Thinking about first river cruise...

[lhall85917]

DH and I (ages 52 and 56) are considering a river cruise for next spring or summer. We tend to like newer, bigger cruise ships so are not sure how we will like river cruising. Neither of us cares about the casino, drinking, and most of the activities - just not sure how we will feel about being on a cruise with less than 200 passengers. For now we are looking at Viking's Grand European Tour for 15 days (Budapest to Amsterdam) or perhaps Uniworld's European Serenade for 14 days (Vienna to Amsterdam).

Our time period for taking a trip is flexible - we would like to see Austria but other than that we don't have any big must-do's. I'm hoping to get some input from you river cruise veterans - what do you like about this compared to cruising on big ships, what advice do you have for shopping and booking river cruises to get the best deals and suggestions for incredible itineraries?

Thanks in advance.:)

[GiannaD]

We have been on two river cruises with Vantage and loved both of them. Initially they appear more expensive than some other companies but they include almost everything. They cater to the 55 and up traveler and take care of every detail. Check out their Castles Along the Rhine and Danube for an itinerary from Amsterdam to Budapest.

[GiannaD]

There are a number of posts on this site about Vantage. They will give you a good idea of what to expect on a river cruise on one of their ships.

[caviargal]

Just a suggestion but perhaps start with a shorter itinerary to make sure you like it. It is not for everyone and 15 days is quite a commitment.

[Talisker92]

We have been on two river cruises with Vantage and loved both of them. Initially they appear more expensive than some other companies but they include almost everything. They cater to the 55 and up traveler and take care of every detail. Check out their Castles Along the Rhine and Danube for an itinerary from Amsterdam to Budapest.

I second the thoughts on Vantage. We have done 2 river cruises with them and enjoyed them. We did one in 2007 and one this year. The stories are on our website

http://www.stevekathytravels.com

[lhall85917]

Thanks everyone, for your thoughts so far. I asked my TA for more information and am posting her reply below - any thoughts on what she has to say?

 

"It seems like I am getting quite a bit of interest in river cruise lately.

 

I have booked a couple of them so far and have investigated quite a bit. I have heard that Viking and Vantage are the lower end of them with older ships and smaller cabins. I know a past Viking client said the beds in the cabin are stationary so they are always twins and can't be put together.

 

One that I have booked and they have already sailed is with Avalon Waterways and they have a wonderful time and loved the ship. I also have a client who has sailed with AMA Waterways and had a great time as well and had nothing negative to say. Most tours are included (at least a 1/2 day in each stop and then they have additional tours you can purchase for the other 1/2 day but my client that sailed said they booked extra and they got really tired with so much activity) plus wine at dinner is included.

 

My friend that works with me just booked someone on Tauck tours and the person has sailed with them before but I heard they are on the upper end."

[jacksonnh]

I tend to agree with caviargal about taking a shorter trip to see if you like it. The itinerary is very important IMO so do some research about the various areas and trips available to you.

You will find that many of the cruise companies have been building new or upgrading ships including Viking. If I recall correctly, except for the small pullman type cabins, the beds were made into a queen size.

[LHT28]

I am reading this with interest also first timers for a river cruise

We are looking at a river cruise but not sure if we are too young (mid 60's)

Then there is the water level issue & now the red toxic sludge issue.:eek:

 

We both hate bus tours so do not want the cruise turned into a bus trip.

 

I have looked at all the lines & we are torn between Scenic & AMA both have very similar itinerary but Scenic has more included in the price.

There is a small difference in price between them about $300 more for Scenic ..their prices are in CAD so no exchange for us.

 

I would not want to fly all that way to go on a short cruise ..15 days seems long for some but for 7 days I would just be getting over jet lag then it would be time to return home

 

The new AMA ships have a partial balcony ..not just french balconies

Scenic has a full balcony

Neither are like the ocean going ships but sitting outside in our own space is very appealing to us

 

Now to decide on the time of year to go..spring or fall

 

 

Lyn

[biotech]

I have just booked my 5th cruise with Viking and have done a variety of itineraries on older and newer ships. They were all unique and interesting:-) My 1st priority is always the itinerary. If you decide to book with Viking, they are offering a discount for 1st time cruisers if they quote the name and customer number of any former cruiser. Email me at mleuniss@gmail.com if you are interested. I have done 2 cruises with Oceania and loved them but the really like the intimacy of the river cruises.

