River cruise ( alcohol not included in price)

[CPT Trips]

We are newbies to river cruising and booked with GCT before remembering to check with Cruise Critic. :( Our trip will be Rhine Christmas Markets 2015 (56 days until we go!)

 

We were attracted to GCT because of included 1) gratuities for local guides and drivers on all main trip and extensions 2) they have dedicated Program Directors who are on the boat and stay with you throughout your entire trip 3) complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners 4) only 2 opt. excursions to Heidelberg/Black Forest and one dinner with wine/food and dance in Rudesheim so everything but final crew gratuities are included and 5) only 140 passenger max.

 

That said, I have been very interested in learning about all other river cruise lines and will post my experience when I get back. I hope we made a good choice!

 

We love GCT. But your explanation is a little off. Anything you order at the bar will be extra and on your account. And you will be responsible for tipping your PD, in cash, as well as the crew tip that can be put on your ship's account and charged.

[Di Princess]

There was a long thread about this recently. You should be able to find it with the search feature above. Sorry I don't know how to do links.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1874753

 

It got quite heated - a good read. ;)

[JVilleGal]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1874753

 

 

 

It got quite heated - a good read. ;)

 

 

That OP just couldn't see the forest for the trees! I remember that drama... I was just starting my River Cruising research.

 

The one thing none of those very helpful posters never mentioned was that often Soft Drinks - coke, 7 up, etc cost as much as a glass of wine or beer. I was amazed to get off our Avalon 14 day sailing with only a $200 bar bill and that was for 2 of us having a cocktail or 2 each evening.

 

No drunks on our cruise either, just a group of lovely well traveled people with interesting stories!

[caviargal]

IMO, all inclusive is not necessarily a positive, unless what is included is important to the individual. While it was nice to have drinks, tips and transfers included, it was not a big deal for us. We were only able to use the transfer one way, as we arrived by train and not by plane and came in a day early. We still tipped for exceptional service. We did not drink any more than if we paid for drinks and we still paid for laundry and massages.

 

When we sail with AMA our total bill at the end of the week, taking out massages and laundry costs, is under $500. When we priced out the 3 excursions that we would have taken with Uniworld that were included on the same itinerary with AMA, they were 450E per person, so over $1000 for two.

 

We prefer to DIY in some ports, and to book private transfers. With the transfers included with Uniworld, we were advised in our travel documents that we may have to wait up to 2 hours at the airport for our transfer. We would not have used them anyway, as after a long day of travel, sitting around an airport waiting for a ride is not something we would choose to do.

 

I believe the devil is in the details and what works best for some does not for all.

Edited October 1, 2015 by caviargal

[Dolebludger]

This is true! For us, we got so tired of the "nickel and diming" of mass market ocean cruises that (for us) the more inclusive the better! From my research, the majority of river cruises offer alcoholic drinks of some kind at dinner (usually lunch too). To our experience, offering included drinks only then has led to more loud drunks at dinner than if included drinks were offered 24/7. But it is good that different lines offer different inclusions to suit different guests.

[Got2Cruise]

Nickel and diming doesn't bother me. I don't like to pay for stuff I don't need nor want. It has nothing to do with if I can afford more. I can figure out how to tip the crew and guides myself. I like to search for my own hotel based on my preference. I don't need alcohol at lunch. I don't need any welcome gifts. I would rather have the choice to pay for a tour or not.

[Hydrokitty]

IMO, all inclusive is not necessarily a positive, unless what is included is important to the individual. While it was nice to have drinks, tips and transfers included, it was not a big deal for us. We were only able to use the transfer one way, as we arrived by train and not by plane and came in a day early. We still tipped for exceptional service. We did not drink any more than if we paid for drinks and we still paid for laundry and massages.

 

When we sail with AMA our total bill at the end of the week, taking out massages and laundry costs, is under $500. When we priced out the 3 excursions that we would have taken with Uniworld that were included on the same itinerary with AMA, they were 450E per person, so over $1000 for two.

 

We prefer to DIY in some ports, and to book private transfers. With the transfers included with Uniworld, we were advised in our travel documents that we may have to wait up to 2 hours at the airport for our transfer. We would not have used them anyway, as after a long day of travel, sitting around an airport waiting for a ride is not something we would choose to do.

 

I believe the devil is in the details and what works best for some does not for all.

