Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. The cabin window is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass that stretches 11 feet wide and opens up 7 feet wide, thus basically turning your room into a veranda. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. 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. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. Spacious ships carry between 84 and 130 guests, and since the single supplement is waived on select cabins, it's a good choice for solo travelers . The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. There is no special programming for kids, and children under eight are not allowed to sail. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. 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. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. 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. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. We can chat later about other destinations. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. Both lines operateChristmas market cruises. One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. 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. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). 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). Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. 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. Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. 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. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. 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. 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. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. I've always been a fan of traditional cruise line journeys, but a river cruise is much more intimate and in many cases, luxurious. Avalon River Cruises | Avalon Waterways River Cruises in Europe The only Tauck employees onboard are the four cruise directors. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . 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. 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 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. Not only are Avalon Panorama Suites 30% larger than the industry standard . It's easy to see the world's sights. 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). If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise? 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. 15 of the Best European River Cruises - Travel + Leisure By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. The Most Popular Tour Operator Comparisons by Travelers - Travelstride 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. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). They include all excursions, all gratuities to staff, cruise/tour directors (noting that most companies have one onboard but they have three) and even local guides. 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. 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. Prices shown reflect discount. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. There are a fair amount of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the itineraries, which are almost always awe-inspiring. 6 Best River Cruise Lines (2022) | TravelAwaits Viking vs. Tauck vs. Uniworld vs. Avalon?? - Cruise Critic Community Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. 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. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. Uniworld requires proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests, except those under the age of 12, who must have a negative test result within 72 hours of embarkation. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Compare Avalon River Cruises vs Uniworld - Global Journeys 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. COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). 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. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. 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. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. 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. Scenic vs. Tauck Cruise Comparison | Cruise Critic 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. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. Take a thrilling alpine toboggan run in Germany's Black Forest. There is one single cabin that is 129 square feet, and one wheelchair-accessible cabin. 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. 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. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger than full balcony cabins, while still letting in fresh air. 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. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. Uniworld: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. On a Viking river cruise, you receive a fair amount in your fare: a daily shore excursion with more elaborate options available for a fee; Wi-Fi; beer, wine and soda with meals and bottled water; and some entertainment and enrichment. 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. Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. There is no room service on Viking. 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. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. The line reduced capacity on its five older vessels, which are smaller, bringing the passenger counts from 118 to 98. 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. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once. Viking has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. Viking River vs AmaWaterways vs Tauck River Cruises On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations.
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