Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. 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. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. 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.). Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. On Viking, everyone eats at the same time, which can create a "herding" effect that some people dislike. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. 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. The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. It all boils down to what is important to you. 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. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. Thanks for all the input. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. 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. 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. There are no pools on the ships except for those sailing the Egypt, Mississippi, and the Mekong lines. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet. It's easy to see the world's sights. Started August 27, 2021, By 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. (The amount varies from country to country, but it is generous and enough to buy a meal and drink). The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice, and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. 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. Whats the Best Choice for a Sane River Cruise? You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. 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. 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. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. 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. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air. 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. 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. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Pro: The boats boast a boutique design and feel with unlimited premium spirits and wines. Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. COVID-19 procedures are available here. Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. There is a wide variety of cabin categories from a 350 square foot suite that sleeps four with a balcony to Category D, the most affordable cabin, which is about 170 square feet, sleeps two, and features small windows. 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. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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). Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. 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. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. 2 spot. 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. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. Local entertainers will also come aboard to perform music, song and dance from the region. On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. 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. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. Do they have bicycles? The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. We were next to one of the Tauck river boats in Wurzburg last year and both my husband and I commented on how luxurious it looked next to ours, which was very nice and brand new at the time. There is no special programming for kids, and children under eight are not allowed to sail. . About Viking - do they have open seating for dinner? 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). A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. Although children are allowed, the line does not offer extra amenities or perks for kids. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. 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. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. All of the cruise lines selected offer intriguing and interesting excursions that are included in the price (except for the American Queen Steamboat Company), from a private tour of the Louvre to kayaking down the Mekong. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. These are the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Pros: The cabins are large and all have floor-to-ceiling windows. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. River cruising is an efficient way to travel visit a variety of destinations and only unpack once. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. 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. (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. This cabin is more expensive than anything on Tauck, but if you're a luxury lover who wants to take an itinerary only operated by Viking and not an upscale line, it might be a good substitute. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. Scenic **: Inclusions are for all guests, regardless of ship or suite. Click the links in the right column to access current price comparisons among all major river cruise companies and for tips on how to save. 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. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. 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. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. 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. 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. This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. 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. 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. Typical starting price: $2,309 for 3 nights (per person based on double occupancy $796 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Mekong, Amazon, Indonesia, Amenities (may vary by ship): Pool, Jacuzzi, private or outdoor cinema, sun deck, gym, massage, library/game room, bikes for onshore use, snorkeling equipment and wet suits, scuba diving, laundry, internet (intermittent, depends on location), Inclusions: All meals, beverages (premium selected wines, and beer, non-alcoholic drinks), excursions with local guides, group transfers between the vessel on recommended flights. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard.

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