Ship's Wake
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CroisiEurope cruises in Spain on the Guadalquivir and Guadiana Rivers.
http://www.croisieuroperivercruises.com/cruises/guadalquivir-and-guadiana-cruises
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Tampa better pay attention to prevailing trends in the industry. They may spend a boatload of money for nothing.
As Mobile and then Baltimore (for a while) found out.
Based on Carnival's record of pulling out of home ports, much thought needs to be put into this.
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Sure, we have done it from time to time.
As others have indicated, practice common courtesy and let the guide know that you are leaving the group if it appears they are taking a head count.
You will get a mix of passengers on every river cruise - some who really enjoy the guided aspect of the tours and others who absolutely abhor the idea of someone else being in control of their vacation time.
On a Christmas cruise, we have found there is usually plenty of time to enjoy the markets in addition to taking the walking tour being offered. If the weather is cold, a tour that goes indoors at times can be a real blessing rather than spending four or five hours standing outside in the markets.
DW seems to enjoy the day better if we don't freeze our derrieres.
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Can now answer my own question at start of this thread.
First, to answer about computer.It never worked the whole time,ship has some issues with the wi fi.Even out tablet wouldn't help.So don t count on it,sorry.
Other than that issue, we enjoyed our first Scenic cruise.Glad we opted for jr.balcony suite.Loved the tub(sort of space ship design,not like pics in brochure.We had breakfast room service every morning,on balcony.Food often warm,not hot,but still nice treat.Lots of choices there,and could write on extras.The butler was very helpful, starting with pillow choices,pm and nitely treats,etc.But they also do other things,like waitress,etc.
Wish they d have screens on balcony tho,could nt keep open at nite,bugs got in.Also, would love a make up mirror.
Food is so subjective,I m allergic to many things,so hard to evaluate lots of items.Would say,in general,above average,FOR A RIVER cruise(not comparable to luxury ocean ships).Lots of choices,service varied depending on table,if table la rive and portabellos open.Both of those seemed a little better in food and service.Dining room very loud,but have had that problem with all the riverboats(10 so far).
Would NOT chose this cruise for first timers,I wanted to see all the Danube and this was last for that river. Not as scenic as others,but interesting and historical sections nice to see.Most ports needed bus to get to town, we often went on some part of tour,then left and me back to go to ship.Budpest always great,easy to see on own with HOHO bus or pedicab.Some small towns not as memorable,sort of communist era buildings.Belgrade large city and did city tour,but passed on rest since pouring rain. Bucharest another large city with some pretty sections,would have passed on some tours since not too interesting.But sort of forced,inc.in busride from ship to city,lunch,then right to Parliament bldg. tour(SHOULD have just taken taxi to hotel,like some).
There were only 4 Americans onboard,but all the others,AU,Canadiens,English were very nice and fun to meet.
Sure I m missing something,so do ask .
In general, liked Scenic and felt it was above average for everthing.The rooms made it rate hi er than AMA.Liked all the perks, esp.the tips inc.for everything,inc. transfers from airport.Paid nothing on check out.As said, will go on them again.:)
Thanks for reporting back.
On previous posts you indicated you were looking for a 5 star experience.
Would you rate Scenic as 5 stars?
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Ships are too large to sail right down to the continent. Any ships using heavy fuel can only do drive by.
They would also have to have a ship with 500 or less in order to land any passengers.
Would either need to be a new build, purchased vessel, or a chartered ship.
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Here's some interesting news. Viking is now a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.
They haven't announced any plans for Antarctica cruises, but this could be an indicator that they plan to cruise there.
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Mr. Donald certainly has his work cut out for him. The goal of having passengers spend $20 more per day seems reasonable enough, but there are many challenges to achieving that goal.
Here is the link to a pdf of a presentation given by John Tercek, CEO of RCCL that highlights some of the trends and challenges facing the industry: http://www.cruising.org/sites/default/files/leadershipforum2013/3B.pdf
Seems that the North American Emission Control Area are going to have a tremendous impact on the industry. It would seem that higher fuel costs are inevitable, and of course this will mean higher passenger cruise tickets. This could potentially change the industry in Alaska and Canada - New England.
