pontac

13 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

The way to avoid rafting on the Douro is to book Scenic's 10-night itinerary.  When we did this last September we weren't rafted at all.

Which is one of the reasons why I've taken your advice and booked Scenic for our second Douro cruise.

Our first one, ten years ago was with Viking and we were not rafted at all, but since then a great many more lines cruise this little river.

14 hours ago, franski said:

Most guides are knowledgeable and will provide great insights into the area you are visiting. We have come across a few guides that are really disappointing, but cannot say that they are with one line.

Me too. Using Quietvox I've changed channel to list to another guide and joined their group. There are a limited number of guides and they don't work exclusively for one cruise line.

@mamakore some very good info there from @franski. Most people seem happy with the first line they book, and then keep rebooking. After your first river cruise you'll know if it's for you. If it is then you'll have a good idea what the basics are and what to look for if you think another cruise line would suit you better.

I'm not clear on this.

Is there a separate 'Clear' line at security, or is it just using Fast Track?

I'll be departing LHR 2 weeks on Friday for my Douro trip but it seems using T5 not T3 where the system is supposed to be.

2 hours ago, Canal archive said:

Yup face cloths at twenty paces!

😖

Thanks for the latest update.

Nice wine glasses, BTW. Were they in your hotel room?

Now that is a car!

11 hours ago, gnome12 said:

Europeans do not use facecloths. 

I'm European and I use a face cloth. The shops here sell face cloths.

On 6/7/2024 at 4:54 PM, RobInMN said:

I've don't think I've really see anyone post anything negative about Ama or Scenic

Then you didn't read my 2022 trip report of my first Scenic cruise. They ran out of food one lunchtime and didn't have any butter or spread one breakfast, served cheap fizz instead of the advertised Champagne, and served cheap plonk and a Bordeaux red which actually came from the Rhone instead of 'wines from the region’s best wineries' in L'Amour restaurant. And more.

Review of Beautiful Bordeaux 11 day cruise on Scenic Diamond from 17 August to 27 August 2022 with comparisons to Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic Community

On 6/7/2024 at 3:28 PM, mamakore said:

 would greatly appreciate  some insight from folks who have traveled

on these cruise lines, and maybe even more than one.

 

@Daisi has given great advice. Draw up a matrix of what you must have and what you'd like and what each cruise line offers, and which offers what you wnat at a price you want to pay..

Basically the cruise ships on most routes are the same size, the port and lock fees will be the same, the wages of the crew comparable so the cost to cover this must be paid by the passengers. More passengers = lower cost, fewer passengers = higher cost, bigger rooms = fewer passengers=higher cost.*

On 6/7/2024 at 3:28 PM, mamakore said:

My understanding of Viking is you only have 1 excursion available at each port, and the rooms are very small.

Viking has one included (=free) excursion  at each stop, and there are additional optional excursions at a cost.

All boats have a choice of cabin size, larger the cabin, higher the cost.  As little time is spent in the cabin, size isn't a concern to us. But we are from a place where hotel rooms are small.

*If you are flexible on when and where to cruise and can wait till the year of the cruise, there are (at least here) tremendous discounts that can make a usually higher priced line cheaper than a usually cheaper line. That's why we are taking two cruises with Scenic this summer 😁

It's hard, if not impossible, to think of a river cruise in Europe that doesn't go though wine country as rivers were used to transport wines to the rest of the world.

On any river cruise the opportunity to visit wineries is dependent on the ships routine; self touring is nor impossible but what time - and if - the boat calls at a destination depend on river congestion and water levels.

You could look at the various cruises and see which ones have excursions to wineries. Unfortunately cruisers generally don't seem to be wine enthusiast. Indeed on my  2022 Bordeaux cruise some passengers were grumbling about visiting too many wineries.

So you could think about going on a wine cruise - a cruise aimed at wine lovers and emphasising wine.  American Wine Society organises an annual one, details on their website, and Avalon have  dozen 'Special Interest' wine cruises, including Douro and Provence.

