Grand Circle Eastern Europe to the Black Sea

[joek]

We just returned from the July 19th to August 6th trip which included the pre-cruise Prague and post-cruise Transylvania extensions. The entire trip was fantastic, the hotels, the ship, the ships staff of 40, the food, and especially the 4 tour directors, Erika, Lorin, Kate and Miklos. Weather was clear….but HOT!!!

 

There were 73 on the pre-cruise part and we were divided into 2 groups and remained in those groups with the same 2 tour directors for the entire trip. When we boarded the ship, there were 80 more divided into 2 more groups, each with a tour director. On the post-cruise there were 32 from all of the groups with just one of our directors.

 

We were a little disappointed in Prague because we had read so much about the city being so beautiful. It was, but many buildings needed refurbishing and cleaning and while some streets had nice trees and flowers, some were drab. There is a lot to do and see there, the public transportation was easy and convenient, subway stop 1 block from hotel. The Hotel Don Giovanni was fine, rooms larger than the Europe norm, breakfast buffet was big. Hotel food prices for lunch and dinner are high as usual, but the directors told us where to get more reasonable meals. The local guides for the tours were excellent, extremely knowledgeable, with good English. There are many things to do on your own.

 

The pre cruise included 2 nights in Budapest and the bus trip from Prague took about 8 hours, with 2 pit stops, and lunch in Bratislava. The Best Western Budapest was also very nice, again with a large breakfast. Gotta warn you, if you’re used to high fiber cereals, bring your own, they have corn flakes, chocopops(?), maybe cheerios, always eggs and bacon, cheese, fruit. We had been to Budapest for a day on prior bus trips, but we got to see much more in depth.

 

We boarded the MS River Adagio in mid-afternoon and had free time until the welcome drink where we met the ship’s staff. All spoke English, some very well, Hotel Manager Ivan was witty and was always available to answer questions and offer advice about the ports. The ship is great, built in 2004, I think, 150 SF rooms seemed much roomier than expected, with adequate closet and drawer space. The area under the couch/beds was just an inch less than our bags height so we fit them into the closet below our clothes. Unfortunately no refrigerator, so I had to resort to getting wine and beer from the bar for our Attitude Adjustment hour before dinner. Red & white wine and beer is served at dinner.

 

The food was extraordinary, beautifully presented and served efficiently. Choice of fish, meat or vegetarian. We watch our salt intake but the food on board was not too salty. Dining Room Manager told us that salt free meals could be arranged if needed. They did have food particular to the countries we visited, such as goulash and soups, and we found them tasty. Absolutely no complaints.

 

The 7 day cruise was great, busy every day, early departures (8:30 or 9:00). The only sailing day was through the Iron Gates locks. I must warn you shoppers…..not much time is given for that on the tours. There isn’t much free time, but I saw that a few people dropped off some of the walking tours. There was a port talk every evening before dinner, giving the times and scope for the next day. There was entertainment from local performers on a few evenings after dinner, and a ship’s crew show which was quite good.

 

The post-cruise extension started in Bucharest, after a 2-3 hour train ride from Constanta, we transferred to a bus for a 2-3 hour ride to Sinaia. Hotel New Montana is quite new, large rooms. Sinaia is a small town with just a few shops. If you don’t take the optional tours there is little to do with the free time. The optional tour of Bran Castle is excellent, lots of stairs, lots of tour groups. The included Peles Castle tour was wonderful, it is one of the most beautiful homes that we’ve seen.

 

The bus transfer to Bucharest was 2-3 hours and we had a bus tour of the city. We were then taken to the Sofitel Bucharest for check-in at 1:00PM. This is about the only complaint we had. The hotel is located about 5 miles from city center, and although there were bus and trams passing by, the tour director advised against using them…something about reliability. The best way was by taxi (about $6-7). Bucharest is a nice city, lots of things to see and do. We feel that we could have been left in the city center for lunch and free time, and then taken to the hotel around 4:00PM.

[ChefPeg]

We just returned from the July 19th to August 6th trip which included the pre-cruise Prague and post-cruise Transylvania extensions. The entire trip was fantastic, the hotels, the ship, the ships staff of 40, the food, and especially the 4 tour directors, Erika, Lorin, Kate and Miklos. Weather was clear….but HOT!!!

 

There were 73 on the pre-cruise part and we were divided into 2 groups and remained in those groups with the same 2 tour directors for the entire trip. When we boarded the ship, there were 80 more divided into 2 more groups, each with a tour director. On the post-cruise there were 32 from all of the groups with just one of our directors.

 

We were a little disappointed in Prague because we had read so much about the city being so beautiful. It was, but many buildings needed refurbishing and cleaning and while some streets had nice trees and flowers, some were drab. There is a lot to do and see there, the public transportation was easy and convenient, subway stop 1 block from hotel. The Hotel Don Giovanni was fine, rooms larger than the Europe norm, breakfast buffet was big. Hotel food prices for lunch and dinner are high as usual, but the directors told us where to get more reasonable meals. The local guides for the tours were excellent, extremely knowledgeable, with good English. There are many things to do on your own.

