avalon river cruises vs tauck

They are comfortable but not luxurious or particularly interesting. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Prices shown reflect discount. Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. A View with a Room. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. We can chat later about other destinations. These are the best river cruise lines, sorted by price from low to high. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. LauraS The Aquavit Lounge is glass-enclosed and it can open to the elements in nice weather. 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. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. On Tauck's four newer ships, you'll find 67 cabins: nine measuring 150 square feet, four measuring 190 square feet, 32 measuring 225 square feet and 22 suites measuring 300 square feet. Solo travelers will appreciate that there are dedicated Solo Traveler Suites with no surcharge for a non-double occupancy booking, which is unheard of with cruising. Take a thrilling alpine toboggan run in Germany's Black Forest. Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? The Tauck Suites are large, at over 300 square feet and have a large bed as well as a fold-out sofa. Scenic is based in Australia, and about half of the passengers on its river cruises are from Down Under (with the rest from other English-speaking countries such as New Zealand, the U.K., Canada and the U.S.). Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. 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). After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. But since there is so much to do, odds are that the cabin will be only used for sleeping and downtime. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Viking Kadlin (Photo: Viking River Cruises), Viking Einar (Photo: Viking River Cruises), Tauck ms Emerald (Photo: Tauck River Cruises), Viking Helgrim (Photo: Viking River Cruises), P&O Cruises Reveals Nicole Sherzinger as Godmother of New Ship Arvia, Carnival Miracle Set to Become Fourth Carnival Ship to Sail From Galveston, Life at Sea Cruises Opens Sales for World's First Three-Year Cruise, Oceania Reveals Giada de Laurentiis as Godmother of New Ship Vista. Pros:Having a butler on call is a big perk. Typical starting price: $3,990 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $570 per night, all-inclusive), Where do they sail:Danube, Douro, Rhine, Rhne, Seine, Specialty Cruises: Oktoberfest, Christmas markets, music, family sailings, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Putting green, sun deck, minibar with complimentary water and soft drinks, Molton Brown toiletries, TV, Jacuzzi, Included: Meals, beverages (house wine, beer, and premium spirits available all day), gratuities, transfers upon arrival and departure, excursions. The line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. On select sailings in France, visit the secret apartments in Versailles Palace. Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. Some rooms have balconies. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. Typical starting price: $,1999 for 7 nights (per person, based on double occupancy $285 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail: Danube, Rhine, Seine, Moselle, Douro (Portugal), Mekong, Egypt, Africa (river and rails), Columbia, Specialty cruises: Christmas markets, wine, Onboard amenities (may vary by ship): Wellness activities, Wi-Fi, sun deck, pool with swim-up bar, massages, hair salon, flat-screen TVs that also works like a computer with on-demand entertainment, Inclusive: All meals, drinks (unlimited fine wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast), tours at every destination, bikes and hikes, onboard entertainment. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. 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. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. 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. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. It depends on what you are looking for in your vacation. The line's revamped older ships have 49 cabins: eight measuring 150 square feet, four measuring 183 square feet, one measuring 182 square feet, 20 measuring 225 square feet and 14 suites measuring 300 square feet. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. Also check out Avalon rivercruises. Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Much Do You Save. TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. They offer a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, so guests relish in lavish, five-star treatment and the boats have only about 15 to 20 cabins, meaning, no more than 30 to 40 guests per sailing. The river cruise division of Tauck is a relatively new component of the brand established in 1925 by Arthur Tauck, a true pioneer in the travel industry. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. Tauck also makes sure there's at least one special event in the evening per cruise, where passengers are taken to a castle, restaurant or historic venue for a private dinner or concert performance. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. But if you think this a Disney river cruise would be all about the kids, you're wrong. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. This allows passengers to go at their own pace while still hearing the guide. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. The line claims the ship offers more suites than any other European river vessel and these cabins -- while not true two-room suites -- are 300 square feet. 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'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. 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. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. We had cabin 308 (cat. 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. For example, on the S.S. BonVoyage in France, the Le Salon Champagne was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's home, Villa Majorelle. Tauck prides itself on offering off-the-beaten-track experiences in each destination, including multigenerational family tours that are curated to include itineraries for both kids and adults. The pours at lunch and dinner are generous, so if you're not a liquor drinker -- or don't like alcohol at all -- you might not need all the extras that Tauck provides. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. River cruise ships dock near city centers, enabling visitors to explore on their own or take advantage of the array of excursions organized by the cruise line, from going on a strenuous hike to touring a castle, or sipping wine at a vineyard. