LoneStarCruisinCouple

I still think something is missing here. Usually if something doesn't make sense, then you don't have all the facts. If everything happened as described then I can't help but believe that Viking's actions are illegal. They may have their doubters, but the fact is that they own more than 50% of the river cruise market, so they HAVE to be doing something right! We have only been on one river cruise, on Avalon, 3 years ago. We have a Viking cruise scheduled for December. I have to say that all these conversations make me a bit nervous. However, I have learned as I have become older and apparently wiser that it is best to reserve judgement and to take what others say with a grain of salt. (Does that make me wiser or cynical?) I guess I will find out in December!

Good Morning QueenofEverything,

Catchy. Anyways see where you are a fellow Houstonian. Lisa and I are from Sugar Land.

Anyways see where you like us are getting ready to do a European River Cruise.

We are traveling with Scenic on The Opal and are in a Royal Panorama Suite and are set to sail September 2,2015 from Amsterdam to Budapest.

Is there anything that you may suggest for a first time river Newbie. We are celebrating our 27th Wedding Anniversary while on our cruise and hoping that my Blushing Bride of All these years shall have a Wonderful time.

Looks to be that you have been cruising for quite some time. Myself have been at it since I was Knee High To a Grass Hopper ,but mainly on P&O and Cunard. Lived In Australia and more so the reason for these lines along with Carnival out of Galveston.

Anyways just wanted to say Howdy.

Lisa and Gary

LoneStarCruisinCouple

We arrive on the 30 and on the 31 have a walking tour with Tom van der Leij later that evening going to try an Indonesian Rice Table at Tempo Deplore. Next day a Bike Tour also with Tom that evening meeting with two Canadian couples that are on our cruise and having Cocktails at Bubbles and Wine and then on to our dinner at the Famous Five Flies.

Doing Ann Frank on Sept 2 before we check out of our hotel. Right around the corner. 3 minute walk.

Cheers

Lisa and Gary

Hey There HydroKitty,

This is Lisa and Gary LoneStarCruisinCouple and we shall be flying into Amsterdam on August 30. Will you still be in town and or shall you have already set sail. We are staying at The Toren Hotel.

Would be nice in getting a chance to say Howdy.

Gary

Well here is another switch then as an American recommending an Australian Company.

Scenic I would highly recommend and if you can try an get into one of the two Royal Panorama Suites. 475 Sq Feet of Luxury.

If you have a moment go to there Australian website. Scenic.com.au

Over on the left hand side where it says All Inclusive go down to where it says Our 5 Star Ships and open. On that page there is a lady standing in front of one of the new ships called the Jasper and is also titled All Inclusive Luxury. Is a 4 minute video and the cabin that they show is a Royal Panorama Suite.

We are booked into one of these and we are sailing September 2,2015 Jewels of Europe Amsterdam to Budapest. Can't wait.

Limo Transportation From Airport to Hotel and hotel to ship and Visa Versa.

Private Butler

Unlimited Beverages and your Bar is stocked daily with Top Shelf Alcohol

All Gratuities are Paid

Sun Lounger Balconies with Large sliding glass panel that you can open and or close depending on the weather

Heated Floors in Bathrooms Bath and a Half in The Panorama Suite

Wi Fi

Electric Assisted Bikes

Personal GPS units that you can push a button and tells you about this Castle and that and you can go on your own and shall get you back to your ship.

And On and On

Would highly recommend to any and all.

Lisa and Gary

LoneStarCruisinCouple

Oh Vi Spring Mattresses and Pillow menus and beds that you can adjust up and down..

Hi Lisa & Gary your butlers the one to sort your morning coffee and orange juice and breakfast in your cabin if you want or you could then go to the restraunt for full breakfast which is a buffet so no problem with portions same as lunch if you feel dinner is a bit skimpy just ask your waiter/es they will see your okay, Scenic are extremely customer focused especially on board. Jacket & tie no problem although it was so hot this year the tie stayed in the cabin. For iced tea or iced water during the day go to the end of the lounge which in the evening becomes portabello's and there are jugs of both and a huge bowl of fruit. You can also graze at the river cafe. The coffee machine is wonderful wish I had one at home.