The Douro is spectacular, cruising inland from Porto one travel through increasingly narrow gorges lined with vines. As well as the fortified wines Porto has given its name to, there are an increasing amount of excellent table wines. I don't know  if you get many in the USA yet, but they really are good, and inexpensive. Problem is the navigable part of the Douro is quite short, and most cruises are seven days in duration, going up the Douro to the Spanish border and back down to Douro. If you select Douro, I suggest you add on a stay in Porto where you can easily visit some port lodges on your own, and they have recently opened a wine museum complex

The Rhone offers the chance to cruise through more famous wine regions, including Chateau Neuf du Pape.

Although an excursion to Beaune is offered on some Rhone cruises, there's no river cruises in Burgundy of which I'm aware.

12 hours ago, AllisonJames said:

Wondering if anyone can comment on the quality of the Viking River included wines?

The quality is good, on Tulips & Windmills cruise earlier this year the included wines were German from Heinrich Vollmer in Pfalz - a Riesling and Cuvee HV - a red blend.

On the Rhone last year they used different wines on some night, but the wines I have  recorded as La Vieille Ferme Blanc & Rouge, from the Perrin winery on the Rhone. On Rhine & Moselle Discovery, also last year, they were  German from Heinrich Vollmer in Pfalz - Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Heinrich Volmer Altum Meisterstuch, a red blend of unnamed varieties.

We only drink wine, no spirits or cocktails, so haven't found the drinks package worth paying for. One can buy wines at places visited and the waiters will happily open and pour them at the table: there's no corkage charge.

But for the recent trips Viking have included the drinks package in the booking and we've plundered the 4 page winelist, white at lunchtime and red with dinner.

And we like a glass of Champagne before dinner, which is what we had very night.

If one doesn't have the drinks package there are still drinks served at times. There will be a Explorers Society party. This used to be restricted to people who'd cruised with Viking before, but there are now so many it's held in the lounge and fizz & cocktails are available for all. Then there is the Aquavit presentation.

The house sparkling wine is a German Sekt which I find much too sweet.

It's a toss up. If you have the drinks package, it's got to be for the entire length of the cruise and everyone in the cabin must have it. For US cruisers that $50 a day. You can buy wine from the wine list some days, bring in your own wine.....

Thing is, you don't have to decide now. You can wait till you join the cruise, look at the wine last (it's on the bar in the lounge - or ask for it) and make up your mind then

Pre-dinner Champagne Veuve Cliquot in the lounge on Rhine

22 hours ago, austinetc said:

Also, the “premium wine” offered in the package may not be what you expect.

I've not bought the package but it's been included in bookings the past few years. We only drink wine so buying the package would be very borderline. With the package we pick a white from the list at lunchtime and a red with dinner. If - as many do - you want to drink cocktails or spirits, then it's worth it.

But previously I've found (with one exception) that the complimentary wines were good - especially in our early days of cruising when the house wines came with Viking labels and were Austrian from the Morwald winery, Gruner Veltliner (white) and Zweigelt (red). I also bought from wineries and shops along the way.

When we did Bordeaux with Viking in 2015 house wines changed each day so they were from the appellation we were in.

But when we returned to Bordeaux with Scenic in 2022 we were surprised how few of the passengers were interested in wine. Although the wine list is included waiters went round with two bottles asking red or white and most people took them, and although Champagne was advertised, Limoux was poured instead.

On 6/5/2024 at 12:39 AM, GibbsWash73 said:

1) Are there any sites to use that get you better deals then you would on Vikings website

I've only booked direct with Viking by phone. By talking nicely to  real person I have been offered various incentives that I wouldn't have got booking on the website.

On 6/5/2024 at 12:39 AM, GibbsWash73 said:

2) Is see that I can either go from Amsterdam to Basil or reverse.....does it matter which way?

As usual, @CDNPolar has made some cogent points. Check about incoming and homegoing flights and their times. Neither Amsterdam or Basel's airport are far from where boats moor. (Note if flying into Basel the airport serves both France and Switzerland so make sure you exit the baggage hall through the Swiss exit)

I have been on the Basel>Amsterdam route several times and thinking about it I would say that Amsterdam>Basel would be better as the scenery gets better as the trip progresses, and the highlight for many is going through the Middle Rhine with all its romantic castles. This is closer the Basel so it's something to look forward to on the cruise.

