dramirez

Hi JP,

I would like to thank you and Chris for the excellent job you've done on the pictures and posts in this thread. I don't know how you work and post to two threads simultaneously.

I also wanted to tell you that I liked your picture of the horse fountain better than the one from the website mentioned in Notamermaid's Residenz' website.

How did you decide on Uniworld as your river cruise line of choice? I know that you have cruised both the Rhine and the Danube. Do you think one river is better than another for a first time river cruiser? I understand this is subjective but I am trying to decide on an itinerary and having a hard time. Thanks for any tips you can provide (and yes - I know about the Sticky guides and the beginning of the River cruising forum.)

Thank you.

Diane

Familygoboston just finished a great review of her Azamara Panama canal cruise and she discussed this topic in her review. It's in post 130. I will attempt to post the link, but I am not too adept at this: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2324367&page=7

I hope this helps.

My husband and I were sailing out of Manhattan on the Queen Elizabeth II quite some time ago. We had just departed when the ship slowed down and we saw a tug boat coming towards us. A couple had missed the ship and rented the tug so they could get on board. They really must have been someone because I truly doubt the QEII would have stopped for me!

Thank you for an excellent review. I have been considering a cruise on Azamara and have read your reviews on on Royal Caribbean.

Can you please tell me if the dining room seats were comfortable? From the dining room picture that you posted, it looks as though the back of the chair is quite low. Is this the case? I like to be comfortable when dining so I thought I would ask.

Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your reviews - it is appreciated.

Regards,

Diane

Hi Norris,

Post 792- Oliver, Post 796 - Fiddler on the Roof

And yes, I understand the mints are gone - your witty repartee is enough for me.

Diane

Norris,

You answered the question I was about to ask - sorry you and Carol will not be going to Germany this summer but it looks like you are planning a nice alternative. I had to cancel my June 2nd cruise on Oceania's Riviera - Barcelona to Rome because my husband has to have his knee replaced (again). Here's hoping we can take a vacation at least twice a decade! He owes me a big one once he's well. In the meantime I enjoy your cruises so thank you so much for your awesome reviews.

Diane

Norris,

So happy that you are back posting. The pole next to the bed is for all the fridge magnets that you and Carol buy in the ports of call. I'm truly surprised you didn't figure that out!

Take care.

Diane

Norris,

I have been reading this thread for several weeks and have enjoyed every post. Thank you so much for taking the time to do a spectacular review. I appreciate the clarity of the photos and please thank Carol for her note taking as well. I hope that my husband and I will be on a similar cruise next year.

I particularly enjoyed your posts in Florence, as they brought back many memories from my visit there when I was a student. That was a very long time ago and the city has gotten much more crowded. I appreciate your eye as well as your sense of humor and just wanted to let you know.

Thanks again for your energies expended on this missive.

Diane

For your first cruise you might want to go with a travel agent as they can give you guidance if you have not travelled a lot. They can help to steer you towards the best cruise line for you, as well as give you suggestions on the best itinerary for you.

No matter what you do, have fun planning your cruise!

I, too, attended the Scenic presentation yesterday. What I like about the Scenic ships over the Uniworld ships is that the decor is not as grandiose on Scenic. This is my own personal opinion.

I have been researching cruises to Normandy, and the Scenic Gem is small enough to dock in Honfleurs. I do not know if Uniworld's ship docks there. The cabins on the River Baroness are quite small, so that's why I have ruled out that ship.

I was impressed that Uniworld features a special evening out, and an afternoon cocktail hour at a special location (new this year, according to the presenter.) But, to be fair, I have not done a price comparison, so that will be a factor when I get down to choosing my river cruise.

Lynn,

Thank you for starting this topic. I, too, have been researching European cruises for my 25th wedding anniversary. My husband has never been to Europe while I lived there as a child. He loves history so I have been looking at cruises focused on Italy.

I have truly enjoyed this thread. I have not been to Europe in about 35 years so I did not know that the pickpocket problem was as bad as it is.

I am also of Italian heritage. We went to visit my grandparents' villages and were invited to our relatives' apartments so I could relate to that segment as well.

This has brought back many memories. Enjoy your trip - no matter which itinerary you choose.

Diane

Hi Norris,

Thank you for some warmth. I woke up to 3 degrees below zero this morning, and it currently feels like it's about 50 degrees in my office. I can't believe that you have been writing your review for weeks now, and I just started reading it today! Fortunately, as I sit here wearing my coat, I have been whisked away to a beautiful ship and sunny islands that have warmed my spirits if not my fingers.

So happy to hear that you and Carol have another European trip planned for September.

Thank you for taking us along, once again, on your voyages.

Best Regards,

Diane

Not too far from the Notre Dame there is a beautiful chapel called Sainte Chapelle. It was the royal chapel of Louis IX. I always thought that it was much prettier than Notre Dame. You may not have time to see it in the one day that you will be in Paris, but I thought I would mention it for others that might have more time. It's lovely, and was always one of my favorite spots to bring visitors.

