Trying to decide to book a river cruise?

[Susanb10567]

We are trying to decide if we should put a deposit down for the 8/9/23 Blue Danube with Tauck… we have never done a river cruise before… I have been on 25 ocean cruises with Disney, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. We are empty nesters in our mid to late fifties…will we feel out of place on the ship..are there passengers in that age range usually or is everyone much older? We were supposed to do the Danube in 2020 with Adventures by Disney on Amawaterways  and then do Prague on our own…I really like the itinerary with Tauck that is why I want to book it..It’s frustrating that the deposits are not refundable or moveable…another hesitation is their insurance..based on my research their policy does not seem that comprehensive yet expensive…also anyone do a Danube River cruise in August did you have issues with the water level,crowds or temperatures?

 

any insight would be greatly appreciated 

[Gourmet Gal]

I find Tauck’s insurance to be reasonably priced but are you allowed to purchase other travel insurance?

 

You will not be the youngest on board but on the low end of the age scale.  You will find plenty of interesting people to chat with and you will be pleasantly surprised that age will not  be an issue!

 

 That’s a lovely itinerary and Tauck is wonderful.

[Lois R]

Hi🙂 I have taken 2 river cruises and just booked my 3rd one for next summer😃 I have also done over 50 ocean cruises. I never felt out of place on my river cruises...I LOVED THEM actually. I am 63.

 

I never sailed with Tauck but heard very good things about them. My cruises were on AMA and Uniworld and my upcoming one is on AMA.

 

I don't think you will be the youngest at all. You are probably in the median range to be honest with you🙂

[Coral]

I am younger than you and have done 2 river cruises.

 

I have to say I was put off by Tauck's insurance and deposit also. It was pretty inflexible and was overpriced for the coverage. The coverage was minimal. I did hear from a friend who cancelled a land trip and they did apply the cost of the insurance to another trip. I need to ask that the next time I call.

 

Just be aware that night time entertainment is entirely different on river cruises.

[Susanb10567]

9 minutes ago, Coral said:

I am younger than you and have done 2 river cruises.

 

I have to say I was put off by Tauck's insurance and deposit also. It was pretty inflexible and was overpriced for the coverage. The coverage was minimal. I did hear from a friend who cancelled a land trip and they did apply the cost of the insurance to another trip. I need to ask that the next time I call.

 

Just be aware that night time entertainment is entirely different on river cruises.

Which itineraries did you do? I think we decided to go ahead and book but wait on insurance and find one that has more comprehensive coverage. I think we are switching to the 7/24/23 sail date…it works better with my friends work schedule…hopefully the water levels will be alright… 

[notamermaid]

11 minutes ago, Susanb10567 said:

hopefully the water levels will be alright… 

I see that the itinerary, which sounds great, starts in Prague and then goes to Regensburg by coach. From there it appears to be coach to Vilshofen. If that is the case then you will be fine with water levels most likely as that avoids the worst stretch between Straubing (near Regensburg) and Vilshofen.

 

notamermaid

 

[Coral]

29 minutes ago, Susanb10567 said:

Which itineraries did you do? I think we decided to go ahead and book but wait on insurance and find one that has more comprehensive coverage. I think we are switching to the 7/24/23 sail date…it works better with my friends work schedule…hopefully the water levels will be alright… 

I have done the Volga and the Danube. I have not gone with Tauck yet and did look seriously at one cruise but was afraid to book due to the same things you mentioned.

My schedule is not very firm a year out and I think Tauck is not flexible enough with their deposits. Also with the pandemic - I just wasn't willing to risk it.

 

Yes - you can get insurance through Allianz or Travelex much cheaper with better coverage. You do have to pay more for cancel for any reason though.

 

@notamermaid is our resident expert here on water levels and she thinks your itinerary is fine as it avoids the places that causes problems.

[texasstar]

Don't discount the "older" passengers.  There are some very active cruisers on these trips.  I don't think you will feel out of place.

[ljandgb]

I'm 53, have done 2 river cruises.  We have been on the younger end of the spectrum in years, but have always found a "young at heart" group to socialize with.  These can be very active trips as there is little to do on the ship, so most passengers are ready and willing to be on the go. Our last trip, we met some wonderful people that we're already hoping we'll be able to travel with again.

 

I prefer river cruising to ocean cruising, but absolutely keep in mind that your evening activities will be much different.  No big shows (no little shows either!), just a small lounge with a piano or guitar player.  On our last 2 week cruise, we had 2 nights where a small ensemble came on board for songs and dancing, and 2 night excursions for either a concert or dinner in a castle.

[SCBarker]

My girlfriend and I just got off a river cruise about 2 weeks ago. We were both 44, and we concluded (without asking) that there was at least one other person that was probably our age as well. This is out of 53 passengers. I think you'll be right on the young end of average.

These cruise tours are not athletically challenging, but everyone on the boat seems to be perfectly able to stay moving for 3-4 hours. You don't get the scooter-reliant people like you may on ocean cruises.

It's a much more learn and relax vacation, than the ocean cruises I feel. Your entertainment is exploring the ports, more than anything the ship provides.

[TMLAalum]

You are unlikely to encounter “frail” passengers on a river cruise, regardless of age. We sailed Avalon and there was only one included excursion that offered a mild option. It seemed to me that 50s was the age of the majority of those on our cruise.

[Daisi]

Not sure about Tauck, but a lot of cruise lines now offer active cruising, where you hike/bike or other physical activities (kayaking on the Danube).  While there may be older people onboard, I'm sure you will have no problems connecting with them. We went on our first cruise in our early 50's, and while there were only a few younger, we had no trouble socialising.

[Gourmet Gal]

Tauck provides the opportunity to join a fast walker group if so inclined.  I’ve never seen a severely physically challenged person on a river cruise.  I’m not even sure they have accessible cabins.  The gangway can not be reliably accessible depending on the level of the river in relation to the dock and sometimes one has to climb stairs and cross over other boats to get to one’s boat at a busy port.  So there needs to be a certain level of fitness.  That said, I was on a cruise where I met a 94 year-old lady who used a cane around the ship and an actual walker otherwise and she refused to let either slow her down.  She was amazing!

[need2travel1]

We took our first river cruise back in 2014-I was 43 & my husband was 47.  We've done four total (all w/ Uniworld) & have another booked for next summer w/ Tauck.  We've been on the lower end of the age spectrum but that never bothered us at all.  In fact, prior to river cruising we had done 9 land tours w/ Tauck.  On our first one I was 35 & my husband was 38.  Our two favorite people on that trip were both in their 80's.  

  You're all on the same trip because you want to see/experience the same things.  Book the trip you want to take & don't worry about how old the other passengers will be.   Remember-age is just a number!!  

[Coral]

I was in my 30's for my first one and 40's for my second one. 

 

I have also done a ton of ocean cruises. I prefer river cruises at this point. Though I am not into a lot of things done on ocean cruises (game shows, casino, etc...). I do like port lectures, education talks, etc.... I am all about the ports.

[mrspaper]

Just got off my 4th river cruise. My daughter who is in her late 30's, just took her second one with me. She enjoys them very much. She doesn't feel out of place and finds lots of people to talk to, of all ages. You do find a few 30 somethings on many cruisers. I'm sure you will not feel out of place. There are varied ages. 

 

I have done the Danube in Aug. We had low water but made it to every port. My cruise last week, the ship couldn't make it to Passau where we were to start, so we started in Staubing. It just made our Salzburg bus trip much longer. 

 

Just be flexible and hope for good water levels. It happens, but most years it is fine. 

[TMLAalum]

@Susanb10567

FWIW DH pushing 80 and me a”diamond” girl just got home from a 2.5 hour dinner with our younger than our kids and their younger than our grandkids neighbors. We enjoy each other’s company immensely and kinda knew we would when they moved in and we saw their license plate: CorknAle!

