Viking provides a shore excursion daily, along with drinks with meals, in a casual environment, while Tauck is all-inclusive, with a fair number of luxurious extras. 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. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. Click here . Get expert advice, insider tips and more. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. The food was delicious, service was excellent. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. There is no special programming for kids, and children under eight are not allowed to sail. While in Russia, visit the Palace of Prince Vladimir for an exclusive concert and ballet performance inside the last Imperial palace to be built in St Petersburg. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. There are no pools on the ships except for those sailing the Egypt, Mississippi, and the Mekong lines. 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). The cabins are large with King-sized beds, which is a rarity in river cruising. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. Some of the shore excursion options are truly special, such as truffle hunting in Bordeaux, visiting Highclere Castle where "Downton Abbey" was shot or cognac blending in Camus. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. Viking River Cruises: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. 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 attracts more passengers in their 40s and 50s than you'll find on many vessels and, being Australian-owned, is not dominated by travelers from the United States. Another difference is that Tauck ships are actually owned and run by Scylla, a Swiss-owned company. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Save up to $2,800 per couple off the cruise price of Europe sailings. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. The pours at lunch and dinner are generous, so if you're not a liquor drinker -- or don't like alcohol at all -- you might not need all the extras that Tauck provides. These are the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. 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. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. CC Help Jenn 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. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. River cruise ships dock near city centers, enabling visitors to explore on their own or take advantage of the array of excursions organized by the cruise line, from going on a strenuous hike to touring a castle, or sipping wine at a vineyard. Onboard enrichment on both lines is based around the destinations visited. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. But if you think this a Disney river cruise would be all about the kids, you're wrong. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. CC Help Jenn As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. 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. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. While in Germany, visit the oldest brewery in Nuremberg for a bratwurst and beer. 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. (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. The Tauck Suites are large, at over 300 square feet and have a large bed as well as a fold-out sofa. Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . Cabins are located across three decks and available in seven categories; the line claims the ship offers more suites than any other European river vessel. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. Scenic also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. Notable excursions included in the price: Typical starting price:$1,999 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $285 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, France, Douro (Portugal), Elbe (Germany), Russia, Ukraine, Mekong, Egypt, Mississippi, Specialty cruises: Mississippi holiday season, Christmas along the Elbe, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Library, walking track, sports deck, Wi-Fi, laundry, flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies, outdoor dining, putting green, Inclusions: All meals, drinks (house wines, beers, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), one free shore excursion per port, onboard entertainment. Powered by Invision Community. (Scenic has. 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. 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. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. Site Map|Global Site Map|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy, You can add one more tour operator from the list, Get guided help to find the right trip for you, Travel tips, stories, top 10 lists and more, Get yours before you leave, easier, cheaper. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) . 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. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. At least one Tauck director comes on each shore excursion so if you want to ask what time the bus leaves for the umpteenth time or your Quietvox battery dies, help is a few steps away. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. They also use the Quietvox system during excursions, where the tour guide speaks into a headset while passengers listen on receivers. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. Ships offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes, although Tauck has more vegan and vegetarian options. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). Pro: The boats boast a boutique design and feel with unlimited premium spirits and wines. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. 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 - cruise only, or with Paris at beginning and Prague at the end to make 12 days, 4) Vikings' Vineyards & Vistas (Trier to Wurzburg, 7 days, or with Paris and Prague, like AMA above, called Cities of Light)- I did read Ruth's recent posting about that one. No other fleet of river cruise ships gives you a view of the world like Avalon. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. Both have hotel-style amenities, including high-tech TVs with entertainment on-demand and information channels, complimentary Wi-Fi, safes, included mini-bars that are replenished daily, hair dryers and designer bath products (L'Occitane on Scenic, Molton Brown on Tauck). Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! 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. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. We welcome your feedback. In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. They are more expensive, but do things first class. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. While Scenic has casual dining in its River Cafe, it closes at 6 p.m. Arthur's can be a real boon, particularly if you've already snacked at a local cafe and want a simple nosh at night, instead of a full-blown three-course meal. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Thanks. Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. Both lines operateChristmas market cruises. 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). All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? Also check out Avalon rivercruises. 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. Viking has built its name on destination immersion, and the company doesn't provide extras such as gyms, spas, bikes or pools on its ships. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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). Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. On Viking, you can pay extra for a better bottle of wine, whereas Tauck has a wine cellar with some special bottles that are included in your fare (although they don't exactly volunteer these premier offerings; you have to ask). On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. We found it to be quite inclusive and spent very little extra, except for tips and drinks at the bar. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? Another thing that sets Tauck's newer ships apart: "loft" design cabins, which have a raised platform seating area that provides extra space in lower-level cabins. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 1. 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. There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. It sounds like it will be what we're looking for. Not only are Avalon Panorama Suites 30% larger than the industry standard . I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . Avalon Waterways My cabin (#312) aboard Avalon Tapestry II on the Seine River in Normandy. Egypt European River Cruises Europe River Cruise Route Guide Rhine River Cruise Port Guide Request Danube River Cruise Port Guide Request Europe River Cruise Companies Onboard Reviews French River Cruise Port Guide Request . As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. We operate independently from our advertising team. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers . Because how you see the world matters. The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. By A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Inclusions: All meals and drinks (regional wine, beer, soft drinks with lunch and dinner; sparkling wine with breakfast), Pros:You get to pick your own firmness of the beds and pillows. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. What category cabin did you have? This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. It should be fun. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. Comparing Stateroom Sizes On River Cruisers, Staterooms: River Cruisers vs. Cruise Ships, Rhne & Sane River Stateroom Size Comparisons, Rhine, Main & Danube River Stateroom Size Comparisons.
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