JohnCoMo

Yikes, I just checked charter prices on one site. Don't think I'll be able to afford that :(

Still, lots of good recommendations on here. Thanks everyone

Thanks everyone. Lots of great suggestions. I love the idea of chartering my own barge so I can stay in towns longer and eat in local restaurants more than on the ship. That sounds like a really good compromise, where i would still get to enjoy river cruising while at the same time having the feel of an independent vacation.

If there was a scale of 10 for river cruise enjoyment odds I would put you at 3. But you would even need to work at that. Sorry for the direct answer. Many things that you like doing you cannot do on a river cruise. Yet on the other hand I like the DIY and hotel scenario you describe and nevertheles enjoyed my river cruise very much. It is just not the thing I could do every year and I would struggle to like that kind of indulgence for more than a week.

 

If you think our opinions have not helped you decide yet, have a look at the stickies on the top of the page and do not go for more than 8 days (on a ship, excluding pre- or post stays). Avoid the aquarium class, meaning cabins close to the water line, they will not be for you.

 

I like kerryincorks suggestion of a self-drive barge or boat cruise. Plenty of options for that in Ireland, Britain and France.

 

 

If you would like to experience the rivers of Europe on a day-trip basis there are also local companies that do the scenic stretches and some inbetween. The Rhine and Danube have many options, there are some on the Moselle. The Elbe has some great paddlewheelers. I do not know the situation on the other rivers.

 

notamermaid

Yep, reading my original post to myself I see now I was too direct :) I know I'm not going to find the same things, but thought it would help to let people know what I typically enjoy. But I am open to new experiences and willing to try. My concern right now is the cost. I'm hesitant to try something where "I score a 3" when it has a pretty high price tag. My rough estimate last night came up with my land based trip being much lower than a river cruise. Thanks though for your input. I really appreciate everyone sharing their opinions with me.

I'm a diy-er for travel and while I enjoyed the ship & the ports on our river cruise (NUE-BSL Christmas markets on Avalon) I am too frugal to skip excursions that have already been paid for, so river cruising isn't for me at this point in my life. I didn't want to do the tours every day (and we skipped one or two) but since they had already been paid for.....Well, it just wasn't my choice. Perhaps if the per diem cost were much lower. My in-laws LOVE river cruises and have done many, but they don't want to fly much any more so they're stopping- for different reasons....We'll see if that sticks. I think they'll get bored with cruises they can drive to. For us, we'll stick to an apartment rental and a few days exploring an area on our own....

Sounds like you and I have similar travel tastes so I appreciate you sharing your experiences.

Based on your well considered preferences you should avoid river cruising like the black plague

Thanks. I guess I should not have been so black and white in my original post as I realize I can't get all of my "likes" on a ship. I just wanted to paint a picture of the types of things I enjoy to see if there were others who enjoyed the same things but also had good experiences on river cruises. I love your reply to my comment about big tours LOL Made me smile :)

Why don't you hire a barge or cruiser and have your very own river cruise. Very flexible, you would have to research your stops and where you can berth.

 

There are loads of companies that hire boats out for 1 or 2 weeks.

 

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Wow, I had no clue there was even such a thing. Sounds very cool and something that would be very unique. I need to do some research on this as it sounds like it might be a good compromise. Our friends would be happy because they are on a river cruise, I would be happy because I'd be more in control and could eat locally instead on the barge. Thanks so much!

Thanks. i realize that I've pretty much made up my mind, but I'm hoping to hear arguments that I wasn't expecting. So I really like your reply as it sounds like we have some things in common. I'll be very curious to hear what you think after your cruise. Have fun.

I have traveled to Europe many times and have a pretty good idea for what I like and do not like when there on a land based vacation.

What I like when in Europe:

- Staying in very nice hotels that will be a memorable part of the trip. Hotels are more than just a place to sleep for me. I like staying somewhere that is special, upscale and nicer than my house.

- A decent amount of down time. When I was younger, I'd want to see as many sights as I could in a day. But now, I'd rather take a more leisurely pace, with time to just relax if I don't feel like doing anything that day.

- Flexibility to plan as I go. I usually have a list of things I'd like to see before I arrive, but once I'm there it's rare that I check off everything on my list. If I missed the big museum on Tuesday, I know that I can check it out later in the week if I want.

