We have a fair amount of OCEAN cruising amongst various cruise lines under our belts (Bahamas, islands, Alaska, Panama Canal, British Isles) but high on our bucket list is a European river cruise; specifically (probably) the Rhine from Amsterdam to Basil (or vice versa). Looking for inputs, in particular:
* Better to go north-south or south-north and why?
* River cruise line? Viking obviously does a ton of marketing but are they the best overall bang for the buck? We are also looking at Ama Waterways (very similar, I think, but typically larger cabins?), and some friends who will be cruising with us say we should also consider Tauck who I'm totally ufamiliar with?
* Should we also book air to Europe as part of the package (home is Florida) or book that ourselves separately? I've heard horror stories about people who did it via the river cruise line but also heard of people who wouldn't do it any other way?
Insights, tips, opinions, thoughts appreciated. Looking at maybe May 2023, or maybe fall 2023 after hurricane season (Oct?).