 

I'm with you Caviargal....I prefer drinks to be pay as you go, with wine included at dinner. We drink wine at dinner and I don't like the idea of paying for someone else's drinks...our last trip we had one man on our trip who started drinking (not included) at lunch time and was offensively soused by dinner. I probably would have blanched at his bar tab, but I'm sure as heck glad I didn't have to pay for any of it! And things like massages and laundry should be paid by the person using the service and not partially paid for by people who do not. As for excursions, 450E pp for 3 optionals is a lot. Where were they taking you? Ours were under $100 pp and all of them were great. Of course, none included lunch, but they did include entrance fees and a charter bus. :D

[Dolebludger]

Well, then, for those who prefer to cruise more of less "ala carte", it is a good thing that there are plenty of choices for you.

[bubbulz]

I believe the devil is in the details and what works best for some does not for all.

 

Totally agree. There are pros and cons to all of the lines, and all of the individual boats and their itineraries. The key is to be familiar enough with them before you book to know what you are likely to get for your money. Only you can decide if it's worth the price.

 

Personally, I'm one of those who doesn't like being nickeled and dimed. I knew ahead of time we'd pay extra for our Heidelberg tour (59 Euros) but felt that was a fair price to pay all things considered since it was something we wanted to do. Also, I never saw anyone drunk on our cruise despite the 24x7 availability of alcohol including champagne at breakfast. (Actually, I rarely saw anyone drinking the champagne and never even tried it myself.) I don't know many people my age who will drink alcohol merely because it's included. And, likewise, I don't know many people who routinely tend to over drink who are limited by having to pay for it by the drink.

[Dolebludger]

bubbulz,

 

You make a good point about drunks. The "most drunk" cruise we have ever been on was Royal Caribbean, where no alcohol is included -- ever. The "least drunk" cruises we have ever been on have been Regent, Paul Gauguin, Silversea, and our recent Scenic river cruise. On all of these, all the alcohol anybody might think they wanted was available at the table or bar or in your room 24/7.

[Canal archive]

Scenic offers 3 tours per day for all types of walkers, you don't pay extra for any of them, okay all drinks are included and you can specify what is included in your cabin fridge be it alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Next year 2016 regardless of which cabin you are in at least 1 bag of cleaning is included. All tips are included we have given a bit extra to anyone who has been outstanding, for instance who thinks of tipping the maritime crew or the hidden hotel staff, the washer uppers the laundry lady/man and other back room staff often not seen. I think it's wonderful to go all inclusive but I do realise it's not everyone's thing whichever you do enjoy your cruise. CA

Edited October 1, 2015 by Canal archive

[Hydrokitty]

Also, I never saw anyone drunk on our cruise despite the 24x7 availability of alcohol including champagne at breakfast. (Actually, I rarely saw anyone drinking the champagne and never even tried it myself.) I don't know many people my age who will drink alcohol merely because it's included. And, likewise, I don't know many people who routinely tend to over drink who are limited by having to pay for it by the drink.

 

Normally I would agree with this, but then there was our last cruise.....the bar opened late morning but was usually only getting people drinking coffee....except for one individual who upon return from the morning excursion, went straight to the bar, brought his beer to the table for lunch, returned to the bar for the afternoon and was pretty well sloshed, and obnoxious to boot, through dinner. Obviously this person has a drinking problem, but he is the first one I've ever seen on a river cruise....of course on the ocean cruises the bars open at dawn! :D Unfortunately, I don't think it makes that much difference if it's included or not....a person who drinks that much will drink whether it's free or not.

[caviargal]

:D Unfortunately, I don't think it makes that much difference if it's included or not....a person who drinks that much will drink whether it's free or not.

 

I agree and IMO the converse is also true. I drink wine most of the time, with the occasional martini or single malt. I drank no more when alcohol was included than when we paid extra for drinks. I suspect it all balances out.

[bubbulz]

Unfortunately, I don't think it makes that much difference if it's included or not....a person who drinks that much will drink whether it's free or not.

 

+1

 

Totally agree, and with caviargal as well:

 

"I agree and IMO the converse is also true. I drink wine most of the time, with the occasional martini or single malt. I drank no more when alcohol was included than when we paid extra for drinks. I suspect it all balances out."

[Barrheadlass]

We are newbies to river cruising and booked with GCT before remembering to check with Cruise Critic. :( Our trip will be Rhine Christmas Markets 2015 (56 days until we go!)

 

We were attracted to GCT because of included 1) gratuities for local guides and drivers on all main trip and extensions 2) they have dedicated Program Directors who are on the boat and stay with you throughout your entire trip 3) complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners 4) only 2 opt. excursions to Heidelberg/Black Forest and one dinner with wine/food and dance in Rudesheim so everything but final crew gratuities are included and 5) only 140 passenger max.

