Choose Tauck for an all-inclusive river cruise with structured tours and concierge-style service. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. But if you think this a Disney river cruise would be all about the kids, you're wrong. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. 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). 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. 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. Cons: Cocktails are pricey and not included; a martini or a Manhattan will set you back about $12 dollars. Expires February 28. On both ships, there's a "secret cellar," with better vintages available if you ask. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. It's a true gourmet experience, with well-thought-out and unusual wine pairings. All of the cruise lines selected offer intriguing and interesting excursions that are included in the price (except for the American Queen Steamboat Company), from a private tour of the Louvre to kayaking down the Mekong. In Memphis, opt for The Elvis Experience with a tour of Graceland. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. 2 spot. 1) Avalon's Rhine & Moselle on Affinity (Amsterdam to Basel, 14 days), 2) Tauck's Rhine & Moselle (Amsterdam to Basel, 13 days), 3) AMA's Europe's Rivers & Castles (Trier to Nuremberg, 7 days - cruise only, or with Paris at beginning and Prague at the end to make 12 days, 4) Vikings' Vineyards & Vistas (Trier to Wurzburg, 7 days, or with Paris and Prague, like AMA above, called Cities of Light)- I did read Ruth's recent posting about that one. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. As the name implies, the American Queen Steamboat Company uses old-school-style riverboats for their journey. Avalon River Cruises is recognized for their all suite concept. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. There are a fair amount of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the itineraries, which are almost always awe-inspiring. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . We welcome your feedback. Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. 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. I need to be able to contact Avalon, Scenic, Uniworld, Tauck directly to arrange terms of the lease of a vesssel, crew, with at least two meals per day provided. 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. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. 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. Email us at reviews@insider.com. Typical starting price: $2,195 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $313 per night, all-inclusive), Where do they sail:Danube, Main (Germany), Rhine, Moselle, Rhne, Douro (Portugal), Seine, Bordeaux, Volga (Russia), Mekong (South East Asia), Irrawaddy (Myanmar), Specialty cruises: National Geographic, Christmas markets, Onboard amenities (may vary by ship):Laundry,wellness area, gym, massage services, hair salon, Wi-Fi, e-bikes, L'Occitane products, pillow menu, shoeshine, Inclusive: Meals, butler service, gratuities, transfers, excursions, beverages (with the exception of certain specialty wines and rare spirits), minibar fully restocked daily, chef-prepared picnics, 24-hour in-room dining, entertainment. 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. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. 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. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 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. 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. Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. AmaWaterways, with over 25 ships, is known for having a smaller amount of passengers on board. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. COVID-19 procedures are available here. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. We handle our own travel arrangements by choice and prefer to book our own hotels and make our own way to the boat. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. Europe River Cruise Company Comparisons 2022-23 River Cruises. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. Onboard enrichment on both lines is based around the destinations visited. Thanks for all the input. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. By Price Comparisons: A Look At Pricing Differentials For European River Cruises, How River Cruising Compares To Luxury Ocean Cruising, River Cruise Reviews, Viking River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises. 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. On a similar seven-night June 2023 cruise on the Danube, Tauck is about $1,000 more expensive than Viking for a standard cabin (this can be even more as Viking offers a lot of promotional deals). They even pay the public restroom fee for you. Excursion from Paris to Louis XIV's opulent . When she's not out shopping, she's plotting her next trip to Disneyland, remodeling her 1920s bungalow, and hanging out with her tween and their new puppy. 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. Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. Pros: The ships are smaller than most with just over 100 passengers and children are allowed. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. On Viking, you can pay extra for a better bottle of wine, whereas Tauck has a wine cellar with some special bottles that are included in your fare (although they don't exactly volunteer these premier offerings; you have to ask). We were next to one of the Tauck river boats in Wurzburg last year and both my husband and I commented on how luxurious it looked next to ours, which was very nice and brand new at the time. Crystal Cruises river cruise line features all-suite ships. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. The entry-level cabin, the Petit Suite, is about 188 square feet is larger than most standard rooms, while the Deluxe Suite has French balconies, and opulent Explorer Suites boast large windows. Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. 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. 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. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. 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. 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. The line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. Uniworld: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes?