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Croisieurope


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Maryann,

 

I don´t know much about this company. It´s a French company in operation since 1976. They are running 25 boats all over Europe. There´s not much information on their website. I´m not sure which board language they have. Let´s say it like this: I wouldn´t expect perfect English (or German) on a French boat. I saw one of their cruise ships last summer and it looked quite nice.

 

steamboats

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Hi. While I haven't been on a CroisiEurope cruise myself, I have spoken at length with the company reps. This is a company that services primarily the European market, with most passengers from France. They are nice ships, nice service. Language aboard is French (primary) and English. That means that announcements, messages, menus, etc. will be in both languages. And staff all know English (or so I'm told).

 

I have also spoken with a few people who have taken a CroisiEurope cruise. They have mixed feelings about it. Some thought it was very nice and a good value, but others didn't like being the only Americans on board. I guess it depends on how you feel about traveling with a group that is predominately French. (Also, the ships allow limited smoking in some areas, which bothers many Americans. You should ask about the current smoking policy.)

 

The prices for these trips are good, the ships are nice, and the company is reliable. Whether it is the right company for you probably depends on how comfortable you are being with Europeans.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thank you both for your replies. If plans run well, we will be cruising with Croisieurope on the Douro. (The prices are so much less expensive than Uniworld.)

 

We are treating my in-laws, who live in Portugal, so I'm already prepared for multi-lingual conversations. Hopefully, though, there will be enough English or Portuguese that I won't have to break out my rusty high school French. ;)

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  • 2 months later...
Thank you both for your replies. If plans run well, we will be cruising with Croisieurope on the Douro. (The prices are so much less expensive than Uniworld.)

 

We are treating my in-laws, who live in Portugal, so I'm already prepared for multi-lingual conversations. Hopefully, though, there will be enough English or Portuguese that I won't have to break out my rusty high school French. ;)

We have looked at Douro river cruises with some interest but we found the itinerary skipped every other town upriver, then turned around and hit the towns missed earlier going back. All our other cruises have flown in and out of different cities. I would be very interested to hear your report of the cruise. WIT

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  • 3 years later...

Not much on the site about this river cruise company. Wondering if anyone has any current information. I'm OK with the language issue (French being the main language) and like the prices (much lower than the others) but would like to know what people thought about the ship/food/itinerary and such.

 

Looking at a Rhine cruise in August.

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it did meet up with the Croisieurope boat at some docks....was able to speak to 2 couples on it,,,just to ask about their cruise,etc....they said the smoking bothered them, rooms really small, and food just so,so...plus, not many Americans onboard...now this is just THEIR opinions, mind you....conversely, I loved our cruise, had balcony but small room, food was great, and no smoking allowed....maybe a little more money, but would take it again in a minute...Loved the Douro and small towns, scenery great, towns interesting,,,,it was one of my favorite river cruises...ps.even had a pool and hot tub on top deck....really cool to relax in it on trip up river.:):)

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We were told by our CD on our Duoro cruise that the Croiseurope line has a children's program in the summer which is very good. Those travelling on it may find a few more little ones than they thought might be there.

 

WIT, 2 or 3 of us have written day by day reviews elsewhere on the board. We went with AMA--started in Lisbon and ended on Porto. We flew in and out of Lisbon, taking the train back to Lisbon. Most passengers left from Porto. The only thing was the long bus trip to and from Salamanca. Great city--just too long on the bus. Pat

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They do have a unique river cruise itinerary that I have yet to see other river cruise lines offer - a sailing on the Guadalquivir River in Spain out of Seville. Excursions include Gibraltar.

http://cruise.croisieurope.com/cruise/river-cruise/spain/cruise-spain.html

 

We saw one of their riverboats in Cadiz on our recent trans-atlantic cruise, which prompted me to dig further into what they offer.

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We went on their Douro cruise in 2007. Like you, I couldn't find any reviews & was a little nervous about this company.

 

But we had a fantastic time! Top notch everything. Extremely well run.

 

Our ship was immaculate. The dining was really great, breakfast buffets, as well as the 4 course sit-down lunches & dinners. The wine list was good (the drinks were not included but were decently priced.) The shows featured local talent (or crew talent) and were a lot of fun.

 

French was the "official" language, but everything was also announced in English (as well as any other languages the crew could speak.) The Douro cruise has their most international passenger mix, and we regularly overheard staff speaking in German, Italian, and Portuguese as well.

