The cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. In Europe, the Danube River and the Rhine River are two of the most popular cruises for first-time river cruisers. Email us at reviews@insider.com. COVID-19 testing and/or vaccination is required before travel. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. The Rivers They Cruise. 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"). 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. 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. Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. 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 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). In fact, there are many kid-friend amenities, such as cooking classes, a young travelers' lounge, and a game room complete with PlayStation, games, movies, and local treats. 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. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. 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. Compare Avalon River Cruises vs Uniworld - Global Journeys We highlight products and services you might find interesting. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. Back By Popular Demand: Whats Included On River Cruises? Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Cruise Critic named Avalon's staterooms the best in the business, and yes, we're blushing a bit. Choose Viking ifyou want a good introduction to a port without a lot of handholding, don't mind paying for special excursions and want the best berthing in town. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. 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. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. 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 . Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. There are a fair amount of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the itineraries, which are almost always awe-inspiring. All Inclusive French River Cruises 2023/2024 | Tauck Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. For each, passengers are divided into groups (around the same size on both lines) and have individual audio headsets that make it easy to hear the commentary without having to cluster around the guide. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. 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. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. The line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. 2 spot. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. You'll Adore these Ships. Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. The least expensive cabins are interior and have no windows. 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. We operate independently from our advertising team. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. 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. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. 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. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Scenic attracts more passengers in their 40s and 50s than you'll find on many vessels and, being Australian-owned, is not dominated by travelers from the United States. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. 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. It's easy to see the world's sights. I have a few specific questions which I can't seem to find answers for on the websites. Tauck also revamped its five older Jewel-class ships, which are smaller than the Inspiration vessels, and reduced the capacity from 118 to 98. Uniworld is also a good choice with an array of added perks for kids of all ages. Although children are allowed, the line does not offer extra amenities or perks for kids. The food was delicious, service was excellent. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. On both ships, there's a "secret cellar," with better vintages available if you ask. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. 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). Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. Choose Tauck ifyou don't want any extra charges at all when you leave the ship, love the convenience of having everything set up for you or want the feeling of a more deluxe experience. 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: $2,199 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. 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. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. We cruised Budapest to Amsterdam 2 years ago with Avalon and it was the best vacation,most relaxing we ever. 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. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. The Most Popular Tour Operator Comparisons by Travelers - Travelstride Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia.
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