Viking River Cruises vs Avalon Waterways - Tour Companies Compared
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Tour Company |
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| Rating Breakdown |
Overall — 5
Value — 4.7
Guide — 4.8
Activities — 4.9
Lodging — 4.8
Transportation — 4.8
Meals — 4.7
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Overall — 5
Value — 4.7
Guide — 4.7
Activities — 4.7
Lodging — 4.7
Transportation — 4.7
Meals — 4.7
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| Recent Reviews | ||
| Tours | 19 Trips | 215 Trips |
| Average Trip Price Per Day | $ 280 | $ 455 |
| Operator Type | River Cruise Line | River Cruise Line |
| Size | Global Operator | Global Operator |
| Trip Styles |
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| Service Level | Luxury | Luxury |
| Regions |
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| Known For |
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| Headquarters | Woodland Hills, California, USA | Littleton, Colorado, United States |
| Year Established | 1997 | 2003 |
| Solo Friendly | N/A | N/A |
| Tour Languages | N/A | N/A |
| Top Trips | ||
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Founded in 1997 as a line offering Russian river cruises to Europeans, Viking expanded to the North American market in 2000.
What Makes Them Stand Out?
Since 2007, Viking River Cruises has zoomed from carrying one-fifth to one-half of all passengers in the fast-growing European river cruise market. Not only is Viking the world’s largest river cruise line with some 66 ships now in service around the globe, but the line is operating at near full capacity in Europe, with many itineraries sold out months in advance.
Who Travels With Them?
They cater primarily to “culturally curious” English-speaking Americans, Canadians, British, Australians, and New Zealanders aged 55-plus. (Think sophisticated viewers of PBS’ “Downton Abbey,” which its helps to sponsor.)
Where Do They Operate?
Besides European rivers such as the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Seine, Duoro, and the waterways of Russia between Moscow and St. Petersburg, Viking now cruises three rivers in Southeast Asia -- the Yangtze, Mekong, and Irrawaddy -- and along the Nile in Egypt.
Why Travel With Them?
While they may not rank as the most luxurious river ships, many of Viking’s vessels are sleek, innovative, and freshly minted: the line has added 18 new ships in 2014 alone. Overall, Viking has established a reputation for offering an incredible value - high-quality service, food, and guided shore excursions at competitive prices, all adding up to strong repeat customer loyalty rates.
