ninaks

I would love to hear about your cruise ElmwoodPark. I haven't heard from anyone who has been on the Monarch Empress on the Danube. How was the crew, the food, the tours? Thanks for the advice

We are leaving on a Gate 1 Danube river cruise on their new ship the Monarch Empress on Sept 25th. I am looking for advice from anyone that has taken a Danube cruise on which of these optional tours they recommend and why. I know people have different tastes but I could really use some other people's experiences to assist me in making these decisions. Here is a list of optional tours

1. Schonbrunn Palace or Classical Viennese Concert (they are on the same day so can't do both)

 

2. Full day Cesky Krumlow - would have to miss day in Linz for this tour

 

Let me know what you think please

thank you so much for the information. I know you will be on the week before us, but if you get a chance to post any information or recommendations I would love that. We are especially having a hard time deciding which optional tours to take. Thanks again for your help and happy travels

We are going on a Danube river cruise on Sept 25th on Gate 1. It is my first trip with Gate 1 after a couple of river cruises with Viking. I am checking if anyone knows about the water levels on the Danube, if there are any concerns. Anyone gone on this trip with Gate 1 and can give us any advice. Thanks!

We are taking the new Gate 1 ship in September on the Danube. I have been on Viking before and I was wondering if anyone has been on both Viking and Gate 1 and can compare the food and service. Gate 1 is less expensive so I am not expecting them to be the same but would like an idea of what to expect. Also, how were the tour guides. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you

We are sailing on the Danube next September on a new ship with Gate 1 travel. They do not offer cancel for any reason insurance, which is what we are looking for. I realize you usually only get 75% back on that kind of insurance, but there are some circumstances that make it so we really want that kind of insurance available to us. Can someone recommend an insurance company we could use? thank you for your help

Well using my miles right now the 90 minute connection at Heathrow is the best there is. My trip isn't until next year so I will take it for now and continue to look for a connection with more time just in case. I am using miles to go first class, so at least I should be in front of the line coming off the plane. I really do appreciate all the advice. I will definitely back some clothes in carryon just in case.

That is a scary thought, losing your luggage, but I like your recommendation. Of course, lost luggage means more reasons to shop! thanks for all the help. I am going to stick with these flights. Sounds like it shouldn't be a problem

Lots of great advice. It is on frequent flier miles from American so all booked together. I assume I can check baggage through, but was worried more about clearing with my passport. I arrive in Heathrow at 11:15 am so maybe will miss the worst of the lines. I will check out the calculator. You are all the best, thanks!

Anyone had to change airlines in Heathrow? How long should I plan on it taking to go through passport checks in Heathrow? I am flying to Budapest from Chicago but changing planes in London. I am on American Airlines. They have given me 90 minutes between flights and I just want to make sure that is enough. Changing over to British Airways in Heathrow. Thanks for your help

Thank you for the information. The new boat looks amazing and has lots of amenities if it comes out like they describe it. For myself, in the evenings after dinner, we usually go right to bed having been worn out from the day so I don't mind less evening activity. I think you are so right, that if you know what level to expect going in, you won't be dissapointed. We went ahead and booked for the Danube next September and already I can't wait. For us it was important to go to Salzburg and they were the only ones who offered it for a week long cruise. Thanks again for the feedback.

you've sold me! Cesky Krumlov it is. The place looks beautiful

Good to hear that you have had a good experience with Gate 1 tours. Everything I read about them seems to be very positive.

We are looking at taking a river cruise with Gate 1 next year. We have done 2 cruises with Viking on the Rhine and in France and loved them, but Gate 1 is much less expensive. It would be on a brand new ship on the Danube in September. They offer a choice between Linz and Cesky Krumlov. Can anyone recommend which would be a better choice? Also, has anyone recently been on a Gate 1 river cruise. I found several reviews, but most are several years old. Not worried about a review of the ship since we will be no a new one, but the staff, food, tours, etc. Thank you for your help!

We did a few days pre cruise in Paris and then did Viking transfers to the ship in Chalon. It is a new thing that you can do the viking transfers from the hotel to the ship even if you didn't do the pre-cruise with Viking. It was worth it to us, not having to drag our luggage on trains because you have to change trains on Sunday, there is no non-stop to Chalon from Paris on Sunday.

We left from Chalon on Sept 7th and had not problems at all. You should be fine and you will LOVE this cruise

We ate last night in Lyon at Archarge. It was amazing and only $30 Euros for a 3 course meal. They don't have many choices but each course was a work of art and the best meal I have ever had. They are rated either number 1 or 2 on trip advisor. Restaurant only has about 12 tables, but is very nice. Highly recommend it

We are 3 days into our voyage and having an amazing time. I will write a full review when we return but after all the horrible reviews I have read about Viking just wanted to get the word out that we are having a fabulous cruise. We are currently docked in Lyon. The crew have all been wonderful. They go out of their way to make sure you are having a good time. The food has been very good. Dinner does take a couple of hours, but I consider that part of the fun of the ship. Everyone we have met has been very nice. We have a french balcony room. They are definitely smaller than on the older ships but since you spend so little time in the room that doesn't bother me. Our excursions so far have been very good. We have not been impacted by high water or lock issues. Weather has been in the high 70's with some clouds. Only rain has been at night. Let me know if you have any specific questions. More to come later.

Our Portraits of Southern France cruise leaves on Sunday. Does anyone know if they are still having issues with the water levels in the northern part of this trip?

Try this hotel, it is in the Rue Clare and we loved it. In a wonderful neighborhood, walking distance to Eiffel Tower and close to train station. All sorts of lovely shops and restaurants right outside your door.

 

http://www.hotel-paris-bosquet.com/

We leave on our Portraits of Southern France cruise on Sept 7th. I do have a few questions if you don't mind. What optional excursions did you take and were they worth the time? While in Lyon did you eat at any restaurants you would recommend? There are so many there, it is hard to choose. Do you know if the lock maintenance is complete now and are the water levels still high? And finally, anything we should be sure we do that maybe you did that was not on the scheduled tours? I am so glad to hear you loved the trip. Between water levels, locks and volcanoes, it's good to know the trip is ultimately worth it. Thanks for taking the time to post

We went from our hotel in Basel to the ship and the cab driver asked which cruise line and based on that, knew where to take us to board the ship. You do not need their transfers, you can do it yourself.

I agree. I don't mind a change , just hoping it doesn't turn into a bus trip like I have read a lot about lately. If it does, we will roll with the punches for sure. Heck, will be in France, how unhappy could I be?

We take this cruise in a couple of weeks. I am hoping Viking is reading these posts and will reply with what is causing the change to this cruise.

I have only cruised with Viking so can tell you about them. Almost everything is included in a river cruise. All the meals are included, and most lines include wine and beer during your meal as well. Also if you want to buy wine off the boat and bring it back for dinner, they open and serve it to you for no charge. Most excursions are included, though they usually offer a few optional tours you have to pay extra for if you want to go. If you don't want to take included tours that is not a problem at all. There is plenty of food, you never go hungry. What is a big difference on river cruises is there really is no entertainment on the ship but since you are hardly ever on it except to eat and sleep that isn't an issue. On Viking they do have recommended gratuities at the end of the voyage that you should plan on. If you use them to book your air, transfers are included. If you do not use them, then you can pay extra for transfers. We usually book our own air. I like having control on when we arrive and how many stops we make. I don't think you would be sorry if you took a River Cruise. They are addictive