River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. 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. Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. These range from shoeshine, concierge service and restocking the mini-bar in Standard Suites, to packing and unpacking, arranging in-room cocktail drinks and even running a bath in the top suites. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. 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. Some sailings have Loft Suites, which are two stories with floor-to-ceiling windows and have two full bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge with a Queen sofa-bed, a balcony, and an upstairs bedroom. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor. 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. 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. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail theDouro Riverin Portugal and the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. I need to be able to contact Avalon, Scenic, Uniworld, Tauck directly to arrange terms of the lease of a vesssel, crew, with at least two meals per day provided. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. 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. The latter are true suites, with two rooms.
Avalon vs Tauck, AMA vs Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. Large private bathrooms include full showers and. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. 1. In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. 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. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. It's easy to see the world's sights. 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. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 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. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. All rights reserved. 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. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. Tauck is a much more deluxe experience, with alcohol and spirits included at all times, plus an in-room mini-bar stocked with bottled waters and sodas; all excursions; Wi-Fi; bikes onboard; gratuities; money to buy lunch in port; and special events such as dinner at a one- star Michelin restaurant. Started August 27, 2021, By Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. 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 -. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. Here are the most popular tour operator comparisons that travelers make when planning for their next adventure: Top Tour Companies for Seniors Compared: Road Scholar vs Smithsonian Journeys Go Ahead Tours vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Odysseys Unlimited Trafalgar vs Globus Tauck vs Senior Discovery Tours Collette vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Alexander + Roberts If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). 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. Please choose only one for now.
RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. When it's open, there's still a buffer, so your hair and food don't blow around. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. Tauck's alternative restaurant, Arthur's (named after Chairman Arthur Tauck Jr.), is a casual grill, with a menu offering everything from hamburgers and salads to pastas and steaks. There are a limited number of cruise choices and they do not sail in Europe. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. Most cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows to save space in the cabin, and the most affordable is Category 1, which is about 150 square feet and has small windows and a little bathroom with a shower. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Scenic **: Inclusions are for all guests, regardless of ship or suite. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. Choose Tauck ifyou're fine with a French balcony and want a larger standard cabin. 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. 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.
Tauck River Cruise or Viking River Cruise - Fodor's Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. 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.
Avalon Waterways River Cruises - 2023 & 2024 River Cruises 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. Do they have bicycles? Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. Local entertainers will also come aboard to perform music, song and dance from the region. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Overall, the crowd is older and more sedate than you'd find on Scenic; the dance floor is rarely used on Tauck ships, while on Scenic, it's not unusual for dancing to occur if the right band is playing. We believe that travel should be easy. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! Like most cruises, the food served is reflective of your destination's local cuisine and there is also a light menu and options for vegetarians, vegans, and kids. They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. 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. 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. But if you think this a Disney river cruise would be all about the kids, you're wrong.
Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises.
While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Click here .
Avalon Cruises - Avalon River Cruises 2021 2022 - Pavlus Travel 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. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. It should re-energize and transform. 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 - cruise only, or with Paris at beginning and Prague at the end to make 12 days, 4) Vikings' Vineyards & Vistas (Trier to Wurzburg, 7 days, or with Paris and Prague, like AMA above, called Cities of Light)- I did read Ruth's recent posting about that one. Tauck has outdoor seats at Arthur's but there's no glass buffer, so it's a windier experience. Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise?
Avalon River Cruises | Avalon Waterways River Cruises in Europe Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. We operate independently from our advertising team. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. 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. There is no special programming for kids, and children under eight are not allowed to sail. Tauck is a much more deluxe experience, with alcohol and spirits included at all times, plus an in-room mini-bar stocked with bottled waters and sodas; all excursions; Wi-Fi; bikes onboard;. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. 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. 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.
Which River Cruise Ship Should You Choose? Here Are the Key Differences The river cruise division of Tauck is a relatively new component of the brand established in 1925 by Arthur Tauck, a true pioneer in the travel industry. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. All of the cruise lines selected offer intriguing and interesting excursions that are included in the price (except for the American Queen Steamboat Company), from a private tour of the Louvre to kayaking down the Mekong. The food was delicious, service was excellent. Sunny Chanel is a freelance writer based in San Francisco who has written thousands of pieces on topics such as travel, parenting, pop culture, products, and entertainment for a variety of online sites. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. It should be fun. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. Prices shown reflect discount. In addition to food and drink with carefully curated cuisine reflective of the areas being visited many river cruises include land excursions, which is a huge advantage that adds tremendous value. On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations. The line is mostly known in the United States. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. Choose Tauck ifyou don't want any extra charges at all when you leave the ship, love the convenience of having everything set up for you or want the feeling of a more deluxe experience. For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. Standard suites are sparse, small (just 160 square feet) and lack balconies. On all these journeys from the Ganges to the Rhne dining is a big part of the adventure. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. 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. 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. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Riviera **: Riviera's beverage package, which includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner, ranges from $99 per person to $299 per person depending on the duration of the cruise.