Plan to travel down the Rhine in May 2002. Still researching tours. Uniworld,KD,Grand European(uses KD for river trip) and Deilmann cruies are what I have found so far. If anyone has traveled on these lines/tours....Would like to hear about experiences...<BR>Thanks.

Lisa, we haven't done the Rhine-trip thing, only ferry crossings and a 'Rhein am Flamin' event one summer.<BR><BR>Rick Steve's did a video-story and I believe that one of his recent books talks about the KD Lines cruise. The guy loves Bacharach and almost always mentions it. I saw the film on a PBS show one night and it gives some good details. Probably your local 'Hollywood' or 'Blockbuster' video store has it. Could give you some ideas, maybe.

Lisa,<BR><BR>I'm also playing with a Rhine River visit next year and have found a load of websites. I'm passing some of them to you in the off-chance that you haven't already found them.<BR><BR>www.rheinhotel.de<BR>www.rhinecastles .com<BR>www.vacation-package.net<BR>www.rivercruises.com<BR><BR>I originally intended to take a cruise down the river, but after looking at these sites, I decided to stay at one place and take day-trip mini-cruises to explore around. I thought that would offer the most in terms of relaxation and continually awesome views (I've heard that the best views along the river are concentrated in the area around Koln, Koblenz, & Lorelei rock -- also the area of Bacharach that Lee mentions).<BR><BR>Sorry that I don't have any personal experience with these lines. I know some have posted on KD. Try doing a text search here. <BR><BR>Great luck!<BR><BR>s

One word of advice. No matter which cruise line you choose, check the weather reports regarding flooding before you go. We booked a KD cruise, flew into Amsterdam spent a two nights (at KD's recommended hotel) and it wasn't until we were ready to leave for the boat that we were told that there was flooding on the Rhine and we would be taken to the boat and then be told about what was happening. We were bussed to the boat and there on our pillow was a note telling us we had one night to decide whether to stay or not. Their plans were to cruise around Rotterdam harbor for a night or two and bus us from boat to boat along portions of the Rhine. The water was too high to allow the boats to go under the bridges so they were stuck in certain towns along the river. I also met a woman on the boat and she was sitting in a corner crying. This was the SECOND time flooding had happened to her.<BR><BR>In KD's defence, they finally refunded our money. We would up taking a train to Basel with others in our same position (which was a great experience in and of itself). We used Basel as a base and wound up having a wonderful time. But, we never did do the Rhine Cruise again. We usually do independent travel and this was the first time I was relying on someone else to plan for me so I kicked myself the entire trip for not bringing all my books and information with me. By the way, there were other people (groups) on escorted tours that were highly insulted when the tour guide dropped them off at the boat - never telling them about the problems and leaving it up to KD to take care of them.<BR><BR>Just check the weather and the cruise line before you leave.

We took a Uniworld river cruise from Vienna to Amsterdam last summer and had a wonderful trip. Our boat was the River Queen. Facilities, personnel, tours, guides and food were all excellent. While I understand that flooding can indeed be a problem, our trip was problem-free, except for one rainy day in Amsterdam. Email me if you have questions.

We took a Rhine cruise on the Helvetia in Sept. from Basel to Amsterdam. It had it's pluses and minuses. I usually am an independent traveller and found the schedule frustrating. We met interesting people on our trip but we only met the people on the trip (we usually meet lots of locals). We only ate on the boat and I missed the opportunity to try out different places on our route. We saw a LOT but it was skimming as opposed to delving. I did find places I'd like to go back to and spend more time. The best thing of all was seeing that much without ever having to pack and schlep luggage! The crew was fantastic, the cabin tiny but fine, the shower surprisingly great, the food ok to good, the weather not so hot. All in all it was fun and I'm glad I did it but wouldn't do it again. Next trip I'm back to independent travel. Our trip was at www.eurocruises.com. Feel free to email me with questions.

Lisa- we didn't do a RHINE cruise but we did do a RHONE RIVER CRUISE thru France--the boats are small-no casino-1 dining room,small lounge and nice sized cabins and baths--food is ok but scenery is to die for! We did the MS Cezanne and there is a newer one out now called the MS Cezanne II-that has a pool on top deck---most of the river cruise boats only have a small amount of deck chairs and a hot tub on top deck--the main reason for doing these cruises is the accessibility to some terrifc areas that you probably wouldn't ordinarily see- and the excursions are WONDERFUL!A Bring comfortable walking shoes!