beesKate

Although I've never been on Oceania to compare, we have not been disappointed with Uniworld's food and wine. Their chefs are excellent and they do seem to great job with creative and tasty food. THey do have sample menus on their website: http://uniworld.com/Media/US-English/4/24/2014/UW_Online_Menus.pdf

For the most part, you can't go wrong, most people are happy with the cruise line they select. We are scheduled on Uniworld's this fall. We've had 2 wonderful experiences with Uniworld and look forward to being on her new ship, the Catherine. We enjoy the general experience on Uniworld, the food in the dining room is wonderful and we've just about always had wonderful guides in ports.

Although you don't mention Uniworld, they also have menus available. I will say this was a concern for my husband before our first cruise, but he saw steak and a potato were always available. Well, on the cruises we've taken, I think he may have requested the steak once. He never went hungry. And he is a picky eater. He doesn't eat salads (or any uncooked vegetable), his choice of vegetables is green breans, carrots, corn, lima beans and peas (if it's the regular mixed vegetable mix, he'll eat them). He's recently added zucchini & yellow squash to this short list since he grew so much in the garden. Do not try to put a mushroom anywhere near his plate, or visible onions. Forget any leafy greens. WHile on the cruises, I'd kind of suggest which appetizer he might like if he couldn't decifer it on his own ... and I will say he tasted a few new things including, I believe, a foie gras foam. He prefers sweet white wines over any red... and he always found wines to drink. Breakfast and lunches were no problem as they were buffetts and he could get what he wanted. The food & meals is always one of the best parts of river cruising (at least for me).

In a weird way, it's reassuring to see how France is responding to the threat and realizing it is probably safer now, with everyone on higher alert than before something happens.

In 2005, we were in London... about a month before the subway bombing. It actually took place at the subway we used across from our hotel. After it happened, people would ask if we were sorry we went. Why would we be? Nothing happened while we were there, yes something could have, but if we worried about everything that possibly could happen... I could think of lots of things... then the thing that happens is something that would have never occurred to me.

Although I've never sailed with Viking, I've seen their passengers in ports and at the airports when I've been impressed with their level of service, walking with their passengers into the airport to the check in lines, etc. River cruising is a very easy way (for you, the passenger) to see and experience a beautiful part of the world in relative ease and no worries.

You will enjoy your itinerary from Budapest to Nuremburg. This is roughly what we did last time on Uniworld. When in Budapest, if you have an opportunity, try to see the Parliament building. It's not normally on the regular included tours, but if you have an option, I highly recommend it. Also, the market is amazing.

Do you just want to "see" castles... or tour them. The river cruises will allow you to see many of them, but we didn't tour any (just palaces on certain stops). Combining land and river may be better if you really want to be able to tour the castles. However, if you're happy with just seeing them, the Rhine cruises are the best!

You really can't lose. I do whole-heartedly recommend Uniworld. Granted, I have no experience with any other river cruise lines, but I do know Uniworld will take care of you if something goes awry, and it's all inclusive (except for those optional excursions, of which we've only done 1).

I guess you don't know which ship yet? Since there are so few category 5 staterooms, it will be important to book as soon as possible when 2016 rates come out. The less expensive cabins tend to book quickly since there are so few of them. We've stayed in category 3 (there has been no 5 on our ships) and have been very happy with them. We've never had issues with noise. We met people who were in the cabin next to the gym and they never heard anything. We have not experienced noticeable engine noise or vibration on any of the Uniworld ships we've been on. I think anyone who's been on a river cruise has experienced bumping in locks, but it's pretty minor. I never have any trouble sleeping on a river cruise, I think partially because I'm tired from full says of touring, a nice dinner, a few drinks and sleep comes easily. I do use earplugs when I travel, but sometimes it's more because of my husband's snoring.

While it's nice to get to spend more time, I think that in 2 days you will see the major highlights. When we went, we arrived one mid-day/afternoon, had a tour the next morning, free time (explored) again in the afternoon and evening and left the next morning. Yes, it would have been wonderful to have more time, and I'd love to go back. But we really did get to see all the highlights (Prague castle area and the cathedral were our must-sees). You can't help but walk the Charles Bridge several times, going through old town and the a walk through the Jewish quarter are all possible.

