KsParrotHead

My husband and I are planning an anniversary cruise. We think we want to do the Rhine River or Mosel or both? We have cruised the Carribean many times on all the major cruise lines Carnival, Royal C, Holland, and Norwegian. We are looking for a boat with a balcony we can spend time on. We have no experience with Viking or AMA Waterways, etc. Here are my questions and I appreciate the help:
1. Which cruise line would you suggest?
2. Which has the best balcony (not the french ones). Is there a specific boat you would recommend?
3. What time of year is best?
4. Would prefer a more laid back atmosphere, fancy dress is not our thing.
5. Which has the best value? (some include excursions, some include drinks at dinner?)
6. Which ones have drink packages?
7. Really want to see Germany, castles, etc - recommend ports that are must haves?

If you have done both type cruises, is there advice you would share as far as glaring differences we would want to be aware of?

RoamsAround

We did a combined Rhine & Mosel River cruise with Tauck (check out all their different river cruise itineraries at www.tauck.com) in early July. Had a fantastic time.

Everything included from time you are met at airport to the time you are dropped off for your return flight (including airport transfers, pre-cruise hotel stay, upscale spacious accommodations on board ship, all meals and drinks, (including premium wines and spirits), excursions, on-board entertainment, local guides, free internet, gratuities for drivers and guides and other incidentals. Only thing on your wish list they didn't offer was "rooms with balconies (did have French Balconies, though).

Once on board you NEVER had to open your wallet.

We've been on several truck tours and are doing a month long Danube River Cruise with them next June.

marg

We've cruised with Avalon and Uniworld and loved both. Re the balcony requirement, bear in mind that the boats have to be a certain width to fit into the locks, so to get a full balcony, your cabin size will be reduced. We've had a French balcony cabin and were very happy with that as it gives you the benefit of open windows and a reasonable sized room. Otherwise look for a boat that has a good sundeck.
The cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam was our favourite in regard to scenery and tours. I think almost every cruise package includes drinks and excursions.

FuelScience

We’ve done six river cruises (3 Viking, 2 Avalon, 1 Vantage). We really love the Moselle. If you can be gone for two weeks, I would suggest that you try Amsterdam Basel trip that includes the Mosel. Most lines have this itinerary, but there are small differences worth considering.

1. Which cruise line would you suggest?
We like Avalon. It’s newer ships have standard 200 sq. ft. staterooms on the top two levels with beds that face the window. The large sliding glass wall is a virtual balcony that compares well with Viking’s balconies, and you can close the glass and use the space for just sitting in the room. We feel that all three of the lines offer comparable levels of service, but we just found that Avalon has extras that the other two didn’t.
AMA is probably a slight step above with great reviews for their food. Uniworld and Scenic are all inclusive, but I’ve never been able to justify the additional cost—even when tips and aliquor area added in.

2. Which has the best balcony (not the french ones). Is there a specific boat you would recommend?
As someone else said, you wont spend a lot of time in your room. Also, when you are day-sailing, you’ll want to see the castles on BOTH sides of the river, so you’ll go to the sun deck or the lounge. In ports, you’re likely to be “rafted” next to another ship. You’ll be close enough to another ship to reach out and shake hands with your neighbors.

3. What time of year is best?
We like spring or summer to avoid the heat.

4. Would prefer a more laid back atmosphere, fancy dress is not our thing.
No one dresses up on river cruises. I took a sport coat on our first cruise and haven’t taken one sice.

5. Which has the best value? (some include excursions, some include drinks at dinner?)
Hard to say, specials continually come and go. If you’re spreadsheet savvy, you can make pretty good comparisons.

6. Which ones have drink packages?
Viking has their Silver Spirits package. I seem to remember that it’s around $30 per day, and both cabin occupants have to purchase it. Remember that almost all lines include free wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, and the alcohol flows freely.

7. Really want to see Germany, castles, etc - recommend ports that are must haves?
Any Rhine cruise and most Mosel cruises will include the Rhine gorge where all the castles are. The most beautiful scenery for us was the Mosel valley with small picturesque towns and steep vineyards.

MoonlightSkywriter

My suggestion is this one We just came back from this last month and had a really nice time. With my job I am a travel writer and I think the best one you will really like is the Rhine River Cruise with Viking. The price will include up to dec 31st this year airfare round trip is 395.00 not a bad deal. We booked our trip 2 yrs in advanced and it was with our 8 days costs us 2500.0 pp. not to shabby. We loved this cruise when we were on it, we did not know my two daughters also booked it with our two grand-children who are 12 and 15. it was so nice to see them here too. They gave me a wonderful early Christmas gift to see them they came in from Austraila and I got to see them. I really enjoyed this trip, do take some of the excusions but I must say I will never do anymore walking tours my feet hurt so much.. I did Love Strasboug France but not enough time if you are on the walking tour to do this on your own.. I only suggest is to do the tours they take you on, and then go on yourself you will like it. have fun.

MoonlightSkywriter

PS I did it on the Viking River... and I loved it. Tauck is nice but they are very highly overpriced. Also Viking owns their own ships all these others like AMA, Avalon and GCT borrow other ships they do not own their own ships so this means if the ships are old you will smell them

ira

Avalon owns its vessels, and they are quite proud of them.

We have done: (1) the Danube from Amsterdam to Bucharest, (2) Paris to Budapest and (3) Amsterdam to Basel.

We think that the last one, in the autumn, was the best.

Enjoy your experience.