 

Age is only a number. Sadly, the generation gap can be a roadblock between the old appreciating the young as well as vice versa. 

[Squawkman]

We have hung around with cruisers half our age - they appreciate our experiences and are usually less concerned with age differences than older folks.

[Coral]

1 hour ago, Squawkman said:

We have hung around with cruisers half our age - they appreciate our experiences and are usually less concerned with age differences than older folks.

I completely agree! I want to hang out with people who love to travel and we can share travel stories and learn from each other.

[Wings55]

@Susanb10567 As others have said, age differences are not a concern on a river cruise. We've done five of them and each time we met terrific people where older and younger than us. You'll be fine. We sailed with AMA, Scenic ad Uniworld. Of the three Scenic was our favorite because of the service and all the fun Aussies we met. I would like to try Tauck some day.

As far as insurance is concerned I always shop for my own with Squaremouth.com. You can pick and choose the coverages you want and then select the appropriate policy. It's a quick and simple task.

You'll have a great trip, I'm sure.

Paul

[Lois R]

39 minutes ago, Wings55 said:

@Susanb10567 As others have said, age differences are not a concern on a river cruise. We've done five of them and each time we met terrific people where older and younger than us. You'll be fine. We sailed with AMA, Scenic ad Uniworld. Of the three Scenic was our favorite because of the service and all the fun Aussies we met. I would like to try Tauck some day.

As far as insurance is concerned I always shop for my own with Squaremouth.com. You can pick and choose the coverages you want and then select the appropriate policy. It's a quick and simple task.

You'll have a great trip, I'm sure.

Paul

Hi Paul,  thanks for that post...I forgot about Squaremouth for insurance! I have used them before.

 

A bit OT......are you near Houston? Saw that horrific event at that Music Festival last night😟 8 dead.....

 

[Canal archive]

River cruising is about seeing interesting places and meeting interesting people regardless of age or nationality just dive into the mix and enjoy. I agree with Wings55 the Aussies certainly enjoy themselves, just chill!

So sad things happening we’re hearing more about things now that emphasis is diverting from COVID nevertheless so sad when everyone was enjoying themselves.

[Wings55]

2 hours ago, Lois R said:

Hi Paul,  thanks for that post...I forgot about Squaremouth for insurance! I have used them before.

 

A bit OT......are you near Houston? Saw that horrific event at that Music Festival last night😟 8 dead.....

 

Good afternoon, Lois. No, we're in a suburb about 30 miles north of Dallas. However I do have a sister in Houston so we're down there every once in a while. The story about the festival is a sad one.

Paul

Ps... Today we're in Forty Myers Beach and will be in the Jacksonville area this Thurs & Fri before flying home Sat Morning. 

 

[KBs mum]

The deposit being non refundable and not transferable is standard practice in Europe/UK, also travel insurance policies here do not have cancel for any reason. 

 

An example of the differences is Viking Ocean. US - deposit low, refundable and transferable. Full payment a year (or 6 months) in advance. Flights extra UK - deposit 25% not refundable or transferable (although they are allowing it if covid intervenes) Full payment 3 months before cruise. Flights included. 

 

The best travel insurance is usually an independent single trip or annual worldwide or regional policy. The cruise line ones are worth considering if you have a health condition that makes policies expensive. European policies will have lower medical than you are used to, as we have universal healthcare, which even if paying is generally cheaper than US

[Lois R]

20 hours ago, Wings55 said:

Good afternoon, Lois. No, we're in a suburb about 30 miles north of Dallas. However I do have a sister in Houston so we're down there every once in a while. The story about the festival is a sad one.

Paul

Ps... Today we're in Forty Myers Beach and will be in the Jacksonville area this Thurs & Fri before flying home Sat Morning. 

 

Hi Paul🙂 hopefully our weather will be better when you are here.......this weekend we have been in a "Nor'easter mode".........rain, wind and temps in the low 50s...........just ugly outside!!!

What are you doing in this neck of the woods?