avalon river cruises vs tauck
CC Help Jenn Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. All guests must have received their COVID-19 vaccine prior to sailing. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. 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. 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. Both offer more inclusions than their competitors and both carry fewer passengers than most river lines, ensuring that service remains at a high standard. A river cruise is an all-inclusive journey where you unpack once but visit many destinations. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. Tauck not only has a cruise director onboard its ship, but it has three additional Tauck guides who give the daily briefings, attend the shore excursions (although local experts actually give the tours), hand out spending money or give you a rose to place at the gravesite of a veteran in an American military cemetery. 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. Typical starting price: Starting at $3,499 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $499 per night, all-inclusive). Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 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. One of the Tauck tenets is "lagniappe," or a little something extra, such as a Champagne reception in the Baden-Baden casino or roses to put on the graves of veterans at an American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. 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. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. Tauck will sell through TA's, but maybe not online ones. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). Visit Salzburg, Austria, the town featured in "The Sound of Music.". Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. There's a salon that provides hair and nail services, as well as a small spa for massage treatments. Tauck features a wide variety of itineraries, including themed river cruises and the Tauck Bridges sailings designed for families and multigenerational groups. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. Another difference is that Tauck ships are actually owned and run by Scylla, a Swiss-owned company. 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. Best River Cruises: Viking, Avalon, Tauck, UniWorld - Insider 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. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . Special themes as culinary, bear, wine and Christmas themed itineraries are featured on Avalon Cruises. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. Avalon Cruises - Avalon River Cruises 2021 2022 - Pavlus Travel Choose Tauck ifyou want an all-inclusive river cruise with more extras and a higher-end feel -- and don't mind paying for it. On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. deluxe tour operator in North America and that title is well justified. 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. Avalon River Cruises | Avalon Waterways River Cruises in Europe COVID-19 procedures are available here. Featuring modern luxury ships, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, our clients love Avalon, and some of their river itineraries are our biggest sellers. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. 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. Throughout the voyages, they feature special drinking and dining events for guests along with entertainment themed to the country you're visiting such as a string quartet or folk dancing. 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). Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. When it's open, there's still a buffer, so your hair and food don't blow around. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. The cuisine served onboard AmaWaterways ships is inspired by regional dishes and made with locally sourced ingredients. There are also Christmas market sailings that include tree-trimming, caroling, and a Christmas dinner feast. 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. Choose Viking ifyou are more a do-it-yourself person on shore and with tips, and don't mind paying for your Happy Hour and after-hours drinks. Do they only sell direct, and not through travel agents? The iconic river ships of No. 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. By We highlight products and services you might find interesting. Both lines offer passengers a choice of included excursions in every port. Compare River Cruise Lines: Which Company Fits Where? Viking also has optional shore excursions that it sells in some ports; these excursions generally are limited to small groups and take you into smaller venues or provide immersive experiences that expose passengers to a port's culture and traditions on a deeper, often hands-on, level. Learn more. For its upper deck passengers, Scenic offers Table La Rive, a 10-person chef's table in the main dining room. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. (Scenic has. It should be fun. On the Danube sailing, see the Wachau Valley from a canoe and visit a hidden beach. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. We preferred the top floor. The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. In Portugal, visit the Burmester Cellars for a fine dining experience along with a traditional Fado musical accompaniment. 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. 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. Visit Schloss Hof in Bratislava for chocolate tasting and learn to waltz in the grand ballroom. Avalon's vacations are categorized as deluxe on the industry rating scale (budget, first class or deluxe). While Tauck also has a Lagniappe event, as well as an offsite dinner, it's not as prominently promoted as the Scenic events; it's not even listed in the daily program. At the top end are large well-appointed suites with two full-sized rooms and great views, measuring about 445 square feet. It should re-energize and transform. 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. A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? There are a limited number of cruise choices and they do not sail in Europe. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. Both lines provide generous pours of wine during lunch and dinner, mostly regional varietals. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. Thanks. 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 -. Choose Viking ifyou want a true balcony and don't mind sacrificing space to do it. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. The food was delicious, service was excellent. AmaWaterways operates the finest fleet and provides all-inclusive river cruise vacations on the great waterways of Europe, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia. 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). They are smaller than traditional cruise ships and boast more tailored offerings, such as carefully curated cuisine that is reflective of the areas being visited. 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. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. Cons: Entry-level cabins are small, at 150 square feet, and have just two small windows. Standard staterooms, which are the least expensive, hover at the water level, and come in at about 150 square feet. 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. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. Powered by Invision Community. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. 15 of the Best European River Cruises - Travel + Leisure 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. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. All rights reserved. You'll Adore these Ships. . River Cruising Along The Rivers of France Whether the Seine, the Sane or the Rhne, on a river cruise with Tauck you'll feel it the moment you step ashore in village and towns - that palpable realization of the true meaning of joie de vivre, enjoyment of life. Last minute changes OK. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. 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. The Most Popular Tour Operator Comparisons by Travelers - Travelstride River cruising is an efficient way to travel visit a variety of destinations and only unpack once. There is one single cabin that is 129 square feet, and one wheelchair-accessible cabin. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. Both have hotel-style amenities, including high-tech TVs with entertainment on-demand and information channels, complimentary Wi-Fi, safes, included mini-bars that are replenished daily, hair dryers and designer bath products (L'Occitane on Scenic, Molton Brown on Tauck). River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. What category cabin did you have? Automobile lovers have the chance to visit BMW World to see luxury German-made cars. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. Pro: The boats boast a boutique design and feel with unlimited premium spirits and wines. "The itinerary was. 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. 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. 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. Otherwise, most welcome children but don't offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn't allow children at all. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. Egypt European River Cruises Europe River Cruise Route Guide Rhine River Cruise Port Guide Request Danube River Cruise Port Guide Request Europe River Cruise Companies Onboard Reviews French River Cruise Port Guide Request . It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. Tauck is equally non-fussy, but the overall feel is a little more elegant. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Choose Tauck ifonboard spa, beauty and fitness options are essential to your vacation. 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. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. Because how you see the world matters. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. In contrast, Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer Inspiration-class vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship its size. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. RIVER CRUISE BRANDS - Harr Travel There is also Uniworld's Legendary Rhine & Moselle, 13 days. As for the bed itself, guests can choose their own mattress and pillow firmness from Avalon's Comfort Collection. 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. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. 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. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? 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. Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Email us at reviews@insider.com. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. The average is about 156 guests, which is far less than most cruise lines. But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . Because most people travel in pairs or a family on a cruise, rates are based on double occupancy. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. During the Nile adventure, take a traditional Egyptian boat ride and have afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan in Aswan. While the suites are about 350 square feet, the standard stateroom is about 170 square feet with fixed windows at the waterline. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. For example, European river cruises run fromMarch through December. Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. While there are plenty of places to curl up with a book or play a game in the public spaces, a bevy of activities will lure you onshore.