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. Avalon's cabins are bigger than Tauck's but there is much that's not included with them, vs Tauck. One place where Viking shines, however, is with its Explorer Suites. Started June 21, 2021, By Con: There is a striking difference in style between standard cabins and suites, Knowing these more curated cabins exist might lessen your experience in entry-level rooms. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. I've come up with 4 that I think might suit us, and I'd appreciate comments from anyone who has experienced any of them. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). Learn more. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Thanks. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . First, about Tauck. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Avalon Waterways My cabin (#312) aboard Avalon Tapestry II on the Seine River in Normandy. Is there a way of getting a discounted price with them? Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Because how you see the world matters. CC Help Jenn Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. 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. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. 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 reason why Scenic fans might not know Tauck, and vice versa, stems from the companies' headquarters. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. Uniworld is also a good choice with an array of added perks for kids of all ages. 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. 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 . She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. 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. Tauck has its headquarters in the United States, and most of its passengers are American, with a smattering of Brits and other nationalities. Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. Ships offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes, although Tauck has more vegan and vegetarian options. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. Both lines operateChristmas market cruises. Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. 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. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. Since Aqua Expeditions ships are so much smaller than the average river cruise liner, they can visit more remote destinations and the excursions reflect that, from watching Amazonian pink dolphins to receiving a blessing from a Buddhist monk while traveling the Mekong. The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. 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. All guests must have received their COVID-19 vaccine prior to sailing. One step aboard our modern, luxurious SuiteShips with the grandest views in cruising and youll see how the tides they are a-changin. The ships on both cruise lines offer a wide choice of dishes to suit all tastes, including healthy choices and simpler "always available" dishes. By AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . When cruising the Nile, ride a camel as you visit the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt. The itineraries would be suitable for older teens interested in culture and history, and the option of bike tours and independent exploration with the Scenic TailorMade devices mean they aren't forced into day after day of walking or bus tours. If you're able to provide your travel agent's contact info, I may be able to work with him or her to recommend a cruise that is best for you. 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. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Local entertainers will also come aboard to perform music, song and dance from the region. Avalon Waterways: 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. One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. 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. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Choose Viking ifyou like dining alfresco. The river cruises ships all have comfortable, well-appointed cabins and an array of perks like complimentary in-room dining, pillow menus, and epic views that make the journey feel luxurious. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. Here are the most popular tour operator comparisons that travelers make when planning for their next adventure: Top Tour Companies for Seniors Compared: Road Scholar vs Smithsonian Journeys Go Ahead Tours vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Odysseys Unlimited Trafalgar vs Globus Tauck vs Senior Discovery Tours Collette vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Alexander + Roberts Sign up for our newsletter to get honest reviews on top products & services delivered weekly to your inbox. 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. Viking is the largest river cruise operator with over 50 Longships in their fleet. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise? The line is mostly known in the United States. Cons: This is the most expensive on our list, so it is an investment. Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. The shore excursions on the designated family cruises are kid-centric and could include visiting a castle and dressing up as a medieval knight one day, watching Hungarian cowboys perform, going on a treetop climb or visiting a salt mine. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. 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. As part of its company's commitment to making your time in port seamless without having to deal with worrisome currency issues, the line gives each passenger 20 euros to buy a meal when an excursion spans the lunch hour. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. Please choose only one for now. The food was delicious, service was excellent. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. If they cannot help you, then come back to continue the process. 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. 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. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. 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. Visit Schloss Hof in Bratislava for chocolate tasting and learn to waltz in the grand ballroom. Powered by Invision Community. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise?

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