alexandra cruiser

I took Uniworld for Portugal one.Avalon for S.France.and have Scenic booked for next one.Also, a hold on N.France one with Scenic.

I now prefer the upper end cruiselines with all the perks(can finally afford it).

But started off just happy to be ON THE boat,and in Europe.

So look at which ones do the itinerary you want,do research,and pick which is best for you.

If not the BEST, always NEXT TIME>right??:)

Will be determined by what time your ship docks.

Would allow time to get there 2 hrs.prior,then travel time.

How about 6am at latest.?Perhaps you can get later flight.Nice is small airport but you never know about travel time.We stayed in Nice that nite and avoided the hassle,good suggestion and stay an extra day.I hate to rush and worry and afraid I would with that time and drive.Sorry.:confused:

Try Portugal.We loved it.A little different than the ones you ve taken so far.

Very scenic,great small towns,enjoyed a few days pre in Lisbon.

Now, I also loved Southern France one too.Do that NEXT.haha

So much so doing northern France next yr.(after June Budapest to Bucharest).

Then hope to do the new Bordeaux one after.So much to explore,right?:)

Prior to my AMA cruise,I DID explore Pandaw but didn't chose because I wanted boat with balconies.

Also,wanted Halong Bay cruise inc.in pkg.

I like to "rough it" during day but have 5 star accomodations at nite.

Mine did inc. days pre cruise and post in either Saigon or Hanoi.

Looked at plenty of videos by googling and chose what was best for us,with itinerary we wanted,etc.

Also.2days in Cambodia to see Anghor wat,etc.

WOnderful cruise and would go again in a minute.:)

I posted a request for this(or consideration)both on a post below and also sent email to both river cruise hosts.

So many ask the same question re WHICH ship,etc.If they had the link it has so many of the questions answered.Then they could ask SPECIFIC questions for us.

Is this possible,?agree it might help?:confused:

Can CC put the river cruise info for above posters on a sticky or somewhere easy to access.So many ask similar questions about WHICH cruise and if they had a central spot to check them out it would be helpful.

Have seen this before but not sure how to direct them there ?:confused:

On the AMA one,they told us in advance.

I found the bus ride interesting,we had a few stops(markets,rest,etc) and it gave me an opportunity to see the countryside,people,towns.

The bus was luxurious with good AC,nice reclining seats,and guide told a lot about areas we were going thru.;)

I agree and you can see from my above posts, waiting to see IF IT WILL CHANGE before I book again.

So sad,because ex.for that I LOVED EVERYTHING else about the cruise and would go again on one in a minute.

But enough people must NOT FEEL same way or they would change.Its been 2 yrs.now and STILL WAITING.

Someone in management is not keeping up to date with rest of luxury lines,or is an avid smoker??What gives,others have said they try to court the European client ??:confused:

Not that I know of either,did take a paddlewheeler yrs.ago and was awful.But hear they ve updated and changed hands.Still they remain quite expensive,as compared to Europe.Heard its due to USA wages and rules.?

Did the Mississippi one>but boat was old,staff poor,and cabin stunk(literally),food awful...sounds great,eh??:confused:

On our recent Tulip time cruise we were docked right up against other boats at least half of the time. When we were not, we really enjoyed our outdoor balcony as the temps were mild. In winter we barely used it so for us, we would not pay the premium in cold weather.

and I have never gone when cold.

Odd about docking for such long time on that particular one, as I ve said .Been on 10 and only did so sporadically and for short time.

Have not been on Tulips tour,and now may rethink if I ever would do to that situation.:confused:

Viking was the first at least I ve seen that offered this Bordeux France one.Now others are.That s the one I was referring too.

just because they offer MORE cruises does NOT make them BEST.

Agree that since they re the largest they sometimes DO offer new itinerary and new ships first with more sailings.

But,as with the Viking CHataux probs.discussed.One can often find similar on other lines the next yr.As now both Uniworld and Scenic have added this.

Avoid first cruises,they usually need to work out the kinks(as it seems the above has now?):confused:

other ships is rare and usually not for a long time.

I agree the price is different,but IF YOU CAN afford it,think the good outweighs the bad.

Have been on both and now won t go back.

We spend quite a lot of time in room,8 hrs.at nite,etc.plus thru day to rest.

Many talk about time on top deck,but that can be uncomfortable and sometimes hot(or rain).Also, can be closed for long periods for bridges,hi water,etc. If you have a bit of claustrophobia,balcony is a God send.:)

I found a Australia cruise for 2015 that I WANT to take in 2016(assuming they still have it and would be the same).Didn't mean to confuse anyone,since I DONT have any access to that,would be great though.

Also,posted on another thread whether CC could post a new,updated cruiseline smoking policy.This way I must look at itinerary,THEN check smoking policy on every line.Of course, would double check BEFORE ,but gives you some idea where to start.

have been on many that had people with walkers,crutches,even wheelchairs.But do have to be able to walk on gangplank to ship(not seen any wide enough for the WCs.

