Canal archive

Add to that list for example Great Crested Newts, Naterjack Toads, the odd snake, various bird species oh the list is endless. Mind you this does seem the time of year for bombs just had a couple in London. I'm waiting for the list of discoveries they have found building Cross Rail in London could be interesting. Maybe find another King under a car park.

Just unwinding before leaving. CA 🇬🇧

Hi Jeb_bud got yeah will see what I can do between the wine and maybe dodgy Internet. Just checking my lists gradually more

boxes ticked.

CC🇬🇧

Ah viva la siesta. Makes for late nights and of course early mornings. Pardon my mangling of language.

If your ship is not listed on the CC list for your cruise company it's a bit difficult to post a review there. I tried last year for Scenic Gem's first cruise and as it wasn't listed it was useless. I even emailed CC to ask for it to be added I was told it would be but no joy as yet so I posted it on a couple of the Scenic threads. As Jasper & Opal are also new I expect the same applies and with I think at least three more ships on the stocks it will get worse. It is worth looking at other reviews of Scenic ships that have done the same route as you do get a flavour of what goes on. Don't worry you will have a wonderful time return with wonderful memories.

Happy cruising 🇬🇧

We have only been rafted up before going on an excursion and on our return the other vessel has gone, mind you getting ready to leave the boat whilst still in the cabin we have seen a few sites we weren't prepared for and we have also met however fleetingly some pleasant cruisers, never had the chance to exchange drinks etc. I can't remember docking in an inconvenient area when there has been time for a shore walk about. On the UK canals the expression 'rafted up' is not used the expression is 'breasted up' and it's a normal occurrence at popular sites, when it's busy or during a festival.

Whatever happens find the best side and ignore the worst, CA

We did the first cruise last year down the Seine with Scenic on Scenic Gem, the crew where fantastic they had all worked for Scenic on other routes the only question mark for us was the cruise director, sure she did her job very well but did seem at times quite flustered. Next year Scenic start cruising the Douro on their own ship which is even smaller than the Gem, hum maybe!

CA

Our first cruise with Scenic, the one that got us hooked, was Budapest to Nuromburg. Superb cruise you will enjoy. Can't say anything about pre and post stays although my daughter and husband this year traveled from Budapest to Prague by train. Scenic will ask you to pre-book at least your first excursion free choice maybe one or two others it varies with the cruise. We have always booked direct so if your using a TA it may be worth asking them about your 'Tour Personaliser'.

Have a great cruise. CA

You can also watch Sceniic on anyoverip maybe other cruise companies use this as well. With marine traffic you also get emails, only a certain number on the free bit but useful.

CA

Best bet is smart casual not over the top, Scenic request no shorts at dinner. Gents don't need a jacket but it might be useful depending on the time of year. Be comfortable I have yet to go on a cruise that has any, shall we say fashion tension. You might want to dress up a tad more on the special nights. I have seen on other threads concerns about the shoddy attire of some cruisers but have never seen any evidence of this on board Scenic. Ladies may like to take a pashmina or similar to dinner in the evening as the AC can be a bit chilly to start with. CA

Try a Cannon Ixus the most fantastic tactil piece of kit I have ever used. My other half was in the photographic industry for a lot of his working life and so have had the privalige of trying out many different cameras until digital really took over but thanks to his contacts still get to use good equipment. I admit to being a Cannon fan and now use a 500D with various lenses, newest toy a macro lens, not much use cruising but the tele grey lens is, I also carry an Ixus as a pocket camera, I love it.

CA

I concur with Trillion, there is no tipping on Scenic cruises in fact we tried to extra tip a tour guide and our cabin steward and were politely declined in both cases. Scenic Cruise Directors I understand are employees of Scenic the rest of the crew both hotel and maritime are contracted but are paid at a better rate than othe cruise companies and it works we have never come across any crew member on Scenic who less than excellent. The only time we have seen any kind of dissent, if you can call it that was a girl member of the bar staff having a slight hissy fit because one of the guys had upset her arrangement of bottles needless to say the lady passengers sympathised with her and the men didn't say la vie.

CA

Alaxandra cruiser have a fantastic cruise we did.

Everyone just choose the excursion you want if couples want to choose a different one each then do so then compare notes after your bound to make each other a bit jealous.

The Australian site has a video tour of Scenic Jasper looks really good.

All tips and I really do mean all tips are included we tried to extra tip a guide and our cabin steward ( not the butler) and were very politely declined.

It's interesting that Scenic has done a major rebranding exercise I don't know about the other country sites but the UK one has a few hiccups where have all the proof readers gone?

Don't forget if you have a request or need a question answered just ask the crew they will tell you that they are there for you and your enjoyment.

Unless they have changed the system when you are due to leave the ship for any reason ask at reception for your boarding card this is so they know if any one is missing when they leave for the next port as you hand them in when you return. You will be greeted by various crew members and most probably the captain, also a drink and maybe a hot towel, you will also be encouraged to use the hand sanitizer it becomes second nature to use these on returning to the ship and on entering and leaving the various eating establishments on board.

