1) Avalon's Rhine & Moselle on Affinity (Amsterdam to Basel, 14 days) 2) Tauck's Rhine & Moselle (Amsterdam to Basel, 13 days) 3) AMA's Europe's Rivers & Castles (Trier to Nuremberg, 7 days -. We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. Since Aqua Expeditions ships are so much smaller than the average river cruise liner, they can visit more remote destinations and the excursions reflect that, from watching Amazonian pink dolphins to receiving a blessing from a Buddhist monk while traveling the Mekong. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. Email us at reviews@insider.com. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) 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. COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. On Tauck's four newer ships, you'll find 67 cabins: nine measuring 150 square feet, four measuring 190 square feet, 32 measuring 225 square feet and 22 suites measuring 300 square feet. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. Viking is also an adults-only line, while Tauck was the pioneer of family river cruises through its Tauck Bridges program. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. 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. 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. 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. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? It should be fun. View travel requirements for countries around the world. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. 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. The ships also offer complimentary alcoholic beverages. Avalon Waterways My cabin (#312) aboard Avalon Tapestry II on the Seine River in Normandy. Spacious ships carry between 84 and 130 guests, and since the single supplement is waived on select cabins, it's a good choice for solo travelers . In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. 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. COVID-19 procedures are available here. 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. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. It's easy to see the world's sights. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail theDouro Riverin Portugal and the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. 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. On the Danube sailing, see the Wachau Valley from a canoe and visit a hidden beach. 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. Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. 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. Avalon's cabins are bigger than Tauck's but there is much that's not included with them, vs Tauck. Crystal Cruises river cruise line features all-suite ships. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. Started June 21, 2021, By 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. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. 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. They are the least expensive, since we'd probably go cruise-only and make up our own land tour before/after, but the cabin seems pretty small, and we'd really like the option of bikes, which is offered on Tauck and AMA, but not on Viking or Avalon, as far as I can make out (please, correct me if I'm wrong). River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. But since there is so much to do, odds are that the cabin will be only used for sleeping and downtime. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. 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. 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.). Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. 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). The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. We can chat later about other destinations. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Viking Kadlin (Photo: Viking River Cruises), Viking Einar (Photo: Viking River Cruises), Tauck ms Emerald (Photo: Tauck River Cruises), Viking Helgrim (Photo: Viking River Cruises), 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. There are a limited number of cruise choices and they do not sail in Europe. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. 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). 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. There is no special programming for kids, and children under eight are not allowed to sail. The beds in the Panorama Suites are also cleverly placed against the opposite wall so guests may view the scenery from bed. For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. 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. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. On Viking, everyone eats at the same time, which can create a "herding" effect that some people dislike. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. LauraS The cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. 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;. Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. 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). 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"). 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers . As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. They are more expensive, but do things first class. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. 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. The main restaurant setup is very similar on the lines, with buffets at breakfast and lunch plus live cooking stations and made-to-order menu items. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. The Rivers They Cruise. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. 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. Uniworld: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. 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. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. Prices shown reflect discount. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Whats the Best Choice for a MainRiver Cruise? TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. They are comfortable but not luxurious or particularly interesting. Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. 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. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). 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. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. 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. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise?

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