- Enjoying nice dinners at local restaurants. I use review apps to see what restaurants in the area get great reviews and might offer an experience I would not find at home.

- Shopping in non-tourist areas. I'd rather explore where the locals shop.

- Self guided tours or very small tours (less than 10 people) led by a local, where you can spend just as much time getting to know then as you learning about their city.

What I don't like when in Europe:

- A rushed schedule. I don't want to feel exhausted at the end of the trip. I made the mistake a couple of years ago by planning a trip to Ireland with too many stops/overnight stays in one week. In hindsight, I would have cut the stops by a third and explored each city I stayed in a little more.

- Group tours and big buses. I'm sure you've seen what I'm talking about. A large herd of people walking together through a museum or historic site, following a guide holding a sign above their head so people don't get lost. Some even include headsets. Same thing with a big bus tour where the guide uses a microphone to speak while someone else drives.

- Eating with other tourists. Obviously not possible to avoid all tourists, but I'm talking about places where at least 75% are not local.

I'm asking becasue another couple who we have traveled with many times asked us to join them on a river cruise in Europe next year. They went on their first European river cruise this summer and loved it so much that they can't wait till they go back. While I've traveled with them many times, we've learned that some types of trips are better than others. Where they like more structure and predictable meals, we like being able to go at our own pace and the joy of finding a restaurant that caught us by surprise.

I'm sure you can tell from my likes/dislikes above, I already have a perception of what to expect on a river cruise. I do like the idea of getting to sample several different cities that I normally would not visit. But I've read that you can create your own DIY trip on land that follows a similar route.

I should also mention that I have a love/hate relationship with ocean cruises. I love being sailing the ocean and being able to sample a few different ports. Some destinations are better by an ocean cruise ship, like Alaska where it would be difficult to visit the same ports by land or air.

With all this information, I'd love to hear from some of you about if you think I'd enjoy a river cruise in Europe. Maybe I'm being to closed minded. Maybe there are other river cruises that would be a better fit for my travel style. Since I'm pretty well traveled in Europe and can get around there on my own, maybe another region like Asia where I would not typically travel on land on my own would be better.

Thanks for hearing me out and I hope to hear from some of you.

My suite experience was the first Princess sailing this season. I will describe that boarding process in the expectation that NCL is similar.

 

Suite and other Priority enter the terminal at the door farthest to the right facing the terminal. There is signage indicating the entrance. Once through security check, you proceed into the main terminal space and proceed to the line designated for Priority passengers. Once you have completed check in, there is a private lounge area to wait until boarding begins. This is assuming you arrive before boarding starts.

 

The lounge is opposite the check in counters and very comfortable. Coffee, tea and pastries are available there. Once boarding is allowed, a representative alerts the waiting lounge passengers and escorts them to the entrance of the gangway.

 

A very pleasant start to the cruise.

 

Lesa

Thanks for the info. I'm getting very excited. Only a few more weeks before our cruise.

I think that you are directed to the priority line (Elite, Platinum and suites) when you first enter the terminal. I am not positive because we were in a suite when we cruised from there a couple of weeks ago.

Would you mind explaining the process for suite check in at the Bayport terminal? Have never been here before and will be on a NCL cruise next month, sailing in a 2 bedroom suite which gets priority boarding. This will be the first time I've sailed in a full suite so curious how the process works.

My husband and I had been to Cozumel several times before our recent Oasis sailing brought us there again in Sept., but in 2008 when we were there we had such an amazing time that we recreate that day each time we get back. The highlight to me is a little visited beach front bar/restaurant with the best snorkeling on Cozumel, but we described the whole day in our recent review of Oasis on my blog:

 

http://ourbarbiedreamhouse.blogspot.com/2015/09/review-of-oasis-of-seas-versus-carnival.html?m=1

Thanks for sharing. I'm very intrigued about Playa Corona. Thinking about going there when we are in Cozumel next month on a cruise. There will be 6 in our group. 3 of us like to snorkel but the other 3 just want to relax on the beach. We also want to try to avoid the cruise ship crowds.

A couple of questions for you:

1. I read that you took a scooter but I will be traveling with old people so would either need to rent a car or take a taxi. If we take a taxi, is it hard to get one back to the ship?

2. Is there a good beach here for my family to relax while I snorkel?

Thanks,

John

Thanks for the input. My sister really wants to see the ruins so we decide to combine the Howler Monkey Sanctuary with Altun Ha. Thanks!

