avalon river cruises vs tauck avalon river cruises vs tauck

Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. We operate independently from our advertising team. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. Scenic operates 11 "Space-Ships" sailing on the main rivers ofEurope-- Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone and Seine, as well as Portugal's Douro. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. 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. 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. 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. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. You'll Adore these Ships. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. Also check out Avalon rivercruises. They are more expensive, but do things first class. Scenic has five cabin categories on its 85-cabin Space-Ships. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. Each day, you'll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day's adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash. On both ships, there's a "secret cellar," with better vintages available if you ask. In 1882, Herman Tauck arrived in New York City from CRUISING ELEVATED.Innovative, transformative, original. 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). But since there is so much to do, odds are that the cabin will be only used for sleeping and downtime. Thanks. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. (Scenic has its own lower-priced counterpart, Emerald Waterways.). 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. What are the differences between Viking River Cruises & Uniworld River Cruises & AmaWaterways & Tauck & CroisiEurope & Riviera & Scenic? Sunny Chanel is a freelance writer based in San Francisco who has written thousands of pieces on topics such as travel, parenting, pop culture, products, and entertainment for a variety of online sites. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. Scenic also has special "TailorMade" devices that allow travelers to head out by themselves and follow GPS guided tours that are pre-programed into the personal audio systems. Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? 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. Choose Tauck ifyou're fine with a French balcony and want a larger standard cabin. Without a doubt, the most visible presence in the river cruising world is Viking River Cruises, thanks to effective TV, radio and direct mail advertisements. It should be worth your time and the price you paid. Notable Excursions (note, these excursions are not included and involve an extra fee): COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. The line sails on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. We welcome your feedback. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. 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. The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. In 2023, they will launch Seven River Journeys which will cover seven rivers and 14 countries over the course of 45 nights (starting at $24,999 per person, double occupancy). Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. 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. One step aboard our modern, luxurious SuiteShips with the grandest views in cruising and youll see how the tides they are a-changin. Crystal Cruises river cruise line features all-suite ships. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. The Rivers They Cruise. 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. 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. 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. Please choose only one for now. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. 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. 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. Visit the Amazon Rainforest with Aqua Expeditions' naturalist guides. Prices shown reflect discount. Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. 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. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Pros:Having a butler on call is a big perk. Riviera **: Riviera's beverage package, which includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner, ranges from $99 per person to $299 per person depending on the duration of the cruise. The main restaurant setup is very similar on the lines, with buffets at breakfast and lunch plus live cooking stations and made-to-order menu items. But it's only because we've taken such pride in bringing you river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony stateroom design, featuring beds with a view. By Service was very good, rooms spacious, and I loved the French balcony and the in room internet too. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. (The Longships are the same size, 443 feet, but carry 190). Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. Pro: You'll save money as you won't have to pay to fly overseas. The only Tauck employees onboard are the four cruise directors. Whats the Best Choice for a Sane River Cruise? View travel requirements for countries around the world. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 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. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. Solstice vs. Millennium Class on Celebrity Cruises, Meraviglia Class vs. Seaside Class on MSC Cruises, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, 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. On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. Avalon River Cruises is recognized for their all suite concept. Their National Geographic sailings are particularly of note and include a variety of educational, expert-led travel excursions and talks. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Save up to $2,800 per couple off the cruise price of Europe sailings. 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Booking Shore Excursions, 12 Things You Don't Need to Take on a Cruise, Virtual Cabin Crawl: Symphony of the Seas Cruise Ship, How To Cope With Cruising's Pause? Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. "Free choice" dining allows you . 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. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 15 Day Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. AmaWaterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. 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. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. Whats Included In All-Inclusive River Cruises? 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). It all boils down to what is important to you. The cabins and public areas are also beautifully appointed with art, antiques, hand-painted murals, and luxury linens. The cabin window is wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass that stretches 11 feet wide and opens up 7 feet wide, thus basically turning your room into a veranda. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? The perfect combination of icons and lesser-known wonders. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain, Egypt, Peru, Mekong, India, Specialty cruises: Gen Z on the U (for families with teens), lectures, Christmas markets, Jewish heritage, Amenities (may vary per ship): Pool, spa, bicycles for land exploration, pillow menu, massage, library, flat-screen TVs, fitness center, wellness classes, airport transfers, laundry, Asprey bath products, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water), most excursions, gratuities, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. In Italy, go on an after-hours visit to St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and tour the 9th-century church without crowds. 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. 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. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. Scenic **: Inclusions are for all guests, regardless of ship or suite. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. If they cannot help you, then come back to continue the process. I'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. The cabins are large with King-sized beds, which is a rarity in river cruising. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? 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. Any input from people on this forum would be appreciated. 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. There is no special programming for kids, and children under eight are not allowed to sail. Whats the Best Choice for a Elbe River Cruise? In the Netherlands, explore the windmill village of Zaanse Schans with its houses from the 18th and 19th centuries. At least one Tauck director comes on each shore excursion so if you want to ask what time the bus leaves for the umpteenth time or your Quietvox battery dies, help is a few steps away. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. 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. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Much Do You Save. Experience the "Wild West" of France in la Camargue with farm-fresh meals, local music, and a horse show. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. 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. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. Powered by Invision Community. The line also offers a "bite to eat" snack menu that can be delivered to your cabin as room service, or to any of the lounges as a small plate. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We enjoyed AMA in May when we took the Danube Cruise. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. Which Royal Caribbean Suite Should I Book? TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! Venturing off the beaten path away from well-traveled highways is part of the appeal, as are the opportunities to savor a real taste of daily life along Europe's rivers. Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. Is there a way of getting a discounted price with them? 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. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! Many of the river cruise passengers will have taken land tours with the company. Some rooms have balconies. Tauck is a much more deluxe experience, with alcohol and spirits included at all times, plus an in-room mini-bar stocked with bottled waters and sodas; all excursions; Wi-Fi; bikes onboard;. There is a very low crew to guest ratio. Standard suites are sparse, small (just 160 square feet) and lack balconies. Overall, the crowd is older and more sedate than you'd find on Scenic; the dance floor is rarely used on Tauck ships, while on Scenic, it's not unusual for dancing to occur if the right band is playing.