What River Cruisers Don't Have to Worry About

Most of these things are due to the cruise line you chose. Some lines don't fill the busses and do provide drinks throughout the cruise (or at least at all meals). We never had to wait at the entrance to the dining room, because they opened the doors as the CM's meeting ended and everybody trooped right in (open seating, no waiting for the host/ess to escort you). If those things bothered you, whatever savings you got from choosing that cruise line did not provide you with Value.

I agree as well. This is one of the issues I had in mind when I started a thread a few weeks ago about being curious why people stay active on the River Cruise forum when they have never taken a river cruise or took one and decided river cruising isn't for them. Not trying to reopen that conversation and again I believe these forums should be open to everyone. But this sets the stage for my comments:

If you have never been on a river cruise and you continue to read comments about issues such as herding for excursions, lines for dinner, not having diy excursions, bussing instead of cruising, etc... it is easy to get a false view that these comments are true on all lines.

For instance with Uniworld I haven't been on one excursion where all 150 people were there. I don't think I was ever in a group of more then 20 as they generally are offering more then one excursion at a time. Also even when there are several busses we found that they started at different places. Never had to search for a seat. As a matter of fact on one excursion that was free but had to sign up the night before so there were enough busses we had a number of people that hadn't signed up change their mind and decided to come. Instead of cramming people in or not having enough seats, Uniworld called for another bus and there were only 6 people on it.

WE never have experience lining up for dinner. One reason is Uniworld is open seating and open times. Meaning you don't have to all show up at one time and they never did.

Reading the reviews of many of the river cruise lines this summer many of them either through ship swapping, cancellations, opportunity of refunds, etc.. have kept from turning the cruises into true bus tours. And even when there is a longer bus ride to get to a certain location it doesn't seem to me it is much more then many of the ocean ports and the ride to get to the city of choice(ie. Rome)

I believe it is also important when comparing costs from Ocean to River Cruises to do an apples to apples comparison. When I compare a suite on a luxury river cruise to a suite on a luxury Ocean line I'm not in all honesty finding river cruising more expensive. Especially if I add in all the inclusions.

Bottom line is that there is inherent risk in all travel of the unexpected. Yes river cruises can be interrupted from low/high water. Ocean cruises are interrupted by rough seas, tender issues, civil unrest, etc... DIY as many risks as well. We did Switzerland last year after a river cruise and it rained the entire 5 days we were in the Alps and I never once saw the snow covered peaks and had to rearrange everything I had planned.

So it is entirely fair to try a River cruise, ocean cruise, diy trip and decide that the style of travel doesn't fit your personality or preferences. And I appreciate when people post their experiences and why it doesn't work for them. But to post blanket statements that will never go on a type of travel based on the potential of interruption or based on a travel company that does things differently then many of the others can be somewhat unfair. Just one mans opinion

I'll take low water as an alternative any day!

But the revised itineraries on a Caribbean cruise do not include buses instead of ships.

If you have never been on a river cruise and you continue to read comments about issues such as herding for excursions, lines for dinner, not having diy excursions, bussing instead of cruising, etc... it is easy to get a false view that these comments are true on all lines.

 

For instance with Uniworld I haven't been on one excursion where all 150 people were there. I don't think I was ever in a group of more then 20 as they generally are offering more then one excursion at a time. Also even when there are several busses we found that they started at different places. Never had to search for a seat. As a matter of fact on one excursion that was free but had to sign up the night before so there were enough busses we had a number of people that hadn't signed up change their mind and decided to come. Instead of cramming people in or not having enough seats, Uniworld called for another bus and there were only 6 people on it.

 

WE never have experience lining up for dinner. One reason is Uniworld is open seating and open times. Meaning you don't have to all show up at one time and they never did.

 

Reading the reviews of many of the river cruise lines this summer many of them either through ship swapping, cancellations, opportunity of refunds, etc.. have kept from turning the cruises into true bus tours. And even when there is a longer bus ride to get to a certain location it doesn't seem to me it is much more then many of the ocean ports and the ride to get to the city of choice(ie. Rome)

 

Bottom line is that there is inherent risk in all travel of the unexpected. Yes river cruises can be interrupted from low/high water. Ocean cruises are interrupted by rough seas, tender issues, civil unrest, etc... DIY as many risks as well. We did Switzerland last year after a river cruise and it rained the entire 5 days we were in the Alps and I never once saw the snow covered peaks and had to rearrange everything I had planned.

