Regent Seven Seas Review Which Recommended Provider
For a luxurious, all-inclusive ocean cruising experience, it’s hard to beat Regent Seven Seas. Almost every cabin has a balcony, staff are friendly and helpful, and the port excursions are consistently enjoyably and well-organised. The only real downside is the cost.
, or read our full Regent Seven Seas review for more information.
Concluding Thoughts On River Cruises
Bottom Line:River cruising is a great option for culture-hungry travelers. Pay attention to the travel package details to get the best value for your money.
River cruise lines make researching their adventures fun, with video tours and details to suit the needs of many different types of travelers. Our three river cruise lines, for example, have well over 100 river ships between them and offer destinations around the globe. Consumers who dive into this research and understand the details of the packages they consider will get the most out of the experience. It also helps to get input from friends, family and acquaintances who have taken part in a river cruise experience. Look for feedback on travel websites and customer review forums. Finally, working with a travel agent can help you understand your options, and get you started on the voyage thats right for you.
Best Cruise Lines For River Cruises
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The best cruise lines for river cruises as ranked by verified reviews submitted over the past 12 months. This list is continuously updated as we receive new reviews from our members, so be sure to check back often!
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APT’s award-winning, five-star river ships offer unforgettable journeys along iconic waterways. The line sails itineraries throughout the rivers of Europe, Myanmar , China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. APT is known for its Freedom of Choice program that lets guests tailor their excursions to suit their personal preferences.
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AmaWaterways is one of the most well-known river cruise lines, consistently ranking highly among other river lines and in Europe overall. All of their modern vessels include either a swimming pool or whirlpool, which is a treat not always found on river ships. Most balcony cabins include two types of balconies: a French balcony as well as a traditional outdoor one.
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Avalon Waterways offers a river cruise fleet of over 20 vessels sailing in Europe, South America, Egypt, and Asia. Avalons Suite Ships offer unique Panorama Suites that feature widest opening windows in river cruising and the industry’s only Open-Air Balcony perfect for exploring the lands you are journeying through from the comfort of your stateroom.
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What Makes A Which Recommended Provider Cruise Line
Which? Recommended Providers are the cream of the crop and, as a minimum, we only consider giving the accolade to cruise lines that achieve a customer score of 70% or above.
Thats not all. We know that pricing transparency is important, so we only give the award to the companies that provide clear information about gratuities, excursions and drinks at the booking stage. After all, it’s hard for customers to compare prices if they can’t find these details before parting with their cash. If the companies fall down in more than one area, theyre not eligible to be Which? Recommended Providers, whatever score they receive in the survey.
Similarly, a cruise company can only be a WRP if it is committed to refunding customers promptly for any cancelled cruises. Neither Azamara or Seabourn could make this commitment for bookings cancelled due to COVID-19, so both have had their WRP status removed for 2021.
Which? is independent, you can be sure that our recommendations are influenced only by our survey results. We’re not influenced by third parties and we don’t accept freebies from product manufacturers, retailers. or providers.
Large Ship Line #: Holland America Line
As its name indicates, Holland America is a cruise line that was established in 1873 to primarily ferry passengers, many of whom were emigrants, between the Netherlands and the United States. Of course, these days, the cruise line sails more broadly to more than 470 ports around the world on its 11 shipsand its highly regarded for its Alaska itineraries. While passengers can enjoy classic cruise activities like swimming, sports, and gambling, Holland America is particularly noted for its culinary and musical programs: it has a partnership with the TV show Americas Test Kitchen for cooking demonstrations, cooking classes, and a number of live music venues , and stage productions dedicated to the history of music on many of its ships. The latest addition to Holland Americas fleet is the Rotterdam, which first set sail in July 2021, with a capacity of 2,650 passengers.
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River Cruise Prices And Fees
River cruises are typically all-inclusive, meaning Wi-Fi is usually free, along with regular meals and sometimes alcohol. How much and the type of alcohol and the times of day or night served may depend on the details of your booking. If drinks are an expected part of your vacation, make sure your upfront fee includes unlimited, premium alcohol. Your river cruise package price may or may not include tips, so be sure to confirm the tipping policy before going on board.
Lesson
River cruises tend to be booked well in advance. If you are planning a trip for next summer, a good time to book is in the fall when the most deals are to be found, according to travel experts. On the other hand, some cruises may offer last-minute deals closer to the booking cut off. A travel agent may help you find the best price, or you could contact each cruise line directly for help.
River cruises arent for the budget traveler. Its a sound financial practice to protect the amount youve paid for your trip with travel insurance to cover trip cancellations for any reason, delays, lost luggage, illness or injury while traveling and more. You will pay from $120 to $250 for travel insurance, depending on your age and the trip being insured. It is recommended that you check with your credit card company to see if they include travel insurance as a perk.
