Luxury European River Cruising done right
Your Luxury European River Cruise
Starts Here with
Maine's River Cruise Specialist
Viking. AmaWaterways. Tauck. I've sailed them all.
I'm a Certified Tauck, Amawaterways and Viking Specialist and river cruise advisor who has sailed on these ships, not just sold them.
This site is built from firsthand experience to help you find the right line for your travel style.
Cruise Line Websites Won't Tell You Which Ship Is Right for You
Every river cruise line makes their experience sound perfect. The itineraries overlap, the photos look identical, and the pricing is designed to steer you toward their product. The truth is Viking, AmaWaterways, and Tauck each attract a very different kind of traveler. Knowing the difference before you commit saves you thousands of dollars and the disappointment of being on the wrong ship for seven days.​
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That is exactly why I built this site.​
Three Lines. Three Very Different Experiences.
Viking
I have sailed Viking on both river and ocean, including itineraries through Budapest, Amsterdam, and the Tulip Time voyage. I have been to Viking headquarters for a senior leadership retreat and was personally invited to sail China by Viking's VP of Sales. Viking is built for curious, independent travelers who want cultural immersion without the fuss. No kids, no casinos, no formal nights. Included excursions at every port, wine and beer at meals, and a pace that lets you absorb where you are. Viking is the right fit if you want structure with freedom.
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AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways is the line for travelers who want to move. Included bike tours, guided hikes, and a Chef's Table restaurant that rivals what you would find on shore. If you are the kind of person who wants to get off the ship and explore on foot or by bike, AmaWaterways is built for you.
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Tauck
Tauck is the most all inclusive river cruise experience in the market. Every excursion, every gratuity, every drink, every transfer is included. Ships carry fewer than 130 guests. The price is higher and the experience matches it, and then some. If you want everything handled and nothing left to chance, Tauck is where you belong.
Why I Built This Guide
My name is Shauna Damboise. I am the owner of Fancy Fox Travel in Portland, Maine, and I have spent years specializing in European river cruises.
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I earned my Certified Tauck Specialist designation through Tauck Academy training aboard the MS Joy, where I spent days in classes and seminars learning the details most agents never see. I have been personally invited multiple times by Tauck's Vice President of Global Sales and Partner Relations, a relationship that gives my clients an edge most travelers do not have access to.
I have sailed Viking on both river and ocean, been to Viking headquarters for a senior retreat with the VP of Sales, and was personally invited to China where I visited the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace, and the Temple of Heaven. I have cruised Viking river through Budapest, Amsterdam, and the Tulip Time sailing.I sailed the AmaMagna down the Danube alongside AmaWaterways cofounder Kristin Karst.
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I do not sell river cruises from a brochure. I sell them from experience. Every recommendation on this site comes from what I have seen, sailed, and learned firsthand.
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Read more about my certifications HERE
New to Luxury River Cruising?
What is a luxury river cruise actually like?
What is included and what costs extra?
How does river cruise pricing work?
When is the best time of year to go?
How do I choose between Viking, AmaWaterways, and Tauck?
Ready to Stop Researching? Let Fancy Fox Travel Handle Every Detail.
A single conversation will answer more questions than another three hours of browsing cruise line websites. I compare these lines every day for clients across New England, and I will tell you exactly what I would book if I were in your shoes.
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​When you work with Fancy Fox Travel you get more than a booking. You get someone who has sailed these rivers, who has biked down the Rhine, tiptoed thru the tulips, and spent early, early spring to late fall on these ships. I have studied these cruise lines, and make it my business to match the right ship to the right traveler every single time.
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Ready to Stop Researching and
Start Planning?
Book a consultation and find out which river cruise line is actually the right fit for your travel style, budget, and pace. You will hear from someone who has been on these ships, not just sold them.
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