alexandra cruiser

AMA would be my choice.Have taken the above and it was the BEST by far.Took 3 on them so far.

Every point you questioned was WELL taken care of .

Travel channel Burt Wolff chose this line, figure he d really know,right?

Did you read the above sticky that talks about the different lines?info for newbies

Viking would be second of these,then Grand Circle(which I won t go on now due to NOT allowing TA s to book with them) and all senior Americans on line.

Glad to read a positive review.They must have really improved since I took one about 4 yrs.ago and it was a disappointment.Poor food, older ship,lousy service,etc...Sure the price was right,but would never go on another.;)

thanks notamermaid, I am currently checking all that out. I have not done a river cruise before and my problem at the moment is that as soon as i find a decent review and decide "that's the One" I then find two bad reviews-it's very frustrating but we've all been there. I rang 2\3 companies today but did not get to speak to Scenic-got fed up of hanging on after 15 mins or so.

Maybe you can try working with a TA? I have one who highly recommended Scenic,like many reviews there have been both good and bad.Have been on 11 river cruises so far with all the main lines,and found ea.ship in every line can be SO different.

Am trying Scenic in 3 days for first time,brochure and website look great so we ll see.My TA handled ALL the details so no long waits for me on phone,etc.

Will let you all know how it went when I return.;)

Since I don t have a list of ports you ll see, this is what I do.

Google tourism in ea.port and see what appeals to you.

Check out guidebooks for area on Amazon,etc.and read prior to cruise.

Find out what excursions SB has for ea. port and see if that might appeal,or do on your own,get a private guide,etc.

If going to Dubrovnik, check out that section here on CC .There is a Dubrovnik travel lady who posts freq.

We did that cruise with another line,but absolutely LOVED it.Sure you will too.

Hope that gives you some idea where to start.

Agree about shoes,but I ALWAYS use a TA,They give better prices and add perks too.Even give other incentives ,if you ask.Take care of all the details and no downside.Have done both ways and can even switch to one if you haven t made final deposit.

Shoes ,I agree, wear what s comfortable.Really, no one cares.

I also check both ways re.airfare.Like to do that on my own.Do read the threads under Airfare section re.cruise airfare.Will learn a LOT.After a few cruise ones, that were awful, now pick whats best for me.

Agree with above poster,but now that I experienced the 2 balcony one.Can NEVER go back to even just French now.

Not usually docked together for long periods of time.Nice to have a private space to sightsee.And if it rains,top deck no good.

If you can afford it,go for some type of balcony.If its a monetary thing,go for below deck with window.Better to at least BE THERE,right??;)

Bon Voyage Alexandra. Not sure when you are leaving - are you having any pre or post days?

 

Look forward to your review when you return. Hopefully the internet onboard will allow you to take us along with you. :D

Thanks,leaving Fri. and have 3 post cruise days in Budapest.

Yes, if internet up and I have spare time,will post.But will

definitely do a review when I return.

Sure hope Scenic lives up to its 5 star brochure.

Wow, does not sound great.Hope ours next week is much improved.Not on Gem and hope its just because its NEW?

Hope you complained about the problems so that they can be fixed,,,hopefully.

Not surprised about dinner times, in 11 river cruises always preferred you get there at 7 or near(even 2 AMA s I ve been one).Dinners ALWAYS tend to be slow,but usually pretty good(and hot,of course).

You had a typo above,said 9 30 AM not PM.Wow,must have FELT that long?haha

When you PAY for luxury,5 star you tend to EXPECT it,I agree.This will be my first Scenic,and hopefully NOT my last.(as I put a deposit down for the Gem next May,but if not up to par ,,,will cancel.

Hi,

 

I was on the Mariner for the same (well nearly the same) cruise this year, and had a great time, only one port that we did not enjoy was Matarani, but that was about it.

 

If you are interested, I am posting my cruise on my blog at the moment, only a few days left to write about. Check it out at http://www.ozstravels.com

 

The Mariner is a good ship for this sort of cruise because it is smaller and can get into ports that the larger ships are not able to visit or have to anchor at instead of dock.

 

Cheers

Thanks SO MUCH for that link.It was GREAT,feel like I ve already been there.And enjoyed the food.Lots to review,but somehow I missed if YOU had a rought terra del fugo passage??How long is it??

Mum of 3 - Can you email me at jampac@live(dot)com(dot)au and I'll send you the link. It's not a private blog as such, but I'd just like to say a few things about it to you that might not be of interest for general CC readers.

 

Thanks

If its still available I ll email you for this link.