Each day there should be at reception a map of the town you are in but don't forget your Tailormade gizmos. Depends on what time your excursions leave as to how much time you have in the morning.

They surprised me with a birthday cake and card on the evening of our arrival what a surprise. Can't what for your cruise to hear how you get on.

CA

Hello CA and thanks so much for the info as I am maybe just shy of 65 October 11 but sorry to say that I am still a Growing Boy. Sorry to say out and not up.

Happy Belated Birthday and what 29 once again Right!

I think instead of cake that they should have given you a Free Cruise. Now that would make it worthwhile as to sail on your birthday.

I appreciate ever so much all your info as you have been very very helpful in seeing that we are steered in the right direction.

How was the weather? I would imagine that it was really very nice.

Do have a question as to the Sun Lounger. Is it something on the order of like Ocean Cruise Lines that if you leave the door to the balcony open the AC shuts off. Just wondered if you could leave open or do you hear too much noise in going thru all the locks.

Yes it is getting closer and closer day by day and just can't believe that all the hard work as to the e-mails and phone calls and the going back and forth is getting ready I hope to fall into place. I guess with being that it is our Wedding Anniversary i just want it to be perfect for Lisa.

Oh just out of my own curiosity if you may be around on August 30th may try and give you a call. We are flying on British Airways and go from Houston to London and have a layover and change planes to go onto Amsterdam. Arrive I think somewhere early in the Morning I think around 7:30 or so.We are flying into Heathrow.

Oh well guess I shall say by for now and once again Thank You.

Gary

Lone Star

We have just returned from our superb cruise on the Scenic Sapphire down the Saone & Rhone. We travelled on the Eurostar to Lyon and on to Chalon sur Saone by train a word of warning the steps at Chalon station, transferred to Sapphire by car with others took about 15 minutes. Welcomed on board with a glass of bubbly then escorted to our cabin, this is our fourth cruise with Scenic so home from home. Altogether a splendid cruise, the tours and tour guides were excellent the wine tasting all very good the Paul Baccus Institute superb. There were so many highlights the staff very good the company excellent. The food was mostly excellent just a couple of hiccups the choice of wine on board wide and of the various regions we passed through. We passed the stricken Viking boat with blue tarpolin covering her injuries. The weather was mostly hot between 28 and 31 at one point 35 so the earlyish starts were appreciated. We had one very wet day our last which curtailed our last evening cruise because of an orange warning placed on the river. We couldn't have seen anything in any case. Any questions just ask.

Trying to decide where to go next. CA

CA,

Well I don't know whether to say welcome home or not as it looks to be after reading that you both had a very enjoyable time once again on Scenic. Glad to see that you are safe and sound and once again in The Planning stages of yet another Scenic Adventure!!

We ourselves are getting so excited and just can't imagine what it's going to be like when we actually get ready to leave. Having heard so much now about the Newly Redesigned Royal Panorama Suites on The Jasper and also The Opal.

Speaking of which I was rather disappointed in Scenic as The Opal was christened on the 17th of this month and have yet to see any posting or pictures or even videos. Have been following since the cutting of the Keel and now to have a A Highlight like this and Zip! Oh well.

So it sounds to me that they could still do some fine tuning as to entertainment but then again it isn't like a huge cruise ship. Do have a question to ask and don't know if you have the answer or not but shall ask.

In looking at photos and videos of the meals that are served at least to me they seem like such small portions. Yes I understand that I am in Europe and not back at home in Texas, but looks to me that one is certainly going to leave the table and still be hungry. Can one like on cruise ships order another plate? I'm I guess a Meat and Potatoes type of guy.Also you may not know but do they serve Iced Tea? Oh and how was the Coffee and Cappuccino Machine as I am a Big Coffee drinker and would be nice as not to get just a cup but a pot of coffee along with some orange juice to the cabins in the mornings when waking up and getting ready. Also when getting ready in the mornings, is it that you have to wake up at the crack of dawn as to get ready for the excursions that are planned for the day or can one sort of take there time as to wake up and sit out on the balcony and enjoy??

