Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in your river cruise. Most cruise lines also offer beer and wine with lunch and dinner. Some offer a cocktail hour prior to dinner. You can also choose to eat lunch or dinner in town at your river cruise port stop.
FAQs
General Questions
Do I need a passport for river cruising?
Yes, if you are traveling internationally (including Canada) a passport will be required for your river cruise. Your passport must also have 6-months validity from the date you return home. Check those expiry dates carefully.
If you are cruising the rivers in the USA, such as the Snake River, you can travel with your driver’s license. Note: Your driver’s license must be REAL ID compliant.
Do I need an ETIAS in 2025 for Europe?
ETIAS: Is an electronic travel security system coming in 2025 (possibly May) and will be required for US citizens in 30 European countries. Cost: 7 Euros. The launch date and rules have not yet been released.
Please visit the link below for more details and updates. It is the traveler’s responsibility to have the correct documentation for boarding flights and entry into foreign countries.
For more information: ETIAS
Do I need an ETA for the United Kingdom?
ETA: The United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorization will go int effect on Jan. 8, 2025. ALL TRAVELERS, whether staying in the UK or transiting through an airport (changing planes), must apply for ETA. The electronic visa is good for 2 years. Go to: ETA for additional information.
Update: The UK temporarily suspended the visa requirement for transiting through airports the week of 1/13/2025. This may be lifted at any time, so it is recommended to apply for the visa. It will take only about 10 minutes for your ETA to be processed.
Do I need a Visa for exotic river cruises?
River cruising in Egypt (Nile River) and Vietman/Cambodia (Mekong River) do require visas. Currently, Colombia (Magdalena River) does not require a visa for entry. To learn more about visas a good website to visit is CIBT.
What is the difference between an adaptor and a converter?
Adapters: Adapters accommodate the shape of the electric wall sockets in foreign countries. US power plugs have two flat pins; the UK power plug has three large square pins and most of Europe has 2 round pins. Egypt also uses the two-round pin (Type C) adapters. Many devices like your smartphones are dual voltage and only require an adapter.
Converters: Converters change the voltage of an outlet to match a device. For example, if you’re traveling from the USA to most of Europe that uses 220V, you will need a converter for non-dual voltage travel items like men’s shavers, hair dryers, and curling irons.
Transit
Are transfers to the ship included?
Your river cruise transfers are typically included if you book air through the cruise vendor and do not have a deviation. If you book air for your river cruise independently, then you can purchase transfers from the cruise line or another source.
Eagle Adventures can help you secure transfers if you have decided to extend your time overseas pre- or post-cruise.
Is air included in the river cruise pricing?
Air is generally not included in your river cruise pricing. Eagle Adventures will assist you in working with the vendor air department to provide you with an air quote. You can select from economy, premium economy, or business class seating.
River cruise vendors will run sales occasionally with free or reduced air costs from select gateways in the United States and Canada.
Can you book my independent land extension?
Yes. Eagle Adventures is a full-service travel agency, and we can assist you with a land extension before or after your river cruise. We are happy to help with air, transfers, hotels, excursions, trains, and insurance.
Payments and Booking
How do I pay for my Cruise?
After you have approved your river cruise booking confirmation, we will collect your credit card information for the deposit. After deposit, we will provide you with another booking confirmation showing that your deposit has been made.
We will call you also about 10 days prior to final payment to review your river cruise booking, add insurance if requested, and make the final payment. Eagle Adventures strives to provide clients with a seamless experience.
How do I get a copy of my river booking invoice?
Eagle Adventures will email you a copy of your booking confirmation. We will just need your email address.
Can I make extra payments for my river cruise?
Yes. If you would like to make an intermittent payment, just give us a call. We will be happy to apply an additional payment to your river cruise booking and provide you with an updated booking confirmation.
Can I get Centurion or Platinum American Express cruise amenities?
Many river cruise vendors offer CPP (Cruise Privileges Program) amenities for Centurion and Platinum American Express card holders. Cards must not be co-branded such as the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card.
Shipboard credit ranges from $100 – $300 per stateroom with additional amenities unique to each cruise vendor.
Safety
How to avoid being pickpocketed
We want you to enjoy your river cruise vacation and the wonderful land extension at each port. Pickpockets, if in the area, will usually loiter around iconic locations like the Eiffel Tower in Paris or St. Stephens Cathedral in Vienna.
