Vote: Which is your favorite river cruise line?

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

VANTAGE is # 1

[L&Cruzers]

Hi. Tell us, in our poll, which is your favorite river cruise line (you can vote for more than one). Feel like telling us why? Please share below. Thanks.

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

 

The last week of April we choose Avalon Waterways Tulip Time & Belgium for our first river cruise and they exceeded all of our very high expectations. Fine dining for dinner and lunch and sparkling wine at breakfast sealed it for us.

[Travelinjan]

We have been on 3 river cruises. The first two were with Viking. For the most part, Viking did a great job. However, when the ship ran aground at 4:30 am and put a hole in the hull, we were not allowed to continue on. We were bused to a hotel where we spent the last 3 days of the trip. They did what they could, but only wanted to reimburse us very little for the inconvenience. It was only because our travel agent stepped in that we received adequate compensation, which I must say, was very good. Our last trip (and our next one) was with AMA. We also experienced a problem but every effort was made to satisfy everyone's needs. A bomb was found beneath one of the bridges in Budapest which delayed our departure for a day. Our stop in Bratislava was eliminated, but the ship's staff arranged for an afternoon bus trip there after our morning excursion to Vienna. The staff on this ship was amazing.

[RichardandMark]

...it appears that the reasons for favorites is as many as for Ocean liners... fun to read tho

[Redtravel]

I took an AMA cruise on the Amacello a few years ago. I picked it because it because it was highly recommended by a friend who is very critical. She had a good time. I unfortunately did not have a great time. The ship was beautiful. Our cabin was very nice. Our cabin steward was excellent. The cruise director was awful. She was a drill Sargent who ordered people around, was not organized, and did not know much about the ports. Often she was not available. She gave us misinformation. We had several problems on the cruise. Cruise director was not helpful. In Koblenz, we were supposed to be picked up at 5pm. We waited at the appointed place with the local guides until after 9 pm. The guides kept trying to call the cruise director. She was i reachable...or so she said. When we were finally picked up, there was no explanation. As a token we got a cup of punch. That was the tone of the cruise. While sailing we met several couples who had been on the previous cruise. They had a completely different staff including cruise director, ship captain, etc. It seems that Ama cruises can vary depending on the cruise director. Each cruise is a different experience. If you are unlucky as was I, then you will never sail with AMA again. I read this forum because I am thinking about booking another river cruise. After much research, it seems that Uniworld or Viking is more my style. I also know folks who have sailed on Vantage and liked it. I have some friends who also enjoyed Grand Circle. I did enjoy the easy pace of sailing on the river......I am looking for a cruise that truly is well organized with a slow walking option. AMA is certainly not on my list. I will keep reading reviews and forums for suggestions.

[edeco]

I had an unfortunate experience with Grand Circle about 7 years ago. That is why I am not sailing with them this year. We had a 3 day Paris pre-cruise then a rhone cruise. It was the pre-cruise that caused the problems. We arranged our own air, and arrived from the airport at the hotel selected by GC. We were told by the hotel, that there was a change in plans and they would arrange a taxi to take us to another hotel. When asked what hotel, suddenly no one spoke english. They put us in the cab and the driver took off. After a little while we were on a highway leaving the city?? It asked the driver who really did not speak much english where we were going. He turned and said, "bye-bye" Paris. I broke out in tears from the long flight and lack of sleep, etc.

 

After a while we arrived at the new hotel, Euro Disney. What, I just flew all night to spend my days in Paris in a fake New England Sea Side cottage? Not how I dreamed of my time in Paris.

 

GC arranged bus transfers into the City each day, but it really cut down on the amount of things we could see and do. Comped us a few meals.

 

I have to say the cruise portion was great. But this experience was not one I wish to repeat.

[jbtimetotravel]

I have just returned from two river cruises.

One with Tauck and then another with Uniworld.

Both lines did well with land excursions.

 

There was an illness going around on the Tauck ship and I don't

feel (as did many other passengers) that they treated the situation

seriously enough. My husband was sick on board--three days before

cruise was over. I got sick the day after we left the ship.

We met a friend from the ship in Amsterdam whose husband

was back at their hotel recovering from same illness.

He got sick the day after leaving ship.

 

I understand these things sometimes happen on ships.

but some preventative measures should have been taken. For example--

People should not have been handling serving utensils in the dinning rom.

That should have been done by gloved dinning room staff.

[Cruzin Terri]

I have just returned from two river cruises.

One with Tauck and then another with Uniworld.

