GCT Rhine & Mosel - Questions

[PCruzer]

We are looking at some of the optional tours offered on the Romance of the Rhine & Mosel river cruise. We will be doing this trip, with the Bruges pre-tour and Lucerne post-tour, in September. In Bonn, we were thinking of doing the Augustusburg Palace Tour. We have never been to Bonn, so do you think that we would be missing too much if we only do the walking tour in the morning? The next day in Cochem there is an included tour of Reichsburg Castle. We were also thinking of the optional tour to Marksburg Castle from Boppard. Do you think we will be all "castled out" by that time? Also, what about Traben Trarbach? Did anyone opt to do the full-day tour to Luxembourg from there? What did you think of the tour? Did you feel you missed alot by not seeing Traben Trarbach? What about Greffern? Was there a lot to see there? If we did the Baden-Baden tour would we miss too much in Traben Trarbach? We have seen pictures of the optional tour to Kleine Scheidegg from the Lucerne post-tour and thought the scenery looked beautiful. We plan on doing that tour.

 

We are just not sure how many of these optional tours we should do. They are not super expensive, but they do add up! If anyone has any insight on any of these tours, we would be interested to hear your opinions. Thanks!

[AZPam]

I got a post card from GCT the other day advertising this trip. Sure wish I could go! I was surprised at how many optional tours there were and the cost involved. Like you said, they aren't super expensive, but do add up. The only thing I can add is that I really love Baden-Baden and wouldn't miss it, would also do the Alscace tour out of Strausbourg too.

[Diane in PA]

received an email with a reduced price and had a few questions about the trip insurancel. I read that there are other companies with better insurance - any comments on this!

[AZPam]

received an email with a reduced price and had a few questions about the trip insurancel. I read that there are other companies with better insurance - any comments on this!

 

Go to http://www.insuremytrip.com and check them out. Be sure to get an insurance that is in "first" position so if you have any claims you don't have to claim on your own medical or home insurance first. Highly recommend buying insurance from somebody other than the cruise line you will be traveling with.

[Diane in PA]

I checked it out and found the difference only to be about $20.00 Did I do something wrong?

[rogerdawhip]

I have done this trip twice in the past 3 years. You can skip the Augustusburg Palace Tour. To me it was a waste of time and money. The others are well worth the money especially Marksburg Castle. There is not much to Traben Trarbach. It can be seen on less than an hour and if you skipped it you would not miss anything.

[AZPam]

I checked it out and found the difference only to be about $20.00 Did I do something wrong?

 

Check the amount of coverage because you will typically get better coverage too

[Carhut]

Pcruzer - I think you used me last year for reference to get a discount. I just want to thank you if it was you. My friend and I are looking at doing the Rhine & Mosel or the Great Rivers. I've done both, and it's a toss up which is the best. I really liked the Mosel River, Bernkastel and Trier. Pam's advice is right on. I agree with what she said.

As far as insurance, I always buy from a company other than the cruise company I'm going with. I usually get one from Insure my trip.com. I always look at the medical and the evacuation payments. Those are the biggies in my estimation. On one cruise a lady fell and broke her leg. Had to have surgery and the doctor wouldn't release her from the hospital until they made arrangements for a nurse to fly home with her. So they had to fly a nurse over, so she could attend her on the way back to Mich. I'm willing to bet the total cost of her surgery, doctors, hospital, flights home with nurse were going to cost more than what the medical on GCT's insurance paid. If you are on Medicare, it doesn't pay out of the country. Some private insurances might, but you should check it out.

[PCruzer]

Pcruzer - I think you used me last year for reference to get a discount. I just want to thank you if it was you. /quote]

 

Carole-

Sorry, but you must be thinking of someone else, as my sister referred me to GCT. I do recall that you answered many questions for me before our first river cruise last September - The Seine: Paris to Normandy. Thank you! Your insight was invaluable and right on the mark. This year it is the Rhine & Mosel in Sept for us. We are trying to figure out which optional tours to take and which to pass up.

[frac]

We did this cruise in May and loved it. My mobility is not 100% so that was a factor. Our PD on another trip advised that Marksburg was not doable asw it is not improved, has alot of stairs with NO handrails. Reichsburg castle itself is OK but the approach is very steep. I made it with many stops to rest.

The trip to Luxembourg was great and we heartily recommend it. The bus drivers are wizards at navigating the narrow streets in the Old City.

The post-trip in Lucerne is very good. We did all the optionals and loved them! They are very good values. Also loved Brussels on a previous trip.

Most of the towns are good for walking and there was good shopping in Antwerp and I liked Boppard. There is wonderful ice cream in all the towns!

One of the best trips was to the Stork Park in Hunniwihr. Do take it if it isw available.

I would do this trip again and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

 

Pat

[Carhut]

Pcruzer - I think you used me last year for reference to get a discount. I just want to thank you if it was you. /quote]

 

Carole-

Sorry, but you must be thinking of someone else, as my sister referred me to GCT. I do recall that you answered many questions for me before our first river cruise last September - The Seine: Paris to Normandy. Thank you! Your insight was invaluable and right on the mark. This year it is the Rhine & Mosel in Sept for us. We are trying to figure out which optional tours to take and which to pass up.

 

 

OK, but somebody from Long Island did used me for reference and I got some credits from them. Just wanted to thank them, but never found them. I have their names but never see them on CC.

 

As far as the castles - I didn't go to the Marksburg because of steep incline and narrow stairs, etc. that we were warned about before hand. Others that did told me it was good thing I didn't go. I guess if you are in good shape it would be all right. We didn't have the other castles on my itinerary in 2006. We did go to a Rheinfels castle but the bus drove us up there and it was included with the trip. We did this from Boppard. The other castles, Reichburg & Augustusburg (or whatever) weren't offered on my cruise. They've changed the itinerary some. When they give the port talks you can find out more info and decide if you want to go on some of the tours or not.

 

The Baden-Baden tour was included in 2006. Nice tour and the boat ride through Strasbourg was delightful (also included). Did take the optional Alsatian tour. Very enjoyable. Recommend it. Didn't go on the Luxembourg tour as it was Sunday and rainy day. We opted to stay on the boat and cruise the Mosel River and enjoy the scenery from the lounge. If I took this trip again and I might, I'd definitely go to Luxembourg.

 

Hope this helps and answers some of your questions.

[PCruzer]

Thanks to all who responded. It gives us a better idea of what to expect in regard to optional tours. There are quite a few optionals on this trip. Won't be doing them all, so want to choose carefully! Thanks again!

[Cruise Betty]

I have never been on a river boat cruise,being an ocean cruise lover but I was browsing this thread and wanted to give you my thoughts.

Boppard is a lovely town just to spend the day in. I visited there for a week two years ago and loved it so much, my husband and I bought an apartment, right on the Rheinallee,so that we can sit on the balcony with a glass of wine and watch all the boats go up and down the river. We go out there at every opportunity.

 

The Marksburg Castle is wonderful, the only original medieval castle on the Rhine.It was the only one not captured and destroyed by the French in the Napoleonic wars. Most others have been rebuilt and refurbished, with varying degrees of flights of fancy,although interesting enough. The Marksburg is not however for anyone who is not reasonably fit.

 

There is however a lot to see in Boppard. If it is a nice day,take a trip up the Sessellift (chair lift) to Gedeons Ecke, where there is the most beautiful view of the huge horseshoe bend of the Rhine on which Boppard sits.Nice cafe there too, where you can sit and admire the view,with a meal or a glass of wine.

[PCruzer]

Cruise Betty -

 

Thank you for the response. Your description of Boppard is playing vividly through my mind. It sounds absolutely lovely. My husband and I will definitely go to Marksburg Castle. I don't believe we will have a problem. Have you been to Luxembourg? We were thinking of doing the optional tour there. Someone told us to skip Augustusburg Palace.

 

BTW, we also have done many large ocean-type cruises. Mostly on Holland America but a few other lines sprinkled in there, too. We did our first river cruise last Sept. in France on the Seine. Really loved it. Many of the other passengers asked us, after we did the river cruise, if we would go back to large cruise ships. I told them that the two are completely different, and it's not a one or the other type of thing. We love ocean cruising as much as we loved the river cruise. They are just two different animals!

 

Again, thanks for your input!

[Carhut]

Just booked the Rhine and Mosel today for Aug. 30. I've done this one before, 3 years ago. There are some changes in itinerary and now I'm wondering which optional tours I want to take. Some I've done before and others are new. I didn't go to Luxenburg the last time, so definitely want to do that one. Decisions, decisions. Oh what fun just planning and having something to look forward to. Hope I hear from those that go before my river cruise as to what they thought of the various tours.

[happy taveler]

Carole Were you on the Romance of the Rhine & Mosel Curise o6.30/06 to 07/19/06? I was on that one and I have to agree with you that it was one great cruise. My nephew taught for the U of Maryland at the different military bases a number of years ago and had an apartment in Traben-Trarbach so I got to go over and visit with him several times. There are so many interesting towns along there to visit.

Dan

[Carhut]

Carole Were you on the Romance of the Rhine & Mosel Curise o6.30/06 to 07/19/06? I was on that one and I have to agree with you that it was one great cruise. My nephew taught for the U of Maryland at the different military bases a number of years ago and had an apartment in Traben-Trarbach so I got to go over and visit with him several times. There are so many interesting towns along there to visit.

Dan

 

No, I went Aug. 25, 2006.

[don_ken]

We did this trip last fall. On the add-on to Lucerne, our GCT guide offered us a day trip to Bern. It was wonderful and if it is offered (not a CGT tour), do not pass it up. You might even plan ahead and do it on your own. It's just a short train ride from Lucerne and well worth it and a beautiful city with very interesting shops.

 

Marksberg Castle was wonderful. Agustusberg was great but just a smaller version of "The residence" in Wurzburg. The chapel and town were pleasent to visit.

 

We thought the Luxemburg tour was not worth the time. The American and German cementarys were an emotional experience but Luxemburg was just multiple banks and very expensive shops.

Don

[travelite]

received an email with a reduced price and had a few questions about the trip insurancel. I read that there are other companies with better insurance - any comments on this!

 

You can do better with other companies for trip insurance. It is generally not advised to buy travel insurance from the supplier of the trip/tour.

[travelite]

I have never been on a river boat cruise,being an ocean cruise lover but I was browsing this thread and wanted to give you my thoughts.

Boppard is a lovely town just to spend the day in. I visited there for a week two years ago and loved it so much, my husband and I bought an apartment, right on the Rheinallee,so that we can sit on the balcony with a glass of wine and watch all the boats go up and down the river. We go out there at every opportunity.

 

The Marksburg Castle is wonderful, the only original medieval castle on the Rhine.It was the only one not captured and destroyed by the French in the Napoleonic wars. Most others have been rebuilt and refurbished, with varying degrees of flights of fancy,although interesting enough. The Marksburg is not however for anyone who is not reasonably fit.

 

There is however a lot to see in Boppard. If it is a nice day,take a trip up the Sessellift (chair lift) to Gedeons Ecke, where there is the most beautiful view of the huge horseshoe bend of the Rhine on which Boppard sits.Nice cafe there too, where you can sit and admire the view,with a meal or a glass of wine.

 

Since you are part time residence of the area, do you have any suggestions for Speyer? We're there from early morning to 11 p.m.

How long does it take to Gedeons Ecke from Boppard and how do you get there? I think we are docked in Boppard from 8:30a.m. to 2:30p.m.

I've been to Marksburg Castle and agree it is wonderful. This trip I want to get to Burg Eltz along the Mosel (Moselkern train station). I have detailed directions for the 90 min. hike from the train station. I'd do the hike if I had time, but I will not given the cruise schedule. Is there another way to get there? I don't mind the last 10 min. walk from the car drop off point -- maybe a local tour service? car rental? I got taxi quotes which are reasonable if we find 2 additional people to share. The river cruise is not offering an optional tour to Burg Eltz.

[travelite]

I checked it out and found the difference only to be about $20.00 Did I do something wrong?

