Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. Scenic and Tauck have many similarities, even if fans of one haven't heard of the other. (Scenic has its own lower-priced counterpart, Emerald Waterways.). 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. These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Choose Tauck ifyou want an all-inclusive river cruise with more extras and a higher-end feel -- and don't mind paying for it. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. 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. 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. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. 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). Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. One step aboard our modern, luxurious SuiteShips with the grandest views in cruising and youll see how the tides they are a-changin. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. 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. The line claims the ship offers more suites than any other European river vessel and these cabins -- while not true two-room suites -- are 300 square feet. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. Tauck will sell through TA's, but maybe not online ones. While the suites are about 350 square feet, the standard stateroom is about 170 square feet with fixed windows at the waterline. 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. 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). Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. 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. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. Please choose only one for now. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. 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. The line's revamped older ships have 49 cabins: eight measuring 150 square feet, four measuring 183 square feet, one measuring 182 square feet, 20 measuring 225 square feet and 14 suites measuring 300 square feet. COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. What category cabin did you have? Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. The only Tauck employees onboard are the four cruise directors. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. 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. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. Viking River Cruises: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. Yes. 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. I have a few specific questions which I can't seem to find answers for on the websites. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. 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. Experience the "Wild West" of France in la Camargue with farm-fresh meals, local music, and a horse show. The iconic river ships of No. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Every evening, the forward section of the lounge on Scenic ships becomes the Italian restaurant Portabellos (L'Amour on its French ships), and every passenger can dine here at least once during their cruise, at no additional cost. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. 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. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. 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. Visit Salzburg, Austria, the town featured in "The Sound of Music.". Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . We highlight products and services you might find interesting. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor. It should be fun. Viking is the largest river cruise operator with over 50 Longships in their fleet. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. For example, guests staying in suites enjoy exclusive dining, priority reservations, and a private Captain's cocktail party, while those staying in standard rooms will lack many special perks. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. A View with a Room. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. Large private bathrooms include full showers and. There are a fair amount of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the itineraries, which are almost always awe-inspiring. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. Started August 27, 2021, By 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 upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. They are more expensive, but do things first class. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. 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. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. 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. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. We found it to be quite inclusive and spent very little extra, except for tips and drinks at the bar. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? 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. Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. 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). By Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. Cruise Critic named Avalon's staterooms the best in the business, and yes, we're blushing a bit. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. 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. Thanks. Email us at reviews@insider.com. 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. COVID-19 procedures are available here. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. 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. Scenic **: Inclusions are for all guests, regardless of ship or suite. 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. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. The food was delicious, service was excellent. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. 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. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. 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. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? 2 spot. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 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. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. Scenic offers butler service to passengers in every cabin, with set services according to the cabin category. Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. 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. 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. River cruising is an efficient way to travel visit a variety of destinations and only unpack once. And yes, Sunny is her real name. 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 all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. Sign up for a private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna with dinner and classical performances. One place where Viking shines, however, is with its Explorer Suites. 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. They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). The ships also offer complimentary alcoholic beverages. 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. 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. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. Since Aqua Expeditions ships are so much smaller than the average river cruise liner, they can visit more remote destinations and the excursions reflect that, from watching Amazonian pink dolphins to receiving a blessing from a Buddhist monk while traveling the Mekong. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. Do they have bicycles? In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. 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. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. Having fewer people on the same size ship does make a difference in terms of seating, service and overall vibe. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. Crystal Cruises river cruise line features all-suite ships. 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. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. River Cruising Along The Rivers of France Whether the Seine, the Sane or the Rhne, on a river cruise with Tauck you'll feel it the moment you step ashore in village and towns - that palpable realization of the true meaning of joie de vivre, enjoyment of life. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Thanks for all the input. 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.
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