If this is on the front-end of your trip, I'd say go for the extra day. I presume you'll be arriving from the western hemisphere and that first day is your jet-lag day, depending on when you arrive. Prague is easy to get around on your own and having one extra day will make a difference because when you start the 'real' trip, your body will have had a little time to recover.

I never found the portions small (nor did my husband, who is normally a big eater). I think they're "right sized" assuming you've already eaten an appetizer and soup before you get to the entree, and I always save room for dessert :)

The food on Uniworld is really good. Salmon is always an option (but I don't know if it's fresh vs. frozen). It seems like there's always a vegetarian option listed on the menu. Let your server know and they will take care of you.

I find I get bored on the larger cruise ships ... mainly because I'm not a fan of lots of the activities, I'd much rather be docked in and touring a European town or city or watching the different villages and wineries on the hills while sailing. On large cruise ships, I always have a hard time finding someplace comfortable to just sit and read because the seating is always in a cocktail lounge where waitstaff keeps making the rounds, etc. Sitting on a lounge chair (in the wind) watching the ocean go by gets boring. Unless you're really a fan of "sea days" I don't see how you'd find river cruising boring.

I'm another Scotvest fan. We tend to cruise in fall and I normally wear a jacket anyway, so the vest is always there. It's really not like the khaki photographer vests, although if you put something in EVERY pocket (especially a water bottle and umbrella) it can get bulky.

I love the separate ID card pocket (room card, credit card), the zippered space for cash, separate space for passport, the tiny coin pocket, the cloth to clean your glasses in the glasses pocket, the elastic that holds lip balm (or lipstick). My phone fits in the pocket over my chest, and there's even the special tiny pocket for extra photo memory cards.

I guess if I cruised in summer and wore dresses when touring, or didn't normally have outerwear I may not wear it as often as I do. I brought it with me to Hawaii this summer and only wore it on our Volcano National Park day, but it was nice to have all my things handy (literally) and not have a backpack or purse when out on trails for several hours.

Although not on the Antoinette, we've seen big groups at longer tables on other Uniworld ships. The rectangular tables can be put together for one long table. If they're not already set like this, I'm sure a quick request can take care of it.

You don't mention what time of year, but I presume you've already looked at average temps the time of year you're going. It's been said before, you're generally walking around with a group of people, you're not going look like a European anyway. Actually, man-pri's (men's capris) are seen all over Europe :).

I'd recommend bringing a very small umbrella you can fit in a pocket or day pack. Uniworld does have umbrellas, but they are the big ones that don't collapse. If you are out touring and away from the ship, you don't want to be carrying one of those "just in case".

For a first aid kit, I'd recommend just taking a few bandaids -- even if you have shoes you're used to, walking all day on cobblestones may rub your feet the wrong way. You really don't need much more than that, maybe your preference of pain reliever? I've got to admit, we've never taken sunscreen on a river cruise. My daily moisturizer has sunscreen in it and that seems to be enough. But then, I also wear hats...

I recommend checking the 10 day forecasts on weather.com before you leave. You seem to be taking a lot of shorts. Unless it's supposed to be over the 80's when you're there, slacks will be more versitile as you can also wear them for dinner -- but then you know what you're most comfortable in -- and I realize you plan to do the go-active excursions. Just check the weather first, this time of year it could go either way and shorts could be fine.

I probably wouldn't take as many dresses as you are... it looks like you've got 3 dresses + 2 nicer skirts, I presume all for dinners? Could any of these dresses or skirts transition to day wear if it were warm or are they nicer? You'll be fine wearing them, but I will say most of the women will be wearing black pants and a different top most evenings. If you needed to cut down the amount of things you bring, an extra pair of black pants could work.

I will admit I overpacked my first river cruise... I wore everything, but the next trip I didn't even bring a dress.

I notice you say you plan to make a quick change at the airport when you arrive. I know you've been wearing the same clothes for hours sitting on the plane, but it seems like more effort than I'd make.

Although we didn't do this... if you travel east to west (Budapest towards Prague), and you run into rainy weather, at least it won't follow you as the weather tends to go from west to east. We've been very lucky (knocking on wood), but a cruise a day behind us on the Danube ended up with the rain keeping up with them for several days.

