For each, passengers are divided into groups (around the same size on both lines) and have individual audio headsets that make it easy to hear the commentary without having to cluster around the guide. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. 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. 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. 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.". Some rooms have balconies. 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. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. 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. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. River Cruise Lines: World's Best 2021 - Travel + Leisure Tauck will sell through TA's, but maybe not online ones. Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. Tauck - Nile River Cruise Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. The cabins are large with King-sized beds, which is a rarity in river cruising. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. We found it to be quite inclusive and spent very little extra, except for tips and drinks at the bar. 2 spot. 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. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? 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. Visit Salzburg, Austria, the town featured in "The Sound of Music.". Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. CC Help Jenn They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. About Viking - do they have open seating for dinner? Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . CC Help Jenn 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. There is no room service on Viking. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. But since there is so much to do, odds are that the cabin will be only used for sleeping and downtime. Email us at reviews@insider.com. Avalon Waterways River Cruises - 2023 & 2024 River Cruises Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. 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. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). On a Viking river cruise, you receive a fair amount in your fare: a daily shore excursion with more elaborate options available for a fee; Wi-Fi; beer, wine and soda with meals and bottled water; and some entertainment and enrichment. One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. COVID-19 procedures are available here. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. We were next to one of the Tauck river boats in Wurzburg last year and both my husband and I commented on how luxurious it looked next to ours, which was very nice and brand new at the time. On the Danube sailing, see the Wachau Valley from a canoe and visit a hidden beach. 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. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. 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. 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. The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. 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. 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. 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. At 445 square feet, they are among the largest on the rivers with wraparound balconies, a separate bedroom and living room and another French balcony. Back By Popular Demand: Whats Included On River Cruises? Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. I have a few specific questions which I can't seem to find answers for on the websites. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 15 of the Best European River Cruises - Travel + Leisure For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. 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. 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. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. 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. 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. It should be fun. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. When cruising the Nile, ride a camel as you visit the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. Tauck has outdoor seats at Arthur's but there's no glass buffer, so it's a windier experience. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . It should re-energize and transform. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. 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. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. For example, on the S.S. BonVoyage in France, the Le Salon Champagne was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's home, Villa Majorelle. 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. The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. 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 cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) "Free choice" dining allows you . I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. Tauck vs. Viking River Cruises - Cruise Critic In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. The cabin window is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass that stretches 11 feet wide and opens up 7 feet wide, thus basically turning your room into a veranda. We believe that travel should be easy. Prices shown reflect discount. Tauck not only has a cruise director onboard its ship, but it has three additional Tauck guides who give the daily briefings, attend the shore excursions (although local experts actually give the tours), hand out spending money or give you a rose to place at the gravesite of a veteran in an American military cemetery. Read on for our look at Scenic vs. Tauck. Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Tauck River Cruise or Viking River Cruise - Fodor's Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. 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. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. 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. 1. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. Started August 27, 2021, By 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. Expires February 28. Scenic is based in Australia, and about half of the passengers on its river cruises are from Down Under (with the rest from other English-speaking countries such as New Zealand, the U.K., Canada and the U.S.). Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. It's easy to see the world's sights. RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel 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. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. Scenic offers butler service to passengers in every cabin, with set services according to the cabin category. 6 Best River Cruise Lines (2022) | TravelAwaits Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Normandy River Cruise 2023 / 2024 | Tauck 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. 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. 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. We had cabin 308 (cat. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider The latter are true suites, with two rooms. 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). 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. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. Do they have bicycles? 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. 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. Pros: The cabins are large and all have floor-to-ceiling windows. Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. Another difference is that Tauck ships are actually owned and run by Scylla, a Swiss-owned company. 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 . Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. By Pros:Having a butler on call is a big perk. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. 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. 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. 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). On all these journeys from the Ganges to the Rhne dining is a big part of the adventure. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. Onboard enrichment on both lines is based around the destinations visited. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. 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. This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. 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. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. The 10 Best River Cruise Lines - Travel + Leisure The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. 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. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. And yes, Sunny is her real name. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. But if you think this a Disney river cruise would be all about the kids, you're wrong. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. River Cruises Guides | Tauck COVID-19 procedures are available here. 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. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. River Cruises: Avalon Waterways They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. 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). These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. LauraS On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. As part of its company's commitment to making your time in port seamless without having to deal with worrisome currency issues, the line gives each passenger 20 euros to buy a meal when an excursion spans the lunch hour. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? 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. Love Scandinavian Design? The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. While the suites are about 350 square feet, the standard stateroom is about 170 square feet with fixed windows at the waterline. While Scenic has casual dining in its River Cafe, it closes at 6 p.m. Arthur's can be a real boon, particularly if you've already snacked at a local cafe and want a simple nosh at night, instead of a full-blown three-course meal.
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