Pre-Cruise extensions

[Tedferg]

We just returned from our first river cruise. We were with three other couples and one couple chose to make their own hotel arrangements etc and not stay with us in Prague.

 

Normally, we are independent travellers and make all our own arrangements but this time we went with the flow and I am happy we did so. Avalon had a desk in our hotel and it was great to meet the Cruise Director ahead of time and find out all the arrangements and tours that were being offered. The other couple who did not stay with us came over to our hotel every day to find out what was happening. They were able to do the Prague city tour with us only because the Cruise Director found space for them. Also, the day of embarkation they had to get a taxi to our hotel early in the morning even though we were not leaving the hotel for Nuremberg until 1pm. Not sure what they did with their luggage as ours had been taken care of and we were out touring Prague.

 

It is probably a lot less expensive to do the pre-cruise extension on your own but we were happy we chose to do it with Avalon.

 

Not to belabor the point, but that was exactly my concern. And so doing the cruise in reverse direction means we are free after disembarkation to go to Prague on our own and do not need to coordinate with cruise line.

[Tedferg]

We discovered this hotel by accident last year when staying at the Hilton and it is delightful!

 

Which Hotel in Prague Old Town ?

[caviargal]

Which Hotel in Prague Old Town ?

 

Barcelo Old Town Praha. http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en_GB/hotels/Czech-Republic/Prague/hotel-barcelo-old-town-praha/general-description.aspx

[at_nyc]

The other couple who did not stay with us came over to our hotel every day to find out what was happening. They were able to do the Prague city tour with us only because the Cruise Director found space for them. Also, the day of embarkation they had to get a taxi to our hotel early in the morning even though we were not leaving the hotel for Nuremberg until 1pm. Not sure what they did with their luggage as ours had been taken care of and we were out touring Prague.

If one were to duplicate everything the cruise company does, it stands to reason the cruise company could arrange it better and for not much more, due to their volume.

 

We did Prague on our own. We had a very different schedule than those with the pre-tour group. We stayed in Old Town rather than in the Jewish Quarter (where the Hilton is). So it wouldn't made sense at all to meet up with those in the pre-extension group. We get up, walk to the square (3 min), did some touristy stuff, back to the hotel (3 min away) for a rest before heading back out for the afternoon.

 

We did the city tour by private guide instead of trying to squeeze into the bus tour the tour conpany arranged for the other group. We also went down to Nuremberg by private car with a driver, stopping in 2 other point along the way. It didn't work out any cheaper. But a lot more luxurious, and more relaxing too. Final cost was comparable.

[kcbarker]

What private car company did you use to get from Prague to Nuremberg?