Like most cruises, the food served is reflective of your destination's local cuisine and there is also a light menu and options for vegetarians, vegans, and kids. These cruises offer25% off the fare for travelers 4 to 17 years old when traveling with an adult (suites excluded). Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. The large array of excursions has something for everyone from a cooking class to strenuous hikes, and visiting an ancient castle. 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. The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. We operate independently from our advertising team. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. 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. 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. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. 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. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Comparisons - River Cruise Advisor A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Although Scenic does not have walkout verandas, all cabins except those on the lower deck have "sun lounge balconies," an innovation that is an integral part of the room. Viking River Cruises: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? 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. As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. Tauck carries fewer passengers onboard so its tour groups are, by definition, smaller. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. Visit Salzburg, Austria, the town featured in "The Sound of Music.". 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. Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. Lower Danube River Company Routes Comparison Dream Destinations Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. They also use the Quietvox system during excursions, where the tour guide speaks into a headset while passengers listen on receivers. 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. 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). 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. 2 spot. At 445 square feet, they are among the largest on the rivers with wraparound balconies, a separate bedroom and living room and another French balcony. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. There are a limited number of cruise choices and they do not sail in Europe. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. The only Tauck employees onboard are the four cruise directors. However, Crystal Cruises has some excursions that incur an added cost, and all of the American Queen Steamboat Company excursions are additional (although they do offer hop-on hop-off bus tours). 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. These are the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. 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. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. The Rivers They Cruise. 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. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. 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. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. For example, guests staying in suites enjoy exclusive dining, priority reservations, and a private Captain's cocktail party, while those staying in standard rooms will lack many special perks. 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. The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. The line is mostly known in the United States. Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. While Scenic has casual dining in its River Cafe, it closes at 6 p.m. Arthur's can be a real boon, particularly if you've already snacked at a local cafe and want a simple nosh at night, instead of a full-blown three-course meal. Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. 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 10 Best River Cruise Lines - Travel + Leisure It should be worth your time and the price you paid. Thanks for all the input. Avalon River Cruises | Avalon Waterways River Cruises in Europe Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. Viking has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. Crystal Cruises river cruise line features all-suite ships. 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. Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. Choose Tauck ifyou're fine with a French balcony and want a larger standard cabin. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. If you have a travel agent, please consider contacting him or her first. Its ship have suites with pullout sofas to accommodate third or fourth passengers. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. 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. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. 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. These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. 6 Best River Cruise Lines (2022) | TravelAwaits The summer months will be far warmer, while the December cruises are cold but come with the added bonus of experiencing Christmas festivities. 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. River Cruises Guides | Tauck The iconic river ships of No. 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. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. River Cruising Along The Rivers of France Whether the Seine, the Sane or the Rhne, on a river cruise with Tauck you'll feel it the moment you step ashore in village and towns - that palpable realization of the true meaning of joie de vivre, enjoyment of life. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. 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.
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