This is an itinerary my husband and I are considering, so that's why I am following this board intently. Enjoy your cruise!

Norris,

Thank you so much for posting the pictures of the Parthenon. In 1966 my family was in Rome for Christmas. We took a private tour of the city and my 3 1/2 year old brother got to play the organ at the Parthenon. Fortunately, it wasn't very crowded as he (my brother) was not a child prodigy! Thanks for bringing back memories.

Diane

Thank you for posting this thread. I am looking at this cruise for my 25th wedding anniversary. I have been to all the ports except for Barcelona and Turkey. My husband has never been to Europe but loves history. I chose this cruise because of the excellent itinerary. I agree - I have never done private excursions but I think that it is the best way to go on this cruise (if you can afford it.) For this occasion, we would splurge.

My husband and I have never been on a river cruise, but we have done several ocean cruises. We are considering Viking's A Seine River Cruise: Paris & Highlights of Normandy. I like the itinerary because it is longer than the Viking itinerary that my travel agent had suggested. I am not against Viking or Uniworld - I ruled out AMA because I did not like the ship.

I have (3) questions for the members here - has Vantage ever docked at Honfleur? I read reviews online indicating that they docked at Le Havre instead? Is September a good month to go? I asked the Vantage rep and he said anytime is a good time to go.

Has anyone taken this cruise and can you recommend it?

My husband has never been to Europe, while I actually lived there. We are looking to sail in 2015, and the only criteria I have is that I would NOT go during the height of the summer because of crowds.

Thank you very much for any information you can provide.

Diane

Hi Norris,

Glad that you and your wife are enjoying your fall get away. I have been toiling away so I did not get a chance to respond to your query about what river cruise itineraries I was considering. The answer is Paris to Normandy as that is the one that I believe would most interest my husband. But I am also interested in a 12 day Princess cruise on Island Princess. I just read yesterday that that ship is currently in dry dock. I have never been on Princess but your reviews have sparked my interest. We'll see what the future holds.

All the best.

Diane

Norris, Your day in Palermo reminds me of a day I had in Italy when I was a junior in college. I was trying to return to Geneva from Venice and the train tracks were being repaired. The train was, of course, delayed. My friends and I missed our connection in Milan. I was trying to find a cheap place to spend the night. I was asking for information but the person did not speak English. I asked if they spoke French, Spanish, or German and the reply was, I speak Italian. I told my friends, "Now I know why my grandparents left Italy."

I also laughed because the story reminded me of Paris (where I lived as a child in the late 1960's.) There were no pooper-scooper laws back then.

Yes, I have been researching river cruises and it is a daunting task. I am interested in AMA, Uniworld, Vantage, and Viking. It is VERY hard to compare cruise lines because some are inclusive and some are not. You also have to compare the ships (which might be called boats), the itineraries, whether they cruise at night, when you have to pay, etc. I do my research and I'm still confused. I think it will come down to a spreadsheet and the best price for what you get. I read reviews and the itinerary I am looking at tells me that the boat for one of the lines I was considering is old and tired and has small cabins. And they are not cheap!

Keep up the good work.

Thank you for your attention to detail. I have been reading your review since you started and decided that I would pop in to reassure you that your European itinerary does have a following.

While I have lived in Europe I have never cruised in Europe (except for crossing the Atlantic and cruising the Greek islands when I was in college in Switzerland - Jr. Year abroad.) I love your reviews and am currently trying to plan a European cruise next year. It's between a river cruise and a 12 day Princess cruise. And yes, I know they are VERY different!

To answer a question from a few posts back - CC is Cruise Critic

In December 1966 my family of six was sailing from Naples to Sicily on an Italian ship. We were 4 American kids ranging in age from 14 to 4 and we had eaten an early dinner. My mother went to the ship's dining room by herself for a quick bite, but she was no linguist. She asked for the check, but the Italian waiter thought she meant "chick" as in chicken. Of course, my mother was too full to eat this. My father, who was minding the 4 children, was walking us around the deck. We passed the dining room and saw our mother at the table and all trooped in. We know, in retrospect, how horrible it must have looked, to see a woman at a table for one, all of a sudden, being swarmed by 4 children, who ate the chicken. This was not necessarily the best portrayal of an American family.

It was February 1966 aboard the SS United States. I was 9 years old. My family, consisting of 4 children and 2 parents, was moving to Paris France and we were sailing from NYC to Le Havre. We had (2) adjoining cabins in "Cabin Class".

We had a big Bon Voyage party and were dressed in our finest clothes. At dinner the waiter addressed us as, boy, girl, sir and madam. We (the kids - ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 12) adored the fact that we were allowed to choose our own food. We also thought it was great that we were out of school for more than 5 days! My brothers used to sneak into all the theatres to see "Thunderball", but I only saw it once.

I remember Horse Racing, Bingo, and walking around the deck. We crossed the Atlantic 3 times by ship - twice on the United States, and once on the France. A glorious time on all occasions.