alexandra cruiser

Perhaps you can transfer the booking to a TA within a certain time frame. Mine discounts usuy 15 percent.

I just did it with AMA.Switched to TA and got the above perks.Kept same cabin,reservation,etc.Just contact TA and sign release from AMA.No problem but all the benefits.

No down fall that I can see,they handle all the details.;)

book Viking.None of the other river cruise lines demand this,that I KNOW of.

Why tie up your money,,for such a LONG time.

Also, deal with a TA for next one.Can give you tips and heads up re these OFFERS.

Funny, CC still has Viking listed as BEST RIVER CRUISE,which I asked about on previous thread.Oh Well.

MANY OTHERS MUST LOVE THEM, since its seems all (or MOST)of threads start with VIKING.NO???:confused:

I agree with everything you say. I was playing devil's advocate! We are very much looking forward to our first SB cruise and hope the smoking issue won't make it our last.

we LOVED all the rest of ship,cruise,etc.As I have stated,but this issue has caused us to move to other luxury,and premium lines in the past 3 yrs.We even have OBC not used.A REP from SB called about that and I said,when you change the smoking policy I ll be back.

Hoping it will be since I want to book one for early 2016.;)

will in also be banned from BALCONY??

If so, will HAPPILY go ahead and book for next year.

Any ideas about that too??

Other than that,LOVED my cruise on Sojourn and would LOVE to go on her again,or others.:)

videos and reading reviews.As said everyone is different,what MINE might like NOT what YOURS would.

Lots of info out there,have then participate in research and decision.

That being said, my 2 GD s would be bored silly,but on 3 occasions we ve cruised with young adults who LOVED it.:confused:

did you ever contact the above Viking rep as suggested?No help?

Better to lose JUST the $200 than to pay for whole thing and THEN have to cancel.

Maybe you can switch to some other cruise at that time?Last minute ,I know,but ???

Hope you re working with a TA,and they can help.

Hard to get your plans and hopes on one cruise and then POOF.right?:confused:

I don t think "we re in a good place"as you say re this problem.

My above concerns are still valid.

Smoking need s to be banned from all parts of cabin,and that certainly inc.the balcony.

Enough said,dont want to beat a dead horse,as they say.:(

near HIS balcony seems a real luck of the draw,NO??

Would I just be UNLUCKY if my expensive cruise and cabin were filled with smoke if someone near mine was doing what cruiseline authorizes??

I know this subject has been dicussed to death,but policy STILL NOT IN LINE with many other luxury lines.

Sad,but true.:(

can you clear that up. Prev.post quoted from SB smoking policy.

If so, STILL a problem to me.

I m one of the few who REALLY want to take another,and thinking about it,but THIS is a real drawback.:mad:

even with the above pitfalls.Rest of time its WONDERFUL and I love and need fresh air and lots of light.And willing to pay for it.

Started with French balcony,worked my way up.Some say they re hardly in room,but all nite in dark,inc.space with no air is a killer for me.So ,,to each their own,I say.Thank God we have choices.right??

Even trying Scenic,where they have glass door that can cover full balcony and can sit out in rain.Looking forward to the room service and breakfast on balcony..:)

why I didn't take them.And others do like them,I know.

Another factor is age(Grand circle,over 50 only,right?)I started river cruises in 40s so ignored them at time.Then yrs later I looked at BBB ratings for both and rated low(at that time),hear its improved.

Now that I m older,and can afford hi er end.Prefer the top brands ,as posted.Plus ,my TA only deals in premium and luxury lines(and give great discounts,perks,cash back,etc.

Another point, saw Burt Wolf on river cruise travel shows and he took AMA.If good enough for him,I say,hahah.

Again,TRY one,if not for YOU,TRY another.Not one line fits everyone.:)

The least expensive I took was Gate 1,and as you can see from above post,ranked in average range(but poor in cruising,food,etc.)

Some such as Vantage,Grand Circle etc, are priced on lower end,but DO NOT ALLOW TAs.Which I will NOT BOOK with.Some like them,I have never taken one due to above.Like working with TA s for price,perks,advice,etc.

Then Viking,Avalon,Uniworld, are sort of mid range.Perfectly fine but I now like the hi er end ones.Such as AMA,TAUCK,Scenic.

Others may not agree,but just my opinion.Look at sample cruises and do a comparison.Read all the fine print on whats inc.

Try one,if not right,try another.Look at videos so you can see for yourself.:)

never even thought to take 2 different airlines.Will look into options.

May take a few shore exc.with ship,or private(so will email you later on)when I find more details.

No longer like to rent cars,esp.when driving on left.After a few near mishaps in England,etc.Almost missed the boat on one.:o

only bus was from Paris to port.Some went on own before and took train(an option)but parked in city centers in most of towns and could walk,take a taxi,etc.on own.No need to take any bus tours if you don t want to.It s always up to you,no matter which port.

Agree, look at area that interests you,see the daily itinerary,use a TA that specializes in river cruises for more help.

We often tak e the incl.tour to get to town center(if needed)then tell guide and go off on own,can take taxi back or walk to ship.Many options.;)

much worse than I thought,hahaha.Best to keep your blinds drawn also, have walked out of shower in the buff,to see next ship passenger literally RIGHT THERE.How embarrassing.

Also, even when going thru locks,the workers onshore can see right in room at times,,,found that out taking a nap in underwear.

Don t laugh ,,I DO GET dressed.

LIttle know facts that are NOT told.:rolleyes:

then switching onboard.Just want concierge ,mid ship.