To enjoy your vacation and also protect yourself, here is some suggestions:
- If you don’t need it, leave it in the safe on your river cruise ship.
- Women- wear cross-body purses with RFID protection.
- Men- wear your passport holder around your neck and under a jacket. This holder is great for money and credit cards.
Note: Pickpockets are often children working for an adult.
How do I protect personal information while traveling?
Protecting your personal information while on your river cruise is important. Here are some suggestions:
- Make a copy of your passport and leave with family/friends back home. If lost or stolen, you can retrieve the copy for the embassy.
- Leave important items in the river cruise stateroom safe. Never leave money or valuables on the bed or dresser in your stateroom.
- Make a copy of your credit cards with phone numbers and keep in the safe. If lost or stolen, you can quickly call your credit card and make a report.
- Bring several hundred in local currency on your river cruise. You can pay local vendors in cash and not compromise your credit card.
Additional questions
Can you fly in a day early?
You can plan the most amazing river cruise vacation, and then encounter an air delay! Mechanical problems and weather are unpredictable. Always plan to fly in at least 1 day early. If there is an air delay, you will most likely make the ship embarkation schedule.
How do you track your luggage?
You never want to arrive overseas and learn that your luggage is lost. One way to track your luggage is with air tags. Air tags can be placed in your luggage and then tracked with your smartphone. They can be purchased on Amazon and other marketplaces.
Should you wear comfortable shoes?
Europe and exotic locations are known for cobblestones roads, as well as roads that are quite uneven! Since you will spend most of your days exploring, be sure to wear very comfortable shoes. Comfort over fashion is the motto!
Should you bring your passport?
When traveling internationally, you need a passport to board your airplane. Make sure the passport has at least 6-months of validity from the day you return home. Some countries require a few blank pages in the passport as well. Check the passport requirements carefully; it is always the traveler’s responsibility to show up with the correct documentation.
What about my credit card?
You will need a credit card when you arrive at the ship. Not all countries accept Discover and American Express. Be sure to have a Visa or Mastercard with you. While exploring, many shops will accept your credit card. Bring a small amount of local currency for small shops and street vendors.
Do I need to purchase insurance?
Insurance is optional but highly recommended. Eagle Adventures LLC is not a licensed insurance agency, but we can offer you insurance through your river cruise vendor or Allianz Global Assistance. Ask us for a quote! You may also purchase your own insurance independently. Insurance is always the client’s responsibility.
Do I need an emergency contact?
It is always wise to have an emergency contact when traveling. Leave this family member/friend a copy of your passport, credit card numbers, and phone numbers. If something is lost, then important information can be retrieved from your contact.
Can I bring medication?
If you take prescription medication, be sure to bring the medication in the original container with labels. Keep medication in your carry-on bag, never in the check-in bags. Also, bring an extra week’s supply just in case you are delayed returning home.
Who do I tell if I have food allergies?
If you are gluten free or have other food allergies, the ship’s kitchen will be able to accommodate you with proper notice. Let us know if you travel with an EpiPen so that we can alert the ship’s staff. The ship’s Maitre’d will be happy to speak with you at your first dining experience.
How It Works
01.
Consultation call
Give Eagle Adventures a call at: 936-756-1217 for a free consultation. Brenda or Sam will listen to your vacation ideas, thoughts, and dreams. We will work with you to find the best river cruise option for your consideration. We can assist with the river cruise, land extensions, transfers, air, and insurance questions.
02.
Quotes and Securing your River Cruise stateroom
We will be happy to send you a quote to review pricing for your selected itinerary. If space is filling up, we can usually put a 7-day hold on a stateroom while you consider the option. River cruises are usually booked 6 months to 2 years in advance.
03.
Purchasing + Follow up
A deposit is required to secure your river cruise stateroom. Eagle Adventures will follow up with you during the entire vacation planning period. We will call you when it is time to book air and make the final payment. After final, we will continue to give you friendly service, provide destination advice, and make sure you have access to your final documents. We will also contact you when you return from your river cruise to make sure that you enjoyed your trip.
04.
Booking your future river cruise onboard
If you loved your river cruise and know that you will sail again within the next 2 years, a future cruise booking deposit can be a great idea. You will pay a deposit to the cruise line onboard your ship; they will send us a notice that you have purchased a future cruise booking. Eagle Adventures will then service you on your next adventure on the river.