Shebely

Should we avoid the staterooms that are on the bottom deck, I ask because the cruise we are planning to do is in December 2014, so is the cost of French/balconies worth the extra money

I would be claustrophobic on the lowest level of most ships so that is why I don't choose the so called "aquarium " rooms. That's my concern. I have known people who had lower deck rooms that reported noise.

You may want to check out Nada's Italy. It is small group travel that does not seem like group travel. I have a friend who travels extensively and she highly recommends them. They strive to avoid the run of the mill experience.

Whatever you decide -enjoy.

I am very prone to motion sickness. I had problems on a bus ride from Linz to Cesky Krumlov and fortunately we stopped for a rest break just in the nick of time. The roads to Cesky Krumlov were narrow with trees close to the road and several winding turns. This is when I have problems.

How are the roads on the Black Forest excursion? Should I skip it? I wasn't prepared for the Cesky Krumlov ride so I would like to make a better informed decision when we do our Rhine trip next summer. Thanks

Hello,

 

generally you are right about the seasonal water levels. Worst is sometimes beginning of January on the Rhine.

 

Another thing is statistics: as there are more cruise ships that expand their itinerary to 8 days and more, and they now travel troughout the year except January and February (and early March) more and more will be affected. Several cruise companies are still expanding!

 

Also the newly built ships are big, this possibly causing additional problems (locks and bridges).

 

This is the information page I use:

 

http://www.hochwasser-rlp.de/

 

None of the "emergency staff" are in operation at the moment, as there is no flooding, just seasonal high water levels.

 

Annual trends are probably available, but I do not know any english websites that provide adequate information.

 

Have you looked at the South of France? With the seasons there being somewhat different, water levels are affected differently.

 

It might be worthwhile to look at CroisiEurope as they are a French cruise operator.

 

notamermaid

Since we traveled on a CroisiEurope cruise in May, 2013 from Paris to Normandy I would like to mention a few considerations about CroisiEurope that don't deal with high or low water. But since CroisIEurope isn't mentioned much here on Cruise Critic, I felt I needed to provide this information. Since I booked the cruise with a neighborhood group, I did not ask about meals and seating. Both lunch and dinner are sit down meals at set times. At these two meals, there was only one entre so no choice in what you are eating. The lunch meal was as drawn out as dinner. At dinner, you have a table assignment so each evening you are with the same people and the same table. We did not like this since we like to meet and visit with others. I have to tell you I am not interested in eating venison which we had one night.