Medium Ship Line #1: Princess Cruises
Of Princess Cruises 14-ship fleet, its five smallest include the Coral Princess, Island Princess, Sun Princess, Sea Princess, and the infamous Pacific Princess, which was the star of the TV show The Love Boat. The Pacific Princess is by far the smallest, holding just 680 passengers. The four other ships carry around 2,000 passengers and are the perfect size to sail through the Panama Canal.
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Best Overall: Regent Seven Seas
Regent Seven Seas
For an ultra-luxurious yacht voyage, Regent Seven Seas features all-inclusive pricing and premium service. Regent operates five vessels,with most carrying around 700 passengers in spacious suites offering modern, elegant furnishings, stocked minibars, and private balconies. On Regent, everything is included in the price: airfare, specialty restaurants, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and beverages. Private butlers and concierge service offer personalized attention to guests. Theres plenty of amenities onboard as well, ranging from a relaxing spa, onboard cooking lessons, trivia, and lively evening shows. Plus, Regents destinations span the globe although they dont have polar vessels.
Best Cruise Lines For Adults
One of the best things about cruising is that there are almost as many different types of experiences to be had as there are ships on which to have them.
While cruising is incredibly popular as a family vacation, an increasing number of adults are opting to leave the rest of the clan behind and enjoy a vacation on their own.
Fruity drinks? Check. Gambling money? Check. Family trips are all well and good, but getting away with your fellow adults is downright sweet.
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Large Ship Line #: Disney Cruise Line
If theres one thing Disney Cruise Linedoes well, its hospitality. The company has taken every lesson its learned from its parks and resort operations and implemented that into its four cruise ships, the 2,400-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The ships are designed for families through and throughthere are numerous themed activities every day, from meet-and-greets to full-blown parties with Disney charactersbut there are plenty of adults-only areas that provide a respite from little ones. That said, the ships are not over-the-top when it comes to Disney decor. In fact, theyre quite elegant, taking design inspiration from early-20th-century ocean liners and sporting Art Deco and Art Nouveau aesthetics. The four ships currently sail the Caribbean , Alaska, Europe, the Pacific Coast, and the Panama Canal. Three more ships, including Disney Wish, are scheduled to be added to the fleet between 2022 and 2025.
Large Ship Line #: Cunard
For those longing for the romantic nostalgia of bygone transatlantic sailings, Cunard is your go-to. The legendary cruise line was established in 1840 and has had dozens of ships in its fleet, though today, there are just three active vessels: the Queen Mary 2, the worlds only true transatlantic ocean liner, designed specifically for ocean crossings, as well as the worlds only pet-friendly ship the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Victoria. Activities havent changed all that much in the last 180 yearstheres still a proper afternoon tea, black-tie dinners, and galas in the ballrooms. Its quite like a step back in time, with all the modern safety measures, of course. Cunards next ship is scheduled to set sail in 2022 or 2023.
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River Ship Line #: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld’s 21 ships cruise around the globe in Europe, Egypt, Russia, China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Peru. Their excursions offer passengers the opportunity to get a little closer to their destinations of choice, with visits to local homes, farms, and artisans, and every excursion is rated by ability level. In 2018, two of its ships were overhauled for a new venture, U by Uniworld Cruises, with itineraries, dining, and activities that appeal to younger prospective passengersthink silent discos, mixology classes, and rooftop camping.
Large Ship Line #: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises currently sails around the world with a fleet of 14 ships, ranging in size from its petite Xpedition-class vessels, which carry 16 to 100 passengers, to its large 2,800- to 3,100-passenger Solstice class and 2,900-passenger Edge class, which debuted in late 2018 with Celebrity Edge. This edgy ship was designed to appeal to a non-cruising clientele with innovations like Eden, a three-story hybrid experiential restaurant, craft cocktail lounge, and performance venue and Le Petit Chef at Le Grand Bistro, a dinner restaurant that features a 4D animation projected on your plate throughout your meal. Celebrity Edge was later joined by its sister ship Celebrity Apex in 2020, with Celebrity Beyond to follow in 2022 .
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Helpful Information About Cruise Lines
Cruising may be the best option if you are looking for a vacation that has everything in one place, with a minimum level of stress. Planning your travels inland is fun and exciting, but it can also be exhausting, especially when traveling with a big group, say, with friends or family. Booking a cruise, on the other hand, boils down to merely figuring out the type of cruise ship you want to board, how comfortable you want to be on it, and the destinations you want to visit.
A common misconception about cruises is that they offer fewer entertainment options than a land vacation. While this can certainly be true of smaller cruises, which may be mostly rooms and living quarters, this is far from a truism about the industry as a whole. Cruises have come a long way: in addition to their destination, many ships feature numerous, assorted activities, from Broadway shows and casinos to comedy acts, cooking classes, and movie showings. Although some activities may come at an added price, everything remains in close proximity, making transportation a non-issue.
Faqs About Cruise Lines
Can I do laundry onboard?