 

So it is entirely fair to try a River cruise, ocean cruise, diy trip and decide that the style of travel doesn't fit your personality or preferences. And I appreciate when people post their experiences and why it doesn't work for them. But to post blanket statements that will never go on a type of travel based on the potential of interruption or based on a travel company that does things differently then many of the others can be somewhat unfair. Just one mans opinion

Well said. Vantage breaks us into groups of about 40 and each group has its own bus and local guide (we used to have our own TM, but that's a whole other issue) . The coaches all have 50 seats and rest rooms, so the only rush to seats is for the first row....and for the life of me I cannot understand why people will literally kill themselves to get that first row seat....the one with no leg room...Vantage also has open seating but meal times, especially dinner, are not really flexible. In between meals the dining room is locked so they can set up for the next meal. Dinner starts at 6 and ends at 9 and while there is adequate seating for everyone on board, there is always a group of people who race to the dining room so they can "get good seats"....IMHO they're all good seats unless you really need to sit next to the window and I can understand that. Every trip, no matter who plans it, who runs it or how much it costs, has the potential for bad things happening. Twice we were in countries that had violent civil unrest very soon after we left...we've never had a water level issue, although on our first trip the Danube levels were so high we couldn't use the sun deck for several days. I think all the companies try everything before loading people on a bus to complete all or part of the trip, which costs THEM more money since now they have to buy your transportation, lodging and meals over and above what it cost them to provide these things on a boat that's now sitting empty with a crew that's still being paid! Danube cruising is most reliable in late Spring and early Autumn...but still no guarantees.

But the revised itineraries on a Caribbean cruise do not include buses instead of ships.

I think there might be some people who were on a certain Carnival cruise that would disagree with you.....Floating in the Gulf of Mexico for a week with no a/c, bathrooms, electricity?... UGH.....but you're right, they weren't on a bus! :D

"I think there might be some people who were on a certain Carnival cruise that would disagree with you.....Floating in the Gulf of Mexico for a week with no a/c, bathrooms, electricity/ UGH.....but you're right, they weren't on a bus! :D"

Now THAT was truly several really BAD bunch of days at sea!!! ;)

"I think there might be some people who were on a certain Carnival cruise that would disagree with you.....Floating in the Gulf of Mexico for a week with no a/c, bathrooms, electricity/ UGH.....but you're right, they weren't on a bus! :D"

 

 

Now THAT was truly several really BAD bunch of days at sea!!! ;)

I cannot even imagine how horrid it must have been.

Let's see what else is there that river cruises don't have to worry about-- they wont have to worry about being sent to the naughty room if they bring booze on board.

They won't have to worry about standing in line with hundreds of other passengers to get tender tickets, or waiting in line to get into the Anytime dining room.

They won't have to spend extra for alternative restaurants, or beer, wine and sodas.

What else do River cruisers not have to worry about,

-anyone?

Water replaced in our room everyday, water given out when you leave the ship, not having to pay for every excursion and umbrellas if needed.

No bingo announcements, free giveaways or art auctions. Getting to see things that large groups can't.

I really never felt like I was cattle at any time. Never rushed or waited in lines other than letting a group go before us.

I love ocean cruising and will continue but I really loved the river cruise even with the low river.

Viking handled everything flawlessly. Kudos to them.

I have just had lunch with friends who I worked with. The youngest of the group (23) has recently returned from her first cruise in the med from Southampton. I could not believe what she told me. 25 people put off for a brawl. 10 confined to cabins. Another couple put off for attacking a passenger who complained a deck chair was unoccupied for 4 hours with a towel on it and he tried to use it. Also it seems many passengers were refused alcoholic beverage due to over indulgence. Thankfully I have never seen or heard of such bad behaviour on a river cruise.

I have just had lunch with friends who I worked with. The youngest of the group (23) has recently returned from her first cruise in the med from Southampton. I could not believe what she told me. 25 people put off for a brawl. 10 confined to cabins. Another couple put off for attacking a passenger who complained a deck chair was unoccupied for 4 hours with a towel on it and he tried to use it. Also it seems many passengers were refused alcoholic beverage due to over indulgence. Thankfully I have never seen or heard of such bad behaviour on a river cruise.

Sounds like some folks were quite drunk:eek:.......I was on a cruise

earlier this year with too much of that happening:rolleyes:.....I wrote

HQ of the cruiseline a full letter about the entire cruise and how

disappointed I was..they actually had someone call me/email me

back about it.

I have a feeling a River Cruise has a totally different demographic.