Higher cruise tickets will mean less bookings.
Which means another round of cutbacks or a gradual reworking of the product where meals are no longer included.
It's sad to see all this play out - all of us are getting to experience the continued reduction in the quality of product being offered due to the stagnant economy.
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I am am in my mid 30s and still have my hearing. Loud music adds makes it a more lively atmosphere. It makes it a fun ship imho
Do you think they should make the music even louder than it currently is so that the ship is even more fun and lively?
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Suffice to say my wife had a number of things she wanted to reply with but as she said your defence of Vikings marketing and payment practices are still symptomatic of cash flow problems. If you need cash today to pay for your investments from last year then that's a cash flow problem.
Perhaps yes, perhaps no.
It bears noting that it was commonplace in the late 70's and into the 80's for cruises to paid in full more than a year in advance. That was because there was more demand than capacity available and the cruise lines could ask for, and get, advance payment.
The ceo of Viking ran Royal Viking cruise line back then, and seems to be employing the same strategy with Viking.
Demand for river cruising exceeds existing capacity, even with the rapid increase in new boats coming on line each year.
Hopefully this adds some context for why advance full payment is being asked for by Viking.
I would not be surprised if other river cruise lines follow along and do the same.
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FWIW, the port development project link is no longer in development. However, the pier development is still occurring, just not with an outside agency in control.
"Government of the Virgin Islands will no longer pursue with Tortola Pier Partners"
read full details here http://www.bvi.gov.vg/news/statement-premier-and-minister-finance-dr-honourable-d-orlando-smith-obe-cruise-pier-developmen
Great information - thanks for sharing.
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perhaps, but with the ny rangers in the finals for the first time in 20 years and the ship sailing from ny, i think the stanley cup finals will be pretty popular.
I found the thread with the 2014 dailies:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2047248&page=2
lgr!
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Many of us remember when the cruise lines attempted to deal with the rapid increase in the cost of fuel about 10 years ago by imposing fuel charges for every passenger (these surcharges were in addition to the price of the cruise fare).
Passengers moaned, whined, and complained to the point that the cruise lines did away with them.
The price of fuel (the largest expense by far in operating the ship) has not gone down.
Instead on providing the same type of experience, to cope with higher cost of fuel, cutbacks in quality and service plus adding more revenue opportunities is the way that the cruise lines have gone.
Now that they know many passengers will pay for what was formerly included in the price, we can expect more and more ways to spend beyond the base fare to get a quality experience.
It's the reality now and not going to change back to the way it was.
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We have thought about this issue for a few days and concluded that for us, it is not a big deal. When we do use Room Service our practice is to tip the room service steward $2-$5upon delivery. If we are assessed a room service charge we will simply stop tipping since we assume that Princess is properly compensating the room service steward.
Hank
$3pp today. Eventually will be $5pp, and then even higher. No doubt a 18% gratuity on top of the room service fee will be added.
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The Royal Viking connection is very interesting. Curious how well the new product will try to recreate some of the touches of the former line.
Two additional ships holding 930 passengers have been named. The fleet will now be the Viking Star, Viking Sea, and Viking Star (Royal Viking Line's original vessels were called Royal Viking Star, Royal Viking Sky and Royal Viking Sea).
(Tip of the hat to Host Andy for posting this on the Viking Oceans boards).
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Thanks for the update!
Very interesting to see this line taking shape.
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Going June 13.Have been to Budapest before.Loved it and wanted to go back and spend more time there.
Scenic had the best dates,itinerary,and ships for this area.Love the 5 star claims,HOPE its really true.
Even put a HOLD on N.France for 2015.The jr.suites (and above)go fast it seems.
Hope someone will let us know how this yrs.cruises are going??Need up to date reviews PLEASE>:D:D
If possible please report back once you complete this cruise and let us know whether it measures up to a luxury product. Would love to know your impressions.
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We took the Celebrity Millenium a couple of years ago in September from Vancouver to San Diego at the end of the Alaska season. The ship was very dirty in some areas (exterior windows, balcony, carpeting, grimy deck chairs).
This was because there are strict governmental limitations on what can be done in the Alaskan ports to keep the ships clean.
Don't expect a gleaming immaculate ship. Shouldn't affect your enjoyment, but be aware that towards the end of the Alaska season the ship will look dirtier.
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They should call it bistro on 7 now :D
Nice one!
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My first cruise was on the Celebration - 5 day cruise from Galveston to Cozumel and Calica!
Such a small cruise ship by today's standards, but still bigger than the size of the Titanic. :)
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Being that our sailing life started in 1980 I have seen much in the way of change from all the cruise lines. Back in the 80'-90's cruising gave you a more special feel. Very few people at that time ever cruised. It took a show like Love Boat to bring cruising to the masses.
But back then, the food was better, entertainment was better and even the cruise staff was more entertaining. Back then CCL only have 3 ships, the Carnival, Mardi Gras and Festivale. The Festival being the large ship in the fleet at a robust 35,000 tons. Bingo was affordable and Drink prices were much cheaper than back home
Fares were higher, but you got what you paid for. Nickle and dimeing was not the way of life during those years.
Just curiuos- What if Carnival took one of their ships and transformed it back to the times when cruising made you feel more important, not mass market. When your waiter would show up with the pasta course on a silver tray and ask everyone if they wanted some. Back when plates did not come out pre-assembled but the main course was on the plate and the waiter brought out the sides seperatly and you chose what you wanted. When eveyone went to the midnight buffet, not because they were hungry, but to see the different creations the chefs came up with. Would you pay a few hundred dollars more for a better experience, well maybe not better but a different type of experience.
I still feel crusing is a great value, but do time always have to change!
Interesting topic. Fun to converse about, but of course will never happen.
Sadly, the institutional memory of what Carnival used to offer is long gone. Those executives and employees who built the Carnival brand are no longer with Carnival.
The current management roster... well...that's a whole separate discussion.
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When making comments about Carnival, one needs to take into account all the enhancements/cutbacks (depends on how big a cheerleader you are) Carnival has done to their product.
Today's Carnival is no where near the same experience as it used to be. While I used to have no qualms about booking a Carnival cruise, today they are not even on my list of cruise lines I would consider.
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CRLess, great information you are sharing. Thanks for taking the time to post it.
I can see why positive comments written about a crew member and passed up the chain of command are more valuable than an extra cash tip.
The cash tip is a one-time event. The positive comments result in an increased share of tips for the crew member over the course of their contract.
If you really want to be a big spender, tip extra cash AND write positive comments about deserving crew members. :)
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Some on this board have coined the term "aquarium class" :) for the bottom deck.
Stayed on the bottom deck on two previous river cruises. No issues for me so far.
I haven't come across anyone on these boards complaining about vibration or noise due to deck location on one of the boats cruising on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, etc.
You will hear noise and feel some vibration going through locks, but that is not a function of your deck but can be heard and felt all over the boat.
As others have stated, most river cruise passengers spend very little actual time in the cabin other than sleeping and getting ready for the day.
If your budget for this trip needs to be in aquarium class accommodations, no worries.
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Why do you have to stick with Carnival? There are many other GREAT cruise lines that cruise to these ports.:confused:
I'm with you on this. I choose where I want to cruise and then find the best cruise line that has the features and budget I like.
River Cruising - Sofabeds???
in River Cruising
Posted · Edited by oysterdam
You may want to consider booking a sailing where the single supplement is waived - ie: one person can have the whole stateroom to himself/herself and only pay the single fare, and then book two cabins, one for each of you.
These sailings of course will be off-peak times. Uniworld, Avalon, AMA and perhaps other lines offer these. Search for single supplement waived or solo travelers plus the river cruise line to find these sailings.