Samting: What trips did you take with Grand Circle Travel?

Mike

Mike: Have been on 5 GCT trips, as I have said, one was great, two just so so, one was cancelled at the last minute, and two with so many itininery changes, that it hardly resembled the advertised product--hotel downgrades, destination changes, included tours cancelled, bad meals, etc. Yes, I do speak from experience.

Please don't start the same BS as on "Grand Circle Travel Warning". Sorry, I am not as polite as Larry jacketwatch and other prople, but my point is the same.

There's a new thread with the same old stuff. I won't say where.

My Dh and I are booked on the Rhone River Cruise with Uniworld's BRAND NEW shop River Royale this Sept. It will be our first cruise; I'm 47, he's 62. Our travel agent informed us that Uniworld has recently spent some big bucks, etc to better their services/ammenities and reputation as they've not been top billing in the past few years. We liked their prices too. We were going to book w/ Viking. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised as we're not typical "cruisers"; we charter our own boats! And we are not bringing any formal wear, except maybe one tie-we're going to Paris afterwards. I'll let you all know when we get back; I hope we don't have any troubles w/ flights, etc because of recent events. (They will NOT win).

We took two Viking River Cruises -- Russia and round-trip Vienna/Black Sea. Both were wonderful experiences and we plan to take the Amsterdam to Budapest voyage with them in future. Dress was casual for many, but some men prefer to wear a jacket to dinner, though not my husband. Regarding the per/day cost -- you have to remember that all shore excursions are included. This can cost big bucks if you want to sightsee in every city. Often you have to travel far afield from the boat and since all meals are included,if you're on the road, a gratis luncheon at a local restaurant is substituted.

To Haleydog: We have taken two trips with Grand European Tours (GETours) and were extremely saatisfied with both -- Egypt and Nile Cruise, and US National Parks (bus trip). I don't know which River Cruise Line they use for their trips, but we have been very satisfied with the service and value for money that we got with GETours. Still, for a River Cruise, I would probably book direct.

We went on the Globus/Avalon Artistry last June. We don't get that dressed up but don't go to dinner in jeans either. It was a lovely cruise down the Danube from Prague (where we spent 2 nights) to Budapest.You also go to Vienna & Regensburg. The food was good European type with wine & everybody spoke English.There were stairs & no elevator, if you have mobility problems that could enter into the decision.