Both lines did well with land excursions.

 

There was an illness going around on the Tauck ship and I don't

feel (as did many other passengers) that they treated the situation

seriously enough. My husband was sick on board--three days before

cruise was over. I got sick the day after we left the ship.

We met a friend from the ship in Amsterdam whose husband

was back at their hotel recovering from same illness.

He got sick the day after leaving ship.

 

I understand these things sometimes happen on ships.

but some preventative measures should have been taken. For example--

People should not have been handling serving utensils in the dinning rom.

That should have been done by gloved dinning room staff.

Are you saying that there was a Norovirus outbreak on the ship? What should Tauck have done differently besides dining room vigilance?

Terri

[grand isle joe]

I have just returned from two river cruises.

One with Tauck and then another with Uniworld.

Both lines did well with land excursions.

 

There was an illness going around on the Tauck ship and I don't

feel (as did many other passengers) that they treated the situation

seriously enough. My husband was sick on board--three days before

cruise was over. I got sick the day after we left the ship.

We met a friend from the ship in Amsterdam whose husband

was back at their hotel recovering from same illness.

He got sick the day after leaving ship.

 

I understand these things sometimes happen on ships.

but some preventative measures should have been taken. For example--

People should not have been handling serving utensils in the dinning rom.

That should have been done by gloved dinning room staff.

 

 

Sorry to read about your illness. I agree with you that some hightened vigilance should be employed once an outbreak occurs but 9 out of 10 times this illness follows someone, usually a passenger, onto the ship. Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands is the mantra always when we travel, sickness outbreak or not.:)

[jbtimetotravel]

We were told it was not Norovirus.

As to what other measures they could have employed to try to quell the outbreak, That is not my field. I am sure most companies must have policies in place. I think there could have been more diligence in disinfecting railings, doorknobs and other public areas. They did close the public restrooms after a day or so. I also think passengers who were recovering from the illness should have been asked to take their meals in their cabin and avoid the dinning room for a few days

[Cruzin Terri]

We were told it was not Norovirus.

As to what other measures they could have employed to try to quell the outbreak, That is not my field. I am sure most companies must have policies in place. I think there could have been more diligence in disinfecting railings, doorknobs and other public areas. They did close the public restrooms after a day or so. I also think passengers who were recovering from the illness should have been asked to take their meals in their cabin and avoid the dinning room for a few days

Usually quarantine is for Norovirus--at least on the ocean liners. If that was not the case, then they probably did not see the need for it.

Terri

[jibeho52]

I don't know about Tauck ships but Uniworld has hand sanitizing stations for when people re-board the ship, there are also stations when u enter the dining room. They encourage the use of these santizing stations while onboard and even encourage it in there cruise documents. During my last cruise with them I did not notice anyone not using these stations.

[grand isle joe]

I don't know about Tauck ships but Uniworld has hand sanitizing stations for when people re-board the ship, there are also stations when u enter the dining room. They encourage the use of these santizing stations while onboard and even encourage it in there cruise documents. During my last cruise with them I did not notice anyone not using these stations.

 

Tauck also.....but the passengers have to take some resposibility to keep a clean ship by adhering to a vigorous sanitary rutine. But like alot in our world it's all about "me,me.me" all the time.;)

[CPT Trips]

It was interesting to see that most of the respondents mentioned having only used one line for their cruises. It was even more interesting that almost all of those who used more than one cruise line did not have a favorite.

 

BTW . . . I voted for GCT.

[Nippy Sweetie]

Tauck also.....but the passengers have to take some resposibility to keep a clean ship by adhering to a vigorous sanitary rutine. But like alot in our world it's all about "me,me.me" all the time.;)

I quite agree with this. On all of our river cruises we have caught miserable colds. This is despite our clear aim to avoid this after the first time. We wash our hands ++ and always use sanitisers but others dont and the crew dont enforce it. I remember on our first ocean cruise (QE2-sigh- those were the days!) that the maitre d waited at the entrance to the dining rooms and greeted everyone on arrival very pleasantly offering a hand sanitiser wrapped in an immaculate napkin of course! On arrival back on board from a shore excursion the hand sanitisers were set up and crew made it clear very pleasantly that there was an expectation that it would be used. There was no evidence of this whatsoever on river cruise ships.

Fingers crossed for our next trip. We cant do a countdown clock as Viking Douro isnt mentioned on the CC possibilities btw

[hiicap]

We have been on most company's ships (boats). We always choose a cruise for destination as we are relatively easy to please. All have been more than satisfactory in food and amenities. I can't tell the difference between 3 and 4-star food. The only companies that we haven't traveled with are the two 'best', Tauck and Vantage. It all comes down to what you want and are willing to pay for your trip.