Most large or mid-sized ships offer wash and press services on board for a fee. In ships with laundry service, there should be a laundry bag inside your room that you can leave for your room steward to pick up. The bag should be back with your clothes the next day, or on the same day if you pay extra. Some cruise lines offer laundry packages that must be booked and paid for in advance. Some cruise lines also feature self-service laundries.
If you dont want to pay for your laundry, you can always bring detergent onboard and hand wash it yourself. In-cabin showers should have retractable clotheslines so you can hang your clothes to dry. Certain upper-tier suites may also include laundry with their fare.
Whats the dress code?
Dress codes can be confusing since they vary from one cruise line to another. Historically speaking, guests had it way easier at the dawn of the cruise line era. Evening wear, for example, was straightforward: the men wore white tie, and the ladies wore evening gowns. As dress code enforcement became progressively laxer, guests began wearing a wider variety of clothes to activities on a regular basis. Your best guess as to what clothes to bring will be whatever your cruise ships individual dress code dictates is appropriate.
Will I get seasick onboard if I suffer from motion sickness?
Should I book a cruise early or late?
Do I need to pay for drinkable water?
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Medium Ship Line #: Cunard
While Cunards Queen Mary 2 fits more than 2,600 passengersand a number of cats and dogson board, her sister ships, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria only have a capacity of about 2,000 passengers. Though theyre quite similar in layout, the QE and the QV differ in design. Both nod to the historic ocean liners of the early 20th century, but the QE takes on a bolder Art Deco vibe, while the QV features more subdued yet equally elegant decor. Guests on board both ships are likely to partake in afternoon tea before donning a glamorous gown for dinner.
Large Ship #1: Costa Cruises
Italian cruise line Costa Cruises, which operates under parent company Carnival, has quite a history: it was founded in 1854 as a cargo shipping company, transporting olive oil and textiles around the world. Transferring to the leisure cruise side of the business in 1959, Costa currently operates 11 shipsthe majority of which accommodate between 2,800 and 5,300 passengersthat sail all over the world. Its next ship, Costa Toscana, will debut in December 2021.
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Medium Ship Line #1: Celebrity Cruises
Celebritys Millennium-class shipsCelebrity Millennium, Infinity, Summit, and Constellationare the smallest in the fleet, each with a capacity between 2,100 and 2,200 passengers. The ships just got a bevy of both new and upgraded staterooms as part of Celebrity’s fleet-wide modernization, and when they launched in the early aughts, they were some of the first ships to use more eco-friendly engines that combined gas and steam power. The four ships sail from home ports around the world, from Europe to North America to Asia.
Scenic Luxury Cruises And Tours
Scenic Luxury Cruises are, well, luxurious, as you could have probably guessed. They started out offering luxury river cruises but have since expanded into the ocean cruise market as well. For cruisers looking for a boutique hotels feel with the passing scenery and opportunities for exploring that only a cruise can offer, Scenic Luxury Cruises is the company to check out.
Providing one of the most glamorous cruise experiences available, it makes sense that the state-of-the-art vessels feature mouth-watering gourmet cuisine. Lets take a look at just a few of their onboard dining facilities:
- Crystal Dining: varied menu prepared by award-winning chefs
- Portobellos: upscale Italian restaurant in an intimate setting
- River Cafe: casual dining spot with lighter fare and healthy options
- Table La Rive: exclusive dining experience for Diamond Members
Usually, this is the section where wed list the available restaurants at an additional charge, but since everything in Scenic Luxury Cruises is included, that means that you already have access to all the fantastic dining experiences their ships have to offer.
This cruise line offers dine anytime, anywhere options and is one of the most flexible cruise lines when it comes to meals. Their chef will even prepare a picnic basket for you if youd like to enjoy a bite next time you visit the shorewhat other cruise lines do that?
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Us News & World Report Releases The 2022 Best Cruises With Disney Cruise Line Earning Top Billing For Families And Caribbean Sailings
U.S. News & World Report released their 2022 Best Cruise Lines Rankings. The global authority in rankings and consumer advice evaluated 162 ships from 17 top cruise lines across a variety of categories. The rankings help travelers select the best cruise by brand, region, traveler type and budget.
Disney Cruise Line remains at the top of the list for Best Cruise Line for Families, a spot held since U.S. News began ranking cruise lines. Additionally, for the eight consecutive year, Disney is also the top Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean.
Were honored that U.S. News & World Report has recognized us with these two awards for eight consecutive years, and are so proud of our amazing cast and crew members who make awards like this possible.
U.S. News surveyed travelers to understand the effects of COVID-19 on cruiser sentiments and found that cruisers both first-time and longtime are booked at higher levels than before the pandemic. U.S. News survey data also revealed that of the frequent travelers who indicated that they would cruise again, 20% are already signed up for their next sailing.
Though most avenues of travel have been impacted throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the cruise industry has seen the most challenges
Nicola Wood, travel editor at U.S. News
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2022 U.S. News Best Disney Cruise Line Ship Rankings
Below is a summary of the categories each of the Disney Cruise ships ranked.
Disney Magic
Disney Wonder
Disney Dream