clarasong

We attempted a river cruise with GCT a few years ago...disasterious results...but are now ready to rethink river cruises, and am looking at a brochure from Viking. Anyone got insight into Viking, pros and cons. Would appreciate it now...and when do they make a 2 for one offer? We are very flexible about schedule and could use that offer.

adrienne

Can someone enlighten me about the scenery on river cruises. I've been asking people I know who have taken cruises and I'm told the Rhine and Danube aren't very scenic.

One couple who took both the Rhine and Danube trip said that there is really only one scenic day on the Rhine when you see the castles and the other days you're traveling through mostly industrial areas. They said that they prefered the Danaube.

A friend just returned from a Danube river cruise and said that other than the Danube Bend area (which doesn't last very long - an hour or two) there's not much to see from the boat. This cruise was booked through Globus but was an Avalon cruise and she also reported that the information from the guides during the shore excursions was "very shallow" meaning not in depth at all.

Regarding GCT tours - the average age (based on the 2 tours I've taken and tours my friends have taken) is usually in the 70s. This makes sense if you look at the length of the tours and how long you stay in one place - these would be tours for retired folks or those who get a lot of vacation time. However the folks who book GCT tours are very active and interesting people and have traveled a lot. Even though they're in the upper age group they're not people sitting on the porch in their rocking chairs!

chevre

For me the Danube was more scenic but the Rhine gorge is the prettiest of both. Both have industrial sections. The Moselle beats all three. If you like looking at vineyards, the Rhine and Moselle are for you.

Grandma

I see you're still considering. Once again I think of Deilmann for a special occasion. We did GCT and had a great time... but Deilmann is in a different class.

http://www.deilmann-cruises.com/fleet/mozart/index.html

Of course, we did our cruise before the dollar tanked -

bettyloo

I have to second the recommendation for Peter Deillman. I did the Danube cruise Budapest to Vienna two years ago and everything about it was great. Size, staff, food, excursions, guides, all great.

Also the scenery on the Danube was very pretty. I don't remember too many industrial spots. A lot of castle ruins and small towns.

Good luck!