start cities keep costs down.
Europe on a budget →
The best cheap river cruises
The kinds of sailing that give the most for the least.
Best cheap picks →
Affordable from door to door
Flights, hotels, tips and insurance: making the whole trip affordable.
Whole-trip savings →How We Help
Tell us your rough budget and what matters most; our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will look for the bargains that fit and tell you plainly when a cheaper option is not worth it. River ships and lines are listed in the Official River Cruise Directory, and ocean cruise bargains in the Official Cruise Directory. Join the Mister Cruise cruise-offers newsletter to hear about new offers first.
River Cruise Bargain Questions
Do river cruise bargains really exist?
Yes, but they look different from ocean cruise bargains. River ships are small and fares include a lot, so a bargain usually comes from choosing a shorter sailing, a lower deck, a busier river or the edge of the season, rather than from a deep discount.
What is the cheapest way to take a river cruise?
Generally a short sailing of four to five nights on a value or mid-priced line, in a lower-deck cabin, at the start or end of the season, on a river with many ships and an easy-to-reach start city.
Where do I find today’s cheapest offers?
Current, dated promotions are collected on Wave Season and Cruising for Less. Our cruise advisors will check which of them apply to your dates.
This site 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.
When you ask for a quote, our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise handle it personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
More Ways to Save on a River Cruise
Find a Real River Cruise Bargain
Tell us your budget, rough dates and the rivers you would consider. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will find the genuine bargains and send free quotes.
Find My Bargain