While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. 2 spot. 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. 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). Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. The River Cafe offers light bites from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for everyone, while Table La Rive is an upscale Chef's Table for upper-deck passengers only. On both lines, the excursions will include walking and coach tours of local towns and villages, visits to castles and historic monuments, and experiences such as wine tasting. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers . AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. In contrast, Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer Inspiration-class vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship its size. Pros: The cabins are large and all have floor-to-ceiling windows. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. View travel requirements for countries around the world. 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. 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. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. as well as other partner offers and accept our. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. These are the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air.
6 Best River Cruise Lines (2022) | TravelAwaits 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. Tauck's alternative restaurant, Arthur's, has evolved into a casual grill, with a menu offering everything from hamburgers and salads to pastas and steaks. 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. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected.
River Cruise Reviews, Viking River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. Avalon Waterways My cabin (#312) aboard Avalon Tapestry II on the Seine River in Normandy. 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. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. No other fleet of river cruise ships gives you a view of the world like Avalon. 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). While in Germany, visit the oldest brewery in Nuremberg for a bratwurst and beer. (The amount varies from country to country, but it is generous and enough to buy a meal and drink). Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities.
Avalon River Cruises | Avalon Waterways River Cruises in Europe The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 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. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. 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. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. Read on for our look at Scenic vs. Tauck. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. Take a thrilling alpine toboggan run in Germany's Black Forest. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 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. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. 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. Crystal Cruises river cruise line features all-suite ships. 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). Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. On all these journeys from the Ganges to the Rhne dining is a big part of the adventure. 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 availablehere. Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. 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. Email us at reviews@insider.com. These excursions are all included in the price of the cruise and are considered part of the river experience, although they aren't included for the sole domestic option on our list, the American Queen Steamboat Company. 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. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air.
Tauck vs. Viking River Cruises - Cruise Critic It should be worth your time and the price you paid.
Normandy River Cruise 2023 / 2024 | Tauck The cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. 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. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. Thanks. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. There are a limited number of cruise choices and they do not sail in Europe. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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 . 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. 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. Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. 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. 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. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. 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. Spacious ships carry between 84 and 130 guests, and since the single supplement is waived on select cabins, it's a good choice for solo travelers . In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. They also use the Quietvox system during excursions, where the tour guide speaks into a headset while passengers listen on receivers. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. We cruised Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago with Avalon and it was the best vacation,most relaxing we ever. Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. 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. 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. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? When she's not out shopping, she's plotting her next trip to Disneyland, remodeling her 1920s bungalow, and hanging out with her tween and their new puppy. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. The iconic river ships of No. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? 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. While many cruise lines have a strict dining schedule, these ships offer several different onboard restaurants. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, 17 Cruise Lines That Include Alcohol in Your Fare, 7 Challenging Cruise Ports We Can Help You Navigate. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. If they cannot help you, then come back to continue the process.
Viking or Avalon? Crystal, Tauck, or Uniworld? - Wallace Pierson Travel They even pay the public restroom fee for you. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. Venturing off the beaten path away from well-traveled highways is part of the appeal, as are the opportunities to savor a real taste of daily life along Europe's rivers. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? Tauck has outdoor seats at Arthur's but there's no glass buffer, so it's a windier experience.