Canal archive

CILCIANRQTS, spoil sport but Jimmys are so last year a classy pair of Labutons but maybe not for you.

Oldgeez nor do we but this thread has gone so off piste I think you should consider a bow tie and cummerbund to complete your ensemble have a great first cruise but be warned it can become addictive shorts or not. CA

Beemer2 we will take your word for it.

As for the towels they are discussing they wouldn't cover much back or front!

Laverendry what not like Downton come come my dear one should always rise to the occasion, best bib and tucker including tiara of course the more bling the better and to !!!! with the shorts wearing set.

CA

Just had my kilt and bagpipe fix for the year watched the

Edinborough Tattoo on the TV, fantastic as usual, Canadians, New Zeland and Americans but this year no Australians.

If Viking is monitoring this thread I doubt they would let us all cruise together, it would be the most wonderful mayhem though I expect they'd know it was us by our shorts, of all varieties, kilts the odd bagpipe and heaven knows what else.

Daisi hope things are getting better.

Managed to finally sort the knitting out.

Keep up the good work. CA

Thought I would take a break from sorting a particularly tricky knitting pattern and what am I confronted with, visions of tighty white's ect. Mind you Calvin Klins etc not bad but please the dinning room, oh no! CA

Video shorts at dinner not so far fetched as it would at first seem (although funny) I know someone who has stared in one for Viking as I had to check his history facts. I can assure you no kilts, shorts (the clothing kind) or bagpipes were involved, what a pity! CA

Having thought long and hard about this thread and taking into account the demographic! Maybe it's not only the nearly sheer horror that the thought of shorts at dinner has evoked it's the little green eye when many of us realise that exposing our admitedly aging legs to the assembled company would in some cases not be appreciated. Just a thought. CA

Wonderful it only gets better, I think we had better ask a Scots man about the under kilt wear. Although going commando might upset a previous contributor with the towels etc. CA

Criky I was wearing leather trousers and jackets in the 1960s what age are you referring to. This thread is getting more & more fun. There is another way to read the title of the original thread, what about Viking now serving shorts as in drinks rather than what people are wearing but maybe that doesn't translate across the pond i.e. a short as in a scotch. CA

Last year on our Scenic Bordeaux cruise there were several solo cruisers and the cd organised a few different events for them including a special meet and greet. As I have never solo cruised I don't know if this is normal or it was because of the numbers but it was appreciated by all. CA

CILCINARQTS I think you may have just insulted the whole male Scotish nation next you will be complaining about bagpipes. I would still prefer kilts to shorts at dinner. CA

Yes knew that, realised when I researched moon phases before we went, the full moon was magnificent, luckily no tidal bores though. CA

To late already done on Scenic a few years ago and very gooood he looked to, seriously shorts just can't compare. Off to the highlands in a couple of weeks wouldn't miss it for anything. CA

I can only say from a Scenic point of view, you have port talk before dinner usually given by the cruise director with more specific information. Reception has maps of each port and an information sheet all ready for you to pick up for yourself, I have loads of them. Some cruises on the shorter routes don't do any night cruising or very little. They do have to make some itinerary changes occasionally as they did this year on our Bordeaux cruise and that was because of the full moon would you believe but we still did the full itinerary but in a different order. I am a planner to the nth degree and have my little black or pink notebook to hand at all times and can honestly say that we have never missed any part of any itinerary regardless of what has been thrown at the crew.

Happy planning CA

As do I so very entertaining, mind you I hope they don't turn the aircon down to much goose bumped hairy legs anywhere wouldn't be to pleasant a sight. CA

On our Scenic cruise last year there was a gentleman with a mobility scooter it did not deter him from going anywhere, wonderful guy. Your cruise director will be able to advise you of which excursions would be best for your mother. Read all the information in the Scenic brochure enjoy planning CA

On Scenic we travelled once top deck and four times middle deck, all mid ships apart from this year when we were second cabin from reception, no problem being closer to lounge ect, mid ships is best if your worried about engine noise etc although I have never heard anyone complain on Scenic wherever the cabin is located, they do however supply pairs of ear plugs in each cabin, we have never used them. Happy cruising. CA

I am absolutely gobsmacked we did the longer version of this cruise on Sapphire last year at the time our fourth cruise with Scenic. We have never had any problem with any of the staff's language capabilities, in fact it puts an awful lot of us to shame, all the butlers have been excellent. You did realise that the butler would stock your mini fridge with the drinks that you prefer didn't you. I have never had a bad cocktail on Scenic and usually the bar staff in particular get to know your preference very quickly. Just to say what a shame things weren't as you expected but we go on our sixth cruise with them next year. Maybe with the traveling you should have gone Eurostar we did both ways, out London to Lyon then local to Chalon, return Avignon to London the only hang up was passport check at Lille. Hope it hasn't put you off river cruising CA

We were in Amsterdam with Scenic a few years ago and did the canal tour, no stopping, we did a walking tour of the city first but I agree with others if your in the city for a few days go for the other excursion and do a canal cruise on your own. If you want to go to the Ann Frank house book your tickets in advance. The Riks museum is fantastic and take a walk through the diamond district oh and our cruise director took a group out in the evening for a stroll through the red light district a real eye opener for some. Have a great trip will be ding the same in reverse next year. CA

Hi Marne001 its on the River Cruise Adviser website the chart I referred to only does European river cruising but there is loads of other advice as well. What a trip to win lucky you I hope you really enjoy it. I expect you will get completely hooked, river cruising is so, so different to ocean cruising. Which company are you going with. CA

Interesting, it does not mention the upgrade/refurbishment/complete change of Scenic Diamond, Sapphire and Emerald. CA

Moored up one day washing up with the swans hatch open I heard an American accent say look even hot water. My husband invited them on board and this lovely couple were so overcome, even central heating ect, we of course had to help them recover with a scotch, an enjoyable afternoon ensued. Still all countries have their own particular boats and even Gin Palaces don't work to well on our canals and our boat is my husbands pride and joy or his toy as he says.

If anyone is interested another nice hotel boat another wide beam is 'Tranquil Rose' also at the moment on the Kennet & Avon Canal. So whatever boat you choose to cruise in, enjoy. CA 🇬🇧

Hi Caviargirl, I will write as soon as I can we had a great trip. It's been a bit manic since we got home and on Friday we leave on our narrowboat for a couple of weeks to Newbury Water Festival and back so very very patchy Internet, so cruise critic will be safe from me for a bit. CA 🇬🇧

Just had to read this thread as a live away Londoner. The Telegraph article is a tad misleading, okay maybe I'm a nerd. The boat Kailani is not a narrowboat about 7ft wide but a wide beam is nearly 14ft wide. This is a bit bit spooky really. Today we brought our narrowboat up Caen Hill to Devizes and moored just in front of Kailani it looks a lovely boat. Narrow boating on the Thames is fantastic so much room. CA 🇬🇧

On Scenic the cruise director is the only person on board employed directly by Scenic the rest of the crew are sourced from one contract company with two different divisions, hotel & maritime. Much easier for Scenic to offer gratuities included. Of course if you feel that your service goes above and beyond then you can tip as you require but we have tried several times and have been very nicely refused. CA 🇬🇧

Forgot to say on our just returned from Scenic Bordeaux cruise on one bike tour more cruisers wanted to do it so they hired more bikes. All are provided with locks and helmets. Lots of cruisers used the bikes when we were in port. CA 🇬🇧