A Travel and vacations forum. TravelBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » TravelBanter forum » Travel Regions » Europe
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Rhein cruises



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old August 29th, 2016, 07:49 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
poldy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 788
Default Rhein cruises

On 8/28/16 1:57 PM, Erilar wrote:
Martin wrote:
On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:10:51 -0500, Erilar wrote:


Looking for suggestions. I've been playing around with river cruise
websites, for a future(2018?)trip with a friend who does not speak German
along the river I know best, but she is a much better walker than I am.
Viking requires everyone to pay in advance for all their hikes(aka
"walks"), so they're off my list automatically. I've found several that
seem to race from Amsterdam to somewhere in Switzerland or vice versa,
stopping briefly in the wrong places. I'd really prefer one that covered
less river unless part of it was also along the Mosel. Beginning or ending
in Köln, Koblenz, or Mainz(or Frankfurt) would be even better. If
excursions were wheeled, it wouldn't matter if they were in German, because
I could translate for her, but if much walking is involved, they'd have to
be in English so she could go without me. I'd like suggestions of lines I
may have missed.
Note: I could be the tour guide if I could hike the way I could a few
years ago 8-/


I've done it by travelling with KD and staying in small hotels overnight.
http://www.kdrhine.com/
How can anybody charge you for a hike?


Viking requires all excursions be paid for along with the cruise price. It
took a mess of emailing to get all the details. There is no provision for
non- hikers.


Are these guided hikes or hikes on your own at scheduled free time at
ports of call during the cruise?

The commercials make it seem like you get to see more of the cities than
you would on a regular cruise.

Well if you really want to see the cities, why not stay in some of them
for a few days each?



  #12  
Old August 29th, 2016, 07:54 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
poldy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 788
Default Rhein cruises

On 8/29/16 2:26 AM, tim... wrote:

"Happy.Hobo" wrote in message
...
On 08-27-2016 16:10, Erilar wrote:
Looking for suggestions. I've been playing around with river cruise
websites, for a future(2018?)trip with a friend who does not speak
German
along the river I know best, but she is a much better walker than I am.
Viking requires everyone to pay in advance for all their hikes(aka
"walks"), so they're off my list automatically. I've found several that


I'd bicycle from port to port rather than pay cruise prices. And I'll
get there before my friends on ship.



Unfortunately a large amount of the "value" of a cruise is seen to be
the on board activities and they are timed, and priced accordingly

Personally, I don't see any value in that at all, and as soon as someone
starts up cruises where the focus is on the on-shore attractions with no
need to pay for on board activities that I have no interest in, I will
sign up

but on the odd occasion when companies have tried that approach, they
have failed to be profitable

tim


Some people have rationalized cruises, not river cruises, as being
cheaper if you consider that cost of accommodations and transportation
over a similar period, not to mention the included meals.


And those onboard activities sound hellish, forced participation in
activities when presumably your main interest is to tour the cities.

Not to mention, in this day and age, being cut off from Internet,
phones, etc. for swaths of time?

  #13  
Old August 29th, 2016, 08:54 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Happy.Hobo
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 35
Default Rhein cruises

On 08-29-2016 13:54, poldy wrote:
Not to mention, in this day and age, being cut off from Internet,
phones, etc. for swaths of time?


Internet may be a bit slower if you use the ship's satellite connection.
But on a river cruise, you have at least as good a connection as you
would driving the roads that follow the river.

Besides, if you're addicted to internet, you should buy a house
and not leave it. But here's a tip: I've been off-line for more
than a week MANY times since I hit the road two years ago.
And believe it or not, I'm still breathing.

  #14  
Old August 29th, 2016, 09:20 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Erilar
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 599
Default Rhein cruises

JohnT wrote:

"Erilar" wrote in message
...

Looking for suggestions. I've been playing around with river cruise
websites, for a future(2018?)trip with a friend who does not speak German
along the river I know best, but she is a much better walker than I am.
Viking requires everyone to pay in advance for all their hikes(aka
"walks"), so they're off my list automatically. I've found several that
seem to race from Amsterdam to somewhere in Switzerland or vice versa,
stopping briefly in the wrong places. I'd really prefer one that covered
less river unless part of it was also along the Mosel. Beginning or
ending
in Köln, Koblenz, or Mainz(or Frankfurt) would be even better. If
excursions were wheeled, it wouldn't matter if they were in German,
because
I could translate for her, but if much walking is involved, they'd have to
be in English so she could go without me. I'd like suggestions of lines I
may have missed.
Note: I could be the tour guide if I could hike the way I could a few
years ago 8-/


You really want this one:
http://www.tauck.co.uk/tours/europe-...Page=Itinerary


Not France! But I'll look again at Tauck.

