COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. In 2023, they will launch Seven River Journeys which will cover seven rivers and 14 countries over the course of 45 nights (starting at $24,999 per person, double occupancy). For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Learn more. 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. 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. 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. Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. 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 Rhine River Cruise? Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. Lower Danube River Company Routes Comparison Dream Destinations There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. 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. 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. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. It's easy to see the world's sights. First, about Tauck. 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). 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. 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 Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. 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. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. While many cruise lines have a strict dining schedule, these ships offer several different onboard restaurants. 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. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. I'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. 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. It all boils down to what is important to you. Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Powered by Invision Community. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. 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. River Cruise Ships - Avalon Waterways Small Cruise Ships We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Shore Excursions, 12 Things You Don't Need to Take on a Cruise, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. 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. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. Scenic Sundowner events are cocktail parties at an unusual or particularly beautiful locale, while Scenic Enrich immersive activities may include a concert, performance or special dinner offsite. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. River cruising is an efficient way to travel visit a variety of destinations and only unpack once. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. Also check out Avalon rivercruises. You'll Adore these Ships. The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. 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. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. "The itinerary was. 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. Viking or Avalon? Crystal, Tauck, or Uniworld? - Wallace Pierson Travel This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. 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. 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. 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. In addition to traditional ships, there are also sleek black U by Uniworld boats, which offer a modern take on river cruising with a younger demographic in mind. 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. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. Thanks for all the input. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. COVID-19 procedures are available here. Choose Tauck ifyou want an all-inclusive river cruise with more extras and a higher-end feel -- and don't mind paying for it. 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. Love Scandinavian Design? Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. 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). 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. For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. 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. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. 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. Started August 27, 2021, By Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. On both lines, the main restaurant setup is very similar, with buffets at breakfast and lunch plus live cooking stations and made-to-order menu items. Last minute changes OK. 1. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. 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. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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. 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. 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. Choose Tauck ifyou like open seating and want the choice of having room service and a true alternative dining venue where you can get casual, hot food. They offer a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, so guests relish in lavish, five-star treatment and the boats have only about 15 to 20 cabins, meaning, no more than 30 to 40 guests per sailing. 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. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. 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. 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. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. Scenic and Tauck have many similarities, even if fans of one haven't heard of the other. They are more expensive, but do things first class. 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. 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. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. The only Tauck employees onboard are the four cruise directors. The 10 Best River Cruise Lines - Travel + Leisure 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. Choose Tauck ifyou're fine with a French balcony and want a larger standard cabin. We preferred the top floor. 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. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. It sounds like it will be what we're looking for. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air. Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor.