Because how you see the world matters. These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. 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. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. Some sailings have Loft Suites, which are two stories with floor-to-ceiling windows and have two full bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge with a Queen sofa-bed, a balcony, and an upstairs bedroom. as well as other partner offers and accept our. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. "Free choice" dining allows you . While there are plenty of places to curl up with a book or play a game in the public spaces, a bevy of activities will lure you onshore. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. At least one Tauck director comes on each shore excursion so if you want to ask what time the bus leaves for the umpteenth time or your Quietvox battery dies, help is a few steps away. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. The beds in the Panorama Suites are also cleverly placed against the opposite wall so guests may view the scenery from bed. 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. 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. At 445 square feet, they are among the largest on the rivers with wraparound balconies, a separate bedroom and living room and another French balcony. By While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. Choose Tauck ifyou like open seating and want the choice of having room service and a true alternative dining venue where you can get casual, hot food. 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;. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. Cruise Critic named Avalon's staterooms the best in the business, and yes, we're blushing a bit. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. (The amount varies from country to country, but it is generous and enough to buy a meal and drink). Is there a way of getting a discounted price with them? The line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. On the Danube sailing, see the Wachau Valley from a canoe and visit a hidden beach. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe 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). Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . River Cruising Along The Rivers of France Whether the Seine, the Sane or the Rhne, on a river cruise with Tauck you'll feel it the moment you step ashore in village and towns - that palpable realization of the true meaning of joie de vivre, enjoyment of life. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. 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. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. 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. 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. There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. 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. The reason why Scenic fans might not know Tauck, and vice versa, stems from the companies' headquarters. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Experience the "Wild West" of France in la Camargue with farm-fresh meals, local music, and a horse show. Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. 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. It should be fun. Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. 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? 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). Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. Read on for our look at Scenic vs. Tauck. Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. 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. The best river cruises were selected based on the following criteria: Typical starting price: $724 for 3 nights (per person based on double occupancy $241 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, Seine, Moselle, Mekong, Nile, Rhne, Ganges, Main, Saone, Amazon (Peru), Specialty cruises: Photography, storytellers, wine, beer, culinary, garden, Christmas market, Jewish heritage. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. Whats the Best Choice for a MainRiver Cruise? The latter are true suites, with two rooms. Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. Started August 27, 2021, By Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. 2 spot. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. 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. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). We cruised Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago with Avalon and it was the best vacation,most relaxing we ever. CC Help Jenn Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. Viking also has optional shore excursions that it sells in some ports; these excursions generally are limited to small groups and take you into smaller venues or provide immersive experiences that expose passengers to a port's culture and traditions on a deeper, often hands-on, level. For each, passengers are divided into groups (around the same size on both lines) and have individual audio headsets that make it easy to hear the commentary without having to cluster around the guide. Viking has built its name on destination immersion, and the company doesn't provide extras such as gyms, spas, bikes or pools on its ships. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. COVID-19 procedures are available here. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. Both lines operateChristmas market cruises. 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 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. There is one single cabin that is 129 square feet, and one wheelchair-accessible cabin. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. 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. Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I've always been a fan of traditional cruise line journeys, but a river cruise is much more intimate and in many cases, luxurious. There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. 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. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . 1. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. 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. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. Some of the shore excursion options are truly special, such as truffle hunting in Bordeaux, visiting Highclere Castle where "Downton Abbey" was shot or cognac blending in Camus. . LauraS Expires February 28. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. 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. Learn more. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail theDouro Riverin Portugal and the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. Scenic and Tauck have many similarities, even if fans of one haven't heard of the other. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. 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"). The food was delicious, service was excellent. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. 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). Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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. What category cabin did you have? The ships also offer complimentary alcoholic beverages. Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. 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. 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. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. 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. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. 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. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. The River Cafe offers light bites from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for everyone, while Table La Rive is an upscale Chef's Table for upper-deck passengers only. Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. Junior Suites are 240 to 250 square feet, two Royal Panorama Suites are 475 square feet and, on some ships, Royal Owners Suites are more than 500 square feet. These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. Having fewer people on the same size ship does make a difference in terms of seating, service and overall vibe. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. Do they have bicycles? COVID-19 procedures are available here. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team.
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