alexandra cruiser

and bus drivers onshore?Know Scenic does,but I ve never heard of others.I know that they DESERVE tips,but so much easier if cruise company takes care of it.

When I go thru many different countries,and currencies,I m always worrying about small change for tips.It s a hassle.Have mistakenly left small bills on ship and not able to tip at all,ca nt exactly ask for change for a $50.??

Am I the only one interested in this?Any other cruiseslines inc.tips to them?

On the AMA lotus in Vietnam,the Australian pasengers DID NOT have to pay in their group,said it was included?Maybe just an Aussie thing?:confused:

in Norway,the Flam Railroad tour sold out and glad I had booked prior.So it may depend on popularity and size of tour.

If its one you REALLY want,book it prior.We used ours for spa,extra drinks(some Scotch is more,etc.).

But really WISH you COULD use it for exc.We ended up using it for things we didn't REALLY want or need.A $100 manicure(what??):confused:

but not sure how expensive.Looked at seat guru and saw photo with just 1 and also one with 2,so will check it out.

Premium econ.seats don t seem to have much leg room,one says it has a pillow(bean bag)for feet?

Will have to do more research.;)

Alexandra: where did you work? I work at Beaumont! Small world, huh?

longest in ER and ICU at Outer Drive Hospital.

Was a pt.at Beaumont,lived in Dearborn,then Troy.

Went to Oakland Univ,for BS after AS course at Henry Ford Com College.

Then did staff relief for nursing agency,Pointe Area nurse referral .No longer in business.

Worked part time down here,RN license has reciprocity.Now semi retired and giving up license this yr.

Funny,,OB was my least favorite area.haha Oh, and Psych.whew.;)

the small windows should be no problem.

Many start out with them and work their way up,for us because of budget constraints.Only problem can be noise of engines,locks,etc.Plus,can get very dark if parked against wall or another boat.Course,with balcony,can see right in neighbors room.One of the realities I DIDNT know about,so beware.

Now prefer the full balcony,like on AMA and Scenic.But ,hey,got to start somewhere and better than NOT going,right?:confused:

above post is very accurate.That being said, we ve been doing this starting in our 40s and never was concerned about that.Everyone we ve met,in 10 river cruises ,have been well traveled, well educated, and very interesting,Regardless of age.

But,if you want a younger group,its NOT FOR YOU.PS.that s another reason we like to alternate between them.

Give it a shot,if not for you,you ve learned something and hopefully had a good time regardless.;)

wonder if you re just getting a bit tired of traveling with a large group.I know I would,even if you re friends.Can start to get to you.

Hope you have a safe flight home,with no weather probs.or airport closures.Lots of storms lately,will be a wake up call with cold and snow,right?

do give your views of ship,would you go on it again.How s the food,staff,cabins,entertainment,all details will help in decisions which ship to take.Thanks in advance,Love your thread,even recommended it on other posts here.:)

we moved from MI 30 yrs ago and YES taking more cruises since its easy to drive to all 3 ports.But also getting older and now have the MONEY to do it.So could be a combination,right?

OB nurse,funny also RN from MI(Detroit area)and LOVE the warm weather.Even summers,thanks to AC and pool in backyard.Even open windows at nite ,ALL YEAR,because I LIKE the warm(even humid)air with ceiling fans on.Now I m the exception there.

But also cruise in Europe,Asia,etc.where we have to fly.Just love both ocean and RIVER cruising.:)

but now tend to stick to more luxury river lines,like AMA,Scenic,.

The food on river cruises is usually GOOD,but not GREAT.Really go for itinerary,cabins,and total experience.

Went on Uniworld to Portugal,and loved it. The scenery is great,loved the small ports, but (sadly)food only so so.But this was a few yrs.back,hope its improved. Ship could have used a little updating,maybe their new now?

Taking Scenic in June from Budapest to Bucharest(with ext.to Black Sea).

Re.O on Black Sea, interesting to hear the differing views.;)

always UPGRADE to more luxury lines like AMA,Scenic,Tauck,etc.

They have full balconies, some have butlers,room service,tubs(Scenic),more restuarants,etc.All tips,exc.,drinks,etc. inc. Remember to REALLY compare all costs inv.....you DO GET what you pay for.

Many companies now doing river cruises.Get a LOT of brochures,read a lot of reviews.Can see some on you tube,to get idea.

Then TRY one,that fits YOUR NEEDS,and see if you like it(perhaps a short one with a few days pre cruise and post in cities you d like to see.

Also,get a good TA that does river cruises.Lots of help and info.;)

We do best of both worlds,switch from ocean to river every 6 mos.

and really enjoyed it.Lots of nice ports,but do spend extra time in Montreal.

Not sure why Black Sea cruise on O would be different,,perhaps staff changes.Sad to hear.

Re.river cruise.Also look at AMA or Scenic for more luxury.Good to alternate ,that s what we do also,every 6 mos.one or other.

SO many choice,so little time..to complete my bucket list.;)

thinking about Feb.for our cruise(not till 2016 now).But thought it was summer and would be warm,no?

How is the entertainment?We loved the Sojourn singers and dancers.