How were most on board dressed, as myself seeing that we are celebrating our Wedding Anniversary while on board and have made reservations at Portobellos will be wearing a Coat and Tie as if I figure that my wife can dress up for me and look beautiful I should at least make the effort in looking Spiffy also planning on wearing a coat when we go in Vienna to the Liechtenstein Palace..

Anyways hoping that you shall get another cruise in the making as it is always nice in reading your posts and from me to you thanks for all the help.

Lisa and Gary

LoneStarCruisinCouple

Cheers.

 

Just remember that Cruise critic members represent maybe 5-10% of the passengers on any given cruise around the world and that percentage is much smaller in Australia as CC hasn't really taken off here as yet. I am sure that there will be many Aussies on board the Opal.:D

Good Evening Mic and Les, I have a question for both of you as we are possibly planning a trip to Australia in 2017.

Which cruise line would you both recommend as for cruising Australia as well as New Zealand and what time of year as right now looking at Azamara and maybe doing the 15 day in February??

Any help would be appreciated..

Gary

Indeed, not being sarcastic, just being a clown, I should be on the stage, first one out of town.

 

Gary and Lisa, good to see your ship is nearly built, well it could be launched by now and you are getting excited, as we are for our next adventure.

 

Above all, enjoy. !!

Uncle Les, You are so Funny indeed.

Yes maybe I am a little over excited but what an Awesome Ship "THE Opal".

Just that I had come onto The Australian version of Cruise Critic with the hopes of maybe finding a few Aussies that were sailing with us as I know first hand experience how you folks Love and Enjoy having a Great and Wonderful time.

Just seems so odd at least to me that I have had what 13,000 plus hits on this thread and not a single one on our cruise. Aussie's that is. Strange.. I would figure with the amount of holiday time that you folks get and being an Australian Company and being a new ship and all we would have lots of Aussie's joining us. Would have been nice to share in a Froth or Two.

Smooth Sailings

Cheers

LoneStarCruisinCouple

PS Howdy Mic

Good Afternoon To All Our Fellow Aussie Cruise Critic Members that may be sailing on board Scenic.

We are Lisa and Gary 60 and 64 from Sugar Land,Texas and are sailing on board The New Scenic Opal September 2,2015 from Amsterdam To Budapest.

Hoping that we could possibly meet up with some of you folks that may be sailing on The Same Ship and Cruise as so maybe to share in a Toast to our up and coming Adventure.

We are spending Three Days Pre Cruise in Amsterdam and staying at The Toren Hotel and Three Days Post Cruise at The Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel.

Myself my Mother is Australian and I used to live in Greensboro and was a Buyer for Myer Melbourne Limited.

Mother was a Professional Entertainer in Melbourne and was a War Bride. My folks Wedding Photos hang in The National Archives In Canberra..

Her Maiden name was Belcher.

Hoping that some of you that are still out there and lurking shall come and join in on the postings and say Howdy..

Lisa and Gary

LoneStarCruisinCouple

Best bet is smart casual not over the top, Scenic request no shorts at dinner. Gents don't need a jacket but it might be useful depending on the time of year. Be comfortable I have yet to go on a cruise that has any, shall we say fashion tension. You might want to dress up a tad more on the special nights. I have seen on other threads concerns about the shoddy attire of some cruisers but have never seen any evidence of this on board Scenic. Ladies may like to take a pashmina or similar to dinner in the evening as the AC can be a bit chilly to start with. CA

Hey There Canal,

Boy from what I see only 14 more days to go. Oh you lucky So and So. I was just watching a video clip that they have on Scenic Australia about the Jasper and they show pictures of our Royal Panorama Suite and all I can say is Can't Wait To Be Spoiled.

Ahh Loungin" Laughin" and and enjoying Those Tasty Libations..

Wishing You Smooth Sailings and a Pleasant Trip

Lisa and Gary

LoneStarCruisinCouple

PS Thanks for all The Help that you have given here on Cruise Critic.

