Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. Is there a way of getting a discounted price with them? Egypt European River Cruises Europe River Cruise Route Guide Rhine River Cruise Port Guide Request Danube River Cruise Port Guide Request Europe River Cruise Companies Onboard Reviews French River Cruise Port Guide Request . On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. The Tauck Suites are large, at over 300 square feet and have a large bed as well as a fold-out sofa. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger than full balcony cabins, while still letting in fresh air. Pros: Adventures by Disney guides add a wonderful touch to each journey with storytelling, educational information, and goes above and beyond to ensure every guest has a great time. Because how you see the world matters. This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! Last minute changes OK. If they cannot help you, then come back to continue the process. Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor. 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. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. 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. 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. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. COVID-19 procedures are available here. Back By Popular Demand: Whats Included On River Cruises? On both lines, the excursions will include walking and coach tours of local towns and villages, visits to castles and historic monuments, and experiences such as wine tasting. There is no room service on Viking. 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. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. Viking River Cruises: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Shore Excursions, 12 Things You Don't Need to Take on a Cruise, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Pros:Having a butler on call is a big perk. Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. 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). We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. They are comfortable but not luxurious or particularly interesting. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. In addition to traditional ships, there are also sleek black U by Uniworld boats, which offer a modern take on river cruising with a younger demographic in mind. 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. Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. ABC Cruiser, I was leaning towards the Heartland (Rivers and Castles) land and cruise itinerary with AMA before reading your review, and now I'm pretty sure that's what we'll go for. In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. All rights reserved. The cabins are large with King-sized beds, which is a rarity in river cruising. Avalon River Cruises is recognized for their all suite concept. Started August 27, 2021, By Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. Thanks for all the input. Another difference is that Tauck ships are actually owned and run by Scylla, a Swiss-owned company. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) Scenic and Tauck are both lines that carry lower passenger loads than most of their competitors and have put a significant effort into upgrading vessels. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. What category cabin did you have? 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. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). Experience the "Wild West" of France in la Camargue with farm-fresh meals, local music, and a horse show. Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. Whats the Best Choice for a Sane River Cruise? 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. 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. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. There is also destination-themed entertainment; for example, while sailing through Austria a musician is likely to play musical pieces from "The Sound of Music.". The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? Scenic offers butler service to passengers in every cabin, with set services according to the cabin category. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? 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. 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. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. 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. 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. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. The line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise? Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. A View with a Room. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. 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. 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.
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