Tiggywig

We are doing this cruise starting on Monday so your posts are very interesting. We were on Diadema late 2016. It was the same cruise but stopped at Naples instead of Citiaveccia. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't know why so many people moan about Costa. We also did Barcelona to Rio in December on Fascinosa which was also fantastic.

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Just done the swap Crystal to Jewel.All went smoothly Nuremburg not that special anyway(our opinion) so best

Place for it to happen. Only an hour & a half on bus. Didn't do trip on Nuremburg but could have done. Don't worry it's bound to rain soon! Our night in Budapest they had a months rain in12 hours!

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Great review. We are currently on Crystal ( soon to move to Jewel ) The levels are low between Regensberg & Nuremberg so today we are being bussed to Nuremberg where we will do our chosen excursion then board Jewel. We are thoroughly enjoying the cruise & Scenic is handling the hitch very well . The cruise director is moving with us so there will be some continuity. Of course some are moaning but most are just getting on with it. You can't mess with nature !

We live in Spain & quite a lot of Spanish holiday in Dominican Republic & seem to like it. Apart from that I don't know. Enjoy anyway

We are changing to Jewel today as low water between Regensberg & Nuremberg. WE will be bussed to Nuremberg Board Jewel there to continue to Amsterdam. The Jewel lot will do the same & continue on Crystal to Budapest. Jewel & Crystal are almost exactly the same so apart from packing & unpacking I don't expect much change. The cruise director will come with us but rest of crew will change. Really enjoying the trip. Weather has been mixed but we have never got wet. Scenic have handles the hitch really well. Wee weren't sure about dress code but it is very casual & anything goes. Not al lot of dressing up at nights.For men jackets are in the minority.

In answer to your question Eorooe Traveler, if you are getting on in Budapest it will be Crystal & in Amsterdam it will be Jewel. Have a great time !!

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Just set off from Budapest on Crystal which I expected. Last night Budapest had a months rainfall & similar throughout route so I think there are no worries about boat changes & buses! We have been lucky & not got wet. Looks to be getting warmer & drier in next few days. loads of power points in our cabin + a worldwide adapter.

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So pleased you enjoyed the cruise despite pitfalls ! Just about to take dog to kennels (boo hoo ) then fly to Budapest tomorrow ready to join boat on Monday.. Will try to keep posting while we are sailing so jeb_bud will know if we get past Passau ! I think you are a week after U.S. & plenty of rain forecast so I think you'll be OK

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Got an e-mail last night from Scenic to say our cruise on Monday17th is expected to go according to schedule so fingers crossed !I think it will be Crystal instead of Jewel but that doesn't matter.

Got an e-mail from Scenic last night to say our Budapest to Amsterdam cruise on Monday is expected to go according to schedule so fingers crossed. I suspect it will be on Crystal instead of Jewel but they are both the same anyway. Will keep you all informed.

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Will keep you all informed. Just looked at 2 week weather forecast & there are some significant storms forecast for next week so if Jewel gets to Budapest I'm hopeful ! Either way we are determined to have good time. We travelled with Scenic to New Zealand in 2011 & got mixed up with the earthquake in Christchurch so had to spend an extra night short of Christchurch prior to flying home & the company handled everything very well.

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We are due to sail Budapest to Amsterdam 17th Aug.on Scenic Jewel. I got a phone call yesterday from Scenic saying things are moving normally at the moment but warning there may be some changes if levels remain low, eg change of vessel, but right now they are not expecting it. Fingers crossed!

I am following these posts carefully as we are doing Budapest to Amsterdam on Aug 17th. We are on either Jewel or Crystal I think so hopefully will get through with the shallow draught. I notice there is some rain forecast as well so fingers crossed !

Anyone else on this cruise ?

Lucky you going for 2 weeks. We did the legends of the med last year but later & the ship was Sovereign. Very good. Were on Empress in June doing the Norwegian fjiords which was wonderful. Where are you from? Hope to meet soon.

Don't worry about documents. They hardly look at them.Sure confirmation & booking ref will be fine.

Still in the 30s here in Andalucia which is very hot for Sept. It should be low 20s in Portugal.

Have a safe journey & look forward to meeting you.

Hi

Dont know when lifeboat drill will be for Lisbon as we sail late so if we don't manage to meet at reception afterwards how about the next morning as it is a full day at sea? Say around 10.30 at reception?? Look forward to meeting you. When do you leave Canada?

Just to wish you a safe journey.Hope documents have arrived & look forward to meeting on 20th. We are from the lake district in NW England & also spent 19 years near Newcastle.

We fly Malaga to Bilbao early am on 20th so will probably arrive at port before check in starts.By the way when you check in there usually is a specific counter for international guests which will be much quicker,so look out for it.Never know we may bump into each other earlier than planned. Barcelona is beautiful. I prefer it to Madrid.

Probably not that hot but should be nice. Maybe 18ish to start going up to 23 at finish. You'll love Granada. Look forward to meeting & hearing your plans. When do you leave Oz?

Got our documents on Friday. Have booked an excursion in La Coruna, the one that goes out of the city,And the half day one in Casablanca. Will do our own thing in Lisbon & Gib. Do you finish in Malaga or go on to Valencia? Very hot here just now 35+ during day and 26 at night. Have to walk the dog early am.

Will be another lifeboat drill before leaving Lisbon but only for passengers embarking in Lisbon. It will say on daily program what time it is so could try same arrangement. Look forward to meeting you all. I think ship mst be going to be quite full as dinner has never been a problem before. Usually 1st sitting is the quiet one as Spanish normally eat very late. 11.00 pm is not unusual especially in summer.Were often tucked up in bed by then!!

Think I have managed to change to 1st sitting. Husband is diabetic so I said 9.45 was too late for him to eat.Also pointed out it was our 8th cruise with them & no probs before.

Look forward to meeting in a few weeks

Skinnypin it would be nice to meet up. They always have lifeboat drill before departing so maybe we could go to a bar after & have a drink. Thatbwould be well before dinner. maybe we could meet around reception after taking life jackets back to cabin & decide where to go.

Are you on 1st or 2bd sitting? We are on 2nd but will try to change to 1st as 10pm is a bit late for us. Julia Eugene also?

By the way forgot to say we are English

Nice to hear from you. This is the first time I have used cruise critic community so pleased I seem to be doing it right !Hope to meet you soon

Thanks for confirming that, duh, I feel stupid now :) We were thinking of doing the cruise excursion to Sintra and Castais and then leave Lisbon for the evening as we are not there for that long. What's your opinion on those places, have you been there before? Are the ship excursions any good?

Went to Sintra & Cascais many years ago. Both very nice.

Ship excursions are fine & if there are enough takers they will give you an English speaking guide but don't bank on it.

This time I think we will just stay on Lisbon.

Have you any thoughts on Casablanca? We will probably do a ship excusions there as we aren't very adventurous & don't like hassle of street sellers ! That's probably because we are old ( 67 & 70but don't feel it)

Hop on Hopoff open topped bus Very good value for seeing city. We usually do a full circuit then start again & get off if there is anything we want to see. 18Euros a day. Weather should be OK & getting better from Lisbon onwards but northern Spain can be anything so be prepared!