Balto Bob

That's why:

1. I looked at FCW because they were recommended by people we met on a Panama Canal Cruise. For the first time, CC was little help.

2. I started a thread here (on CC) to give members a possible alternative to Tauck or Viking.

:D

All,

We need to remember, as we discuss in this "River Cruising" group....there is a definite distinction between RIVER cruising and CANAL cruising. I have been reminded that French Country Waterways does CANAL cruising. I certainly think our community is still too small to break it (Canal Cruising and River Cruising) out on CC, but, as we talk, we need to remember it.

Host Jazz....any thoughts?

Nuff said.....:D

Notamermaid,

Thanks for the suggestion. For those who are interested, here is the English language web site I reviewed.

http://www.croisieuroperivercruises.com/cruises/marne-rhine-canal-strasbourg-lagarde-2015-0

This type of cruise is probably not for us, at this stage of our life. In a sense, it reminds me of the days when we did the smaller Caribbean Islands using the sailing boats of the "Windjammer" cruise line. Yes, it certainly is less expensive than FCW or the other lines popular with English speaking cruisers. Some of the things I noted, were that I could not really find a "wine centric" route, or some of the other high end touches that we have selected.

I believe that if we were at a much earlier stage of our life together, and interested in this type of cruising instead of scuba diving, CroisiEurope would have definitely been one to consider. Thanks again for your suggestion.

I have followed french country waterways for years and finally am able to book a cruise with them for September 2014. We decided on them for the small intimate size and reviews for outstanding service, food and wine

Kdowneymd....Please make sure you tell us all about the trip. My wife and I are now booked on FCW Nenuphar and decided on them for EXACTLY the same reasons.

:D

The passport expires in approximately 5 months. A new passport will cost you about $ 13.50 a year for 10 years....and save you all the worries and discussions while on the vacation trip. To me, the decision is a no brainer. Time to renew the passport........:confused:

So glad I was able to share this bit of very important info :)

 

I really look forward to hearing about your trip so Please Please come back and share your experience after sailing! I have loved looking at FCW brochures and put them on my bucket list long before River cruusing got so popular. Are you booking the entire boat with friends or family?

 

Sounds delightful!

 

 

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Booking entire boat????? NO! (1) I can not think of a single one of our friends who think my line of reasoning is sensible when it comes to accommodations and costs. (2) I look at it as just a little less to leave my kids......... (3) We have been married 54 years....who needs others?????:D

All, we decided on FCW for June 14, 2015 because of the size and packages. Boat name is Nenuphar. So far, ALL dealings with them have been fantastic and very promising. When I first called, they did not have 2015 rates established, but she said, "I will hold the cabin for you, and send you our 2015 information package when it is available". That was very comforting, since we wanted those particular dates and the boat only has 6 cabins. We got the package last week, as promised. NOTE: In this day of credit card problems, they will not take the information on the phone or by email. A credit card information paper was included in the package we got. THAT also made me feel very good about FCW. She also suggested I make our hotel reservations for the two weeks we will be in Paris. She sent me several suggested places and warned me that rates are very high. We managed to pick a date in high season and in direct conflict with the Paris Air Show. So, we now have air, boat, and hotel chosen and reserved. Now, nothing to do but wait and start gathering up money to pay for it!

Something I forgot to add...Some have questioned my sensibility of using FCW and the significantly higher cost. Here's how I did my costing. You must use SIMILAR accommodations to determine a true cost. I used a Tauck French Waterways cabin category 5 for my comparison. I estimated a per person per day on Tauck at $744 and compared it to a per person per day on French County Waterways of $960. So, yes, I'm paying approximately 20% more. In return there are 12 people on the boat, all paying the same and getting the same...compared to 118 on the boat and all paying differently and getting much of the same, except for room accommodations. If my thinking is wrong, please explain how you believe I am wrong..."flaming" for the sake of "flaming" does not give good discussion.

Private tours work wonderfully on Ocean Cruises but on River Cruises the port timing is at the mercy of the river, the locks, traffic, weather. So I can see that prearranged private tours would be a problem.... Some days or many days you are in two + ports and the timing of those visits can't really be planned on.

 

 

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Nana541....

Thanks! This is one of the many things about River Cruising that I did NOT yet know! Actually, it makes me even more content that we selected French County Waterways (only 6 cabins on the boat) for our June 2015 cruise.

I realize that the tours may be included in your fees, so my suggestion may not fit. BUT....I, too, hate being in a large tour group. Using this GREAT web site, I was able to connect with two other couples (matching my requirements) and then we booked private tours at each location, again using the information gained from Cruise Critic. When you split the cost among three couples, it is not unreasonable. You might want to consider this minor cost increase, for the value you get.

We have decided on FCW for our June 2015 river cruise beginning in Paris. Since they are not the "big boy on the block", there is little to no discussion about them here. If anyone is interested, I will start posting our planning and reservation information as it happens, and not wait until after the cruise.

Please let me know.

:)

Host Jazz.....email sent to you. Please do not post it. For information only.

Bob-in-Balto

Hi Bob - We are looking on a June 2 or June 12 trip with Vantage - French Waterways. July toooo busy and August many shops are closed due to their vacation time. No 2 for 1 air costs after August. I had looked at the barge trips in France, very small groups of 8 to 20 persons. That's fine is all are good folks but if not, no were to get away if you fine one couple complain all the time. Pretty expensive also. Willard

Willard - I agree totally with the "if there is one couple". My wife talked me into our "First" bus trip. Baltimore to Martha's Vineyard. There was one team on the bus I would have loved to.... and there is no way to get away from them on a bus for 8 hours.

However, the thought of small county tours, dinner in local restaurants for a small group, etc. (maximum of 12) captured me. Yes, small or barge touring is costly at about 20% higher than Viking or similar. But, I feel it's worth the extra, we will likely not do it again. My wife and daughter come back Friday from a one week Grandeur of the Seas to the Caribbean. That averaged $740 a day for two, allowing for suite accommodations, spa, etc. Our 2015 plans are arrive in Paris on Friday. Sunday (June 14) board the barge. Off the barge on the next Saturday (20 June) and then spend four more days in Paris, departing for Baltimore on Thursday. I estimate my total bill will be around $1600 a day for 14 days high season in Paris. That would cover everything plus purchases. So--it is double the cost of a trip on Royal Caribbean out of Baltimore with no air fare. I could certainly hunt and find cheaper accommodations etc. That's not what I want to do. So, there's that much less to leave to our kids.......

npphotog, We decided on a June 14 departure for one week on French County Waterways Ltd. Check them out. Very limited stuff to help us on CC but they use a very small barge, instead of the 100 or more people on a larger boat/ship. Based on their web site and a few comments we have heard, we are taking the gamble. I see it as a significantly smaller impact on the places you stop and that should result in better local personal contacts.