newfirsttimer

I sailed from Nuremberg across the Main River, then the Rhine and then the Moselle last September, mid to late. Tshirts, slacks during the day although some days capris could have been worn. A couple of mornings you needed a light jacket. Evenings got pretty cool, so much so that I had to buy a fleece onboard. Needed an umbrella on several days but the ship supplied them. Definitely take a light jacket/windbreaker and at least one hoodie type jacket.

Mary, we did Cesky Krumlov last year and although it rained the whole time, it is indeed a very charming town and easy to get around. We are doing Salzburg this year (since we had done CK last year) and truly hope it is not a "Sound of Music cheese fest". Not yet been to Passau. Tough choice for the one day.

Maureen, I have family along the north Antrim coast, in Co. Tyrone and some that I don't know in the Tullamore area. My mom was born at Dunluce and my Dad in Ballymoney. Maybe we will meet up on our home turf when we are back from our trips.

Hi Maureen

I haven't been on my Scenic cruise yet. It is Fran you are waiting to respond to your question. I hope you enjoy your time in Ireland as well. One of my most favourite places on earth and I have not been for several years, certainly expected to be there next year but looks like that's not going to happen. I still have lots of family in the north of Ireland.

You won't be back before I leave on my trip so have a fantastic time and I hope Scenic lives up to your expectations. Enjoy

Plan to wear an outfit at least 3 times. Lightweight tops wash well. I always take too much and regret it every trip. Colour co-ordinate....black, brown or navy capris or slacks and interchangeable tops/jackets. Last year I took 1 pair of jeans, 3 other casual slacks and 2 pairs of evening slacks. We went mid to late September so did not take capris but probably could use at this time of year. Nobody will notice if you rewear an outfit.

You might be lucky and get a tour of Karlovy Vary enroute to Nuremberg. That might be your lunchtime stop, if so that would be great. I had wished AMA stopped there. Hope you have a wonderful trip. We have 5 weeks left before we leave for Amsterdam to start our cruise. How long before did you receive your documents?

The transfer most likely includes a tour of Nuremberg. When I did the AMA cruise last year we left Prague about 9, stopped for a break after about 2 hours and then once we reached Nuremberg, there was an included bus and walking tour. By the time we got to board the ship around 3, I was exhausted and overloaded with historical info. If you stop at the McDonalds enroute to Prague, use the restrooms in the gas station, much less busy.

Scenic Tours also has land based tours as well as river cruises and are totally all inclusive including beverages. Also an Aussie company.

You statement does not make sense

Except France or include France for the butlers :confused:

 

Are the airport transfers only if you use Scenic Air ?

Transfers are included if a)you arrive on the day of the cruise or leave on the day the cruise ends, regardless of who booked your air or b) you purchased the pre/post cruise package from Scenic. That's what I was told. They are not included this year since we are arriving 3 nights early but had we flown in the day the cruise starts, they would have been even though I did my own air.

Not if you're going to Russia. None of Scenic's new all-inclusive features apply to their Russian Cruises and a number of them don't apply to their French cruises either AND there are a number of exclusions on their European cruises. After many questions as someone said to their representative at a presentation here - "There's a lot of smoke and mirrors with Scenics 2013 cruises."

Quite right. The new changes to the ships are not applicable to Russia or France and I guess that the government of Russia controls what can be served on any ship so not totally in the control of any cruise line. The all inclusiveness is applicable to France. What is it you feel is 'smoke & mirrors'?

Vantage provided us with one glass of wine with Dinner on our Russian River cruise.

I know some of the river cruise lines do the same. All that I can say is that AMA makes darn sure that you wine glass is never empty. They would even fill up our glass when we were getting ready to leave the dinner table.

I found that with AMA last year. I am trying Scenic this year who provide wine, beer, soda for dinner and lunch and in 2013 it will be all day, so no unexpected bar bill at the end of the cruise.

Hey, also don't miss the Lindt chocolate museum. Not far from the Dom in Kolnl. Lots of different varieties on sale in the retail store and I think we bought about $100 worth. Unfortunately about only 1/2 made it home. It's really one of the best chocolates in the world IMO. :)

Now you've done it! Lindt is the only chocolate I like and knowing that this museum is so close when I will be in Cologne in September, means a few more pounds of extra weight I will be bringing home. Thanks for the information.

We just spoke to someone at Scenic regarding a May 2013 (Jewels of Europe). We asked about the "all-inclusive" and she said, "No". Only butlers on certain decks, charge for internet, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner only, etc.

 

Is there someplace in the 2013 Brochure that states this? If so, what page? We don't have a brochure or I would look myself.

 

 

Thanks.

 

 

Karen

Page 4 of the 2013/2014 brochure. Butlers for all cabins but not the same duties, i.e. in a suite you get your bags unpacked, in acquarium class they will bring you drinks and answer questions. All day beverages included. I was just at one of their local presentations yesterday and that is how the 2013 trips are marketed. I know the program is new in 2013 but the folks at Scenic's Canadian office that I have spoken with have all been trained on the new offerings.

