avalon river cruises vs tauck

By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. River cruising is the most relaxing way to experience the joy of Europe's castles, villages and ruins. 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. Toiletries are Viking's own,Freya, and they are lovely. 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. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. On the Mekong, go on a guided tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. 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. 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. Comparing Stateroom Sizes On River Cruisers, Staterooms: River Cruisers vs. Cruise Ships, Rhne & Sane River Stateroom Size Comparisons, Rhine, Main & Danube River Stateroom Size Comparisons. We have only cruised with Avalon and the modern ships and large cabins were an important factor in our decision. However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. QUICK STATS AVALON WATERWAYS 2004 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. Sail through France and visit the picturesque Old Town in Strasbourg. Tauck, the well-known tour and river-ship operator, retained its No. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Expect to pay $129 for the drink package on a weeklong cruise. For those with an interest in history, try The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln tour. The line reduced capacity on its five older vessels, which are smaller, bringing the passenger counts from 118 to 98. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! 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. All told, the fleet stands at 70 (excluding ships not currently operating in Russia). These are the best river cruise lines for comfort, destinations, and irresistible perks and tours. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail theDouro Riverin Portugal and the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. We believe that travel should be easy. By submitting your contact information, you agree that your email address may be shared with a travel expert who can help me find the perfect cruise for you. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Only Tauck offers family cruising through its Tauck Bridges program. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Harmony of the Seas vs. Allure of the Seas. 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. But since there is so much to do, odds are that the cabin will be only used for sleeping and downtime. Tauck also makes sure there's at least one special event in the evening per cruise, where passengers are taken to a castle, restaurant or historic venue for a private dinner or concert performance. 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 MainRiver Cruise? The reason why Scenic fans might not know Tauck, and vice versa, stems from the companies' headquarters. . 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. 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). Most of the Avalon's cabins are Panorama Suites, which offer a wide view of the rivers on which you are traveling. On the Rhne sailing, go spelunking in Viviers to underground caves as part of a wine tasting adventure. Having fewer people on the same size ship does make a difference in terms of seating, service and overall vibe. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. This was our third Tauck cruise with Ponnant but our first post covid and the Tour: Treasures of the Mediterranean - Northbound 2019. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. What category cabin did you have? The line claims the ship offers more suites than any other European river vessel and these cabins -- while not true two-room suites -- are 300 square feet. Both AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways sail these rivers and have a wide variety of stops which can vary by cruise theme. I think they'd maybe be my first choice, and I know everything is included with them, but I like to get a bargain if I can. It should re-energize and transform. 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. 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). Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. Viking has more weeklong cruises than Tauck and sails in more places and on more dates. smalltowner, October 30, 2010 in River Cruising. Site Map|Global Site Map|Terms of Use|Privacy Policy, You can add one more tour operator from the list, Get guided help to find the right trip for you, Travel tips, stories, top 10 lists and more, Get yours before you leave, easier, cheaper. Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. Click here . Both cruise lines sail around Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. 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 Scenic also offers cruises inRussia,Vietnamand Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma). One nice perk: heated floors in the bathroom. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. Whats the Best Choice For A Rhine River Cruise? There is a wide variety of cabin categories from a 350 square foot suite that sleeps four with a balcony to Category D, the most affordable cabin, which is about 170 square feet, sleeps two, and features small windows. Adventures by Disney recommends that children be 8 and up, but they only need to be 4 and up to sail. On a Viking river cruise, you receive a fair amount in your fare: a daily shore excursion with more elaborate options available for a fee; Wi-Fi; beer, wine and soda with meals and bottled water; and some entertainment and enrichment. Last minute changes OK. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. Kids love the Junior Adventurer dinners or Disney movie nights, and there is also a Just Teens program with dinners and separate tour groups at various destinations. Due to the size of the boats, the cabins are small, ranging from 80 square feet to about 300 square feet. 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. For example, on the S.S. BonVoyage in France, the Le Salon Champagne was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's home, Villa Majorelle. They are also more likely to offer a hike or a strenuous walk than Tauck. Beyond advertising budgets, the lines offer vastly different experiences. Experience the "Wild West" of France in la Camargue with farm-fresh meals, local music, and a horse show. Choose Viking ifyou want lots of itinerary choice. "Free choice" dining allows you . Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. (Most newer river cruise ships in Europe are a standard 443 feet.) Viking, Avalon, AmaWaterways, Crystal, Uniworld, U by Uniworld, and Tauck each supplied a ship for the special occasion. One thing both lines have in common is that they use modern coaches branded with the line's logo and photos of the ships or exotic locations (making them easily identifiable in a crowd of coaches). Most cabins also have a French balcony, which allows the rooms themselves to be larger while still letting in fresh air. 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. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. 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. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. 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.". LauraS (The Longships are the same size, 443 feet, but carry 190). While Scenic has casual dining in its River Cafe, it closes at 6 p.m. Arthur's can be a real boon, particularly if you've already snacked at a local cafe and want a simple nosh at night, instead of a full-blown three-course meal. Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. Thanks for all the input. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. 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. These are guided by local experts who know the history and culture; since Viking has so many river cruises going at any one time and provides a more stable stream of employment, the company is often able to scoop up some of the better guides in a town. Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. The suites, which are about 300 square feet, have floor-to-ceiling windows, King-sized beds, and a lounge area with a daybed. 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. 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. They are owned by Globus and do a fantastic job. We have done 2 cruises - Paris/Normandy with Uniworld - and Blue Danube Discovery with AMA. Avalon offers many onboard presentations, including the celebrity-driven Storyteller Series, which is set to include the likes of Candace Bushnell ("Sex and the City"), Gillian Flynn ("Gone Girl"), Cheryl Strayed ("Wild"), and Diana Gabaldon (Outlander"). They also use the Quietvox system during excursions, where the tour guide speaks into a headset while passengers listen on receivers. Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. Price Comparisons: A Look At Pricing Differentials For European River Cruises, How River Cruising Compares To Luxury Ocean Cruising, River Cruise Reviews, Viking River Cruises, Uniworld River Cruises. Scenic ships have neither facilities for children nor specific family sailings, but kids 12 and older are welcome onboard. 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. Choose Viking ifyou want a good introduction to a port without a lot of handholding, don't mind paying for special excursions and want the best berthing in town. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. 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 cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. It sounds like it will be what we're looking for. 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.

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