Gourmet Gal

Seas were heavy on our crossing late June a few years ago. We missed a couple of ports on that itinerary in Ireland also due to weather.

I would suggest doing some research to request SS Air to book your ideal flights first and if they cannot accommodate then book on your own if it works with your budget. SS may charge diversion fees for certain flights and advance arrival.

Are you planning 2 checked pieces per person plus carry-ons? That seems like a lot for a mostly casual itinerary. I can get by with one roll-aboard bag plus tote for any length trip. The roll-aboard is expandable to allow space for purchases and can be checked on the return. I go through sneakers every 4 to 5 months so I can usually jettison an old pair when traveling to also make more space available on the return. Easy enough to have a few different tops for evenings to go with one pair of dressy pants, planning to wear each top 2-3 times. Laundry service is excellent on Tauck and you can really reduce your schlepping by utilizing the service. I know someone who only travels with old clothes and she jettisons almost everything to make space for purchases on the return.

We did the Douro last Fall with Tauck and we found it the sleepiest of all the river cruises we’ve taken. Tauck is known for having the best excursions and guides and even with that it felt like a stretch in some of the ports to make the stop interesting. I’ve done the same rivers as you and really loved the Moselle. The Douro was recommended to us as being the most like the Moselle. They are similar but the Moselle has much more interesting towns. Of course on the Douro there is history, cave paintings, ruins and of course wine but the big draw is the beautiful scenery. It is a really picturesque area and because ships cannot sail at night you get to see a lot of it and there will be quite a bit of down time. The crews are mostly, if not all, Portuguese and really friendly and kind. It should be enjoyable but this was the first cruise we felt ready to end it by the 3rd day. Having had the experience now I would recommend just DYI and drive the area and perhaps just take a day boat along the river as an excursion.

Excellent comparison.

That’s a real problem on river cruises. I find I have to perfect my anti-social skills with certain people without coming off as anti-social!

I have to eat there when I go visit relatives in the fine dining desert of SE Virginia and I can attest, YES, it is that bad!

I meant to ask if there is a separate dedicated entrance to the ship for Retreat PAX.

I don’t know about Silverseas but with Silversea the entire ship will feel like a retreat. Does the X Retreat have a separate entrance from the masses and a separate gym, spa? Is there one dedicated restaurant and lounge?

That query is a little vague and that topic has been covered so many times. I’d like to suggest you do a search of this SS forum and read the numerous threads and posts then start your own thread if you still have questions.

I read reviews here and on some other sites along with trip reports on CC and no matter where I try to read between the lines. I appreciate reviews that are prefaced with the traveler’s usual style of accommodation, travel and dining which really helps me to understand their perspective. If there are a large number of reviews then I think the average ranking carries more weight.

How does that compare to review trends in general. I would think with Covid and other challenges the reviews may have become more negative everywhere?

Yes, true but I meant 2 hours not jours. 🤪

I have never in my life anywhere waited 2 jours for an entree. I would have walked out long before. Perhaps they could have delivered it to your cabin.

Whatever

I sort within an airline’s options. I have my preferred airlines and I do not view them as a simple mode of transport.

I always sort the choices by duration of flight.

That’s what happened on our Moon cruise last Fall. There was a large group of attorneys who would take over the Observation Lounge or Panorama Lounge at the primo time we were hoping to enjoy those venues. The group was loud and obnoxious. They also booked up the spa on sea days so it was very difficult to book treatments and they packed the gym every morning. It was no surprise that by the end of the cruise most of them we’re wearing masks due to a Covid outbreak amongst their group.

The new ships are beautiful and they probably would not have been possible without the takeover.

On a long cruise it’s nice to have more dining options. The upcharge for La Dame isn’t exactly big bucks nor is it Michelin level but it’s good for a change of venue on the newer ships.

Also wondering if Silversea…..

Sounds like a good topic for a new thread.

Definitely research and submit your preferences to SSAir.

I think one advantage is that your airfare is refundable and changeable up to a certain window without penalty.

The Moselle is probably the most beautiful river for cruising in Europe with the possible exception of the Douro but personally I wouldn’t want to waste my time cruising the Rhine a second time when there are so many other great regions in Europe to explore. As for the River Queen, I did this itinerary on her a few years ago and felt the ship and especially the cabins felt crowded and small. I don’t care for the faux chateau decor either. There are certainly better ships out there but if you must take this cruise I would highly recommend booking a suite.