alexandra cruiser

First of all, I have many allergies to foods.That being said,after 11 river cruises and ALL the major lines.Prior to last Scenic cruise,I WOULD have said AMA.

Scenic had more hi end items(lobster,steak,prime rib,etc)with fresher and more varied ingredients.Loved the river café,where they would serve many sandwiches,bakery items,specialty coffees.Then theres ROOM SERVICE, never on one where THAT was inc...with a private butler,no less.Loved the special Italian and chef s dinner also.

That ALL being said, STILL not as hi end as Oceania,Seabourn,SeaDream,Regent,but STILL darn good.

Yes,acc.to our shore exc.guide.Tuk tuks are available at port.Think we ll try one when there.After going to beach,etc.Have taken them before and fun.Think you can find info on tourist info site by googling.

Was thinking of this,but after this review.Will PASS on it.

I took a steamboat on the MIss.yrs.ago and sadly,also one I d never repeat.

Too bad we can t have better AMerican rivercruises.

Sorry but agree with above.

Your original post asked for Luxury line and little tours.Not many would consider Viking such.

But think of it as just your FIRST and can always move up IF you like river cruising.Good luck.

I agree with ALL of the above.But if you are just basing on LUXURY for the boat,food,etc.I just did my first with Scenic and out of 10 other lines and cruises ,this was the most upscale.In jr.suite we had butler,room service,tub,full balcony,all tips inc.and drinks,etc....you name it.It DID inc.all the excursions,of course.But we took SOME or did on own.

Have to look at ea.website,brochure,you tube,etc.and find out whats BEST for you.PS.prior to this one,my next favorite is AMA.

YOU DO get what you pay for.Do a lot of research,lots of info out there.

I saw that jeep tour,but was worried if DH has to drive.Is it very rough?He prefers having someone ELSE drive so HE can enjoy it,not be a chauffeur.

Alto I LOVE to swim,that sounds like a nice alternative to dragging my special goggles(with correction)around.Just use regular and enjoy the sites.

Love these suggestions.CC ers are so helpful.Thanks.

Thanks for the Bonaire and Grenada tour tips,will try them both.

Did try Tripadvisor and all 4 emails NOT answered.Did try Ports of Call and same thing,will try 1 more time then just play it by ear,or take O island tour.Prefer to see an overview of the island and any points of interest,not water activity or beachs.I live near beaches in FL,and prefer just exploring island,window shopping,etc.This will be my 4th Caribbean cruise and just like the convenience of driving to port and getting away for awhile,alternate them with European,etc.cruises.

Have tried to take taxi tours in past with mixed results,often all booked when big ships in port.Even had them ask for MORE money after,run out of gas,you name it.Prefer to book in advance,less hassle.

Have posted under my roll call,but not too active.Have TRIED to contact some tour co.on Tripadvisor.Never responded to emails, websites not working,etc.Now getting frustrated.If you ve taken private tours on any of these islands.Can you help??

Aruba

Bonaire

Grenada

Martinque

St.Kitts

Guadeloupe

St.Barts

Thanks so much. Have looked at tourist website for ea.island with similar results.

Just remember,,Seabourn allows smoking on balconies.STILL, did change from also allowing in cabins.But this is just as bad.

Love everything else about them,went on Sojourn and loved the food,service,etc.but NOT THE SMOKING.Sorry,but will NOT go on them again because of it.

Know its a HOT topic,but many agree with me.

On O I also liked the food,etc.and felt it was very near that of SB,but you DO have to get the beverage pkgs.if you enjoy wine,etc.Loved the specialty rest.

Have NOT gone on Celebrity because don t like mass market,large ,ships.Prefer luxury, or premium.But sure some like them.Dont like the crowds,etc.

Used to love Regent,but last on Voyager was so bothered by the VIBRATION,and refuse to go on that ship again.Did prefer Mariner,but now replacing tubs in many cabins.No way.

Every line seems to have good points,just have to weigh whats best for YOU.

My DH have been on 11 river cruises and never had any desire to go with another couple.So I say,GO, enjoy yourself ,make new friends.

Also, your friends won t feel they messed up YOUR vacation too.

NO REASON TO CANCEL...GO.

Finding very few tours of island,any suggestions?:confused:

I love AMA,but since you ve been on it before.Think its fun to TRY another line.Just to compare.I ve tried all the major ones and do prefer AMA and now Scenic,but glad I gave them all a shot.

I stayed 2 days pre cruise in Amsterdam and still felt I d only scratched the surface,same post.But only like (due to vacation time)and homesickness to be gone 2wks.ea.time.