Happy cruising all, CA

If any of you who want to cruise in Scotland I.e. The Caladonian Canal contact Cally Cruisers in Inverness and hire a cruiser we did this two years ago, okay we are boaters, but narrow boats, they give good pre cruise advice, you can't get lost, it's a beautiful cruise and the natives are friendly. I really do sympathise with all who have been swindled out of their holiday have you tried contacting the Scotish company and hope you had insurance.

CA

After a few hiccups the tailor made that Scenic use are excellent we our first cruise with Scenic they had different devices that were quite hit and miss.

The next cruise was the first year with them and they did have a few teething problems it was a great learning curve with both the passengers and crew working it out together. The next cruise all things sorted they are very, very good, as previously said you can wonder some distance from your tour guide (who have all been excellent) excellent for photographers. They are also loaded with information about the various ports etc so you can wonder off and do your own thing. They also come in handy on board as you cruise they occasionally wake up with information about points of interest that you cruise past.

Scenic tours are split into groups of fast moderate and slow walkers if necessary, they also do not cancel a tour if there are only a couple of people who elect for it. Last year this happened to us, so a car not a coach a driver a tour guide plus a young lady learning to be a cruise director with Scenic, fascinating tour and we all stopped on the way back for an ice cream, it was so hot.

CA

Hi Duct tape, there are various reviews in that section but not of the newer ships as CC has not added them yet, a lot of info on river cruising roll calls under various Scenic headings. Personally I think they deliver a superb product we are soon to take our fourth cruise with them but we have not cruised with any other company although friends have I cannot do a direct comparison. The staff are superb the food excellent the decor smart warm and uncluttered the rooms comfy and roomy with plenty of storage space and charging points, water replaced daily, mini fridge restocked daily and you can specify what you want in it. Tailor maid devices that are GPS enabled so you can listen to your guide from a distance or wonder off on your own. I could go on but read for yourself any questions just ask.

Happy cruising CA

Sorry must have had a senior moment yes Evergreen and they are different to Emerald in one at least important fact Evergreen leased their boats Emerald own theirs. CA

Note although the company involved was owned by Scenic it was Emerald Waterways that the complaints where about. I didn't want to start this again and we have still not heard any outcome.

CA

Okay I admit to being a pariah, but if anyone lite up anywhere other than the one designated area on a Scenic cruise they were very politely told where to go. There is no way I would lite up and upset any of my fellow passengers. Last year I asked if I could use my electronic cigarette inside and they had to get back to head office, the answer was no. We have noticed that mainland Europe in some cases does not follow the no smoking indoors rules as we do in the UK and I fully agree with this edict, I don't see why I should inflict my addiction on others and upset their holiday.

CA

We used our butler on our first two cruises but not on on our third, our room steward on all our cruses cleaned and refurbished our cabin at least twice a day. The Scenic Taylormaid devices ensured that you can either do your own thing or follow the always superb Scenic guides. Check the itinerary of the various cruise companies and what is included. Some say one company is more expensive than another but decided what you want, river cruiser has quite a good comparison guide.

CA

Please be very careful with Wikipedia there are inacuricies in some cases quite serious I know as In some respects have tried to correct in my field and they have been changed back to completely inaccurate, just a gentle warning.

CA

If you want to get the most out of the Seine cruise don't go in November we did the cruise with Scenic earlier in the year when everything was open. The weather will not be of the best quite dismal in fact, we are just over the channel and know how to wrap up but you will not see Normondy at its best. Just think this is someone English recommending that this is not the best time to visit an area of France!

CA

I'm counting the days to your cruise to you are both so positive. Just waiting for our final paperwork and still researching. The lists are getting longer, what to pack what not to pack. The odd cocktail on the balcony delivered by our butler. We start on my birthday, yippee! Last year was my DH 70th, not that he acts or looks it, the year before my ? birthday, the year before that our 40th wedding anniversary. Now just got to think of an excellent excuse to persuade DH for next year. We travel to Lyon by Eurostar then change trains for Chalon sur Saone then transfer by Scenic, return all the way by Eurostar we do love trains.

CA

I to recommend Scenic, all inclusive Butler for all cabins and loads of excursion choices, staff fantastic. The passenger range is Australian, Canadian, American and British the Aussies certainly make the cruises work, friendly wise although we have made many friends across all nationalities. The age range well just lets say that it doesn't matter when everyone is together why worry, good food, convivial atmosphere, great staff, enjoy.

CA

Check out Scenic as well they to are all inclusive. Compare the itineraries decide what you like best whoever you choose enjoy your cruise but be warned it can be adictive.

CA

On YouTube search for 'Shipping Emerald' three river cruisers moved from Rotterdam very clever. I tried to find film of a Narrowboat crossing the channel but no luck I have seen it on TV very scary in a flat bottomed boat only 7 foot wide across what is supposed to be one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

I think I will stick to the rivers and canals. CA