Stratheden

We are on the Scenic Jade on the Jewels of Europe river Cruise in September, we are then on the Scenic Gem in early October followed by the Scenic Emerald on the South of France River cruise in late October.

As we all know, we are at the mercy of the weather, the locks and the lock workers but hopefully everything will go as planned.

No point in being pessimistic or we would never go anywhere.

Europeans who emigrated to US, Canada, Aistralia or NZ would have all left via the same ports.

My husbands GGGrandfather arrived in 1850 from Hamberg. I am sure many others from other countries will have similar ancestors and would be interested in following up where in Europe they came from and who his ancestors were.

Is there a particular building in each town or city that we should go to in order to find historical records? I think that would be helpful. Eg, is it the Town Hall?

I may be expecting too much - please just say so.

all the ships DONOT have jr.suites(from brochure details).

Maybe majority of ships similar,but NOT ALL.

Also, the new one for France,DOES NOT have jr.suites,or tubs in ANY of the cabins.

If they switch ships on me,I WILL BE VERY UPSET,unless exactly similar.Or expect large refund for paying for cabin I DIDNT GET>:(

Alexandra, what ship are you expecting to travel on?

I should have said we booked the crystal and boarded the diamond with no advance warning. scenic considers their ships identical, despite age or updates.

 

 

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Was this during the high water and lock problems when many companies had to change ships? Or was it later in the year?

Hello Ingo,

 

this sounds like an interesting - and massive - project. May I suggest for 1.) also: Art Nouveau including Arts & Crafts (although some people prefer to put the latter into 19th century) and genealogy. Genealogy is a wide topic, but perhaps it fits in. For example the family Rockefeller can be traced back to a specific village in Germany. Or the waves of emigration in the 19th century from Palatine to the Americas...

 

Perhaps for 2.): Spa towns (the modern word wellness might fit in here as well). There is actually a German company that offers such a themed cruise. Cannot recall the name at the moment.

 

Thank you for your efforts.

 

notamermaid

 

Still have not been to Nuremberg by the way, high on my list for must-sees. I am a railway enthusiast. :o :)

I will second the genealogy topic. Genealogy is a very popular hobby in Australia.

Yes Crochet Queen that is exactly our thinking. It is so far from here to anywhere that we usually combine a few things to make it worthwhile.

Last year our travel time to Toronto, Ca was 28 hours door to door.

I'm sure you will enjoy your time away also.

We are also doing 3 B2B river cruises in September/October this year. We are doing Prague for 4 nights on our own then training to Budapest where we cruise for 14 nights to Amsterdam. After 4 nights post cruise in Amsterdam we train to Bruges for 2 nights then train to Paris where we board a 10 night Gems of the Seine cruise. We then spend 3 nights post/pre nights in Paris before joining a 12 night South of France river cruise. We have 2 nights post cruise in Nice.

I am almost afraid to mention that we a travelling with Scenic. :-)

We are getting really excited - 229 days till we leave. We are spending a couple of weeks in the UK before Prague.

For me it would depend on how quickly I could get over the jet lag and to make sure I was covered for any mixed connections etc.

Cabin VERY red. Public area VERY dark. Sorry not for me.

I have looked on Uniworld's website at all of the River Boats and feel that they are all over the top with their soft furnishings. In such confined spaces I find less is best.

JMHO

I believe all river cruise staff are multi tasking quite a lot.

I'd give them a chance to get you all settled in before commenting on the service you receive.

Njjeter

I am so sorry that you have had this horrible experience. I hope this doesn't deter you from future travel. Hopefully you have travel insurance and will not be out of pocket.

We have found that it is always best to arrive at least two days early for a couple of reasons.

1. Get over the jetlag at your own pace - not whilst trying to take in a busy schedule of sightseeing.

2. Gives you time to sort out any travel hiccups that unfortunately do occur.

Perhaps 'cruiseryyc' could comment on the food as he/ she found it.

I would really appreciate a more recent review of the food being served.

