alexandra cruiser

And wonder ,those of you have read it and gone on the ship after refurb.

Did you agree?

Will be taking my first cruise on it next yr.

Glowing review, so that s a plus.

in late May. April would be too cool for me,like hot weather.But personl preference.

I LOVED this cruise and would be one I d do again. Enjoyed the Lisbon time since I d never been there before.Even bus ride kept my interest.lovely sights and towns.Stopped for lunch,etc.

Scenery on river was beautiful, wine and olive groves, rolling hills,quaint towns,etc. Look at some videos to get an idea.

Salamanca bus ride no problem as felt the same about seeing some of Spain,all in how you view these things ,it seem.

Hey, I too enjoyed the Monatery dinner,what can I say.Enjoy the dinners ofboard and in Porto did it on own for nice change.

So I d highly recommend this,think Scenic does one also.Check all details to see which one best for YOU.We re all different,as you can see.

and have done 11 others with all the main lines.We love all the details inc.in Scenic.Really the most inclusive of all, you ll pay NOTHING extra.All drinks,excursions(most charge for extra ones),pickup at airport(even if air done on own),tips(inc.bus and guides,etc.), you name it,its covered.

Look at the suites, we had a tub,butler,room service, balcony with glass cover for rain,or not. Just top of the line.

Food best on any so far.Seems more expensive but when we added all the perks,same as others.

My 2nd fav.is AMA. Tauck great but no balcony.Is a must for me,french balcony is better than window,but not much.Love to sit out there and watch world go by,even early am with coffee and robe on.

would say Scenic is more 5 star as Uniworld 4. Love many things about Scenic, such as the balcony(that can close in rain),tubs in suites,butler,room service,airport pk.up even if not on cruise air,etc. Do look at all the difference,itinerary,dates,etc. Lots to consider here.Budget being one.Get both brochures and read all details very carefully to see which right for you.

Agree with above,paid nada on leaving last Scenic cruise.oh, forgot food is best I ve had on a riverboat.

do read the reviews under member review section for this cruise.

Loved the itinerary esp.the inc. Halong Bay cruise overnite,and 5 star hotel visits in Saigon and Hanoi.

Ship had balconies and food,staff,etc.all top rate.

Agree, you ll love it, whatever line.See whats best for YOU.

Ps. is a physically demanding one.Lots of stairs,climbing out of small boats,etc.Make sure you re up for it,plus heat and humidity.

At the top of their home page, "Going Ashore & Flights" then "Excursions"

 

Once you're at that page, go near the bottom, "Click here to find a port" and that will take you to a list of every port they visit. Search by first letter, find your port of interest, and click it. That will take you to an overview of the port; there will be a tab for "Excursions" which will show you a list of available excursions.

 

As your cruise gets closer, you can access this information directly from the page with your itinerary. But not yet for June 2016.

that really helped now I can get an idea of what shore exc.are available.Love to get guidebooks, look at tourist info online,etc.even a yr. in advance to get some idea of what to look forward to.On many stops we do it on own, others we use cruise exc.Do they offer any deals if you book a certain number of them?

Flyer talker,thanks for reminding us of the fine print for cruise air.Trying it this time and will see how it goes(just for financial reasons,hate to tie up money so far in advance).Have had few times when booked on own and STILL had major [problems .Better than walking,but always some risk involved.You gave me good tips in past for flights to Vietnam.

Where do you rank Uniworld?

but would be 3rd.Depends on ea.boat ,of course.We did Portugal.Did Viking in Russia and dead last.on that one.So ea.country also can determine quality and choices.

Try to be honest and NOT be a cheerleader for just one line.We now have done so many that its mostly based on itinerary,then line.Like AMA was best(at time for Vietnam),etc.Also, food important but LOVE the extra perks now like balcony,tub,room service,etc.which are RARE on river cruises(only Scenic so far unless you upgrade on others to suite.

know its expensive,but after first cruise we booked another.

Food was similar to Oceania,but if you want really top of the line 6 star for all dinners,have really never experienced that in 11 different river cruise with all the main lines.

Second choice is AMA.

