Canal archive

I absolutely agree but and there had to be a but didn’t there, these guys and gals have a job to do if they don’t do it to the perceived requirements they may loose that job. I expect you may have noticed that many of the crews across the river cruising companies are Eastern European and hopefully you can recognise some of the difficulties in that area of the world. In some very small way I would hope that by letting or encouraging them to do their jobs we may make a small dent in the inequalities of life across the globe. May small steps become giant strides, hopefully I said that!

I may be opening myself up here but I’ve always over my years cruising with Scenic had the most excellent service from our designated butlers. I expect it comes down to what you’re used to in the long run. If you use your butler you get a much more enjoyable experience, you don’t need them in your face all the time in fact the more you let them know what you require at the beginning of your cruise then the less you will notice them, exactly how a good butler should be. An afternoon cocktail on your balcony after a heavy day’s sightseeing early morning tea/coffee you name it because when it comes down to the nitty gritty you paid for it, of course you don’t need to use your butler but he/she is there for you to use so do so. Enjoy!

Luckily in the U.K. so far as I can see we have standard double beds and King sized double beds. The largest double beds I’ve ever had the privilege to use was in a beautiful hotel on Langkawi it was soooo large.

The canals of the U.K. are either narrow or broad so the boats can vary in width usually a smidgin under 7ft /2.1333333 mtrs approx or 3.962 mtrs. Length depends on the locks so the majority of boats can use a 70ft long lock / 22.336 mtrs. There are a few locks shorter so you have to read your cruising notes. I got caught up today sorting some education stuff for our steam pump. But evidently at the start of the canal building frenzy across Europe the French decided to go different to Holland. Will check on that we have a 1763 copy of how to construct a canal translated from the French it has some of the most amazing artwork in it.

Notamermaid fascinating set me off researching - there are so many Sir Winston’s and I think I found the original registration one person was talking about. Wonderful thank you so much but as usual I got and get sidetracked so easily it’s woeful. I will try to get some very early canal engineering examples today from the 1700’s.

Typical French hotel barge on the Nivernais we hired a small barge and came across several hotel barges all immaculately turned out with happy occupants.

Someone has recently reported on the baths I’m almost sure you could do a CC search using the name.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Enjoy I look forward to hearing your assessment.

Evergreen was the first river cruise name for Scenic and I’m pretty sure was only completely dropped a couple of years ago. I think it was also the original name of their land tour company.

The deck forward of the wheelhouse does not get cleared and is a pleasant place to sit with a cocktail/ cold beer or any drink delivered by your crew. Enjoy as they soon get to know your favourite so relaxe.

When Scenic first introduced Emerald it was advertised as being for a younger age group with less frills.

Your right Kristelle the size of the even the Deluxe Balcony cabins is governed by - fore and aft so extra length the width apart from the after end cabins cannot be changed. So technically you can have twin beds but not by much although it may be enough for you.

Yes I think you can request before you board and just let them know your up there. Birthday bottle of Veuve Clicquot no Dom but you can’t have everything.

Some years ago A Rosa was supposed to have teamed with Scenic and I believe this did not happen. But it did with an A Rosa Captain and our Scenic Cruise director well the teasing was well ment and they were a wonderful couple applauded by us on Scenic moored at Cochem the Moselle.

Okay I will most probably get slated or chucked off this forum for this but what planet is the person above on? Talk about discrimination Scenic is an all inclusive company what you pay for is what you get it doesn’t matter that you may not want to do what is on offer you made the choice of travelling with them. In the many times that I have I’ve never been disappointed. I’ve always had superb service the crew have at all times been amazing. It’s our choice not yours! I fully expect an objective comeback or maybe not so ********** it. And I understand your cruising with them again poor them!

On one Scenic cruise, the Rhône one.guest had a small - and he was quite a big man - mobility scooter which was plugged in every evening in the foyer. He navigated on board with two walking sticks, I was only aware of a few times that he needed crew assistance leaving or arriving on board. He and his wife one evening went ashore for dinner locally with French friends. Lovely guy he managed to join in most things and in Viviers he found the long way around to the organ recital in the cathedral. So it’s not impossible just takes a bit of - sounds wrong - get up and go.

As far as I can gather alcohol is always available on the majority of cruise lines so if for some reason you are not happy about this I’m afraid your lost. Although on Scenic for instance your cabin mini bar can be loaded with whatever beverages you require so no need for alcohol in your cabin. You can even start the morning with a ‘Bucks Fizz’ at breakfast, yes I know if your from the states it has another name. The alcohol versus soft drinks has always been a thing and although I think it has changed somewhat at one time soft (non-alcoholic) drinks across Europe were more expensive than alcoholic drinks hence the inclusions. The first time scootering in Europe the cost of a Coke was eye watering to us as in our local coffee bar it was pennies. Us Brits at one time had something called a booze cruises evidently cruise across the Channel to Calais load up with cheap alcohol even taking in the cost of the ferry. I dread to think what the wine was like!

The answer to the original question is very much an individual decision what is budget to some could be different to another as with luxury to some may be basic to others it all depends on the individuals experience.

Scenic’s tables for two in the lounge are for the River Cafe usually open for early breakfast and those who like maybe a lighter lunch, it’s closed in the evenings, the ice cream is superb.

Scenic has two seaters, four seaters, six and eight seaters. Some will say that some of the two seaters are still very close to other tables but I’m sure that if you didn’t want to converse with your near neighbours they would respect your choice. The staff will also sort larger tables if asked.

There was an occasion with Scenic on a Bordeaux cruise that so many wanted to pedal on one excursion they hired extra bikes in. Some get a bit sniffy about the electric bikes (whisper) like my DH but only because he is the proud owner of his electric bike shhh his pride and joy. Everyone I know who’s used the bikes has enjoyed it and as has been said book or make your request early and you’ll be fine. I must admit to preferring track bikes and used to race on the Portsmouth track, ohh the days of youth.

How crass and again were being overseen by the ******** few.

If you get a chance take a tour of the kitchen facilities on board, you will then realise the need for a tighter serving time, I’ve wondered in the past how these guys and gals present such wonderful food from such cramped catering quarters but they do and very well.

Thank you twice it’s interesting for the boat and I showed it to my DH he’s now found a way to practice his German hadn’t thought of it before, so that’s what the twice is for.