who to go with

[Rhonbru]

my husband would like us to do a european river cruise, we have done several ocean cruises before, I have always considered river cruises to be too expensive, I don't know how to decide which companies are better than others etc. what do fellow aussies think about all the river cruise ship companies....which are better even if they are more expensive than the other cruise lines.....whats the best time to go and what rivers are best.

[JillH]

I'm afraid I can't give you any advice re which company is better as I've only done one river cruise which I've only just this week returned from. Like you we had enjoyed ocean cruising and have always felt that on a cost per day basis the cost of river cruises is exorbitant compared to ocean cruises. I can however give you some suggestions to do it cheaper than normal. We obtained a 2 for one deal for a 14 day Amsterdam to Budapest cruise with APT. Now it didn't include the airfares but was substantially cheaper regardless. Now APT doesn't really advertise this but if you can travel with say 2 to 3 months notice, ring them up,to see what last minute deals they have. I found an app that specialises in finding cruise sales and has a search option under company called Mystery River Cruise. Lots are currently offered with dates currently showing up till the end of October this year. A Google search of the itinerary helps to identify the company concerned.

 

We enjoyed our river cruise, however for us we are happy to return to ocean cruises. We have not changed our opinion re value for money, even at the half price rate. It was just one of these things, like your husband we wanted to try.

 

 

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[kuldalai]

Caveat Emptor . The main players are AMA Waterways (APT), Scenic, and Avalon for Aussies . Evergreen is budget division of Scenic & Travel Marvel the budget division of APT.

 

Caveat Emptor . Beware of all the misleading advertising . Like fly free offers where the same crusie with another line is $ 1500 cheaper , all the first line has done is add in a wholesale air fare and then claims you fly free . There is no such thing as a free lunch .

 

We like Avalon, simple to understand price offerings; excellent product and great itineraries. ; and no single supplements on most European river cruises in 2017 .

 

With River cruises compared to ocean cruises, your grog is largely included plus virtually all shore excursions. With ocean cruises the hidden extra charges for specialty coffees, shore excursions, daily gratuity charges, and grog really do add up .

Edited August 20, 2016 by kuldalai

[Tara Jane]

We did APT back in 2007 had a wonderful time and always wanted to do it again with hubby who only recently discovered he does like holidays after all!!

In 2007 I went with a friend.

Next year hubby and I are going with Gate 1 an American company with an office in Melbourne. I expect the majority of passengers to be from the USA but as we are a group of 8 and it was a wonderful price, we will just go with the flow. In 2007 we got a true 2 for 1 deal, paying $2500 each for 14 nights Amsterdam to Budapest. Next year is $2999 for the same trip. Alcohol only at dinner but as none of us drink alcohol anyway it's not an issue.

I love the river cruises, but be sure to do your research and they are as different to the ocean cruises as chalk and cheese. If you love the glitzy life of a cruise ship you will be very disappointed with the river. Much more low key, not as many choices in the menu, only 1 dining room as only 140 odd passengers compared to several thousand passengers.

[MicCanberra]

There are plenty of other river cruise companies as well, but as mentioned, look at the whole package if they are offering flights and transfers, etc.

[wishfulone]

Don't go with any of the cheap companies. They really do offer a second rate experience. We accepted the offer of a cheap cruise and regret our decision. Couldn't wait to get back to the ocean. Everyone who loves their European River Cruise experience goes with one of the more expensive all inclusive companies such as Uniworld, Scenic or Evergreen.

Edited August 21, 2016 by wishfulone

[cruisine21]

Caveat Emptor . The main players are AMA Waterways (APT), Scenic, and Avalon for Aussies . Evergreen is budget division of Scenic & Travel Marvel the budget division of APT.

 

Caveat Emptor . Beware of all the misleading advertising . Like fly free offers where the same crusie with another line is $ 1500 cheaper , all the first line has done is add in a wholesale air fare and then claims you fly free . There is no such thing as a free lunch .

 

Scenic are currently running information sessions. We received received a brochure in the letterbox and guess what Free return flights included. Prices range from $6995 pp to $8245 pp. I guess the are some people who will book without shopping around.

Edited August 22, 2016 by cruisine21

[MicCanberra]

Don't go with any of the cheap companies. They really do offer a second rate experience. We accepted the offer of a cheap cruise and regret our decision. Couldn't wait to get back to the ocean. Everyone who loves their European River Cruise experience goes with one of the more expensive all inclusive companies such as Uniworld, Scenic or Evergreen.

