Without a doubt, the most asked question I get is “which company should I book my river cruise with ?”
So I thought I would pick out three companies and do a comparison (there are many river cruise lines out there but to keep this article from going overboard in length, keeping it at three)
They are Viking River Cruises, Ama Waterways and Tauck River Cruises.
I am going to use the analogy of an airplane going overseas that has three classes of service – economy, premium economy and business class. All three sections are going to the same destination but as you move up, you’ll get a bigger seat, better amenities and more inclusions (and a higher price of course)
I will be comparing a similar seven night Danube River itinerary in Europe for July 2016 departing from Budapest in a French Balcony category cabin (they all offer lower window categories and higher suite categories but will just be comparing the French Balcony)
On an airplane, economy class has the most seats for passengers then fewer in premium and even less in business.
For the river cruise ships, have listed the number of ships each company operates in Europe, the number of guests each ship carries and lastly, the square footage of their French balcony cabin category.
Viking has 58 ships
Ama has 16 ships
Tauck has 9 ships
Viking carries 190 guests*
Ama carries 164 guests**
Tauck carries 130 guests***
Viking cabin is 135 sq feet
Ama cabin is 170 sq feet
Tauck cabin is 225 sq feet
Just like what is included in each section of the airplane, each of the cruise companies offer more inclusions as the price increases.
Viking provides wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner, using the same wine throughout the cruise. They include most excursions with four optional tours (excursion group size is up to 20 guests) Gratuities and transfers are extra.
Viking Atla
Ama Waterways also provides wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner but they use different wines from each of the regions they are travelling through. They include almost all excursions with two optional tours. (excursion group size is up to 12 guests) Some of their excursions are divided into Gentle Walkers, Active Walkers and even a Late Starter group for those who prefer to sleep in. They also offer bicycles onboard that you can do a tour with or sign out on your own. Gratuities and transfers are extra.
Ama Serena
Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. They include all excursions, all gratuities to staff, cruise/tour directors (noting that most companies have one onboard but they have three) and even local guides. They often have private exclusive shore excursions such as an evening in Vienna inclusive of dinner and a private performance in a palace. They also have bicycles onboard and include airport transfers to and from the ship (even when you don’t book your flight with them)
Tauck Savor
For the compared itinerary, here is the per person price (based on two sharing) that each company has:
Viking River $3655usd
Ama Waterways $4198usd
Tauck River $5440usd
Just like many travelers who are unable to splurge on the luxury of business class, the higher price of the Tauck River cruise puts it out of reach for many but once you factor in their larger size cabins, fewer people onboard and everything that is included, you can understand why they are at the top of the market.
Although Viking has the lowest price, you will still have a enjoyable experience with them. Their new Longships feature a very contemporary Scandinavian design with several dining venues including the Aquavit Terrace which functions as an indoor/outdoor restaurant for Alfresco dining. They also purchased quite a few of their own docks in Europe so receive priority docking in some places.
Instead of building just one new ship a year like most companies, they went on a building frenzy recently which provided them with a lot of buying power plus they can keep costs lower since they have more people on each ship. They are the largest and most well-known because of their huge advertising budget with ads on shows like Downton Abbey, plus have a very aggressive print campaign (if you ever get on their mailing list, I swear you receive a brochure a week!)
Due to their middle of the market price range, Ama Waterways has been gaining popularity and fast becoming a guest favorite. Since they are family owned, it creates a very friendly atmosphere that resonates throughout the ship when you’re onboard. They have also introduced a new dining concept onboard with an intimate chef’s table restaurant that features a tasting menu.
So back to the question of “which company should I book my river cruise with?” As you see, just like when you are offered choices of where to sit on an airplane, there are many choices for river cruising too. All you have to decide is how much you want to have included within your budget, pick the best one for you and then relax with the comfort of realizing that all of the choices will have you floating past spectacular the scenery!
*Viking Atla July 10th sailing/ **AmaSerena July 10th sailing/ ***Tauck Savor July 9th (all three ships compared are 445 feet long and 38 feet wide)
Thank you for the very informative comparison. We have done a lot of ocean cruising, and kind of spoiled by the evening entermainment activities. Now we are looking into European river cruises to see sights not seen by ocean cruisers. We were curious about what we do in the evening with river cruises. Tauck or AMAwaterway would be our choises. Any information on this would be appreciated.
Hi Shu and thank you for your question. There are some nights that have entertainment onboard which is usually local artists from the city/town where the ship is docked. They will come onboard and perform for the evening and then disembark the ship again. It is very low key compared to the big productions found on the ocean cruises but always a nice finish to a great day spent touring the area. Also depending on the time of year you go, the ship may be docked in town until late which gives you an opportunity to go out after dinner to walk around.
I have been doing a lot of research on various river cruise lines but I have a question concerning whether to deal with the lines directly or go through an agent with a private tour company. Would it be wrong to assume that the cruise line would offer a better deal directly
Hi Nancy, thank you for your question because its a good one! First up, great to hear that you’ve been doing some research as you now realize all the choices out there. If you go to the cruise line directly, each one will tell you that they are the best of course but they might not actually be the best for you. Since I have sailed on almost all of the lines, I can tell you what the differences are between each one to determine what would be the perfect fit for you. Many of the cruise line reservation agents have never even sailed on the river so difficult for them to answer specific questions about the trip. I can also assist with pre and post cruise hotel options (the cruise lines will only offer their choice) plus airfares too. Since the cruise lines compensate us for representing them, you can’t really lose plus all payments made are charged by the cruise line so your money is protected. Then if I still haven’t convinced any potential clients that I can get them the best price, I advise them to negotiate with the cruise line directly and then I take over the booking to assist with everything else! I would be honored to help with you with your trip but either way, you will have a wonderful experience river cruising.
I found your comparisons extremely helpful. We are contemplating our first river cruise and Tauck is the prefrence but I was a bit put off by cost. Now I understand the difference. We are looking at Paris to Normandy with the possiblity of adding London at the end. But regarding the cruise, I have heard horro stories of water too high or too low and double or triple ships at one dock. Should these be concerns for a late summer trip?
Hi Mike, thank you for your comment and I’m sorry for the delay in responding but didn’t see the notification earlier. Low and high water are some of the troubles that river cruising has been experiencing in the last few years but so many of the sailings go off without a hitch however it is a chance you take when booking as we can’t seem to depend on the weather at all anymore! As a rule on the Seine, late summer trips are usually pretty good but again, no guarantees. How each company deals with last minute changes can make the difference and Tauck does a terrific job of making a difficult situation somehow okay. I’ve done the Paris to Normandy cruise and it was amazing so if I can assist you with your booking, just drop me a line otherwise have a wonderful time!
This was very helpful
I have taken both Tauck and
Viking
I absolutely loved Tauck. Definitely,
More personal attention and food amazing
However, a bit steep for my pocketbook
Find Viking most satisfactory. My only wish (and because I am a Foodie) is food is only satisfactory
I know many people find it
Wonderful. Just a personal opinion
I am taking my 6th trip with Viking
This Spring
Thank you for your comment Julie and yes the food on Tauck is amazing. So glad to hear you’ve had a great time with Viking too and have a wonderful trip this spring ! Are you doing another river with them or ocean cruise this time ?
I’m not sure this is a fair comparison. Sure, you are comparing French Balcony costs on each line, but not taking into account that for the same price that you quote for AMA, for example, you can get the same size stateroom that actually has a veranda.
Thank you for your comment and I tried to be as fair as I could when I wrote this and rather than going through each category, just did the French Balcony one.
Your review provided great info on Ama and Viking but seemed off limited info on Tauck. The price is higher, rooms larger and fewer passengers. However, what is dining like, tours and guides by comparison.
We were scheduled on Tauck in the Med but Turky,etc.were not inviting at the time and tour group was cancelled.
Thanks for providing additional info on Tauck.
Thank you for your comments and regarding your questions about Tauck, their dining choices for meals are excellent. Their tours are known for the special touches they do and they use local guides so of course, try to get the best ones (but many of the companies use the same guides) Sorry to hear about your Turkey trip getting cancelled, hopefully you can join them on a river cruise one day as you won’t be disappointed!
This is very useful. Thank you. How would you fit Uniworld into this comparison? In addition, I’m inquiring about the most luxurious river cruise on Mekong?
Hi Cheryl, Uniworld is also an excellent river cruise company. The programs in Vietnam on the Mekong are quite different from Europe though so the comparisons would be quite varied. Drop me an email if you’re ever interested in more information on a river cruise there as I’ve been on the Mekong.
Very helpful review. Now we just have to decide which to pick. This will be our first cruise, and we want to make it wonderful so that we continue to cruise.
Thank you for your kind comments Donna and don’t worry, no matter which one you choose, you’re going to have a wonderful cruise! Drop me a line if you need any assistance at all. Kind regards, Linda
I would to receive info on the solo traveler promotions for Danube cruises in May, 2019
This is very helpful. I work in the industry and still learned a lot! Thanks for keeping it so simple. Much appreciated!
What cruise lines, small ship and river, offer the best deals for solo travel?
Hi Darlene, many of the river cruise lines are offering solo travel promotions right now so if you’re a bit flexible on the time of year, the river and length of cruise – we should be able to find you one that doesn’t have an extra supplement. Thanks, Linda
Thank you. Good information. How does the dining/food compare on each?
Hi Athena, I think you’ll find the food a little bit better as the price goes up but they all offer great selections. Most ships have onboard bakery chefs too so every morning you wake up to fresh baked goods – so delicious!. Thanks, Linda
Terrific analysis -thanks!
You’re welcome and appreciate your thanks !
What is the difference in the age median of guests? Also, we went in a Viking Cruise and the wine was different every night, depending on the region.
Hi Melissa, it seems like the river cruises are now starting to attract younger guests as I’ve had at least one Honeymoon couple in their thirties onboard the last few cruises I’ve been on but the median age is probably still around 45 to 75. I find that even if older though, tend to be on the active side for instance when I had a couple of 70 year olds do circles around me when we were on a bike excursion 🙂 Thank you for letting me know about your experience with the wines on Viking, I will update my post! Linda
Thanks for the comparison, I have been on AMA and we had French Balcony rooms and were happy. I am considering a Viking cruise (Berlin to Budapest) because the destination is not offered with AMA, but was concerned with a 135 sq ft room to get a French Balcony, in comparison to 170 sq ft with AMA. So I guess I either upgrade with Viking to 200 sq ft B level or be squished with two of us that are not a couple in a 135 sq ft room, anyway thanks for the information.
Yes Sue, I think you will be much happier with the 200sq ft B level cabin with Viking as much roomier. Thanks, Linda
Very much appreciate your learned and valuable experience. Helped exponentially! Thank you!!
Your welcome Christy !
Very much looking forward to my December Christmas market cruise with my daughter, with AMA, leaving from Budapest December 19th.
Hope you had a wonderful cruise with your daughter Marilyn !
Good morning
I saw your review and comments on the tauck river cruise. I have been doing my due diligence for weeks now trying to decide which first tauck tour to take. So little information on the web from forums and I have spoken with tauck, but hard to determine if their direction is genuine.
I wondered if you had any suggestions.
This review is from 2015, I would think a lot has changed since then….we have been on several Tauck land tours, which are top notch….. never cruised Tauck. We have been on Viking 1 River and 3 ocean about to go on #4 in February…. always pleased with Viking… thanks for the comparisons very informative….
You are correct Barbara in that so much has changed since I wrote this, Crystal River had not even launched their ships yet! All companies provide a great experience and can’t go wrong with any of them but since my clients are always asking what the differences are, just tried to do a bit of a comparison. Thank you for your comments and have a wonderful trip on your upcoming Viking Ocean cruise. I did a Viking Ocean last February and really enjoyed it-loved the afternoon tea 🙂
Very useful opinion.