When we went in September, it was earlier in the month. Most days were beautiful -- Prague and Nuremburg were almost hot (they were the end of our cruise). We only had one rainy day. I did wear light jackets most days when we started out, but I live in Texas and am much more acclimated to heat. On our castle cruising day, we were under the blankets on the top deck, even with the sun shining.

On the Danube we were mid-October. We arrived in Munich with snow on the ground. The weather cleared, but it was noticeably cooler. I wore a bigger coat most days (as did most of the passengers and people in the cities). But we did have one beautiful, almost warm day in Salzburg.

I almost didn't take the big coat until the last minute when I was watching the 10-day forecasts on weather.com for most of the cities we'd be in. The one day we left the ship without an umbrella or heavier jacket (Vienna), it ended up turning cooler and we went back to the ship at lunch to grab the warmer items.

However, weather is fickle. We learned the people following about a day behind us had rain everyday.

No, the windows don't open. I had to go back and look at pictures. They are nice-sized and you can easily see out. I still have some pictures posted of the ship on my flickr account and you can see the window.

Uniworld is our favorite river cruise line.

 

Our TA gives us a 10% reduction of the posted cruise price on every Uniworld cruise.

 

fred111, could you message me with your travel agent who gives you a 10% reduction? The most we've gotten has been a couple of 100!

Uniworld does not book travel directly, you will need to use a travel agent. Apparently it helps to shop around.

We've always purchased 3rd party travel insurance, generally for less than what Uniworld offers, with better coverage.

I don't think it would be risky booking the new ship. They already have 2 sister ships (the Antoinette and Catherine) cruising, so they should have a pretty good idea of the timeline to launch.

If you book early, you may have a chance at a category 3 cabin. We really like these as they are identical to the category 2 -- and if you can get 301-304 you are just a few steps from the dining room and stairs to the upper decks.

Uniworld tour groups tend to be about 20. As with almost all the ships, they use the receiver/ear piece so you don't need to cluster around the guide, but can wander a bit if something interests you. They do tend to use full size buses (when needed), but they aren't full and there are plenty of empty seats normally. For many tours you just walk off the ship and meet your guide.

The local guides are a wealth of information and can recommend local places.

This is where the benefit of the guided city or village tour comes in. After your walking tour, ask your guide where they recommend. They are local and know the best places. :)

I'd like to chime in that the food on Uniworld is fantastic and they usually bring in local specialties for both lunches and dinners. It's definitely NOT Appleby's! Lunches are much more casual and we'd pop in for a quick lunch if the ship were docked in town, and we'd be out exploring again within the hour.

If you're going to be on the Danube, for some ports you'll be right in town, others you may need to bus to a destination. Vienna is a good example. Although the dock is in Vienna, it's not in the heart of the city and you'll need to take the ship-provided transportation or use the subway. That's a good place to decide to spend the entire day in town (however, in our case, the weather turned and we went back to the ship for a warm lunch and to pick up umbrellas and a warmer jacket). Other ports, like Budapest, you're generally right in the middle of town and can pop in and out if needed.

Ear Planes are like ear plugs. They're normally a little less than $5/pair, and they say a pair is good for 1 round-trip flight (or 2 flights). You can find them in the ear care section of a drug store, normally around the ear plugs. We've also bought them on Amazon. I've seen them in airport gift shops, but I think they tend towards $6-7.

The ear plug has a center tube with a little valve in it (I don't know scientifically, I'm just looking at some I had). It's supposed to help relieve air pressure.

When you book the extension through the cruise line, you are paying to have a liaison at the hotel and probably some included tours, meals and transportation. So yes, you can pay for a hotel for less than the extension price. But you're not receiving the same product.

However, if you're capable of doing a little bit of research and exploring a city on your own, it is almost always going to be less expensive to book your extension on your own.

A few months ago there were lots of questions from people familiar with ocean cruising who were considering river cruising. Although you specifically asked about the luxury level of the different lines, the following threads have good information about the differences between ocean and river cruising:

Good discussion on differences between ocean and river cruising as well as a discussion on the average age of the guests:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1984177

Good discussion on day-to-day activities on river cruising.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2018038

Have fun planning!