Can always have lunch etc.onshore too.

but booked this over a yr.in advance and prefer not to PAY for air so far in advance,this way can put it off.

Also, flying home from Rome on same day we disembark and prefer no hassle to get there from port.

With Business I HOPE flights not too bad.Checked on own and these from SS where cheaper.

Also, need to look at shore exc.offered,but having a hard time on SS website.Find ports but not able to see excursions ,will have to check again(know its far in advance,but have similar port exc.for this yr.).Any ideas what I m doing wrong,or will have to call.

looks like I ll be able to find some good books,but will bring a few paperbacks just in case. Not into kindle,know old school,haha

DH wore a dark blue blazer on the Seabourn black tie optional and was NOT kicked out. But read the formal requirements and was concerned,maybe not strictly inforced? If not,always other rest.options,or room service. He s sort of "eccentric" in that regard and does NOT even own a suit.We live in FL and not at all formal anywhere.

Learning a lot from photos too.Helps to sort of get an idea of it all.Member reviews do help,but tend to be negative.Picked this one for itinerary mostly(to see small Med islands like Menorca,Sardinia,Corsica,etc.Cancelled a Crystal one when I found THIS one next June due to that.

Have fun,I just got back from Oceania cruise that did similar itinerary as one you re on.

have gone thru them and really learned a lot.

Terry, did ask some questions on yours.

Will continue to follow them.

I booked the air package(first for me) and hope that works out.Didnt want to have to spend extra pre and post nites,so figure cruiseline could get me there in time.Upgraded to Business.Anyone have opinions,complaints,etc.about this service?

Any suggestions for these ports?Will look under CC for info too.

Corsica,Sardinina,Ibiza,Palma Majorica,??

I have followed many of your cruises and always so appreciated your photos and attention to detail.Learn SO much.

Are all shows at 10pm?Is it mostly singing,not dancing?

How would you rate the shore excursions,say compared to your other luxury cruises?

Is it difficult to get reservations in the other rest.when a formal nite.My DH refuses to bring a suit,so must do with jacket and tie.

Any photos of Library,many non fiction books there?

Have you had room service,opinions?

Thanks in advance. :)

other ports are Ibiza,Monaco,Corsica,Portifino,Rome.Booked for next June 27 2016 and will be a first time Silversea cruiser.

Read a few negative Cloud reviews and little concerned.

Do they have referral credits for first timers ,,like some lines?

Any recent cruisers please give your opinions.Thanks in advance.How was your cabin,dining,shore excursions,etc??:confused:

most seem to start with variation of above rec.by Host Jazz.Like to see pretty scenery,small towns,and castles,etc.

Other great ones(we loved)were Paris to Nice....Portugal...sadly Egypt(now security risk),Russia(same,,ex.for boat(old Viking one).Would save East.Europe till little later.After Budpest (to Bucharest)more industrial and not as scenic.But loaded with history.A trade off.

Read member reviews,look at ports section,get guidebooks,watch you tube.Lot s of info.Then find one and TRY it.

River cruising is a lot different than ocean.See if its for YOU.Good luck.

King of Cool,,,for first river cruise I d suggest an 8 day one with a few days pre and post cruise in that city.That way if its NOT for you(yes, SOME don t like them for various reasons)..you re not "STUCK" on it.As some have shared.

Also, if you want a full balcony check for THAT in particular on ea ship...for Viking it would be one of the longboats(newer).

Caviar girl,,,mentioned that about being able to change river companies.Many feel if they re not happy with first one,,just never try again. I waited a few yrs. between them and GLAD I tried again with another line(and didn t give up)

pick itinerary you want, money you can spend, check ALL details.

Then pick ONE, if not fantastic,try another.

We have been on 11 so far, all the major lines, love Scenic(but can NOW afford it,truly luxury),but next would be AMA(was featured on Travel Channel,so must be pretty good,,).Have been on AMA twice and just a touch below Scenic . My first was Viking(but to Russia)and ships old then so was NOT impressed.Would take the again ONLY for itinerary.But many love them.Avalon, Uniworld,etc.were all fine(just more middle of road).

Look at you tube too, can see boat,etc.You DO TEND TO GET what you pay for.

