River cruises

[timtune]

Forum Sponsor

Squeeze and I interested in a river cruise. Never been on an ocean cruise - zero interest.

We've traveled enough that walking tours of castles and cathedrals are a non starter. And since we don't drink wine vineyards and wine tasting arn't on the list. Unfortunately that makes up a lot of the European cruise itinerary.

Anyone done one or have recommendations?

 

[Sunday Rider]

What about a Nile cruise? If you are willing to travel that far.

 

[thwak]

Squeeze and I interested in a river cruise. Never been on an ocean cruise - zero interest.

We've traveled enough that walking tours of castles and cathedrals are a non starter. And since we don't drink wine vineyards and wine tasting arn't on the list. Unfortunately that makes up a lot of the European cruise itinerary.

Anyone done one or have recommendations?

A recent news item says that due to drought conditions, rivers such as the Danube are so low that WWII warships are near the surface. Perhaps the low water levels would cause cancellations of river cruises. It's a touchy situation for both low and high water levels.Low levels for obvious reasons but high levels prevent the ships from going under bridges and you're put on a bus instead.

 

[ToSlow]

Yangtze River Cruise: Private China Tours | UME Travel

Experience a Yangtze River Cruise seamlessly integrated into your private China tour. Glide through the Three Gorges, enjoy luxurious comfort & expert guidance. Explore China's heart with UmeTravel.

www.google.com

 

[Gary]

Lunch & Dinner Cruise at Grand River Cruises | Caledonia, ON

Enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner cruise at your private window table at Grand River Dinner Cruises. Located in Southern Ontario

www.grandrivercruises.ca

 

[nobbie48]

I watched a video that warned of cruise boats being rafted several abreast at key points.

 

[crankcall]

I’ve done Amsterdam ( cycling between stops ) they have e-bike option which is actually cool . We have also done Rotterdam through Germany , tbe danube is on the list. I think bang for the buck right now is the Douro through Portugal . It’s a newer route but seems priced right now. If castles and wineries are off the list , there’s a ton of other stuff . We never met but mobility is key . Everything from a river or harbour is uphill.
Don’t discount an ocean cruise if you’ve never been . Lap around the Med is pretty nice this time of year .


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com

 

[timtune]

Yes the Nile and Mekong sound like long flights....
Water levels are indeed the achiles heel of river cruising.....
Boats rafting, that just part of the deal.

The Douro is of interest. Portugese people are as friendly as Newfoundlanders.

Special points for trying @Gary

 

[Relax]

I've always wanted to go to Egypt to see the pyramids and do a Nile river cruise since we have to get from Cairo to Luxor anyways. I thought it would be cool to time it with the eclipse happening next August, but prices on the river cruises are ridiculous at 50% more than normal (and they were already expensive to begin with). Now I have to rethink whether I'll skip the cruise or not go at all during that time. I have a friend originally from Cairo with family still there, one of which is a travel agent, so we're still debating.

 

[Sunday Rider]

I've always wanted to go to Egypt to see the pyramids and do a Nile river cruise since we have to get from Cairo to Luxor anyways. I thought it would be cool to time it with the eclipse happening next August, but prices on the river cruises are ridiculous at 50% more than normal (and they were already expensive to begin with). Now I have to rethink whether I'll skip the cruise or not go at all during that time. I have a friend originally from Cairo with family still there, one of which is a travel agent, so we're still debating.

If you have contacts there and one is a travel agent that would be the best way to do it. Sounds like a grand trip whether a cruise or fly from Cairo to Luxor and go to Aswan then to Abu Simbel.

 

[crankcall]

I would go to Cairo to tick that box on the list but not spend more time than O had to . It may be the dirtiest city I have ever been in , and I visited some hell holes . Cabs were 40yr old Toyotas and limp around , makes Havana look modern.
But on river cruises you can’t go too wrong , they are all nice . You do get what you pay for and pricing is all over the map . Watch for what’s included and what’s not . Tour options and transfers can really amp up costs .
Nobody ever signed up for a cruise to save money on travel .


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com

 

[timtune]

@crankcall pegged exactly why I'm not keen on a Nile cruise. My thoughts are similar on the Mekong - hot, muggy and very crowed every where you get off the boat.

 

[crankcall]

I think the Mekong could be amazing but I would need to burn through all the European options first . My Father in law had been through the Suez many times and into the Nile , his view was sand , sand , and then some sand .


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com

 

[ToSlow]

@crankcall pegged exactly why I'm not keen on a Nile cruise. My thoughts are similar on the Mekong - hot, muggy and very crowed every where you get off the boat.

Do a China river cruise, don’t need a visa now

 

[Baggsy]

I would go to Cairo to tick that box on the list but not spend more time than O had to . It may be the dirtiest city I have ever been in , and I visited some hell holes . Cabs were 40yr old Toyotas and limp around , makes Havana look modern.
But on river cruises you can’t go too wrong , they are all nice . You do get what you pay for and pricing is all over the map . Watch for what’s included and what’s not . Tour options and transfers can really amp up costs .
Nobody ever signed up for a cruise to save money on travel .


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com

Paris was the dirtiest city I’ve been to, but that was 40+ years ago. We’re doing a river cruise to Germany. Been on lots of ocean ones, but never a river. The last time we tried to go to Egypt, there was an insurrection, so I doubt we’ll get there this lifetime.

 

[sburns]

I've always wanted to go to Egypt to see the pyramids and do a Nile river cruise since we have to get from Cairo to Luxor anyways. I thought it would be cool to time it with the eclipse happening next August, but prices on the river cruises are ridiculous at 50% more than normal (and they were already expensive to begin with). Now I have to rethink whether I'll skip the cruise or not go at all during that time. I have a friend originally from Cairo with family still there, one of which is a travel agent, so we're still debating.

Going for the ancient sites is nice, don't expect much from the city, it's basically a chithole. Luxor was a little nicer. I doubt a river cruise would be anything worth seeing. What I saw of the boats in Luxor I wasn't impressed. And everyone you talk to wants something from you, money, food, your clothes. It got annoying after awhile. Mind you I visited over 20 years ago, maybe things have improved.

 

[sburns]

I'm not a boat cruise traveller, never done it.
But from the sounds of it you've cut out most of Europe, specifically France and England in your post.

Thinking out of the box, maybe you can cruise between some of the islands in the Caribbean but still not be in the open sea? Like the islands between Puerto Rico and Trinidad. Or the Amazon? Or is that too wild?

Forum Sponsor