Notable excursions included in the price: Typical starting price:$1,999 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $285 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, France, Douro (Portugal), Elbe (Germany), Russia, Ukraine, Mekong, Egypt, Mississippi, Specialty cruises: Mississippi holiday season, Christmas along the Elbe, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Library, walking track, sports deck, Wi-Fi, laundry, flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies, outdoor dining, putting green, Inclusions: All meals, drinks (house wines, beers, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), one free shore excursion per port, onboard entertainment. We had cabin 308 (cat. Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. Viking, the world's largest river cruise company, moved up two spots into the lead position. 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. These are the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. 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. Some sailings have Loft Suites, which are two stories with floor-to-ceiling windows and have two full bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge with a Queen sofa-bed, a balcony, and an upstairs bedroom. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. We welcome your feedback. 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. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. Keep in mind that the itineraries are still destination-immersive, so you might not have as much time to use these as you think you will. 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 boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Viking is also an adults-only line, while Tauck was the pioneer of family river cruises through its Tauck Bridges program. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. 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. Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. Typical starting price: $2,199 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $314 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail: Mississippi, Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland, Columbia/Snake Rivers, Specialty Cruises: Music festivals, music of the '50s and '60s, bourbon, Cajun/Creole, wine, Kentucky Derby, Amenities (may vary per ship): Wi-Fi, bicycles for shore, library, fitness center, smoothie and juice bar, pool, sun deck, spa, fitness, hiking sticks, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (wine, local craft beer, spirits), in-room dining, one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, hop on hop off buses onshore, ground transfers, Wi-Fi, daily entertainment. It should re-energize and transform. 1. When cruising the Nile, ride a camel as you visit the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. These range from shoeshine, concierge service and restocking the mini-bar in Standard Suites, to packing and unpacking, arranging in-room cocktail drinks and even running a bath in the top suites. 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. (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). 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. Typical starting price: $4,599 for 7 days (per person based on double occupancy $657 per night, all-inclusive), Specialty cruises: Danube Christmas markets, Oktoberfest, Rhine food and wine, Seine National Geographic photography, Amenities (may vary by ship): High-speed Wi-Fi, gym, sun-deck, walking track, bikes for shore use, pool or whirlpool, fitness classes, salon, massage, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (local wine, beer, and soft drinks with meals), daily excursions, all gratuities onboard and at restaurants, daily cocktail hour, select meals off the ship during excursions, onboard entertainment. Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. All cruise lines have new COVID-19 policies that prioritize the health and safety of guests. Featuring modern luxury ships, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, our clients love Avalon, and some of their river itineraries are our biggest sellers. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. The line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. 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 requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. These excursions are all included in the price of the cruise and are considered part of the river experience, although they aren't included for the sole domestic option on our list, the American Queen Steamboat Company. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . Cons: The ships aren't "Imagineered." Visit Salzburg, Austria, the town featured in "The Sound of Music.". Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? In terms of enrichment, both lines bring on local entertainers, although Scenic is more likely to bring on a band to play classic rock and music you can dance to, as opposed to folk performers. 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. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. 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. Uniworld is also a good choice with an array of added perks for kids of all ages. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? The line is mostly known in the United States. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). 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. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. "Free choice" dining allows you . AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. 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. The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. About Viking - do they have open seating for dinner? The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. 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. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. 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. Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon . Avalon's cabins are bigger than Tauck's but there is much that's not included with them, vs Tauck. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. 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. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. 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. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? Viking River Cruises: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. We cruised Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago with Avalon and it was the best vacation,most relaxing we ever. 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. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. In addition to food and drink with carefully curated cuisine reflective of the areas being visited many river cruises include land excursions, which is a huge advantage that adds tremendous value. Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. The iconic river ships of No. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. 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 Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. 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. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. It's easy to see the world's sights. 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. Started August 27, 2021, By Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. Prices shown reflect discount. There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. There is no room service on Viking. 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. On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations. 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. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. Take a thrilling alpine toboggan run in Germany's Black Forest. 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