And that is the very essence of our France river cruises. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. The dishes are paired with a selection of wines from the area that is being explored. Whats the Best Choice for a SeineRiver Cruise? Lower deck Standard Suites are 160 square feet, and Balcony Suites are between 205 and 250 square feet. 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. On Tauck, complimentary hot and cold canapes are passed during happy hour. In France, enjoy a private visit to the Muse du Louvre in Paris. COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. Yes. Sign into see which companies give additional savings to Travelstride Members (its free). 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. Travelstride helps you search and compare 50,000+ expert-planned trips from 1,000+ companies. Scenic offers butler service to passengers in every cabin, with set services according to the cabin category. 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). Avalon River Cruises is recognized for their all suite concept. 1. They did not offer bikes which would have been nice, though not on our particular itinerary. It lacks the grandeur of the suites, and is small at about 172 square feet, and has small windows peaking above the waterline. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Families will appreciate adjoining cabins, which are a rarity for a river cruise line. 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. The big differences are between the type of access to the outdoors and butler service. 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. Whats the Best Choice for a River Cruise in Bordeaux? In contrast, Tauck-- an upscale tour line that offers river cruises -- is lesser-known; unless you're already familiar with the company's organized land vacations or seen its ships on Europe's rivers. Tauck also carries bicycles onboard so if you want to spend time exploring paths along the rivers instead of taking a tour, you can. In effect, it feels kind of like a chartered yacht. They are comfortable but not luxurious or particularly interesting. The entry-level cabin is the Avalon Deluxe Stateroom. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Tauck Tours and thus Tauck River Cruises may be the most well respected. While there, the ladies had the opportunity to experience seven ships from the leading River Cruise Companies. Odds are you will not get motion sickness on a river cruise since large waves or currents do not hit the ships. 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. In general, you'll find a less international crowd on Tauck than Viking, simply because the latter is better known. 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. It's open for lunch and dinner, and it's free for everyone. Solo travelers are still welcome but may have to pay asupplement fee for booking as a single-occupancy rather than a double. Some ships on both lines have hot tubs or plunge pools on the top deck. Con: There is a striking difference in style between standard cabins and suites, Knowing these more curated cabins exist might lessen your experience in entry-level rooms. With an innovative product and rapidly-growing fleet of custom-designed ships, the line enjoys a reputation as the leader in river cruising. 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. 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. Choose Viking ifyou don't need a gym or a lot of extras onboard. Both lines offer the type of amenities you'd expect on upscale ships. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Learn to paint like Van Gogh at the Ateliers Art Institute in Amsterdam. . Activities include educational lectures from visiting professors, and well as local entertainment, and even Broadway-level performances. Scenic also has theTailormade App, which works as an audio guide and offers independent city tours, and an offline navigation system. Avalon Waterways: What Are Its Smallest, Largest and Most Common Stateroom Sizes? COVID-19 procedures are availablehere. On Viking, everyone eats at the same time, which can create a "herding" effect that some people dislike. 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. The line's revamped older ships have 49 cabins: eight measuring 150 square feet, four measuring 183 square feet, one measuring 182 square feet, 20 measuring 225 square feet and 14 suites measuring 300 square feet. Spacious ships carry between 84 and 130 guests, and since the single supplement is waived on select cabins, it's a good choice for solo travelers . 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. Dining is Michelin-inspired and farm-to-table fare. Catching up with Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection - What's it Like On Board Evrima? Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. River cruises are available all over the world in Europe, Egypt, Peru, and South East Asia. Most river cruises are all-inclusive with all meals, beverages, and almost all excursions included in the rate. Because the Inspiration ships are the same size as Viking ships with fewer passengers and cabins, the staterooms are larger. The cruise lines are priced to start at $241 per night, depending on the time of year and the cruise line. 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. Tauck carries fewer passengers onboard so its tour groups are, by definition, smaller. Cons: Excursions cost extra, starting at around $79. No other fleet of river cruise ships gives you a view of the world like Avalon. And above all else, it should be beyond the ordinary. The Rhine river, Moselle river , Danube river , Rhone river and the Seine River complete the Europe Map served by Avalon River Cruises. 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. All upgraded suites come with butler service, nightly turndown, and a laundry concierge. (I admit that I travelled solo, so I wasn't sharing with anyone else.). Every cruise line considers dining to be a priority and serves fresh well-balanced meals served alongside regional wines, beers, and beverages. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. River Cruise Advisor's video reviews take two forms: ship and experience reviews, and Riverside Chats, more of a question and answer style video. Avalon Waterways My cabin (#312) aboard Avalon Tapestry II on the Seine River in Normandy. Most cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows to save space in the cabin, and the most affordable is Category 1, which is about 150 square feet and has small windows and a little bathroom with a shower. 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 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. Come face-to-face with the gentle manta rays of Komodo National Park in Indonesia. You'll Adore these Ships. 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. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. 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. You can also buy wine along the trip and have it served with your meal at no additional cost. LauraS Cons: TVs are small and the cabin design is basic. The Panorama Dining Room serves daily four-course la carte dinners along with complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks, or guests can choose the more casual Panorama Bistro or Sky Grill. We operate independently from our advertising team. 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. 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. Choose Tauck ifyou want the feeling of five-star service while still having the freedom to explore. It should re-energize and transform. In river cruising, you often get what you pay for. Scenic and Tauck are both lines that carry lower passenger loads than most of their competitors and have put a significant effort into upgrading vessels. 3 Viking Cruises also fared well this year, with readers .