Whats the Best Choice for a MainRiver Cruise? Pros: The cabins are large and all have floor-to-ceiling windows. 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. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain, Egypt, Peru, Mekong, India, Specialty cruises: Gen Z on the U (for families with teens), lectures, Christmas markets, Jewish heritage, Amenities (may vary per ship): Pool, spa, bicycles for land exploration, pillow menu, massage, library, flat-screen TVs, fitness center, wellness classes, airport transfers, laundry, Asprey bath products, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water), most excursions, gratuities, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. 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. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. Grownups may enjoy adult-only dinners and wine tastings, and there is actually a nice variety of adult-exclusive sailings (generally when school is in session), which offer more sophisticated offerings. 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. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon There is a very low crew to guest ratio. 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. In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. The line is mostly known in the United States. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. 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. These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. The entry-level cabin, the Petit Suite, is about 188 square feet is larger than most standard rooms, while the Deluxe Suite has French balconies, and opulent Explorer Suites boast large windows. 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. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. On Viking, you can pay extra for a better bottle of wine, whereas Tauck has a wine cellar with some special bottles that are included in your fare (although they don't exactly volunteer these premier offerings; you have to ask). Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. 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. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. 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. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. 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. We can chat later about other destinations. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). 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. Scenic also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. 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. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. 2 spot. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. 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. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. We welcome your feedback. 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. CC Help Jenn 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. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. 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. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Expires February 28. 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. 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 line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. . (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. The Panorama Dining Room serves daily four-course la carte dinners along with complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks, or guests can choose the more casual Panorama Bistro or Sky Grill. 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. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1224277, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions, C858B0A9-6769-424D-B129-59363EDAC023.jpeg, B5073042-BF8A-4EEC-BD19-0938D8732763.jpeg. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail theDouro Riverin Portugal and the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. Visit Salzburg, Austria, the town featured in "The Sound of Music.". 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). (The Longships are the same size, 443 feet, but carry 190). Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. 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. Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. 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. 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 has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. 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. It should be fun. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. Visit Schloss Hof in Bratislava for chocolate tasting and learn to waltz in the grand ballroom. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . 1. Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. Viking is the largest river cruise operator with over 50 Longships in their fleet. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. Avalon River Cruises is recognized for their all suite concept. 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). Take a thrilling alpine toboggan run in Germany's Black Forest. When cruising the Nile, ride a camel as you visit the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. I have a few specific questions which I can't seem to find answers for on the websites. For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. 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.). Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. 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. QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. 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. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. 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. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. Typical starting price: $3,990 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $570 per night, all-inclusive), Where do they sail:Danube, Douro, Rhine, Rhne, Seine, Specialty Cruises: Oktoberfest, Christmas markets, music, family sailings, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Putting green, sun deck, minibar with complimentary water and soft drinks, Molton Brown toiletries, TV, Jacuzzi, Included: Meals, beverages (house wine, beer, and premium spirits available all day), gratuities, transfers upon arrival and departure, excursions. Viking is also an adults-only line, while Tauck was the pioneer of family river cruises through its Tauck Bridges program. Save up to $2,800 per couple off the cruise price of Europe sailings. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. 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. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia.