Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. On both lines, the main restaurant setup is very similar, with buffets at breakfast and lunch plus live cooking stations and made-to-order menu items. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. Window cabins are 150 square feet to Viking's 135, and most of Tauck's cabins have a French balcony and are 225 square feet (while the standard on Viking is 205 square feet). deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. Tauck vs AMA Waterways Compared | Travelstride 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. Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. 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. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. 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. A View with a Room. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. 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. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. Powered by Invision Community. There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. The Rivers They Cruise. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). CC Help Jenn If you're able to provide your travel agent's contact info, I may be able to work with him or her to recommend a cruise that is best for you. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. 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. Tauck prides itself on offering off-the-beaten-track experiences in each destination, including multigenerational family tours that are curated to include itineraries for both kids and adults. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. They are comfortable but not luxurious or particularly interesting. 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. The Tauck Suites are large, at over 300 square feet and have a large bed as well as a fold-out sofa. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. 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. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? 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. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. 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. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. 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. Having fewer people on the same size ship does make a difference in terms of seating, service and overall vibe. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. Tauck does have a few high-end extras onboard, including a fitness center, complimentary bikes and a plunge pool on the top deck. At 445 square feet, they are among the largest on the rivers with wraparound balconies, a separate bedroom and living room and another French balcony. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. 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. In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. We had cabin 308 (cat. 15 of the Best European River Cruises - Travel + Leisure Viking River Cruises: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. 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. The shore excursions on the designated family cruises are kid-centric and could include visiting a castle and dressing up as a medieval knight one day, watching Hungarian cowboys perform, going on a treetop climb or visiting a salt mine. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. River Cruise Ships - Avalon Waterways Small Cruise Ships 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. 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. 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. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? About Viking - do they have open seating for dinner? 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. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. Where they sail:Danube, Main (Rhine-Main-Danube canal), Moselle, Rhine, Specialty Cruises:Christmas market, Jewish heritage, tulip season, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Spa, gym, 24/7 in-suite dining, pantry snacks, pool, yoga, laundry, flat-screen TV with on-demand movies, Inclusions: All meals, 24-hour butler service, beverages (select wines, champagnes, spirits and coffee), Wi-Fi, ETRO and Caudalie products, a variety of complimentary shore excursions (some cost extra). Best River Cruises: Viking, Avalon, Tauck, UniWorld - Insider In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. 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. Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. Compare Avalon River Cruises vs Uniworld - Global Journeys Normandy River Cruise 2023 / 2024 | Tauck What are the differences between Viking River Cruises & Uniworld River Cruises & AmaWaterways & Tauck & CroisiEurope & Riviera & Scenic? Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. 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. AmaWaterways Vs. Avalon Waterways River Cruises: 8 Key Differences Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. Avalon Waterways River Cruises - 2023 & 2024 River Cruises ABC Cruiser, I was leaning towards the Heartland (Rivers and Castles) land and cruise itinerary with AMA before reading your review, and now I'm pretty sure that's what we'll go for. Avalon vs Tauck, AMA vs Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic "The itinerary was. Throughout the voyages, they feature special drinking and dining events for guests along with entertainment themed to the country you're visiting such as a string quartet or folk dancing. RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. 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. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. When cruising the Nile, ride a camel as you visit the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. Pros: The cabins are large and all have floor-to-ceiling windows. Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. 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. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. 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. Started June 21, 2021, By The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. 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 -. Some rooms have balconies. Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. COVID-19 procedures are available here. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? The cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. Keep in mind that the itineraries are still destination-immersive, so you might not have as much time to use these as you think you will. 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. 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. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . Scenic also has special "TailorMade" devices that allow travelers to head out by themselves and follow GPS guided tours that are pre-programed into the personal audio systems. They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. 6 Best River Cruise Lines (2022) | TravelAwaits Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. It should re-energize and transform. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe River Cruise? The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Shore Excursions, 12 Things You Don't Need to Take on a Cruise, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. There is no room service on Viking. Avalon River Cruises is recognized for their all suite concept. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. Started August 27, 2021, By Tauck River Cruise or Viking River Cruise - Fodor's If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We cruised Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago with Avalon and it was the best vacation,most relaxing we ever. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. On all these journeys from the Ganges to the Rhne dining is a big part of the adventure. 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. Viking is the largest river cruise operator with over 50 Longships in their fleet. Email us at reviews@insider.com. 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. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. The cabins are large with King-sized beds, which is a rarity in river cruising. Scenic and Tauck have many similarities, even if fans of one haven't heard of the other. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. 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. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. 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 operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019, See all activities, themes, and interests >, The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel featuring Oberammergau - Southbound 2022, Belgium & Holland in Spring - Northbound 2023, Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise - Westbound 2022, The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards and Castles, The Danube from the Black Sea to Budapest, Active & Discovery on the Danube (Eastbound), Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. 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. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. 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). Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. For example, on the S.S. BonVoyage in France, the Le Salon Champagne was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's home, Villa Majorelle. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. 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. Viking or Avalon? Crystal, Tauck, or Uniworld? - Wallace Pierson Travel 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. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. Pros:Having a butler on call is a big perk. 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. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. Tauck carries fewer passengers onboard so its tour groups are, by definition, smaller. We can chat later about other destinations. 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. 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.
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