 

The pre cruise included 2 nights in Budapest and the bus trip from Prague took about 8 hours, with 2 pit stops, and lunch in Bratislava. The Best Western Budapest was also very nice, again with a large breakfast. Gotta warn you, if you’re used to high fiber cereals, bring your own, they have corn flakes, chocopops(?), maybe cheerios, always eggs and bacon, cheese, fruit. We had been to Budapest for a day on prior bus trips, but we got to see much more in depth.

 

We boarded the MS River Adagio in mid-afternoon and had free time until the welcome drink where we met the ship’s staff. All spoke English, some very well, Hotel Manager Ivan was witty and was always available to answer questions and offer advice about the ports. The ship is great, built in 2004, I think, 150 SF rooms seemed much roomier than expected, with adequate closet and drawer space. The area under the couch/beds was just an inch less than our bags height so we fit them into the closet below our clothes. Unfortunately no refrigerator, so I had to resort to getting wine and beer from the bar for our Attitude Adjustment hour before dinner. Red & white wine and beer is served at dinner.

 

The food was extraordinary, beautifully presented and served efficiently. Choice of fish, meat or vegetarian. We watch our salt intake but the food on board was not too salty. Dining Room Manager told us that salt free meals could be arranged if needed. They did have food particular to the countries we visited, such as goulash and soups, and we found them tasty. Absolutely no complaints.

 

The 7 day cruise was great, busy every day, early departures (8:30 or 9:00). The only sailing day was through the Iron Gates locks. I must warn you shoppers…..not much time is given for that on the tours. There isn’t much free time, but I saw that a few people dropped off some of the walking tours. There was a port talk every evening before dinner, giving the times and scope for the next day. There was entertainment from local performers on a few evenings after dinner, and a ship’s crew show which was quite good.

 

The post-cruise extension started in Bucharest, after a 2-3 hour train ride from Constanta, we transferred to a bus for a 2-3 hour ride to Sinaia. Hotel New Montana is quite new, large rooms. Sinaia is a small town with just a few shops. If you don’t take the optional tours there is little to do with the free time. The optional tour of Bran Castle is excellent, lots of stairs, lots of tour groups. The included Peles Castle tour was wonderful, it is one of the most beautiful homes that we’ve seen.

 

The bus transfer to Bucharest was 2-3 hours and we had a bus tour of the city. We were then taken to the Sofitel Bucharest for check-in at 1:00PM. This is about the only complaint we had. The hotel is located about 5 miles from city center, and although there were bus and trams passing by, the tour director advised against using them…something about reliability. The best way was by taxi (about $6-7). Bucharest is a nice city, lots of things to see and do. We feel that we could have been left in the city center for lunch and free time, and then taken to the hotel around 4:00PM.

 

Great review!! Thank you so much for it with us!!

 

Could you please tell me more about Romania? I will be staying there two days before our riverboat cruise next year. How far away was Bran Castle from city center?

 

Peggy

[joek]

Peggy,

Romania is beautiful. The geography ranges from flat agricultural land in the south to mountains in the north, the Carpathians. Bucharest is about an hour north of the Danube. Sinaia is in the foothills, in a pretty valley, they even have a gondola lift for skiers. It is a resort town with many condos, small hotels and B&Bs. Peles Castle is right in Sinaia, either a long walk up and down hills, or a short taxi ride. Driving from Sinaia to Bran Castle takes you into the mountains on up and down switchbacks, about an hour. Unfortunately, we had 2-3 hour trips there and back due to a lane closing for repaving right outside Sinaia. Only one road through town, no alternatives. The following day though, on the trip to Braslov, the repaving had stopped because of the TV reports on the miles of traffic backups.

[ChefPeg]

Peggy,

Romania is beautiful. The geography ranges from flat agricultural land in the south to mountains in the north, the Carpathians. Bucharest is about an hour north of the Danube. Sinaia is in the foothills, in a pretty valley, they even have a gondola lift for skiers. It is a resort town with many condos, small hotels and B&Bs. Peles Castle is right in Sinaia, either a long walk up and down hills, or a short taxi ride. Driving from Sinaia to Bran Castle takes you into the mountains on up and down switchbacks, about an hour. Unfortunately, we had 2-3 hour trips there and back due to a lane closing for repaving right outside Sinaia. Only one road through town, no alternatives. The following day though, on the trip to Braslov, the repaving had stopped because of the TV reports on the miles of traffic backups.

 

Thanks!

 

I can't wait to get there. We'll be in Budapest 2 days after our cruise and Romania two before.

I can't wait to see the Carpathian Mountains too. I've read so much about them it will be a treat to sail by in a river boat.

