As listed on each line's own UK site, read on 20 October 2026. Fares and inclusions change, so our travel team checks your sailing.
What does each line's fare include?
These are six lines our travel team at The JLT Group books, in alphabetical order. Each cell is the line's own description of its fare. Where a line's pages don't say, the cell says so.
| Line | Drinks with meals | Wi-Fi | Tips | Excursions | Flights | Sails the Nile? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmaWaterways | Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner | Included | Not in the fare; the line publishes suggested amounts | Guided excursions included; on select sailings some cost extra | In its Nile fare, return flights from Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester; elsewhere it depends on the fare | Yes |
| APT, with its sister brand Travelmarvel | Not stated on APT's pages; Travelmarvel says meals and drinks are largely included, without the detail | Not stated on the line's pages | Included | Not stated on APT's pages; Travelmarvel includes its sightseeing | Return flights included on some current Travelmarvel deals (marked *); not stated for the standard fare. Transfers are covered | Travelmarvel sells a Nile cruise, Treasures of Egypt and the Nile |
| CroisiEurope | Included, and bar drinks too, except premium brands and the special wine list | Free | Not stated on the line's pages | Not included; an optional programme | Sold as an add-on ("Add a flight"); not stated as part of the fare | Listed among its rivers, with no detail on that page |
| Emerald | Included with lunch and dinner; a paid drinks upgrade is offered | Included; speed may vary | Included | A set number included, varying by cruise; others cost extra | Included from up to 16 UK airports if paid in full, its FAQ says; inclusions vary by sailing | Not on its river pages |
| Scenic | Premium drinks included all day | Included at no extra charge; not broadband, and it can drop out | Included, on board and on shore | Its "Freechoice" excursions are included, with local guides | Included on selected fares, from up to 16 UK airports; airport transfers are included when flights are booked with Scenic | Not on its river destinations page |
| Viking | Beer, wine and soft drinks at lunch and dinner | Included; speed may vary | Onboard gratuities included, also stated on its Egypt page | One included excursion in almost every port on its Egypt page (every port on its general page); others cost extra | Return flights from London and selected regional airports | Yes |
Our travel team also books Avalon, A-ROSA, Riviera Travel, Tauck and Uniworld, and can talk you through those lines too.
Why compare what's included, not the line's name?
Because two fares on the same river can cover quite different things. One line puts tips in the fare and another leaves them out. One includes flights on some sailings and not others. A fare that looks lower can cost more once the extras are added.
So put two sailings side by side and ask the same questions of each:
- Which drinks come with meals, and which cost extra?
- Is Wi-Fi included?
- Are tips in the fare, or paid on board?
- Which excursions are included, and which cost extra?
- Are flights and transfers in it, and from which airport?
Then add up what each one leaves out. Our page on river cruise cost has a line-by-line quote checklist, and do you tip on a river cruise? covers tips in full.
Which lines sail the Nile?
Of the six above, AmaWaterways and Viking sail the Nile, and Travelmarvel sells a Nile cruise. CroisiEurope lists the Nile among its rivers. Our Nile cruises pages cover the trip itself, from the route to the FCDO advice.
Is one line right for a first river cruise?
The right line is the one whose fare and pace fit your trip. No source we use names one line for first-timers, and we don't either. Pick the river and the month first, then compare the lines that sail it.
Tell our travel team the river, the month and what you want included. Send it through the form below, so they can compare the lines for your dates.