Interested in this cruise for next yr.Also, between the 2 lines,if Regent adds it again.

Thinking of the BA to Valpariso or even Miami to Lima for next yr.

Wonder about the Tera del fugo section,is it as rough as I ve heard?What experience have you had there?

Have done the Rio to BA section.

Need a change from Caribbean(doing that again in Nov.).

Maybe Panama Canal??Open to ideas.Thanks in advance.

Maybe because I live in FL,but papers here have had a lot about it lately since they found some cases that got it in St.Martin and Haiti.

GUess you re really sick, a few fatalities(mostly in Haiti)but most DO recover.

I LOVE to leave my doors open on ship at nite,but have had bugs come in on occasion.Depends on if docked or at sea,I m sure.

Sorry, but (tongue in cheek) have NOT seen travel notice for "restless leg".

Yes, those da...bug s cause many diseases and not good,agree.

Just got my new full brochure from Scenic.SO many great new places to see.

Surprised at how some of the itinerary has changed.For instance,one I m taking in 2 wks.has dropped Transylvania and Constanta.Seeing Dracula s castle and viewing Black Sea 2 of the main reasons I booked it.

Wonder why?Not too popular,political probs in region,will never know for sure it seems.Will ask on this one.Glad I booked NOW.

Bordeaux and N.France also look good next yr.(booked May 28 on that one then).:)

Some people like Vantage.

We also took a Gate 1 river cruise.

Go for bottom price and book far in advance to get deals,like early bird.

We always book our own air fare for deals,can get cheaper hotel rooms pre and post cruise too.

Remember,once you get there.Can do what YOU want to.Can try HOHO bus,etc.

Give it a try.

I LOVED that area and cruise.Took Uniworld,but if you have to chose,go with AMA.Just top of the line,no comparison. We had the full balcony on AMAcerto and it was great.,but on another cruise.

Wonderful scenery along the river and ea.port is so interesting.

That s one I d do again in a heartbeat.

See from above post a NOTICE from CDC posted for St.Martin.WOnder what the difference is between that and WARNING.Just severity,spread,etc.?

Since I live in FL.and its already in some parts of state ,,I d have to worry every time I go out .What? As said before,will just take reg. precautions and HOPE I don't get it.

PS. sorry, but a little more concerned about it,then above poster.BUt,it made me smile. No restless leg syndrome NOTICE from CDC ,yet....:rolleyes:

Caskale,did you post this review on member review section yet?Or did you mean hear on reg.threads.?Looking forward to it and don t want to miss it.

Don t see any reviews for 2014 there yet.:confused:

Thanks for that link.

That s one island we ll be going to.

Will check it out.Wonder if CDC issued any warnings?

As Gilda Radner said,,""its always something"

Yes that is a problem. I've done everything that my limited powers can do, so let's hope the stickies help!

Well, hope you re getting some form of compensation for your hard work.But we DO appreciate it.Thanks:):)

THanks for correct spelling.

Odd, I ve not seen any threads.Maybe on certain cruise sites?

Agree, nothing to be paranoid about.BUt can see you d hate to get it and ruin your cruise.

But, hey,could be going to Saudi Arabia and worry about MERS,right?

Have seen stories on news about it,Chicahunga(or something).Not fatal but caused by mosquitos.

Heard we even have it here in S.Florida,but people got it in Caribbean.

I have a cruise there in Nov.but figure it can t be THAT bad.So many diseases caused by those d,,,,bugs. Will just take precautions.

Anyone concerned ,canceling,or not booking due to this?Just curious.:confused:

I too put it under front page on Search area,and nada.I just thought it was a glitch and went to web again.

Odd,right?

I m so glad I made this suggestion in the first place. THank ME very much.haha.sorry.:):)

THank you.Much appreciated .Will really help.:):)

Sorry,believe the SHE was for the editor.

But any help getting this as sticky or announcement will be appreciated by many of us who like to help,but tire of same old questions which could be addressed by reading this first.:):)

With a trip of this magnitude you NEED a TA who specializes in both river cruises and the rest of what you need.They can also give you a better idea of cost inv.

If I had choice between the 2 cruises,would go with Scenic(everything would be taken care of for you)but AMA is also great and would be my second choice.Get brochures from ea.,look at videos on you tube,read reviews,etc.

Yes, Paris is great place to start.Would spend at least 2,pref.more,of course,days pre cruise.

Try the shorter river cruises to see if you like them.Then can use train,if desired to stay in other cities you mention.

BUt DO get prof.advice,they give lots of info, good incentives,etc...no downside that I can see.