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. They are more expensive, but do things first class. However, Crystal Cruises has some excursions that incur an added cost, and all of the American Queen Steamboat Company excursions are additional (although they do offer hop-on hop-off bus tours). Some sailings have Loft Suites, which are two stories with floor-to-ceiling windows and have two full bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge with a Queen sofa-bed, a balcony, and an upstairs bedroom. 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. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. These sleek ships generally host less than 200 passengers and go where giant cruise liners cannot, such as the Danube, Rhine, Rhne, Mekong, Mississippi, and Nile Rivers. There is a wide variety of cabin categories from a 350 square foot suite that sleeps four with a balcony to Category D, the most affordable cabin, which is about 170 square feet, sleeps two, and features small windows. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. A good mid-tier option is theRoyal Balcony suite, which comes with a great view and perks like daily fruit skewers, canapes, and petit fours. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. If they cannot help you, then come back to continue the process. Love Scandinavian Design? As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. 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. But since there is so much to do, odds are that the cabin will be only used for sleeping and downtime. It all boils down to what is important to you. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. I've been researching river cruises for August/September that include the Moselle River, which I think will visit smaller cities than cruises that travel strictly on the Danube. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain's seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world's most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. Please choose only one for now. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. Choose Tauck ifyou like open seating and want the choice of having room service and a true alternative dining venue where you can get casual, hot food. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? Scenic and Tauck are both lines that carry lower passenger loads than most of their competitors and have put a significant effort into upgrading vessels. COVID-19 procedures are available here. For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. Tauck also makes sure there's at least one special event in the evening per cruise, where passengers are taken to a castle, restaurant or historic venue for a private dinner or concert performance. They are composed of floor-to-ceiling windows that drop down halfway at the flick of a switch, and the balconies can be shut off from the main cabin area with folding glass doors. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. But if you think this a Disney river cruise would be all about the kids, you're wrong. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. By Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. Visit Schloss Hof in Bratislava for chocolate tasting and learn to waltz in the grand ballroom. Scenic also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise? Viking has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Local entertainers will also come aboard to perform music, song and dance from the region. Visit a farm along Normandy's Cider Route to taste the region's elegantly crafted apple ciders and calvados, and see how they're made; in Normandy, cider is an art, like winemaking, centuries old. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. We operate independently from our advertising team. Viking also has an alternative restaurant, the Aquavit Lounge, but it's much more limited in its menu and only serves food during certain hours. . Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. AMA has a modern fleet like Avalon and offers a few things that Avalon does not and that we would enjoy including bicycles, in room free internet and movies, tables for two in the dining room, and an onboard masseuse. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. Back By Popular Demand: Whats Included On River Cruises? Choose Tauck ifyou want an all-inclusive river cruise with more extras and a higher-end feel -- and don't mind paying for it. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice, and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. The Tauck Suites are large, at over 300 square feet and have a large bed as well as a fold-out sofa. Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? If you are the type of passenger who doesn't want to reach for your wallet at the end of a trip, both lines are great choices. Kids love the Junior Adventurer dinners or Disney movie nights, and there is also a Just Teens program with dinners and separate tour groups at various destinations. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? (Scenic has its own lower-priced counterpart, Emerald Waterways.). Tauck recently renovated many of their ships, most of which carry just 84 or 98 guests, while a few larger boats accommodate a max of 130 guests. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe River Cruise? One step aboard our modern, luxurious SuiteShips with the grandest views in cruising and youll see how the tides they are a-changin. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. Tauck and Scenic include more in their fares than anyone else, with gratuities, all alcohol, transfers, choice of shore excursions, all dining and Wi-Fi included. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? The iconic river ships of No. We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. Scenic Sundowner events are cocktail parties at an unusual or particularly beautiful locale, while Scenic Enrich immersive activities may include a concert, performance or special dinner offsite. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. It should be fun. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1224277, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions, C858B0A9-6769-424D-B129-59363EDAC023.jpeg, B5073042-BF8A-4EEC-BD19-0938D8732763.jpeg. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. "Free choice" dining allows you . River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. 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. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. Uniworld: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 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;. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. 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. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. It should re-energize and transform. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. Also check out Avalon rivercruises. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed. No other fleet of river cruise ships gives you a view of the world like Avalon. 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. Some rooms have balconies. 