Topic: River Cruising

I wanted to post a review about a recent Nile River Cruise but because the agent (African Safari) and the boat (MS Da Vinci) weren't listed, I was unable to do so. I think it would be useful for other people to see the pros and cons of river cruising.

You could try entering it under another river cruise company and then making sure you put the correct info on the first line of your review........then people interested in river cruising will still see it ....just an idea !

QUOTE:

I wanted to post a review about a recent Nile River Cruise but because the agent (African Safari) and the boat (MS Da Vinci) weren't listed, I was unable to do so. I think it would be useful for other people to see the pros and cons of river cruising.

I would love to read a review on river crusing. I've fancied it for ages, but sort of put it off until retirment (next year - yipee!) Tips to help make the most of it would be very welcome.

I did a river cruise review (Swan Hellenic on the Rhone in September) but it took a while to get it posted (and I'm still waiting for my Berlitz Guide!!).
I shall also be on the Nile in 2010 on The St .George 1 (Sonesta) cruise and having had a
tour of one of their other ships (this is their latest) and stayed in their excellent hotel, I am looking forward to it.
Perhaps CC could open up a forum for River Cruises?

QUOTE:

I would love to read a review on river crusing. I've fancied it for ages, but sort of put it off until retirment (next year - yipee!) Tips to help make the most of it would be very welcome.

Hi, we have tried 2 river cruises, one in Germany on the Rhine/Moselle and the other in France on the Rhone/Soane. The scenery on the river, particularly on the former was stunning, just so many castles to see en-route.

The main advantage of river cruising for us was seeing a new town/city every single day, no need for excursions, plenty to explore where you moor. Plus if you take some of the excursions, you will miss attractive parts of the River as the tours go off and catch up at the next mooring!

The other advantages are 'single sitting dining', no chance of 'getting lost' on the ship and on the Rhone it was interesting going though the enormous locks!Plus the towns we visited were so attractive and interesting.

However, there are 'drawbacks'! Most river cruisers are small approx 200 passengers, may not suit some. Choose your ship carefully, especially it's reputation for food! On the German one, we ate ashore - often, to get some variety! There are usually only one or maybe two large bar lounges, not the variety you get on cruise ships!

No 'Daily activities' as the majority are 'ashore' and entertainment, was in both cases 'patchy', usually taking the form of a local band! No casino, we like a 'flutter', and the cabins on many are rather basic compared to cruise ships!

We chose the river trips for the itineraries, places we wanted to see, far better than touring by car and packing/unpacking!

However, until we can afford a really 'upmarket' river cruise we much prefer life on board cruise ships! No comparison really between Queen Victoria and VFB River! But there wouldn't be, they both offer a very different experience!

Hope this helps. Regards, Lizzie.

Lizzie
River cruising is , as you say, not comparable with Ocean cruising,and the plus is being moored close to towns for easy access.
My review on CC was on the Rosa Stella, a German ship chartered by Swan Hellenic and as the whole ship was booked with Swan, this made the difference.
The food was excellent, despite the small kitchen, accomodation was with juliet balconies and the shower rooms were a small bathroom size.
The shore excursions were all inclusive and in the Swan tradition, informative port lectures.
The passengers were in the 60/70 plus range!
We cruised the Rhone and when time permits we will do the Rhine/Danube.

[We chose the river trips for the itineraries, places we wanted to see, far better than touring by car and packing/unpacking!

However, until we can afford a really 'upmarket' river cruise we much prefer life on board cruise ships! No comparison really between Queen Victoria and VFB River! But there wouldn't be, they both offer a very different experience!

Hope this helps. Regards, Lizzie.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Lizzie that helps a lot. I've never been a fan of large ships, but a river boat is an entirely different thing. I haven't read a bad report yet and that is encouraging. We'll probably try France, as my French is not great, but a lot better than my German. Although Portugal also appeals. Ah well, I've got a year to make my mind up.

Happy Christmas

Judith

After several ocean cruises, we did a river cruise last year - Amadeus Royale from Budapest to Black Sea & return (with Saga). Apart from problems caused by the Danube being flooded, which caused a change of itinery during the first week, it was excellent, if very different to an ocean cruise.
The boat was very good - hotel style room with lots of space, and food was excellent. Our package included free wine (or equivalent) with dinner and they were very happy to keep glasses topped up as required.
I had some misgivings beforehand about relatively few passengers / not much space on the boat to move about / lack of things to do on board but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was an excellent singer / pianist duo on board and local folk dance groups etc. came on board too.
Scenery (apart from Iron Gates) was nothing special, but excursions, including Danube Delta & Constanta & Black Sea) made it an extremely interesting and enjoyable trip. Seeing how former communist countries had evolved, in very different ways, was also very interesting.
For something different, I'd recommend it.

After a number of years ocean cruising, we decided to try a Rhine cruise in 2008. We travelled with Viking River cruises and we found it an enjoyable experience. It is , of course, a totally different "animal" to ocean cruising, but we found the cabin very good.
; although small by cruise ship standards (180sq ft) it was very well equipped and furnished, with a juliet balcony. The shower-room was of a reasonable size, with a very efficient shower. The entire ship was beautifully maintained and the food , bearing in mind how small the galley, was pretty good. One of the big benefits was that you berth in or very near to the centre of the towns/cities along the way, so if one of the (included in the price) tours did not appeal, it was very easy to go ashore and explore.Hope this is of some help. Cynthia