[H2Otstr]

Now to decide on the time of year to go..spring or fall

 

Lyn

 

If you go in the spring the period of daylight is very long. Also the vinyards are just starting to show some growth.

 

If you go in the fall the days are much shorter, gets dark early. The vinyards are very full and are beautiful.

 

Both have their plusses and negatives. You can't go wrong with either decision.

[Paulinda]

I would second caviar's suggestion about doing a shorter cruise for your first attempt although I would also suggest adding a day pre-cruise and couple nights or more post cruise. Pre-cruise to overcome any jet lag you may suffer and post cruise just to enjoy some free time on your own. I would also suggest arranging these days on your own as usually the cruise lines charge a hefty premium.

 

Although they keep you fairly active on river cruises it can be a bit 'slow'. But it's a nice way of recharging your batteries. As far as having only 200 or less passangers on board I would suggest that it is better than being on a huge ocean cruise ship with a couple thousand others. You will meet many new friends from all over the world and will actually remember some of thier names, even after the cruise! It's much more intimate.

 

There is much to see and do in Vienna, Budapest and Amsterdam. They are worth the extra time and funds. Austria/Bavaria is amazingly beautiful and if you are intent on traveling in that area you may want to even go 4 or 5 extra days. There is just sooooo much to see there.

 

Have a great trip!

[caviargal]

I would second caviar's suggestion about doing a shorter cruise for your first attempt although I would also suggest adding a day pre-cruise and couple nights or more post cruise. Pre-cruise to overcome any jet lag you may suffer and post cruise just to enjoy some free time on your own. I would also suggest arranging these days on your own as usually the cruise lines charge a hefty premium.

 

 

Absolutely - I would arrive 3 days early and then stay in Europe for 3-4 days post since you have the time. We travel by train and book our own hotels.

 

Personally, I would have been miserable with 15 days on a river boat - others will differ.

[mickym]

DH and I took our first river cruise in July with Uniworld and it was WONDERFUL!! It is so relaxing and beautiful! You just float down the river with endless beautiful scenery. We were also used to large ocean cruises but the small number of cruisers was one of the things we liked the best about the experience. You really got to know a lot of people from a lot of different cultures. You become a community of sorts and that part was great. I am so glad we decided to see what we could this way versus a bus tour. The people do tend to be an older bunch ranging mostly from 50s on up. I can't think of one negative thing to say about the whole experience and I think if you read on these boards and the reviews you won't find many people who can. Go have a great time.

[MVPinBoynton]

We thoroughly enjoyed our AMA river cruise and so much so that we are doing another one next year. With a 7 day cruise coupled with 3 days in the embarkation city and 2 in the debarkation city, you have taken up a two week vacation very nicely. I would agree with others that for a first river cruise, the one week cruise would be the better choice.

 

Having been on many ocean cruises, we were also concerned about how we would enjoy river cruising. Since AMA has newer ships and very nice size cabins, we thought that they were better than most of the ocean cruises we have been on. River cruising is a great vacation. You can see lots of photos of the boat and ports in our review on our website www.thepreismans.com.

[eandj]

Having just returned from our first river cruise, I totally agree that going for a longer cruise first time might lead to a mistake. Ours was 12 full days on the boat. (most companies count the day you leave home too:confused:) I really was ready to leave the ship on day 8. We spent two days in Amsterdam pre cruise which were terrific. But there is so much history, churches, architecture etc at the ports of call that you can get overloaded. We loved Vienna at the end and spent more time there. If we were to do another, I would probably talk my dh into cruising for a shorter time but adding more land stays on our own.

 

If the OP is really into the newer ocean cruise ships, which tend to have many lounges, entertainment options etc., a long river cruise might just become a bore. It's all what you are looking for and what you are prepared for.

[C&Bcruiser]

We are thinking about a Danube cruise with Viking in November. We have done quite a few cruises but never a river cruise. Is November a bad time? It looks like there are Christmas markets?? Does anyone have an opinion of Viking?

[franski]

November is usually a good choice from a cost perspective.... The tours do not cost as much as the weather can be less "pleasant"... :D

 

However, if you go in late November, you can do Christmas markets.

 

I have not travelled with Viking (very pleased with Uniworld and AMA - have travelled with both...) - but a friend has travelled with Viking and had no complaints. My only suggestion would be to look at the beds - as some of the older vessels still have the pullman type beds in some cabins. That is a deal breaker for us...

[Katiecat26]

I just returned yesterday from my first river cruise. It was a Grand Circle cruise, which included 3 days at a Prague hotel, and then one week going from Linz to Budapest on the Danube.

Aside from the long plane trip to and from the tour, I did have a wonderful time. For those who want it (and are physically able), you can be busy every moment. I didn't particularly find it relaxing. Our included tours started at about 8:30 evey morning, and lasted till lunch time. Then, you either went on an optional tour, or you spent the afternoon on your own. Of course, you can rest at that time. Later, there were port talks, cocktail parties, a cooking class, etc. After dinner, there was local entertainment, and a final evening when the crew entertained. Except for one afternoon, sailing down the river, the boat moved at night.

Although the group was mainly over 50, it was a very active, vital, intelligent group. Diningroom seating is open, so you meet many people.

Grand Circle adds some interesting activities. On the way from Prague to Linz, we stopped, and were divided into small groups, and went for lunch at host family homes. The family I visited were great- a mother, father, and 2 sons ages 16 and 23. We learned so much from that visit.

On the ship one day, we had a visit from 2 university boys who described their lives to us, and answered many questions. If it hadn't been Saturday when we were in Bratislava, we would have visited a school.

As you can see, this is very different from a big ship cruise. It's a completely different type of experience, and you will not know whether you'll like it, until you try it.

[lhall85917]

Thank you so much to everyone that has taken the time to respond, we appreciate your input. We will definitely do a river cruise, just not sure when. Also, the 7 day trip is a great suggestion, I think we would want to combine that with a "regular" cruise while we are there - it is too far to travel for just a week! :)

If anyone else has some input, I'd love to hear it.

[Ozjohnno]

We too took a lot of advice from CC regulars before booking our trip. In the end we decided to sail with Tauck because when everything was compared (down to the last detail I might add) Tauck offered us everything we wanted plus threw in a free nights accommodation at a 5 star hotel and given the great state of the Aussie Dollar they were cheaper than both Scenic Tours and APT. Because Europe is almost two days travel away for us we opted for a 14 night cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. All we have to do now is wait ... and wait.:)

[caviargal]

Thank you so much to everyone that has taken the time to respond, we appreciate your input. We will definitely do a river cruise, just not sure when. Also, the 7 day trip is a great suggestion, I think we would want to combine that with a "regular" cruise while we are there - it is too far to travel for just a week! :)

If anyone else has some input, I'd love to hear it.

 

I would combine with a land trip and enjoy the excellent trains and many more options that provides. I am not a fan of ocean cruising in Europe, as one misses what are the best experiences IMO. The evenings in town, the local spots for authentic food, the charming small towns and fascinating cities that deserve so much more than a few hours.

 

JMO but ocean cruising is my least favorite way to experience Europe.

[LadyKrystal53]

DH and I have taken 2 viking European river cruises , Helvetia and Pride and enjoyed both. Typically the mornings were some form of escorted tour either walking or bus to a location for tour and the afternoons were optional tours for a fee or explore on your own. At 57 & 63 we were some of the younger folks but our traveling companions were interesting well traveled and always at the bus/start before us :) We found the beds comfy and they were pushed together just fine. There was always iced tea, iced water (in a dispenser) and a coffee machine available

Tea, coffee, ice tea were free with meals and free a liter bottle of water in the cabin was replenished daily. Meals were good and steak could be ordered instead of the choice from the 3 set menu items at dinner.

We never did any optional tours.

Enjoy your trip.