Would love to know the brand and the dimensions of your new cases. It would be great to have 'carry on' only.

We are doing 10 weeks in Europe in 2014 - think that may stretch it a bit though. :)

Thanks Peg, looks enchanting. Have a wonderful cruise. Looking forward to your posts.

and now ALL BOOKED UP for 2014.So now will have to wait till 2015,it seems.Do let us know how you like this one.As said,taking my first Scenic one in June 2014.Booked 1 yr in advance,but wanted jr.suite and just thought THAT was booked so far in advance,amazed ALL cabins booked.

Wish they d offer MORE cruises.As said,other companies are doing route,but this is ONLY one with balcony.;)

Are you only interested in a Junior Suite? There is one available on 16th September sailing according to the website.

As soon as someone can explain to me why some people seem to get upset about a choice somebody makes that has no impact on anyone else. After all, if I choose not to get a passport and miss the ship it only affects me.

Please don't think that I am upset if you choose not to get a passport. That is your choice. All I asked was why you would make that choice.

I hope that it would not affect me by holding up a departure because you did not have the correct paperwork. If the only person that it affects is you then go for it. Just don't ever complain about any problems you may incurr nor ever recommend or encourage someone else to do the same thing.

Scenic have a new boat for the Seine in 2014. It is smaller than their other river boats. Will only be taking 128 passengers.

We have booked for the 6th October, 2014.

Can someone please explain the obvious resistence some posters have expressed about getting a passport?

I simply cannot understand it.

setting aside the arrogance that implies (IMHO), was she able to buy anything? In some places, especially the old USSR countries, it is very hard for locals to convert dollars into local currency. I may be wrong, and again it's only my opinion, but I think when people travel they show respect for their host country by a) learning a few polite phrases like please, thank you and good morning/afternoon/evening and b) not insisting that all shopkeepers /taxi drivers/waiters/porters/hotel maids, etc. accept US dollars, which implies that ours is better than theirs.

I could not have said it any better. Thank you

I'm sure I'll get flamed for this but here goes. There are two types of cruise reviews I discount, those that say every thing was perfect and those that say everything was wrong. The OPs comments sure fall into the latter category. I have been on cruises with people who had the OP's attitude. Always try and stay as far away from them as we can.

I couldn't agree more.

S&B

I cannot find a reference to how much you have paid so far for this trip.

Have you paid for air also?

This whole procedure of Vantage is totally unacceptable as far as I can see.

If you search for 'pandaw' in the 'River Cruising' section - NOT the 'River Cruise Ports - Asia' section you will find many threads about the Pandaw line.

And as for the food, we had to ask the Cruise director to have a non pork based meal prepared as there was nothing on the menu that was not pork based and the kitchen staff had already said there was nothing he could do - although the cruise director was able to have something prepared.

I am sorry your trip was such a disappointment for you. I haven't travelled on a Viking cruise so I cannot comment on Viking specifically.

But I was under the impression that vegetarians were catered for on most river cruises - is this not so on Viking? I always feel that if I can't find something that I like, I can always have the vegetarian option.

Perhaps others who have travelled on Viking can comment on the usual menus. Did Weejohnw just strike a very bad chef/kitchen staff or is there very little choice on the menus.

I am sure this will help a lot of future cruisers when choosing a river cruise.

 

Viking and other companies did the best they could under extreme circumstances, that were beyond their control. This was not a mechanical breakdown of their boats, or the fault of their staff. They should have been complimented on the very fact that they were able to find/arrange alternative transportation, lodging, food, and tours for their passengers at that time.

I also agree with Milling73. You know what the Terms and Conditions of River Cruising are when you sign up to go. How anyone can expect umpteen river cruises to find 5* accommodation for everyone at the time of a national disaster is totally beyond me.

Totally like! :)

 

I didn't think females could have hemophilia? They just carry it for their male offspring.

Female haemophilia is rare but it does exist. My grand daughter is a haemophiliac. (So is her brother).