Scenic river cruise Europe

[ramboflyer]

We chose the self-guided option and stayed on land at B&B's/Hotels along the way

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I will check the self guided options out. We are planning an eastern European rail/river cruise (mainly rail) in 2023 but after watching a couple of YouTube videos went off the idea of the river cruise part. We were put off by the apparent regimentation of doing things the same time as everyone else and all the escorted tours. It looks like a bus tour on water. We prefer to do our own thing and visiting towns and villages at our own pace so the self guided tour option may cause a re-think.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I will check the self guided options out. We are planning an eastern European rail/river cruise (mainly rail) in 2023 but after watching a couple of YouTube videos went off the idea of the river cruise part. We were put off by the apparent regimentation of doing things the same time as everyone else and all the escorted tours. It looks like a bus tour on water. We prefer to do our own thing and visiting towns and villages at our own pace so the self guided tour option may cause a re-think.

We have done quite a few of these now. Mainly for about a week.

We love the freedom of going at our own pace, and to also divert. You need to do your own research as to what to see or do along the route as their notes basically cover navigation rather than sightseeing.


You can sleep in and leave later, or get up earlier.

We check out the weather forecast and work around that. IE might dodge the rain. Or if really hot we might cycle mainly in the morning.


Sometimes we will deviate off the route to take in an extra site.

We often add in extra days too. Sometimes to just to sightsee more at a particularly interesting region.


With the Coast2Coast across England with did it in 5 nights rather than 3 so we could enjoy it more.


We have also organised some ourself without bag transfer. IE 9 day circuit in the Alsace. We just in advance arranged bicycle hire, but planned our own route and booked our own accommodation. This option means no support though and so you need to know how to fix things. IE one chain broke. I had my own bike tools with us and so just fixed it in a few minutes. Bike shop ended up refunding all the bike hire cost and so that broken chain actually worked out well for us.




Apart from the freedom I find the experience more authentic as you spend most of your time in non tourist spots, and often interact with locals along the way. Many of the lunch and cake shops, cafes etc can be more the normal local ones than ones for tourists.

 

[ramboflyer]

We have done quite a few of these now. Mainly for about a week.

We love the freedom of going at our own pace, and to also divert. You need to do your own research as to what to see or do along the route as their notes basically cover navigation rather than sightseeing.


You can sleep in and leave later, or get up earlier.

We check out the weather forecast and work around that. IE might dodge the rain. Or if really hot we might cycle mainly in the morning.


Sometimes we will deviate off the route to take in an extra site.

We often add in extra days too. Sometimes to just to sightsee more at a particularly interesting region.


With the Coast2Coast across England with did it in 5 nights rather than 3 so we could enjoy it more.


We have also organised some ourself without bag transfer. IE 9 day circuit in the Alsace. We just in advance arranged bicycle hire, but planned our own route and booked our own accommodation. This option means no support though and so you need to know how to fix things. IE one chain broke. I had my own bike tools with us and so just fixed it in a few minutes. Bike shop ended up refunding all the bike hire cost and so that broken chain actually worked out well for us.




Apart from the freedom I find the experience more authentic as you spend most of your time in non tourist spots, and often interact with locals along the way. Many of the lunch and cake shops, cafes etc can be more the normal local ones than ones for tourists.

We won't be doing the cycling part (on shanks pony as my mother used to say) but I like the sound of the freedom to do your own thing.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

We won't be doing the cycling part (on shanks pony as my mother used to say) but I like the sound of the freedom to do your own thing.

Well you can cheat and get an e-bike.

We see quite a few couples where one is a regular cyclist and is on a pushbike, and their partner is on an e-bike which allows them to both enjoy the ride at the same pace.

Other companies also offer walking itenaries, both guided and unguided.

 

[RooFlyer]

Does anyone have recommendations or suggestions for private touring in Germany, ideally along the Moselle/Rhine? I'm afraid my days of cycling or long walking on holiday are long gone. I even looked at Intrepid (hmmm ...) and Exodus (who I like) and not a cracker.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Does anyone have recommendations or suggestions for private touring in Germany, ideally along the Moselle/Rhine? I'm afraid my days of cycling or long walking on holiday are long gone. I even looked at Intrepid (hmmm ...) and Exodus (who I like) and not a cracker.

Maybe drop a line to Tailor-Made Journeys and see what they can offer?

 

[RooFlyer]

Maybe drop a line to Tailor-Made Journeys and see what they can offer?

Thanks - you got a hundred grand you can lend me ?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thanks - you got a hundred grand you can lend me ?

Sure! 7% ok?

 

[RB]

Does anyone have recommendations or suggestions for private touring in Germany, ideally along the Moselle/Rhine? I'm afraid my days of cycling or long walking on holiday are long gone. I even looked at Intrepid (hmmm ...) and Exodus (who I like) and not a cracker.

It is quite a while since we were there but I don't recall seeing any private touring groups- used to see people holding up an umbrella & leading groups around as they got off some of the longer river cruises but that was all. There were a few town based information centres and some railway stations had info booths but that seemed to be it. Given it is a relatively small geographic area with extensive public transport of all types maybe there hasn't been the demand

 

[Melburnian1]

Re river cruises in Europe along the more popular routes, a friend versed in such matters suggests Avalon Waterways is the best operator.

Presently, there's low water levels affecting areas like Kaub (near Frankfurt, Germany) but some of the bigger operators solve any such draught problems by bussing passengers around and changing ships. It means one has to pack during the journey.

I'm not overly attracted to these cruises as like others, it seems they've become 'too popular' and hence apart from barges you might be staring at other such boats all day.

 

[ellen10]

Presently looking at river cruises for May next year. Budapest to Amsterdam.
I've looked at Viking and also Emerald. There are some good early bird offers at the moment.

We have done lots of trips to Europe, some driving at our own pace, some barge cycling. We still like to be active and Emerald seems to offer town tours, but also more active options of hikes etc.

Any recommendations, or advice is appreciated.

 

[tgh]

A river cruise is something we haven't done and I have started sussing it all out.
I am still quite capable of managing a little barge but swmbo is way past jumping off to manage the ropes
That leaves the crowded long boats all rafted up together at the hot spots and coping with unpredictable water levels.
The water level issue seems to be ongoing.. sometimes it is ok and sometimes it ain't.. times have changed
Book a year out , pay at 90 days and then be told just before embarkation that half the cruise will be on buses
I have 0 desire to be bussed anywhere and atm that seems a fatal flaw to the concept

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

A river cruise is something we haven't done and I have started sussing it all out.

I have 0 desire to be bussed anywhere and atm that seems a fatal flaw to the concept

Belmond ORCAELLA December 2014 Burma River cruise 12 days Mandalay to Bagan - is the only river cruise we have done. It was good, we enjoyed it, and it was all on the boat - but we did get stuck on a sandbank which was fun !! but haven't booked any others due to the fact that the "being bussed" is a common thing that crops up when reading reviews.

 

[ellen10]

A river cruise is something we haven't done and I have started sussing it all out.
I am still quite capable of managing a little barge but swmbo is way past jumping off to manage the ropes
That leaves the crowded long boats all rafted up together at the hot spots and coping with unpredictable water levels.
The water level issue seems to be ongoing.. sometimes it is ok and sometimes it ain't.. times have changed
Book a year out , pay at 90 days and then be told just before embarkation that half the cruise will be on buses
I have 0 desire to be bussed anywhere and atm that seems a fatal flaw to the concept

Yes I am wary of the river water levels. I thought the early in the year river cruises would have more water in the rivers, due to the snow melt.

So far we have always done our own thing, but it does appeal only unpacking once in two weeks. And friends said that they were pleasantly surprised at how active and fit you needed to be to enjoy all aspects. They also include bikes to use.

After the cruise we would have another 3.5 weeks of our own independent travels.

 

[Pushka]

Seems like river levels are becoming an issue on Rhine currently but not yet to bussing stage. We are doing a Christmas Market cruise on the Rhine with Viking in December. Amsterdam to Basel.

Id suggest joining a Viking FB group as they are a wealth of info.

I agree that I'd be peeved off totally doing a bus trip but the Viking rah rah fans blast anyone who dares to point out that a bus trip ain't no expensive river cruise.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

.............
Id suggest joining a Viking FB group as they are a wealth of info.

I agree that I'd be peeved off totally doing a bus trip but the Viking rah rah fans blast anyone who dares to point out that a bus trip ain't no expensive river cruise.

Totally agree with that ! I would be more than peed off being bussed and I would be VERY unhappy and Ron would be in trouble !!

 

[Seat0B]

We are also interested in European River Cruising, but are a bit put off by the stories of berthing tied up to multiple other vessels and the “byo crowd” issue. We have never taken group tours ever before and so not really sure why we re looking at the cruises. I suppose it is the convenience of not having to pack and check out every few days (low water issues noted), the lovely food options without having to hunt if you are tired, and maybe the excursions (although we have not really had a problem before arranging activities in a few adventurous places with not much language). I’d really be interested to hear from people who have actually taken a cruise and await your TR after the Christmas markets cruise @Pushka

 

[Pushka]

We are also interested in European River Cruising, but are a bit put off by the stories of berthing tied up to multiple other vessels and the “byo crowd” issue. We have never taken group tours ever before and so not really sure why we re looking at the cruises. I suppose it is the convenience of not having to pack and check out every few days (low water issues noted), the lovely food options without having to hunt if you are tired, and maybe the excursions (although we have not really had a problem before arranging activities in a few adventurous places with not much language). I’d really be interested to hear from people who have actually taken a cruise and await your TR after the Christmas markets cruise @Pushka

Multiple berthing - or rafting - happens on many smslll boat trips. We also experienced this in Croatia on a 30 person vessel.

 

[kookaburra75]

MrsK and I have been looking at a river cruise in Europe for a while. Friends did the Amsterdam to Budapest cruise a few years ago and loved it. It's a smaller boat than the Rhine or Rhone cruises, and from what they said not as busy. Also, the boats used on that leg have two cabins at the back that wrap around the sides.(Scenic Sapphire), so you can see both sides of the river as you're cruising along.

Other people we spoke to were on the Scenic cruise when the river levels were too high, and the boats couldn't get under the bridges. Scenic organised it so the when they arrived at a bridge, they would head off on a day tour while their things were moved onto the other boat on the other side of the bridge, and vice versa. They liked that they could keep cruising, while other companies put people on buses and that was it.

We'll be interested in your experience as we're looking to book in 2024/5

 

[tgh]

Maybe an aff group booking coming up ???