 

That said, I have been very interested in learning about all other river cruise lines and will post my experience when I get back. I hope we made a good choice!

 

I took that trip last year with GCT and enjoyed it a lot. The extra cost Rudesheim dinner was a lot if fun! Gct is kind of bare bones...not like the others you read about here on CC...Uniworld, AMA, etc. I just realized I've ventured into thread drift, so will cut this short, but...enjoy your cruise!

[Dolebludger]

Well, if someone wants to cruise (river or ocean) and have included items only passage and food -- and have everything else at extra cost, that is a market that should be met by the lines. To the contrary, I want EVERYTHING included except purchases of items from the ship's store and spa services (which are contracted out). We want as much laundry done as we need, as we like to pack light. We want all drinks (hard and soft) included everywhere, as ships tend to charge way too much for them. Wash rooms on ships tend to be inadequate for the demand, and if we wanted to do wash, we would stay home. And at home, I can drink beers for $1 each (good craft beers) and vodka sevens for a little less. Not that I drink those all time. I can also drink diet Coke for about $.40 per can and bottled water for less. What do ships charge for these items?

 

But that is just us, and we don't expect all to agree. We just returned from a Scenic river cruise a bit over two weeks ago, and there were no drunks on it (including me). There was one obnoxious Canadian on it who insisted on throwing his obnoxious politics in everyone's face, but he was never drunk, so I don't know how to aviod that except by avoiding him (as we did).

 

But we do agree that those who want an "ala carte" cruise should have that option. We might take one again ourselves, if the cruise lines did not charge "monopoly prices" for their "extras".

[xpcdoojk]

Normally I would agree with this, but then there was our last cruise.....the bar opened late morning but was usually only getting people drinking coffee....except for one individual who upon return from the morning excursion, went straight to the bar, brought his beer to the table for lunch, returned to the bar for the afternoon and was pretty well sloshed, and obnoxious to boot, through dinner. Obviously this person has a drinking problem, but he is the first one I've ever seen on a river cruise....of course on the ocean cruises the bars open at dawn! :D Unfortunately, I don't think it makes that much difference if it's included or not....a person who drinks that much will drink whether it's free or not.

 

Sometimes people have issues that happen at the moment.

 

I have never tried, but I, also, have never had anyone offer to sell me a cocktail early in the morning on an ocean cruise. I have cruised, Princess, HAL, Carnival, RCI, and Celebrity.

 

Even the casinos shut down before morning.

 

I think that sometimes people do a one off... IE they have something come up and they go stupid. I think that this happens most in college, and not so much on river cruises, but we don't really know what is going on in someones life.

 

jc

[Hydrokitty]

Well, if someone wants to cruise (river or ocean) and have included items only passage and food -- and have everything else at extra cost, that is a market that should be met by the lines. To the contrary, I want EVERYTHING included except purchases of items from the ship's store and spa services (which are contracted out). We want as much laundry done as we need, as we like to pack light. We want all drinks (hard and soft) included everywhere, as ships tend to charge way too much for them. Wash rooms on ships tend to be inadequate for the demand, and if we wanted to do wash, we would stay home. And at home, I can drink beers for $1 each (good craft beers) and vodka sevens for a little less. Not that I drink those all time. I can also drink diet Coke for about $.40 per can and bottled water for less. What do ships charge for these items?

 

But that is just us, and we don't expect all to agree.

But we do agree that those who want an "ala carte" cruise should have that option. We might take one again ourselves, if the cruise lines did not charge "monopoly prices" for their "extras".

 

There's nothing wrong with wanting EVERYTHING included, especially at the prices we pay...and if you don't mind paying for everything that's included whether you use it or not, there's nothing wrong with that either, that's why there are company's that are all-inclusive and raved about. OTOH there are those of us who don't really care that much about the extra's being included or not because we don't really care that about the extras....nothing wrong with that either. Another poster put it brilliantly, some like vanilla and some like chocolate!