Also, never even heard of Virgin Aust.air,,,do they fly home from Auckland too?Can you remember cost.?Was thinking of Air New Zealand also,but hate to fly back from Sydney,or vice versa.

On 2 of the member reviews, cruisers complained about high cost of shore exc. and being "nickel and dimed".Did you feel that?

:confused:

""popular" cruises in past.Now onto off the beaten path ones that are HOPEFULLY not as packed with rafted ships at ea.port.Also glad I took the Russian,Egypt,etc.ones yrs.ago,,,would NOT GO on them now.And LOVED them both ,,,at that time.

Now TRY new itineraries before they get too popular.Still get the full balcony,but aware you might wake up with someone on their balcony 2ft.away.ahaha Somehow they NEVER SHOW THAT in the brochure.:rolleyes:

you ll have to one of the first to review it.

Do check on river cruise advisor(google) for more info.Also, a thread re it on main river cruise area below this.Fodors listed it as one of the cruises for 2014,sounds good and I got a brochure in mail(same company owns it as Scenic)a 5 star ship).

Lots of info under ports section for Prague.Also look up tourist info site for all the ports and they give lots of info.We did Prague on own 3 days prior to cruise with guidebook.Get a hotel in old town and easy to walk and see all the sites.

DO let us know.:)

As you will hear from many,food is very subjective.What I like and require may be very different than for you.That being said.We never have left hungry during any of the 10 river cruises,on 6 different lines.But some food just seemed "better" on some lines than others.Also,can vary by country.Our least favorites were Egypt and Russia.Best were parts of France,Vietnam,and Portugal.

So that makes a big difference in food quality about ea.ship.So to rate them,my "favorite"(meaning most flavor,best presentation and service,along with amount) was AMA(on 2 cruises).Avalon,Uniworld,VIking were sort of average,but still good.Worst was Gate1.

There are usually 4 different main course choices ea.dinner,can also order of SET menu avail all the time.Lunch is nice buffet,with special daily soups,salads,main course(again SET menu to order also).Breakfast same.

BUt,as you state,not as "GOOD" as most OC just do to size,budget,etc,IMO.

Sure you ll enjoy it, just don t have unrealistic expectations.

You can always eat offshore during port stops too.;)

load of info available.Get lots of brochure,visit RC websites, look at river cruise advisior site)(google_) ,even you tube has info.Type in particular ship,etc.

I ve done 10 and still learning all the tips and details.LOts to figure out and whats best for you,your budget can be a determining factor.See EXACTLY what is covered,what YOU WANT,etc.and go from there.We stared on Viking(sort of like Princess quality),tried Avalon,Uniworld,AMA,Gate 1.Each NICE but different,Find you DO TEND to get what you pay for.Trying Scenic next,billed at 5 star luxury with all incl.features,,,,but we ll see.So far,I agree with above AMA has been my favorite(2 cruises with them)..but now basing soley on itinerary(not wanting to see same area twice).

Try one, if not for you, try another.Remember, MUCH SMALLER ship,cabin,etc.with less entertainment.We LOVE them,but alternate between those and ocean to experience both types OH, try a shorter cruise with day or 2 pre and post cruise,then if not for you not caught on LONG one you hate.Also, can do own air and get a credit.I like that better to pick out whats better for me.Use a TA that specializes in river cruises,not one just assoc.with a particular line.Ask for special,s deals,best price,,,look around at a few first.

was on mid 6 th floor, felt like vibrating bed and tub.DH not bothered by it,and did NOT notice it it similar area on Mariner.

Guess ship handled rough sea area pretty well,just concerned since many posters on other lines complained about it.BUt we hate those mass market big ships,so we ll have to take our chances.

How soon in advance did you book,hear they sell out quickly??

Again loved all your details.Appreciate the time it took .:)

If you want to take advantage of the on cruise booking credits and the cruise for 2016 is still not out, the Oceania ambassador will book you the latest cruise they can, once the 2016 cruises are out, transfer the credits to your 2016 cruise. We did this, this past January because we were waiting for the 2015 May to November cruises to come out and have now transferred the credits to the cruise we wanted. This was on the advice of the Oceania ambassador that we did this.

 

Tasman Sea was smooth when we sailed but the Captain said that we were very lucky. We booked the cruise as soon as the winter brochure was released and it filled up quite quickly. This way we got the cabin we wanted.

These on cruise credits ,,,not on Rivera till Nov.Do you think I could wait till then to book for 2016? Asked my TA about it,but she said not till on computer,etc.Heard they fill up fast.So I m not sure what credits you r e referring to?

Hawaidian,,thanks for airline tips and Tasman Sea info.Guess I ll just have to take my chances.No ONE answer ,it seems.

Just concerned about the size of ship in rough seas, some poster said to stick with BIG ONES,but we hate those mass market experiences.Too many awful cruises,learned our lesson.

I hear it can be very rough,Wonder how the ship handled it?

We need some advice from those that just returned.PLEASE.

How was the trip??

Now thinking 2016 since above poster said 2015 almost full,wow,have to really plan ahead.

Hey,was thinking of taking Black Sea cruise,glad I put that one off.Wonder if it will ever be as peaceful in that region anymore.So sad,for all.:(

and plan to bookmark this thread to read when I finally make a decision about which ship,date,etc.

Did ask a question above,re.rough seas ??:)

Am concerned about the ship size and its ability to take the sometimes ROUGH seas in this area.

Thanks for great review.Did you experience any vibrations problems?

Sort of waiting to see if Mariner may make this cruise in 2016,prefer that ship.

;)