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. Take a thrilling alpine toboggan run in Germany's Black Forest. The food was delicious, service was excellent. 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;. 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.". The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. 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. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. If you are the type of passenger who doesn't want to reach for your wallet at the end of a trip, both lines are great choices. 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. The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. 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. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. Avalon River Cruises | Avalon Waterways River Cruises in Europe With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Not only are Avalon Panorama Suites 30% larger than the industry standard . 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 line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. 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. All are reputable river cruises companies with years of experience in river cruising. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. Viking vs. Tauck vs. Uniworld vs. Avalon?? - Cruise Critic Community This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. On both ships, there's a "secret cellar," with better vintages available if you ask. Do they have bicycles? Viking or Avalon? Crystal, Tauck, or Uniworld? - Wallace Pierson Travel Tauck vs. Viking River Cruises - Cruise Critic All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). Viking River Cruises: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? It all boils down to what is important to you. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers . The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. 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. Most cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows to save space in the cabin, and the most affordable is Category 1, which is about 150 square feet and has small windows and a little bathroom with a shower. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. A good mid-tier option is theRoyal Balcony suite, which comes with a great view and perks like daily fruit skewers, canapes, and petit fours. 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. 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. 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. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. 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. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. 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. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. 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. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. But that's not good enough for us, and it's not good enough for you. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. All rights reserved. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. The reason why Scenic fans might not know Tauck, and vice versa, stems from the companies' headquarters. Visit Salzburg, Austria, the town featured in "The Sound of Music.". Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. 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. 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. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. 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. Scenic and Tauck have many similarities, even if fans of one haven't heard of the other. We found it to be quite inclusive and spent very little extra, except for tips and drinks at the bar. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . 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. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. Started June 21, 2021, By Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon About Viking - do they have open seating for dinner? Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. Typical starting price: $,1999 for 7 nights (per person, based on double occupancy $285 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail: Danube, Rhine, Seine, Moselle, Douro (Portugal), Mekong, Egypt, Africa (river and rails), Columbia, Specialty cruises: Christmas markets, wine, Onboard amenities (may vary by ship): Wellness activities, Wi-Fi, sun deck, pool with swim-up bar, massages, hair salon, flat-screen TVs that also works like a computer with on-demand entertainment, Inclusive: All meals, drinks (unlimited fine wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast), tours at every destination, bikes and hikes, onboard entertainment. Standard suites are sparse, small (just 160 square feet) and lack balconies. Here are the most popular tour operator comparisons that travelers make when planning for their next adventure: Top Tour Companies for Seniors Compared: Road Scholar vs Smithsonian Journeys Go Ahead Tours vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Odysseys Unlimited Trafalgar vs Globus Tauck vs Senior Discovery Tours Collette vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Alexander + Roberts Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. 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. 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. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. 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 -. 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. It's easy to see the world's sights. When cruising the Nile, ride a camel as you visit the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. We believe that travel should be easy. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. 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. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. 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. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. 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. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. 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. Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail theDouro Riverin Portugal and the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. The beds in the Panorama Suites are also cleverly placed against the opposite wall so guests may view the scenery from bed. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. By You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Avalon Cruises - Avalon River Cruises 2021 2022 - Pavlus Travel We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. In contrast, Tauck-- an upscale tour line that offers river cruises -- is lesser-known; unless you're already familiar with the company's organized land vacations or seen its ships on Europe's rivers. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. Scenic **: Inclusions are for all guests, regardless of ship or suite. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice, and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. Cabins are located across three decks and available in seven categories; the line claims the ship offers more suites than any other European river vessel. 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. 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. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. The line is mostly known in the United States. Tauck vs AMA Waterways Compared | Travelstride 1. Large private bathrooms include full showers and. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. River Cruise Reviews, Viking River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). LauraS Tauck recently renovated many of their ships, most of which carry just 84 or 98 guests, while a few larger boats accommodate a max of 130 guests. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. All Inclusive French River Cruises 2023/2024 | 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. 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. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. All guests must have received their COVID-19 vaccine prior to sailing. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. I'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. 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. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. 6 Best River Cruise Lines (2022) | TravelAwaits These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. In river cruising, you often get what you pay for.