At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet. 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. Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. Standard suites are sparse, small (just 160 square feet) and lack balconies. "Free choice" dining allows you . On both ships, there's a "secret cellar," with better vintages available if you ask. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. 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. 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. (The amount varies from country to country, but it is generous and enough to buy a meal and drink). Learn more. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. On a similar seven-night June 2023 cruise on the Danube, Tauck is about $1,000 more expensive than Viking for a standard cabin (this can be even more as Viking offers a lot of promotional deals). 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. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. They are the least expensive, since we'd probably go cruise-only and make up our own land tour before/after, but the cabin seems pretty small, and we'd really like the option of bikes, which is offered on Tauck and AMA, but not on Viking or Avalon, as far as I can make out (please, correct me if I'm wrong). 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. 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. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. 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. Viking also has an alternative restaurant, the Aquavit Lounge, but it's much more limited in its menu and only serves food during certain hours. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. 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. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. While in Germany, visit the oldest brewery in Nuremberg for a bratwurst and beer. 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 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. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise? Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. 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. Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . While Scenic has casual dining in its River Cafe, it closes at 6 p.m. Arthur's can be a real boon, particularly if you've already snacked at a local cafe and want a simple nosh at night, instead of a full-blown three-course meal. 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. If they cannot help you, then come back to continue the process. 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. There is a wide variety of cabin categories from a 350 square foot suite that sleeps four with a balcony to Category D, the most affordable cabin, which is about 170 square feet, sleeps two, and features small windows. These sleek ships generally host less than 200 passengers and go where giant cruise liners cannot, such as the Danube, Rhine, Rhne, Mekong, Mississippi, and Nile Rivers. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. 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. Sign up for a private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna with dinner and classical performances. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. It all boils down to what is important to you. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Visit Schloss Hof in Bratislava for chocolate tasting and learn to waltz in the grand ballroom. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. They are comfortable but not luxurious or particularly interesting. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. 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. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. By Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019, See all activities, themes, and interests >, The Romantic Rhine: Amsterdam to Basel featuring Oberammergau - Southbound 2022, Belgium & Holland in Spring - Northbound 2023, Holiday Magic: Danube Family River Cruise - Westbound 2022, The Rhine & Moselle: Canals, Vineyards and Castles, The Danube from the Black Sea to Budapest, Active & Discovery on the Danube (Eastbound), Save $600 off trips to every continent on earth, Redeem anytime before 2023. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. 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. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. Whats the Best Choice for a Sane 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). Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. Since Aqua Expeditions ships are so much smaller than the average river cruise liner, they can visit more remote destinations and the excursions reflect that, from watching Amazonian pink dolphins to receiving a blessing from a Buddhist monk while traveling the Mekong. 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. All are reputable river cruises companies with years of experience in river cruising. We believe that travel should be easy. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. 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 Tauck and Scenic include more in their fares than anyone else, with gratuities, all alcohol, transfers, choice of shore excursions, all dining and Wi-Fi included. 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. TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. Scenic also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). Uniworld: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Kids love the Junior Adventurer dinners or Disney movie nights, and there is also a Just Teens program with dinners and separate tour groups at various destinations. 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. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. 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. Please choose only one for now. 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. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. What category cabin did you have? And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. 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. Also check out Avalon rivercruises. 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. And yes, Sunny is her real name. Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). Scenic attracts more passengers in their 40s and 50s than you'll find on many vessels and, being Australian-owned, is not dominated by travelers from the United States. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. 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. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. 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. 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. By 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 -. On Viking, you can pay extra for a better bottle of wine, whereas Tauck has a wine cellar with some special bottles that are included in your fare (although they don't exactly volunteer these premier offerings; you have to ask). Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. 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. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. There is no room service on Viking. 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. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. Tauck does have a few high-end extras onboard, including a fitness center, complimentary bikes and a plunge pool on the top deck. There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments.
avalon river cruises vs tauck
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