 

The other passengers were all wonderful, and we got along so well, despite the language barrier. When the cruise director announced my son's 10th birthday at dinner, the next table even sprang into a rousing Dutch rendition of "Happy Birthday".

 

I didn't expect to enjoy the sights as much as I did. No big cathedrals, instead we visited local quintas & wineries. And the scenery from the boat was breathtaking. We sailed during the day, and the LOCKS, an experience of a lifetime. It was such a thrill for the kids.

 

BTW, the way, there was a children's program. 5 kids in total plus one lovely young counselor. They played cards, make journals, circle games on the lounge dancefloor. The children's pool hours were 5-6pm so they never bothered anyone...

 

It was my first river cruise and has converted me from the Big Ships.

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  • 2 weeks later...

the comment that they are cheaper than most companies implies that you won't have the same level of service as perhaps uniworld so you pay for what you get. If it is just the destinations you are concerned about then no probs but if you looking for fine dining and wines included at dinner then croisi is not for you

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Whether it is the right company for you probably depends on how comfortable you are being with Europeans.

 

Why would you go on a European river cruise if you don't like Europeans! Ha Ha - What's wrong with us ;)

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Why would you go on a European river cruise if you don't like Europeans! Ha Ha - What's wrong with us ;)

 

Looking forward to my Croisieurope Danube cruise in August. Hope to meet various world nationalities as I have done on my little easycruises and Hurigruten. Anyone else on the MV France?

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Looking forward to my Croisieurope Danube cruise in August. Hope to meet various world nationalities as I have done on my little easycruises and Hurigruten. Anyone else on the MV France?

 

Yes, I am! 18 September - looking forward to it, but slightly worried about the age of the other passengers.... but hey, I can get on with most people.

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  • 2 months later...

Just back today from the MV France (had extra 2 nights in Vienna)and can't wait to book another Croisieurope cruise. Had a fantastic time with guests from 12 nations ranging from Norway and Finland to USA and New Zealand. Announcements were in 6 languages undertaken by 3 members of the crew. Age group ranged from a 12 year old on my table upto some passengers in their 70s. I was surprised at the young average age for the cruise with very many under 30s. Could not fault the food which was cooked in a French way. Drinks with meals were included (at least for the English speaking contingent) and I understand the wine was very nice. Cannot comment as I am not a wine drinker but I found the beer very agreeable. I went on all excursions except he Vienna concert and found each guide to be excellent. All were at least tri-lingal and usually took 2 different language groups per excursion.

Not sure if this is the norm with river cruising but 4 passengers missed the ship at one of the stops. A crew member was left behind to wait for them and escorted them (by train) down river where they boarded at an unscheduled stop.

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Smoking: Being a non smoker myself I was not overpowered by smoke. Smoking was allowed on the sun deck and the biggest culprits were Belgian and Irish ladies! Be warned though if you have extra nights in Vienna and require food a lot of smokers frequent the pavement restaurants. On one night I had smokers on tables to my left, right and front.

 

Booking: In the UK 2 tour operators (both part of a large group which I believe is associated with Avalon) offer a full package on many Croisieurope ships covering air, transfers and accomodation with optional nights after the cruise. Coisieurope do have an English language website which details their offers etc.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Squarevanman did the men wear a jacket for dinner? Not sure whether to pack one for hubby .....

 

I took one didn't wear it and brought it back home. Usual order of the day was trousers and shirt for dinner although did see jeans once. For the Gala Dinner a tie was worn by most chaps. One or two wore a jacket and I saw 1 suit. I don't think anyone looked out of place whatever they wore. I am sure you will have a enjoyable time as all the cities visited are totally fantastic.

 

I stayed on in Vienna for 2 extra nights - If your doing this the easiest way of getting round is by Tram and Metro. For 10 euros I got a 48 hour ticket and just hopped on and off all over. Its valid on buses as well.

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  • 5 weeks later...
in one post there was a comment about smoking being a problem? we are non smokers so would not like smoking on board.

 

Just back from their Classical Cities of the Danube, no smoking inside, just outside on the deck.

 

Wonderful food, no problems with language - we had 8 different nationalities on this cruise and each announcement was translated to the relevant language. Excellent staff.

 

Our first river cruise and would certainly recommend.

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