Need your help please

[cozzello]

We are looking at three different options for June 2010 Viking Danube Budapest-Nuremberg, Avalon Felicity Basel to Amsterdam and Uniworld on the River Beatrice Budapest-Passau. They all depart the same day but the Uniworld is about 1,000.00 more and we just cannot make a decision. We are really not that particular about ports as we have never visited any of them before. Is the food any better on one than the other? How about service? This will be our first river boat experience and after doing the mediterraean on Celebrity two years ago we are spoiled.l

Thanks in advance for your input.

[pjtraveler]

Uniworld has a sale announced for 2010 bookings in an email today. Here's what it says on their website for the trip you're considering:

 

"PAY-IN-FULL at time of booking on or before September 30, 2009 to SAVE $900 per couple ($450 per person) off select cruise itineraries and category."

 

Certainly worth checking on--I'm always lloking for bargains!

[franski]

Have only been on Uniworld - but I am a huge fan... The meals and service are top-notch. Hopefully someone will be able to post who has travelled with 2 - or perhaps all 3 of these companies.

 

Some of the things to look at from a comparison perspective are:

1) Cost of air --> included, or on your own --> and are transfers to/from the airport included. Also - cost may depend on which airports you are travelling to/from --> and does it matter to you if you can get a direct flight??

2) Are all excursions included - or is what you want to see an extra charge.

3) Is wine/beer included with dinner (if that is important to you...)

4) Are you interested in extensions - either before or after your cruise - and what will that cost?

5) Are you staying with the lowest category cabin?? If not, what will the upgrades cost?

 

You say that you are not particular about the ports - but that may end up being your deciding factor. If there are one or two places that you really want to see - that may lead you in one direction.

 

You have also said that you are spoiled after your Mediterranean cruise... What is it that you enjoyed so much?? If it was access to multiple dining options - or evening entertainment --> river cruising may not be what you are looking for... Lot has been posted here re: the differences, and if you spend some time "browsing" you may find out about some of the differences between the companies you are looking at...

 

Hope you enjoy the time spent here - I have always felt that the research done ahead of any vacation makes it seem as if the vacation lasts longer...

[cozzello]

Thanks for your help we have put down a deposit with Uniworld for June 19, 2010, from Budapest to Passau. I really wanted to visit Vienna!

I have noted that transportation is an issue when departing from Passau, any suggestions?

We are thinking of two days in Paris at the end of the cruise as we would really like to visit Normandy, of course, that could be a good excuse for another trip, right?

[franski]

The Paris/Normandy cruise is amazing.... We took that last September --> that trip turned us on to river cruising - and we are firmly committed now...

 

If you book air with Uniworld - they take care of the transfers. Not sure about other options - hopefully someone will jump in and offer suggestions...

[tiggypooo]

You won't be disappointed with Uniworld and especially their new ship The River Beatrice.

The service and food are both fabulous.

Uniworld provides complimentary transfers on all their cruises, whether or not you take their air or not.

Your flights just have to fit into their transfer guidelines. That would be coming in on the day the ship departs and leaving the day you disembark.

If you are not flying out on the day that the cruise leaves, but it is convienent for you to continue your trip from the airport in Munich, give them a flight and time that is leaving that day.

They will transport you to the airport in Munich. They don't monitor whether or not you get on the flight.

I agree with Franski on the Paris/Normandy cruise. It is a wonderful itinerary for your 2nd one.......