You can bring onboard whatever you want to drink, wine, beer whatever. It is not like the big cruise ships. Yes, they do have a bar on board and they would like to see drinks, but they do not prohibit the passengers bringing their own drinks onto the ship. At least in my experience.

Scenic has definitely made their 2013 cruises all inclusive and added some nice pre and post. They are moving the Emerald to the south of France. While the prices are quite steep, the all inclusive nature and the quality tours/enrichments, make it very comparable. Their 2013/14 brochures came out this past week but the Canadian website is not up to date although the Australian one seems to be. I am very interested in their Paris to Barcelona on the Saone and Rhone. Hope to make a decision soon.

Just picked up our documents today for our Scenic cruise

they give you a nice zippered holder for the documents & a travel book on the route you are sailing

Also a backpack each with a nice laundry bag which will come in handy for other trips ;)

Very impressed

Not sure if we will take the backpack with us but still a nice gift

 

Only 4 wks to go

 

Lyn

Lyn, looking forward to your review of the trip. I can't wait until September for our Scenic cruise.

We did Prague to Paris last September with AMA. While there were quite a few folks travelling under the APT banner, for the most part the guests were Americans or Canadians. The APT passengers, as far as I know, were on the same tours etc. as the rest of the passengers, I did not see any difference in their treatment. In fact I heard a few complaints that there booking was to be 'all inclusive' but in fact they were charged for the same gratuities the rest of the passengers were. Not sure if that got straightened away during or after the cruise. Regardless, AMA was a top notch tour operator and I would go with them again. This year we are trying Scenic, Amsterdam to Budapest to experience 14 nights on board a river cruise, and to see what differences there are between tour operators. You will enjoy with whichever company you choose.

I am just back from the Emerald. I too am pleased that there is no smoking allowed on balconies although I generally have an inside room. At no time did I smell smoke in the hallways, elevator lobbies etc. However, I found that the smell coming from Gatsby's Casino was horrible, it could be smelled when you were at the Passenger Services desk, in the hallways outside the casino and it was terrible on deck 7 for people that were 'walking the promenade deck' for exercise and had to wander through the smoking section. Never noticed it on prior cruises so am assuming it is because those folks cannot smoke on their own balcony. Several times I ended up walking through the smoker's lounge on the pool deck but that's my own fault. I didn't spend any time on that side of the deck. Short of eliminating smoking all together on the ship, I think that the smokers have a variety of areas where they may still smoke and those of us who don't like the smell, have enough areas to go to avoid the smoke. I feel it a very fair policy.

When we arrive back from our cruise in late January, we will have until 10pm when our flight leaves. Would you suggest renting a car and going to Sawgrass Mills or is there a local hotel that would have 'day rooms' where we could store our luggage and take a cab to the shops in town. Thanks for any help. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza pre cruise and I understand there is really nothing around there to walk to. Is it possible to walk to 17th street or would you recommend taking a cab to a nice, reasonably priced restaurant and if so, which one?

Appreciate any assistance.

Hi,

Can you change your cruise to March 18 and pick us up on your way down south(we live 30 miles south of Erie, PA) Wow, airfares are high !! :eek:

Since we are retired, I thought about maybe driving down to FT. Lauderdale although I am not crazy about driving (spoiled with too many flights). Have you driven down before ?

It will be about 1249 miles each way (20 hours). I figured about $360 for gas, $200 for hotels(once each way). $150 for food both ways..so in my rough figuring about $700 to drive down..am I in the ball park ?? :confused:

Park and Fly seems like a good idea. I know from looking that there are several hotels that have free parking and will take you to the pier.

Let me know what time you will be coming through !!!:D

 

Later,

Knarf (Frank backwards)

I was lurking on this board looking for advice on Ft. Lauderdale hotels. I drive just about every March from Toronto to Orlando area, via I75. It takes me about 22 hours straight through with just short rest stops. Your numbers are in the ball park although I thought the gas might be a tad on the high side. If I do stay overnight I generally can get a decent hotel for $75.

Getting a decent priced hotel in Fort Lauderdale that provides a shuttle from the airport and to the cruiseport is becoming quite a challenge for me for my January cruise. I am looking for something under $100 a night that is clean and fairly close to the cruiseport. I have stayed at Hyatt Place in the past but they want over $200 a night now.

We are going into Prague 4 days before our cruise starts as we have heard how wonderful it is. We are flying Lufthansa from Toronto, connecting in Dusseldorf. Friends that have been in Prague before say it is wonderful and make sure you have 3 or 4 days to see it. We are doing a day trip to Cesky Krumlov while we are there as well as Terezin for an afternoon tour.

Just returned from the 8/14 sailing. In Copenhagen we found that most places took only Kroners or credit cards (some only cc's that had a chip and pin) but were able to use US$ or Euros in all other countries. I had taken Danish Kroners, Euros & US$ and had no problems at all.

In St. Petersburg we docked at the new cruise terminal and had no issues or problems with disembarkation or Russian immigration. We were waiting for our tour operator at 7:15 am dockside. There are 3 shops in the new terminal, all take US or Euros.

We did find that anything you want you can get onboard the Emerald PRincess and their prices particularly for Amber, Matryoyska dolls etc. were just as good if not better than those in any of the ports and you get a guarantee from Princess.