rjrpar Posted February 15, 2015 #1 Share Posted February 15, 2015 We have been on one river cruise, the Danube on Avalon, and enjoyed it greatly. We are now looking to book Paris to Normandy. After talking to cruisers on other lines, we realize that the major cruise lines all provide a very similar product. My question is this - are prices on Avalon, AMA, Viking, etc. all close or are some getting a premium? We are familiar with ocean cruising where prices can widely vary. Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cole Posted February 15, 2015 #2 Share Posted February 15, 2015 We have been on one river cruise, the Danube on Avalon, and enjoyed it greatly. We are now looking to book Paris to Normandy. After talking to cruisers on other lines, we realize that the major cruise lines all provide a very similar product. My question is this - are prices on Avalon, AMA, Viking, etc. all close or are some getting a premium? We are familiar with ocean cruising where prices can widely vary.Thanks in advance We just booked our second Avalon river cruise (have also cruised with Uniworld) and found Avalon's price much lower than Uniworld at this point in time. Avalon is currently offering a 10% discount for early booking and if you apply for the Journey Member classification (past passenger which can be done on their website), you will also receive an additional 5% discount. So do some comparison shopping. Uniworld is all inclusive (meaning gratuities and all alcohol - not just dinner), but other than that, not much difference in quality of service, etc. Both are great. Cole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjrpar Posted February 16, 2015 Author #3 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Thanks for your response. Think i'll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YoungDubFan Posted February 16, 2015 #4 Share Posted February 16, 2015 As mentioned, Uniworld has gone all inclusive and I think Tauck is all inclusive as well. Based on this, these lines may be more than Avalon. Cole has already mentioned Avalon's specials going on right now. You will have to compare similar dates and similar cabin categories across different lines to truly be able to compare apples to apples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2Otstr Posted February 16, 2015 #5 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Be sure to check pricing with a couple travel agents, too. Some TA do sell Avalon trips and there are discounts to be gotten. Uniworld and Tauck can also be discounted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretchcruz Posted February 17, 2015 #6 Share Posted February 17, 2015 I second checking with a TA. Mine discounts greatly and guarantees the lowest price. Don't ever pay the price the cruise line charges! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjrpar Posted February 17, 2015 Author #7 Share Posted February 17, 2015 My plan was to go thru my TA. Usually get 9-10% off on ocean cruises. Is that reasonable for a river cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol From California Posted February 17, 2015 #8 Share Posted February 17, 2015 My plan was to go thru my TA. Usually get 9-10% off on ocean cruises. Is that reasonable for a river cruise? My TA gives 15% off Viking and other lines are discounted similarly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjrpar Posted February 18, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted February 18, 2015 Talked to my TA today; said he could knock off 10%. That's 10% from Avalon, 5% for being a past guest, and 10% from the TA. Think that's the way we'll go for 2016 plus book 4-5 days in Paris on our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhb1757 Posted February 18, 2015 #10 Share Posted February 18, 2015 Could someone message me with the name of your TA that discounts river cruises. I have checked all my usual sites for booking ocean cruises and none of them are less than the published price and none of them seem to be throwing in any of the extras that we are used to like OBC. Apparently I am looking in the wrong places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewizabeff Posted February 18, 2015 #11 Share Posted February 18, 2015 We are not allowed to recommend TAs on these forums. But, if you use the "request a quote" function any cruise line's site, or go to an online river cruise aggregator and do the same thing, you'll get emails and/or calls from a variety of travel agents offering you a quote. Some will include their discount or an OBC. My TA always is able to offer a couple hundred dollars off a Uniworld price (or equivalent OBC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrokitty Posted February 19, 2015 #12 Share Posted February 19, 2015 We have been on one river cruise, the Danube on Avalon, and enjoyed it greatly. We are now looking to book Paris to Normandy. After talking to cruisers on other lines, we realize that the major cruise lines all provide a very similar product. My question is this - are prices on Avalon, AMA, Viking, etc. all close or are some getting a premium? We are familiar with ocean cruising where prices can widely vary.Thanks in advance The key to your post, IMHO, is you took one river cruise and enjoyed it greatly. If you're satisfied with the product Avalon provided, then book Paris to Normandy with them as long as the itinerary is what you want. You already know what they offer in terms of cabins, food, tours and service, why go elsewhere. That's why we've cruised with the same company 6 times already and have 2 more booked for this spring and summer. I know Vantage's policy with respect to repeat customers, but I would imagine they all have perks for customer loyalty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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