Inclusions: All meals and drinks (regional wine, beer, soft drinks with lunch and dinner; sparkling wine with breakfast), Pros:You get to pick your own firmness of the beds and pillows. If you are the type of passenger who doesn't want to reach for your wallet at the end of a trip, both lines are great choices. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. 1. 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. Email us at reviews@insider.com. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. About Viking - do they have open seating for dinner? I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . 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. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. The ships also offer complimentary alcoholic beverages. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. 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. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. Choose Viking ifyou are more a do-it-yourself person on shore and with tips, and don't mind paying for your Happy Hour and after-hours drinks. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. They include all excursions, all gratuities to staff, cruise/tour directors (noting that most companies have one onboard but they have three) and even local guides. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. All are reputable river cruises companies with years of experience in river cruising. Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. Book their "Open-Air Balcony" and enjoy wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows that open for fresh air. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. 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. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. 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. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise? Thanks. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. 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. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. 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. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." 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. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). What are the differences between Viking River Cruises & Uniworld River Cruises & AmaWaterways & Tauck & CroisiEurope & Riviera & Scenic? 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). 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? 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. The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. The food was delicious, service was excellent. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. Tauck has outdoor seats at Arthur's but there's no glass buffer, so it's a windier experience. One step aboard our modern, luxurious SuiteShips with the grandest views in cruising and youll see how the tides they are a-changin. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. Not as well known locally as APT or Scenic, Avalon Waterways have nevertheless been cruising the rivers of Europe and Asia since 2004. At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet. 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. 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). All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed. Because how you see the world matters. The open dining time is a nice addition since many cruise lines have a set dining schedule. 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. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. 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). 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. Read on for our look at .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Viking River Cruises vs. Tauck and some ideas of why you should pick one over the other. Choose Tauck ifyou're fine with a French balcony and want a larger standard cabin. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Started August 27, 2021, By Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. Viking has built its name on destination immersion, and the company doesn't provide extras such as gyms, spas, bikes or pools on its ships. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. 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. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . 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. Experience the "Wild West" of France in la Camargue with farm-fresh meals, local music, and a horse show. Visit the Amazon Rainforest with Aqua Expeditions' naturalist guides. While there are plenty of places to curl up with a book or play a game in the public spaces, a bevy of activities will lure you onshore. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. Powered by Invision Community. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. Avalon River Cruises is recognized for their all suite concept. 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. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. 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"). Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. 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. By Yes. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like.

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