Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. We cruised Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago with Avalon and it was the best vacation,most relaxing we ever. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. 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. 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. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. (The Longships are the same size, 443 feet, but carry 190). Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). Although children are allowed, the line does not offer extra amenities or perks for kids. While other river cruise cabins shove your bed against a wall for a view of the other wall, our Comfort Collection Beds SM beds face the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. 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). Sign up for a private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna with dinner and classical performances. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. 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. 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. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. I need to be able to contact Avalon, Scenic, Uniworld, Tauck directly to arrange terms of the lease of a vesssel, crew, with at least two meals per day provided. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. We welcome your feedback. Without a doubt, the most visible presence in the river cruising world is Viking River Cruises, thanks to effective TV, radio and direct mail advertisements. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? We can chat later about other destinations. Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe River Cruise? Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). I've come up with 4 that I think might suit us, and I'd appreciate comments from anyone who has experienced any of them. One thing both lines have in common is that they use modern coaches branded with the line's logo and photos of the ships or exotic locations (making them easily identifiable in a crowd of coaches). COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. You'll Adore these Ships. 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. It should re-energize and transform. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. 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. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. Dinner is served to the table (although on Scenic, you'll have a buffet your first night onboard) and, on both lines, staff are attentive. (Scenic has. 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. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. River cruising is an efficient way to travel visit a variety of destinations and only unpack once. Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. Choose Tauck ifyou want an all-inclusive river cruise with more extras and a higher-end feel -- and don't mind paying for it. What category cabin did you have? One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. 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. It all boils down to what is important to you. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. 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. Whats the Best Choice for a Sane River Cruise? On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. They are comfortable but not luxurious or particularly interesting. 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. . These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. Solstice vs. Millennium Class on Celebrity Cruises, Meraviglia Class vs. Seaside Class on MSC Cruises, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, 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. Read on for our look at Scenic vs. Tauck. 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. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. On all these journeys from the Ganges to the Rhne dining is a big part of the adventure. Started August 27, 2021, By They are more expensive, but do things first class. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. 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. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. 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. Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. CC Help Jenn Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. For us, 120-140 sq ft would just be too small. 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. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. But it's only because we've taken such pride in bringing you river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony stateroom design, featuring beds with a view. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. 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). Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? We had cabin 308 (cat. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. On the Danube sailing, see the Wachau Valley from a canoe and visit a hidden beach. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. Local entertainers will also come aboard to perform music, song and dance from the region. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." Viking is the largest river cruise operator with over 50 Longships in their fleet. By Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. The cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. 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. Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. It should be fun. Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. 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. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. While many cruise lines have a strict dining schedule, these ships offer several different onboard restaurants. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Do they have bicycles? 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 - cruise only, or with Paris at beginning and Prague at the end to make 12 days, 4) Vikings' Vineyards & Vistas (Trier to Wurzburg, 7 days, or with Paris and Prague, like AMA above, called Cities of Light)- I did read Ruth's recent posting about that one. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon 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. 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. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. 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. The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. 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. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. Another thing that sets the Inspiration class of ships apart: "loft" design cabins, which have a raised platform seating area that provides extra space in lower-level cabins. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. Love Scandinavian Design? Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. The Rivers They Cruise. It's easy to see the world's sights. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. 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. All guests must have received their COVID-19 vaccine prior to sailing. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites.