alexandra cruiser

and have done the Douro one(LOVED it),plus Egypt,Russia,and Vietnam.So not all European cruises.

Then I alternate with ocean, to get the best of both worlds.

We re not even retired yet, and still spend 1 mo.yr cruising.

If we wait till were too old ,won t be able to keep up.

Did the driving and bus tours when younger,but just too much trouble now.Like to unpack once, be waited on, watch entertainment,etc..Great.:D

how many of you take the first cruise by that company to a specific itinerary?I always wonder if they have to work out the rough spots.

The one I put on HOLD with Scenic is doing its first cruise next yr....so maybe its good I m going in 2015?

After 10 different areas, getting to a point where I ve seen most of them.Wish they d come out with a few more.See Viking has a new eastern France one starting next yr.Maybe more luxury ones will also go there now? :confused:

We put a hold on Vantage China for 2015 and they called me in Nov. with dates. Pretty sure hold fee was refundable and positive that it was transferable....i've traveled with Vantage so many times that quite frankly I'm more concerned with ME still being around in Oct 2015 than them! uote]

 

my DH(70)said same thing.Told him not to worry, will get insurance just in case,But isn t it sad when you get that age where THAT could be a concern.

Maybe that s why I m so interested in crossing things off bucket list,have seen a few older(*80s )cruisers that are having such a hard time.But then I think,hey, they re STILL HERE and thats GREAT>hope I m same way.:)

You should check further. GCT has an A+ BBB rating. The site shows 58 closed complaints in the last three years. My quick calculations show GCT has approximately 23,00+ passengers a year on their European river boats. To me, that is a pretty good ratio.

I checked company out 2 yrs ago, and not since then.

Also, my TA said that GCT does not deal with TAs,and that made me uncomfortable.Like the help and cash back from them.

Thank heavens,there are many companies to chose from,one that fits every taste and budget.Pleased you ve been happy with them.:)

We went on the Scenic Jewel in August of this year and booked the last deluxe balcony cabin 15 month in advance!! I think Scenic is very popular with Australians and New Zealanders.

Cheers

my TA is "one of you" and told me about all the wild drinking and parties.So I m prepared.

My first Scenic cruise is in June,my TA raved about the company, so I m really looking forward to it.:)

I am reserving a Douro River cruise with AMA for 2015 today (at least, hopefully--TA is calling). Definitely hoping it is not sold out.

it was 1 of our favorites,,out of 10 river cruises so far.

Lovely scenery,cute ports,and would do it again.

Glad to hear I m not the only doing this.:)

if any of you have done this in past?Seems every time I find a cruise I like ,with right date,and cabin its SOLD OUT over a yr.in advance.

So, put a $250 pp HOLD on Scenic cruise for 2015(will go toward balance,but non refundable,I think?)should have checked with TA.Did this for next cruise in 2014 because same thing happened. So far,so good.

Know the boats are small,and Scenic has less of them,but wonder if the popularity of river cruises now causing this on other lines to?

o??

Still want to try a river cruise, Alexandra. Thinking of Paris to Normandy.

 

Lounge musicians were good, and more varied. On Riviera, they had a string quartet as well as two house bands and a lounge pianist. All were good.

 

On Riviera, they have the Jean Ann Ryan Company, same as Regent, so the nightly shows are about the same, although with the tiny, low-ceilinged stage, they could never do a 'cirque'-style show.

 

I don't like the seating in the Riviera Lounge, and I can understand why the team trivia folk hate having it there--it really belongs in Horizons.

 

I like the idea of booking private excursions and sharing with others. It worked for us in Tangiers (thanks Sherry), and we had one arranged in Azores as well, although we had to cancel because of the port being missed. Then again, in Madeira we took a cab and got a nice tour for $60. I really do wish Regent would drop the included excursions and let us buy our own. (This from someone who always bought ship excursions on R until they were included, never went private.)

on.The Seine from Paris to Normandy with Scenic.2014 will be the first yr.they re doing that,an d I m booked up till 2015 right now.BUt these sell out FAST,over 1 yr in advance.For $250 pp you can put HOLD and cabin will be avail when new schedule comes out.(SOLD out for 2014 already).

So just a heads up.We re trying this line in June,Budapest to Bucharest,because its considerd LUXURY and has the 2 balcony cabin.None of the other lines has this on Seine.But if not a big deal for you, my next favorite in AMA(and I ve been on 10 different cruises,so far).

Yes, I remember those Regent dancers/singers and enjoyed them.Glad to hear on Riviera.

Re/shore excursions,every port is different,check ea .alternative and also do private or go on own.But,often,take inc.bus to tour site and then go on own.So it varies with ea.itinerary.WE WERE going to take the Holiday cruise with Regent to S.caribbean,but they cancelled it for next yr.That s why we booked with Oceania.

would it be possible to just fly in that day,and get to ship?Guess I ll have to look into that,but probably not a good idea.Just we ve been to Istanbul a few times,did LOVE the sites,etc....but rather just by pass it this time.

Same with Athens,so good to know you had no trouble getting to airport and taxis right at port.

As I read this, sounds like :"been there done that "thing,sorry.;)

and value your opinions re Riviera,have that one booked.Just got off Regatta and had a great time.

KNow what you mean about the Toscana oil show,after the first time,we just said,,no thanks.

How was the entertainment on Riveira>like the singers and dancers on Regent Mariner and Voyager,but was not impressed with those on Regatta last month.

The inc.drinks USED to be a big thing,but for medical reasons we don t imbibe any longer.I m one of the few that DID like some of the Regent shore excursions,we ended up paying $15oo for them on O.So have to take that into account.

Like to try new ships,lines,itineraries,etc.....not a fan of just one line.

Same with river cruise,like to experience them all.;)

Are you only interested in a Junior Suite? There is one available on 16th September sailing according to the website.

but realize I ll HAVE to wait till 2015 for a July sailing.

Have a June 2014 already booked.Trying to figure how far in advance to book that since 2014 July already sold out.My TA is working on it,not even sure when that scedule comes.out.

Re.the photo of GCT boat,THATS why I m NOT TAKING it.Looks very small and uncomfortable.Would rather PAY more and GET more.Between that and the NO TA thing,no way.Had bad BBB reviews for customer service in past,I always check.;)

whew,those cold temps would do me in.I m used to warm weather in FL.haha.

Loved the HOHO bus info.

Also got a brochure on Romania,by googling tourism office.

Only have 2 days there and HOPE to see it all.

Love Budapest,esp.the lites on river at nite.:)

Scenic have a new boat for the Seine in 2014. It is smaller than their other river boats. Will only be taking 128 passengers.

 

We have booked for the 6th October, 2014.

and now ALL BOOKED UP for 2014.So now will have to wait till 2015,it seems.Do let us know how you like this one.As said,taking my first Scenic one in June 2014.Booked 1 yr in advance,but wanted jr.suite and just thought THAT was booked so far in advance,amazed ALL cabins booked.

Wish they d offer MORE cruises.As said,other companies are doing route,but this is ONLY one with balcony.;)

but have read Paul Gauguin cruise top of the line for that area.

Would love to go,but DH not going along with me YET.:)

wow, really agree he was VERY LUCKY.What are the odds,right?

Both my DH and myself always laugh that IF,,,a big IF..we ever had a medical emergency we always hoped it would be at the hospital,or at least the office.But ,with our luck,it will be some out of the way place.

As i mentioned above,I ve had many accidents and always seem to happen in odd places.Last was when my beagle was a puppy, somehow wrapped his leash around my leg ,I fell and Fx my ankle.My DH is an orthopedic surgeon and thought I was kidding him when I told him to come get me in the park(luckily it was on a Sun AM). He comes in handy.

Oh, gets better, he got me a small wheelchair so I could still cook,etc.Told him I couldnt do it all with crutches,so that was his answer.PS.I was trying for household help,oh well.:p

take care of the rest.Need to know ALL the details FIRST, have used MANY different TAs and never find everything I want to know.

Basically use it for the cash refund.Even book own air,I know,but Im happier doing it this way.Sort of a hobby now,get LOTS of info here on CC that TA never heard about.PS.,do own insurance too.Guess I m somewhat of a control freak,I know.:o

can you tell me how soon you booked this.?

We re on one in Dec.2014 and kind of hoped to book it onboard and get the deals(like we did this one).

We ve been to Athens and Istanbul also,but will probably book hotel in Istanbul 1 nite pre cruise due to airlines.Did you?With Oceania?

Then go home that same day from Athens,did you have any trouble getting to airport on time?

Was trying to determine which cruiseline,but Azamara fully booked for that one already for 2014.

Wish they d offer more cruise dates.

Hi alexandra cruiser

 

Just finished a sixteen hour shift so forgive my typos:)

 

Yeah I had my suspicions about this doctor when he asked me about dosage and such (Predisone ). I understand all Doctors do not know all things, they have specialties. However I was new to this great disease I have and am so grateful the nurse took charge! I could not breathe after walking across the room, I had an exacerbation I'm told. The nurse knew he was not up on my problem. I stopped by at the end of the cruise to thank her, She told me she was just doing her job! I told her she not only saved my vacation but very well could have saved my life! When you cant breathe nothing else matters!

 

P:S Love a Doctor with a weird sense of humor,work with a few :) Rather that than the self important %$&* :(

Reader

I never worked more than 12,and HATED that.Now semi retired and only work 1 day a wk.and for my DH.Anymore than that and I d go crazy,for one thing. Don t get paid,he says anything HE MAKEs ,I get anyhow.So true.

Some Drs.ARE very rude, and like to treat nurses and staff like their servants.We would all try to scatter from desk when one of them came on the floor.

One of my DH s colleagues ,stopped by to visit and when my DH asked if he could call him by first name,he same NO,,call me Dr.,,,,Dr. So we always referred to him in future,as DR>DR>..get a life,right?

with lists of river cruise companies and their solo policy?Maybe in category like luxury,premium,etc?

Faith, I agree we took a Viking to Russia a few yrs.ago and LOVED the whole experience.

Now looking at one in hi er end for sister in law.;)

just French, Did I miss one? After trying one of the longships on AMA,and having one booked on Scenic,,,think I d like to use one that has THAT again.LOVED it,made small rooms seem so much bigger with lots of light and air,plus great views. So doing better,am nailing it down.

Anyone do either of these two?:confused:

not sure exactly WHAT is considered luxury,per se.

But with A I have to upgrade to suite to get same perks as O concierge level,tub,full room service breakfast,specialty rest.s,etc.,,,so will COST me more.So still not sure what s best for me.Since next yr.on A sold out,may have to take O since they have bigger ships.Or just wait till 2015.whew.Some say the food ,beds,etc better on O,but itinerary better on A.Decisions,,,,??Doing a river cruise in June from Budapest to Bucharest(with extension to Constanta)..so may end up just waiting 1 more yr.or take another river cruise.To alternate between the 2.Have a Dec.2014 O cruise already booked.Love to cruise and running out of places to visit,,how rough,eh?:)

I might some some who were browsing under France ports,that might have more info also.

under the cruise insurance section here on CC,someone might know the answer.

We got a little sidetracked here,,started as Dr.and nurse stories .;)

loved the blog and pics.Also ,did a bus tour of area and saw much of same sites.But river cruise seems to focus more on port towns.

Re.cruise ship.Will have to pass on GCT,Vantage due to not allowing TA s and we prefer to use one.Also, the beds would be a turn off.Like a little more luxury.

May focus on AMA, Scenic or Uniworld.

Need to do more research,And hopefully read more reviews and posts here.;)

and the 2014 sold out already.Would want a suite,guess smallest one,so when would I need to book it.? Hate to tie up $2,200 deposit for that long,plus would need to purchase cancel for any reason insurance then,,and pay for THAT.

The price is really higher it seems than O,since air is nOT inc.May have to rethink this.My TA also says(deals in luxury only) that A is NOT considered same par as O(which he covers).Odd? Not sure how cruises are rated.:confused: