River Cruising
 

Thinking of going on a river cruise with Viking, or Uniworld, if we choose Europe, probably Prague, Budapest area would late September be a good time to go. We want to have warm weather but then again it might be really crowded. We are in good shape in our early 60's, could anyone help that has been on a river cruise.

In May 2013, we did a Danube River Cruise with Gate 1 with a 3 night pre-cruise stay in Prague and an extra 2 nights post-cruise in Budapest.

We had a great time and had really good weather except for the first 3 days in Prague when it rained almost constantly! The rest of the trip was perfect, however. Most days were warm but cool at night.

We enjoyed everything about our Gate 1 experience, especially the price at that time which was much less than Viking or Uniworld.

This is the cruise we took:

http://www.gate1travel.com/european-...6-423194F50509

We have taken several river cruises on Uniworld and all have been in mid Sept. The weather has been perfect every trip. We did a Danube cruise where we stayed in Prague for 3 days before the cruise and then did the cruise and spent two days in Budapest at the end of the cruise. It was a fabulous trip and we loved Uniworld.

OK, so, mid September seems to be a good time to go as far as the weather, how were the crowds. Is September a real crowded month.

Also, on Gate 1 travel what ship do you go on, is it the Viking or something else/

Gate 1 Travel has their own ships. Ours was the M/S Sound of Music.

We have been to Germany and Austria numerous times in September and find it normally to be a good time weatherwise. Yes, there will be a lot of other tourists but unless you go in the middle of winter, that will usually be the case.

There are a lot of tourists in September but not as many as we have seen in the middle of the summer. There are not as many families and college age people traveling in Sept. Now, we always travel in Sept. as the weather is usually very nice and the crowds are a bit better.

I have taken river cruises with Gate 1, Globus in Egypt, Pacific Delight in China and Uniworld. September and October are great months to travel. I did Uniworld in December for the Christmas markets and Budapest and Prague in October, cooler weather but much nicer for sightseeing. Gate 1 cruises are affordable if you are on a budget but hands down, Uniworld was the best cruise I have ever been on. Tips are included, alcohol drinks are included all day not just at meal time. Snacks, candy, afternoon tea, treats in your room, free laundry, most excursions are included and the food was gourmet. Viking cruise ships are a bit more contemporary compared to Uniworld's style. You can't go wrong with either Viking or Uniworld, but my vote is for Uniworld.

We took a Danube cruise (Budapest to Prague) in October and it was a little cold and rainy but no big deal we used AMA Waterways and they were excellent. I would definitely use them again. Book soon as the river cruises book up far in advance and only hold 150-170 people, no matter what line you choose.

Another vote for Uniworld. We sailed on River Beatrice along the Danube last September and added their pre cruise stay in Budapest and post cruise stay in Prague. This was our first river cruise (after 4 ocean cruises); loved everything about our trip -- the ship, crew, itinerary, excursions, food, fellow passengers. Friends took Viking in France and weren't impressed.

Uniworld is more pricey than Viking, is it worth the extra money? Looks like it will be between Viking and Uniworld, I don't want to do Gate 1 if it's not as good for our first trip.

Inwould fomwith Uniworld. We rhought Viking very ordinary, nothing special.

If it helps, Uniworld is all inclusive. Have never taken Viking so don't know if they are also all inclusive. Our friends felt Viking was nothing out of the ordinary. They much preferred their cruises on AMA and Avalon.

You should post on the Cruise Critic.com website and there is a whole section on river cruising where you can get any answers you want. We have done one river cruise to Germany, Nuremberg to Vienna and absolutely loved the experience. It was a Christmas Markets cruise so winter but weather was not terribly cold and little snow. It was fun going to all the markets in the ports. Can't advise on Sept. but would think weather might be nice.

ttt