alexandra cruiser

glad you were finally able to make this trip.And that you enjoyed it too, see,we were right.AMA did a great job on this one and loved the countries,people,sites,etc.

It was one of my most favorite vacations so far.Would do it again,but my bucket list awaits.:)

I too was affected by 2010 volcano(on Norway cruise) and was on Seabourn which also did a great job.Good to hear about this one.

Will have to do more research and get brochure,but looks good so far.

Hope more people will review on member section too.:)

I keep wanting to book this line because of the great itineraries & longer port stays but always back off at the last minute when I see reviews mentioning tiny cabins & a postage stamp size pool that is never used, as well as breakdowns because of the age of Discovery & repeat older patrons thinking they "own" the ship.

 

I can easily get by without a pool, although it is nice to have the option & to see others enjoying it. I can even manage with a slightly smaller cabin. But all of these things combined make me steer back to Holland America etc.

Am I right in being concerned like this & does the newer ship make a difference?

Thinking of upgrading to jr.suite with balcony, if I chose this cruise.Have you seen them or booked them?Very little info here to review.

More interested in excursions,speakers,port length,food,etc..

Any details would help.:confused:

in different countries.Such as Russia,Egypt,Portugal,etc. Think some require various regulations.I noticed a difference in SAME company,but different country. Am I correct?Some lease them,others own.Then variety in EACH ship in EACH line also.

Notice that the larger lines also have MORE passengers and thus will vote MORE for that one, so smaller lines may be under represented.

Have been on MOST of the major lines, and trying Scenic next yr.for first time.If I had to choose,would be AMA so far(but with above caution re differences)/;)

and sure everyone has their FAVORITE line and ship. Out of 10 river cruises and different lines, the AMAcerto(AMA) from Prague to Budapest has been one of my favorites.Loved the 2 balcony cabin,quality of guides and personnel onboard and off.Meals seem a bit better(NOT like Ocean ships,but GOOD.)

Liked Avalon,but (all things being considered,AMA would be my preference.);)

but DH does NOT.But he didnt want Vietnam on AMA either and just got back.So will keep trying.On my 'bucket list".:)

no worries,just have passport photo and $20 to give to guide in Hanoi Hotel.

Now,just go and have fun.Let us know what you think later.:)

Hi,

I haven't done the Burma cruise yet, but I am doing an Irrawady River Cruise solo with Grand Circle Travel in December. The cruise is on a new, chartered Pandaw ship and looks wonderful. The tour begins in Bangkok and then you are flown to Yangoon (Rangoon). I'm very excited about the trip, and am also doing the pre-cruise trip to Ankor Wat. Should be a trip of a lifetime!:D

GCT always does an outstanding job of organizing their tours.

will order a brochure. Was always leary of that company ,had a few bad reviews in past. Hopefully,its changed. Can you use a TA to book(or just from them?).

Just got back from Ankor Wat(on AMA Vietnam/Cambodia cruise).It was GREAT,but very physical.Lots of stairs,climbs,heat,etc.So be prepared.Some chose NOT to do whole thing,and just wander around base and meet up later.PS.get on that stair climber hahaha.;)

she sent me?Very helpful.I ended up buying a few wash and wear(hang up)blouses and capris from a few travel sites.Really handy, most of us onboard in Dec. ended up showering and changing clothes at least once a day(after excursions).

Its very casual ,even at dinner.:)

I haven't done a river cruise in Myanmar/Burma, but recently returned from a Mekong cruise on a Pandaw ship (in this case leased to Viking). Pandaw began its operations on the Irrawaddy and their ships are quite comfortable and a pleasant way to travel. Based on my experiences on the Mekong, I am considering a trip with Pandaw in Burma. They have a number of interesting itineraries.

 

https://www.pandaw.com/index.php

have a question about ships.Photo doesn t show windows on website and states,no private balcony.How was your Pandow ship cabin?:confused:

to hear about your mom. This might help to share a story similar.My Mom passed away about 3 wks prior to planned trip and was ADAMENT before that I go,no matter what.I did, and really "felt" her presence as I traveled.I m not a really religious person(more spiritual),but know what I felt and made me feel I d made the right decision.FOR ME.

So I say GO FOR IT.Know you ll have a great time.Light a candle in a temple for her(I did and got a string bracelet at Anghor Wat.):(

and pray she recovers and you CAN take your trip.Just HOPE you got good insurance,just in case. Hang in there, if not THIS time,Next,right??:(

do remember...IF you feel tired,not up to a climb,walk etc.ALWAYS have option of having extra guide do a less stressful excursion in many of the places.I fell and hurt my knee,so felt uncomfortable doing climbs,etc....so (along with a few Sr.Citizens)we did an easier version.JUST ASK...

We never had one mosquito bite(took spray but never used it),,maybe time of yr (Dec.).

Its Third World,BUT ,all the hotels and ship are 5Star.So don t worry.Can be adventuous during excursions and relax in luxury at nite.

One trip I d do again in a heartbeat.Have FUN>:)

and was very pleased with AMAlotus,can read my review.

Met all my expectations and loved the whole AMA experience.Would definitely recommend them.

Might try looking at Asia area on bottom of CC site for more company recommendations.Also Tripadvisior. Could also just book extra days on own in both Hanoi and Saigon and do road trips with guides?;)

I can vouch for the city tour, very easy and nice tour for the right price. Here is the web site for it.

 

http://www.saintjohn.ca/en/home/cityservices/transportation/transit/services/citytours.aspx

and just says it runs on cruise days,,but from where? How much?no contact number seen.

Also, same info for HOHO bus tour,,,info PLEASE>

now you have a LOT of research to do.First, chose itinerary because some ships don t do both(caribbean is cheaper).Then use CC guides to search, see front page for details.They will give you lots of options.Check each cruiseline and ship in DETAIL to see whats best for you.Make a sheet and put down all the costs,,,cruise,upgrades,drinks,shore excursions,tip,flights,etc.and see which one suits your needs.Sometimes the luxury ships are very close in price when ALL the costs are added.

When you get some idea,read the reviews here,get a brochure,find a travel agent and go for it.Everyone has different ideas of whats BEST for them.PS.that being said I LOVE Regent,,,and am taking a Oceania cruise in suite in Fall(due to dates and itinerary).So be flexible.Good luck and let us know.:)

Have put a cabin on hold for the November 11th, 2013 sailing (land package starts Nov. 5th. ) Anyone on this sailing? Looking at either flying Cathay Pacific from Toronto with a layover in Hong Kong, or Korean Airlines with a layover in Seoul. Cathay Pacific departs at 1:25 am and is one of the few flights that arrive in Hanoi in the morning rather than in the evening, giving us 3/4 of a day there On our day of arrival. Any advice from any of you who have flown these airlines?

Thanks.

we arrived at 11pm on arrival day and really only had 1 day there,just NOT ENOUGH and would have gone earlier.The flight is a killer no matter WHAT itinerary(we upgraded to Business and WORTH EVERY PENNY).

If taking taxi on own,do bring exact address of hotel(luckily we did,driver didnt seem to know it by just the name).

We had a GREAT TIME,,,have fun.PS do prepare physically,,lots of walking,climbing,stairs,,etc.;)

and only a 10 min walk from pier.Right in center of town with sign on left side of road as you walk.We did that and then walked,shopped,looked at wharf with cute boats,etc.Also, went back to ship for lunch(since so close and prices very high in town).Did NOT go to park,sorry never even heard about it,but its such a quaint town probably would NOT have anyway.Hope that helps SOME.;)

and was just guessing time in port, had not checked.So thank you, feel a little better I ll have more time to see Newport. Was not even aware it was a tender port,but not till Sept so plenty of time to research.Love the help CC provides.:)

Perhaps we could book a taxi at the pier and have him give us a mini tour ,then see a mansion,walk cliff walk a bit? Then wander in town for some goodies.

Will have to check out if they have a Tourist Office.;)

want to avoid renting car and public buses,but not take ships tour. Know this is a long thread and hope I didnt just miss this info.

Also,see Cliff walk closed due to Hurricane,hope it will be open in Sept.

We only have 6 hrs to see it all.Know THATS in impossible but maybe just the hi lites.

Thanks in advance.:confused:

more info under thread.But, we are in late 60s and out of 21 on combo land and river cruise,we where the 3rd oldest couple(ranged from 78 to 40 it seems).My advice is not so much age of passengers,but physical condition.Lots of stairs,climbing,uneven ground and a few struggled(me too after I fell down a few stairs). They did have extra guide to help out those that felt they couldnt navigate certain sites(like 4 story stair climb in Anghor Wat).This is a real adventure and must deal with 3rd world realities,like very BASIC toilet facilities(few and far between),,begging children,stray dogs.Just be aware,some seem shocked and somewhat offended by reality.But hotels and riverboat 5 star. Great way to see this part of the world.AMA did FINE job.:)

to review.Try going to all the main river cruise company websites and see what looks interesting to you..AMA,Uniworld,viking avalon,scenic,etc...

The ships,itineraries,prices,dates,countries all vary,,so compare and contrast.What s best for you?Everyone seems to have their favorites.

Try ONE and see if you like it,then maybe change to another and give that a try.I ve been on 9 different ones,with 9 different companies.Liked them all,some more than others.

Read ship and member reviews here on CC..check out ports section.Google some that look interesting.

Remember,just think of it as your FIRST,,of many to come.That one might not be the PERFECT one,,but try ,try again.

I know vary ocean and river cruises,,best of both worlds this way.And STILL have a "bucket list"..Good luck.;)

We sailed Amaverde 21 Day Paris to Prague May 2012 Disappointed with AMA Waterways would not sailed with them again. Have however completed two Scenic Tours in 2011 and happy with both tours.

can you tell me what you didnt like on AMA.We were on AMAcerto(with 2 balconies) and loved it.Was our first time with that line.Hard to believe it was so different?

Also, have a Scenic booked(hold really) for 2014.Will be my first time on one.Sounds like YOU like that better?Why?:confused:

sounds GREAT. Hope others go to it and enjoy it too.:)