Vantage Deluxe World Travel

Old Jun 25th, 2016, 01:34 PM
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Vantage Deluxe World Travel

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO I made a mistake and booked a trip before doing all my homework.
now I see that Vantage Deluxe World Travel is mostly for older people - My husband and I are 40 and 42 we signed up to take a Christmas market tour in dec. do you think that is is going to be horrible?
we have trip insurance, so we can get out of it and just lose the $200.

I have always wanted to do the river cruise Christmas markets so I do want it ruined by being on a horrible cruise.

do you think we can just use the ship to eat and sleep and then do our own thing? or do we have to do the tours?
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 02:19 PM
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Most river cruises will trend older so any cruise you take you will be towards the lower end of the demographic. But why would that make it 'horrible'?
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 02:47 PM
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1. No.
2. Yes.

However if you think being around older people is horrible, why I have no idea, then don't go. If you feel that way them I doubt you would like it and they probably would not like you either. Instead go to a club but be sure its not for crowds in their 20's. .
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 05:22 PM
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I agree with Jacketwatch. But to tell my story, we went on a 15 day river cruise, Thanksgiving to early dec. and had the best time and yes we were in the lower 20% in age range. IE one of the 10 youngest couples on the trip. (53&50) But that really didn't matter as some of the "retirees" can really have a good time. (we had one particular memorable night in a beer hall, and was dancing the can-can at the piano bar on another, just to mention a couple.) In any group you have people who enjoy themselves and other and others that tend to be by themselves. There is plenty of time for one or the other or both. We formed a group that were more fun than the "youngsters" (30-40s). The tours are divided up into several groups, anywhere from 4-8 and who's in each group change daily. However, the cruise director quickly gauges your vitality or lack there of and creates fast and slow groups. Most were fantastic but there was 1 in particular where the guide was.... (well not the top of her profession) and my wife and I just ditched it and did our own thing. The majority of the tours start at the dock or walking distance away, and you usually have another half day on your own. Go enjoy the Christmas markets.
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 06:26 PM
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Age has less to do with it than interests and travel styles.

Given your interest in the Christmas markets, you are likely to find other passengers with the same interest at that time of year.

I have not been on a river cruise, but from reading about them, river cruises do seem sedate. They are limited in what they can provide in entertainment, etc. by ship size. They are certainly not known as party ships. People take them for the itinerary and because they like very small ships with fewer passengers, and nice service.

In Europe, in the areas and towns with Christmas markets and along rivers, I prefer to go on my own and use trains, all on my own schedule and trying lots of local restaurants. That is my travel style, but it takes more time and planning than being on a boat with travel and food pre-arranged.

Of course, as people get older, they may have physical and/or energy limitations, but that doesn't mean they do not enjoy a good time. I love cruises, and though "elderly" myself, I like cruises with bands, dancing, shows, etc., so river cruises do not appeal to me - again, travel style, not age.

In my 50s and 60s, I traveled to Italy, Spain and France with bunches of teens. They danced some nights till the wee hours and we all had a blast. My DD, in her 40s, has taken 3 cruises with DH and me and our 6 yr old GD, and recently added others to the group. We all do a lot individually and together. They say they have fun and we are planning a trip for this fall, ages 7 to 72.

What do you think about the older people you know? Would having similar people on a cruise with you make it miserable for you?

Will a quieter cruise be boring to you?
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Old Jun 25th, 2016, 11:44 PM
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not saying that being with older people will be horrible - but from the looks of the advertising for this cruise line i did not see anyone under 60. I just worry about feeling out of place.

I personally do have so medical issues that make me semi-disabled. which is why i am torn.

uggggg
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 05:41 AM
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New poster, 1st time post and disparaging comments about the elderly. I think its a troll. See ya.
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 09:45 PM
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i am not a troll- and i am not being rude to the elderly i am saying i was worried about feeling out of place-
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Old Jun 27th, 2016, 06:56 AM
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OK then, thoughts.

The trip is still nearly six months away. That is a long time to be thinking and worrying about it, and feeling some "buyer's" remorse. I would not want that much anxiety about anything that should be a time of excitement and happiness. So, I would cancel and do something else.

