Dining and Wine on Luxury River Cruises
Menus that follow the river, cellars stocked from the vineyards you sail past, and drinks policies that tell luxury from premium.
Get Free Luxury River Cruise QuotesFood and wine are where luxurious river cruises really separate themselves. With only a few dozen tables to serve, chefs cook to order and change menus with the region.
Restaurants on Board
| Line | Dining, per the line |
|---|---|
| Scenic | Up to five dining experiences in Europe, including Table La Rive |
| AmaWaterways | Three included venues on AmaVenita, including The Chef’s Table tasting menu |
| Tauck | Two onboard dining venues, indoor and outdoor, plus locally inspired dining ashore |
| Riverside Luxury Cruises | Several restaurants with regional specialties and exquisite wines |
Wine on Europe’s Rivers
The great wine rivers — the Rhine, Moselle, Danube’s Wachau, the Rhône, Bordeaux’s Gironde and the Douro — are exactly where river ships sail, so cellars on board lean on local estates. Expect Riesling on the Moselle, Grüner Veltliner in the Wachau, Côtes du Rhône in Provence and port on the Douro.
Lines that include beverages usually pour a house selection all day; premium vintages may cost extra even on all-inclusive ships. Wine River Cruises lists wine-focused sailings with hosted tastings.
Special Dining Experiences
Chef’s tables
Multi-course tasting menus for a small group, sometimes in an open kitchen.
Market visits
Scenic offers a guided farmers’ market visit with the chef in Avignon, followed by a Scenic Culinaire class, on select sailings.
Dining ashore
Tauck includes locally inspired meals ashore on its river journeys.
Dietary needs
AmaWaterways says vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other diets are accommodated.
All-Day Drinks: Who Includes What
Drinks policies are the quickest way to tell a luxury fare from a premium one. On Uniworld, Tauck and Scenic you will not see a bar bill for standard drinks. On AmaWaterways and Viking, wine and beer come with lunch and dinner, and Viking sells a Silver Spirits Beverage Package for drinks beyond that. Our sister site Luxury River Cruise Lines compares every inclusion in one table.
Breakfast, Lunch and Room Service
Luxury is also in the ordinary meals. Breakfast on most ships is a buffet with an à la carte menu — eggs cooked to order, regional breads and cheeses — and on lines with butlers, suite guests can have it served in the suite before an early tour. Lunch is often lighter, with a deck grill or lounge snacks on warm days. AmaWaterways lists afternoon tea and a 24-hour specialty coffee station on AmaVenita. Ask us how each ship handles early departures and late returns: the best crews leave out a small breakfast for dawn excursions and keep something warm for travelers who come back after the restaurant closes.
Dining and Wine Questions
Are drinks included on luxury river cruises?
On the most inclusive lines, yes: Uniworld lists unlimited beverages including fine wines and premium spirits, Tauck lists unlimited beverages around the clock, and Scenic includes premium beverages all day. AmaWaterways includes beer and wine with lunch and dinner plus a daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour; Viking includes beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard lunch and dinner.
Can I bring wine on board?
Policies vary by line. Uniworld says guests may bring bottles bought ashore without a corkage fee; check other lines with your advisor.
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