Is it better to do the cruise from Sydney or Auckland?or no difference?Have to stay at least 1 day pre and post cruise,MINIMUM. Like to do more,but vacation would be just TOO LONG.\

Are you taking any shore exc.with ship or on own?;)

and prefer AMA,just think ships are nicer,food better,nicer staff,etc.Saw Burt Wolf of Travel Channel on one and figured ,good enough for HIM,right?/

Have been on 10 cruises,with different companies,so TRY ONE.If not the right fit, TRY another.

Many on this board have their favorites, got to find whats best for YOU.We re all different.I like the full balcony,nice hotel style beds,great hotels,etc.

Remember,you GET what you pay for.Look at ALL the included things,get brochures, have a TA help.;)

did look at them,but felt the boats too big(1200)not the 700 or less I like.

Wish the other airlines would offer the skycouch, looks good,but maybe not to comfortable with bumps in ea.seat area.But may give it a try,anyone tried them yet??The air seems as expensive as cruise,whew.;)

there s Seabourn,Silverseas,Oceania and Regent too.

Check out the blog by Terry, under Celebrity Solstice(doing that cruise now with live posts and pics).

Trying to decide myself.Like the smaller ships,so trying to decide between above.

Does Quantas have the 3seat option,sky couch,as Air New Zealand has?Sounds like a good option,business class is TOO expensive.:confused:

and so glad cruise is going well,so far.

If you can, any little detail re.shore exc.,ship info,etc.would be greatly appreciated.I took the Sojourn to Norway and loved the experience(ex.smoking prob,which I will NOT GO INTO HERE).

So much depends on seas and weather. Worried the 300 passenger ships would not do well in rough seas,but HATE the thought of the mass market ones just to avoid that.

Looking forward to your posts,THANKS:)

you will see a sticky re.this.Many of these problems are discussed in detail.Learned a lot, and now do own airfare for the reasons listed there.

Lot more complicated than I thought at first,do yourself a favor and read it .:cool:

Nana4x;

 

We're taking Marina on 2/5/15 for our AU and NZ cruise. Booked it the first day it opened up.

 

Most of the complaints on the 2012 Black Sea cruise were centered on the land tours ran both by Oceania and local tour companies. Things like going to construction sites, poor transportation, expensive while seeing very little on shore, etc., etc, I believe they got things worked out, it would be interesting to read a good post from any 2014 cruisers and their viewpoints of current conditions.

and interesting that 2015 has already almost booked up.Now thinking of 2016,whew,did NOT know it was so popular.

Passing on Black Sea till terrorist probs.not in news,as much.

Now if those on this yrs.cruise would post,right?

some of the cruisers that went (or are going soon) would let us know how their cruise went.Hopefully,with better weather and no missed ports,etc.

Anyone else??;)

he mentioned a few days of rough seas.But no mention of missed ports.

Missing Milford Sound would REALLY upset me too.A hi lite of trip, I read.

Look forward to your review.Not sure if larger ship would handle seas better,but then you have the long lines,etc.

Guess you never really know what s going to happen.Would you go on another Seabourn cruise?:confused:

so another incentive to use them.

Agree, river cruisers TEND to be older.But on some I ve actually had teenagers,and some younger.Liked the mix,but other nationalities(of any age)interesting to talk to.and learn a LOT.

Re.the beds.Now that I m older I like ALL the confort and convenience I can get for my money.Even booked my first Scenic(Luxury)line when I heard they had TUBS,butlers,full balcony,room service.Know I m paying for it,but willing.hahah.:)

AMA is much more highly rated,but costs more too.So you get what you pay for.

Vantage DOES NOT allow TAs ,which rules them out for me.

Do read the member reviews for both.

I ve taken 10 river cruises,with all the main lines,and now realize that SO much research is inv.to find right line for YOU.

What I like and need may vary,so take all info into consideration.

PS.saw Burt Wolf on Travel Channel and he was on AMA,figured good enough for HIM..haha:)

and was very happy with them. Took it a few yrs.ago and not as many cruise choices then.

Guess you ll have to look at all the sites of cruises that do Douro and decide which better for you.

Remember,you tend to get what you pay for.Not sure if AMA does it,but do like that company after my 2 last cruises.

LOVED that cruise and would do it again.Just great scenery,ports,food,etc.:)

and type in AMAlotus under search engine,you will find LOTS of posts.Also,look under member review section for same.

I took this last Jan,and LOVED it.All details in above areas.

To answer question re porthole room,they only offer a few.Would splurge and upgrade to next level,if possible.Not so much engine noise,but lack of air and views were commented on.But,if that means NOT going,by all means give it a shot.Wonderful trip.Also, look at videos of same on you tube,lots of info to research.:)

help to use a TA,cost you nothing and give lots of info.Plus,do all the legwork,bookings,etc. I personally would NOT take a cruise that does not allow them to work with them.As said above, the beds on GCT would be a problem.Plus, caters only to sr.Americans.I like to meet variety of ages and people from other countries also.

In my experience of 10 river cruises on most of the major line,you DO get what you pay for.Keep that in mind.Look at all that s inc.in cruise...shore exc.tips,drinks,cabin(balcony,bed type?).Get a few brochures from some companies.Most of them book up a yr.in advance.

Lots of research for you,right.Remember, try one,if not the right fit.Try another line,next time.;)