 

Isn't Evergreen one of the cheapies?

[wishfulone]

Isn't Evergreen one of the cheapies?

 

Not sure. I thought they were dearer than some others. Having done Budapest to Amsterdam on the very, very cheap because we needed a quick break, I'd suggest others go with any company that includes all the 'special' experiences eg carriage ride into Budapest, restored train into Salzburg, is worth the extra few dollars. And really it's not much more in the scheme of things. You're already travelling to the other side of the world.

 

We'll most certainly try river cruising again. There are some wonderful cruises on offer, but we'll choose a mid to top range company next time. The cheaper company we went with on our first river cruise was truly cattle class when it came to the 'experience' of river cruising.

[The_Big_M]

Scenic are currently running information sessions. We received received a brochure in the letterbox and guess what Free return flights included. Prices range from $6995 pp to $8245 pp. I guess the are some people who will book without shopping around.

 

Given the increased competition there have been flights included in recent sales so they are a free inclusion, compared to previous sales at the same price without flights.

 

The market's always changing as supply and demand do (supply is more the issue right now).

[MicCanberra]

Not sure. I thought they were dearer than some others. Having done Budapest to Amsterdam on the very, very cheap because we needed a quick break, I'd suggest others go with any company that includes all the 'special' experiences eg carriage ride into Budapest, restored train into Salzburg, is worth the extra few dollars. And really it's not much more in the scheme of things. You're already travelling to the other side of the world.

 

We'll most certainly try river cruising again. There are some wonderful cruises on offer, but we'll choose a mid to top range company next time. The cheaper company we went with on our first river cruise was truly cattle class when it came to the 'experience' of river cruising.

 

Oh, I am surprised as Kuldalai had posted that Evergreen were the budget arm of Scenic, so I assumed they must be one of the cheap ones. I suppose being budget doesn't necessarily mean cheap.

[cruisine21]

Don't go with any of the cheap companies. They really do offer a second rate experience. We accepted the offer of a cheap cruise and regret our decision. Couldn't wait to get back to the ocean.

 

Which company was the cheap cruise?

[wishfulone]

Which company was the cheap cruise?

 

We went with Travel Marvel -the lower grade APT. IN their defence, the on board accommodation was excellent. The room stewards and waiters were wonderful without exception. Our issue was with the boarding school regimentation. Do this, be there, eat now and the lack of quality inclusions. I think ocean cruises particularly with Princess, have ruined us for this type of herd mentality travel on a ship.

[MicCanberra]

We went with Travel Marvel -the lower grade APT. IN their defence, the on board accommodation was excellent. The room stewards and waiters were wonderful without exception. Our issue was with the boarding school regimentation. Do this, be there, eat now and the lack of quality inclusions. I think ocean cruises particularly with Princess, have ruined us for this type of herd mentality travel on a ship.

 

I am not sure I would like that either, perhaps when I am finished with ocean cruises.

[The_Big_M]

Similar arrangement to coach tours.

 

Both require it because you get tours as well. Nobody likes to hang around for ages waiting for stragglers, which cuts into sightseeing time.

[Rhonbru]

thank you for your messages, I went to flight center and got some brochures for scenic apt and travelmore, most seem to have similiar prices, looked up viking on the net and they seem to be more expensive, at the moment we seem to going towards apt, I made sure that we could detour to london to visit a family friend on the cruises that included air fares, personally I think they are too expensive but my husband really wants to go and he has parkinson disease so we need to do want he wants while he is still mobile

[wishfulone]

thank you for your messages, I went to flight center and got some brochures for scenic apt and travelmore, most seem to have similiar prices, looked up viking on the net and they seem to be more expensive, at the moment we seem to going towards apt, I made sure that we could detour to london to visit a family friend on the cruises that included air fares, personally I think they are too expensive but my husband really wants to go and he has parkinson disease so we need to do want he wants while he is still mobile

And what's the good of money if you don't have your health? Go with Scenic or APT. Their prices are reasonable and fairly close but compare all the inclusions and any optional extras. If there's something you particularly want to see or experience make sure it's in the package. Have a great holiday.

[NSWP]

I went to the Batemans Bay travel show today, The local big T/A had a few River Cruise companies there, including 'Riviera' Swiss owned, the Brits do a lot of them. They had 14 day cruises for AU$2900. Bargain.

 

Drinks not included, but what the heck, I don't like paying for other peoples drinks on these 'all inclusive' like APT/Scenic. Couple of glasses of vino before/with dinner enough for us.