Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. 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. The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. 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;. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. 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. Some rooms have balconies. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. 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. Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. While in Germany, visit the oldest brewery in Nuremberg for a bratwurst and beer. CC Help Jenn It should be fun. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. 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. as well as other partner offers and accept our. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. 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"). AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Viking is the largest river cruise operator with over 50 Longships in their fleet. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." 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? The pours at lunch and dinner are generous, so if you're not a liquor drinker -- or don't like alcohol at all -- you might not need all the extras that Tauck provides. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . 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. 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. Lower Danube River Company Routes Comparison Dream Destinations AmaWaterways Vs. Avalon Waterways River Cruises: 8 Key Differences Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. 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. Solo travelers will appreciate that there are dedicated Solo Traveler Suites with no surcharge for a non-double occupancy booking, which is unheard of with cruising. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. 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. Keep in mind that the itineraries are still destination-immersive, so you might not have as much time to use these as you think you will. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel 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. 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 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. 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. 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. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. 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. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. 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). Typical starting price: $2,195 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $313 per night, all-inclusive), Where do they sail:Danube, Main (Germany), Rhine, Moselle, Rhne, Douro (Portugal), Seine, Bordeaux, Volga (Russia), Mekong (South East Asia), Irrawaddy (Myanmar), Specialty cruises: National Geographic, Christmas markets, Onboard amenities (may vary by ship):Laundry,wellness area, gym, massage services, hair salon, Wi-Fi, e-bikes, L'Occitane products, pillow menu, shoeshine, Inclusive: Meals, butler service, gratuities, transfers, excursions, beverages (with the exception of certain specialty wines and rare spirits), minibar fully restocked daily, chef-prepared picnics, 24-hour in-room dining, entertainment. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. 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. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. 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. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. The Most Popular Tour Operator Comparisons by Travelers - Travelstride The food was delicious, service was excellent. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. 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. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. 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. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. 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. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. Scenic also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). And yes, Sunny is her real name. Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. 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. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. It's easy to see the world's sights. While the suites are about 350 square feet, the standard stateroom is about 170 square feet with fixed windows at the waterline. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, 17 Cruise Lines That Include Alcohol in Your Fare, 7 Challenging Cruise Ports We Can Help You Navigate. Onboard enrichment on both lines is based around the destinations visited. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. Ships offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes, although Tauck has more vegan and vegetarian options. "The itinerary was. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Expires February 28. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. (The amount varies from country to country, but it is generous and enough to buy a meal and drink). Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. First, about Tauck. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. 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. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. The 10 Best River Cruise Lines - Travel + Leisure ABC Cruiser, I was leaning towards the Heartland (Rivers and Castles) land and cruise itinerary with AMA before reading your review, and now I'm pretty sure that's what we'll go for. Visit Schloss Hof in Bratislava for chocolate tasting and learn to waltz in the grand ballroom. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. 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. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. No other fleet of river cruise ships gives you a view of the world like Avalon. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise - APT (15 Days From Calgary to Vancouver) The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. 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). Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. 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. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. For example, on the S.S. BonVoyage in France, the Le Salon Champagne was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's home, Villa Majorelle. 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. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. 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. Egypt European River Cruises Europe River Cruise Route Guide Rhine River Cruise Port Guide Request Danube River Cruise Port Guide Request Europe River Cruise Companies Onboard Reviews French River Cruise Port Guide Request . 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 cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites.