The first thing that surprised me when I boarded the MS Joy for Tauck Academy was how quiet it felt. Not quiet in the way a small ship feels when it is half empty. Quiet in the way a very good hotel feels when everything is already done before you arrive. No one was trying to sell you a shore excursion at the gangway. No one handed you a laminated upsell menu at dinner. You boarded, and from that moment on, everything was simply handled. I spent several days aboard the MS Joy

Every couple I talk to who is thinking about a river cruise eventually asks me some version of the same question: which line is actually the most romantic? I sailed Viking through China last year, visited the Forbidden Palace, walked the Great Wall, and stood face to face with the Terracotta Warriors. I also spent time aboard the MS Joy at Tauck Academy, going through daily seminars to earn my Certified Tauck Specialist designation. So when couples ask me which is the best ri

Viking and AmaWaterways are two of the top river cruise lines in Europe, but they are built for different travelers. A travel agent who has sailed Viking compares inclusions, dining, excursions, and price to give you the honest answer.

Rhine, Danube, Seine, or Douro? Each European river delivers a completely different experience. Here is how to match the right river and cruise line to your travel style.

River cruising is genuinely different from ocean cruising. Here is an honest guide to what the experience is actually like, from a travel agent who has sailed both.

Most people book a river cruise based on price or a sale. Here is what a certified agent who has sailed Viking and Tauck looks for before making a recommendation.

Viking or Tauck? As a Certified Tauck Specialist who has sailed Viking, here is my straight comparison of what each line delivers, what is included, and who should book which.