Gate One Danube Cruise May /2016

[bpolsky]

River Cruise – Prague to Budapest – May 11, 2016 through May 22, 2016

 

Trip review:

Flights:

Handled through Gate One- very tight and uncomfortable squeeze on British Air, attempted to upgrade after arriving in Prague for the return flight, British Air told me to call Gate One, Gate One told me to call British Air, refused an upgrade by both despite having a severe handicap of degenerated hips with pending surgery, (not as bad when booked trip a year ago). Airport transfers were all timely. Heathrow airport layovers are a horror unless you are fortunate enough to be arriving and departing from the same terminal. Gate One should book flights with layovers in Gatwick, Frankfurt, or Munich, anything but Heathrow.

Ship- Monarch Empress

Brand new ship, beautiful, staff excellent, entertainment a bit ‘hokey’. Food was hit or miss, some choices were excellent, others not my taste. Chicken and potatoes as a fall back nightly was mundane, additional alternate choices would have been nice. Breakfast bar was mediocre, Oatmeal watery, bacon and potatoes always cold. Best bet was omelet station. Worst was design of where they stationed the self serve salad station/breakfast bar- the kitchen doors literally opened right as you were getting your plates, this was on both sides of the U shaped bar, I was hit by the kitchen doors more than once. The wait staff was, however, excellent at all meals.

Despite being promised Wi-Fi, that was a solid untruth, Wi-Fi was VERY hit or miss, mostly miss. It was rare that we had Wi-Fi and availability to get out to the web. For 21st century travelers, the ability to connect with the internet is a must. Gate One needs to ensure that consistently strong and secure Wi-Fi connections are treated as a standard and not as an amenity. Guests noted that the Monarch Empress administrative website (not accessible by guests) was secure and consistent.

Hotel in Prague- Hotel Imperial

Excellent, clean and historical hotel, café was wonderful as was the included breakfast buffet. Centrally located, easy to get everywhere by foot or tram. Would definitely stay there again.

Departure/arrival days were a bit chaotic and hectic as Gate One was not the only tour group using the hotel. They should stagger departure and arrival times, this would better serve the guests.

Tour Directors: Mr. A and Ms. B

Overall, not that impressed with either one. Mr. A. was very through but not at all warm or overly helpful. His knowledge base was ‘well schooled’ and he was able to answer many questions.

Ms. B. on the other hand, shared too many personal opinions and personal information about being a single mother, X- spouse tragedy and then subsequent divorce, all in an attempt to elicit sympathy by burdening guests with information we did not need to hear on the coach following an all day tour of Salzburg. Guests travel to escape the cares and woes of the world. Furthermore, her cultural bias and blatant discriminatory orations about the ‘gypsy problem’ were in my opinion, highly unprofessional and racially/culturally stigmatizing. She furthermore shared her own opinion about how The Sound of Music movie is disliked by the Salzburg people and how it was an untrue fairy tale. Many, many Americans and other world travelers love this film and did not need to hear her personal bias towards the film.

All tour directors should be made aware that the tour is not about them.

The Tour Directors’ and crews’ heavy-handed attempts to coerce guests into tipping generously were off-putting. We were reminded about tipping on multiple occasions towards the end of the cruise. Guests did not appreciate lengthy discussions about tipping. If Gate One staff is so dependent on tipping, perhaps Gate One should ensure that its employees and agents receive adequate compensation. Guests should not be made to feel responsible for the livelihood of Gate One staff.

 

Excursions:

Overall, they were good; some could have been more historically and fact based with less detail about shopping spots. We also could have used more time on our own and had more options of transfers back to the ship; this was especially evident in Vienna and Budapest. In addition, some of the local attractions such as the Fisherman’s Bastion and St. Matthias Church should have had optional advanced ticket purchases provided to those who wanted to tour them in Budapest as it was not explained that tickets were necessary.

 

Overall, I thought it was a good value for the money and a very educational and enjoyable experience. However, some of the best times for us were the places we found away from the ship, especially the restaurants and shops. Next time we will probably go on our own having now been exposed to these wonderful places. The River Cruise experience was very good; I highly recommend it for ‘first timers’.

[luvn2cruzzz]

River Cruise – Prague to Budapest – May 11, 2016 through May 22, 2016

 

Trip review:

Flights:

Handled through Gate One- very tight and uncomfortable squeeze on British Air, attempted to upgrade after arriving in Prague for the return flight, British Air told me to call Gate One, Gate One told me to call British Air, refused an upgrade by both despite having a severe handicap of degenerated hips with pending surgery, (not as bad when booked trip a year ago). Airport transfers were all timely. Heathrow airport layovers are a horror unless you are fortunate enough to be arriving and departing from the same terminal. Gate One should book flights with layovers in Gatwick, Frankfurt, or Munich, anything but Heathrow.

Ship- Monarch Empress

Brand new ship, beautiful, staff excellent, entertainment a bit ‘hokey’. Food was hit or miss, some choices were excellent, others not my taste. Chicken and potatoes as a fall back nightly was mundane, additional alternate choices would have been nice. Breakfast bar was mediocre, Oatmeal watery, bacon and potatoes always cold. Best bet was omelet station. Worst was design of where they stationed the self serve salad station/breakfast bar- the kitchen doors literally opened right as you were getting your plates, this was on both sides of the U shaped bar, I was hit by the kitchen doors more than once. The wait staff was, however, excellent at all meals.

Despite being promised Wi-Fi, that was a solid untruth, Wi-Fi was VERY hit or miss, mostly miss. It was rare that we had Wi-Fi and availability to get out to the web. For 21st century travelers, the ability to connect with the internet is a must. Gate One needs to ensure that consistently strong and secure Wi-Fi connections are treated as a standard and not as an amenity. Guests noted that the Monarch Empress administrative website (not accessible by guests) was secure and consistent.

