It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. 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. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. In late March, Ange and Angela made a trip to Amsterdam to attend the Virtuoso Forum meeting. 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. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. 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. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. "The itinerary was. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. The beds in the Panorama Suites are also cleverly placed against the opposite wall so guests may view the scenery from bed. 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. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? (Scenic has. 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. Both Viking and Tauck have well-thought-out cabins with an understated decor. Last minute changes OK. 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;. No other fleet of river cruise ships gives you a view of the world like Avalon. Tauck and Scenic include more in their fares than anyone else, with gratuities, all alcohol, transfers, choice of shore excursions, all dining and Wi-Fi included. 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. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. 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. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. Viking is also an adults-only line, while Tauck was the pioneer of family river cruises through its Tauck Bridges program. 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. We preferred the top floor. Prices shown reflect discount. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. View travel requirements for countries around the world. Cabins with French balconies are 135 square feet and standard cabins with a true balcony are 205 square feet (balcony inclusive). Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. The line sails only on the major European rivers: Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Seine and Moselle. Tauck's shore excursion program is a little more comprehensive (although oddly, the guides themselves and the berths where the ships dock aren't necessarily better. 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. A) next door to a junior suite.Being close to the entrance of the staircase, you do hear people going by your room in the morning. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. While other river cruise cabins shove your bed against a wall for a view of the other wall, our Comfort Collection Beds SM beds face the widest-opening, wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in river cruising. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. Not only are Avalon Panorama Suites 30% larger than the industry standard . 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. 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. 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.). And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). By Indulge in regional cuisine on Viking ships flavored with herbs grown in an on-board garden, though familiar classics are always available. 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. Window cabins are 150 square feet to Viking's 135, and most of Tauck's cabins have a French balcony and are 225 square feet (while the standard on Viking is 205 square feet). 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. The cabins are large with King-sized beds, which is a rarity in river cruising. The food was delicious, service was excellent. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. 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. 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. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Their twin-balcony staterooms feature both a French balcony and an outside balcony. It should re-energize and transform. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Started June 21, 2021, By Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. 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. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. . Standard suites are sparse, small (just 160 square feet) and lack balconies. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, 17 Cruise Lines That Include Alcohol in Your Fare, 7 Challenging Cruise Ports We Can Help You Navigate. Finish with an Inside Passage cruise. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. Tauck is a family-run company that has shown travelers the world since 1925. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. 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. 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.
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