cole

Have you looked at the Douro?  We have also done the rivers you mentioned twice and also the Douro.  Loved the Douro and even though several stops will feature wine or Port, there are many other options and it is a beautiful river.  One thing we loved was that the ships are not allowed to travel at night, so going from port to port was during the day, which gave us an option of enjoying the beautiful scenery.  Our last trip on the Douro started in Madrid (hotel) and ended in Lisbon.  The first was Lisbon to Lisbon.  We enjoyed the second cruise more because we saw more.

From what I am reading about the Bordeaux sailings, many have spent more time on busses due to low water.  I would hate to spend what the cruises cost and travel each day back and forth on a bus.

We recently returned from the Douro river cruise with Vantage and were on the Serenity.  Our cabin number was 205 and we noticed the first night that there was an irritating humming noise coming from near our window that started at 6am and lasted until 10pm.  When we lowered the window a bit, the humming stopped, but we were inundated with diesel fumes.  We reported the problem to the front desk and every day we were told they were working on it.  It was still there at the end of the week and it would be interesting to hear if the people who were in the cabin the following week had the same problem or if the ultimately found the problem. 

Cole

We have relatives currently on Gate 1 (Danube) that originated in Prague.  They are sailing!  Have no idea how far they are going to get, but hopefully it will not be a bus trip since it is their first river cruise and we would hate for them to be disappointed.

Cole

Have not had time to read all of the responses, but we just returned from the Douro cruise with Vantage and have done it before with Uniworld.  The Uniworld was a Porto to Porto and Vantage began in Madrid with a couple of days in that area and ended in Lisbon with another couple of days there.  The Uniworld cruise showed us that this was a very special country and we decided to return two years later and cruise during the Harvesting Time.  We would highly recommend this if you really want to experience Portugal and get a little taste of Spain. We have no negative comments regarding the Vantage cruise other than - you better be ready for a busy, interesting cruise because they don't waste a moment showing the passengers this beautiful country.  If anyone has any questions, I will be glad to answer. 

Cole

For the land portion you are probably tipping 3 people, Vantage’s host, the local guide and the driver. Does Vantage not have something in their documentation showing tipping amounts for the land portion?

 

 

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Vantage has local tour guides' and drivers' tips included in the price of the cruise. Cruise director/host tips are not included.

Cole

Cole,

 

Thank you for your great summary of this cruise. We are departing in less than 1 week with a group of friends on the "Harvest" version same Vantage cruise and I will be forwarding your experience to our group.We are in our early to mid 60's and in good health, and hoping "average age" doesn't affect our experience and that possibly a "slow walker group" is added.;)

 

Wishing you well,

Mike

No Mike, I was not the one who did the excellent summary - it was Fuel Science and so appreciated it. I think you may be on the same cruise as we are, the Harvest version. We did this cruise a couple of years ago in the spring and thought returning in the fall, particularly during harvest time would be a great and beautiful experience. We are from Arkansas and another couple from Tennessee will be join up with us in Atlanta to travel to Madrid.

Cole

Cole,

I think that I would do the walking tour of Porto. Guimares was something of a disappointment for me. We just walked around the town a little--didn't really go inside any significant buildings. After the walk we were turned loose to shop for a while before getting back on the bus to return to Porto.

Thanks so much - I was thinking the same thing, but it is always good to get a first hand opinion.

Cole

A blessing in disguise - our first river cruise years ago, we landed in Munich and our luggage to a ride to Budapest. First thing on the shopping list was a curling iron - so I have had a European curling for all of these years and it was the best purchase I made that trip! I would definitely recommend that the ladies purchase one on their trip and be safe!

Cole

I enjoyed every word. The pictures were top notch, also. Cruiser #1 and Cruiser #2 seem to be having a wonderful time.

Delighted that you're back on track health wise.

I second that! We leave in 1 1/2 weeks and it was great to get the day by day itinerary. One question: Even though this is our second Douro river cruise, the tour to Guimaraes was not included in the previous trip. We have the option of a walking tour of Porto or to take the optional tour to Guimaraes. What would be your opinion as to these choices? Like you - seeing another cathedral or old city at this point would probably be a lot of repetition.

We are sorry that the Pestana Palace is not our destination hotel in Lisbon. It looks beautiful.

Cole

There is no such thing as an early dinner in Spain! 8:30 is actually quite early. [emoji846]

That said, you might be able to get some tapas earlier if the schedule permits.