Gary

Just came back from a Scenic cruise on the Jasper. Absolutely first class in every way. Had a junior suite, with gorgeous walk in shower for 2 with back jets, rainshower to due for. Very comfortable bed a d the balcony sunlounge is so private and with solid glass a wonderful view. Butler amazing. Better than any of our over 30 ocean cruises. Totally all inclusive. Best seafood luncheon ever. Very good excirsions included and a spectacular evening out in Vienna. I wouldn't hesitate for a second. Pricey? when you add in all the extras; tipping, drinking whatever you wish whenever and quality excursions, electric bicycles, specialty restaurant included, we still found Scenic had the perfect product for us. Class without being snobby or opulent. It is becoming so popular that booking is now a year in advance. On the Danube, pick an odd number cabin. On the Rhine, get an even number. Cheers!

Howdy there Beppy,

Can't wait as to pick your brain and find out all the Ins and Outs of your cruise on The Jasper.

Sounds to me as if you had a FUNTASTIC time.

We are Lisa and Gary, LoneStarCruisinCouple from Sugar Land,Texas and shall be cruising on her sister ship The Opal Sailing September 2,2015 Jewels of Europe Amsterdam to Budapest.

So seeing that it is a Upscale Luxury River cruise what do Ladies and also guys wear? Is it a Good Idea to take a suit and or maybe a Sport Jacket with various pants and shirts and ties?

Do the rooms have Binoculars in them? I have seen in the videos that there are Walking Sticks and also umbrellas.

When you first set out do they hand you any sort of a itinerary as to the arrival and departure times in various ports of call.

When they say all inclusive did you try and pay like your cabin steward or anyone else on the ship extra for a job well done?

Lisa and I are in a Royal Panorama Suite and just can't wait as from all the pictures it looks to be Awesome.

How was the food?

How was the entertainment?

How were the excursions?

Any thing that sticks in the back of your mind that you would recommend as to take along?

Yes I am just full of all sorts of questions..

Anyone at all use the pool on board the ship?

Is the dinner in Portobellos really any different than that of in the Crystal Dining Room other than maybe less crowded?

WE are celbrating our Anniversary while on our cruise and have some various different things that I have already arranged for with the help of the folks at Scenic.

Looking forward to hearing from you and oh do you have any pictures as I am thinking of packing my DSLR.

Lisa and Gary

LoneStarCruisinCouple

Check out Scenic as well they to are all inclusive. Compare the itineraries decide what you like best whoever you choose enjoy your cruise but be warned it can be adictive.

CA

Good Afternoon Canal Archive,

all I can say is you by all means are giving the best advice. It is whatever makes that one individual happy sure I agree with you probably 110% about Scenic but then everyone maybe doesn't expect the best with The Butlers and Limos and The Daily Restocking of The Bar with Wine and Beer and Top Shelf Alcohol and already having their Gratuities already taken care of.

looks to be that you are just about ready to set sail and like you we just can't wait.

Ah 15 Days of Loungin" Laughin" and enjoying those tasty Libations. Boy just think I don't even have to make the bed. haha.

Wishing you smooth Sailing and a Great and Wonderful Time

LoneStarCruisinCouple

Lisa and Gary

This was our first river cruise and my first trip to the mainland of Europe. It was definitely a major disappointment though we didn't let it ruin our trip at all. But it seemed to be a problem for quite a few passengers. I was so hoping when we came back to Amsterdam toward the end of the cruise that we would get to dock in town. I truly believe it would have been a different experience to have been able to do so. Overall, we've decided that when we take another it will hopefully be full of stops that we can just walk off/walk on. We spend way too much time on coaches. Overall though, it was a great trip. Not sold on Viking yet though.

Good Girl Like your last comment. Would highly recommend Scenic Cruises next time. More for your Money as to Perks and a a substantial savings. Like $10,000.

Doing Jewels of Europe 15 Days and for same cabin Explorer Suite verses Royal Panorama Suite Same Time of Year that Big Of a difference plus Viking wanted full Payment 16 Months Prior verses 90 days.

LoneStarCruisinCouple

My research says Tauck :)

Hello Kathleen and a Happy Mothers Day to you. Are you getting excited yet? Won't be long now.

