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 operateChristmas market cruises. We were next to one of the Tauck river boats in Wurzburg last year and both my husband and I commented on how luxurious it looked next to ours, which was very nice and brand new at the time. 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. 2 spot. The line's larger ships carry 169 passengers, while smaller vessels in France have 155 passengers. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. 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. 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. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. In addition to food and drink with carefully curated cuisine reflective of the areas being visited many river cruises include land excursions, which is a huge advantage that adds tremendous value. 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. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. 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. Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Fully stocked minibar, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, L'Occitane bath products, fitness center, free bicycles for use in select ports, whirlpool, library with books, cards, and board games. Love Scandinavian Design? The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. Tauck carries fewer passengers onboard so its tour groups are, by definition, smaller. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. Some rooms have balconies. 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. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. The iconic river ships of No. Last minute changes OK. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. 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. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. 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 In fact, there are many kid-friend amenities, such as cooking classes, a young travelers' lounge, and a game room complete with PlayStation, games, movies, and local treats. The entry-level cabin, the Petit Suite, is about 188 square feet is larger than most standard rooms, while the Deluxe Suite has French balconies, and opulent Explorer Suites boast large windows. 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. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 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. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. One place where Viking shines, however, is with its Explorer Suites. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? 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"). 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. View travel requirements for countries around the world. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. On both ships, there's a "secret cellar," with better vintages available if you ask. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. 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. They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. (The Longships are the same size, 443 feet, but carry 190). Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. 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. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. 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. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. 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. 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. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. Viking River Cruises: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? It should be fun. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. There is no room service on Viking. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. 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. The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. Having fewer people on the same size ship does make a difference in terms of seating, service and overall vibe. 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. We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. While many cruise lines have a strict dining schedule, these ships offer several different onboard restaurants. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. First, about Tauck. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. It sounds like it will be what we're looking for. 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 . 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. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. 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. Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. They are smaller than traditional cruise ships and boast more tailored offerings, such as carefully curated cuisine that is reflective of the areas being visited. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. 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. 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 cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. Save up to $2,800 per couple off the cruise price of Europe sailings. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. 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). 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). 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. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. LauraS The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. 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. CC Help Jenn When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. 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. 1. In contrast, Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer Inspiration-class vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship its size. There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. For example, on the S.S. BonVoyage in France, the Le Salon Champagne was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's home, Villa Majorelle. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. It's easy to see the world's sights. The reason why Scenic fans might not know Tauck, and vice versa, stems from the companies' headquarters. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. Large private bathrooms include full showers and. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. 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. 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. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. 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; gratuities; money to buy lunch in port; and special events such as dinner at a one- star Michelin restaurant. Scenic also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Viking is also an adults-only line, while Tauck was the pioneer of family river cruises through its Tauck Bridges program. They offer a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, so guests relish in lavish, five-star treatment and the boats have only about 15 to 20 cabins, meaning, no more than 30 to 40 guests per sailing. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. 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. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. These are the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. 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. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. COVID-19 procedures are available here. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. 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. Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska 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. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. 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 -. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. They also use the Quietvox system during excursions, where the tour guide speaks into a headset while passengers listen on receivers. When cruising the Nile, ride a camel as you visit the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. On Viking, everyone eats at the same time, which can create a "herding" effect that some people dislike. 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. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. When it's open, there's still a buffer, so your hair and food don't blow around. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. 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.
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