 

 

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Thanks, I was afraid of that - but I doubt that we will starve! Looking forward to the other parts of the review - but be assured that there will be no photos of me playing Lucy and stomping the grapes. :p

Madrid and Toledo

 

 

After an excellent buffet breakfast, the buses departed at 15-minute intervals for the morning Madrid city tour. The tour was basically a drive around the city with a 30-minute stop at the bull ring, and a couple of photo before returning to the hotel around noon. We grabbed lunch at a tapas place a couple of blocks from the hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bullring Statue: Matador Saluting Alexander Lister,

discover of Penicillin which saved the lives of many matadors

 

 

 

 

Another Bullring Statue

 

 

In the afternoon we took the optional tour to Toledo, leaving the hotel around 2:00 p.m. and returning around 8:15. Toledo is an hour south of Madrid. Toledo is a beautiful old city, and I’m glad that we did this optional tour—well worth the money. After a photo stop from the south side of the city, we were dropped on the north side of Toledo where a series of escalators (I believe there were 5) took us to the old city.

 

 

 

Toledo City View

 

 

One of the Escalators to the Old City Center

 

 

The walking tour focused on the cathedral and also included a visit to Toledo’s old synagogue (no longer active) and a 30-minute break before the walk down to the buses waiting at St. Martin’s bridge. We were tired enough that we decided to forego a late dinner and just bought some bread and cheese at a grocery a block from the hotel and snack in our room.

 

 

Cathedral

I have a question related to the late return to Madrid from Toledo. Will we have time to have an early dinner in Toledo before boarding the bus to return to the hotel? That might be an option rather than waiting until 8:30!

Cole

Thank you - we are leaving the US October 13, so your review has come at the perfect time. Your suggestion of grabbing something locally rather than sitting down for a late night dinner after Toledo was a great one. Keep it coming!

Cole

PS: glad your surgery was a success!!!!

Let me jump in quickly before you get the usual chorus of “ you don’t spend much time in your room anyway” responses.

We very much enjoy the ability to watch the world go by from our own balcony, whether it’s in the morning, after tours, before the afternoon briefing or at night after dinner.

It’s a personal preference thing, like most of the choices when cruising, so I don’t understand why this question always gets the “it’s common knowledge that a balcony is not worth it on the river” response.

But I do agree that if rafting becomes the norm in most ports, then the balcony has a bit less value, but certainly will never be useless.

Just sayin’...

 

 

 

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Agree with everything you said - and if you are docked you can always go up top or you will be off the ship on excursions, etc. We always get a balcony and have never regretted it, in fact - some of the best photos we have taken have been early morning or at sunset from our cabin out the balcony door.

Cole

We used Blacklane last week from Nice to Monaco. They are all over Europe. Service was wonderful.

We can also give a thumbs up for Blacklane. Have used them many times and booked again in Madrid in October.

This is most likely a stupid question, but I will ask anyway! We will (hopefully) be cruising the Rhine river in Sept and I noted a few posts on here stating that cabin balconies can't always be used when moored as you may be right next to another ship & have no privacy or view. But is that true when you are sailing as well? People are posting about being 'rafted' to another ship? or not being able to sit on them at all. Just wondering what to expect. Cheers!

No question is stupid! Rafting only happens (occasionally) when you are moored. When you are sailing you have a great view from your balcony. You will want to be on top of the ship though when you sail through the Rhine Gorge to get picturesque views of the castles. This is a great cruise!

Cole

Until someone with experience responds, I would say that AC yes, outlets for charging unlikely.

All of the cruise lines will use the local bus companies and the ones we have been on were very comfortable - nice! Like another person said - A/C but not sure about charging stations. There were even toilets on some (not that anyone used them), plenty of rest stops on each excursion.

Cole

Hope you had a great trip! We are booked for the Sept 14 Lisbon to Madrid on the Douro, and I was hopeful you could let us know how the trip went. Anything we shouldn't (or should) miss?

We are on the Madrid to Douro in October, but this our second Douro cruise. We were on another ship, but enjoyed every excursion that was offered. One suggestion, if you have time on your own in Madrid, I would suggest that you do the Hop On tour of the city. The panoramic tour of the city is a bus ride, except maybe one or two stops. Doing the Hop On, you have the option of taking your time to see the beautiful city.

Cole

Have read terrible reviews about this ship and the staff. Has anyone recently toured thru Portugal on this ship? We leave Aug 1 and after reading the reviews, I am worried. This is our 3rd Uniworld cruise and I expected the same kind of service.

We did this cruise with Uniworld a couple of years ago and loved it. The difference between this cruise and other Uniworld cruises is that the ship is owned by a Portugal company and the staff are all Portuguese except maybe the concierge and director (I think that is what they are called), but the staff was great. So proud of their country and eager to please. Be ready for an abundance of delicious Port! Betting that you will love your time on the Douro. By the way, we are returning this October with another company, which we chose due to their offering a Harvest Themed cruise and a pre-cruise stay in Madrid.

Cole

Looking for travel insurance ideas when not purchasing through Viking, Thanks!

We have used Allianze and found it to be less than the river boat quotes. But you can do a google search and compare.

Cole

Thanks so much for your comments. I am encouraged now to repeat that cruise and, as you suggested, add something new to the beginning, the end or both while exploring the towns or cities on our own while docked. We just really enjoyed cruising along the rivers especially the Middle Rhine and the Wachau Valley sections. Again our thanks! Safe travels all.

Absolutely! We have repeated the Rhine, the Danube and will repeat the Douro in October. Each time we repeated, we did it during a different season, for instance Christmas markets, which makes the experience totally different. We have not repeated the Seine, but have considered it. We just wish that Europe had more rivers!!!!

Cole

We traveled with Vantage on the Elbe and have a Douro cruise booked with them on October. Have traveled with Gate 1, Avalon and Uniworld. No problems with Vantage. The only negative I can say is when you want to make a payment on your account, unlike other companies, you cannot do it on line. You have to call them direct (they do not use travel agents either) and speak with a customer service person. You get the sales talk every time, encouraging you to pay in full, use an e-check rather than a credit card, what other travels are you interested in, are you interested in any additional pre or post trips, etc. No beer or wine at lunch (unless you pay). Other than that - I would encourage you to check itineraries, size of cabins on the different ships and of course, price.

Cole

Last year we did the river cruise from Budapest to Bucharest and I believe there were 2 countries that had to have passport checks before we were allowed to disembark. One, in particular, did a face check of every passenger. We have traveled most of the other rivers in Europe and have never been delayed when docking for them to check passports. Of course, reception generally keeps your passport throughout the trip just in case.

Cole

Here are some reviews. https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=760

We have done the Douro once and going again in October, but with other companies. Great river to cruise. You travel from port to port during the day rather than in the evenings like other rivers, which is great for seeing beautiful scenery.

Cole

Since we River Cruisers usually travel by air to our sailings and shop for goodies, I would like to hear others' experiences.

 

Please note the NEW heightened security screening requirementsUS citizens are benefitting from.

I was surprised by these in April in Minneapolis whensecurity spent several minutes pawing and rubbing a cellophane SEALED tin ofDutch cookies I bought at the shop directly beside my international flightdeparture gate in Schiphol Airport IN a restricted area after I had gone through Dutch security. Obviously it was not in my checked baggage.Fortunately he backed off from pawing around in an opened box of handmadeBelgian truffles. Spekulas are one thing, truffles another. Admittedly, I didnot offer them for separate screening – how was I to know - I wasn't asked.

I would feel much safer if they spent more effort oncontrolling who gets into the employee entrances of airports instead of gropingmy chocolates.

So now, be prepared to take out your baby power, paprika,and chocolates for separate scanning. It is part of the increasing price oftraveling I am still prepared to pay.

From: USA TODAY – posted June 19, 2018

 

(Italics are my addition)

“The Transportation Security Administration beganscrutinizing containers of powders in fliers' carry-on bags last summer as partof a broader security push, and will soon ask foreign airports that sendflights directly to the U.S. to do the same. The focus is on containers holdingat least 350 milliliters of powder, which is about the size of a can of soda. (350ml is just under 11.9 oz)

. . .

TSA is urging passengers to pack larger containers in checkedluggage and remove smaller containers from carry-on bags for separatescreening, similar to small containers of liquids. (Powders include not onlycosmetic and medicinal powders but also spices.)

. . .

More recently, travelers noticed more scrutiny of food incarry-on bags this spring at TSA checkpoints. The challenge for securityofficials is to get a good look at objects in sometimes cluttered carry-onbags.

Rather than ban snacks or containers of powders, TSA isasking travelers to remove them from carry-on bags for a better view in theX-ray. The alternative is to risk a hand search of the bag, which slows downthe traveler and the line.

Everyday items, including some foods, books and magazines,powders, and large electronics may result in additional screening.”

From: USA TODAY – posted March 25, 2018

“The Transportation Security Administration might ask(actually they asked nothing and insisted on searching bags) travelers to take food out of their carry-on bags, but officials say it's toget a clearer picture of what's in the bag rather than scrutinizing a snack. They certainly scrutinized my and others cookies. They took jars of mustard that were 1/2 oz too large from another traveler.

 

 

Passengers at airports in Newark, N.J.; Atlanta; Los Angelesand San Francisco have noticed unfamiliar requests to remove food from carry-onbags in TSA checkpoint lines, along with customary requests about largerelectronics or smaller containers of liquids.

But TSA replied that there is no new policy governing food,and the request is simply to reduce clutter in bags for X-ray screening.”

We had packed a package of cheese that we had purchased at a cheese factory in Amsterdam in our checked baggage and when we arrived in Atlanta, we had added this to our customs documentation and were pulled aside and held in a holding room for over 30 minutes until they finally called us up to speak with one of the agents and when we told him the cheese was wrapped in paraffin, he said we could go. He didn't even check to see if that was true. Thankfully, we were not rushed to catch our connecting flight. But you can bet, we won't be purchasing any cheese in the near future.

Cole

We don't do suites either, but love the cabins with balcony on Avalon. The entire wall is a window and the bed faces that window, so the views are excellent. You also have a French Balcony. So, you might want to add them to your list of comparisons.

Cole