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.
In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? While many cruise lines have a strict dining schedule, these ships offer several different onboard restaurants. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . 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 . Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. 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. 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. TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. 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. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. Crystal Cruises river cruise line features all-suite ships. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. (The Longships are the same size, 443 feet, but carry 190). There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. 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. The itineraries would be suitable for older teens interested in culture and history, and the option of bike tours and independent exploration with the Scenic TailorMade devices mean they aren't forced into day after day of walking or bus tours. 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. At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet.
Normandy River Cruise 2023 / 2024 | Tauck 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. 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. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. Click here . (The amount varies from country to country, but it is generous and enough to buy a meal and drink). On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Whats the Best Choice for a MainRiver Cruise?
Tauck vs AMA Waterways Compared | Travelstride On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. 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. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). LauraS Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed.
Compare Avalon River Cruises vs Uniworld - Global Journeys All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined?
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. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . 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. Viking has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. What category cabin did you have? 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). 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. Choose Tauck ifyou want an all-inclusive river cruise with more extras and a higher-end feel -- and don't mind paying for it. They also tend to have more inclusions than a traditional cruise. I have a few specific questions which I can't seem to find answers for on the websites. Started June 21, 2021, By There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. All rights reserved. Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites.
Tauck River Cruise Experts | Learn About Tauck River Cruises Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. Sign up for a private Imperial Evening at a palace in Vienna with dinner and classical performances.
Lower Danube River Company Routes Comparison Dream Destinations Most cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows to save space in the cabin, and the most affordable is Category 1, which is about 150 square feet and has small windows and a little bathroom with a shower. They also use the Quietvox system during excursions, where the tour guide speaks into a headset while passengers listen on receivers. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. 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. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. On a Viking river cruise, you receive a fair amount in your fare: a daily shore excursion with more elaborate options available for a fee; Wi-Fi; beer, wine and soda with meals and bottled water; and some entertainment and enrichment. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. Learn more. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. For us, 120-140 sq ft would just be too small. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. Expires February 28. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe River Cruise? Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. Started August 27, 2021, By In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. 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. 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. The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. 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.