Lots of choices,good luck.PS.we went in May a few yrs.ago and was a little cool,with some rain.Not hot.

Just a request for the BA to Valparisio cruisers Dec.1st.PLEASE post a review,asked on roll call section also.

Want to do this NEXT yr.and would appreciate all and any details.Exp .re private or O tours you liked ,or not.

Will be on Rivera in Nov.and plan to book onboard to get extra perks.

Thanks in advance.:):)

Sadly,,YES they DO HAVE shade areas,,,BUT area taken up with picnic benches.So very little room for lounge chairs,then must drag them over and gone if left to be put back in formation.

Mentioned it to deck hand and seemed unconcerned,ships policy or somesuch.

Do have umbrellas in front lower section,but always taken(about 6?)or so.and only chairs and table under them.

I DID mention this on my ship review that I turned into them.Seems to be quite common on river ships that not ENOUGH shade area is provided.Wish they d improve that!!!D:(

Just put a review on member review section of Scenic Sapphire.

So few,we need MORE..gave it 4plus stars.:)

Do read the thread below re Scenic Cruises,also member reviews,it s relatively new to US.

Just did one and posted a review in both above places.

If this is your first river cruise,do read the info sticky on top of river section for lots of CC info.

I d do Amsterdam down,to go with river flow,not sure.BUt we did and enjoyed it.Would spend at LEAST 1 day pre and post cruise.

Remember ,ships are small,entertainment is low key,but scenery is great.Look at you tube videos also.Lots of info,just takes some work.

Think we ll do the BA to Valpariso,around the Drake passage next yr.and just HOPE to calm seas.But will pack RX ,,in case.

We did Rio to BA on O a few yrs.back and would like to explore more.Saw some cruise photos and looks adventurous.

Now must wait till next yrs.brochure,or book onboard in Nov.Not sure how fast these fill up??

Any other comments or reviews??Love all the info,and photos,from CC.

Canal archive.Look forward to your review.Taking same cruise,but not till next May.Interested in any differences in the new GEM.And your choice of side trips.

This thread got me thinking. Checked on-line and Home Depo has a temporary screen that hangs with a tension rod or Velcro for $19.95. If a screen is important this may be an option. It could probably easily fold up in a suitcase.:D Brand is Snavely Forest 37 in x 80 in. - no tools or hardware required.

Got one yesterday, think it will solve the problem.Will give it a try on ocean cruise in Nov. Hate to fight those bugs ,not SO bad when moving,but docked.FORGET it.esp.with lites.on.

Anyone do the Scenic Gem to northern France yet,Think its new,this yr?

Sounds like an option,just got off a Scenic ship and could have used one.Had to keep balcony closed at nite,filled with bugs,YIKES.Even with glass screen that goes over it,still get in even with small opening.So NO fresh air.

Heres another gripe,not enough chair space in SHADE.So many of us love to sjt on top deck,but NOT IN SUN.Ended up on my balcony more than I would have due to this.

Yes, that s right.Just not for first timers on that stretch of Danube.I knew what to expect,having read a lot of reviews of area.But quite a few newbies didn't think it was very scenic,towns not as pretty,cities big and not as impressive as say Paris.

The ship was great and really glad I upgraded to jr.balcony.Loved the perks.

So your choice for Scenic will be great.

PS.also some of the passengers had been on since Amsterdam.Many said it was a little too long.I prefer 2 wks.tops(inc.pre and post cities)esp.for newbie.Then not stuck if river crusing not your thing.Many think its like ocean ones,and then unhappy.Much smaller and low key.

Sorry, I tend to be sort of critical of small details,so NO would not give it 5 stars.But the ship,crew,food,etc.were the best I ve experienced in 10 other cruises.And,as said above,would go on them again.

But did love the jr.balcony suite and perks inv. If I had a regular one,not sure I d have enjoyed it as much.\Maybe a 4 to 41/2 rating?AMA was my favorite prior to this.But they don t have the bathtub,room service,tips inc.,airport transfer,etc....if they did ,would rate them the same.?Close call and ea.ship in ea.line can be different.

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.:)

Tipping is a problem for me on river cruises,or others,when we must use several different currencies over course of trip.I rarely have small change for ea.bus driver,guide,etc.when on shore exc. and if my DH goes on another one it makes it more inconvenient sorting out tips for ea.

Also, on some river cruise s you can inc. tips on final bill, others NO.Want to be tipped in cash(correct one).

Makes it necessary to keep going to ATM ,getting change,etc..

Sorry,just a real hassle.

This next one on Scenic handles all this and I prefer it that way.

I ,too,was a little upset by some reviews,but others very good.Will see for myself soon.