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. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. 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. Tauck recently renovated many of their ships, most of which carry just 84 or 98 guests, while a few larger boats accommodate a max of 130 guests. AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Local entertainers will also come aboard to perform music, song and dance from the region. 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. 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. Tauck River Cruise or Viking River Cruise - Fodor's The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. 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. 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. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? 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. 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. 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. A View with a Room. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. (The amount varies from country to country, but it is generous and enough to buy a meal and drink). Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. The shore excursions on the designated family cruises are kid-centric and could include visiting a castle and dressing up as a medieval knight one day, watching Hungarian cowboys perform, going on a treetop climb or visiting a salt mine. Started August 27, 2021, By Tauck River Cruise Experts | Learn About Tauck River Cruises Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. AmaWaterways Vs. Avalon Waterways River Cruises: 8 Key Differences The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. These are guided by local experts who know the history and culture; since Viking has so many river cruises going at any one time and provides a more stable stream of employment, the company is often able to scoop up some of the better guides in a town. At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. The beds in the Panorama Suites are also cleverly placed against the opposite wall so guests may view the scenery from bed. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. River Cruise Ships - Avalon Waterways Small Cruise Ships RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. We operate independently from our advertising team. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. 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. There is no room service on Viking. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? 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. Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. 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 Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. One of the best vacations I've ever taken was a river cruise. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. Both have hotel-style amenities, including high-tech TVs with entertainment on-demand and information channels, complimentary Wi-Fi, safes, included mini-bars that are replenished daily, hair dryers and designer bath products (L'Occitane on Scenic, Molton Brown on Tauck). When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. 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. 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. 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 -. Email us at reviews@insider.com. Thanks. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. 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. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Viking has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. They are more expensive, but do things first class. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Much Do You Save. 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). Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. 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. Also check out Avalon rivercruises. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. 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. Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. We found it to be quite inclusive and spent very little extra, except for tips and drinks at the bar. 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. Scenic vs. Tauck Cruise Comparison | Cruise Critic Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. At least one Tauck director comes on each shore excursion so if you want to ask what time the bus leaves for the umpteenth time or your Quietvox battery dies, help is a few steps away. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. 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. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. 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. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. Choose Tauck ifyou're fine with a French balcony and want a larger standard cabin. River cruising is an efficient way to travel visit a variety of destinations and only unpack once. Avalon Waterways River Cruises - 2023 & 2024 River Cruises It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team.