Upset traveller

Thanks for that "upset cruiser" looks as if I will have keep praying for rain in Vienna!

At least the food was good.

 

On that 4hr bus trip did they throw in lunch as compensation?

 

I can see that the Oscar Wilde has been stationary in Vienna since the 7th at least but the Robert Burns has moved from Bratislava yesterday to Emmersdorf today so unless they reverse positions in the next few day it looks like ship swaps and bus tours, Ah well I must remain positive and think of the claim for compensation!

The Robert Burns will get to Linz on 11th and back to Budapest for 13th Sept (unless the river level drops between Bratislava and Budapest) so you should be OK. Currently, all boats seem to be OK getting there.

Thanks for that "upset cruiser" looks as if I will have keep praying for rain in Vienna!

At least the food was good.

 

On that 4hr bus trip did they throw in lunch as compensation?

 

I can see that the Oscar Wilde has been stationary in Vienna since the 7th at least but the Robert Burns has moved from Bratislava yesterday to Emmersdorf today so unless they reverse positions in the next few day it looks like ship swaps and bus tours, Ah well I must remain positive and think of the claim for compensation!

Riviera do not do 'compensation'! Small print in the booking conditions - not their fault. The 4 hour trip got us to the other boat in time for lunch on board. There was a convenience stop on the motorway services half way. A 'tourist meal' was included on the return all day bus trip. it was OK but nowhere near the quality of food on the boat.

Hi All Bus/Cruisers,

 

Is any one on the Riviera - Robert Burns Blue Danube, Budapest - Linz - Budapest 14th Sept to 21st or any other Riviera cruise recently around that area?

 

I would like to know how they coped with the low water problem? as there has been very few posts referring to Riviera cruises.

 

I have been learning the song, you know the one! "I am praying for rain in California" now its Vienna. Well you have to look on the bright side.

recently

I did that Bus/Cruise 19 to 26 August. - Reported on here.

Riviera offered no apologies or 'have a glass of wine at dinner on us' type of compensation.

Spent the first three nights on Oscar Wilde moored in Budapest - did Budapest tour - then bus trip to Esztergom and back. (About 1 1/2 hrs each way)

Esztergom was a bit of a waste if you cant see it from the river!

Then did bus to Bratislava - (approx 4 hours) to board the Thomas Hardy for lunch, and which sailed to Linz and back.

Didn't do Salzburg bus trip as we'd done enough busses. Linz was good though - used the tram up the mountain.

Four nights cruising, then we had the Budapest extension - which started in Bratislava.

First day was mostly on bus with 30 minute stop at Visegrad and same at Sztendre.

Then couple of days in Budapest.

Not the stress free holiday we needed.

Positives - the food was good. The Vienna quartet they organised was very good.

I left Budapest yesterday for home (plane!)

All the boats seem to be moving now

You might. But I didn't yesterday!

What ship are you on and what is the itinerary?

We were on the Thomas hardy which stayed in Bratislava.

On bus from Bratislava to Budapest. Been pouring rain all day. Somehow ironic!

Good news - Riviera river cruise will be able to sail Budapest to Bratislava on Monday evening 27th aug. Not much use to me stuck in Bratislava but it's getting better! (And raining here!)

Riviera river cruise. Currently heading Linz to Vienna. Then tomorrow Vienna to Bratislava, then on bus to budapest. So no go on the river, but it did rain last night....

22aug 10:00 currently on bus from Budapest to Bratislava. Then boat to Vienna. Riviera river cruise.

22aug 10:00 currently on bus driving from Budapest to Bratislava. No boats on river. Vienna to Bratislava currently navigable.

Hello. First time river cruise and first time poster here. We are set to leave on Viking on the Romantic Danube (from Budapest) on the 25th. We have purchased the travel insurance. It sounds very possible that the cruise will not end as we had planned. Would the insurance help in this case? Could we cancel?

 

Also, I agree with the previous post. Both Viking and our travel agent should have explained that this could be a problem and if it happens...this is the fix.

 

Not a fun way to go into a holiday!

Check your booking conditions. Unless the cruise is cancelled by Viking (who will reimburse) you have no claim. If you cancel yourself, you will lose your money.

I suspect Viking will do their utmost to reorganise the cruise and you will be fine (they are quite a good Co. in my opinion) just not so much cruising as expected.

It is both disappointing and expensive to not have the holiday experience you pay for.

Not just in terms of money many chose river cruising over bus trips for reasons around health/welfare and are disadvantaged by changes.

During the floods in 2013 some spent 20 hour days moving from ships to ships. Some had 3 ship swaps.

These experiences were well documented in the cases of 13 cruises that were impacted in the class action that involved scenic but other lines and passengers also suffered, as did the local people.

it is really important for these issues to be disclosed when purchasing and have a back up plan, as well as knowing the exact consequences around compensation or lack of.

I agree - and one of our party does have health problems that mean a cruise is ideal without needing to get on busses / walking unless able to on the day.

It is not Riviera Travel's fault that there is no water, but it is the lack of communication of their back up plan which has caused unnecessary stress. I had to phone a number of times over a number of hours before I could get the new itinerary. I have not yet been on the cruise so cannot comment on how they cope - (Hopefully very well in the circumstances!) I'll report back on this thread on my return!

Travelling Budapest to Linz and back on Sunday 19th August with Riviera. Two days time.

We have then booked three days extension in Budapest.

Just got a phone call - No water in the Danube, so.....

First two nights are in Budapest on a different boat

Then transfer to another boat that is moored somewhere on Third day

Then up to Linz and back somewhere to transfer to another boat in Budapest (sixth day?).

No point unpacking!

So our 10 day holiday will be 5 days in Budapest.

(If I wanted 5 days in Budapest I would have booked a hotel there!)

Lack of water happens and I'm grumpy BUT

Why cant Riviera tell me what the new itinerary is, what will be done to compensate for the upheaval and bussing everywhere. For goodness sake we are off in two days !!!

There are 6 of us, cost 14,000 GBP doesn't look good!

Because they up the prices if you book excursions when you are actually on the cruise and they don't want you to get grumpy about it by seeing the earlier prices.