We are taking Grand Circle Travel - on the Rhone River this summer - <BR> <BR>Has anyone done this or planning toooo? <BR> <BR>Suggestions, comments....

We have done a Rhone River Cruise from Arles to Lyon--it was wonderful--didn't do Grand CIrcle but the boat we were on was the MS Cezanne--no pool,just sundeck,went thru a lot of locks--better than Panama Canal-lots more picturesque. Cabins were nice with teak baths. Public areas were nice but small. Dining room was small and cozy- 1 seating--Buffet for breakfast-buffet for lunch--menu service for dinner. Food ok- service fine-EXCURSIONS were wonderful. Make sure you do wine tasting at Chateau Nuf de Pape ( I know I'm misspelling it!) ALso, do the wine tasting and truffle hunt if your ship offers it. Scenery is gorgeous-If your boat is in Avignon on a Sunday,make sure you take a detour to Ille sur la Sorgue antiique flea market. If your boat goes to LYON, you might want to make reservations at Paul Bocuse's restaurant for lunch-it's a cab ride into the country...exp.but worth it. Lyon is fabulous-the old city has fantastic murals to see. You will love the cruise--but do NOT expect a cruise like you get in the US/Caribbean/Med--as this is more generic than high end as far as dining and nite life.Actually,the only nite life is a singer in the piano bar. But you really don't care because you're so tired from the days excursions,that you just sit and talk to new friends and then go to sleep. You will really like it.......

Andy - thanks for your response. <BR> <BR>Another question -- any suggestions on what to pack and NOT pack (or take)? Anything you wish you would have taken and did not? <BR> <BR>Our trip is in July. <BR> <BR>Thanks.

Cruise is casual during the day--Make sure you have GREAT WALKING shoes-some of the excursions are 1/2 mile uphill. If you have difficulty walking-ask the cruise director before you book and pay for excursions. Once paid--no refunds. At nite-men wore jackets and ties to dinner(ie.sport coats-did not see any suit)-the Europeans tended to be a little more casual at nite--sometimes the men didn't have on ties. Wear one the first nite and then get a FEEL for the people. MAke sure you have enough film-you will be taking tons of photos as the scenes are gorgeous.The murals in Lyon were worthy of an entire roll-this was in the OLD CITY. There was also an excursion from Lyon to the countryside on a relic of a train to a wine tasting..the scenery from the train was breathtaking--see if your boat offer this in Lyon. Which boat are you going on? One of the neatest things to experience is having lunch on board the ship and going thru the locks at the same time--Make sure you're by a window--all you see is cement walls but it's an erie experience as you raise up in the lock and all of a sudden you see a town!!

Andy, we will be on the M/S Ravel. A brand new ship. Run by Grand Circle Travel. 120 passengers, 60 rooms. <BR> <BR>3 nights at the Hotel Ambassadeur, then 7 nights on the Ravel, then 3 nights at the Hotel Concorde Lafayette. <BR> <BR>Anew.