Canal archive

Ta all so interesting reading your flight machinations I’m just so glad I’ve never had those challenges flying to North America.

Good job you had a very good TA.

Scenic nearly got caught out on one of our cruises so many wanted to do a particular bike tour they ran out of bikes solved it by hiring every bike in quite a wide area, now I don’t bike (had enough in my youth on the race track) so watching the off was some of the best fun I’ve had for years. It really is a popular activity. I must admit to liking watching early morning Tia Chi, note to self must have a go.

Franski we should set up a competition is my kg heavier than yours! I’m sure those lovely crew members don’t weigh the bags but they can certainly sharpen up a shirt or two.

Found it but the wording is really different - There are no specific pieces of clothing we insist you pack - blah blah advice on shoes blah blah then the last sentence- Dinner attire is smart casual open-neck shirt, trousers, dresses; you may wear a jacket or blazer with a tie but it’s not required. Now I know we speak the same language but divided by a ******** great big ocean but that difference is ridiculous. oh and the lady in the dress said she shoved it in her suitcase at the last minute as she had room and wore it at a few events as it saved her more casual gear and when she wore it, it was only for a short time. As I don’t wear dresses it seemed a good enough reason to me.

The first time we went California the film Crocodile Dundee had just been released and quite a few people thought my DH was Australian, now he didn’t have a particular accent then but now has a slight Wiltshire one which could at a push seem to have a slight Aussie twang. Still it was a conversation starter. We’ve met everyone from travel company executives to cherry growers and water buffalo farmers all Australian all super fun especially on a bus remembering past English comedy programmes and comedians, crying with laughter is true.

So you did and if I’d been able at the time to read the full article I would have realised. Still I wonder if it’s the same hackers who put a spanner in Scenics IT a few months ago. Which did seem to be worse in North America than in the U.K.

Well from what I can see it’s not in the U.K. small print. If you look there are some beautiful dresses available these days I just wish I was the right shape to wear them, although skirts, trousers, or culottes are more useful with mix and match tops and you haven’t seen my black designer jeans.

This seems a bit iffy to me have you contacted Vantage?

Not a very good picture but ready for the gala evening. Note gentlemen jackets one with and one without tie ladies I think just right but sadly not much bling. Hope this helps 2017.

Do you know I’ve never seen that Scenic ‘require’ anything one year an Australian guy insisted on wearing his shorts to dinner he was asked once if he would please wear trousers and refused - so for the rest of his cruise at dinner he sat alone even his wife wouldn’t join him. I’ve been on many Scenic cruises and would you believe I’ve actually been looking for a long skirt for this year but have decided on a pair of culottes, or wide trousers. I’m not a skirt wearer. In the evening I wear smart trousers usually, no jeans but I do have a black pair of designer jeans which I could easily get away with. Dressy tops yes, who doesn’t want to look as good as possible, a little bit of bling works wonders and a showy wrap, I find the restaurant air con a bit on the chilly side, I usually forget it and have to retrieve it in the morning if our butler hasn’t beaten me to it. Please the Scenic crew are really friendly and helpful if you’re unsure about anything just ask. We’ve walked on board a new cruise to be greeted by ‘hello Mr John’ etc when a member of the crew remembers us from a previous cruise. Our next cruise will be interesting.

It’s something to do with the sugar supplements in Diet as opposed to Zero.

Just go for it she has nothing to loose at least then she will find out if the offer is worth it or not. That’s what the agents are there for if no one asks then why be in the business.

Notamermaid if you ever get the chance cruise with Scenic, every cruise we’ve been on Australians have been well in the majority. Super company wonderful sense of humour BH usually came up in conversation funny, funny man in all of his guises. A sad loss to comedy.

paul21 I forgot the new on board credit well done for remembering. Kristelle yes pressing = ironing and no not in your cabin apart from anything else no room especially for the ironing board. My crib sheet for how I mix and match my garments especially for the longer cruises is I think a work of art as my DH cannot understand it.

The one thing that weighs a lot but may not have that much on board is believe it or not ‘water’ and it’s one thing they do get rid of to help over a short distance.

I think this effort just might be banned, I know I’ve only ever traveled with Scenic and I am now absolutely convinced you have never. I don’t know what cruise you were on but in the number of cruises I have been on with Scenic I have never seen any difference in how the passengers are treated if they choose to spend their hard earned cash on roomier cabins or on what we affectionately refer to as Aquarium class you make your choice. Table de Rive is the only area not offered to all and that is clear for all to read about before they embark. Just because there are different colours of name badges does not mean anything apart from that some of us have spent a hell of a lot more than others with Scenic. I sincerely hope and actually don’t expect to come across you or someone as biased as you appear to be on my future cruises. Oh just in case I’m banned happy cruising all.

All Scenic cruisers get one bag = I think 1kg per cabin per cruise free I’m sure I’ve fitted in more and I bet they don’t weigh all of them, it’s referred to as the laundry concierge. Not all cabins but most get 2 items pressed per day. Yes hang in the bathroom but evidently it’s a huge no no to hang anywhere near your balcony and I can understand that. Ask your TA to get a laundry price list from Scenic. I’m waiting for a health/fitness one as I was told it was being updated.

When we did the Douro, the Mateus Palace was closed for renovation when I find my notebook and date for the photographs I will try to help. When my Mum bless her little cotton socks, passed away clearing here house she still had Mateus Rose bottles filled with sand as door stops, now that wine all those years ago was considered quite sophisticated but mum liked the bottle shape - she was quite the wine connoisseur but preferred an evening glass of Tio Pepe straight from the fridge.

French for keeping your scooter well away from this piece of road - chassis de ferme - wrong spelling no doubt but we soon learnt, great big holes in the road!

Pontac I have absolutely nothing against Viking especially because how the treated my all time best friend when her husband was taken ill on one of their cruises I will always have a special place in my heart for that crew and the company. I’m just comparing - and okay I’m generalising here - the overall rankings of river cruise companies. You I must admit seem to have had a strange cruise with Scenic and I’ve never had a Viking cruise but I have met with quite a few who have and have cruised both companies and their comparisons do in no way compare with yours.

Only joking but it took an Aussie to rank Scenic with Viking!

The reason for the Lille stop was because there as yet were no border facilities in Avignon. Technically you could board the first Eurostar from London have lunch in Marseilles and return to London in the same day. May try it one day.

We’ve Eurostarred several times to and from mainland Europe for river cruises canal barge journeys and other chasing around Europe excitements. Much better than flying far more relaxed. The only drawback was on our return from the South of France having to get off the train for border control at Lille.

Kristelle we’ve never had to wait but as with everything there’s always a first time. On our last two Scenic cruises the fitness team were more in evidence, walking pole lessons and practice, some yoga and Pilates just ask at reception. Bikes available whenever possible to use them, if you want to do any extra exercise you can. I haven’t tried a salt therapy yet though.