River Cruising Latest Topics

The while-we-wait-for-river-cruises photo quiz

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 20:12:52 +0000

Let us play a game! Relieve the boredom and frustration about not cruising. Relive memories and look forward to your next river cruise with photos of past cruising and future cruises - booked, planned or hoped for. This means everyone can play with a photo of a place they have been to or a photo of a place that they would like to go to.

Here is how it works, that means my suggestions for the rules.

Name what is in the photo. First guess the river. After that name the town/city/place. The poster should say how precise an answer they want. You can post any photo of a place on a river or cnanal navigable by river cruise ships anywhere in the world. I would include in that the few inland bodies of water that are suitable. You can make it as easy or hard as you like. Perhaps not too obscure...

The prize: the one who guesses the place right gets to post the next photo!

If you want you can immediately say: I know, I know, it is ...! I have been there!

If after let us say a few days nobody can get it right, post a clue or tell us directly. Then you can go again with another photo and the others will try to name what is in that photo.

Hope to keep this going during the long winter days. Quite a few rivers to explore, so many photo ops.

Oh, yes, when someone has guessed right, and you announce the winner, perhaps tell us a little story around the photo.

"Intermittent comments" welcome . Keep it fun and not too strict.

I will start off with my photo. Please guess the river you think this might be on:

notamermaid

River Cruisers: How Are Things Where YOU Are?

Sat, 21 Mar 2020 16:18:20 +0000

Across Cruise Critic forums, members have been sharing their experiences during these unprecedented times - telling us how life is for them in their locality, so we thought it might be a good idea to set up such a topic within the various cruise line ‘communities’.

Please post here to let us all know how things are for you.

New thread for articles/concerns about cruise operator viability

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 03:10:40 +0000

I'm new here, so if this is out of bounds, please forgive me, chastise me, and moderate my post as needed 😉

My first post yesterday dealt with paying for my cruise well in advance (1 year) in order to get a discount. Several folks expressed reservations about that. I was appreciative of that perspective/advice and I'm currently thinking (I have until early April) about whether I want to pay early and get that early-pay discount or not. In addition, I saw a post in another thread that speculated upon whether a certain cruise operator would remain a going concern over the next year or so.

I'm hoping we can walk a responsible tightrope here. I would personally find it interesting to hear people's concerns about various cruise operators (I don't think that's out of bounds, since people have posted these opinions in other threads) - but would find it MORE helpful if people posted why the feel that way and, even better, point us to articles if they exist about what gives them pause about certain cruise providers. Is there an article you've read that gives concern? Something you've heard? In the case of my previous thread, a comment from a TA?

I'm not trying to start a trash-talking thread here by any means. But I also thought it might be useful to have a thread that provides some information (even if that blends a bit too readily into gossip) about why people might be concerned about certain cruise providers.

Have heard negative things about Viking

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 19:40:01 +0000

A travel agent friend called Viking "the Carnival of river cruises" but we are thinking of taking one anyway, though we've avoided them in the past , partly because of her comment. We were going to do a Christmas Market cruise on Grand Circle or Gate 1 but they are almost all booked. Yes, Viking costs about 25% more (though still a lot less than many others) but has SO many ships so lots of availability. Any comments pro or con?

Cities along the Elbe

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 19:16:36 +0000

We are looking at booking the Cities along the Elbe. We have sailed on the Rhine a couple of times. I know this would be a smaller ship. I was just wondering if anyone has done this cruise and how you liked it.

Thank you

Viking or Tauck on the Rhine

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 13:29:28 +0000

Both of these River Cruises are 8 days Paris - Paris. Viking is on the Viking Skaga and Tauck is Ms Sapphire. Not a big difference in money. This is our 1st trip to France, 1st time on a River Cruise - does anyone have any preference between these two??? Any and all help would be appreciated. We would arrive a couple days early in France and then travel to Venice after for about a 2 week trip total. Thank you!!!!

Lucerne Post Nights

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 21:00:19 +0000

Does anyone know what hotels Avalon uses for it's post nights in Lucerne? Also, when you sign on for post nights does that usually include tours and meals or are you on your own for these kind of things? Have not river cruised before, so I am not sure how the post nights work.

Tauck Christmas Markets Cruise

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:51:45 +0000

We are very independent travelers and love to self schedule Christmas Market trips and travel from city to city via trains. Hopefully, we will be in Germany this (2021) December.

I am considering a Tauck Rhine Christmas Market tour for 2022 as a change of pace and our first river cruise. We did land tour with them and it was splendid. It is appealing to not packing and repacking for 8 days.

We have great flexibility and my question is: Are there advantages to either North bound or South bound? No matter which way we go, we will take DBahn to other cities. Flying in and out might make the direction decision, and we frequently do multiple cities as far as in/out with Delta. Thank you

The ever increasing popularity of river cruising

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 11:07:13 +0000

Here is a cruise critic article on the popularity of river cruising among UK travellers:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6885

A recent study published by IG River Cruise shows that in 2015, for the first time, North-American travellers outnumbered German travellers on European river cruises.

The German news agency dpa issued an article.

But more on that later.

notamermaid

The Elbe river 2021 - not just water levels

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:31:16 +0000

Here is the thread on the Elbe river for 2021.

The river, notorious in its upper reaches for low water in recent years, actually had a good year for sailing in 2020. Join us again this year with comments and tips. Hopefully 2021 will be a good one with plenty of water - but not too much - in the Elbe, from Prague all the way to Hamburg.

Safe travels.

notamermaid

Rhine water levels 2021 and similar topics

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:20:44 +0000

Greetings from the Rhine valley. Here is the thread for 2021 for everything related to the water levels of the Rhine and bits of information on the river.

Things are quiet along the river, even barges and tankers are not sailing for much of its length as flooding has halted shipping. The weather is mild but wintery. Rain and some snow in the hills are with us on most days and have made the river rise to unpleasant levels.

Through the year we will look at the river's levels and what else may be happening that could be of interest to river cruisers. Join us again with your comments and hopefully as we make our way into Spring and Summer we will hear of river cruises actually happening.

Where ever your trips may take you this year - safe travels.

notamermaid

Questioning my confidence in river cruising again

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 19:35:00 +0000

Maybe it is the constant negative news and press about rising cases, mutated variants, lack of vaccine and a prolonged Stay At Home mode but I am slowing losing my confidence about river cruising again. I would need to believe that everyone, passengers, crews, guides etc, will have been vaccinated. Also concerned about the towns, villages and places we would tour. I know it is early days yet and there is light at the end of this tunnel but right now it feels a bit iffy to gather in crowds for a long long time. I believe that cruise lines will do everything they can to make it safe but still. Am I suffering Covid fatigue or is the reality that our beloved form of travel may not come back as it was? You?

River Cruising Water Cooler

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 05:18:34 +0000

I didn't want to hijack @notamermaid's photo quiz thread, but I did want to share this guided tour of a Polish Salt Mine [work with me here, it's not Dostoyevskian or Solzhenitsyn-Gulag – it's actually an artistic triumph]. Check it out, and feel free to post your own quasi-river-cruising-related material.

Polish_Salt_Mine1.pdf

vaccination against Covid-19 required when river cruising - news, policies, companies

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 13:54:46 +0000

Saga, a company based in the UK, was the first to announce a policy which requires all its river cruise passengers (indeed all travellers) to have been vaccinated against Covid-19, fully and at least 2 weeks before embarking on the cruise. That was in January and caused a bit of a stir in the industry. However, according to SeaTradeCruiseNews, that requirement for vaccinations does not extend to the crew.

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5830/

Now American Queen Steamboat Company have followed with that policy and have extended it to the crew: https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5858/

notamermaid

Viking Compensation for a Cancelled Cruise?

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 23:46:41 +0000

We have a Rhine cruise scheduled to leave June 1, 2021. If V cancels the cruise and I leave the money with V, what can I expect for compensation? +25%? +50%?

What did V offer with the latest cancellations? Thanks

River Cruising Stickies Updated

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 04:15:29 +0000

I updated the River Cruising sticky threads at the top of this forum. They now show the date each Cruise Critic article was updated.

New to RIVER CRUISING??? START HERE!!!

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:42:06 +0000

Cruise Critic has a series of articles on River Cruising topics, for which I will try to keep up to date links here:

River Cruise Basics [updated Oct. 23, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=18

Accessible River Cruise Basics [updated Dec. 4, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1959

American vs. European River Cruises [updated Aug. 29, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-2/articles.cfm?ID=2154

Best Active River Cruises [updated Dec. 31, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2610

Best Family River Cruises [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2301

Best River Cruises for Gay and LGBTQ Travelers [updated Jan. 31, 2020]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3418

Canal Cruise Basics [updated Dec. 19, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1446

Christmas Markets Cruises Tips [updated Jan. 8, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2050

5 Perfect Souvenirs from a Europe Christmas Markets Cruise [updated Dec. 18, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2304

Dining on a River Cruise [updated Feb. 2, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2080

European Castles to See Along Germany's Rivers [updated Apr. 7, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2633

11 Things to Know about River vs. Ocean Cruises [updated Aug. 29, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1553

How Wind and Water Levels Could Ruin Your River Cruise [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1522

River Cruise Pricing [updated Feb. 12, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1499

River Cruise Line Comparison Articles:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2415906

Articles about specific Rivers and Areas:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2220727

Articles on What to Expect on a River Cruise:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2526382

For reviews of river cruises, click here:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/?src=nav

[select each river cruise line from the pull-down menu – scroll down to “All Cruise Lines”]:

A-ROSA, Amadeus, AmaWaterways, American Queen, Avalon, CroisiEurope, Emerald, Grand Circle, Pandaw, Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld, Vantage, Viking

For more detailed questions, search this forum:

[Cruise Critic Message Board Forums > River Cruising]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=191

For questions about specific ports on river cruises, search:

[Cruise Critic Message Board Forums > River Cruising > River Cruise Ports

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=440

To connect with members sailing on your river cruise, search:

[Cruise Critic Message Board Forums > ROLL CALLS > All River Cruise Roll Calls]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=685

[this post updated Feb. 19, 2021]

WHAT TO EXPECT on a River cruise

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 00:20:52 +0000

Cruise Critic has a series of articles called What to Expect on a River Cruise:

Airport Transfers [updated Jan. 29, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2950

Cabins [updated Jan. 29, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2356

Dining [updated Feb. 2, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2080

Docking Locations [updated Jan. 29, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2347

Families and Children [updated Jan. 29, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2493

High and Low Water Levels and Weather Issues [updated Feb. 2, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2206

Are River Cruises Safe? [updated Jan. 29, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2874

Shore Excursions [updated Jan. 8, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2389

What’s Included in My Fare? [updated Jan. 29, 2021]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2494

[this post updated Feb. 19, 2021]

RIVERS and AREAS articles on Cruise Critic

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 05:03:14 +0000

Cruise Critic has a series of articles about cruising specific Rivers and Areas, for which I will try to keep up to date links here.

GENERAL

American vs. European River Cruises [updated Aug. 29, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-2/articles.cfm?ID=2154

Which River Should You Cruise? Pick By Interest [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3033

AFRICA

Nile River Cruises

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=40

Nile River Cruise Tips [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1285

ASIA

Asia River Cruises

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=165

Tips for Choosing an Asia River Cruise [updated Dec. 5, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2136

INDIA

Brahmaputra River Cruise Tips [updated Jul. 17, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2788

Ganges River Cruise Tips [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2789

Ganges River vs. Brahmaputra River Cruises [updated Sep. 14, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2762

India Golden Triangle Cruise Tour Tips [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2798

Irrawaddy River Cruise Tips [updated Apr. 10, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1719

Lower Mekong River Cruise Tips [updated Nov. 8, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1716

Myanmar (Burma) River Cruises

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=185

Tibet River Cruise Tips [updated Dec. 5, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2135

Vietnam River Cruises

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=184

Yangtze River Cruise Tips [updated Oct. 10, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1545

AUSTRALIA

Murray River Cruise Tips [updated Feb. 20, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1808

EUROPE

Europe River Cruises

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=128

Choose Your European River: Our Guide to Europe's Best River Cruises [updated Oct. 31, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3412

8 Essential Reasons to Take a European River Cruise [updated Apr. 17, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1108

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for a European River Cruise [updated Sep. 4, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3158

Cruising Eastern Europe on the Danube River [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1512

French River Cruise Tips [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1679

Portugal River Cruises

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=180

Russian River Cruise Tips [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1564

Tulip Time River Cruise Tips [updated Mar. 17, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1626

Bordeaux River Cruise Basics [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1724

DANUBE

Danube River Cruise Tips [updated Mar. 17, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1723

Danube River Cruise Lines and Itineraries [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2568

Best Time for a Danube River Cruise [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2569

Danube River Cruise Port Highlights [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2570

Best Cities for Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays on the Danube River [updated Apr. 7, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2725

Douro River Cruise Tips [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1680

Drinking on the Douro: What to Sip on Your Portugal River Cruise [updated Oct. 2, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3028

Elbe River Cruise Tips [updated Oct. 4, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1796

Guadalquivir River Cruise Tips [updated Sep. 21, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2817

Loire River Cruise Tips [updated Dec. 5, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2062

Main River Cruise Tips [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1788

Meuse River Cruise Tips [updated Dec. 5, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2380

Moselle River Cruise Tips [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1734

Po River Cruise Tips [updated Dec. 5, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-5/articles.cfm?ID=1954

RHINE

Rhine vs. Danube River Cruises [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=2368

Rhine vs. Rhone River Cruises [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2927

Rhine - Beyond the Standard Ports by @notamermaid

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2608575

RHONE

Rhone River Cruise Tips [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1715

Rhone River Cruise Lines and Itineraries [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2581

Best Time for a Rhone River Cruise updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2582

Rhone River Cruise Port Highlights [updated Sep. 14, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2580

Seine River Cruise Tips [updated Sep. 5, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1732

Thames River Cruise Tips [updated Dec. 5, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1874

NORTH AMERICA

North America River Cruises

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=167

St. Lawrence River Cruise Lines [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2060

U.S. River Cruises: 9 Things to Know [updated Oct. 10, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1572

Columbia and Snake River Cruise Tips [updated Dec. 5, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2132

Cumberland River Cruise Tips [updated Feb. 22, 2018]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3222

Mississippi River Cruise Tips [updated Feb. 27, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1799

Upper Mississippi vs. Lower Mississippi River Cruises [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2049

Ohio River Cruise Tips [updated Dec. 5, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2111

SOUTH AMERICA

Amazon River Cruises [ocean cruises]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=172

Amazon River Cruise Tips [updated Dec. 10, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1690

Choosing an Amazon River Cruise [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2900

OTHER

Most Unusual River Cruise Itineraries [updated Apr. 7, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2687

[this post updated Feb. 19, 2021]

Just booked our first River Cruise: Danube on Emerald Waterways

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 22:35:39 +0000

Hello everyone-

First time poster, and looking forward to our first river cruise. My wife and I will be celebrating our 35th anniversary in 2022 and we've been talking about a European river cruise for years. With some big incentive pricing from Emerald (Super Earlybird pricing) we finally decided to go ahead and book. We put our deposit down and intend to pay in advance to save the additional 10%.

One item that I asked about specifically is the guarantee mentioned in the article on this site:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2256

In 2017, Emerald Waterways also introduced a guarantee that provides a refund of up to $475 per day for up to seven days, or $3,325 per person, for issues that include the ship being unable to sail due to high or low water levels, mechanical breakdowns or industrial action affecting the sailing. The guarantee is valid, regardless of what country you book in.

I noticed there was no mention of this in our Terms and Conditions so I called to inquire - and was told that that must be an outdated policy at this point. So this is just a heads-up to others who might be thinking of booking on Emerald that the information in that article is dated.

I've asked some detailed questions and will provide information about what, to my cruising-newbie status, seems to be an outstanding value of the Super Earlybird pricing for 2022 sailings.

You can essentially choose from one of two deals: 1) $1000 per person off the cruise fare or 2) $295 airfare. Note, however, that their airfare is capped at $1200 (if it's more than that, you pay the difference) so that airfare benefit is capped at $905. We grabbed the $1000 per person and figured we would book our own airfare.
An additional 10% off if paid in full more than 12 months before you sail. We opted for a more luxurious cabin so this was a pretty good chunk of money.
Free Deposit Protection Plan ($125 per person value). It took me quite a few questions to get to the point where I understood the Deposit Protection Plan and the Flexible Booking program and how they work together. I wanted to make sure I understood everything in detail because that will let me know my "gaps" that need to be covered by trip insurance. I haven't yet decided whether I'll just play it safe and get CFAR insurance or whether I'll rely on the pretty good benefits embedded in the combination of Deposit Protection Plan and Flexible Booking. Since I just booked two days ago, I still have a few days to decide. But with Covid and the fact that I'd still have risk inside 60 days even with the above plans, I think I'm likely to do CFAR.

River CRUISE LINE articles on Cruise Critic

Sun, 23 Oct 2016 18:43:48 +0000

Cruise Critic has a series of articles detailing River Cruise Lines in depth and comparing them head to head, for which I will try to keep up to date links here.

Best Active River Cruises [updated Dec. 31, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2610

Best Budget River Cruise Ships [updated Aug. 29, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2865

Best Luxury River Cruises [updated Sep. 12, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3025

Best River Cruise Dining [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2868

Best River Cruise Pools [updated Sep. 21, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2953

Why Amadeus Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2642

Why AmaWaterways Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2236

AmaWaterways vs. Avalon [updated Oct. 22, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2709

AmaWaterways vs. Emerald [updated Dec. 6, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3109

AmaWaterways vs. Scenic [updated Nov. 16, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3098

AmaWaterways vs. Viking [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2496

American Cruise Lines vs. American Queen Steamboat Company [updated Dec. 23, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2457

APT vs. Scenic River Cruises [updated Oct. 4, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3027

Why Avalon Waterways Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Oct. 22, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2603

Avalon vs. Viking [updated Oct. 22, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2384

Why CroisiEurope Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2230

Why Crystal is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2602

Crystal vs. Scenic [updated Aug. 30, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2613

Crystal vs. Uniworld [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2612

Why Delfin Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Sep. 27, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3045

Why Emerald Waterways Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Feb. 7, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2256

Emerald vs. Vantage [updated Feb. 7, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2336

Emerald vs. Viking [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2385

Why Gate 1 Travel Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Nov. 9, 2017]

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3091

Gate 1 vs. Viking River Cruises [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3099

Why Grand Circle Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2708

Grand Circle vs. Vantage [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2311

Why Riviera Travel Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Oct. 25, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3129

Why Scenic Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Sep. 21, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2231

Scenic vs. Tauck [updated Sep. 21, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2949

Scenic vs. Viking [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2302

Why Tauck Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2549

Why Tauck Bridges Is the Family River Cruise for You [updated Oct. 2, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=3024

Tauck vs. Uniworld [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2548

Tauck vs. Viking [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2586

Why Uniworld Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2232

Uniworld vs. Scenic [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2309

Why Vantage Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Sep. 21, 2017]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2290

Why Viking Is the River Cruise Line for You [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2234

Viking vs. CroisiEurope and A-Rosa [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2387

Viking vs. Grand Circle [updated Oct. 20, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2952

Viking vs. Uniworld [updated Aug. 21, 2018]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2307

Viking vs. Vantage [updated Oct. 20, 2019]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2201

Viking River vs. Viking Ocean [updated Feb. 7, 2020]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2546

[this post updated Feb. 19, 2021]

River Water Levels in 2021

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 00:01:12 +0000

How Wind and Water Levels Could Ruin Your River Cruise [updated Oct. 10, 2019]

For the most current information about water levels in Germany, check these threads here on River Cruising:

• Danube water levels 2021 and similar topics - plus tips and info

• Rhine water levels 2021 and similar topics

• The Elbe river 2021 - not just water levels

The river Moselle doesn't have a water level thread because it is controlled by locks, but @notamermaid does maintain a thread about sites and similar topics:

• The river Moselle infos and river cruising experiences

Need advice on cruise options

Sat, 13 Feb 2021 23:13:34 +0000

Hello all,

We are taking our niece on a river cruise as a graduation gift - graduating this year, but postponing the trip to 2022. She’s interested in the Rhine and Main, but there are so many options. We’ve cruised with Viking on the Danube once and really enjoyed it, but wanted to try something different. I’ve narrowed it down to these:

Uniworld Classic Germany and Amsterdam - Amsterdam to Nuremberg

Avalon Active Discovery on the Rhine - Amsterdam to Frankfurt

AMA Waterways - Treasures of the Main & Rhine - Nuremberg to Amsterdam

What thoughts, advice and/or recommendations on the itineraries and operators can you share? I would like it to be a very memorable trip for her.

Thanks,

Michelle

AmaWaterway continues cooperation with German company for 2021

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 06:31:54 +0000

The German OTA which had a cooperation last year with AmaWaterways to run the AmaKristina and later the AmaStella has just announced that they will start out in May with the brand new ships AmaLucia and AmaSiena. The continue with the two itineraries on the Rhine river starting in Cologne (North to the Netherlands and South to Strasbourg and Cochem). There´s also a new more intense Moselle river itinerary offered. And later in August/September a Danube river itinerary out of Passau will follow.

So it looks like AmaWaterways is doing the best out of it. The prices for 2021 are a little higher than last year.

steamboats

And now for something completey different - the Oder river

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 10:18:50 +0000

You might have heard of this river in Europe, but you will be forgiven if you have not. For river cruisers it leads a sleepy existence compared to its famous nearest larger river, the Elbe. In geographical and political terms it is a very import river (and not a short one in Europe either) as it is part of the border of Germany with Poland.

The Oder is navigable for a very long stretch and turns into an "inland sea" flowing into the Baltic Sea. River cruises are available. But first here is the wikipedia page about the Oder: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oder

notamermaid