Has anyone been to the Community Baboon Sanctuary? We have 9 hours in port and would like to visit it in combination with another site/activity. We currently have a private tour booked that includes the sanctuary and a zip line but 3 of the people in my family have decided they don't want to zip line. They are having trouble with their knees so not really looking for something that is would be difficult for them. Any suggestions on what we could combine the sanctuary visit with? Seems like Altun Ha is close but not sure that it would be of interest if they are not in shape to climb to the top.

We have a balcony room booked on the Pearl next week. Says that balcony rooms include coffee and tea set-up, can anyone tell me what that is?

 

Thanks

I was on the Pearl last year to Alaska in a MiniSuite, which is basically just a larger balcony room. There was a coffee pot in the room with coffee, tea, etc. Nothing fancy, same thing you would find in 99% of hotel rooms. It was a coffee pot, not a Keurig or even the espresso machines you see in full suites. So I think "coffee and tea set-up" is just a fancy way of saying there will be a basic coffee pot in your room. :)

I'm considering this cruise next September, but in the opposite direction, from Boston to Quebec City. I went on an Alaska cruise last year and loved it, especially the stop in Victoria, so am thinking I may prefer colder weather cruises. I'm going on a Western Caribbean later this year so I'll know for sure after that cruise.

I've been eyeing this itinerary for some time and it seems very interesting to me. A couple of questions if anyone knows:

1. I see tons of New England/Canada cruises that are round trip NYC or Boston. That doesn't seem as interesting to me as sailing up the St. Lawrence into Quebec. The ports seem more interesting. Is there a reason why this itinerary is not offered more often? Is it less popular?

2. I can only find this itinerary on the NCL Dawn which seems to be an older ship. I was on the Pearl last year and will be on the Jade this year. I know the Dawn has been updated but does it seem much older than the Jewel class ships?

3. Do the fares ever drop for this itinerary? Or because there are only a few sailings a year make the demand high and thus fares rarely decrease so I should book now to lock in the current rate.

4. I was in a mini-suite when I went to Alaska and am in a 2 bedroom suite to the Western Caribbean this fall. Prices are pretty high for this trip and it seems port intensive, so is there much benefit to booking a suite or even a mini-suite for that matter? In other words, if it's such an active itinerary should I just save my money and book a balcony.

5. On this route do you see a lot from the balcony? Are you close enough to land that you can see things, similar to the Alaska inside passage?

Any other tips? I rarely see anyone mention this itinerary on these boards so was excited to see this post.

Thanks

A disadvantage is that you don't get a lot of time on any one island and they are all very different so you don't really get the feel of the island.

 

An advantage is seeing the lava flows at night from the ocean which is awe inspiring.

 

Another disadvantage is that you don't get to try authentic Hawaiian food on the ship such as Plate Lunch (available at surfing beaches, a real luau, Roy's, Kailoa's Super J's, Helena's Hawaiian food, Ono Seafood, Highway Inn, Yama's Fish Market). You really only get to barely scratch the surface of Aloha on a cruise.

 

An advantage is getting to see many different ports although briefly.

 

IDK, for Hawaii, I'd rather plan a trip where I was going to stay on 2 or 3 different islands over a 2 week period and do a night cruise to see the lava flows than be on a cruise ship all the time. That to me would be the best way to experience Hawaii and all it has to offer, but then I lived there when I was a child, so I know about stuff like going to open air movie theaters, Manoa falls, Honolulu fish market, Sunset at the Beach on Kapahulu pier, Mitsukeri's, Floral Parade and other stuff that most mainlanders NEVER get to experience much less people on a cruise. When you stay on the islands a sense of peace comes over you and time slows down. Way, way, way down. And you just get into the Aloha spirit and you'll never want to leave.

I couldn't agree more. I would never consider a cruise on any line in Hawaii. I just returned from a 2 week vacation to Maui and Kauaii last week and try to go to Hawaii at least once every 2 years. I see the people coming off the cruises and they always seem to be in so much of a hurry and only get to see a tiny part of the island. I think the only way you can truly appreciate Hawaii is to stay on land. I've never heard of anyone visiting all the major Hawaiian islands in one trip. Maybe 1 or 2 max, any more than that would be too rushed.

There's actually lots of great things to do in Belize, Belize City is just the port... There's cave tubing... 4x4 riding through the rainforest..., Mayan ruins, lots of nature :)

Cool. Would you recommend snorkeling at the Belize City or Roatan port?

Thanks for sharing. I'm sailing on the NCL Jade out of Houston in December and have not been contacted yet but when I checked my itinerary online it's clearly been changed from Harvest Caye to Belize City. I think I'm actually kind of happy about this. I didn't like the idea of going to a NCL owned island that was completely developed. But I've also heard that Belize City is not the best port. Either way, I'm spending a week with my family so I'll be happy :)

I would book another itinerary. I've been to a lot of places that are not the most gay friendly, but Jamaica is notorious for not being welcoming to gays. Even if you don't get off the ship, the country still makes money from port fees and others on the ship. I just can't get myself to contribute to the economy of that country. If you are looking for Western Caribbean, there are several cruises that don't go to Jamaica but perhaps not on the cruise line you are looking at. Check out NCL and RCCL.

I just booked the NCL Jade departing from Houston on December 12, 2015. One of the stops is Harvest Caye.

There is a press release from a few years ago:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5487

And a drawing of what it may look like here:

https://www.ncl.com/next

Personally, I'm not very excited about "man made" ports or islands. I worry that the locals may not get enough of our tourism dollars. If you google Harvest Caye you'll also find that many locals are upset because of the environmental impact. However, it looks like NCL is paying close attention to the environment and want to make this one of their flagship ports for eco tourism. So I'm optimistic that it will be nice. I believe it's not scheduled to open until October so I'm hoping that people on some of the first cruises write reviews and share lots of pictures.

I was on the Pearl to Alaska last year and bought the one week spa pass. Hung out there every day when not in port. Sit in the sauna or on a heated tile lounge and watch the scenery. The spa was my favorite part of the cruise except glacier bay and the ports.

Funny you should ask because the lack of formal night is actually what attracts me to NCL. I cannot stand the idea of having to dress up for dinner while on vacation, especially to tropical locations. I've been looking at other cruise lines recently because I wanted a slightly more upscale experience (e.g. Celebrity, Princess) but cannot make myself book with them because of the formal nights. True, you can eat in the buffet of your room that night, but if I'm paying good money for a cruise I don't want to be forced to go to another dining location that night. While I don't love everything about NCL, their freestyle concept and lack of formal night is what has kept me coming back to them.

I have discussed this with friends and some of them love to get dressed up. So that's the great thing about cruising, if you like formal nights you can go on another line that has them.

I've been looking at Azamara lately because they also don't have formal nights.

My situation is a little different. I'm traveling with 6 adults. I was considering booking 2 mini-suites and then an interior across the hallways. But for the same price I can book a 2 bedroom suite (not Haven, but the ones on deck 11).

Technically it says the 2 bedroom suite will accommodate 6 people, but I'm wondering if it would be too crowded. I've sailed in a mini-suite before but never an actual suite so love the thought of having the suite perks...especially know with the current promo where everyone in the room gets the ultimate dining package.

I was thinking about 2 adults in the master bedroom, 2 adults in the small bedroom and then 2 adults on the sofa bed.

Has anyone had 6 adults in the 2 bedroom before, or have experience with that cabin who could tell me if it's going to be too crowded. My budget would not allow me to book the 2 bedroom and another room, so it's either the 2 bedroom for all of us or 3 different rooms.

I have *hinted* to my husband about this--flowers from PPM in our stateroom. Never thought about a vase! You've made me ready to ask a steward question or embark on a glass hunt ;)

 

Oh, and by *hinted*, I mean directly told him a couple of times as I have learned that those are the only hints he comprehends. :P

 

 

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I see you are from MO also. I'm going with a group of friends on the Pearl this weekend. Most of us live in Columbia. I've talked most of my group into getting flowers also, so you can just tell your husband that everyone from MO buys flowers at PPM when in Seattle :)

I doubt it. I have several flat vinyl vases purchased from the Dollar Tree that work well in these situations.

 

 

At worst you could get a glass from any bar.

Those are cool vases. I've never seen anything like that before. I might have to go look for something tonight. I was in Seattle a few months ago and know that there is a brand new Target right next to Pike Place Market, so worst case scenario I could just buy something cheap there and carry it on the ship.