Danube River Cruises - Tauck, Avalon, or Viking?

Mumof2 · ‎03-10-2010

Our family of four which includes our 18 year old son and 16 year old daughter are looking to go on a Danube River cruise ( during the summer) and wanted to ask which cruise line they preferred.

Just as an aside we did a Rhine River (Basel to Amsterdam) cruise with Tauck two years ago and loved it but am willing to try a new line too. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!

littlerock · ‎04-12-2010

Last fall my husband and I travelled with two other couples down the Danube. We used AMA cruise line. I realize most people think first of Viking and Tauxk. I frankly didnt know anything about AMA but i have to say we were all very pleased with AMA.

the boat was well kept, the personnel were helpful and polite. The food was fabulous and plentiful and the tours were cery professional and well done.

it was a great experience.

HeatherAG · ‎04-05-2017

I've done two Viking - both on the Rhine - and two Tauck - one on the Nile and one Danube. I prefered Viking for a couple of reasons: 1) Viking is dominant in Europe and has the best docking positions; and 2) more independent, primarily because of the docking positions and how easily accessible the boats are. There were more excursion options with Viking and Tauck had one tour at each location or you were out of luck (this may differ in the summer months with more options).

What are your start/end cities on the cruise? Our itinerary was Vienna to Nuremberg, then we did Budapest and Prague on our own to bookend the cruise. In Budapest, your 18 & 16 Y.O. might enjoy a Ruin Pubs tour.

I'm a very independent traveler, and *love* river cruises. For other lines, I'm looking at AMA for a Douro next fall and really liking their itineraries and the look of the ships.

Hope that you have a ball!!

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@Mumof2I haven't used any of those companies - just Grand Circle and I also haven't done any of the Danube cruises. I'm ciming in just to say I don't remember seeting anyone much under 55 on any of the boats I did travel on. Hope someone will be able to give you better info.

Mumof2 · ‎03-10-2010

@littlerock Thank you for the AMA recommendation. I will check it out. Glad you had a nice trip.

@HeatherAG Thanks for pointing out the docking positions as I did not even consider it. When we did our Rhine cruise we actually saw more Avalon than anything else. I did see Viking but just not as many when we happened to go. We were going to hopefully start of end in Budapest but I've not nailed down the exact cruise yet. Did you notice if your ship when using Viking seemed very full? The reason I asked was you I'm sure are aware but Tauck kept our ship under 115 people intentionally and I enjoyed that aspect of not seeming was too full on a river boat cruise.

Our cruise with Tauck had I believe two excursion options at each port. I know no more than that. I'm glad to hear Viking has more options. Thanks again for your insight.

Jannygaz · ‎12-28-2018

A couple of years ago, I gave my son and his wife a trip to Europe for Christmas. I asked my travel agent about Viking Cruises since I thought they sounded good. He said that at ages 38 and 39, my son and DIL were probably still too young for a Viking Cruise. I also have a friend and her husband who went on one. They are in their 60s and she said they were the youngsters on the cruise. I'm not sure Viking would be a good fit for your teenagers.

Mumof2 · ‎03-10-2010

@millieshops Thanks for adding that about the ages of the cruisers. The Tauck cruise on the Rhine was a "Family" cruise so it had people thankfully of all ages.

Mumof2 · ‎03-10-2010

@Jannygaz Thanks! I'll have to keep that in mind. I don't want to be the youngest one on the cruise either. LOL!

Lavender lady · ‎05-28-2019

I am a three time traveler with Avalon.I just returned from th Danube River Cruise two days ago. Avalon does not disappoint.I love traveling with them.I have also traveled on the Rhine River in 2015 and the Rhône River in France in 2017 with Avalon.They are consistently great !

I have been told by passenger of both that Avalon is comparable with Viking.I know someone that traveled with Tauck and had complaints about their excursions off the boat. The cities along the Danube are wonderful.

Bon Voyage!

HeatherAG · ‎04-05-2017

@Mumof2 wrote:
@HeatherAG Thanks for pointing out the docking positions as I did not even consider it. When we did our Rhine cruise we actually saw more Avalon than anything else. I did see Viking but just not as many when we happened to go. We were going to hopefully start of end in Budapest but I've not nailed down the exact cruise yet. Did you notice if your ship when using Viking seemed very full? The reason I asked was you I'm sure are aware but Tauck kept our ship under 115 people intentionally and I enjoyed that aspect of not seeming was too full on a river boat cruise.

Our cruise with Tauck had I believe two excursion options at each port. I know no more than that. I'm glad to hear Viking has more options. Thanks again for your insight.

I think the Tauck ship was just amazing - I booked a great cabin that was two stories with a small lounge area. It was tempting to just sit in there all of the time and watch the landscape go by.

If Tauck has enough options for excursions, they are a great tour company. Definitely check out AMA's itineraries. You really can't go wrong. It's the same river and same stops for the most part. Tauck always seems to add a bit of local twist with something you might not get elsewhere.

Consider Prague in addition to Budapest. It is a treasure if you and your kids haven't seen it yet. So inexpensive, too. The sites are easily walkable, excepting the castle, which is a quick tram ride, so you can see a lot in a short amount of time. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I believe a 16 Y.O. and an 18 Y.O. might enjoy Prague more than Budapest.