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. Dinner is served to the table (although on Scenic, you'll have a buffet your first night onboard) and, on both lines, staff are attentive. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. We can chat later about other destinations. We welcome your feedback. There is one single cabin that is 129 square feet, and one wheelchair-accessible cabin. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. Learn more. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. Because how you see the world matters. 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 . Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. River Cruises Guides | Tauck 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. There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. 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. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. Pros: Adventures by Disney guides add a wonderful touch to each journey with storytelling, educational information, and goes above and beyond to ensure every guest has a great time. Back By Popular Demand: Whats Included On River Cruises? 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. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. 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. Also check out Avalon rivercruises. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. We preferred the top floor. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 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). Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. 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. Price Comparisons: A Look At Pricing Differentials For European River Cruises, How River Cruising Compares To Luxury Ocean Cruising, River Cruise Reviews, Viking River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises. If they cannot help you, then come back to continue the process. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . 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. All rights reserved. By To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. 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. The ships also offer complimentary alcoholic beverages. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. 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). She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." 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). 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. Do they have bicycles? You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. Although children are allowed, the line does not offer extra amenities or perks for kids. About Viking - do they have open seating for dinner? We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). CC Help Jenn 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. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. Some rooms have balconies. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. When it's open, there's still a buffer, so your hair and food don't blow around. The cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Please choose only one for now. It should be fun. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. 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 also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) 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. 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. Avalon vs Tauck, AMA vs Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. Sign up for a private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna with dinner and classical performances. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. Yes. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Fully stocked minibar, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, L'Occitane bath products, fitness center, free bicycles for use in select ports, whirlpool, library with books, cards, and board games. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. 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. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. 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. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. 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. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. 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. 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 -. 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. Viking is also an adults-only line, while Tauck was the pioneer of family river cruises through its Tauck Bridges 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. Pro: The boats boast a boutique design and feel with unlimited premium spirits and wines. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. 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. 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. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. Save up to $2,800 per couple off the cruise price of Europe sailings. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. Prices shown reflect discount. 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. We had cabin 308 (cat. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. And yes, Sunny is her real name. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . 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. Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. 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. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). Started June 21, 2021, By Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. It's easy to see the world's sights. Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. Click here . RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel Lower Danube River Company Routes Comparison Dream Destinations Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. In contrast, Tauck-- an upscale tour line that offers river cruises -- is lesser-known; unless you're already familiar with the company's organized land vacations or seen its ships on Europe's rivers. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). It should be worth your time and the price you paid. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. The cabins are large with King-sized beds, which is a rarity in river cruising. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free).
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