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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. On the Danube sailing, see the Wachau Valley from a canoe and visit a hidden beach. The food was delicious, service was excellent. View travel requirements for countries around the world. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Pro: The boats boast a boutique design and feel with unlimited premium spirits and wines. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . We can chat later about other destinations. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. Thanks. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. 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. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. Learn more. 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 line reduced capacity on its five older vessels, which are smaller, bringing the passenger counts from 118 to 98. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. Thanks for all the input. 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"). In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. Tauck also makes sure there's at least one special event in the evening per cruise, where passengers are taken to a castle, restaurant or historic venue for a private dinner or concert performance. Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. Prices shown reflect discount. Book a cruise on American Queen Steamboat Company, Book a cruise on Adventures by Disney River Cruise, Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. 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. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. 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. The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. While Tauck also has a Lagniappe event, as well as an offsite dinner, it's not as prominently promoted as the Scenic events; it's not even listed in the daily program. 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. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Tauck's alternative restaurant, Arthur's (named after Chairman Arthur Tauck Jr.), is a casual grill, with a menu offering everything from hamburgers and salads to pastas and steaks. Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe River Cruise? 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. It should re-energize and transform. 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. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Another thing that sets Tauck's newer ships apart: "loft" design cabins, which have a raised platform seating area that provides extra space in lower-level cabins. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. You'll Adore these Ships. Typical starting price: $2,195 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $313 per night, all-inclusive), Where do they sail:Danube, Main (Germany), Rhine, Moselle, Rhne, Douro (Portugal), Seine, Bordeaux, Volga (Russia), Mekong (South East Asia), Irrawaddy (Myanmar), Specialty cruises: National Geographic, Christmas markets, Onboard amenities (may vary by ship):Laundry,wellness area, gym, massage services, hair salon, Wi-Fi, e-bikes, L'Occitane products, pillow menu, shoeshine, Inclusive: Meals, butler service, gratuities, transfers, excursions, beverages (with the exception of certain specialty wines and rare spirits), minibar fully restocked daily, chef-prepared picnics, 24-hour in-room dining, entertainment. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. There will be talks by the Tauck directors or lecturers hired by Viking and activities such as awine tasting. Expires February 28. 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. Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. 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. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. It should be fun. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. Overall, the crowd is older and more sedate than you'd find on Scenic; the dance floor is rarely used on Tauck ships, while on Scenic, it's not unusual for dancing to occur if the right band is playing. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. We had cabin 308 (cat. Besides stringing words together professionally, Sunny once co-founded a luxury subscription box, curated a whimsical pop-up shop in San Francisco called Treasure Hunters Club, and recently inherited a vinyl-only records store in San Francisco. 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. Pros:Having a butler on call is a big perk. 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. All rights reserved. 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. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. 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. But since there is so much to do, odds are that the cabin will be only used for sleeping and downtime. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. Typical starting price: $2,309 for 3 nights (per person based on double occupancy $796 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Mekong, Amazon, Indonesia, Amenities (may vary by ship): Pool, Jacuzzi, private or outdoor cinema, sun deck, gym, massage, library/game room, bikes for onshore use, snorkeling equipment and wet suits, scuba diving, laundry, internet (intermittent, depends on location), Inclusions: All meals, beverages (premium selected wines, and beer, non-alcoholic drinks), excursions with local guides, group transfers between the vessel on recommended flights. 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. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. Tauck does have a few high-end extras onboard, including a fitness center, complimentary bikes and a plunge pool on the top deck. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. On both lines, the main restaurant setup is very similar, with buffets at breakfast and lunch plus live cooking stations and made-to-order menu items. There are a limited number of cruise choices and they do not sail in Europe. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers . Read on for our look at Scenic vs. Tauck. 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. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. 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. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice, and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. 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. 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. 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. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. Powered by Invision Community. 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. The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. The ships also offer complimentary alcoholic beverages. 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. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! Visit the Amazon Rainforest with Aqua Expeditions' naturalist guides. 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. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. There is no room service on Viking. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. 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.