ketelhut

On our ocean cruises we have never taken a cruise line excursion.  We always do our own thing.  Sometimes research on Cruise Critics has given us information on great local tour guides in specific ports.  Other times we would leave the ship & talk to (interview) the local cabbies & private car drivers that are usually lined up waiting dockside.  Find one we think would be a good guide & use them for the day. 

Am I right in thinking tips on an 8 day cruise could add a few hundred dollars to total cost if not included in the initial pricing?  In reading some Danube river cruise reviews it appears several people pay for extra/better excursions that cost around $100 - $150 per couple.  So is there any river cruise line that is truly "all inclusive"?   Not that this makes or breaks any deal, it's just nice to have a better understanding of what my total cost will be at the end of the trip.    

Thanks for all the feedback.  I guess I should go back & read some of the stickies Jazzbeau mentioned because we're still trying to determine what it is that we want.   We've done a few ocean cruises where the number of sea days, & amount of time on the ship, might make the cabin selection & amenities more important.   We will be making a decision in the next few weeks so keep those responses coming in.     

We're thinking of doing our first river cruise.  We're looking at the Danube from Budapest to Passau/Nuremberg in Sept. 2020.  I have looked online at Viking (direct) & Uniworld (through a big box store TA).  Just starting this research.  First numbers I come up with show Uniworld about $1,800 more then Viking (about a 25% premium over Uniworld).  I know I can shrink this difference a little by booking Viking through a TA. 

Having not used either company in the past I'm hoping to get information that might explain some of this difference.  One example, I see Viking's price includes drinks only during a meal.  Uniworld's price includes drinks during the entire voyage.  It seems Viking has some "special" excursions that they charge extra for.  Does Uniworld also charge for special excursions?  I know this question is completely subjective but does Uniworld have better cabins, food, staff tours, etc?  We would appreciate any information this forum can give us.