Trip Bacon β€” The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo

Top Three River Cruise Lines Comparison Viking, AmaWaterways & Uniworld

Ask a Real Travel Expert - RTE Travel Talk
Ask a Real Travel Expert - RTE Travel Talk
πŸ₯ˆExpert
πŸ‘οΈ 145K viewsπŸ“… 4 years ago⏱️ 21:57

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

Travel expert Beth Schulberg compares three major river cruise lines: Uniworld, AmaWaterways, and Viking River Cruises. Focusing on Rhine River itineraries, Schulberg explains that while ship sizes are similar, the passenger capacity and service models differ significantly. Uniworld is described as a highly all-inclusive luxury option with a boutique hotel aesthetic, whereas AmaWaterways offers a middle ground with included short excursions and high-quality staterooms. Viking is noted for having a lower initial entry cost due to higher passenger volumes, but travelers may face additional expenses for beverages and most excursions. The discussion covers various logistical details including room configurations, such as French balconies versus full balconies, and the availability of amenities like swimming pools and onboard bicycles. Schulberg also highlights differences in age policies, noting that Viking is adults-only while the others allow families. Ultimately, the comparison suggests that the best choice depends on a traveler's budget, desire for inclusivity, and preferred onboard ambiance.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Viking Cruise Lines
Barely Crispy
All-time creator consensus for Viking Cruise Lines
A Nibble

This review is more critical than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsShip ComparisonπŸ₯ˆExpert Creator
Northern_europeVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

uniworld is an all-inclusive cruise so you literally cannot pay for anything except maybe a short excursion that is above and beyond

viking river cruises puts 190 people on their river cruises that are the same size as alma waterways and uniworld

alma waterways has won awards for the their cuisine

viking river cruises will not allow anyone under the age of 18 so it is not a cruise for families

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Book river cruises at least a year in advance for the best location and price
βœ“Consider your spending style: all-inclusive vs. pay-as-you-go
βœ“Choose based on onboard ambiance and number of passengers

πŸ†•New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Not knowing what to expect on a river cruise β€” Research the differences between cruise lines to avoid disappointment
Unexpected costs on board β€” Understand the pricing structure of each cruise line before booking

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the differences between Viking, AmaWaterways, and Uniworld river cruise lines?
QWhich river cruise line is best for different types of travelers?
QWhat should you know when choosing a river cruise line?

Topics Covered

Value Pricing1Β½ Happy BaconCabin Balcony3 Happy BaconExcursions2 Sad BaconKids Family2Β½ Sad BaconPort Destination2Β½ Happy BaconDining Main3Β½ Happy BaconPool Deck2 Happy BaconService Crew2Β½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Paris
Top: Moulin Rouge (four hundred dollar ticket)
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube