alexandra cruiser

until Scenic, AMA WAS my favorite line(with 4 cruises )but I love to try new things.What swayed me was the room service and tub(and they mentioned the wanted full balcony) so that eliminates Tauck.

So few Scenic reviews that correct ,they are mixed.But last 5 posted have been 5 star.Also, liked personal airport pk up(in minivan,not bus)even for those that get own air(can be big expense for taxi in some ports).

Just thinking about it, maybe I should STOP mentioning Scenic,since they are so booked ahead already,,haha.

Just do a LOT of research and find out what s best for YOU and can always try another NEXT time,if you like river cruising.I alternate with ocean for best of both,ea 6 mos.;);)

and under member review ,I hope.

Just recommended Scenic to above poster asking for luxury brand. Mentioned so few post due to relatively new to US markets and top of the line.

I agree, once you TRY them its hard to go back to others.

Also, have a north France one booked for next May on them.:D

truly 5 star.New to US market in past few yrs.so not as many reviews. Tried it in June(after thinking AMA and Tauck were luxury.This beats that, full balcony,full tub in jr.suite with room service,butler,all drinks,excursions,airport pk.up,tips,etc. Do use TA, can google those that handle luxury river lines>they often give rebates, OBC,etc.but handle all the details for no money(take a percentage from company,not you).

Also, great food,staff,extra rest.onboard,....you name it and taken care of for you.Get a brochure and look at their website, must book 1yr.in advance .Sell out quickly.

Get what you pay for.Top of the line for us after trying ALL the major lines on 11 river cruises,,,so far.:D

it was WONDERFUL. Only long bus ride that I remember was to Salamanaca.Others not bad and I enjoyed the countryside so much the time seem to fly.

Had 2 days in Porto on ours and very easy to walk to town.Enjoyed sailing during day, so beautiful.Even bus ride from Lisbon was enjoyable with a few stops and lunch.

Really, one of my favorites and also one I d consider doing again.Much more scenic than most, great food and wine, interesting ports and excursions.

The crew and boat we had was great, friendly,but know that can vary .

PS. I d say, if in doubt, GO FOR IT.:D

learned a lot. Never knew a bus service existed to port from Orlando.Sorry don t have handicapped sticker,but such a nice service for those who need it.

Majority seem to favor the garage at port,seem most convenient and safest,,,just the most expensive too.

I looked under the area for this and found so MANY comments from so MANY people.Thought I d just ask those who sail O and where THEY park when going out of Miami.

Concerned about complaints that off site not safe, long waits for shuttles,etc.as compared to expensive on site parking. Is the O area close to ship, are reservations needed, is it parking structure?Know the price is $20 day.

Leave on Nov 29 and driving down from Orlando.

Need some opinions and options.

What do seasoned O cruisers use?:confused:

but remind everyone that most cruises start in big cities.Such as Lisbon with this one.

Also, many small villages have cobblestone,lots of steps, etc. Can your DH manage therse,even in slower group?

Look under rivercruise stickies to see all the various companies to determine what s best for you.Budget means a lot,but you tend to get what you pay for.

We started when younger with the median range ones,but now prefer more luxury.Look at facebook,you tubes,etclll....lots of info.

Suggest a short(7 day)with 1 pre and post cruise stay,to see if you like it.Much different than ocean.See if its for you?

If so lots of info,just use search function here on CC.

But,if it is, my choice would be Avalon.More upscale, diversity of cruisers,better boats,etc.

But now go with Scenic, since we can finally afford it.Worth every penny, in 11 cruises,top of the line.

if service,food,all the etc.s go with AMA. I took the S.France cruise with Avalon,yes,in older ship a few yrs.ago. Was just OK as far as food,entertainment, all the extras and after that experience I tried AMA(yes,new ship with 2 balconies). Quite a difference, AMA was more upscale and enjoyed it much more.

So must weigh whats mOST IMPORTANT to YOU, remember every ship in the fleet and itinerary varies.

AMA was Burt Wolffs,travel channel host,pick.Good for him,good for me.

PS. tried a Scenic last time and WAY better than both of these lines.Really TOP of the line.Booked another with them for next yr.Truly 5 star.;)

so will take first C next Oct. and hope I like it.Taking my 3rd O cruise next mo.First on Riviera. I do like the smoking policy on both O and C ,but only choose it when I read about new dress codes for dinner. Agree I prefer more choice and less formal dinners,esp.on longer cruises.

and very shocked as I also got off Scenic cruise 2 mos.ago and had just the opposite experience.There were hand sanitizers right as you entered dining room,did the move them? CD DID mention at beginning of cruise about importance of them,but up to ea cruiser to USE THEM.

Would definitely mention about sneezing,coughing by servers.NO EXCUSE for that.

Seems so odd to have exact opposite experience as you.Hope it was an anomaly because I had the BEST experience on Scenic than in 11 other cruises.

But I hope others do NOT think this is COMMON, would go again(even have one booked) and just HOPE that it never occurs again.

Customer service and sanitation should be VERY IMPORTANT,always room to improve.Lets hope it NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN>

Maybe Scenic reads these posts and can comment??Social media is VERY important.:confused:

It was fantastic,but if all things being equal I d take the one with full balcony.I ts just so pretty you hate to miss any sites,at all.

I ve taken 2 Uniworld and 3 AMA and give slight edge to AMA as far as rooms,service,food,excursions. AMA was also featured on Burt Wolf travel show,and if good enough for HIM,eh.

Quite frankly the area is so pretty and towns so cute,you could take a rowboat and enjoy it.HAHAH

Just figure out ALL the costs,what s important to YOU and just go for it.If not up to par, try next company on the following one.Now if Scenic did that area,not sure?...THAT WOULD BE THE ONE I D CHOSE. Really top of the line,if that's what you want.Worth every penny.

with tour from AMA and really enjoyed it(I mean the history).Very sad,of course but I had never been to one before.

We also took the city bus tour and then walked on own with guidebook.Saw the the Jewish section and cemetery,famous bridge,old town sites.

We asked the concierge for rest.rec s and all within walking distance of hotel(Hilton) and very good.Only prob was smoking,even outside.One had no smoking area,in basement.

just got off a Scenic Cruise 2 mos.ago and although it was mostly Aussie,with a few from England,Canada,USA, it was NOT as the above cruiser described his experience AT ALL. Majority of cruiser were 60plus and NOT TOO wild.,loud,etc. haha. Was my first with Scenic and NOT MY LAST, not necessary for all passengers to be from US,for us its nice to meet others.

Come to think of it,it took me 1 yr in advance to book Scenic, so maybe I DONT want them to be more popular.We ll just keep it a secret,ok?

RE. butlers,they also seem to do many jobs and cover for ea.other(saw ours at bar,waiter,etc).But someone was always there,IF YOU wanted.Just a nice extra,but not necessary .Also, it never felt crowded in the least, spacious cabin and balcony,deck space,etc. Would definitely TRY a Tauck,as soon as the get regular balconies,,not just French.

the 1 hr.tour is basically a taxi,and says not all speak good English. So seems you would be paying MORE for same thing you can negotiate in town.That s what we ll do,sure it would be cheaper. I tried to book a tour online thru tourist website, and NONE of them got back to me,after 2 attempts.:confused:

why can t the Gem just be added to the list of ships already under the Member Review section for Scenic.Seems easy solution.She s already posted her review on another thread I started for Scenic reiview and under Roll call section.

Nice to be all inclusive on this site,since it can often feel like

"all Viking all the time".They seem to have their new ships inc.at quick pace,what s up with that? :confused:

then Tauck,AMA, then on to Uniworld and so on.

This last one was the top of the line on Scenic,so far ,out of 11 others.Booked another for next yr. You DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Relatively new to US,so not as many reviews YET.Best ship,butler,bathtub,room service,extra restaurants,all excursions, airport transfer,free drinks and tips,,I mean,WHat s not?We prefer Regent,Cyrstal,Seabourn,SeaDream and Oceania.Not the same,but it is the best for river, IMO.:)

I took one in May and DID use my TA.Not sure where you got that info.

Would NOT take a line that did NOT allow TA s.

Also, see USA today Sept 26(can google) for great review of Scenic cruise,,Gems of Seine.

A real top of the line cruise company,and I ve been on 11 so far with other lines.:)

great review in Sept.26 USA today about Gems of Seine cruise.Sorry ,not sure how to post a link,but can google it.

Taking that one next May and glad to hear it got positive reviews.Took my first one last May and absolutely LOVED it.And I ve been on 11 river cruises with all the major lines.Just top of the line,as this article agrees.

Nice comparison with other lines doing same cruise,mentions the all inclusive deals(which was such a convenience) and all the perks too.:)

and believe it was the South Caye,anyway it was just OK. Saw a few fish and some corral. It was more for beginners,so he was not impressed.Guess it depends on your experience and what you expect.

I did the boat excursion with Oceania, did NOT want to wander around Belize city(port area)on own.Not safe,IMO.

My least favorite port on cruise, sorry,but true,,FOR ME.;)

Thanks, good news.He can manage that.Similar knee probls with my DH.

We will be taking a taxi from Nice airport to pier,any idea about cost,availabilty pre and post cruise.Will they take us right to ship,or pier gate?

Also, my DH has problem with stairs.is it possible to get taxi to take us to main area from pier.Know its got walking route with stairs,elevator,etc.which would be hard for him.Going down ok.we ll see.

May try tourist train to get around.

Any help appreciated.Thanks

We ve been to Rome enough that we prefer to either take another excursion,not even sure where yet>or just hang around town,if anything to see and do right in town.Any taxi tours or bus deals>'

Can t find much info on just staying in port,since sure very few do.

Help.:confused:

we get there when ship is open for boarding,if possible. But not necessary,of course.

The restaurant is er.le.bris,but just ask for special rest.and ok.We booked for a nite that had earlier leave time from port,so we didn't feel we had to rush.They do post menu,which does nt change all cruise,so make sure you LIKE items.No switching,found out late and really ate little(I m picky,sorry).I was happier in reg.dining room because of that policy(plus very loud in room at back of boat).

Re.bike tours.We just booked onboard,after port talks pm before and had no problem.But do ask if limited,quite a few never showed up.We took them in Germany but not strenuous,at all.

We just did Black sea,but with Scenic,and loved it.Not as pretty ports,but lots of history.We even went to Transylvania.So cool.Hope that helps.:)

just found out that Oct .2015 will be last mo.for Med.cruises next yr.since they re selling 3 ships,first I heard about that.

May have to go early now or change itinerary.Sort of tired of Carib.in winter.

Have not got my new brochure,but any suggestions?:confused: