Roz

I can't imagine 100+ days on the Zandaam. 😒

@GeorgeCharlie, I experienced much the same situation on the Rotterdam back in March as far as staffing and service levels. Hoping the Oosterdam crew has its act together by the time March rolls around. If not, 31 days is going to make for a L-O-N-G cruise. Thank you for providing us with your comments and insights.

@GeorgeCharlie, I experienced much the same situation on the Rotterdam back in March as far as staffing and service levels. Hoping the Oosterdam crew has its act together by the time March rolls around. If not, 31 days is going to make for a L-O-N-G cruise. Thank you for providing us with your comments and insights.

I'm doing the opposite itinerary starting March 10. I would be interested in hearing more about what you found disappointing. Looking forward to this cruise in about 45 days.

As a general rule you're going to find the cabins on river cruise ships to be smaller than on ocean cruise ships.

I was on Tauck's ms Grace, and there are a few 3-passenger cabins. There were some families with children on the cruise and I think they had them booked. Tauck doesn't have single cabins per se, but they waive the single supplement on the lowest category of cabin. 3 adults in a cabin sharing one bathroom is too much, in my opinion. Keep in mind you'll all be trying to get ready for the same activities and tours at the same time.

Customer service stinks everywhere. If you want a frustrating experience, try applying for Medicare. 🤯 I started the process last July and when I left for a cruise in December, I still wasn't sure I had coverage starting January 1. I agree with the advice to get a PCC rather than call random order takers at HAL.

I was on the Rotterdam last March, and even though I don't gamble in the casino, I remember commenting on how small it was for that size of ship. Wonder why they didn't include a larger casino to start with?

Uniworld used the Radisson Blu when I sailed with them in 2016 or 2017. Nice hotel.

One time I had a 3 am or 3:30 am transfer with Uniworld from Passau and I wasn't the only passenger on the van. I don't remember it taking 2 hrs. to get to the Munich airport. You'll want to arrive at the airport 3 hrs. ahead of your flight. The security at Munich is TIGHT.

Does Avalon supply a transfer to the airport? I've had flights as early as 6:40 am and the cruise line got me to the airport almost 3 hrs. ahead of time. I'd contact Avalon first.

I previously posted that I didn't think I could work in a river cruise in 2023. Well, that's all changed. 😄 After my wonderful Tauck cruise in December, I booked the same cruise for this coming December as well as the cruise following it. B2Bs. I'll be spending both Christmas and the New Year in Europe, going from Amsterdam to Brussels and then Brussels back to Amsterdam.

I also recommend Tauck and Uniworld, with the caveat that I never sailed Crystal.

I've only changed cabins once on a B2B and it was a disaster. I knew more about the process than the staff onboard. This was at Canada Place. It was bedlam that day. I did not receive the service that others have reported in the past.

Well, I did it. Retired last November. Turned 70 one day and retired the next. 😄 I'm not sure it's sunk in yet. I had a European river cruise booked over Christmas. First thing I had to do was get my Christmas cards out and buy/wrap/ship gifts. After that I was doing laundry and packing. The cruise was wonderful, so much so that I booked the same cruise for this coming December, along with the following cruise that sails over New Year's. Right now I'm busy researching my official retirement cruise that's a 31-day cruise around South America in March. I'm starting to assemble clothes and determine what I need to fill in the gaps. After I come back in April, I'm going to research volunteer opportunities at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and the Museum of African American Music. The local senior center offers several exercise classes and day trips so I'm going to check out those. When I was coming back from my river cruise everyone was telling me I wouldn't get back on time due to all the airline snafus. I made it on schedule, but even if I hadn't, no worries, I didn't have to be back home in time to go to work.

Agree with @Colorado Klutch, they're not powdered eggs. I found more pasta dishes on the dinner menus, sometimes 2 or 3 on the same night. Cheap varieties of fish such as tilapia. Lots of mashed potatoes. But overall, still good.

@stitchinthyme9, I'm glad to hear you got a somewhat satisfactory resolution to your complaint. I agree, getting a $6,700 voucher is better than losing the entire $7,300.

This is not a popular opinion in the HAL forum and I'll probably get blasted for it, but overall the Music Walk acts just aren't that good. I live in a city with world class singers, songwriters, musicians, and performers. The average Nashville backup singer or session musician can run circles around any of the HAL acts. On my last 2 HAL cruises (March & October 2022) there was a lot of "sickness" among the musical groups so on any given night there may have only been only one act performing.

@Mrs. Claypool, that makes sense. Enjoy your cruise, that's a once in a lifetime experience.

I am still gushing about this cruise and thinking about how much fun I had and all the interesting things I saw. So....I booked the same cruise for this coming December along with the cruise after it. It will be a back to back and I'll be spending both Christmas and New Year's onboard. My travel agent was able to snag the same cabin for me for both segments so I don't have to pack up after the first cruise. I'm so excited.

I just retired in November and am taking a 31-day South American cruise on the Oosterdam in March. Very few lines offer an itinerary like that.

I noticed it doesn't include the Nile or Ganges Rivers.

@Gatorcpa, I'm pretty sure I know which waiter you're talking about. He was very surly with me one night when I wanted the fish instead of the prawns. Glad to hear you had a similarly good experience. I agree with you that the kids and young people onboard added to the fun. I wasn't expecting much in the way of Christmas markets which is one of the reasons I booked this cruise and not one on the Rhine or Danube.

I am still gushing about this cruise and thinking about how much fun I had and all the interesting things I saw. So....today I booked the same cruise for this coming December along with the cruise after it. It will be a back to back and I'll be spending both Christmas and New Year's onboard. My travel agent was able to snag the same cabin for me for both segments so I don't have to pack up after the first cruise. I'm so excited. I see more stroopwafels and bitterballen in my future.

Speaking firmly to someone isn't necessarily rude.