Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. Both lines operateChristmas market cruises. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Tauck will sell through TA's, but maybe not online ones. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers . They offer a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, so guests relish in lavish, five-star treatment and the boats have only about 15 to 20 cabins, meaning, no more than 30 to 40 guests per sailing. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. On all these journeys from the Ganges to the Rhne dining is a big part of the adventure. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. As part of its company's commitment to making your time in port seamless without having to deal with worrisome currency issues, the line gives each passenger 20 euros to buy a meal when an excursion spans the lunch hour. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. 1) Avalon's Rhine & Moselle on Affinity (Amsterdam to Basel, 14 days) 2) Tauck's Rhine & Moselle (Amsterdam to Basel, 13 days) 3) AMA's Europe's Rivers & Castles (Trier to Nuremberg, 7 days -. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. Con: There is a striking difference in style between standard cabins and suites, Knowing these more curated cabins exist might lessen your experience in entry-level rooms. Although Scenic does not have walkout verandas, all cabins except those on the lower deck have "sun lounge balconies," an innovation that is an integral part of the room. I think they'd maybe be my first choice, and I know everything is included with them, but I like to get a bargain if I can. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. Love Scandinavian Design? On a Viking river cruise, you receive a fair amount in your fare: a daily shore excursion with more elaborate options available for a fee; Wi-Fi; beer, wine and soda with meals and bottled water; and some entertainment and enrichment. The beds in the Panorama Suites are also cleverly placed against the opposite wall so guests may view the scenery from bed. Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. Typical starting price: $2,199 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $314 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail: Mississippi, Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland, Columbia/Snake Rivers, Specialty Cruises: Music festivals, music of the '50s and '60s, bourbon, Cajun/Creole, wine, Kentucky Derby, Amenities (may vary per ship): Wi-Fi, bicycles for shore, library, fitness center, smoothie and juice bar, pool, sun deck, spa, fitness, hiking sticks, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (wine, local craft beer, spirits), in-room dining, one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, hop on hop off buses onshore, ground transfers, Wi-Fi, daily entertainment. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. On Tauck's four newer ships, you'll find 67 cabins: nine measuring 150 square feet, four measuring 190 square feet, 32 measuring 225 square feet and 22 suites measuring 300 square feet. Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. Onboard enrichment on both lines is based around the destinations visited. CC Help Jenn This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. (Scenic has. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Compare Avalon River Cruises vs Uniworld - Global Journeys Click the links in the right column to access current price comparisons among all major river cruise companies and for tips on how to save. 1. There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. Besides stringing words together professionally, Sunny once co-founded a luxury subscription box, curated a whimsical pop-up shop in San Francisco called Treasure Hunters Club, and recently inherited a vinyl-only records store in San Francisco. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. Tauck is a much more deluxe experience, with alcohol and spirits included at all times, plus an in-room mini-bar stocked with bottled waters and sodas; all excursions; Wi-Fi; bikes onboard; gratuities; money to buy lunch in port; and special events such as dinner at a one- star Michelin restaurant. One place where Viking shines, however, is with its Explorer Suites. Avalon Waterways River Cruises - 2023 & 2024 River Cruises The cabin window is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass that stretches 11 feet wide and opens up 7 feet wide, thus basically turning your room into a veranda. At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet. View travel requirements for countries around the world. But if you think this a Disney river cruise would be all about the kids, you're wrong. One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe River Cruise? A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon Cruise Critic named Avalon's staterooms the best in the business, and yes, we're blushing a bit. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. Scenic vs. Tauck Cruise Comparison | Cruise Critic Tauck vs AMA Waterways Compared | Travelstride Tauck not only has a cruise director onboard its ship, but it has three additional Tauck guides who give the daily briefings, attend the shore excursions (although local experts actually give the tours), hand out spending money or give you a rose to place at the gravesite of a veteran in an American military cemetery. The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. Typical starting price: $,1999 for 7 nights (per person, based on double occupancy $285 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail: Danube, Rhine, Seine, Moselle, Douro (Portugal), Mekong, Egypt, Africa (river and rails), Columbia, Specialty cruises: Christmas markets, wine, Onboard amenities (may vary by ship): Wellness activities, Wi-Fi, sun deck, pool with swim-up bar, massages, hair salon, flat-screen TVs that also works like a computer with on-demand entertainment, Inclusive: All meals, drinks (unlimited fine wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast), tours at every destination, bikes and hikes, onboard entertainment. