All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Much Do You Save. A) next door to a junior suite.Being close to the entrance of the staircase, you do hear people going by your room in the morning. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). 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. 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. (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. 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. 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. "The itinerary was. Typical starting price: $2,199 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $314 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail: Mississippi, Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland, Columbia/Snake Rivers, Specialty Cruises: Music festivals, music of the '50s and '60s, bourbon, Cajun/Creole, wine, Kentucky Derby, Amenities (may vary per ship): Wi-Fi, bicycles for shore, library, fitness center, smoothie and juice bar, pool, sun deck, spa, fitness, hiking sticks, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (wine, local craft beer, spirits), in-room dining, one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, hop on hop off buses onshore, ground transfers, Wi-Fi, daily entertainment. Featuring modern luxury ships, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, our clients love Avalon, and some of their river itineraries are our biggest sellers. The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. For example, on the S.S. BonVoyage in France, the Le Salon Champagne was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's home, Villa Majorelle. 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. While in Russia, visit the Palace of Prince Vladimir for an exclusive concert and ballet performance inside the last Imperial palace to be built in St Petersburg. 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. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. 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. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. It sounds like it will be what we're looking for. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. The line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Although children are allowed, the line does not offer extra amenities or perks for kids. 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. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. 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. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. Another thing that sets the Inspiration class of ships apart: "loft" design cabins, which have a raised platform seating area that provides extra space in lower-level cabins. 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. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. Expires February 28. Scenic offers butler service to passengers in every cabin, with set services according to the cabin category. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. We operate independently from our advertising team. Keep in mind that the itineraries are still destination-immersive, so you might not have as much time to use these as you think you will. "Free choice" dining allows you . COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. The food was delicious, service was excellent. I think they'd maybe be my first choice, and I know everything is included with them, but I like to get a bargain if I can. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. 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. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. As part of its company's commitment to making your time in port seamless without having to deal with worrisome currency issues, the line gives each passenger 20 euros to buy a meal when an excursion spans the lunch hour. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). 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. One place where Viking shines, however, is with its Explorer Suites. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. 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. 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. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. 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 has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). Click here . 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. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. 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). Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. It's easy to see the world's sights. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Tauck has outdoor seats at Arthur's but there's no glass buffer, so it's a windier experience. 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. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor. 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. Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. 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). There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. For us, 120-140 sq ft would just be too small. 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. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. 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. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Started June 21, 2021, By Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. Thanks for all the input. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. 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. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. 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. 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. 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 ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. 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 -. COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. I'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. 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. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. We had cabin 308 (cat. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. 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. as well as other partner offers and accept our. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? We welcome your feedback. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Tauck not only has a cruise director onboard its ship, but it has three additional Tauck guides who give the daily briefings, attend the shore excursions (although local experts actually give the tours), hand out spending money or give you a rose to place at the gravesite of a veteran in an American military cemetery. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. We can chat later about other destinations. 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. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. Learn more. Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 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). It all boils down to what is important to you. And yes, Sunny is her real name. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. The only Tauck employees onboard are the four cruise directors. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. Grownups may enjoy adult-only dinners and wine tastings, and there is actually a nice variety of adult-exclusive sailings (generally when school is in session), which offer more sophisticated offerings. Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed.

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