travellovers Posted July 15, 2014 #1 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Where can I find a comparison of companies offering river cruises. I know this can be subjective but would love to hear cc thoughts on why they love or dislike companies. Also, looking for things like.....which is the most upscale.....average age.....food......inclusions....things like that We usually charter a barge but want to go to Portugal and Spain and can't find a barge so I'm researching river cruise lines. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted July 15, 2014 #2 Share Posted July 15, 2014 As far as I know, Spain has no river cruises and Portugal only has the Douro River with 4 different cruise companies. Maybe this website helps you to zero in on specific items. http://www.dourorivercruise.com/european_river_cruise_companies.cfm?source=google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted July 15, 2014 #3 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Where can I find a comparison of companies offering river cruises. In the sticky at the top of this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted July 16, 2014 #4 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Chartering a barge is a big thing in England. Also, there are companies that offer vacations on luxury barges in France. I am unaware of any in Iberia. As for the river cruise companies, there are many. You will find reviews under member reviews for them. The Budget river cruise company that I am aware of is Gate 1 and I know people that have been happy with them. They are very cheap, but the ships tend to be older and with less. Also, the cruises don't offer as much. There are expensive companies like Avalon and Tauck which tend to be tops, but you pay. Most of the river cruise lines are in the main stream. AMA Waterways Viking Vantage Grand Circle Uniworld Scenic There are more. We have done two cruises/trips on Vantage (Russia and China) and one on AMA (Rhone River, France). We would definately take a cruise on both lines in the future. AMA tends to be more expensive than Vantage. Vantage's Russia is special in that it offers five star hotels in the city centers of Moscow and STP instead of staying on the riverboat and fighting traffic into the cities. Vantage's China is wonderful and a good bit cheaper than Viking. In fact, if you compare the prices Vantage will almost always beat Viking, AMA Uniworld, etc. However, I believe all the lines will offer you an excellent cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travellovers Posted July 16, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Thanks that comparison is exactly what I was looking for I will also look at the sticky above Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquilegia Posted July 16, 2014 #6 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Chartering a barge is a big thing in England. I imagine you must be thinking of narrow boats, which are popular for holidays on canals in the UK. Barges here are cargo vessels (except for odd historic or ceremonial vessels like the Royal Barge). I don't really know what the OP means when she says they usually hire a barge, but there are certainly canal boats for hire in Portugal. If she Googles, she'll find several links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canal archive Posted July 16, 2014 #7 Share Posted July 16, 2014 In the UK a Narrowboat is 7ft (just over 2mtrs) wide you may see a few of these on european waterways. A wide beam is twice that width these can also be referred to as a barge. These can be hired both in the UK and Europe to self crew look for Dutch Barges on the internet. There are barge holidays available as there are cargo boat holidays the later can be a bit basic and aimed at a younger demographic. There are hotel narrowboats and wide beam in the UK and The ones I know are excellent but if you think European river cruising cabins are small you will not believe a Narrowboat cabin. (We have a Narrowboat) Hope you find something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ship's Wake Posted July 16, 2014 #8 Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) CroisiEurope cruises in Spain on the Guadalquivir and Guadiana Rivers. http://www.croisieuroperivercruises.com/cruises/guadalquivir-and-guadiana-cruises Edited July 16, 2014 by oysterdam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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