--
biblioholic medievalist via iPad
  #15  
Old August 29th, 2016, 09:20 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Erilar
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 599
Default Rhein cruises

Martin wrote:
On Sun, 28 Aug 2016 14:15:26 +0100, "JohnT" wrote:


"Erilar" wrote in message
...

Looking for suggestions. I've been playing around with river cruise
websites, for a future(2018?)trip with a friend who does not speak German
along the river I know best, but she is a much better walker than I am.
Viking requires everyone to pay in advance for all their hikes(aka
"walks"), so they're off my list automatically. I've found several that
seem to race from Amsterdam to somewhere in Switzerland or vice versa,
stopping briefly in the wrong places. I'd really prefer one that covered
less river unless part of it was also along the Mosel. Beginning or
ending
in Köln, Koblenz, or Mainz(or Frankfurt) would be even better. If
excursions were wheeled, it wouldn't matter if they were in German,
because
I could translate for her, but if much walking is involved, they'd have to
be in English so she could go without me. I'd like suggestions of lines I
may have missed.
Note: I could be the tour guide if I could hike the way I could a few
years ago 8-/


You really want this one:
http://www.tauck.co.uk/tours/europe-...Page=Itinerary


For Erilar the Francophile? :-)


They have Rhein cruises, too. But they don't seem to stay on the river,
and what I like about river cruises is that my hotel and restaurant travel
with me.

--
biblioholic medievalist via iPad
  #16  
Old August 29th, 2016, 09:36 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Erilar
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 599
Default Rhein cruises

Happy.Hobo wrote:
On 08-27-2016 16:10, Erilar wrote:
Looking for suggestions. I've been playing around with river cruise
websites, for a future(2018?)trip with a friend who does not speak German
along the river I know best, but she is a much better walker than I am.
Viking requires everyone to pay in advance for all their hikes(aka
"walks"), so they're off my list automatically. I've found several that


I'd bicycle from port to port rather than pay cruise prices. And I'll
get there before my friends on ship.

As for Viking, I was very careful (as always) to say NO to advertising.
That didn't stop them from dropping an expensive 20-30 page full color
solicitation in my mailbox every week. Even if the cost were
reasonable, I do not do business with spammers.


There was a time when I traveled everywhere I went via public transport or
on foot, often staying in Youth Hostels, though never on a bike. My body,
unfortunately, eventually got old and now can't do such things. River
cruises are about all I can manage alone.

--
biblioholic medievalist via iPad
  #17  
Old August 29th, 2016, 09:36 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Erilar
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 599
Default Rhein cruises

tim... wrote:

"Erilar" wrote in message
...
Martin wrote:
On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:10:51 -0500, Erilar
wrote:


Looking for suggestions. I've been playing around with river cruise
websites, for a future(2018?)trip with a friend who does not speak
German
along the river I know best, but she is a much better walker than I am.
Viking requires everyone to pay in advance for all their hikes(aka
"walks"), so they're off my list automatically. I've found several that
seem to race from Amsterdam to somewhere in Switzerland or vice versa,
stopping briefly in the wrong places. I'd really prefer one that covered
less river unless part of it was also along the Mosel. Beginning or
ending
in Köln, Koblenz, or Mainz(or Frankfurt) would be even better. If
excursions were wheeled, it wouldn't matter if they were in German,
because
I could translate for her, but if much walking is involved, they'd have
to
be in English so she could go without me. I'd like suggestions of lines
I
may have missed.
Note: I could be the tour guide if I could hike the way I could a few
years ago 8-/


I've done it by travelling with KD and staying in small hotels overnight.
http://www.kdrhine.com/
How can anybody charge you for a hike?


Viking requires all excursions be paid for along with the cruise price. It
took a mess of emailing to get all the details. There is no provision for
non- hikers.


Presumably that's a special "hiking cruise"

Viking have a list of weekly river cruises for "normal" tourism.

tim





A long email exchange with Viking gave me the information that any river
cruise I might be interested in includes mandatory prepaid "excursions"
with no exceptions for non-hikers, just some groups that might hike slower
than others.