All you people worried about all the horrid things that can happen on a river cruise are absolutely correct. Stay away from these awful experiences. Stay strictly with your big ocean-going vessels.

(Means I'll have a better choice of rooms and itineraries. And I don't worry much about the popularity of river cruises waning ...)

Same here!

Hi Terri

Nice to see you here. Please email me. I have a question for you.

Terri

Hi Terri

Nice to see you here. Please email me. I have a question for you.

Terri

How are you doing? I'll email you... :)

I have just had lunch with friends who I worked with. The youngest of the group (23) has recently returned from her first cruise in the med from Southampton. I could not believe what she told me. 25 people put off for a brawl. 10 confined to cabins. Another couple put off for attacking a passenger who complained a deck chair was unoccupied for 4 hours with a towel on it and he tried to use it. Also it seems many passengers were refused alcoholic beverage due to over indulgence. Thankfully I have never seen or heard of such bad behaviour on a river cruise.

wOW What cruise line was that?

My money's on Carnival! :D

My money's on Carnival! :D

I don't think Carnival sails out of Southampton? But P&O does ;-)

I don't think Carnival sails out of Southampton? But P&O does ;-)

What's P & O?

What's P & O?

It's an ocean cruise line that caters mostly to UK and Australia pax.

wOW What cruise line was that?

Sorry I have not replied but I am in italy and on the ship the wi fi was very bad. I will find out next week and post the answer.

Just had a txt fro uk it was Royal Caribbean Anthem of the seas

But the revised itineraries on a Caribbean cruise do not include buses instead of ships.

True, but they substitute Halifax, Nova Scotia and Portland ME for Hamilton Bermuda. You pack for sub tropical wether and you get leaf peeping temps. :rolleyes:

I have just had lunch with friends who I worked with. The youngest of the group (23) has recently returned from her first cruise in the med from Southampton. I could not believe what she told me. 25 people put off for a brawl. 10 confined to cabins. Another couple put off for attacking a passenger who complained a deck chair was unoccupied for 4 hours with a towel on it and he tried to use it. Also it seems many passengers were refused alcoholic beverage due to over indulgence. Thankfully I have never seen or heard of such bad behaviour on a river cruise.

Too many Ranger and Celtic followers on board?

I have just had lunch with friends who I worked with. The youngest of the group (23) has recently returned from her first cruise in the med from Southampton. I could not believe what she told me. 25 people put off for a brawl. 10 confined to cabins. Another couple put off for attacking a passenger who complained a deck chair was unoccupied for 4 hours with a towel on it and he tried to use it. Also it seems many passengers were refused alcoholic beverage due to over indulgence. Thankfully I have never seen or heard of such bad behaviour on a river cruise.

Sounds like our NCL cruise from NYC to Bahamas. We booked it to celebrate a friends birthday but it was by far the worse group of folks I've ever seen! Apparently they had been offering 2 for 1 deals and children sail free. The ship was mobbed with people who dumped their kids off in the morning, got drunk all day and picked up kids at the last minute. Children were like animals when they were finally "let loose" and parents were rude and obnoxious.

We still had a good time as we stayed out of "drunk" areas and enjoyed out spa experiences. Food was less than wonderful and we'll not consider NCL for another cruise!

Only have seen a few 'obnoxious' travelers on river cruises---never drunken crowds!

I will take river cruising any day over Ocean Cruising. I just like the more laid-back style on board, and the ease of getting on and off the ships without having to "tender" in to a port. Plus, I don't get seasick (oh, that's a BIG plus for me).

Don't sail in the summer, September and October are much better bets.... Just my opinion :)

How true is this? I note that prices go down significantly first of July and through August, but also noted that spring floods had everyone beached this year and now water is so low no one can travel again. Seems to me that catching it in the middle (late June, early July) would be a good bet.

I too, would be most dismayed to spend a couple thousand more to cruise, only to find that I am riding a bus and staying in a hotel.

Not to mention that it is light longer that time of year, so you can see what you are cruising by late into the evening. Where am I guessing wrong? Contemplating booking our first river cruise next year instead of staying on the ocean.

It is crowded and can be very hot in the middle of summer in Europe. Did I mention crowded? No thanks:p

It is crowded and can be very hot in the middle of summer in Europe. Did I mention crowded? No thanks:p

THIS!!!!! Why would anyone want to travel when it's 100 degrees???? I'll stick to lovely fall weather thank you very much!

Not to mention Low Water issues.....