Pick out where you want to go and choose that trip based on what you can afford. The same advice applies to anyone who can afford anything they want to afford.

After reading some of the posts on dress in the dress requirement board, I probably would not go on that line. The passengers would also not want someone of my ilk on the same boat as they area...an even swap.

Enjoy whatever you do, it's the best.

[cbb]

We have sailed only with Avalon, so obviously we like them! However, AMA has a "tulip" itinerary that we are interested in because one of the ports is Arnhem and we are into WWII history.

 

We'd have to take a b2b with Avalon to achieve the same itinerary and right now we can't be gone that long. Put us in the Avalon category (we sail only Oceania) but are willing to be unfaithful if it is a great itinerary!

[RichardandMark]

We have been on most company's ships (boats). We always choose a cruise for destination as we are relatively easy to please. All have been more than satisfactory in food and amenities. I can't tell the difference between 3 and 4-star food. The only companies that we haven't traveled with are the two 'best', Tauck and Vantage. It all comes down to what you want and are willing to pay for your trip.

Pick out where you want to go and choose that trip based on what you can afford. The same advice applies to anyone who can afford anything they want to afford.

After reading some of the posts on dress in the dress requirement board, I probably would not go on that line. The passengers would also not want someone of my ilk on the same boat as they area...an even swap.

Enjoy whatever you do, it's the best.

 

...we agree... Itinerary is the most important to us... I mean, isnt that why you go? to go somewhere special you want to see? after the Itinerary choice , we then look at who goes there and who we can afford.

[abredt]

Uniworld did such a great job with my many food allergies that I hesitate to try another line.

cb

[ctteach5]

:confused:

We will do our first river cruise with AMA on the Danube for the Christmas Markets Cruise. We are hoping to go to China next...Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Yangtze River, and more with and extension to Hong Kong. We're thinking about 18 days..give or take. We are looking at Avalon, Wendy Wu, and comparing to Viking. Any comments or thoughts?:eek:

[rjscott]

Agree with ' travelfirst'. Our first river cruise was with Viking on the Idun, one of the first longships. From our greeting at the airport by the Viking rep, we felt that we were going to have a wonderful experience, and it surpassed our expectations. We've booked another longship for 2014.

[morganred]

Ama

[boomerone]

Hi. Tell us, in our poll, which is your favorite river cruise line (you can vote for more than one). Feel like telling us why? Please share below. Thanks.

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

Veteran of 6 Viking River Cruise experiences (China, Tulips and Windmills, Elegant Elbe where we were stuck high and dry on the rocks in Dresden but VRC did the best they could and issued us credit toward a future cruise, Paris-Normandy-Paris, Chalon-Avignon, and Amsterdam to Budapest on our first longship sailing) and we have enjoyed them all so we find no reason to change. Itineraries, food, service, onboard activities, inport guides, audiovox system, and cabin quality/amenities consistantly very much to our liking. We intend to book a sailing in Russia in the near future. We attended the Viking Ocean Cruises unveiling and were quite impressed with the presentation, the images of "Viking Star" and the inclusion of some things we find lacking on the "big ship" sailings. Appreciate the CEO's decision to not nickel/dime, eliminate super formal evenings, and spend more hours and overnights in port. Also, kudos for eliminating the casino and opening up the MDR with large windows. We trust Viking Cruises will put out a superior ocean product and we have booked their first Baltic sailing in 2015. Quite frankly, this poll is flawed as I believe most folks do not sail on multiple lines and are in no position to compare river cruise companies. If you've only sailed with one provider it must be your favorite!

Edited May 20, 2013 by boomerone
sp

[scarlettoftara]

We love Viking River Cruise line. The staff are so friendly and more than helpful with whatever your needs may be. The shore excursions are super well-planned, informative, educational - just great. Viking will make all the flight reservations, pick you up at the airport and take you to the airport after the cruise - all you have to worry about is what to pack and getting to and from the airport in the U.S. We are doing another Viking cruise in August and are looking forward to another great time. This will be our third cruise with Viking, and we have never been disappointed. We hope to have the health and means to do more river cruising with Viking as there are so many more places we would love to see in Europe and doing it with Viking is our preferred mode of transportation. A great value for the money.:)

[badgerinSC]

We are doing our fifth cruise with them this fall. Have never been disappointed!!