Canal archive

On one Scenic cruise, the Rhône one.guest had a small - and he was quite a big man - mobility scooter which was plugged in every evening in the foyer. He navigated on board with two walking sticks, I was only aware of a few times that he needed crew assistance leaving or arriving on board. He and his wife one evening went ashore for dinner locally with French friends. Lovely guy he managed to join in most things and in Viviers he found the long way around to the organ recital in the cathedral. So it’s not impossible just takes a bit of - sounds wrong - get up and go.

As far as I can gather alcohol is always available on the majority of cruise lines so if for some reason you are not happy about this I’m afraid your lost. Although on Scenic for instance your cabin mini bar can be loaded with whatever beverages you require so no need for alcohol in your cabin. You can even start the morning with a ‘Bucks Fizz’ at breakfast, yes I know if your from the states it has another name. The alcohol versus soft drinks has always been a thing and although I think it has changed somewhat at one time soft (non-alcoholic) drinks across Europe were more expensive than alcoholic drinks hence the inclusions. The first time scootering in Europe the cost of a Coke was eye watering to us as in our local coffee bar it was pennies. Us Brits at one time had something called a booze cruises evidently cruise across the Channel to Calais load up with cheap alcohol even taking in the cost of the ferry. I dread to think what the wine was like!

The answer to the original question is very much an individual decision what is budget to some could be different to another as with luxury to some may be basic to others it all depends on the individuals experience.

Scenic’s tables for two in the lounge are for the River Cafe usually open for early breakfast and those who like maybe a lighter lunch, it’s closed in the evenings, the ice cream is superb.

Scenic has two seaters, four seaters, six and eight seaters. Some will say that some of the two seaters are still very close to other tables but I’m sure that if you didn’t want to converse with your near neighbours they would respect your choice. The staff will also sort larger tables if asked.

There was an occasion with Scenic on a Bordeaux cruise that so many wanted to pedal on one excursion they hired extra bikes in. Some get a bit sniffy about the electric bikes (whisper) like my DH but only because he is the proud owner of his electric bike shhh his pride and joy. Everyone I know who’s used the bikes has enjoyed it and as has been said book or make your request early and you’ll be fine. I must admit to preferring track bikes and used to race on the Portsmouth track, ohh the days of youth.

How crass and again were being overseen by the ******** few.

If you get a chance take a tour of the kitchen facilities on board, you will then realise the need for a tighter serving time, I’ve wondered in the past how these guys and gals present such wonderful food from such cramped catering quarters but they do and very well.

Thank you twice it’s interesting for the boat and I showed it to my DH he’s now found a way to practice his German hadn’t thought of it before, so that’s what the twice is for.

After an horrendous accident the Budapest lights cruises were stopped. They have now restarted so your vessel may do a there and back itself, top deck weather permitting and glass in hand with maybe a camera. It’s well worth it. Enjoy.

Ohhhh there breeding!!!!!!!!!!

Franski I agree with you especially about Scenic (as I’ve only traveled with them) after all our cruises with them we’ve had fantastic cruise directors but two were I’m sorry to say a complete waste of space. Luckily the tour guides and the rest of the crew really made up for their inadequate performance.

I’ve never traveled with Viking but I doubt you would have any need of insect repellent at this time of year unless an excursion went anywhere near a swamp, which I wouldn’t think they would. Only once on a river cruise were we warned to keep the screen down on our balcony and that was much later in the year.

Someone has realised that river cruise vessels need to be a lot larger to hold all of these extra river cruisers which of coarse also means the entrance to rivers has to be larger and consequently the rivers so soon there will be no room for the land. Oh dear!

To visit Neuschwanstein Castle you have to purchase a tour ticket and these cannot be reserved everyone has to do the guided tour oh and no photography. Just saying!