Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. 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. The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. Email us at reviews@insider.com. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? 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. Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Much Do You Save. Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. 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). Uniworld is also a good choice with an array of added perks for kids of all ages. This cabin is more expensive than anything on Tauck, but if you're a luxury lover who wants to take an itinerary only operated by Viking and not an upscale line, it might be a good substitute. This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. The iconic river ships of No. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. I've always been a fan of traditional cruise line journeys, but a river cruise is much more intimate and in many cases, luxurious. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe River Cruise? 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. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. Choose Viking ifyou want what has become the industry standard for river cruising, a semi-inclusive experience with a line that does more sailings on more rivers than anyone else. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. All are reputable river cruises companies with years of experience in river cruising. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. No other fleet of river cruise ships gives you a view of the world like Avalon. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. 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. 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. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? 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. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. Large private bathrooms include full showers and. 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. 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. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. Onboard enrichment on both lines is based around the destinations visited. For us, 120-140 sq ft would just be too small. 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. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? Tauck has outdoor seats at Arthur's but there's no glass buffer, so it's a windier experience. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We found it to be quite inclusive and spent very little extra, except for tips and drinks at the bar. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. If you are the type of passenger who doesn't want to reach for your wallet at the end of a trip, both lines are great choices. Click here . Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. 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. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. There are a limited number of cruise choices and they do not sail in Europe. Solstice vs. Millennium Class on Celebrity Cruises, Meraviglia Class vs. Seaside Class on MSC Cruises, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, 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. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Tauck will sell through TA's, but maybe not online ones. You'll Adore these Ships. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. 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. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger than full balcony cabins, while still letting in fresh air. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. The best river cruises were selected based on the following criteria: Typical starting price: $724 for 3 nights (per person based on double occupancy $241 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, Seine, Moselle, Mekong, Nile, Rhne, Ganges, Main, Saone, Amazon (Peru), Specialty cruises: Photography, storytellers, wine, beer, culinary, garden, Christmas market, Jewish heritage. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice, and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. (Scenic has. She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. Typical starting price: $2,195 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $313 per night, all-inclusive), Where do they sail:Danube, Main (Germany), Rhine, Moselle, Rhne, Douro (Portugal), Seine, Bordeaux, Volga (Russia), Mekong (South East Asia), Irrawaddy (Myanmar), Specialty cruises: National Geographic, Christmas markets, Onboard amenities (may vary by ship):Laundry,wellness area, gym, massage services, hair salon, Wi-Fi, e-bikes, L'Occitane products, pillow menu, shoeshine, Inclusive: Meals, butler service, gratuities, transfers, excursions, beverages (with the exception of certain specialty wines and rare spirits), minibar fully restocked daily, chef-prepared picnics, 24-hour in-room dining, entertainment. 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. Back By Popular Demand: Whats Included On River Cruises? You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. 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. 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. 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 have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. 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). 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 . 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. It's easy to see the world's sights. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? They even pay the public restroom fee for you. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. Uniworld: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Although children are allowed, the line does not offer extra amenities or perks for kids. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. 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. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. 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. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . 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. Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. Featuring modern luxury ships, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, our clients love Avalon, and some of their river itineraries are our biggest sellers. It sounds like it will be what we're looking for. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. 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. There are no pools on the ships except for those sailing the Egypt, Mississippi, and the Mekong lines. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. 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. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. One place where Viking shines, however, is with its Explorer Suites. 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. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. 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. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. 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. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. 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. 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. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. 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). AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? All rights reserved. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. While there are plenty of places to curl up with a book or play a game in the public spaces, a bevy of activities will lure you onshore. 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. Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." Avalon's cabins are bigger than Tauck's but there is much that's not included with them, vs Tauck. Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. AMA has a modern fleet like Avalon and offers a few things that Avalon does not and that we would enjoy including bicycles, in room free internet and movies, tables for two in the dining room, and an onboard masseuse. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. But it's only because we've taken such pride in bringing you river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony stateroom design, featuring beds with a view. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. What are the differences between Viking River Cruises & Uniworld River Cruises & AmaWaterways & Tauck & CroisiEurope & Riviera & Scenic? Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. LauraS 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. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). 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. 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. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. 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. Viking has built its name on destination immersion, and the company doesn't provide extras such as gyms, spas, bikes or pools on its ships. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. Sign up for a private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna with dinner and classical performances. 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. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. The shore excursions on the designated family cruises are kid-centric and could include visiting a castle and dressing up as a medieval knight one day, watching Hungarian cowboys perform, going on a treetop climb or visiting a salt mine. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. While in Germany, visit the oldest brewery in Nuremberg for a bratwurst and beer. The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. Local entertainers will also come aboard to perform music, song and dance from the region. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Because how you see the world matters. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. Avalon offers many onboard presentations, including the celebrity-driven Storyteller Series, which is set to include the likes of Candace Bushnell ("Sex and the City"), Gillian Flynn ("Gone Girl"), Cheryl Strayed ("Wild"), and Diana Gabaldon (Outlander"). It should be fun. 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. 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. "The itinerary was. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. They are more expensive, but do things first class.