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. Venturing off the beaten path away from well-traveled highways is part of the appeal, as are the opportunities to savor a real taste of daily life along Europe's rivers. The river cruises ships all have comfortable, well-appointed cabins and an array of perks like complimentary in-room dining, pillow menus, and epic views that make the journey feel luxurious. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Please choose only one for now. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you inthe captains seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruisedown the worlds most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. Their National Geographic sailings are particularly of note and include a variety of educational, expert-led travel excursions and talks. Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. The Most Popular Tour Operator Comparisons by Travelers - Travelstride When it's open, there's still a buffer, so your hair and food don't blow around. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. While other river cruise cabins shove your bed against a wall for a view of the other wall, our Comfort Collection Beds SM beds face the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. Viking is the largest river cruise operator with over 50 Longships in their fleet. Typical starting price: $2,309 for 3 nights (per person based on double occupancy $796 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Mekong, Amazon, Indonesia, Amenities (may vary by ship): Pool, Jacuzzi, private or outdoor cinema, sun deck, gym, massage, library/game room, bikes for onshore use, snorkeling equipment and wet suits, scuba diving, laundry, internet (intermittent, depends on location), Inclusions: All meals, beverages (premium selected wines, and beer, non-alcoholic drinks), excursions with local guides, group transfers between the vessel on recommended flights. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. Then, there are the ships inEgypt,China,Vietnam and Cambodia, which the line either owns or charters, and in 2023 Viking launches its first ship on the Mississippi. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. Normandy River Cruise 2023 / 2024 | Tauck Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. Tauck's shore excursion program is a little more comprehensive (although oddly, the guides themselves and the berths where the ships dock aren't necessarily better. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. 15 of the Best European River Cruises - Travel + Leisure Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. Choose Viking ifyou are more a do-it-yourself person on shore and with tips, and don't mind paying for your Happy Hour and after-hours drinks. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. First, about Tauck. (Scenic has its own lower-priced counterpart, Emerald Waterways.). Here are the most popular tour operator comparisons that travelers make when planning for their next adventure: Top Tour Companies for Seniors Compared: Road Scholar vs Smithsonian Journeys Go Ahead Tours vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Odysseys Unlimited Trafalgar vs Globus Tauck vs Senior Discovery Tours Collette vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Alexander + Roberts We preferred the top floor. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. 2 spot. These excursions are all included in the price of the cruise and are considered part of the river experience, although they aren't included for the sole domestic option on our list, the American Queen Steamboat Company. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. On a similar seven-night June 2023 cruise on the Danube, Tauck is about $1,000 more expensive than Viking for a standard cabin (this can be even more as Viking offers a lot of promotional deals). Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. A View with a Room. Avalon vs Tauck, AMA vs Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice, and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. Read on for our look at .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Viking River Cruises vs. Tauck and some ideas of why you should pick one over the other. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once. On both lines, the excursions will include walking and coach tours of local towns and villages, visits to castles and historic monuments, and experiences such as wine tasting. But it's only because we've taken such pride in bringing you river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony stateroom design, featuring beds with a view. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. AmaWaterways Vs. Avalon Waterways River Cruises: 8 Key Differences They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. Choose Tauck ifyou're fine with a French balcony and want a larger standard cabin. They are smaller than traditional cruise ships and boast more tailored offerings, such as carefully curated cuisine that is reflective of the areas being visited. Solstice vs. Millennium Class on Celebrity Cruises, Meraviglia Class vs. Seaside Class on MSC Cruises, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, P&O Cruises Reveals Nicole Sherzinger as Godmother of New Ship Arvia, Carnival Miracle Set to Become Fourth Carnival Ship to Sail From Galveston, Life at Sea Cruises Opens Sales for World's First Three-Year Cruise, Oceania Reveals Giada de Laurentiis as Godmother of New Ship Vista. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. Standard suites are sparse, small (just 160 square feet) and lack balconies. Some rooms have balconies. It should re-energize and transform. Read on for our look at Scenic vs. Tauck. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air. In 2023, they will launch Seven River Journeys which will cover seven rivers and 14 countries over the course of 45 nights (starting at $24,999 per person, double occupancy). Yes. Uniworld requires proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests, except those under the age of 12, who must have a negative test result within 72 hours of embarkation. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . They include all excursions, all gratuities to staff, cruise/tour directors (noting that most companies have one onboard but they have three) and even local guides. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. River cruising is a very different animal than "big ship" cruising - and I would hate to think that you booked 14+ days on a river boat - only to discover that you hated the the experience. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. Tauck's alternative restaurant, Arthur's, has evolved into a casual grill, with a menu offering everything from hamburgers and salads to pastas and steaks. The best river cruises were selected based on the following criteria: Typical starting price: $724 for 3 nights (per person based on double occupancy $241 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, Seine, Moselle, Mekong, Nile, Rhne, Ganges, Main, Saone, Amazon (Peru), Specialty cruises: Photography, storytellers, wine, beer, culinary, garden, Christmas market, Jewish heritage. The line also offers a "bite to eat" snack menu that can be delivered to your cabin as room service, or to any of the lounges as a small plate. Visit Schloss Hof in Bratislava for chocolate tasting and learn to waltz in the grand ballroom. Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain, Egypt, Peru, Mekong, India, Specialty cruises: Gen Z on the U (for families with teens), lectures, Christmas markets, Jewish heritage, Amenities (may vary per ship): Pool, spa, bicycles for land exploration, pillow menu, massage, library, flat-screen TVs, fitness center, wellness classes, airport transfers, laundry, Asprey bath products, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water), most excursions, gratuities, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment. Guest lectures and performers also come aboard to highlight the destination, from Viennese opera to Portuguese fado, and local craft and culinary demonstrations are sprinkled throughout voyages as well, such as lace-making and Austrian apple strudel. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. They also use the Quietvox system during excursions, where the tour guide speaks into a headset while passengers listen on receivers. I need to be able to contact Avalon, Scenic, Uniworld, Tauck directly to arrange terms of the lease of a vesssel, crew, with at least two meals per day provided. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Learn more. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. On the Danube sailing, see the Wachau Valley from a canoe and visit a hidden beach. Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. They are the least expensive, since we'd probably go cruise-only and make up our own land tour before/after, but the cabin seems pretty small, and we'd really like the option of bikes, which is offered on Tauck and AMA, but not on Viking or Avalon, as far as I can make out (please, correct me if I'm wrong). Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. They are more expensive, but do things first class. The Panorama Dining Room serves daily four-course la carte dinners along with complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks, or guests can choose the more casual Panorama Bistro or Sky Grill. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Viking Kadlin (Photo: Viking River Cruises), Viking Einar (Photo: Viking River Cruises), Tauck ms Emerald (Photo: Tauck River Cruises), Viking Helgrim (Photo: Viking River Cruises), P&O Cruises Reveals Nicole Sherzinger as Godmother of New Ship Arvia, Carnival Miracle Set to Become Fourth Carnival Ship to Sail From Galveston, Life at Sea Cruises Opens Sales for World's First Three-Year Cruise, Oceania Reveals Giada de Laurentiis as Godmother of New Ship Vista. There are a fair amount of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the itineraries, which are almost always awe-inspiring. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Best River Cruises: Viking, Avalon, Tauck, UniWorld - Insider In addition to food and drink with carefully curated cuisine reflective of the areas being visited many river cruises include land excursions, which is a huge advantage that adds tremendous value. When she's not out shopping, she's plotting her next trip to Disneyland, remodeling her 1920s bungalow, and hanging out with her tween and their new puppy. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Scenic is based in Australia, and about half of the passengers on its river cruises are from Down Under (with the rest from other English-speaking countries such as New Zealand, the U.K., Canada and the U.S.). Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger.
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