avalon river cruises vs tauck

(Scenic has. River Cruises: Avalon Waterways 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. Typical starting price: $4,599 for 7 days (per person based on double occupancy $657 per night, all-inclusive), Specialty cruises: Danube Christmas markets, Oktoberfest, Rhine food and wine, Seine National Geographic photography, Amenities (may vary by ship): High-speed Wi-Fi, gym, sun-deck, walking track, bikes for shore use, pool or whirlpool, fitness classes, salon, massage, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (local wine, beer, and soft drinks with meals), daily excursions, all gratuities onboard and at restaurants, daily cocktail hour, select meals off the ship during excursions, onboard entertainment. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Uniworld: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Viking is the largest river cruise operator with over 50 Longships in their fleet. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Stay at the 'Castle in the Rockies', and relish a Rocky Mountaineer rail journey. 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. Lower-deck rooms, which have a window, are 150 square feet. Please choose only one for now. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. CC Help Jenn Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. Tauck carries fewer passengers onboard so its tour groups are, by definition, smaller. We can chat later about other destinations. Every evening, the forward section of the lounge on Scenic ships becomes the Italian restaurant Portabellos (L'Amour on its French ships), and every passenger can dine here at least once during their cruise, at no additional cost. Passengers often get a choice of excursions, both of them included. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. On Viking, Scandinavian design rules the day, with light wood tones and a modern, clean look throughout. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. You'll pay about $1,000 more than lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon. It sounds like it will be what we're looking for. 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. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. AmaWaterways requires COVID-19 vaccinations for all their guests. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. Guests dine on four-course dinners, complemented by regional wines. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. Tauck has nine ships, with its four newer vessels carrying 130 passengers -- the lowest number of passengers for a ship of its size. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. The River Cafe offers light bites from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for everyone, while Table La Rive is an upscale Chef's Table for upper-deck passengers only. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. We found it to be quite inclusive and spent very little extra, except for tips and drinks at the bar. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Much Do You Save. 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.). Another thing that sets Tauck's newer ships apart: "loft" design cabins, which have a raised platform seating area that provides extra space in lower-level cabins. 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. Lower Danube River Company Routes Comparison Dream Destinations 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. She also happens to be a shopaholic whose personal mission is to find the coolest and best new things out there. Tauck differs in that the main restaurant is open seating, meaning you can go down and have dinner whenever you like. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. 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. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. 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. Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa on an Avalon Waterways cruise. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? 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. 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. 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. By They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. Rest easy (literally) as you enjoy bigger views, more space and 24/7 access to open-air cruising. Learn more. 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. This was our first riverboat cruise and we loved it! Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger than full balcony cabins, while still letting in fresh air. Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. 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). 2 spot. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. Why Take A Tauck River Cruise. On Viking, everyone eats at the same time, which can create a "herding" effect that some people dislike. Junior Suites are 240 to 250 square feet, two Royal Panorama Suites are 475 square feet and, on some ships, Royal Owners Suites are more than 500 square feet. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. Last minute changes OK. 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. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. Email us at reviews@insider.com. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. "Free choice" dining allows you . Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? 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. Meals come with complimentary beverages, including house wine, beer, and premium spirits. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. In terms of enrichment, both lines bring on local entertainers, although Scenic is more likely to bring on a band to play classic rock and music you can dance to, as opposed to folk performers. Avalon Waterways has used their 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. Dinner is served to the table and, on both lines, staff are very attentive. Rockies Icons and Alaska Cruise - APT (15 Days From Calgary to Vancouver) While in Germany, visit the oldest brewery in Nuremberg for a bratwurst and beer. Cruise Critic named Avalon's staterooms the best in the business, and yes, we're blushing a bit. The Most Popular Tour Operator Comparisons by Travelers - Travelstride Given the price point, the passengers seem more well-heeled on Tauck. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations from well-appointed suites to small no-frills single staterooms that are a mere 80 square feet. 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. While both lines have bikes onboard, Scenic utilizes them more, offering guided bike rides in most ports. The line is mostly known in the United States. There are a fair amount of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the itineraries, which are almost always awe-inspiring. My husband and I went on the Treasures of the Mediterranean Isles Trip jn October 2022. They often feature DJs, silent discos, mixology classes, yoga, and rooftop camping (tents are supplied). Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. 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. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Scenic **: Inclusions are for all guests, regardless of ship or suite. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. Avalon features wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows with beds facing the views for ultimate enjoyment from their suites and staterooms. 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. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. 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. Pros: The cabins are large and all have floor-to-ceiling windows. It all boils down to what is important to you. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. Avalon vs Tauck, AMA vs Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic The latter are true suites, with two rooms. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once.