On 6/5/2024 at 12:39 AM, GibbsWash73 said:

3) Any tips on rooms? I feel like we'll hardly ever be in the room so we don't need anything luxurious but I'm guessing some rooms might get more noise than others so any suggestions would help.

Some people say that rooms on the upper deck get noise from people jogging on the sun deck, some say rooms on the lower deck get scraping noises in low water if he ship scrapes the bottom, some say that rooms at the back get engine noise. I've stayed on all  three floors and not suffered these noises.

Biggest noise I find I people talking loudly in the corridor. I always get a room at the back so fewer people walk past. Of course, that's furthest to walk to the restaurant/lounge/exit

On 6/5/2024 at 12:39 AM, GibbsWash73 said:

4) Any Christmas Village cruises other than Viking?

Probably, but as Christmas market don't interest us I haven't looked.

On 6/5/2024 at 12:39 AM, GibbsWash73 said:

5) Anything else I need to concentrate on?

No. Just get to the incoming airport and Viking will look after you till it's time to check-in to your flight home. Then you'll be booking your next cruise.

7 hours ago, austinetc said:

We've only cruised rivers with Viking

Interested to see California (Wine Snobs) in your sig. Do you get the drinks package to pick from the wine list?

PS - how come your river cruises don't appear in you sig?

Good points, @CDNPolar

Different perceptions: I find the Viking Longships light, airy and spacious and I don't feel overcrowded. I found Scenic gloomy and less spacious; I'm hoping to get a better experience on my next two trips with them.

Aren't we lucky we have such a choice?

14 hours ago, Daisi said:

 Avalon is green - no printed handouts,  and toiletries are attached to the walls. 

I really don't see how toiletries attached to the wall are green, and I loathe them.

2 hours ago, deec said:

Has anyone stayed on an AMA and Viking in a French Balcony

People tend to stay with one cruise line, so you may not get a reply from someone who has experienced both an AMA and a Viking French Balcony.

I have travelled with both Viking and Scenic. You seems to be concerned with bathrooms, and on Viking Longship  bathrooms are the same on Aquarium, French Balcony and Veranda.

As I said, I don't know about AMA but what I liked about Viking bathrooms were:

• Heated floors
• Heated mirror, so it didn't mist
• Discreet night light
• Loose bottles of shampoo/body wash etc

4 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Only putting 150-160 passengers on the same-size ship, rather than 190, tends to give you more room everywhere!

For cabins, it depends whether the space is used to increase cabin space or for something else.

For example, compare Scenic Space ships with Viking Longships. They   both have the same dimensions yet Scenic have a passenger maximum of 163 against Viking's 190, however they have exactly the same number of cabins on the upper (34) and middle deck (36).

On the lower deck (aquarium class) Scenic have 11 cabins and Viking have 25 cabins, a difference of 14 cabins. Thus 28 people more, difference between Scenic's 163 capacity and 190  Viking's is 27.

So what do Scenic do with the space saved by having 14 fewer cabins on the lower deck? That's where the Wellness Area, Fitness Centre, and Salt Room Therapy are located.

This live location map taken just now shows Viva One & Viking Lif moored behind Movenpick with Viking with Viking Sigrun looking like its rafted to Ama Prima ahead of them.

Scenic Opal and the other two river boats (A Rosa Acqua & Thurgau Gold) are between cruises and moored mid water ( actually there is a narrow jetty by them) but when they're ready to start a cruise they'll move to a customer accessible place.

I'm not making any hotel recommendations: it's a long time since I stayed in Amsterdam. If it's just one night at the beginning or end of a cruise them the Movenpick is at the place river boats moor*, but it is a 20-25 minute walk to Centraal Station (or one stop on tram 26). If one is staying longer and wanting to be at the centre of things them there are plenty of choices at all price points.

*subject to harbour master's instructions. At busy times one's boat may moor further away.

23 minutes ago, Bo1331 said:

Puzzled why the less expensive room is larger in size.

It's not.

