sawtooth Posted May 9, 2018 #1 Share Posted May 9, 2018 We are booked on this cruise June 2019, Amsterdam to Basel. Question for those who have taken this cruise. How long are the included excursions? Is there enough time, generally speaking, for either time on your own, or to book another independent tour, with someone like Tours by Locals. We don’t want to waste a minute😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyK13 Posted May 9, 2018 #2 Share Posted May 9, 2018 We are booked on this cruise June 2019, Amsterdam to Basel.Question for those who have taken this cruise. How long are the included excursions? Is there enough time, generally speaking, for either time on your own, or to book another independent tour, with someone like Tours by Locals. We don’t want to waste a minute😉 It would be helpful if you listed the cruise line, as the tours can vary depending on the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cole Posted May 9, 2018 #3 Share Posted May 9, 2018 We are booked on this cruise June 2019, Amsterdam to Basel.Question for those who have taken this cruise. How long are the included excursions? Is there enough time, generally speaking, for either time on your own, or to book another independent tour, with someone like Tours by Locals. We don’t want to waste a minute😉 Our experience has been that the included excursions are during the morning and unless the ship is sailing to another port in the afternoon - that time is free for you to do whatever you want. Also, many times there is an optional excursion in the afternoon for an additional cost. We have never been disappointed in any of the excursions, included or optional. Have done this with Avalon and Uniworld. Loved them both. Cole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawtooth Posted May 9, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted May 9, 2018 It would be helpful if you listed the cruise line, as the tours can vary depending on the line. Ah yes, thank you. We are on Uniworld. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jpalbny Posted May 9, 2018 #5 Share Posted May 9, 2018 We did this itinerary in 2014, but in the opposite direction. I uploaded the cruise daily program (there is a link in my trip report) but due to the fact that they are five years old, and you're going in the opposite direction, they probably won't be of much use to you for specifics. But they may help get a general idea. Hopefully somebody who's been there more recently can help. We did not feel the need to book any independent tours, BTW. The towns are easy enough to explore on your own after or during the included tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaCruisers Posted May 10, 2018 #6 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Sawtooth, Which sailing are you on? We are on the June 17th Amsterdam to Basel Castles along the Rhine with Uniworld. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregdude Posted May 10, 2018 #7 Share Posted May 10, 2018 We did the Rhine cruise three years ago with Tauck. Forget independent excursions, you don't know where the ship will dock. In many cases where you dock near a city will not be the same place to find the ship when you return. Frequently once the excursions leave the ship the ship then moves miles away and the excursion bus goes to that location to rejoin the ship. The best you can do is have a few hours on your own if the cruise line builds a pickup into the schedule. For example we spent the day in Strasbourg, France, instead of talomg the afternoon excursion to Boden Boden, but Tauck arranged for a late afternoon bus to pick up a group of us that decided to take that option. We then joined the ship thirty miles away along with the excursion group. You will not have any idea of the exact docking locations, times, or other factors until you are on board the ship and they give you details at the nightly briefing the day before you arrive at a city or town. We found it best to not preplan anything and just enjoy the experience as it unfolds. River cruising is not anything like ocean cruising! Sit back and enjoy the experience I'm sure you will have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawtooth Posted May 10, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Sawtooth,Which sailing are you on? We are on the June 17th Amsterdam to Basel Castles along the Rhine with Uniworld. Too bad, we are on the June 2, 2019 Cruise. Would have been nice to connect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawtooth Posted May 10, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted May 10, 2018 Thank you all for your insights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerryInIL Posted May 10, 2018 #10 Share Posted May 10, 2018 (edited) Too bad, we are on the June 2, 2019 Cruise.Would have been nice to connect. Sawtooth, we are on the same cruise. I think it is June 3rd. I did start a roll call thread if you would like to post there although it is unlikely that there will be others posting. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2498684 Jerry Edited May 10, 2018 by JerryInIL Added Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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