Good luck.

there is thread for Scenic cruisers.

Love Scenic and took my first one in June,but booked another for this May(Paris to Normandy).

Took the route your on with another company and SURE you ll love it even more than I did since YOU ll be one the best river company there is(IMO)..haha.:)

they don t COST you anything and can get discounts, obcs,etc. Also, can handle insurance, airfare,etc..or can check out on own and have THEM book and handle it all.

Sorry, but would NOT use cruise company that doesn t work with TA s, so no advantage in that.Always check FIRST to see that they do.Just my opinion,of course,but that s why I have avoided those companies that DON T.

Mine even gives a discount when I use "luxury lines" like Scenic,AMA,and others.Not sure but THINK Grand Circle, Vantage,and some others DO NOT allow TA s. I ask,,,WHY??Just a hassle and can nickel and dime you as above poster said,see no reason to use those..but that s another topic.:confused:

I ve been on 12 river cruises,starting in my 40s ,and ea.ship,company,route,etc. offered PLENTY to keep active(if you chose).

Ea.one had a variety of ages, admittedly mostly seniors,but YOU can decide in ea.port what to do,can walk on top deck,some have exercise rooms.

So go with the company that fits your budget,dates,itinerary,etc...LOTS to determine.

We now prefer the more upscale lines,and suites,(since we can finally afford them)..now love Scenic,but second choice is AMA.

You get what you pay, try one line,then if not perfect for YOU....try another.

Everyone seems to have their favorites,oddly I enjoyed every one.Just some more than others.Find your favorite..and good luck/.:)

then cruisers would have no complaints and use or NOT use tub as they desire.

Just felt it was odd that the NEW ship wouldn t have inc.it,,,nice to have a CHOICE.That s all.

Liked Voyager bathroom,but vibration probs got to me.Even "buzzed" feeling in tub,,sort of like a Jacuzzi. GEEZ, even Scenic riverboats have a tub in jr.suites and up,,,and MUCH smaller cabins.Oh well, nuff said.

Ended up finding similar itinerary with Crystal and will TRY them(firstimer)next.

Will miss Regent,as I ve been on 3 cruises with them,,maybe NEXT new ship???hint,hint

that no tub is inc.in veranda level H and G.

Am really quite shocked, build a new ship and not inc. tubs on 2 levels?WHY?

Even next grade ships(like Oceania,etc)have them.

Was actually looking at itineraries ,but then saw that fact...Changed my mind,not worth extra thousand or more per person for my tub. to upgrade to concierge or PH.

May not be important to all, but a deal changer for me.So sad,stopped on Mariner when they changed over,had just a handful remain.

Too bad,ship looks great and had some trips I d like.

did post review for one I took in June also. It was great ,so booked another.

Love the itinerary too.Plus dates just right for us.

Once you go on Scenic,its hard to go back.Really 5 star.Loved the large cabin,balcony,butler,free drinks,free pick up,free excursions.How can you go wrong,eh?Worth every penny.:)

that do cruise you want.

We re doing that one in June with Scenic, love the all inclusive cruises,so not nickel and dimed.But 2nd choice would be AMA ,as others have said.

May have to chose another time tho, would be too cold then and most stop after Oct.or so.

Lots of info to research,book early,and if not the right choice....try another line next time.

so I checked internet sites for best price(along with cruise site) and asked my TA to get THAT low price(he also inc. his cashback offer),but be friendly but persisitant. Seems to work MOST of time.

I travel every 6 mos.so feel I m a loyal customer and they re making money on my business.Pointed that out too.

We also have a river cruise to Paris 5/15 and are seriously considering canceling. I call it common sense!! With US warnings for travel and France on high alert, why would I play Russian roulette with terrorists? France is a hot spot right now and canceling may be the smart thing. We will wait a few more weeks and make our decision.

and unless something really BAD happens on Seine or Paris before then,have no plans to cancel. Chances of something happening to us pretty low.That thinking would prevent us from going almost anywhere anymore,even NYC.

But do what feels right to YOU,we are all different.Don t be swayed by others,make your own decision. Its easy for posters here to make you feel like a "scaredy cat",but ignore them and make your own choice.