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Without a doubt, the most visible presence in the river cruising world is Viking River Cruises, thanks to effective TV, radio and direct mail advertisements. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. 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. We operate independently from our advertising team. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. 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. 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. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. River cruising is a very different animal than "big ship" cruising - and I would hate to think that you booked 14+ days on a river boat - only to discover that you hated the the experience. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. We believe that travel should be easy. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. 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. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. 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. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. They are more expensive, but do things first class. In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. 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. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. Yes. 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. 1. 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. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. Is there a way of getting a discounted price with them? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. The itineraries would be suitable for older teens interested in culture and history, and the option of bike tours and independent exploration with the Scenic TailorMade devices mean they aren't forced into day after day of walking or bus tours. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. 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. CC Help Jenn Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. Having fewer people on the same size ship does make a difference in terms of seating, service and overall vibe. We cruised Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago with Avalon and it was the best vacation,most relaxing we ever. Con: There is a striking difference in style between standard cabins and suites, Knowing these more curated cabins exist might lessen your experience in entry-level rooms. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. 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. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. When cruising the Nile, ride a camel as you visit the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. All guests must have received their COVID-19 vaccine prior to sailing. There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. 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. 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. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. 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. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. The only Tauck employees onboard are the four cruise directors. 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. Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. It's easy to see the world's sights. 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. 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. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. The entry-level cabin, the Petit Suite, is about 188 square feet is larger than most standard rooms, while the Deluxe Suite has French balconies, and opulent Explorer Suites boast large windows. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? Some rooms have balconies. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. 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. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? 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. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Read on for our look at Scenic vs. Tauck. 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. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. 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. COVID-19 procedures are available here. In fact, there are many kid-friend amenities, such as cooking classes, a young travelers' lounge, and a game room complete with PlayStation, games, movies, and local treats. 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. 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. 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. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air. Prices shown reflect discount. 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 . Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. 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. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once. Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. 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. We preferred the top floor. 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. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. There is also destination-themed entertainment; for example, while sailing through Austria a musician is likely to play musical pieces from "The Sound of Music.". 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. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. Avalon River Cruises is recognized for their all suite concept. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice, and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. 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. 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 . 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. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. The reason why Scenic fans might not know Tauck, and vice versa, stems from the companies' headquarters. Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins.