Choosing a River Cruise Company
Cruising has long been associated with cultural experiences, adventure, and effortless travel. Nerds love cruises because you check into the “hotel” and the “hotel” moves from place to place. And Nerds especially love river cruises because everything is smaller and more intimate. The experience is focused on immersing travelers in the river city’s cultural landmarks.
Whether navigating the scenic rivers of Europe, exploring remote wilderness, or indulging in boutique all-inclusive experiences, selecting the right cruise line is essential for maximizing your journey. In this blog post, we will compare eight top-tier cruise lines—Avalon, Viking, Lindblad, AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Tauck, and Emerald—based on their destinations, customer reviews, and costs to help you choose the best option for your next voyage. And, when you decide, let us know and we’ll take away all of the stress and worry by booking your trip and following through with all of the required details.
Destinations
Each cruise line specializes in different regions, offering a variety of experiences from cultural immersion to off-the-grid exploration.
Avalon Waterways: Avalon focuses primarily on European river cruises along the Danube, Rhine, Seine, and Douro, as well as select cruises in Asia, South America, and Egypt. Their itineraries emphasize cultural experiences in historic cities and charming villages.
Viking River Cruises: Viking dominates the European river cruise market with extensive itineraries on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and Volga. They also offer ocean voyages to destinations in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Asia, and North America.
Lindblad Expeditions: Unlike the other lines, Lindblad specializes in expedition-style cruises, often in partnership with National Geographic. Their itineraries cover Antarctica, the Galápagos, Alaska, the Arctic, and remote Pacific islands.
AmaWaterways: AmaWaterways excels in river cruising, offering trips on the Danube, Rhine, Mekong, and Chobe rivers. Their focus is on immersive cultural experiences, often including active excursions like hiking and biking.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: Uniworld emphasizes ultra-luxurious river cruises in Europe, India, and Egypt. Their small ships provide boutique-style experiences in places like France, Italy, and Portugal.
Scenic Cruises: Scenic offers all-inclusive luxury river cruises in Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as ocean yacht voyages. Their offerings include scenic sailing through the fjords of Norway and the Mekong Delta.
Tauck Cruises: Tauck provides high-end, all-inclusive river cruises in Europe and small-ship voyages in Antarctica, the Galápagos, and Alaska, with a strong focus on cultural immersion and exclusive access to landmarks.
Emerald Cruises: Emerald focuses on modern, affordable luxury in Europe, the Mekong, and Egypt. They also offer yacht cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
Reputation and reviews can be telling when assessing cruise lines. Here’s how these eight compare based on customer feedback:
Avalon Waterways: Avalon is well-regarded for its innovative "Suite Ships," featuring open-air balconies. Travelers praise the spacious cabins and well-designed itineraries but note that entertainment options can be limited compared to competitors like Viking.
Viking River Cruises: Viking consistently receives high marks for its immersive shore excursions and well-appointed ships. However, some travelers note that Viking’s river ships are not as luxurious as those from Uniworld or Scenic.
Lindblad Expeditions: Lindblad excels in expedition travel, with passengers raving about the knowledgeable guides and unique itineraries. The downside? Prices are high, and accommodations can feel more functional than luxurious.
AmaWaterways: AmaWaterways is praised for excellent service, gourmet dining, and active excursions. Many guests highlight the friendly staff and intimate onboard atmosphere. However, some find pricing to be on the higher side for what’s included.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: Uniworld is known for its over-the-top elegance and luxury, with guests raving about its decor, service, and dining. However, these cruises tend to attract an older demographic, and some younger travelers feel the entertainment is lacking.
Scenic Cruises: Scenic stands out for its fully all-inclusive service, which covers excursions, gratuities, and premium drinks. Guests love the personalized service and high-end accommodations, though some itineraries are priced significantly higher than competitors.
Tauck Cruises: Tauck consistently earns five-star reviews for its upscale, all-inclusive experiences with exclusive excursions. However, its premium pricing puts it out of reach for budget-conscious travelers.
Emerald Cruises: Emerald is viewed as a great value choice, offering sleek, modern ships at competitive prices. While guests enjoy the affordability and stylish accommodations, some feel that service and food quality don’t quite match premium lines like Uniworld or Scenic.
Cost Comparison
Pricing varies significantly between these cruise lines, depending on destination, season, and inclusions.
Avalon Waterways: Moderate to high-end pricing. Cruises typically start around $3,000 per person for a week-long European river cruise, with some itineraries including excursions and drinks.
Viking River Cruises: Mid-range pricing, starting at approximately $2,500 per person for an eight-day European river cruise. Viking offers a strong value proposition with shore excursions included but charges extra for drinks and gratuities.
Lindblad Expeditions: Among the most expensive options, Lindblad’s adventure cruises start around $7,000 per person, with Antarctic and Galápagos trips costing upwards of $15,000 per person.
AmaWaterways: Mid-to-upper-tier pricing, with European river cruises starting at about $3,500 per person. Their Mekong cruises tend to be pricier due to the exotic destinations.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: One of the most expensive river cruise options, with week-long European itineraries starting at around $4,500 per person. However, this includes top-tier dining, unlimited premium drinks, and exclusive excursions.
Scenic Cruises: A high-end option, with cruises starting at about $5,000 per person for European river itineraries. However, Scenic’s all-inclusive nature justifies the higher price.
Tauck Cruises: Premium pricing, typically starting at $6,000 per person for European river cruises. Small-ship ocean cruises are even pricier, often exceeding $10,000 per person.
Emerald Cruises: More affordable than most competitors, with European river cruises starting at around $2,000 per person. Despite the lower price, amenities remain high quality, making it a great entry-level luxury option.
Conclusion: Which Cruise Line is Right for You?
If you want luxury and elegance: Uniworld and Scenic offer top-tier service and fully all-inclusive experiences.
If you prioritize affordability: Emerald and Viking provide high-quality experiences at a lower cost.
If you love adventure and expedition travel: Lindblad is unparalleled for exploration in remote regions.
If you want active and cultural immersion: AmaWaterways and Avalon offer great excursion options like biking, hiking, and wine tastings.
If you desire exclusive access and premium service: Tauck offers world-class itineraries with VIP experiences.
Ultimately, choosing the right cruise line depends on your travel style, budget, and preferred destinations. Whether you crave the cultural charm of Europe’s rivers, the raw beauty of Antarctica, or the relaxation of an all-inclusive luxury cruise, there’s an option tailored just for you. Sign up for an appointment with us to make your cruise dream come true! Bon voyage!