Hotel in Prague- Hotel Imperial

Excellent, clean and historical hotel, café was wonderful as was the included breakfast buffet. Centrally located, easy to get everywhere by foot or tram. Would definitely stay there again.

Departure/arrival days were a bit chaotic and hectic as Gate One was not the only tour group using the hotel. They should stagger departure and arrival times, this would better serve the guests.

Tour Directors: Mr. A and Ms. B

Overall, not that impressed with either one. Mr. A. was very through but not at all warm or overly helpful. His knowledge base was ‘well schooled’ and he was able to answer many questions.

Ms. B. on the other hand, shared too many personal opinions and personal information about being a single mother, X- spouse tragedy and then subsequent divorce, all in an attempt to elicit sympathy by burdening guests with information we did not need to hear on the coach following an all day tour of Salzburg. Guests travel to escape the cares and woes of the world. Furthermore, her cultural bias and blatant discriminatory orations about the ‘gypsy problem’ were in my opinion, highly unprofessional and racially/culturally stigmatizing. She furthermore shared her own opinion about how The Sound of Music movie is disliked by the Salzburg people and how it was an untrue fairy tale. Many, many Americans and other world travelers love this film and did not need to hear her personal bias towards the film.

All tour directors should be made aware that the tour is not about them.

The Tour Directors’ and crews’ heavy-handed attempts to coerce guests into tipping generously were off-putting. We were reminded about tipping on multiple occasions towards the end of the cruise. Guests did not appreciate lengthy discussions about tipping. If Gate One staff is so dependent on tipping, perhaps Gate One should ensure that its employees and agents receive adequate compensation. Guests should not be made to feel responsible for the livelihood of Gate One staff.

 

Excursions:

Overall, they were good; some could have been more historically and fact based with less detail about shopping spots. We also could have used more time on our own and had more options of transfers back to the ship; this was especially evident in Vienna and Budapest. In addition, some of the local attractions such as the Fisherman’s Bastion and St. Matthias Church should have had optional advanced ticket purchases provided to those who wanted to tour them in Budapest as it was not explained that tickets were necessary.

 

Overall, I thought it was a good value for the money and a very educational and enjoyable experience. However, some of the best times for us were the places we found away from the ship, especially the restaurants and shops. Next time we will probably go on our own having now been exposed to these wonderful places. The River Cruise experience was very good; I highly recommend it for ‘first timers’.

 

Welcome back! I just posted asking for someone just back and then saw this post from you!. Can't say I am so eager to do this trip now that I have read about your experiences. I didn't think it would be deluxe but this sounds very basic. Friends have had better experiences with Gate 1 but they were on land tours only and not in Europe. I appreciate getting a heads up about the food and the tours. Your description of tour guides was almost funny though I am sure at the time it was not. It was a lesson on what not to do as a professional tour guide. We are planning to do the Salzburg tour and I hope that she is not going to be with us. That would be ultra unpleasant.

I am wondering about any laundry possibilities on the boat. We are doing Warsaw and Krakow before we board in Budapest and then end in Prague so laundry will be urgent. I have not seen it listed anywhere so I am thinking it doesn't exisit for passengers.

What time did you leave Passau and Linz? We are hoping to do tours those days and would still like to see the towns and wondering if there will be time or if we sail shortly after we return.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us! Really appreciate it.

[mimmy52]

Thanks for your report on Gate One. Was everyone on the ship part of the Gate One tour? Do you know how many passengers were onboard?

[KathyK13]

Sorry to hear about your experience with your CDs. We have done 2 river cruises with Avalon and had the same CD for both. She was very professional but also had a great sense of humor and made us feel very welcome and well taken care of. I hope you shared your opinion of your CDs with Gate 1. If enough people complain it's in their best interest to remedy the situation.

[bpolsky]

I indeed shared this experience with Gate One Admin. with the hope that 'corrections' can be made, especially with regard to the CD's. As for laundry, very expensive accommodations as it cost us $17.50 US for 5 tee shirts to be washed. There is no time to do laundry in port and bringing the Tide was only good for undergarments.

Don't get me wrong, there were many people who loved the trip and tipped well, I am just a bit more particular with higher expectations.

Keep me posted about your experience!!!!!!!

[luvn2cruzzz]

I indeed shared this experience with Gate One Admin. with the hope that 'corrections' can be made, especially with regard to the CD's. As for laundry, very expensive accommodations as it cost us $17.50 US for 5 tee shirts to be washed. There is no time to do laundry in port and bringing the Tide was only good for undergarments.

Don't get me wrong, there were many people who loved the trip and tipped well, I am just a bit more particular with higher expectations.

Keep me posted about your experience!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for the laundry info. Desperation may be a motivator!

[luvn2cruzzz]

Hope you don't mind if I ask a few more questions. Were there any towns you didn't sail until later in the evening? How was your cabin? How were the transfers if you used them?

 

Thanks!

[bpolsky]

Some nights we stayed put and did not sail at all, other nights we sailed all night, we had opportunity to see all towns tho. Cabin was fine, no balcony, just French doors to lean out to banister of steel, all transfers were fine. Ship is new so it was clean and crew were excellent.

[luvn2cruzzz]

Some nights we stayed put and did not sail at all, other nights we sailed all night, we had opportunity to see all towns tho. Cabin was fine, no balcony, just French doors to lean out to banister of steel, all transfers were fine. Ship is new so it was clean and crew were excellent.

 

Thanks! Do you remember when you sailed from Linz or Passau?

[bpolsky]

I think we sailed from Passau in the afternoon!