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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27938
07/05/2014 08:40 AM
07/05/2014 08:40 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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I actually haven't done a river cruise, but you really are talking about apples and oranges here. A river cruise is focussed on a very specific area versus a large ship cruise, where you visit several countries and different areas within countries. As far as structure, actually the big ship cruise is going to give you more different things to do, by virtue of how many more different types of entertainment they provide. Suggest you talk to a cruise only travel agent, who can help you compare them better.
Carol Hill
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27939
07/05/2014 09:44 AM
07/05/2014 09:44 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,428 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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We've taken both, although not in Europe.
The river cruise is more intimate, with a smaller ship and fewer passengers. You will be in sight of shore the entire time, so the scenery is more interesting. Heavy rains before or during your cruise could cause delays or cancellations, as the boats must be able to navigate under bridges on the rivers and if the water is too high they cannot. We found our river cruise (China, Beijing to Shanghai) to be more structured than a megaship cruise, with most tours scheduled and included in the price of the trip. On a megaship cruise, most shore excursions are optional and not included in the cost. Your river boat will have one restaurant, with no room service and no alternate venues for meals.
Larger ships are more crowded, but there are more on-board activities. They have more than one restaurant, offer room service, and have plenty of dining options. We preferred the river cruise to our megaship experiences because of the lack of crowds, but people we met on the ship felt just the opposite because of the lack of a sizeable onboard gym and spa, and shows and other entertainment venues like a casino. It would have been nice to have more than one dining option.
It's all about what you like.
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27940
07/05/2014 02:19 PM
07/05/2014 02:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,199 Devon, UK
salica
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Have not done any cruising so listen to the other posters here. Thought you might be interested in a British guide to cruising through Europe, both rivers and Mediterranean. Check out www.telegraph.co.uk/travel where you will find an awful lot of information (almost too much) on all types of cruising. FYI the Daily Telegraph is the UKs most prestigious broadsheet newspaper and very well informed.
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27941
07/05/2014 05:36 PM
07/05/2014 05:36 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507 Florida
RobT
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I have done river cruises but not in Europe. Did a Med Cruise last year. The Med cruise allows you to travel farther, with activities on board at night. We spent extra nights before (Venice) and after (Barcelona) which gave time to explore those cities on our own. Some cities, like Rome and Florence are not close to the port so you spend a lot of time just getting to the cities from the ship.
River cruises tend to get you really close to town, so you do not spend a lot of time in transit. And the tours are often include in the price. But the activities at night or even the gym are minimal.
Part of the decision is where you want to go. I always wanted to see the Acropolis of Athens and Dubrovnik, Croatia. It was easy from the Med cruise, but not on a river cruise. Just got a tease of Rome, so we have to go back.
Traveling down the Mekong, can only be done on a river cruise.
Beach Hunter
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: swg]
#27947
07/09/2014 09:32 PM
07/09/2014 09:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
sxmsandbum
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Thanks. Never cruised before so will for sure post one. It won't be until a year from now, so you have a while to wait! lol Any comments on Celebrity, Norwegian, or Royal Caribbean lines? Those are the three we are looking at. Ships are Equinox (Celebrity), Jade or Epic (N), or Allure of the Seas (RC). + or - on these ships. How much time would you get there before the ship is to leave? 1-2 days? Any thoughts on deck choices as I hear that makes a difference, and what about time of year that is best to do the Med? Thanks!
Last edited by sxmsandbum; 07/09/2014 09:35 PM.
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27948
07/09/2014 09:49 PM
07/09/2014 09:49 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Would suggest Celebrity, as of those lines, it really is the most premium line. Food and service better. Many or most people these days prefer balcony cabins, which give you your own piece of outside space on a ship. It really can make a huge difference. Not sure of the NCL policy at this point, but if you are a smoker, Celebrity does not allow smoking on their balconies. It's been a long time since I was on Royal Caribbean, but I think they still allow smoking on their balconies.
Carol Hill
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27950
07/10/2014 08:24 AM
07/10/2014 08:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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You definitely could dine in one of the ala carte restaurants (for an upcharge). I actually don't know whether there is a buffet open in the evening on Celebrity or not, especially when you're talking in the med, as they might have different dining arrangements there. Check the Celebrity website.
Carol Hill
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27951
07/10/2014 03:32 PM
07/10/2014 03:32 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507 Florida
RobT
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I like to get there at least 2 days prior to sailing for foreign destinations. That will give you time to explore the city you are leaving from. The cruise itinerary usually does not give you time to see the starting or ending city.
It will also give to insurance time in case your flight is delayed or your bags are delayed. In two recent cruises my bags were delayed 1 day (Baltimore to Vancouver, BC) and 2 days (Dulles to Cambodia). In both cases they made the boat, but it was close.
Beach Hunter
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27953
07/12/2014 06:29 PM
07/12/2014 06:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
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I didn't know that they took the Allure to the Med. I thought it was stuck here in the Caribbean because of the size.
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: Nutmeg]
#27954
07/13/2014 11:45 AM
07/13/2014 11:45 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
sxmsandbum
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Nutmeg said: I didn't know that they took the Allure to the Med. I thought it was stuck here in the Caribbean because of the size. Don't know but this is for during the summer listed for 2015 which is what we are looking for.
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#27955
07/13/2014 02:17 PM
07/13/2014 02:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
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Ouch! That is going to hurt us on St Thomas. They are one of the summer visitors here now...
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: Germany river cruise vs Med on mega ship
[Re: Nutmeg]
#27956
07/13/2014 07:10 PM
07/13/2014 07:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
sxmsandbum
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Nutmeg said: Ouch! That is going to hurt us on St Thomas. They are one of the summer visitors here now... The Adventure of the Seas is still listed for Caribbean on the RC website but not the Allure so Marriott site must be correct.
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