Canal archive

In our youth whilst staying at a pretty high end Bath hotel we got a piece of advice from what was then known as the wine waiter - don’t turn your nose up at the house wine because if it’s undrinkable the hotel would rapidly lose a star or maybe two. I understand you have been on one Scenic cruise when you’ve been on as many as we have you will find that some of your implications are quite far off the mark. I enjoy the benefits of a Butler just make use of them, late with your early morning tea or coffee use the phone it won’t be late again, the lengths the staff went to, to find a red wine that I could actually drink on our Bordeaux cruise was impressive. They don’t get everything right but they do try. I do know that if I have to open my (husbands) wallet at the end of a cruise it’s for the shop and or a massage, everything else is covered. Luxury on the rivers is Scenic until I find another line then I’ll let you know.

It’s sometimes also the cruise companies that get caught out with airlines - original booking Air France from Bristol to Bordeaux on checking the flights to sort seats we are now Bristol - Amsterdam - Bordeaux and return Bordeaux- Amsterdam- Birmingham okay So there both B and B, ha ha the Scenic guys didn’t think it was funny either evidently it took some slick work to sort out. Air France had arbitrarily taken the decision to stop using Bristol. okay this was a few years ago but keep an eye on things with airlines as they are at the moment.

I know it’s a preview but it leads to a taste of the Bordeaux region, I’ve done this with Scenic and would do it again.

Here you go! I left it like this in case the link failed.

Try search for Calendar of events in Bonn Germany 2023, it worked for me.

Riverside Ravel ex Crystal on board Yacht Servant is en route to Fos-su-Mar on the Mediterranean coast just a little way from the Rhône estuary she should arrive by the 21st Feb.

Maybe that’s why DH wouldn’t go to Germany at this time of year, I’ll have to ask him!

In the U.K. it’s pancake day some! Race down the road tossing pancakes from a frying pan. For me it’s making pancakes for DH the only day of the year I make them, wish me luck, or maybe it should be him.

cccult our Australian friends are very forthright on a walk around Bern our guide dressed as a doctor, he was excellent by the way and very very informative we were throughly enjoying his presentation and story’s when one of our number began being very rude, complaining under her breath etc just loud enough for him to hear. What to do? Fear not we had Aussies with us from the back of the group a voice said ‘I presume your an adult so you know what you can do’ then to our tour guide ‘carry on your doing great’. To a round of applause and back on board a certain person was not a happy bunny. Unfortunately you do get the odd individual with is completely uncouth.

Thank you Notamermaid just looked her up on Marine Traffic interesting looks like she could be the same vessel that took the Scenic boat down through the Mediterranean.

Any docking allocation is in the hands (competent or not) be it a river or huge port location such as Amsterdam, the local docking authority, and the cruise lines have absolutely no choice in the matter. The docking position can be changed at the very last minute and then changed again. Don’t despair on your paperwork should be the contact details of your vessel if not your cruise companies office, if they cannot help I wouldn’t travel with them again. Juggling hundreds of vessels across many miles of waterways is a daunting process and if it’s to do with water the Dutch are the masters. Please don’t put the blame for location onto your cruise company.

There’s only one challenge with Scenic it’s their excursions and tours they add and change every year. We’re off on the Seine which we first did 2014 maiden voyage and this year we can do a different excursion every day. Your right the Royal is super and although we don’t us it every time we do usually try for the Diamond deck. It does help with the points we’ve accrued.

Believe it or not NATO was thorn in my side and I was a lowly Technical Illustrator not saying who with or what on though. SBS (Special Boat Squadron) it’s the Marines with knobs on think SAS or your Seals but specialists with boats, they don’t think they can do it, regardless they know. Mini fire axes think axe reduce the size, okay my friend was told it would be an exceptionally useful ********* machine.

Yes he certainly showed he had a touch of the Irish. During the Falklands challenges we lived in an area surrounded by the Royal Navy, plus Marines, (well I am or was a navy brat). One little story from a neighbour who was on board an aircraft carrier out there when the SBS arrived and were bunked with some of the officers who soon realised that every mini fire axe on board usually on the back of the doors had disappeared it took five minutes for them to clear the ship, they then went into Argentina and got one of our downed helicopter out.

Oh good it’s an area of the world that passes us Brits by, oh how I wish I was younger and fitter.

As well as CroisiEurope and Scenic Gem along with Viking Spirit at last report.

Looks like some of her stuff at least is on that tube thingy.

CPT absolutely pack in or leave out as much or a little as you like, do your homework (I know yuk) saves having to rethink on board and enjoy!

I’ve never heard of bidding for an upgrade before but then I’ve only traveled with Scenic. What is the usual difference in pricing between cabins and is it worth it? Just so interested.

Just think of us (shhh whisper here) as not oldies but similar to a fine wine fuller and more elegant as we mature.

I’m pretty sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised, we’ve been there and got plenty of T’shirts. Go with an open mind and enjoy yourselves but be aware it’s really addictive. Enjoy.

Luxembourg you can smell the money there, when we were there the strangest thing I was surprised at was sat outside the Louis Vuitton a beggar not exactly Vuitton style. Given the numbers of police around I’m surprised they weren’t moved on.

Are the BBC scaremongering again this in the news today. Droughts leave cargo riverboats high and dry https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64553079

He’s an absolute star a gorgeous Frenchman with a delicious accent. His foods not to bad either.

I thought you’d like to see this the latest innovation from Scenic. https://issuu.com/scenic10/docs/faq_scenic_luxury_cruises_consumer_luggage_and_tra