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. These are guided by local experts who know the history and culture; since Viking has so many river cruises going at any one time and provides a more stable stream of employment, the company is often able to scoop up some of the better guides in a town. Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. What are the differences between Viking River Cruises & Uniworld River Cruises & AmaWaterways & Tauck & CroisiEurope & Riviera & Scenic? We highlight products and services you might find interesting. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. I've always been a fan of traditional cruise line journeys, but a river cruise is much more intimate and in many cases, luxurious. Whats the Best Choice for a MainRiver Cruise? Solo travelers will appreciate that there are dedicated Solo Traveler Suites with no surcharge for a non-double occupancy booking, which is unheard of with cruising. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. 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 Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. Thanks. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Typical starting price: $4,599 for 7 days (per person based on double occupancy $657 per night, all-inclusive), Specialty cruises: Danube Christmas markets, Oktoberfest, Rhine food and wine, Seine National Geographic photography, Amenities (may vary by ship): High-speed Wi-Fi, gym, sun-deck, walking track, bikes for shore use, pool or whirlpool, fitness classes, salon, massage, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (local wine, beer, and soft drinks with meals), daily excursions, all gratuities onboard and at restaurants, daily cocktail hour, select meals off the ship during excursions, onboard entertainment. Typical starting price: $2,195 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $313 per night, all-inclusive), Where do they sail:Danube, Main (Germany), Rhine, Moselle, Rhne, Douro (Portugal), Seine, Bordeaux, Volga (Russia), Mekong (South East Asia), Irrawaddy (Myanmar), Specialty cruises: National Geographic, Christmas markets, Onboard amenities (may vary by ship):Laundry,wellness area, gym, massage services, hair salon, Wi-Fi, e-bikes, L'Occitane products, pillow menu, shoeshine, Inclusive: Meals, butler service, gratuities, transfers, excursions, beverages (with the exception of certain specialty wines and rare spirits), minibar fully restocked daily, chef-prepared picnics, 24-hour in-room dining, entertainment. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. This cabin is more expensive than anything on Tauck, but if you're a luxury lover who wants to take an itinerary only operated by Viking and not an upscale line, it might be a good substitute. For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. 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. We had cabin 308 (cat. Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. While there are plenty of places to curl up with a book or play a game in the public spaces, a bevy of activities will lure you onshore. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 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. 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. They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. The main restaurant setup is very similar on the lines, with buffets at breakfast and lunch plus live cooking stations and made-to-order menu items. What category cabin did you have? In addition to traditional ships, there are also sleek black U by Uniworld boats, which offer a modern take on river cruising with a younger demographic in mind. Not only are Avalon Panorama Suites 30% larger than the industry standard . Another thing that sets the Inspiration class of ships apart: "loft" design cabins, which have a raised platform seating area that provides extra space in lower-level cabins. The river cruise division of Tauck is a relatively new component of the brand established in 1925 by Arthur Tauck, a true pioneer in the travel industry. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Typical starting price: $3,990 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $570 per night, all-inclusive), Where do they sail:Danube, Douro, Rhine, Rhne, Seine, Specialty Cruises: Oktoberfest, Christmas markets, music, family sailings, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Putting green, sun deck, minibar with complimentary water and soft drinks, Molton Brown toiletries, TV, Jacuzzi, Included: Meals, beverages (house wine, beer, and premium spirits available all day), gratuities, transfers upon arrival and departure, excursions. Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon I'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. Viking also has optional shore excursions that it sells in some ports; these excursions generally are limited to small groups and take you into smaller venues or provide immersive experiences that expose passengers to a port's culture and traditions on a deeper, often hands-on, level. One of the Tauck tenets is "lagniappe," or a little something extra, such as a Champagne reception in the Baden-Baden casino or roses to put on the graves of veterans at an American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. Scenic **: Inclusions are for all guests, regardless of ship or suite. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. 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. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. Both lines operateChristmas market cruises. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. 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. While many cruise lines have a strict dining schedule, these ships offer several different onboard restaurants. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. I have a few specific questions which I can't seem to find answers for on the websites. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. I've come up with 4 that I think might suit us, and I'd appreciate comments from anyone who has experienced any of them. You'll Adore these Ships. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. Choose Viking ifyou want a good introduction to a port without a lot of handholding, don't mind paying for special excursions and want the best berthing in town. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger than full balcony cabins, while still letting in fresh air. Like most cruises, the food served is reflective of your destination's local cuisine and there is also a light menu and options for vegetarians, vegans, and kids. While in Germany, visit the oldest brewery in Nuremberg for a bratwurst and beer. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. 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). Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). 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. While Tauck also has a Lagniappe event, as well as an offsite dinner, it's not as prominently promoted as the Scenic events; it's not even listed in the daily program. Is there a way of getting a discounted price with them?

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