What’s the difference between Avalon’s and Viking’s ultimate European river cruise?

Avalon Waterways 
“Magnificent Europe”
March-September
15 days
Includes 13 guided tours
Visits 5 countries
Prices start at $4,799ITINERARY:

Day 1 & 2: Amsterdam
Day 3: CologneGuided walk or Jewish Heritage walk
Day 4: Rhine Gorge-Rüdesheim
Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum
Day 5: Miltenberg
Guided walk
Day 6: Würzburg
Guided sightseeing and visit to Bishop’s Residenz
Day 7: Bamberg
Guided walk and visit to Old Town Hall
Day 8: Nuremberg
Guided sightseeing or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour
Day 9: Regensburg
Guided walk and visit to Historische Wurstküche
Day 10: Passau-Linz
Guided walk in Passau
Day 11: Melk-Dürnstein
Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
Guided walk in Dürnstein and see the Stiftskirche
Day 12: Vienna
Guided sightseeing
Day 13: Bratislava
Guided sightseeing and visit to St. Martin’s Cathedral
Day 14 & 15: Budapest
Guided sightseeing and see Fishermen’s Bastion and Heroes’ Square
Options:
Extra nights in Amsterdam or Budapest
Itinerary available in reverseMEALS:
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners
Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions
FREE sparkling wine with breakfast, soft drinks with lunch, and wine, beer or soft drinks with dinner (onboard only)AVALON’S SHIPS: Illumination (2014), Expression (2013), Panorama (2011), Vista (2012)

• FREE Wi-Fi
• FREE bottled water
• FREE cappuccino, lattes, hot chocolate, and teas at self-serve beverage station
• Whirlpool
• Deck game area
• Library
• Internet lounge
• Hair salon
• Gallery
• Fitness center

Avalon’s Staterooms:
Deluxe Stateroom: 172 sq ft
Panorama Suite: 200 sq ft
Suite: 258 sq ft
Royal Suite: 300 sq ft

What they’re most proud of: Wall-to-wall 11’ panoramic windows that open to transform the living space into a large open-air balcony. Completely customize your cruise by using MyAvalon and pre-select your tours and excursions, and dining and stateroom preferences, and add any celebration packages.

AWARDS:
Travel & Leisure 2013 Top River Cruise Line
Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Best River Cruise Line
Travel Weekly Best New Ship the Avalon Panorama
Travel Weekly Best Overall River Cruising

Viking River Cruises
“Grand European Tour”
March-November
15 days
Includes 13 guided tours
Visits 5 countries
Prices start at $3,562ITINERARY:

Day 1: Amsterdam
Day 2: Kinderdijk
Tour Kinderdijk windmills
Day 3: Cologne
Guided walk and visit Gothic Cathedral
Day 4: Koblenz-Rhine River
Marksburg Castle excursion
Day 5: Miltenberg
Guided walk and glassblowing demonstration
Day 6: Würzburg-Rothenburg
Tour Bishop’s Residenz
Day 7: Bamberg
Guided walk
Day 8: Nuremberg
City tour and guided walk to Market Square or optional WWII history tour
Day 9: Regensburg
Guided walk and visit medieval city center
Day 10: Passau
Guided walk and organ concert
Day 11: Melk-Danube River-Krems
Guided visit of the Benedictine Abbey
Day 12: Vienna
Guided sightseeing and the Ringstrasse, optional classical concert
Day 13: Bratislava
Guided walk through Old Town
Day 14 & 15: Budapest
Guided sightseeing and city tour of “Buda” and “Pest”
Options:
3 nights in Prague
2 nights in Amsterdam
2 nights in Budapest
Itinerary available in reverseMEALS:
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 14 dinners
Captain’s welcome & farewell receptions
FREE wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner (onboard only)VIKING’S SHIPS: NEW Viking Longships (2012, 2013, 2014)

• FREE Wi-Fi
• FREE bottled water
• Organic herb garden
• Solar panels
• Putting green
• Walking track
• Library
• Boutique
• Laundry service
• US outlets
• Ecologically friendly engines

Viking’s Staterooms:
Standard Room: 150 sq ft
French Balcony: 135 sq ft
Veranda: 205 sq ft
Veranda Suite: 275 sq ft
Explorer Suite: 445 sq ft

What they’re most proud of: Enriching immersion into the history and culture onboard as well as authentic shore excursions with local experts that fully engage you at every destination. Privileges access and special entries to get you up close and personal including previewing of private collections. Longships are eco-friendly, a smooth and quiet ride.

AWARDS:
Travel & Leisures 2013 World’s Best Awards
Cruise Critic 2013 Editors’ Picks
Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards Rivercruise Innovation Winner
2014 Conde Nast Traveler Cruise Poll River Cruises