 

Be sure to read ALL the fine print and compare all the details. I'm not a big fan of travel insurance and especially not from the provider of a tour or cruise. I had 2 incidents with trip insurance that proved very frustrating. The policy was actually worthless. I wound up getting reimbursed from other sources and nothing from the travel insurance company. Granted, if you are on Medicare, you might want to find a travel policy that covers medical issues. American Express offers one.

[JerseyGem]

Since you are part time residence of the area, do you have any suggestions for Speyer? We're there from early morning to 11 p.m.

How long does it take to Gedeons Ecke from Boppard and how do you get there? I think we are docked in Boppard from 8:30a.m. to 2:30p.m.

I've been to Marksburg Castle and agree it is wonderful. This trip I want to get to Burg Eltz along the Mosel (Moselkern train station). I have detailed directions for the 90 min. hike from the train station. I'd do the hike if I had time, but I will not given the cruise schedule. Is there another way to get there? I don't mind the last 10 min. walk from the car drop off point -- maybe a local tour service? car rental? I got taxi quotes which are reasonable if we find 2 additional people to share. The river cruise is not offering an optional tour to Burg Eltz.

 

It may not be hard to find two other adventurers on the cruise. Also, if you don't have arrangements in advance, talk to the PD on your cruise. We have found them incredibly helpful and resourseful . . . they will go out of their way to get you connected to what you want to do.

[travelite]

It may not be hard to find two other adventurers on the cruise. Also, if you don't have arrangements in advance, talk to the PD on your cruise. We have found them incredibly helpful and resourseful . . . they will go out of their way to get you connected to what you want to do.

 

I have found in the past 2 years that the PDs on board are less knowledgeable and helpful when you want to go off on your own independent explorations. They seem to focus on selling the tours offered by the ship. A taxi is always a last minute option, but in the smaller cities along the river they are often difficult to find.

[JerseyGem]

I have found in the past 2 years that the PDs on board are less knowledgeable and helpful when you want to go off on your own independent explorations. They seem to focus on selling the tours offered by the ship. A taxi is always a last minute option, but in the smaller cities along the river they are often difficult to find.

 

Fortunately, this was not our experience (in Spring 2008 and summer 2007) with GCT. Our PD's were very helpful to those who wanted to "do their own thing" (at one point they helped arrange for two couples to leave the ship for a few days- to see friends in a nearby area- and then rejoin us at a later stop). As for taxis, they must be called (the PD's did this) rather than finding a random one waiting at the dock (as at ocean cruise ports). On GCT, the PD's are independent contractors (that is, they aren't GCT employees). And of course, they're working for tips too- which probably was some incentive to be helpful LOL.

[travelite]

Fortunately, this was not our experience (in Spring 2008 and summer 2007) with GCT. Our PD's were very helpful to those who wanted to "do their own thing" (at one point they helped arrange for two couples to leave the ship for a few days- to see friends in a nearby area- and then rejoin us at a later stop). As for taxis, they must be called (the PD's did this) rather than finding a random one waiting at the dock (as at ocean cruise ports). On GCT, the PD's are independent contractors (that is, they aren't GCT employees). And of course, they're working for tips too- which probably was some incentive to be helpful LOL.

 

Thanks for the information specific to GCTs PDs. I did base my statement on larger ships and pkg. land tour guides. On GCT, I did find if an optional tour was offered, but you wanted to do the same on your own, it was discouraged. You may ask why do it on your own. We had a different focus for the area and wanted to continue on to include another attraction to make better use our time. I will add that all the GCT optional tours that we have taken have been excellent and fairly priced. The GCT PDs were very knowledgeable, friendly, and at least one of them, always available. Our GCT PD personally escort everyone on our transfer to the ticketing area at the airport for our return flights. So often, your transfer to the airport just drops you & luggage at the curb; you're left to navigate the maze on your own. I've taken 2 other river cruises with different companies. GCT did not have had the most "luxurious" ships, but their ships are very nice. What GCT did have was: by far the best service on board; the best PDs; the best tours; the happiess and most friendly passengers & crew.