Gate 1 Monarch Princess May 8th Budapest to Vilsholfen

[ole goat]

Post # 1, So late I may get no replies but worth a try. Mary and I are experienced ocean cruisers but this is our 1st River Cruise.

 

Any response would be appreciated if you are familiar with this Danube River itinerary or better yet, are an actual person taking this cruise. :cool:

[IluvZ]

We are on the cruise but it’s our first river cruise too.

[ole goat]

See you on board. Should be a fun cruise as I understand that there are usually a bunch of Ausi's on board the Gate 1 cruises.

 

Jack and Mary.

 

 

 

We are on the cruise but it’s our first river cruise too.

[IluvZ]

Hi Jack and Mary,

Sorry my last post was so short, we were actually out of the country for Spring Break. I love the length of the cruised in your signature! Nice list. Our longest was 14 days but have moved away from the ocean cruises and to more land vacations because of the changes over the last few years.

 

When do you arrive in Budapest?

[ole goat]

Hi Jack and Mary,

Sorry my last post was so short, we were actually out of the country for Spring Break. I love the length of the cruised in your signature! Nice list. Our longest was 14 days but have moved away from the ocean cruises and to more land vacations because of the changes over the last few years.

 

When do you arrive in Budapest?

 

Hi Robin,

 

Looks like we are the only CC's

 

Flying in May 7th. Should be checked in to our abode about 6:30 PM. Plan to see if we can get a dinner ship cruise in the evening if not too late, then the following day, see a few the sights not listed at a lesurely pace and then check into the Monarch Princess. There is a web site with local tour guides and flexible private schedules. If you are interested, join us for a 4 hour tour on the (late) morning of the 8th. Price is too steep for only two but split into four, might be an option. Check it out on ToursByLocals.com and let me know if anything strikes you as feasible.

 

My wife, Mary, is having a foot problem so would not be up to a long foot tour. We would be more inclined to On-Off Public Transportation with leisurely short walking or a 4 hour auto tour. Lots of options.

 

Let me know, Jack and Mary (Ol' Goats - Denver)

 

PS: We are catching a Transatlantic this Monday - RC Vision of the Seas - Galveston to Barcelona so can only be reached by email or this thread.

 

jayveef at aol.com

[IluvZ]

We arrive early morning on the 6th, changed our flights this week as a direct ORD to BUD came open for an award flight. Previously we were going through Turkey and we shaved 13 hours off our trip.

 

We ended up with a hotel on the Buda side because we originally were only there late Mom moo and then moving to the ship. Now we are there early Sun morning bit the night we booked was non-refundable so we said on the Buda side.

 

 

By the 8th we probably won’t be looking for walking tours as I hope we know the city well by then. Thanks for the invite, though.

 

My parents are on a transatlantic starting today! Not the same ship though. Tim and I did a cruise out of Barcelona a few years ago. Great city but a ton of tourists! Especially when the ships are in port.

 

 

I looked at the evening river cruises too, but we didn’t decide because I have no idea when the MP leaves Budapest. I didn’t want to do the night tour if we end up cruising out after sunset. There is so little info on the approximate times we leave. We are just being flexible and if we feel like an evening cruise we will catch one when we are down that way.

[BZtraveler]

We are on Gate 1 Monarch Princess departing Budapest May 22, 2018 to Amsterdam June 5, 2018. Please post your experience on Gate 1 Monarch Princess when you return. Curious to hear how you liked it. Happy cruising. BZtraveler - Houston Tx

[IluvZ]

I will try to post before you leave but we aren’t back until late on the 19th.

[PK4]

I would also be very interested in your experiences with Gate 1. They have only recently (it seems to me) started advertising to the NZ market and there isn't that much information on CC about them. They seem a little cheaper than some competitors like Avalon and Uniworld, so will be interesting to read your comments.

[RDC1]

I would also be very interested in your experiences with Gate 1. They have only recently (it seems to me) started advertising to the NZ market and there isn't that much information on CC about them. They seem a little cheaper than some competitors like Avalon and Uniworld, so will be interesting to read your comments.

 

Did a cruise down the Danube on Gate1's Monarch Empress last year. Thought the cruise was excellent and was certainly a good value compared to the other lines. I would say quite a bit less expensive then Avalon and Uniworld. Also less expensive then Viking.

 

For those interested Gate1 is having a sale on their River Cruises. Sale end June 1. For example $600 per person discount on an 11 Day Danube River Cruise with Budapest departing Mar-Nov 19. Price starts from $1199.

 

For those that are not familiar with how Gate1 does their discount they send out a booklet or email with discount codes. You need the code to get the discount so it is a good idea to sign up with them if you are at all interested.

[KathyK13]

I would also be very interested in your experiences with Gate 1. They have only recently (it seems to me) started advertising to the NZ market and there isn't that much information on CC about them. They seem a little cheaper than some competitors like Avalon and Uniworld, so will be interesting to read your comments.

 

Add me to the list interested in your review, especially the quality of the meals and the excursion guides. We've already done the Danube and are looking at the Rhine cruise. Other lines have gotten more expensive and now that we're retired cost is more important than it was when we were working1

[ole goat]

I posted my review a couple weeks ago. Here it is on this thread.

 

• Sail Date: May 2018
  
• Destination: Europe River
  

First experience with Gate 1 and first river cruise so cannot compare with other river cruise lines - therefore, will compare with ocean cruises. In a nutshell, excellent experience - hope to go again. We met the Monarch Princess in Budapest where we flew in a day early on our own from Italy. The ship was nicely appointed as described in the 1st review. It was a well refurbished older ship that Gate 1 purchased from Avalon, Talking to other passengers, I understand that Gate 1 has been in the land tour business for over twenty years and had just started with their 1st ship three years ago, Now they are expanding with new ships built for them. They currently have three - Monarch Princess being the oldest, but in my opinion, just great ,

 

We dropped off our baggage several hours before boarding was allowed with no problem, and Gary, the Cruise Director, was fantastic when it came to service. He was able to up-grade us from category E to D (water line high windows to french balcony) for a very reasonable amount due to a cancellation. The stateroom had plenty of storage area, similar to an ocean ship, and was slightly more compact. Shower had good pressure and was the full European 3'x3'. Slight inconvenience is drying sink washed clothes as only towel racks could be used - unless you gambled that the French Balcony safely bars outside would keep your clothes from falling off into the river.

 

Food was as good or better that an ocean ship, without the large menu to choose from. Wine and beer was included with the evening meal, however available any time for additional cost. My wife and I normally have a cocktail before dinner and found that prices were 10-15% lower that ocean ships. Quality of wine was good and usually local.

 

We especially enjoyed the Bavarian meal on the 6th night.

 

Shipboard entertainment included a full time disk jockey for dancing every night after the evening entertainment. With the small number compared to an ocean ship, acquaintances and friends were quickly established (also open seating at meals encouraged this) and the dance floor was filled every night. Local entertainers were provided at the start and end of the 7 day Danube cruise, and the assistant to Gary, the cruise director acted as entertainer on other nights with a sampling of what you find on an ocean cruise - "Battle of the Sexes", "Trivial Pursuit". "Bingo with a Twist", etc.

 

Probably the most enjoyable part of the cruise were the stops. They usually included a short 1 1/2 hr to 2 1/2 hr walking tour with local tour guides that gave you a brief orientation and history of the place you were visiting, and then turned you loose to go on your own. This especially suited my wife and I as we seldom will sign up for a tour offered by an ocean ship and much prefer to "do our own thing".

 

There are optional tours you can take for additional cost - similar to an ocean cruise. The only one we took was the "Classical Viennese Concert" in Vienna. It was "OK" typical tourist fare in a beautiful old concert hall packed with river cruisers from all of the cruise lines docked that day. It consisted of six stringed instruments, flute, clarinet, piano, soloist violinist, male and female soprano and baritone, and two dancers. While definitely not a true opera, it was entertaining, but in my opinion, over-priced. We had a much better experience the following Sunday at High Mass in the older small cathedral in Linz, Austria. There was a featured Viennese Opera Soloist and organist, both were fantastic. No cost other than you usual offering. This is why we "do our own thing".

 

Another favorite stop was the small village of Durnstein. I hiked to the old castle ruins, however, it was a very tough climb and rather dangerous with a very steep and uneven trail. Don't try it unless you are sure-footed and physically fit. Just a walk on the charming cobblestone streets of little village is great on its own. Stop by the local church and its small museum - its an inexpensive treat for only 2 1/2 Euros.

 

I can't say enough good things about the Cruise Director, Gary. He was always available, extremely good natured, very informed about the local attractions, entertaining, and helpful. He certainly turned a very good overall experience into an excellent experience.

 

Overall, the crew was excellent in all respects. The wine flowed freely at the evening meals and the entire trip was delightful. My wife and I have never been on a cruise we did not like, but this first river cruise was geat. We just hope we have the health and finances to try another.

 

Jack & Mary (Ole Goat)

[bayjoens]

Thanks for the review, Jack and Mary. We are on a Gate 1 Danube cruise in late October 2018.

 

May I ask how gratuities were handled for the tour guides? I assume that they have a tour director on board with you, but maybe use local guides and drivers at each destination. Do people tip the local guides and drivers separately? In local currency?

 

Thanks for your help! Sandra

[ole goat]

Thanks for the review, Jack and Mary. We are on a Gate 1 Danube cruise in late October 2018.

 

May I ask how gratuities were handled for the tour guides? I assume that they have a tour director on board with you, but maybe use local guides and drivers at each destination. Do people tip the local guides and drivers separately? In local currency?

 

Thanks for your help! Sandra

 

You assume correctly. The local guides are not part of Gate One and are contracted locally. Therefore, you tip depending on length, breadth, and skill. I may be wrong, as things may differ from one country to another, but in Austria, I asked the local guide and she said she gives the driver his cut.

 

Local currency for all countries except Hungary is Euro. Hungarian also prefer the Euro to their own currency. No problem. Get Euro's.

[ole goat]

I started this thread and now wish to close it. My review of this cruise is also on general Gate 1 River Cruising thread. Time to move on to the next trip. Perhaps Africa?