Ritabob

We have cruised in November (Rhine / Mosel) and over Christmas and New Year (Danube)

Weather can be somewhat grey and damp and quite chilly, or sunny and brisk. However it also means there are fewer crowds of tourists. The exception being the Christmas markets filled with holidayers.

Balconies are totally a personal call. We would not bother because when the weather is cold, we have no desire to have the doors open and would not think to stand out on a balcony....if the urge hits the upper deck provides a much better view.

Have also cruised in late April early May (Rhone / Soane ) springtime can also be a bit iffy, but again, less crowds and no oppressive heat.

Warm clothes, good footwear and a positive attitude and you can travel anytime!

Additional clarification regarding the Uniworld quiet vox system. The earpiece is not one of those ear buds that you jam into your ear, but has a section that hooks over your ear and the tiny speaker covers your ear like a tiny little ear muff. It is designed to fit over your left ear, as I recall.

As far as picking groups for the tours, the guides would be outside of the ship holding their 'lollypops' with Uniworld and a number on them (think of the school crossing guard holding a stop sign) . One was always designated for the gentle walking group and the rest were just there....go and stand next to the one you wanted to stand next to. If you felt it wasn't going to be the group for you, you just casually moved over to another group...maybe there were less people in the next one and you wanted to help balance the numbers :-)

As long as you were standing close to your guide when he / she turned on her microphone and your receiver picked up their signal all was good. Once the walk began you could wander and still hear their voice. If there was some interference from another guide as you were wandering you just turned off your receiver, walked up close to your guide and turned your vox box back on.

On our recent Uniworld tour upon checking in, our photo was taken to be electronically enmeshed with our room 'key'. This looked like a credit card. Every time we left the ship we were to flash the card at an electronic reader. Up popped our photo in the absent from the ship list. When returning, again, pass your card over the reader and your photo moved over to the on board side.

The quiet vox units were in in the closet in our cabin in a recharging dock. The daily newsletter indicated when we were to take them with us on tours. A great system.

Lyndaler,

While a river cruise ship is in port and the gangplank is open, you can hit the ground running off to do whatever you want! Just don't miss the boat when it sails off. :-)

We too, are Uniworld fans and will continue to sail with them. When you do set out on a guided tour you will have your own personal 'quietvox' set. A receiver you can hang around your neck or put in a pocket with an over the ear piece with adjustable volume. The guide will have a mic to speak into. You do not have to crowd around the guide at all. I was known to be window shopping half a block away admiring shoes while listen to a history lesson. Multi tasking at it's best.

If you are bored or not interested in the tour you are welcome to slip away to take photos or slip into a cafe or pub.

If a bus ride is required to get to the location of the tour, the guide will let you know where the bus for the return trip will be waiting and at what time. In larger centres public transit is usually nearby, or the tour director can help you with your plans.

It is/your vacation ....enjoy it by doing what makes you happy.

Greg,

Your cruise director or any of the ship's hotel staff should be able to call a taxi for you. Chances are slim there would be a cab just hanging around the docking area. This is an industrial area quite removed from the center of town.

Staff / crew would also be able to give you a time suitable for the pick up. All easily arranged.

Just thought of something else that does double duty....

For the ladies a 'pashmina' type of shawl..depends on the time of year....wrap it around your neck as a fashion statement....cover yourself on the plane if it gets too cool....use it as a wrap on board if it is a bit cool....use it as a blanket to lounge on in the park while eating your baguette and cheese....

Hi -

 

"Am curious what is was about your cruises with Viking and Scenic that moved them to the bottom of the list?...."

 

Subjective is the operative word. Although the original question dealt with the physical looks of the ships it is difficult to separate emotions from your memories.

 

Scenic with their fare price baiting and both lines with how they treated their passengers during last year's flooding. Passengers deserve to treated fairly....they are the reason for a company being in business. Customer care is paramount

Again, it is only my opinion :-)

We will jump in with Uniworld...one of their newer ships, although each one has it's own personality.

