Tauck moved up two places in T+L's 2021 rankings to grab the No. Avalon's cabins are bigger than Tauck's but there is much that's not included with them, vs Tauck. Aqua Expeditions is all about luxury with a modern take. 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). For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. To stand in long lines, push through the crowds, and generally have the same standard-issue vacation as everyone else. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. We also considered the added value of all-inclusive perks. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. They are comfortable but not luxurious or particularly interesting. Learn to make goulash and feast on it in the Hungarian countryside while listening to a live performance by Hungarian folk musicians. Tauck: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? These are all decorated in a modern, contemporary style and feel airy and spacious due to the liberal use of mirrors and reflective panels. Whats the Best Choice For A RhneRiver Cruise? Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. Viking includes at least one shore excursion in every port you visit. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. Some sailings have Loft Suites, which are two stories with floor-to-ceiling windows and have two full bathrooms, a dining area, a lounge with a Queen sofa-bed, a balcony, and an upstairs bedroom. Go to the Cathdrale Notre-Dame of Strasbourg for a private organ concert. In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won't find that here. 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. 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. Visit Schloss Hof in Bratislava for chocolate tasting and learn to waltz in the grand ballroom. Concierges can arrange services while you're in port at various hotels or providers along the way. 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. All are butler-serviced river ships with a high, almost one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. There are no pools on the ships except for those sailing the Egypt, Mississippi, and the Mekong lines. On its ships in France, Scenic also offers onboard cooking demonstrations. CC Help Jenn The shore excursions on the designated family cruises are kid-centric and could include visiting a castle and dressing up as a medieval knight one day, watching Hungarian cowboys perform, going on a treetop climb or visiting a salt mine. 2 spot with an eye-popping score above 96. Expires February 28. Cruise Critic named Avalon's staterooms the best in the business, and yes, we're blushing a bit. There is a price difference between the first deck and the second deck, with the former being more affordable. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. Please choose only one for now. Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. 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. Click the links in the right column to access current price comparisons among all major river cruise companies and for tips on how to save. All guests must have received their COVID-19 vaccine prior to sailing. It all boils down to what is important to you. Plan Far, Far Ahead, Viking Kadlin (Photo: Viking River Cruises), Viking Einar (Photo: Viking River Cruises), Tauck ms Emerald (Photo: Tauck River Cruises), Viking Helgrim (Photo: Viking River Cruises), 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. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon 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. 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. On Viking, everyone eats at the same time, which can create a "herding" effect that some people dislike. As expected, the ships serve American cuisines with options for fresh lobster or USDA Prime Beef. In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. 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. The design is sleek and minimal and there are usually five tiers of cabins. The staff was awesome, and the entire experience was great. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. 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. 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. 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. Scenic offers all passengers a limited 24-hour room service menu, with full in-suite dining for passengers in Royal and Royal Panorama Suites. Pro: The boats boast a boutique design and feel with unlimited premium spirits and wines. I've come up with 4 that I think might suit us, and I'd appreciate comments from anyone who has experienced any of them. There is one single cabin that is 129 square feet, and one wheelchair-accessible cabin. There is also destination-themed entertainment; for example, while sailing through Austria a musician is likely to play musical pieces from "The Sound of Music.". We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. 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. Scenic makes sure that its passengers have a variety of things to do in the evening. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider A-ROSA: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Their National Geographic sailings are particularly of note and include a variety of educational, expert-led travel excursions and talks. Uniworld is also a good choice with an array of added perks for kids of all ages. Book a signature suite and indulge in larger marble bathrooms, a fully-stocked bar, and fresh cookies and fruit delivered daily. The only Tauck employees onboard are the four cruise directors. I was on the River Queen last year, and although the cabins are a bit small, they were well designed. 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. The line also hands out cash country if the tour takes place over lunchtime and passengers need to buy something to eat. Special diets can be catered for with advance notice and menus are labeled for people with dietary restrictions. Pros:The boats have a small number of guests so they feel very intimate. Although children are allowed, the line does not offer extra amenities or perks for kids. Pros:Having a butler on call is a big perk. Wine plays a role on both ships, with regional varietals served at every meal. Visit Salzburg, Austria, the town featured in "The Sound of Music.". Here are the most popular tour operator comparisons that travelers make when planning for their next adventure: Top Tour Companies for Seniors Compared: Road Scholar vs Smithsonian Journeys Go Ahead Tours vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Odysseys Unlimited Trafalgar vs Globus Tauck vs Senior Discovery Tours Collette vs Trafalgar Tauck vs Alexander + Roberts Choose Tauck ifyou like a more intimate ship or want a multigenerational cruise. Inspired by you, they've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Both upscale river cruise lines were born out of well-established tour operators. A river cruise is kind of like a floating hotel, except you'll visit a variety of places but only have to unpack once. TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. 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? 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. Choose Scenic for an all-inclusive river cruise that has more options for active and individually minded travelers. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Tauck does have a few high-end extras onboard, including a fitness center, complimentary bikes and a plunge pool on the top deck. 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. The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. 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: $2,199 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $314 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail: Mississippi, Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland, Columbia/Snake Rivers, Specialty Cruises: Music festivals, music of the '50s and '60s, bourbon, Cajun/Creole, wine, Kentucky Derby, Amenities (may vary per ship): Wi-Fi, bicycles for shore, library, fitness center, smoothie and juice bar, pool, sun deck, spa, fitness, hiking sticks, Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages (wine, local craft beer, spirits), in-room dining, one-night pre-cruise hotel stay, hop on hop off buses onshore, ground transfers, Wi-Fi, daily entertainment. LauraS 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. Tours & Operators on Travelstride Awarded and Featured by: 2023 Travelstride. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. View travel requirements for countries around the world. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. The core passengers for both lines are Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and passengers from other English-speaking companies, aged 50s to 70s. I'm not sure you will find Tauck discounted in many places. They even pay the public restroom fee for you. Viking provides a shore excursion daily, along with drinks with meals, in a casual environment, while Tauck is all-inclusive, with a fair number of luxurious extras. Typical starting price: Starting at $2,299 per person for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $328 per night, all-inclusive). 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. River cruising is a very different animal than "big ship" cruising - and I would hate to think that you booked 14+ days on a river boat - only to discover that you hated the the experience. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. Uniworld stands out immediately for its impressively designed interiors; each ship is themed to the areas that ships sail through. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. 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). These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. Take a thrilling alpine toboggan run in Germany's Black Forest. Plus, get air rates starting at $599 per person from select gateways. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. Unique to riverboats is the two-level theater, the Grand Saloon, found on the American Queen. The ship's "Design Your Time" concierge service will help personalize your onboard and onshore experiences. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . The river cruises ships all have comfortable, well-appointed cabins and an array of perks like complimentary in-room dining, pillow menus, and epic views that make the journey feel luxurious. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. Those are also offered all day, not just at mealtimes, which is a nice addition. Itineraries balance organized activities with ample leisure time so guests can pursue their own interests. The cabins are large with King-sized beds, which is a rarity in river cruising. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you inthe captains seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruisedown the worlds most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. In addition to traditional ships, there are also sleek black U by Uniworld boats, which offer a modern take on river cruising with a younger demographic in mind. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard.