She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. 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. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 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. 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. There is one single cabin that is 129 square feet, and one wheelchair-accessible cabin. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). 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. 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. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Click here . They also use the Quietvox system during excursions, where the tour guide speaks into a headset while passengers listen on receivers. Do they have bicycles? In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. CC Help Jenn Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. 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. The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. 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. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. 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. 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. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. Tauck has outdoor seats at Arthur's but there's no glass buffer, so it's a windier experience. 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. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain's seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world's most memorable and mesmerizing 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). Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. There is no room service on Viking. 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. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. 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. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. 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. 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. 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. Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. In contrast, Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer Inspiration-class vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship its size. Tauck: 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. 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. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. 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. Tauck vs Avalon Waterways Compared | Travelstride Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? River Cruise Lines: World's Best 2021 - Travel + Leisure CC Help Jenn 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. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Thanks. 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. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. Powered by Invision Community. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. 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"). There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. What category cabin did you have? Cruise Critic named Avalon's staterooms the best in the business, and yes, we're blushing a bit. These are the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. The line reduced capacity on its five older vessels, which are smaller, bringing the passenger counts from 118 to 98. 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 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. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. 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. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. (The Longships are the same size, 443 feet, but carry 190). On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. It should be fun. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 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. Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. Visit the Amazon Rainforest with Aqua Expeditions' naturalist guides. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. 6 Best River Cruise Lines (2022) | TravelAwaits 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. For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise - APT (15 Days From Calgary to Vancouver) 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers . In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. 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. Scenic **: Inclusions are for all guests, regardless of ship or suite. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. In terms of enrichment, both lines bring on local entertainers, although Scenic is more likely to bring on a band to play classic rock and music you can dance to, as opposed to folk performers. 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.). Viking has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. Started June 21, 2021, By Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. 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. Their National Geographic sailings are particularly of note and include a variety of educational, expert-led travel excursions and talks. First, about Tauck. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. 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. By Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 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. Large private bathrooms include full showers and. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Email us at reviews@insider.com. Viking is also an adults-only line, while Tauck was the pioneer of family river cruises through its Tauck Bridges program. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. Junior Suites are 240 to 250 square feet, two Royal Panorama Suites are 475 square feet and, on some ships, Royal Owners Suites are more than 500 square feet. Choose Tauck ifyou're fine with a French balcony and want a larger standard cabin. 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). It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? 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. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. 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. Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). They are composed of floor-to-ceiling windows that drop down halfway at the flick of a switch, and the balconies can be shut off from the main cabin area with folding glass doors. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. 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. 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. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. 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? In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. 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.
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