Would also demote Viking and Scenic to the bottom of the list.

IMHO

Los Pepes, I think you're out of luck as far as television coverage for the Masters. The ships/do have wifi, so if you have a laptop or tablet you might be able to get some information. That being said, the wifi can be a bit sketchy because it comes off satellites and when going through the locks it can disappear. Why not Pvr it and watch when you get home?

you'll be having too much fun and will be so busy maybe you won't even miss it?

I think it depends on location and convenience. We also like it if the hotel has an included breakfast...makes it easier to start the day.

We have had a cat 1 cabin with a sliding door and yet we prefer the cat 2 cabins. Each cabin has it's own thermostat so you can control the temperature level. Cool for sleeping and when it is time to get up it only took a short while to warm things up.

Lots of opportunity to get fresh air up on deck.

Have fun on the Queen. Our favourite Uniworld ship.

I know this has been mentioned before, but it might be new to some...if your suitcase is not packed solid, fill the empty spots with bubble wrap. When a suitcase has 'give' is when it has a better chance of being damaged. (Mine was the bottom one of a stack of 20 or so when ocean cruising....can you imaginethe damage the corner of the one above it can do? )

If (!) You have purchases that need additional packaging you're set, and if you just need the space, the bubble wrap can be passed along to someone else who would love to have it for their purchases.

A partial roll of duct tape is also one of those multi use items. Comes in handy to repair a damaged suitcase, and anything else that may sticking.

A medium sized hair clip...for your hair and for holding drapes together that don't quite meet and stay closed.

On our previous Uniworld cruises they have provided a luncheon in the lounge for the departing passengers waiting for their departure time and for the embarking passengers. The meal is not as elaborate as the buffet you will experience beginning the following day, but very tasty and satisfying.

We were on the Queen in 2012, on it's last cruise of the year . Only 60 passengers. Fabulous time.

To each his own.

These photos brought back wonderful memories of the Queen. We did not have any problem with the size of the cabin. Felt like it was our nest. Thought the shower was more than adequate and enough space in the closet for our clothes. Did prefer the larger dispenser for shampoo and lotions, really who wants to struggle with getting shampoo out of a tiny squeeze bottle?

Going green is extremely important in Europe. They are years ahead of north americans in their recycling efforts.

Must admit we did have stuff on the window ledge...books, maps, etc.

We were across the hall in 312 and loved it.

The 'wallpaper' is in fact embroidered fabric.

For us it was the cruise itself, the rivers, the history, the people we met , these were the important things.

If you feel the cabin size is too small, consider a suite.

Looking forward to the next Uniworld cruise...this Sunday on the Duchess and the Grand Christmas and New Year's cruise.

We were in cabin 312 on the River Queen and had no problem with engine noise. In reality the only noise 'issue' I can remember is entering a lock in the middle of the night. It was during our first night on board and we were dealing with jet lag, so were ready to wake up anyway.

People chatting while walking along the hall way were more noticeable than the engine. A very muffled sound at best.

Who is your captain? If it is Ludo, please say "Hi".

Sounds like both of your coats will be warm enough, but which one will repel possible rain or wet snow? Which is lighter in weight? Less bulky? Has the better pockets for Stashing stuff?

Uniworld also has bikes. Not many passengers want to ride when the weather gets chilly, but we found it delightful in November and even on the first of January in Vienna.

You might want to read about a Canadian river cruise-all-all-inclusive company...Jerry Vandyke.

Check in is so easy, however, please note you may not be able to get into your cabin until sometime in the afternoon. Remember earlier on the day of your arrival was the morning of departure of the previous cruise. The cabin crew have to clean all cabins and get them ready for you in a very short turnaround time.

Not to worry though. Your luggage will be stored and you can explore the ship, or your surroundings and you will be fed. Time to start decompressing. !

On occasion some of the cruise lines do waive the single supplement so as a solo traveller you get a regular cabin. The cruises are usually the first or last of the season. Hope this helps?