Then they have slower walking groups on most.

Also, have option of passing on sightseeing and staying onboard.Many do NOT have elevator to top floor,just stairs. Would get at least French balcony,in that case,so he can see from room.Better with full balcony of course.

;)

as I did south of France with Scenery.I had many problems with my cabin,the bathroom esp...awful odor in whole cabin from it.Others near ours had same thing,the cleaned pipes and then left room deodorizer.WHEW.Never solved the problem,having been on other ships I KNOW this needed complete FIX,not this measure.

Then,,the way ship is laid out,when in main room you can t see anything in front.Blocked by stairwell,odd design.

Food was average,very few varieties of desserts,wines(free at dinner),and portions appeared smaller than usual.

Sorry, but would NOT take that cruise on THAT ship.Unless it has REALLY improved in last 2 yrs.HOPEFULLY??

Can just relate MY experience,

you got it,,Viking also Best there too.But seems to be strictly by website vote for members only.

I must be missing something,but most people would ASS u me(sorry)that these polls are both TRUE.right?

Guess I ve been on the wrong VIking cruises?Certainly would not rate BEST for me,but I could be unlucky?

Agree they were average,or even somewhat above,but certainly not best.Doubt I would even take another,UNLESS itinerary only done by them.:confused::confused:

that could be added to when necessary?

I put it in search engine and only found this thread,then had to look thru it to find the link.

Maybe one of the CC hosts has an idea??:confused:

Here is a link to the article that Cruise Critic has compiled; it might be best to read here instead of relying on information that may be incorrect/out of date.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=225 <--click here

 

.

like permanently under Discussion topics,or somewhere you can check back with.

Such a pain to visit ea.site to look it up.

Where did you even find this??

Can one of the host here please see if it could be posted for more easy reference.??

Also, what about RIVER cruises??:confused:

because I found a cruise I REALLY want to take,but not till early 2016.Hoping they ll CHANGE this balcony smoking thing by then.

Everything else about it would be GREAT,and Im so unhappy I may have to look elsewhere.

Think management listens or reads these negative comments.Know other lines do and respond,,SEABOURN??:confused::confused:

as I ve cruised with all the above.Remember ea ship in the fleet can be very different.

So its always a very general comparison.

Found AMA to be of higher standards in cabins(love the 2 balcony longships),also in food,service,entertainment...really every category.

Then would list Uniworld as slightly less .Then comes Avalon.Nothing awful and just more on average scale,not above.

But,if the itinerary is only offered by them and you want to go,give it a try.

Not bad,just not great.Sorry,trying to be honest.

to consider.

We re not retired,but can pick vacation time.Want to get the best deal of course,but want it to be great at same time.Not asking for much,right?

Most of the lines I m interested in,luxury(premium) only offer them Dec.thru Feb.

for similar cruise type as Oceania..

Scenic...AMA...or Tauck.

Only thing re.Tauck which prevents me from booking is lack of balcony,only have French.

Taking Scenic in June for first time(after 10 other river cruises with major lines).Like the all inclusive features,full balcony, tub,room service,tips for on and offshore too,shore exc....literally everything.

But also loved the AMA new ships with both full balcony and French,good food,et.But not as all inclusive.

So do a comparison.Look at videos,website,reviews,brochures and find out which is best for YOU.

Loved the France cruise,did Paris on own prior for 2 days.BUt had been there a few times before.

Remember, everyone seems to have their own favorites.I try to remain open to new experiences and like to TRY other ones too.You never know when the NEXT one will be your new favorite.;)

under member review section,took it last May=June .

On AMAcerto.To put it in one word...GREAT.Loved the new 2 balcony ships.

Good food,service,cabin,etc...Took the Romantic Danube,but would stay extra days in Budapest post cruise.

After 10 ,,,IMO ,,,remember ea.boat in ea.country can be so different.Due to many regulations etc...so hard to lump them all.Must look at ea .one and compare.Then, you DO get what you pay for,,,so the luxury or premium lines cost more.

So far my favorite has been AMA,that being said ,,trying Scenic in June.So may change my mind.

Then Uniworld(oh,would be Tauck but never went since they don t have full balcony).Avalon,,then Viking.Would not go on Gate 1 again.Refuse Grand Circle and Vantage also, since they prohibit TAs.

Hope that helps SOME.:)

you want pre cruise in Prague and post in Budapest.

We just did this with AMA and worked out well.Can always do hotels,etc on your own if you prefer.

Then can fly directly to ea city.

Along with itinerary differences,many lines offer more perks too.So do check around .Nothing against Viking,have taken 2 with them.But now prefer a little more upscale.You DO tend to get what you PAY for,as I ve said on this section many times.(finally learned after 10 river cruises on all the major lines).