Oh I have reserved a private Salon Boat in Amsterdam for our first evening there as to get our anniversary Cruise Started off in A Romantic Evening Wine and Dinner Cruise. The Lieve is the ship and she shall come right up The Keizersgracht Canal and pick us up in front of The Toren.

I would Highly recommend Scenic Tours. You get a whole lot more for the amount of money invested.

All Have Private Butlers

Daily Restocking of Mini Bar with Wine,Beer, and Top Shelf Alcohol

Limo Transfers between either ship if you fly in the day of or to your hotel if you fly in early

All Gratuities included even that of Tour Guides

Scenic Sun Lounge that at a push of a Button converts Balcony Enclosure with a Clear Paine of Glass

Scenic Riverview - GPS activated expert commentary

Multi choices of different excursions while in port

and on and on.

Would highly recommend as Pure Luxury all The Way.

Oh for an explorer Suite on Viking compared to Royal Panorama Suite on Scenic $10,000 cheaper. Same Itinerary same time of year. Plus Viking wanted money up front by like 16 months prior to sailing as compared to 90 days prior to sailing

The Royal Panorama Suite Currently The Largest on The River 475Sq. Ft.

Oh Heated Floors in Bathroom

Tub and Shower in Suite

 

Howdy Once Again To All Our Fellow Australian Scenic Cruisers.

Well it won't be Long now and The Opal shall be ready to set forth on her Maiden Voyage.

 



 



 



 

Well Good Morning To All our Australian Cruise Critic members.

Just wanted to say hello to those of you that may possibly be cruising with us on The Scenic Opal Jewels of Europe September 2,2015.

Lisa and I are just so excited and just can't wait for all The Fun and Excitement to begin.

Down now to

Good Morning To One and All,

This is LoneStarCruisinCouple Lisa and Gary and just wanted to say hello to all our Fellow Scenic River Cruisers from The Land From Down Under.

Won't be long now and we shall be Loungin" Laughin' and Enjoying those Tasty Libations.

First time considering a river cruise. DW and I have cruised a couple of times on Celebrity and Princess, and want to try a European river cruise.

 

What is the age group of Avalon or Scenic passengers? Same?

 

We are young early 60's and enjoy cultural, and historical enrichment programs and sightseeing.

 

So, we've been looking at river cruises: Budapest to Prague (or reverse direction). We would plan to stay a few extra days pre and post cruise Budapest and Prague.

 

What is your opinion on Avalon or Scenic? Viking is out, due to it's "pay in full up front policy."

 

Thank you.

Howdy there Kingofcool1947,

We are Lisa and Gary LoneStarcruisinCouple and we are getting ready to take our first ever river cruise and for what it is worth Scenic Scenic Scenic.

Just that when one sits down and really starts pulling all of the pieces apart as to what one gets for the money spent,More for your Money with Scenic.

Yes most ships go to the same places but it is all those little extra's that makes one better than the other.

With the Limo transfers from the Airport either to your hotel and or ship depending on when you arrive and the same in reverse when you leave and get ready to depart. The Private Butler for all levels of Cabins not just suites. I agree some of us don't need the personal attention but like me with celebrating our Anniversary while on our cruise and with having breakfast served out on our balcony along with a Bouquet of flowers is a nice touch. At my age I can stand to get all those so called Brownie Points that a lot of folks talk about. With The Unpacking of suitcases and also the packing of suitcases and no additional charges all gratuities both on and off the ship are already taken care of. With about 90 % of the cabins having Balconies not those so called French Balconies, All Balconies have The Scenic Sun Lounge conversion that at a push of a button will enclose with clear glass wall as so not to be affected by the weather,A GPS unit called Scenic River view with an expert commentary, Multiple choices of excursions in each port not limited to just one, Restocking daily of Mini bar with Wine , Beer , and Top Shelf Alcohol,and on and on. So for us it was an easy choice plus also the fact that last payment for cruise isn't until 90 prior to sailing unlike paying up front add having to wait months.

Myself I am looking forward to also sailing on Scenic as with being an Australian Company a lot of the passengers come from Australia and myself having lived there know how those folks love to have such a Great and Wonderful time.