Viking measure to the window pane. Floor space is the same. You can use window sill to put things on, but you'll cut out some natural light. Windows on the water line cabins are deeply recessed because below the windows is under the water and so the outside wall there is the ship's hull.

As one spends little time in ones cabin (take away meals, excursions, briefings and entertainments there is little time for cabins), also there's not much room until you get a veranda room, or suite.

I've stayed in waterline, French window, veranda and suites with Viking, and now book French window*.

I'm OK with waterline cabins but Mrs P is too short to see out and finds them claustrophobic. If it's a choice between waterline and French balcony, and you are willing to spend the extra, go for French balcony. If you'd prefer to spend the money on other things, the waterline cabin is fitted out just the same and has the same usable floor space.

* I didn't know first time I booked French balcony, but there is no balcony. It's a floor to ceiling window that can be opened. Fear not, there's a railing to stop you walking into the river!

On a rethink, I am of the mind that Tailormade was ahead of the curve.

I walked to the shops yesterday, and it seemed that more than 50% of people had earbuds and their eyes glued to a phone screen.

When the school children came out nearly all of them were on their phones. That generation will expect to use their phones.

I don't know what technology Tailormade used but for what I wanted - to hear the guides - it was poor. But I suspect the technology is still changing, and the effort of maintaining Tailormade software for both Apple and Android and their frequent updates while keeping it backwards compatible for cruisers with older model phones was becoming increasingly complicated.

City guides and maps are on the internet, What3Words will  pinpoint any location to within 3 metres; having and maintaining maps and guides on Tailormade is unnecessary.

Meanwhile I am delighted to have the reliable compact Quietvox  on a lanyard for my upcoming Scenic trips.

8 hours ago, dd57 said:

And carry the ship's phone number with you if you aren't on a Viking tour.

That number and the mooring location is on the reception desk (plus a map)  you can take before leaving ship

13 hours ago, RobInMN said:

Not quite. Immediately behind the Movenpick is where the ocean cruise ships dock

That was 2022.

I was there in March 2024. Lots of river boats  moored behind Movenpick, not one ocean boat. Some one said on this forum that the ocean boat terminal at Movenpick was now closed. All I can say is that it was the main mooring for river boats. They used to moor by the Centraal Station. Not now.

It's true though, at busy time river boats may moor at further out places.

I used to work in Amsterdam several times a year. But that was some time ago and things change. At that time Holiday Inn was the only hotel in the City to have a swimming pool; and if you stay there ask for a corner room ( I used to know the room numbers) as these rooms are very much bigger.

The hotel nearest to where most river boats moor is the Movenpick; boats moor behind the hotel https://all.accor.com/hotel/B4I7/index.en.shtml

2 hours ago, franski said:

One fact with the Tailor Made that they don't highlight is the fact that you are using your own phone... 

This was one of my criticisms of my first Scenic cruise. I wrote*:

I felt Scenic expected passengers to do too much, it felt very self-service and down market. You were expected to download Scenic apps to your phone to listen to guides, and you were responsible for charging your phone to do so – the app drained batteries. Charging two phones used two sockets. Viking supplies a hearing devices and a charger for both that uses only one socket. I got fed up and borrowed a phone with the app from reception.

QuietVox is going to be a great improvement. The Tailormade transmitter used by the guide was poor at best.

* Review of Beautiful Bordeaux 11 day cruise on Scenic Diamond from 17 August to 27 August 2022 with comparisons to Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic Community

1 hour ago, Ellen495 said:

Also hoping German is food has fish because I don't eat meat at all

The Viking menus always have meat free options. Lunch often has a fish dish as one of the main choices, and always has standard 'Classic' options which include Niçoise Salad and Vegetarian burger.

At dinner there are dishes local to the country, (starter, main, dessert) and an international menu which always includes vegetarian choices and often a fish dish, plus the 'Always Available' options which include Caesar Salad and Norwegian Salmon.

One night in Germany will be a 'Taste of Germany' German evening, where they showcase German food, and one of the options is grilled char fillet.

The Germans like their meat, but you'll be dining on a Viking boat with a menu tilted towards an American, Canadian & British clientele.

See menus in my trip reports for an idea - the following, though not exactly the cruise you've booked, took place in Germany: