cole
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Posts posted by cole
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I cruised the Douro almost 6 years ago (November 2012) and enjoyed it very much. I’m returning next week with friends who have not been on the Douro before and am certainly looking forward to my return.
Last time the ship was the Douro Spirit, chartered with crew by Uniworld from Douro Azul, as are most cruise ships on the Douro. (At the end of that season it went to Viking and Uniworld chartered the Queen Isabel which it still uses).
Emerald and its parent Scenic, on the other hand, own their own ships. We’ll be on the Emerald Radiance, launched last year, which seems similar to Emerald ships on other European rivers except smaller to fit the many locks on the Douro. When I booked last year the price was significantly lower than a similar Uniworld cruise. Emerald is almost all-inclusive with main exception being bar charges and a couple of optional excursions. I have been a great fan of Uniworld in the past (5 cruises) so I’ll be very interested to compare the two.
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We are doing something similar. Sailed with Uniworld 2 years ago and with Vantage in October this year, due to the fact that they have a Wine Harvesting focus at that time. We begin in Madrid and depart from Lisbon. Please come back and give a review as to your experience. We are looking forward (as are you) sharing this with friends who have not sailed the Douro.
Cole
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We have enjoyed reading the specifics about the trip and wondered if you might have taken the optional excursion to Toledo? If so - what time did you return to Madrid. We are trying to plan on dinner and did not know what time to arrange it. If you didn't, do you know from others what time they returned? Thanks for any help you might give.
Cole
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Thank you so much. We will doing this in October and this gives us a good idea as to when things will happen. It is great when past passengers take the time to share this kind of information for future travelers.
Cole
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We are booked on this cruise June 2019, Amsterdam to Basel.
Question for those who have taken this cruise.
How long are the included excursions?
Is there enough time, generally speaking, for either time on your own, or to book another independent tour, with someone like Tours by Locals.
We don’t want to waste a minute😉
Our experience has been that the included excursions are during the morning and unless the ship is sailing to another port in the afternoon - that time is free for you to do whatever you want. Also, many times there is an optional excursion in the afternoon for an additional cost. We have never been disappointed in any of the excursions, included or optional. Have done this with Avalon and Uniworld. Loved them both.
Cole
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I seem to recall some posts that indicated there are some river cruise lines that require you to book directly with them. In other words, they don't work with travel agents.
Assuming I'm not imagining this, would someone please post which lines require direct booking? Thank you in advance.
Roz
Vantage does not work with travel agents. You deal direct with their customer service staff.
Cole
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Hello, I tried to search for this but did not see anything current for my question. Ladies, how is the hair dryer? I medium length hair and really don't want to bring one if the supplied one is ok. Thank you for your help.
Have not traveled with Viking, but have traveled with 3 other river cruise companies and they all have the same kind. The small hotel style. I also have longer hair and just take into stride that it is going to take a little longer drying it after washing. I have also never found an outlet for a personal dryer in the bathrooms. The closest outlet is outside the door near the floor or at the desk in the cabin. Hope this helps.
Cole
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Sailing on the Queen Isabel from Lisbon to Porto in August. Have taken many cruises with Uniworld and wonder how this boat compares to the others in the fleet. I have been told that the ship is rented from a fleet in Portugal. Sorry about your problems, but Uniworld will do well by you. It is a great line.
My understanding is that all of the ships are owned by Portugal and the staff members other than a few are Portuguese. We traveled with Uniworld several years ago from Lisbon to Porto and it was wonderful. Returning this year with Vantage because they have a "harvesting" theme that starts in Madrid and ends in Lisbon. It appears that any time any of the companies experience either high or low water, they bend over backward to accommodate their guests. Looking forward to our return trip.
Cole
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I posted this in "River Ports" but have not had a response yet. It may be that most people don't check that section of the board.
So I'm giving it a try here.
Looking for a private tour guide in Basel for a 2 to 3 hour walking tour. Any suggestions? If yes, please provide name, contact info and website, if they have one. Thanks.
Someone may have a specific suggestion, but when I don't I usually begin by checking tripadvisor.com and viator.com. Suggestions, prices and reviews are available and have never been disappointed with the ones we have booked. Hope this helps.
Cole
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Thanks Thom!
The Douro reviews by you and 4747Papa were great helps in planning our trip. I'm interested in seeing how Vantage does the one-way (Barca de Alva to Porto) trip. They don't specify, but I suspect that we may spend a couple of nights in one or more of the ports along the river. My wife has convinced me to check bags--the first time we've done so in 7 river cruises. We have long layovers in Philadelphia both going and returning home, so things should work out OK.
We definitely check our bags, but I have learned the hard way (having luggage not meet us at the airport baggage claim area on 3 European trips), to take a carry-on with the "necessities" and a change of clothes - just in case. Our luggage always ultimately caught up with us, but it sure was inconvenient when we had not planned ahead.
Cole
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Leaving in 2 weeks for Vantage Douro cruise!
We leave two weeks from today for our Vantage Douro Cruise from Madrid to Lisbon with a post-cruise extension to Madeira! Will try to post from the cruise.Looking forward to your posts. We are on this itinerary in October but did not opt for the Madeira extension. It is our second Douro river cruise. You will love being able to sail during the day and seeing the beautiful countryside rather than night sailing on the other rivers.
Cole
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why would you walk away from 3 days that you paid for? and then spend more money to fly? this sounds so weird!
I know, sounds quirky, just our preference. But I wondered when she mentioned the Act and remembered it being discussed with regard to Puerto Rico after the hurricane. Oh well... Thanks everyone for your input.
Cole
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Just found out that NCL says it would be in violation of the Jones Act. So that answers my question. By the way, we hate sea days, especially when there are 2 on the front end and 2 on the back end. Would rather spend that time traveling back home. Oh well!
Cole
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We have an Australian cruise booked for Jan. of 2019 and basically the last 3 days are sea days returning to Sydney and we are considering disembarking at the last New Zealand port, flying to Sydney which would allow us to return to the US 3 days early. Anyone ever done this kind of disembarking before the cruise ended and if so, what step does a person need to take to be assured that the ship is aware of our plans. Thanks for your help.
Cole
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Sorry in advance if this has been covered in other threads. I love NCL and am a loyal customer for the last 10 years. I've had 3 different PCC's in that time, and the one I have now is absolutely terrible. She constantly calls me after I've told her to stop multiple times. I understand she might just be doing her job and I don't want to jeopardize that, but does anyone know who I can call to get a new one assigned?
Thanks!
Interesting question - our problem is just the opposite. If my question doesn't lead to more $$$$ there is no response. But as a previous cruiser said, more likely than not, another one will appear within a month or so. Not like several years ago when they had an office in Phoenix - we had the same PCC for years. Loved him!
Cole
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Hey folks, sorry for the quick and dumb question but my finger is hovering over the button...
Forward facing Penthouse for Alaska... is there any advantage deck 9 vs. deck 10?
TY!:cool:
Check to see what is above deck 10. That would be the deciding factor as far as I am concerned. Other than that - both would be equal. The view would be the same.
Cole
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Bidding commences currently 80 days out.
Bob
OK - it is 80 days out, but how do bid? Is there a website, do they contact you, any specific information would really help. Was not aware this was even an option!;)
Cole
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We are new to this process (bidding) and wonder if someone could clue us in as to how we get into a bidding process for an upcoming cruise (not until Jan. 2019). Thanks for any help you can provide!
Cole
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After copying and reading the reviews in detail (and underlining lots of things to do), noticed that you mentioned two ports that are not on our itinerary for January 2019. They were Picton and Bay of Islands. It would be interesting to know why these are no longer included.
Cole
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All I can say is WOW! I am a planner and love doing private tours and your information was beyond helpful. I have printed everything you said about each port and will follow your lead. Thank you so much for being so detailed. You will never know how helpful it was. We have this cruise booked for January 2019!
Cole
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We have booked a "behind the scenes" tour of the zoo in Sydney and might not get to hold a Koala, but hopefully, will be able to take our photo next to one. Really looking forward to this experience.
Cole
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We are booked in a 2 bedroom suite on deck 11 and considering upgrading to Haven. Can you tell me the benefits of the Haven over the 2 bedroom suite. The rooms look identical. We were on the Epic once and the Haven included a private dining room, it doesn't appear that this is a benefit on the Jewel - just quick seating in the other restaurants. Can you convince me to upgrade? ;)
Cole
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We did the Budapest to Bucharest with Avalon and loved it. Took a food tour during the stay in Budapest and it was excellent. This was booked through Avalon. When we arrived in Bucharest, took a private walking tour of the city with a great guide who had lived through the period of time when the communists ruled that area. Great historical perspective. Just be aware that the ports on this journey are not the picturesque little bergs like you find on the Rhine and Danube - but well worth your time if you want to see another part of the world. Highly recommend it and also recommend Avalon.
Cole
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Not familiar with this company, but I would advise that you compare the itineraries and if you can see photos of the cabins or get feedback from someone who has sailed on this ship, that would be helpful. As far as the Douro - it is a beautiful river to cruise.
Cole
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We did this cruise in April/May a couple of years ago and the weather was very comfortable. We are returning this coming October due to the harvesting of the grapes and expect the weather will be comfortable at that time also. It is a beautiful trip.
Cole
AMA in Toledo Spain?
in River Cruising
Posted
Not sure if you are specifically asking about AMA's side trip to Toledo, but we are on Vantage Douro river cruise in October and the Toledo excursion is an afternoon option the second day we are in Madrid. I would imagine it is a option on most if not all of the river cruises on the Douro.
Cole