--
biblioholic medievalist via iPad
  #18  
Old August 29th, 2016, 09:52 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Erilar
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 599
Default Rhein cruises

poldy wrote:
On 8/28/16 1:57 PM, Erilar wrote:
Martin wrote:
On Sat, 27 Aug 2016 16:10:51 -0500, Erilar wrote:


Looking for suggestions. I've been playing around with river cruise
websites, for a future(2018?)trip with a friend who does not speak German
along the river I know best, but she is a much better walker than I am.
Viking requires everyone to pay in advance for all their hikes(aka
"walks"), so they're off my list automatically. I've found several that
seem to race from Amsterdam to somewhere in Switzerland or vice versa,
stopping briefly in the wrong places. I'd really prefer one that covered
less river unless part of it was also along the Mosel. Beginning or ending
in Köln, Koblenz, or Mainz(or Frankfurt) would be even better. If
excursions were wheeled, it wouldn't matter if they were in German, because
I could translate for her, but if much walking is involved, they'd have to
be in English so she could go without me. I'd like suggestions of lines I
may have missed.
Note: I could be the tour guide if I could hike the way I could a few
years ago 8-/


I've done it by travelling with KD and staying in small hotels overnight.
http://www.kdrhine.com/
How can anybody charge you for a hike?


Viking requires all excursions be paid for along with the cruise price. It
took a mess of emailing to get all the details. There is no provision for
non- hikers.


Are these guided hikes or hikes on your own at scheduled free time at
ports of call during the cruise?

The commercials make it seem like you get to see more of the cities than
you would on a regular cruise.

Well if you really want to see the cities, why not stay in some of them
for a few days each?

The idea is NOT a series of two nights each in different hotels, but to
take the hotel along.

--
biblioholic medievalist via iPad
  #19  
Old August 29th, 2016, 09:52 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Erilar
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 599
Default Rhein cruises

tim... wrote:

"Happy.Hobo" wrote in message
...
On 08-27-2016 16:10, Erilar wrote:
Looking for suggestions. I've been playing around with river cruise
websites, for a future(2018?)trip with a friend who does not speak German
along the river I know best, but she is a much better walker than I am.
Viking requires everyone to pay in advance for all their hikes(aka
"walks"), so they're off my list automatically. I've found several that


I'd bicycle from port to port rather than pay cruise prices. And I'll get
there before my friends on ship.



Unfortunately a large amount of the "value" of a cruise is seen to be the on
board activities and they are timed, and priced accordingly

Personally, I don't see any value in that at all, and as soon as someone
starts up cruises where the focus is on the on-shore attractions with no
need to pay for on board activities that I have no interest in, I will sign
up

but on the odd occasion when companies have tried that approach, they have
failed to be profitable

tim

Actually, I have taken a couple river cruises--one German, another an
English company-- that did NOT require prepaid required excursions, though
one COULD book and pay for them in advance. Both stopped in a number of
places for the excursions I did not join where I could just go ashore and
entertain myself at a pace I could set myself. I would like to find
something similar along the Rhein and possibly a bit of Mosel.

--
biblioholic medievalist via iPad
  #20  
Old August 29th, 2016, 09:52 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Erilar
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 599
Default Rhein cruises

poldy wrote:


Some people have rationalized cruises, not river cruises, as being
cheaper if you consider that cost of accommodations and transportation
over a similar period, not to mention the included meals.


Convenience more than cost.


And those onboard activities sound hellish, forced participation in
activities when presumably your main interest is to tour the cities.


I'm very good at avoiding forced participation.

Not to mention, in this day and age, being cut off from Internet,
phones, etc. for swaths of time?

Not totally. There is often intermittent wi-fi availability. And I don't
have an international phone.


--
biblioholic medievalist via iPad
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES ADDS FOUR NEW ANTARCTICA CRUISES John Sisker Cruises 0 June 13th, 2007 03:40 PM
Two Peter Deilmann Cruises European and Black Sea cruises offer free air Media Cruises 0 May 19th, 2006 08:11 PM
Luggage storage on KD/Rhein [email protected] Europe 2 February 9th, 2006 09:53 AM
Rhein ferry information Suzan Europe 11 June 23rd, 2004 12:05 AM
Tahiti cruises, excursions, pre&post cruises lodging Jerome CHRISTOPHE Cruises 0 October 7th, 2003 11:02 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 TravelBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.