 

Sorry to hear about the traffic problems. How long would the trip take inder normal traffic conditions?

 

Thanks again!!!

[Druke I]

Thanks for the review.

 

We'll be on Adagio for the same trip next month, arriving Prague 9-14.

 

We're stopping for week before continuing to Prague in London, to see daughter and grandkiddies.

 

Sis-in-law and her hubby are stopping in Munich pre-Prgaue to see their daughter and brand new granddaughter.

[lobsterlover]

Very good review. Helped me to relive my trip there last October. We did the same pre and post trips also. We did enjoy wandering the streets in Prague. Got lost, and a lovely college student led us back to the Astronomical clock so we get our sense of direction. Thought Transylvania very interesting, especially seeing the gypsy homes, and the beautiful country side. Only downer on that part of the trip was the local guide who was with us for the whole time.....he really got too wordy and lost us to nodding off after a while. Did you have a wine and cheese party among the sheep? That was fun. The little shepherd came running for a glass of wine.

 

L. L.

[ChefPeg]

Very good review. Helped me to relive my trip there last October. We did the same pre and post trips also. We did enjoy wandering the streets in Prague. Got lost, and a lovely college student led us back to the Astronomical clock so we get our sense of direction. Thought Transylvania very interesting, especially seeing the gypsy homes, and the beautiful country side. Only downer on that part of the trip was the local guide who was with us for the whole time.....he really got too wordy and lost us to nodding off after a while. Did you have a wine and cheese party among the sheep? That was fun. The little shepherd came running for a glass of wine.

 

L. L.

 

Wow!! Those are some great memories!!

[ChefPeg]

I'm confused!!:confused: :confused:

 

I was notified there was a message in this thread. I clicked the link in my e-mail and it's not here. It takes me to my last message:confused: :confused: .

 

Did anyone else get this e-mail? Has this happened to anyone before?

 

I wonder if I'm missing other messages.

 

Oh well, if it happens again I'll notify CC. But for now it only happened this one time.

[Gunman]

Joek:

You provided one of thse comprehensive reviews I have seen on this site. Thanks! My wife and I are sailing on the same ship, reverse itinerary, starting March 31, 2008. We have two days in Bucharest, up front, and two in Budapest upon completion. However, I am trying to extend my stay in Budapest. Maybe I should have booked my own travel arrangements??

Did you do the school stop in Croatia, and if so, what ages were the children? We are asked to bring gifts, but no word on the ages????? GCT suggests balloons, which would indicate young kids!

I am certainly glad you had a pleasant journey!! I am looking forward to getting into Eastern Europe for the first time.

Pat and Betty

[lobsterlover]

Pat and Betty,

 

Last October we had a very memorable visit to a Croatia school. The children ranged in ages up to junior high school, I think. They were so excited to see our buses pull up they were practically hanging out of the windows. They loved posing for our cameras. We were the first Americans to visit their school. They performed dances in beautiful costumes, toured us through their class rooms, served us beverages and home made rolls, and gave us ceramic tree ornaments they made in their class. We were urged to take the gifts, but there was also a basket for donations, and everyone was more than happy to leave a dollar or two. It was one of many highlights of the trip, and you will have a great time. It wasn't mentioned ahead of time to bring them gifts, so the dollars worked well. Most were eager to practice their English. Grand Circle provided an great trip.

 

L. L.

[joek]

Pat and Betty

 

Unfortunately, the school is closed in July so we missed the kids. Visiting a school certainly is a wonderful experience. We did it on a land tour in Costa Rica and a river cruise in Russia.

 

Call GCT. I've heard that a 3 day air deviation can be arranged at a small fee. You could then book a hotel downtown, check out http://www.tripadvisor.com

[Gunman]

L.L. and Joek:

Thanks for your responses. I am looking forward to this trip, and have emailed (their phones are extra busy!) GCT regarding an extension in Budapest. Since we are already booked into a hotel for two days, I would like to continue at the same place if possible. The information on the school is most welcome. We bought some crayons, for younger kids, but cash would be less worry and luggage weight! I may get some balloons, as I used to make animals with them. That always impresses kids!

We sailed the Baltic Capitals with GCT years ago, and were very impressed with their attention to detail.

Pat and Betty

[joek]

You probably won't know for sure which hotel you'll be in until you get the final documents, (3 weeks before leaving?). We stayed at the Best Western Hungaria, didn't take a cab but I'd guess 20 minutes from downtown. Cabs are expensive and you can get ripped off. Read this from Virtual Tourist:

 

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Hungary/Budapest_Fovaros/Budapest-436839/Tourist_Traps-Budapest-BR-2.html

[Gunman]

Joek:

True about the hotel, I believe my documents say "or equivalent. I just noticed you are in Tamarac. I am retired from the Broward Sheriff's Dept. Left there right after Hurricane Andrew. Lived in Plantation.

Pat, Sun City Center

pgarland001@tampabay.rr.com