You could pick two or three interesting cities that are also known for Christmas markets, and do your own trip. It would probably cost a lot less than the river trip anyway.

If Christmas markets are not the total priority of the trip, take a sea cruise on a really nice ship that caters to a somewhat younger crowd. Not Europe though in winter. Either wait for Europe until Spring, or choose a destination with nice weather at that time of year - Hawaii, Asia, Caribbean. Do some research though on ship, company, kind of entertainment, ports of call, overall costs, ages of passengers, etc. etc.

Many people have little time and have to save a long time for vacations, so they need the trip to be what they want and expect. OTHO, some traveler's don't care. For them it is all about new experiences, meeting all kinds of people, odd food, etc. Even changes in itinerary, etc. doesn't bother them. You have to know yourself.

Considering that, are you aware that sometimes water levels on some of the rivers may be too high or too low for the boats to travel, so they might even stay in one place and bus you long distances from town to town. Not often, but once in awhile, the river trip turns into a bus tour, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it when that happens. I roll with the punches, but even I would be really angry if I paid for a river trip and got a bus tour! Frankly, I would worry more about that then the demographics of the passengers. You might want to read about when that is most likely to happen and the consequences. I think it is mostly Spring and Fall, but you might want to know the statistics for the river you would be on.
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Old Jun 27th, 2016, 08:11 AM
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I agree w/ Sassafrass . . . since you used 'horrible' twice and 'ruined' once you probably have it set in your mind this will be a disaster . . .

As long as you have 'Cancel for any reason' insurance you can cancel and do a land-based trip instead. (If it isn't 'cfar' insurance, you won't get your $$ back)
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Old Jun 27th, 2016, 11:33 AM
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thanks, all I am still thinking about it, and might change and take my elderly mom with me instead of my husband. then this trip would be perfect, for her and would make her amazingly happy.
I think I am more worried about my husband being out of place and bored, as he is much more able bodied than I am. ( i have Rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus. as for changing the trip to a summer or spring trip, unfortunately, I have to travel during the fall or winter as I cannot be in the sun or heat due to my health issues. so all our vacations are during those times, it really sucks.

I think I just freaked out. I just don't want to have my husbands first trip to Germany be anything but perfect. but he recommended I take my mom instead and it actually might be a much better option.
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Old Jun 27th, 2016, 12:34 PM
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I owe you an apology as I initially thought this was a troll post as many of them start this way. Clearly this is not the case here.

Have a great time.

Larry,
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Old Jun 27th, 2016, 02:23 PM
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I hope you and your mother have a wonderful time!
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Old Jun 27th, 2016, 11:06 PM
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"I just don't want to have my husband's first trip to Germany to be anything but perfect."
I do hope your and your husband's idea of "perfect" allows for some glitches and flexibility. Things happen - no matter how much you plan. There will always be something you miss in planning or something may change that is beyond any amount of planning. Of course, it was extreme, but remember the volcano in 2010 that covered Europe with so much ash, most airspace was closed and thousands were stranded.

You plan weeks ahead for a lovely walking tour. It rains - torrential rains for the whole time allotted for the walk.

In a park, you trip in a tiny hole and end up in a wheel chair the whole trip.

You are on a bus. There is a major traffic accident. You are literally trapped on the bus for 12 hours, miss your next tour and arrive at your hotel so late the dining room and all local restaurants are closed.

Some one has to be airlifted from your ship (or boat) and the whole itinerary is changed.

You are bitten by a local feral cat and have to go to the hospital for treatment.

There is a strike and you are stuck someplace for an extra day, thus missing out on plans for that day.

A flight, due to a major storm, is redirected to an airport five hours by bus from your destination.

Delayed flights, cancelled concerts, closed shops or restaurants, etc, etc.

Every single one of these things, plus many more, and worse things, have happened to us in Europe. We handled them, sometimes changed plans for our itinerary, and still had fantastic trips. We all want great trips - no accidents or delays, beautiful weather, excellent food, knowledgeable guides, lovely hotels with nothing that breaks down, pleasant and fun fellow traveler's, etc. However, if you can expect travel to be interesting, inspiring, educational and exciting rather than perfect, your trip will never be ruined or horrible. It will always be an adventure.
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