Although Scenic does not have walkout verandas, all cabins except those on the lower deck have "sun lounge balconies," an innovation that is an integral part of the room. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. 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. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Much Do You Save. 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. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. 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 entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. Uniworld is also a good choice with an array of added perks for kids of all ages. Con: There is a striking difference in style between standard cabins and suites, Knowing these more curated cabins exist might lessen your experience in entry-level rooms. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. Besides stringing words together professionally, Sunny once co-founded a luxury subscription box, curated a whimsical pop-up shop in San Francisco called Treasure Hunters Club, and recently inherited a vinyl-only records store in San Francisco. 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. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. Viking vs. Tauck vs. Uniworld vs. Avalon?? - Cruise Critic Community The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. 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. The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. Tauck carries fewer passengers onboard so its tour groups are, by definition, smaller. 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 the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 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). We highlight products and services you might find interesting. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. Whats the Best Choice for a MainRiver Cruise? And yes, Sunny is her real name. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. We can chat later about other destinations. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. 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. Tauck's alternative restaurant, Arthur's, has evolved into a casual grill, with a menu offering everything from hamburgers and salads to pastas and steaks. 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). 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. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. Avalon vs Tauck, AMA vs Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic 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. By submitting your contact information, you agree that your email address may be shared with a travel expert who can help me find the perfect cruise for you. 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. Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. Local entertainers will also come aboard to perform music, song and dance from the region. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. 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. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. Guest lectures and performers also come aboard to highlight the destination, from Viennese opera to Portuguese fado, and local craft and culinary demonstrations are sprinkled throughout voyages as well, such as lace-making and Austrian apple strudel. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. 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. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. I have a few specific questions which I can't seem to find answers for on the websites. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. There is also destination-themed entertainment; for example, while sailing through Austria a musician is likely to play musical pieces from "The Sound of Music.". In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. 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. Save up to $2,800 per couple off the cruise price of Europe sailings. The iconic river ships of No. 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. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. Avalon's cabins are bigger than Tauck's but there is much that's not included with them, vs Tauck. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. On Viking, everyone eats at the same time, which can create a "herding" effect that some people dislike. 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. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. 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. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? All are reputable river cruises companies with years of experience in river cruising. Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. The food was delicious, service was excellent. However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. 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 -. 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. The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. Which River Cruise Ship Should You Choose? Here Are the Key Differences They are more expensive, but do things first class. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. These range from shoeshine, concierge service and restocking the mini-bar in Standard Suites, to packing and unpacking, arranging in-room cocktail drinks and even running a bath in the top suites. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. 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. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. River Cruises: Avalon Waterways Another thing that sets Tauck's newer ships apart: "loft" design cabins, which have a raised platform seating area that provides extra space in lower-level cabins. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. 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. Choose Viking ifyou want what has become the industry standard for river cruising, a semi-inclusive experience with a line that does more sailings on more rivers than anyone else. I'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. Learn more. Viking River vs AmaWaterways vs Tauck River Cruises 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). Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. There are a fair amount of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the itineraries, which are almost always awe-inspiring. Every evening, the forward section of the lounge on Scenic ships becomes the Italian restaurant Portabellos (L'Amour on its French ships), and every passenger can dine here at least once during their cruise, at no additional cost. One of the Tauck tenets is "lagniappe," or a little something extra, such as a Champagne reception in the Baden-Baden casino or roses to put on the graves of veterans at an American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Scenic offers butler service to passengers in every cabin, with set services according to the cabin category. She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. The line reduced capacity on its five older vessels, which are smaller, bringing the passenger counts from 118 to 98. There are no pools on the ships except for those sailing the Egypt, Mississippi, and the Mekong lines. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? 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. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. Sign up for a private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna with dinner and classical performances. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. Viking provides a shore excursion daily, along with drinks with meals, in a casual environment, while Tauck is all-inclusive, with a fair number of luxurious extras. 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. Although children are allowed, the line does not offer extra amenities or perks for kids. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. 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. Prices shown reflect discount. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. On both lines, the excursions will include walking and coach tours of local towns and villages, visits to castles and historic monuments, and experiences such as wine tasting. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. It all boils down to what is important to you. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. Tauck vs Avalon Waterways Compared | Travelstride Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . COVID-19 procedures are available here. Pro: The boats boast a boutique design and feel with unlimited premium spirits and wines. There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. We preferred the top floor. It sounds like it will be what we're looking for. Then, there are the ships inEgypt,China,Vietnam and Cambodia, which the line either owns or charters, and in 2023 Viking launches its first ship on the Mississippi. Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. One step aboard our modern, luxurious SuiteShips with the grandest views in cruising and youll see how the tides they are a-changin. Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed. Viking has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. 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. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. The Rivers They 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. 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). Another difference is that Tauck ships are actually owned and run by Scylla, a Swiss-owned company. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. (Scenic has its own lower-priced counterpart, Emerald Waterways.). In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. Choose Viking ifyou want a good introduction to a port without a lot of handholding, don't mind paying for special excursions and want the best berthing in town. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. A View with a Room. It's easy to see the world's sights. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? . COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. 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). "The itinerary was. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Tauck will sell through TA's, but maybe not online ones. Please choose only one for now. Where they sail:Danube, Main (Rhine-Main-Danube canal), Moselle, Rhine, Specialty Cruises:Christmas market, Jewish heritage, tulip season, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Spa, gym, 24/7 in-suite dining, pantry snacks, pool, yoga, laundry, flat-screen TV with on-demand movies, Inclusions: All meals, 24-hour butler service, beverages (select wines, champagnes, spirits and coffee), Wi-Fi, ETRO and Caudalie products, a variety of complimentary shore excursions (some cost extra). 1. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Featuring modern luxury ships, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, our clients love Avalon, and some of their river itineraries are our biggest sellers. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. Visit the Amazon Rainforest with Aqua Expeditions' naturalist guides. In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. Typical starting price: $4,599 for 7 days (per person based on double occupancy $657 per night, all-inclusive), Specialty cruises: Danube Christmas markets, Oktoberfest, Rhine food and wine, Seine National Geographic photography, Amenities (may vary by ship): High-speed Wi-Fi, gym, sun-deck, walking track, bikes for shore use, pool or whirlpool, fitness classes, salon, massage, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (local wine, beer, and soft drinks with meals), daily excursions, all gratuities onboard and at restaurants, daily cocktail hour, select meals off the ship during excursions, onboard entertainment. Experience the "Wild West" of France in la Camargue with farm-fresh meals, local music, and a horse show. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. Love Scandinavian Design? Throughout the voyages, they feature special drinking and dining events for guests along with entertainment themed to the country you're visiting such as a string quartet or folk dancing. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Lower Danube River Company Routes Comparison Dream Destinations Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. Whats the Best Choice for a Sane River Cruise? 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).