One other thing for us as we were lucky enough to have booked a Panorama Royal Suite and on the two new ships this year The Jasper and Opal they are 475 Sq Ft of pure enjoyable comfort.

Anyways I wish you the very best and any cruise whatever the company name X Y or Z is better than no cruise. So Smooth Sailings and The very Best to you as I know you shall have a Great and Wonderful time.

Warmest Wishes

Lisa and Gary

I agree as most of the cruise lines mentioned are for sure good, but certainly some better than others.

Lisa and I are sailing on Scenic Tours and I must say for the price that is paid you get a lot more for your money.

With Private Limo Transfers between airport and ship and from ship back to airport and or Hotel. Big factor is ALL get a Private Butler, All Gratuities and Tour Guides Pre Paid, Daily restocking of your Bar with Wine, Beer and Top Shelf Alcohol. 85 % Cabins with True Balconies not these so called French Balconies, Electric Bicycles, Your Own Scenic River view GPS unit, that will take you on your own tour and get you back to the ship, Multipe tours in each port as to choose from, All Balconies have Scenic Sun Lounge an electric clear glass window that will enclose your balcony should there be inclement weather, some of the suites have unlimited Laundry and Dry Cleaning. Currently the largest cabins on the River with the two new ships that are being launched The Jasper and The Opal they have what is called The Royal Panorama Suite and at 475 Sq Ft. shall be the largest current cabins on the river. Yes must say that we are lucky enough as to be in one on our trip Jewels of Europe September 2,2015 Amsterdam to Budapest.

So for us Scenic Tour is giving us a lot more for what we are paying for and like Kathleen had said last payment isn't due until 90 days prior to sailing.

Lisa and Gary

We have cruised on ocean liners but have just started to research river cruising and are looking to do a Rhine river cruise in late summer/early fall of 2017. We have looked at many lines and are examining the square footage of the rooms on each line. On ocean liners the square footage of the room generally includes the size of the balcony and I am wondering if this is the case on river ships.

 

For instance, on AMA (which we are now leaning toward) the difference in the French balcony room and the twin balcony room is 170 sq ft versus 210 sq ft. If the 210 sq ft includes the outside balcony space then the actual difference in the square footage inside the rooms is probably only about 20 sq ft rather than 40 sq ft. I am thinking that a French balcony would be fine for us but if there is actually a 40 square foot difference in inside room size then the increased price would probably justify going with the twin balconies. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge on this subject?

Howdy 2pbears,

We are doing our first River cruise and I guess are very fortunate as we are sailing on one of the New Scenic Tours ships lauched this year called the Opal and we are booked into one of the Royal Panorama Suites and have 475 Sq. Ft Of Space. Can't Wait.

Gary

Good Morning To All Our Australian Scenic Cruisers,

This is LoneStarCruisinCouple, and just wanted to let those of you know that may possibly be cruising on either of the two new ships this year,Scenic Jasper and or The Opal. River Cruise Advisor at www.rivercruiseadvisor.com is going to be posting a daily Blog from their cruise on The New Scenic Jasper starting April 15 sailing from Budapest to Vienna. They are normally very informative and post a lot of photos.

Lisa and I are sailing on The Opal September 2,2015 and hoping that some of you that maybe on the same cruise as us may stop in and say Hi.

Can't wait for all the Fun to begin.

My husband and I are thinking of a trip around Germany and the possibility of including a river cruise as part of our vacation. We have done several ocean cruises and enjoy them for a laid back way to travel. We are not organized excursion fans and prefer to explore on our own. I'm a bit confused but it seems that most of the lines I have researched include what would be called a pre and/or post cruise tour as part of the cruise. Can I book the cruise alone? Do we have to do the excursions in each port, or can we strike out on our own as we do on ocean cruises?

 

Thanks in advance for any help!

Howdy there SuzCruise,

looks to be that you are a fellow Texan. We are Lisa and Gary LoneStarCruisinCouple from Sugar Land.

