RIVER CRUISE COMPARISON
UNIWORLD
Inclusions:
VIKING
Inclusions:
The European fleet, now numbering 14 and built or rebuilt in the past few years, all have cabins, lounges and restaurants with picture windows. Cabins not on the lowest deck have large windows that slide open. A top deck, covered and uncovered, is for viewing the passing scene. The European rivers' fleet takes between 124 and 198 passengers. The food is typical European cuisine that caters to American tastes, which means it is minus a lot of sauces. The boats are simply and attractively decorated in a modern Scandinavian style with plenty of natural light coming into the public rooms and cabins. The quality of the enrichment program, hosted by the program director in Europe, varies from ship to ship. The included shore excursions add the cultural enrichment. Some cruises feature more daytime cruising than others, and because of the intimate surroundings, the English language and open seating, a river cruise can be quite social among the North Americans, British and Australians aboard. When the weather warrants, sitting on the top deck watching the passing scene is a delight.
AMAWATERWAYS
Inclusions:
AMA Waterways, a California-based European riverboat operator, has won awards for river cruise innovation. The line's luxury vessels offer between 60 and 106 cabins. Each vessel offers complimentary wine with dinner and lunch, specialty coffees available at any time, and complimentary Internet access. Meals are served at one open sitting, and passengers may dine with whomever they like. The fleet has rich European-style interiors with lots of polished woods. Local guides give complimentary city tours at each destination on the itinerary. The tours may include town walks, visits to markets, castles, churches, museums and folkloric events. Enrichment onboard precedes the tours with topics such as art, architecture, history and politics. Onboard features generally include spacious cabins, French balconies, plush bedding with down duvets, flat-screen TVs, robes and slippers, and branded bath amenities. They also offer a fitness center, salon, whirlpool, walking track on the sundeck, and bicycles for passenger use. Most passengers are American, Canadian and Australian.
EMERALD WATERWAYS
Inclusions:
Emerald Waterways -- a division of luxury line Scenic -- launched in 2014 with twin vessels: the 182-passenger Emerald Sky and Emerald Star. With bold and modern designs, Emerald appeals to young cruisers and travelers looking for moderately priced, all-inclusive journeys. Impeccably maintained, Emerald's airy decor glitters with glass, mirrors and mid-century, modernist chic. Fares covers all excursions, gratuities and drinks — including beer, wine and soft drinks — at lunch and dinner. Daily shore excursions spotlight history and culture, including flashes of local color. Curious about the world-famous Red Light District in Amsterdam? The cruise line offers nighttime walking tours there. Not only do the ships have movie theaters (and complimentary popcorn), but their in-room, flat-screen TVs show another 50 titles. Passengers tend to be a quarter Brits, one-third Kiwis and Aussies, and only 45 percent North Americans. Most rooms have virtual verandahs; with the touch of a button, the floor-to-ceiling windows slide halfway down. An inner screen helps prevent insect invasions.
Inclusions:
- Excursions
- 24/7 alcoholic beverages (wine, beer & spirits)
- onboard bicycles
- room service
- in room minibar
- personal butler
- airport transfers
- prepaid gratuities
- 1 dining venue on most ships
VIKING
Inclusions:
- Excursions
- beer & wine at lunch and dinner only
- airport transfers (if booking air with cruise line)
- 2 dining venues on most ships
The European fleet, now numbering 14 and built or rebuilt in the past few years, all have cabins, lounges and restaurants with picture windows. Cabins not on the lowest deck have large windows that slide open. A top deck, covered and uncovered, is for viewing the passing scene. The European rivers' fleet takes between 124 and 198 passengers. The food is typical European cuisine that caters to American tastes, which means it is minus a lot of sauces. The boats are simply and attractively decorated in a modern Scandinavian style with plenty of natural light coming into the public rooms and cabins. The quality of the enrichment program, hosted by the program director in Europe, varies from ship to ship. The included shore excursions add the cultural enrichment. Some cruises feature more daytime cruising than others, and because of the intimate surroundings, the English language and open seating, a river cruise can be quite social among the North Americans, British and Australians aboard. When the weather warrants, sitting on the top deck watching the passing scene is a delight.
AMAWATERWAYS
Inclusions:
- Excursions
- beer & wine at lunch and dinner only
- onboard bicycles
- prepaid gratuities on some voyages
- personal butler
- airport transfers (if booking air with cruise line)
- up to 3 dining venues on most ships
- complimentary wifi
AMA Waterways, a California-based European riverboat operator, has won awards for river cruise innovation. The line's luxury vessels offer between 60 and 106 cabins. Each vessel offers complimentary wine with dinner and lunch, specialty coffees available at any time, and complimentary Internet access. Meals are served at one open sitting, and passengers may dine with whomever they like. The fleet has rich European-style interiors with lots of polished woods. Local guides give complimentary city tours at each destination on the itinerary. The tours may include town walks, visits to markets, castles, churches, museums and folkloric events. Enrichment onboard precedes the tours with topics such as art, architecture, history and politics. Onboard features generally include spacious cabins, French balconies, plush bedding with down duvets, flat-screen TVs, robes and slippers, and branded bath amenities. They also offer a fitness center, salon, whirlpool, walking track on the sundeck, and bicycles for passenger use. Most passengers are American, Canadian and Australian.
EMERALD WATERWAYS
Inclusions:
- Excursions
- beer & wine at lunch and dinner only
- onboard bicycles
- prepaid gratuities
- airport transfers (if booking air with cruise line)
- 3 dining venues on most ships
Emerald Waterways -- a division of luxury line Scenic -- launched in 2014 with twin vessels: the 182-passenger Emerald Sky and Emerald Star. With bold and modern designs, Emerald appeals to young cruisers and travelers looking for moderately priced, all-inclusive journeys. Impeccably maintained, Emerald's airy decor glitters with glass, mirrors and mid-century, modernist chic. Fares covers all excursions, gratuities and drinks — including beer, wine and soft drinks — at lunch and dinner. Daily shore excursions spotlight history and culture, including flashes of local color. Curious about the world-famous Red Light District in Amsterdam? The cruise line offers nighttime walking tours there. Not only do the ships have movie theaters (and complimentary popcorn), but their in-room, flat-screen TVs show another 50 titles. Passengers tend to be a quarter Brits, one-third Kiwis and Aussies, and only 45 percent North Americans. Most rooms have virtual verandahs; with the touch of a button, the floor-to-ceiling windows slide halfway down. An inner screen helps prevent insect invasions.
