There are a fair amount of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the itineraries, which are almost always awe-inspiring. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. They are more expensive, but do things first class. Uniworld: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations. Normandy River Cruise 2023 / 2024 | Tauck 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. Prices shown reflect discount. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. We found it to be quite inclusive and spent very little extra, except for tips and drinks at the bar. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. 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. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). 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. One place where Viking shines, however, is with its Explorer Suites. Their National Geographic sailings are particularly of note and include a variety of educational, expert-led travel excursions and talks. Choose Tauck ifyou want an all-inclusive river cruise with more extras and a higher-end feel -- and don't mind paying for it. Scenic vs. Tauck Cruise Comparison | Cruise Critic Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. 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. The ships also offer complimentary alcoholic beverages. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. The Rivers They Cruise. Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. 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. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. 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. Which River Cruise Ship Should You Choose? Here Are the Key Differences The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. 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. The beds in the Panorama Suites are also cleverly placed against the opposite wall so guests may view the scenery from bed. Yes. The food was delicious, service was excellent. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. Price Comparisons: A Look At Pricing Differentials For European River Cruises, How River Cruising Compares To Luxury Ocean Cruising, River Cruise Reviews, Viking River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. 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. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. 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. "The itinerary was. While the suites are about 350 square feet, the standard stateroom is about 170 square feet with fixed windows at the waterline. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. 2 spot. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Tauck - Nile River Cruise What are the differences between Viking River Cruises & Uniworld River Cruises & AmaWaterways & Tauck & CroisiEurope & Riviera & Scenic? Scenic is based in Australia, and about half of the passengers on its river cruises are from Down Under (with the rest from other English-speaking countries such as New Zealand, the U.K., Canada and the U.S.). Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. 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). 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. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. 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. CC Help Jenn Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. 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. Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. 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. The Tauck Suites are large, at over 300 square feet and have a large bed as well as a fold-out sofa. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. 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. About Viking - do they have open seating for dinner? Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. Experience the "Wild West" of France in la Camargue with farm-fresh meals, local music, and a horse show. CC Help Jenn Back By Popular Demand: Whats Included On River Cruises? COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. (Scenic has. Scenic also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. The Most Popular Tour Operator Comparisons by Travelers - Travelstride On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. Learn more. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. You'll Adore these Ships. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River 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. But it's only because we've taken such pride in bringing you river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony stateroom design, featuring beds with a view. All Inclusive French River Cruises 2023/2024 | Tauck Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. 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. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. 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 . 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. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . All rights reserved. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? I'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. 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. My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. Scenic offers butler service to passengers in every cabin, with set services according to the cabin category. Started June 21, 2021, By Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). 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. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise? 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. While many cruise lines have a strict dining schedule, these ships offer several different onboard restaurants. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. 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. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel 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. 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. Notable excursions included in the price: Typical starting price:$1,999 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $285 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, France, Douro (Portugal), Elbe (Germany), Russia, Ukraine, Mekong, Egypt, Mississippi, Specialty cruises: Mississippi holiday season, Christmas along the Elbe, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Library, walking track, sports deck, Wi-Fi, laundry, flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies, outdoor dining, putting green, Inclusions: All meals, drinks (house wines, beers, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), one free shore excursion per port, onboard entertainment. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail theDouro Riverin Portugal and the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. AmaWaterways Vs. Avalon Waterways River Cruises: 8 Key Differences Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. 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. No other fleet of river cruise ships gives you a view of the world like Avalon. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. 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. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. Tauck vs AMA Waterways Compared | Travelstride On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. LauraS Love Scandinavian Design? Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). 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. 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. 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. Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. 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. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat.
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