To answer your question yes you can strike out on your own as most but not all European River Cruise lines offer a GPS system that will guide you if you chose to go out and do your own thing so to speak.

We are sailing with Scenic Tours doing the Jewels of Europe 15 days from Amsterdam to Budapest. We have three days Prior in Amsterdam and three Days Post in Budapest.

We set forth out of Houston on August the 29.

Hoping this may be of some help to you.

Warmest Wishes

Lisa and Gary

Hi Jane, you are going to one of my favorite cities and it will be nice to have 4 days there instead of the usual 1 or 2. Not to be missed: Mattias' Church and Fisherman's Bastion; Cave Church; funicular; St. Stephen's Cathedral; Parliament (you have to buy tickets to go inside and you have to get them on line and in advance); the baths; the opera house; the Jewish Quarter; the zoo and the market. There's much more....buy Frommer's or Fodor's or any other travel guide that's about Budapest and if you're going on your own, buy one of the streetguide maps (plastic coated ones about the size of a business envelope, Barnes & Noble has them). Budapest is like NYC, Chi, SF, there's so many restaurants to choose from. Getting around is fairly easy and I think if you look on the ports page for Budapest you'll be able to get a recommendation for a local guide for hire. I know I've seen many posts here from people who have used them and been satisfied. Be aware though, unless specially licensed, a local guide can bring you to the Parliament but cannot do a tour.

Wow Hydrokitty,

I must say you certainly have so much information regarding the cities of Buda and Pest.

We are Lisa and Gary LoneStarCruisinCouple from Sugar Land,Texas.

Yes we are Newbies we are getting ready to do our first European River Cruise Jewels of Europe on The New Scenic Opal September 2,2015. Amsterdam to Budapest.

I have us booked into The Four Seasons Gresham Palace Hotel so fairly centrally located and so looking forward as to trying to take in all of those places that you have talked about.

Have a question to ask as you had made mention of buying tickets online for The Parliament Building but you had also said something about your tour guide being licensed as to give you the tour. I guess that this means that you still have to buy tickets but that your guide can be the one as to take you in and give you the Tour. Correct?

I am pretty much leaving most of the planning to the Concierge at the hotel as I have just given them some ideas as that we would certainly like to do a walking tour but also already have a Car and a Driver and a Tour Guide for one day, would certainly like to take in a True Hungarian restaurant with maybe some Live Entertainment possibly some Gypsy Music and also do a private Wine River cruise one evening as to take in The Lights from The Water of these two magnificent cities.

Is there maybe a couple of specific things that you as a seasoned traveler would possibly recommend to us. I think you had made mention of some sort of Hill that the view was just something not to be missed. Any and all ideas would greatly be appreciated.

Looking forward to our River Cruise as we have a Royal Panorama Suite on The New Opal and with The New and innovative ideas that they have added. Found out that they now have 475 Sq Ft so looking forward to Loungin" Laughin" and enjoying all Those Tasty Libations in Style.

Thanks Once Again

Lisa and Gary

Did you Try scenic?

 

We also wanted a Royal suite. We booked about a month ago for September 2016 and still had our choice....there are 4 Royals on Scenic.

 

We are doing the Jewels of Europe Cruise....but man...its a long time to wait

Howdy 41Rainbow,

We are Lisa and Gary LoneStarCruisinCouple from Sugar Land,Texas. and we booked our cruise with Scenic Tours way back in November of 2013 for a cruise that we are getting ready to do on The New Scenic Opal

September 2,2015

Jewels of Europe

as we wanted to be in One of the two Royal Panorama Suites and with The new design now on the two new ships The Jasper and The Opal glad that we did as they are now 475 Sq Ft. Of Luxury. Can't wait. 15 Days of Pampering coming our way.

See that you are from Melbourne. Myself I spent half of my younger years growing up in Melbourne and was a buyer for Myer Melbourne LTD.

Used to live in a High Rise on Lawnsdale Street but later purchased a home out in Greensboro. Sure do miss living there as I just don't know what it is about folks in The Land From Down Under but you folks just somehow someway know how to really enjoy life.

Anyways just wanted to wish you Smooth Sailings.

Lisa and Gary