Maggielou

Have you taken a European River Boat Cruise this year? Comments...

Did you travel with Amadeus Waterways or Brennan? Comments......

Thanks!

samting

Do a little research before you put any money down. Grand Circle and Vantage are owned by the same family and have some well recognized problems with customer service and reiability (search on 'problems with Grand Circle," etc., Viking gets pretty good marks I think, and Peter Deliman is excellent!. Pretty much, you get what you pay for...don't know about the two you mentioned...have you researched them?

connette

We went on Avalon (book thru them or Globus, same-same) from AMS to BUD this spring. Wonderful trip. Avalon and Amadeus have the nicest, newest boats. I would recommend them. They book up very early. Viking or Uniworld would be next.

Spring for the higher decks with french balcony doors. I felt a bit bad for the folks in the "aquarium suites" as they become known. Our views were fabulous every day. Their windows were often under water with dead fish floating by. Yuk.

Underhill

About GCT: there's a thread on the Europe site with posts from people who have been very happy with their GCT cruises.

Michaellip

Here is a link to that post.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34857196

samting

After you have read what Underhill and Michellip report, search on "problems with" or "beware of GCt
for a more accurate view from both sides. The two posters above may have a slanted view.

Camdenman

The original poster asked the following question. Why would you bring up other cruise lines. And why answer if you didn't know anything about the cruise lines she was inquiring about.

Have you taken a European River Boat Cruise this year? Comments...

Did you travel with Amadeus Waterways or Brennan? Comments

katybird

Camdenman - An EXCELLENT point!
These tangents are getting tiresome!!

samting

I have only been on one River Cruise, and it was a disaster, for many reasons, so it was my intention to say to original poster to do a little research, both positive and negative, before making a choice. And I would advise not to 'pay fully in advance', no matter what the enticement, as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get any money returned if you feel that it is justified.

Underhill

samting,

My only "slanted view" is having been one one extremely good GCT cruise.

Where does YOUR slanted view come from? You clearly have a very large ax to grind.

Michaellip

Samting: This is your quote.

And I would advise not to 'pay fully in advance', no matter what the enticement, as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get any money returned if you feel that it is justified.


EVERY cruise requires payment in advance.

samting

Mike: As you know, GCT has a policy of trying to entice travellers to pay not only a deposit, but the final payment at the same time; thus they have your money (see some of the other posters who had the fees changed, added to, increased, etc., AFTER they had paid up front to ostensibly SAVe money and lock in a fee). GCT is famous for adding fuel, surcharges, 'correcting mistakes' and quotes made over the phone, 'misprints' in the brochures, etc at the last moment. Please read some of the other posters, even on other boards, for a more balanced view. The negative side of this company, and any company of any size, is, fortunately, out there for consumers to see and, unfortunately, GCT has a LOT of negative. It pays to be aware. I don't mind paying a fair price for what I get, knowing ahead of time what that price is, but I hate being dinged at a later date, after you have paid the 'quoted' price, and so should you.

Camdenman

Samting: It seems like you might be the one with the slanted opinion. What river cruise lines were you on and what problems did you have? It seems to me that you only refer to other peoples problems.

Bigal

I'vre been on Grand Circle last year (From Nice to Paris) and Viking this year (Normandy(le Havre) to Paris.

Even though the Viking was more expensive the GC was more inclusive in that the tour included land portions (Nice to the boat in Arles and Burgandy to Paris.

I enjoyed both and would recommend both.Neither had problems.

While I haven't been on Peter Deliman I understand that most of the guests are from Germany and while announcements are also made in English the major language spoken between guests is German.

momc

My husband and I took a cruise on the Rhone in June. It was on the new River Royale by Uniworld. The cruise started in Lyon with stops in Chalon-sur-Saone, Beaune, Macon, Tain L'Hermitage, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon and ended in Arles. It was very luxourous and relaxing. We did a 3 day pre-tour in Paris and 3 day post in Nice. This was our 4th river cruise with 2 more booked for next year. It is such a great way to travel. Even on "sea" days you are never out of sight of Land. My only real advice is pick an itinerary and then compare cruise lines offering that trip. There are some that look cheap, but they are full of optinal tours. Pat

desertduds

Last Sept. we did a Tauck World Discovery rivercruise, Amsterdam-Budapest and next month will do Black Sea-Budapest with the same company, all top-notch and great! I saw many other cruise boats, especially on the Rhine, they all looked terrific, all basically the same and I don't think you can miss on any of them...a wonderful experience.

Suerich68

Fodors,
Are you going to allow Samting & Michaellip to take over every post?

I for one am sick of reading their biased remarks.

Thank you.

samting

suerich68: when you see a post that might upset you, just scroll on by.

Camdenman

i have been reading all the posts about river cruises. I beleive Samting is not to beleived. The following is a posting Samting made on August 11th regarding Vantage and GCT.Author: samting
Date: 08/11/2006, 01:23 pm
janeg: (not you, Mike). We have taken several GCT tours and cruises, with mixed results, two were disastors, so I speak from experience. However, lots of folks have been satisfied when there are no problems. However, most of their 'excursions' are 'optional' which means that you will spend lots more than you bargained for, and when all added up, it is not very cheap. Usually they throw in a 'city' tour, and maybe a tour to a 'factory' or 'jewelry' store where you can spend if you want too. (we were taken to a gem store and there was a 'shuttle' provided if you wanted to go in to town;otherwise, you were deposited at the 'gem' store). I think there may be a better value (if higher initial price)GCT spends lots on 'glitzy' brochures, we get several a week, and I am sure they are not free.

Samting then made the following post on 8-23-06
Author: samting
Date: 08/23/2006, 12:41 pm
I have only been on one River Cruise, and it was a disaster, for many reasons, so it was my intention to say to original poster to do a little research, both positive and negative, before making a choice. And I would advise not to 'pay fully in advance', no matter what the enticement, as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to get any money returned if you feel that it is justified
After examining the posts I can almost be positive that Samting is the former poster Cindiloowho who has not posted since Samting started.

samting

Camdenman: Actually, we have been on two river cruises, one with GCT, but on was on a charter boat on the Nile, so didn't count it. We have cruised on Princess (many different ones), HAL (several), Windstar, Windsurf, Regent, Condo,Splendor of the Seas, Apollo (a Greek boat), Windspirit, Paul Gaugain, Clipper, Seabourn, etc., so I think my input, even if you don't agree, is from experience. It's okay, believe me, if you don't agree. Still think that on a travel forum, it is a good idea to warn people to do research before they lay their money down. It's hard to get back when things go wrong. And the measure of a good cruise outfit is how they handle things when they go wrong...