By John Bell
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Viking is one of the best-known river cruise brands, but it isn't the only premium option. AmaWaterways, Uniworld, Avalon Waterways and Tauck offer different inclusions and a different feel onboard. The best choice depends on what you value most.
How Does Viking Compare With Other Premium River Cruises?
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What Does Viking Include in the Fare?
Viking's fare covers one guided excursion in every port, Wi-Fi and beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. The Aquavit Terrace on its Longships serves casual meals outdoors. Lectures and local performances fill the evenings.
Airport transfers usually come with Viking's air package but can cost extra on certain trips. Gratuities can also cost extra, as can spirits and premium excursions. Viking is worth it if you'll use its included tours and want few surprises, less so if you want custom options or spirits covered.
Which River Cruise Line Offers the Best Value?
The lowest fare rarely shows the real cost.
Viking, AmaWaterways and Avalon typically leave gratuities out, while Tauck and Uniworld include them, plus excursions and transfers. A cheaper fare can end up costing more once you add tips, cocktails and optional tours. The lines that bundle the most, such as Tauck and Uniworld, also sit at the top of the price range.
Ralph Grizzle, founder of RiverCruiseAdvisor.com, told Newsweek that his site groups Tauck, Riverside, Uniworld and Scenic "in the top tier, which is also the priciest."
Is Viking Better than AmaWaterways, Uniworld or Avalon?
No line wins across the board, but each have their benefits.
- Viking is adults only and targets travelers 55 and older, with near-identical ships and an orderly pace. Grizzle recalls Viking founder Torstein Hagen telling him, "We're the thinking man's cruise, not the drinking man's cruise."
- AmaWaterways welcomes families and skews younger and more active, with bikes and wellness hosts. Grizzle calls the line active and intimate, with upscale specialty dining at no extra charge.
- Uniworld trades Viking's restraint for ornate decor and nearly everything bundled into one fare. On its ships, Grizzle said, "you may feel as if you have arrived in Vienna before you actually get there."
- Avalon feels quieter and less programmed, with a stronger pull toward Active & Discovery sailings. Grizzle sees Avalon as competing mainly with AmaWaterways.
- Tauck is the outlier: it "feels like a guided tour on a ship," he said, "with a tour director, small groups and a very hands-off experience."
Which River Cruise Line Is Best for First-Time Travelers?
First-timers who want predictability often start with Viking, where ships are nearly identical and the routine is easy to learn. Luxury-focused travelers should look at Uniworld for its decor or Tauck for its high-end service.
Active travelers would best fit into fit AmaWaterways or Avalon's Active & Discovery sailings. Culture-focused travelers may get the most from Viking's lectures and UNESCO site visits or from Tauck's private events, such as palace evenings.
Grizzle sums up the difference between ocean and river cruising this way: "Ocean cruising is about the ship, and river cruising is about the town outside your window."
How to Choose the Right Premium River Cruise
- Compare inclusions, not just fare. Include tips and transfers into every quote.
- Review excursion policies. Viking includes one tour per port; rivals often offer a choice.
- Check beverage and Wi-Fi rules. Wi-Fi is typically free; spirits are the usual gap.
- Consider your preferred atmosphere. Decide between quiet and adults only, family-friendly or an upscale, ornate feel.
- Pick your cabin location. Back cabins can vibrate from the engines and top-deck ones pick up footsteps; Grizzle prefers midship on the middle deck.
- Ask where the ship docks. Some ports are on the outskirts, and ships docked side-by-side can block views and complicate access for travelers with mobility issues.
- Ask about water levels and cancellation potential. High or low water can force bus transfers, so ask how the line handles it, and consider getting travel insurance.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Catherine Clark.
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