avalon river cruises vs tauck avalon river cruises vs tauck

Tauck will sell through TA's, but maybe not online ones. Whats the Best Choice for a MainRiver Cruise? Tauck recently renovated many of their ships, most of which carry just 84 or 98 guests, while a few larger boats accommodate a max of 130 guests. Many also have balconies and walk-in closets, and all are above the waterline. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? But no matter how different the motivation, Tauck river cruising has a way of bringing everyone of every age and generation together to share . 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 During the trip, Guests will be required to complete a self-assessment daily. 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. AmaWaterways has a diverse selection of excursions, from low key to active experiences. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current andaway from the ordinary. 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. While on the Danube, take a dip in legendary thermal baths in Budapest, Hungry. The latter are true suites, with two rooms. 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. They will tend to your needs throughout the journey including nightly turndown service and laundry concierge. They don't seem to be on Cruise Compete's site. Scenic offers various excursions, from visiting World Heritage Sites to a round of golf. 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). All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Are They Defined? The boats are all relatively new, and can accommodate up to 190 passengers. Viking has the largest fleet, by far, in Europe, with 55 nearly identical Scandinavian-inspired Longships. Basically, if you need anything while you're off the ship, they are only a few steps away. Cruise Critic named Avalon's staterooms the best in the business, and yes, we're blushing a bit. Thanks for all the input. Uniworld has bicycles, and there is an included excursion every day, although there are also optional excursions. Scenic operates custom-made vessels and a variety of cabins types. 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. I could use Scenic's $379.00 per day per . Cons: There are different levels of service depending on the cabin category you book. The reason why Scenic fans might not know Tauck, and vice versa, stems from the companies' headquarters. 2 spot. Tauck just looked fabulous but, for us, the premium is not worth it as the additional inclusions are not important to us. Scenic attracts more passengers in their 40s and 50s than you'll find on many vessels and, being Australian-owned, is not dominated by travelers from the United States. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. Cons: While most river cruises include excursions, on Crystal, not all of the onshore adventures are free and may require an extra fee. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities. After experiencing the river cruise lifestyle, I was sold. 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. A WORLD OF WATERWAYS The Rivers of Avalon One step aboard our modern, luxurious SuiteShips with the grandest views in cruising and youll see how the tides they are a-changin. Limited-Time Offers on Avalon Cruises! Both Tauck and Scenic have fitness centers, complimentary bikes (the ones on Scenic are e-bikes and slightly better) and for-fee spas. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. These state-of-the-art, authentic paddle wheelers can accommodate from 150 to 400 guests, depending on the ship. Viking does seem to pay a little more attention to making sure dishes are regional in nature. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. (The amount varies from country to country, but it is generous and enough to buy a meal and drink). Both Tauck and Scenic boast spacious, contemporary cabins that are among the most comfortable in river cruising. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. On all these journeys from the Ganges to the Rhne dining is a big part of the adventure. However, for me probably the highlight was the tours. If you want flexibility, the line is hard to beat. They are the least expensive, since we'd probably go cruise-only and make up our own land tour before/after, but the cabin seems pretty small, and we'd really like the option of bikes, which is offered on Tauck and AMA, but not on Viking or Avalon, as far as I can make out (please, correct me if I'm wrong). It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Many of the staterooms have balconies that offer panoramic views and fresh air. Bike along the Danube River between Drnstein and Melk in Austria's Wachau Valley. On its refurbished ships in France, Scenic has a salt room and a hair salon. Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. 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"). Viking ships sail all of Europe's major rivers, including the Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Main, Moselle, Seine, Dordogne, Garonne, Gironde and Dutch waterways. I have a few specific questions which I can't seem to find answers for on the websites. Learn more. Today, the company's assortment of upscale, highly inclusive tours, river cruises and small-ship ocean cruises spans the globe. Started June 21, 2021, By Visit the Amazon Rainforest with Aqua Expeditions' naturalist guides. AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by Rudi Schreiner . COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. It was a fascinating trip down the Danube River in Europe with Disney Cruises, focused on Christmas markets. 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. On the Danube sailing, see the Wachau Valley from a canoe and visit a hidden beach. 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. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. Do they have bicycles? Their line U by Uniworld is curated for the "active" guest. The line reduced capacity on its five older vessels, which are smaller, bringing the passenger counts from 118 to 98. 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. 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. COVID-19 procedures are available here. 1. For passengers who like convenience, though, the extra money is worth it. Pros: Tauck boasts exclusive cultural experiences that are truly unique. Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. On Tauck's four Inspiration ships, you'll find 67 cabins, and 49 on its Jewel-class ships. 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. Tauck does have a few high-end extras onboard, including a fitness center, complimentary bikes and a plunge pool on the top deck. Tauck River Cruises: Is Tauck the Best River Cruise Line For You? 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? In French balcony cabins, the beds generally face the window for better views. Compared to other bigger companies, the selection of river cruises is limited. We feature savings up to 50% off retail prices on European River and Mekong Cruises on . On these cruises, too, the restaurants have kid-friendly menus and casual dining options. In addition to food and drink with carefully curated cuisine reflective of the areas being visited many river cruises include land excursions, which is a huge advantage that adds tremendous value. The difference comes with a significant impact on your wallet, particularly in the lower categories. Viking also has six smaller "Baby Longships," which sail theDouro Riverin Portugal and the Elbe River in Germany and the Czech Republic. Viking Longships carry 190 passengers and have 95 cabins. It should re-energize and transform. The Rivers They Cruise. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $2,788. TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES. 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.). Expect to sail with Aussies, Brits and other English-speaking nationalities. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. Besides stringing words together professionally, Sunny once co-founded a luxury subscription box, curated a whimsical pop-up shop in San Francisco called Treasure Hunters Club, and recently inherited a vinyl-only records store in San Francisco. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? They offer a 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, so guests relish in lavish, five-star treatment and the boats have only about 15 to 20 cabins, meaning, no more than 30 to 40 guests per sailing. Scenic: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? Notable excursions included in the price: Typical starting price:$1,999 for 7 nights (per person based on double occupancy $285 per night, all-inclusive), Where they sail:Danube, Rhine, France, Douro (Portugal), Elbe (Germany), Russia, Ukraine, Mekong, Egypt, Mississippi, Specialty cruises: Mississippi holiday season, Christmas along the Elbe, Onboard amenities (varies by ship): Library, walking track, sports deck, Wi-Fi, laundry, flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies, outdoor dining, putting green, Inclusions: All meals, drinks (house wines, beers, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner), one free shore excursion per port, onboard entertainment. Click here . Choose Tauck ifyou like open seating and want the choice of having room service and a true alternative dining venue where you can get casual, hot food. I ask because we want to help you avoid single supplements. Both lines operateChristmas market cruises. 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. Is there a way of getting a discounted price with them? All-Inclusive River Cruises: How Much Do You Save. Drinks are only complimentary during lunch and dinner and gratuities are not included in the price. A View with a Room. There are a limited number of cruise choices and they do not sail in Europe. Viking has a top suite category that is pricier than anything you'd find on Tauck, however. 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). Both Tauck and Scenic are at the high end of river cruises, in terms of price and inclusions. COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all guests and crew. 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. The water, especially on European cruises, is very calm. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known.