 

QUOTE: We just returned from a Scenic river cruise a bit over two weeks ago, and there were no drunks on it (including me). There was one obnoxious Canadian on it who insisted on throwing his obnoxious politics in everyone's face, but he was never drunk, so I don't know how to aviod that except by avoiding him (as we did). END QUOTE

 

This was my 9th river cruise over-all and it was the first one where I encountered the "obnoxious drunk"....he was loud-mouthed, arrogant, racist and homophobic....and for some reason he wanted to sit with us every night. It was so bad one night I actually picked up my plate and my wine and went to another table!....and he actually thought it was because the sun was in my face!!! :rolleyes: But when you figure that was 1 person out of 9 trips and 1800 people....it's not worth complaining about.:D

[xpcdoojk]

I am the point in my life, where I can afford pretty much anything, but I prefer to pay for only what I use. I like that we have choices. If I want to sail with an open bar all day every day, Royal Caribbean and most other lines give you that option. When I sail on an ocean ship. I am planning on doing the flowrider when we are at sea (assuming there are not tons of kiddies on board, I try to figure out when that won't happen) to spend from 8 until 11AM working my butt off surfing the wave. Then a light lunch followed by doing something the DW wants to do, look a jewelry have a long walk or talk. Then about 5Pm we go to the Diamond lounge chat with folks and have a couple or a few cocktails, then we go to dinner, have a bottle of wine and dinner, then after dinner show and bed to get up the next morning for advanced stand-up on the flowrider.

 

On river cruises. We get up, I get a coffee from the cappucino machine for us both, and we eat breakfast, there is sparkling wine there, I ignore it, completely. We eat, and get our stuff together to go onshore to tour something, lunch, Avalon on our only river cruise, had included in every tour we took lunch somewhere with wine or beer. I had a couple of wines glasses, then more touring, my DW often would nap on the bus, and I would listen to podcasts or music, then back to the boat after tours, then we would dress for dinner, have a bottle of wine we bought during the tours before dinner. I think my bar bill for the entire river cruise was less than 20 bucks. I sure think that for me paying an extra $1000 per person for "all-inclusive" is stupid...

 

JMHO and YMMV

[Hydrokitty]

I am the point in my life, where I can afford pretty much anything, but I prefer to pay for only what I use. I like that we have choices. If I want to sail with an open bar all day every day, Royal Caribbean and most other lines give you that option. When I sail on an ocean ship. I am planning on doing the flowrider when we are at sea (assuming there are not tons of kiddies on board, I try to figure out when that won't happen) to spend from 8 until 11AM working my butt off surfing the wave. Then a light lunch followed by doing something the DW wants to do, look a jewelry have a long walk or talk. Then about 5Pm we go to the Diamond lounge chat with folks and have a couple or a few cocktails, then we go to dinner, have a bottle of wine and dinner, then after dinner show and bed to get up the next morning for advanced stand-up on the flowrider.

 

On river cruises. We get up, I get a coffee from the cappucino machine for us both, and we eat breakfast, there is sparkling wine there, I ignore it, completely. We eat, and get our stuff together to go onshore to tour something, lunch, Avalon on our only river cruise, had included in every tour we took lunch somewhere with wine or beer. I had a couple of wines glasses, then more touring, my DW often would nap on the bus, and I would listen to podcasts or music, then back to the boat after tours, then we would dress for dinner, have a bottle of wine we bought during the tours before dinner. I think my bar bill for the entire river cruise was less than 20 bucks. I sure think that for me paying an extra $1000 per person for "all-inclusive" is stupid...

 

JMHO and YMMV

 

We agree....and good luck with the flowrider!! (whatever that is) :D

Edited October 2, 2015 by Hydrokitty

[Mark_T]

We agree....and good luck with the flowrider!! (whatever that is) :D

 

It is actually one of the tests we use when picking a ship, if it is large enough to have a flowrider and/or a climbing wall then it is too large for us :)

[Dolebludger]

And I never heard of Royal Caribbean offering any sort of deal for unlimited 24/7 alcoholic and carbonated drinks and bottled water. Please tell me more about this. Last I checked selling such drinks at inflated prices was REALY how RCL made their money -- not from fares!

[caviargal]

It is actually one of the tests we use when picking a ship, if it is large enough to have a flowrider and/or a climbing wall then it is too large for us :)

 

If it is large enough to have a kids club or any facilities for kids, it is too large for us. ;)

[Got2Cruise]

And I never heard of Royal Caribbean offering any sort of deal for unlimited 24/7 alcoholic and carbonated drinks and bottled water. Please tell me more about this. Last I checked selling such drinks at inflated prices was REALY how RCL made their money -- not from fares!

 

 

Celebrity offers it now also. Many times as a free promotion. The way they make their money now is on the upsell of the premium alcohol package ( there's dozens of threads over there explaining), the specialty restaurants, the tiered system of "special privileges cabins and suites, the casino, excursions and spas.

[JVilleGal]

Ditto!!! To both of you!