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The River Cruise Lady

River cruising and small ship luxury cruising

AmaWaterways River Cruises

Africa River Cruise Safari

March 16, 2017 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

Ever since Ama Waterways brought out their Africa Safari and Wildlife cruise brochure, I dreamed of going on it and even had the cover pinned up on my wall.

Well my dream finally became a reality recently and it was even more amazing than I could have ever imagined. My pictures were almost the same as they had portrayed in the brochure as we were able to get so close to the animals on the river (and on the land Safari in Kruger) and I was also able to get some fantastic videos of them in their own environment that you can view at the end.

Their Stars of South Africa itinerary starts in picturesque Cape Town, where one could easily spend a week touring around the area as there is so much to see. We did a full day Cape tour which starts out going to Boulders Beach to see the African Penguins (could have watched them all day) then onto the famous Cape of Good Hope sign and Chapman Peak Drive.

African Penguins
African Penguins
Cape Of Good Hope Sign
Cape Of Good Hope
View of Cape Point
View of Cape Point

Since we had gone in a day early, we were also able to visit Table Bay Mountain, Robben Island and the Cape Winelands area and we still didn’t see it all !

Then onto Botswana for the most incredible river safari where I couldn’t stop taking video of the Elephants (by day 3, my husband said, you have enough footage of the elephants!!)
We got to see them playing in the water, spraying themselves as it was so dry and watching the babies learn from their mommas. Of course we also saw Giraffes, Impalas, Hippos, Cape Buffalos, Lions, Warthogs and many beautiful African birds too. We also visited a local village which was very humbling. These are just a few of many pictures I took:

Chobe River Elephants
Chobe River Elephants
Chobe River Impalas And Giraffes
Impalas And Giraffes
Chobe River Lion
Chobe River Lion

Then it was onto to Victoria Falls to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World where the sound is so loud that the African name for the falls translates to “the smoke that thunders” The Victoria Falls hotel is filled with old world charm that feels like you’ve been transported back in time where you can peruse its history filled walls.

Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls Hotel From Bridge
Victoria Falls Hotel From Bridge
View From Vic Falls Hotel
View From Vic Falls Hotel


A quick plane ride to Johannesburg brought us to the big city where we overnighted before doing a full day tour of the city and Soweto (SouthWest Townships) that was very interesting (and sad at the same time as we saw some new townhomes that had been built to replace the tin shacks that still sit empty)
Soweto
Soweto
Nelson Mandela Square
Nelson Mandela Square
Johannesburg
Johannesburg


Another quick flight took us to Kruger Park to do our land safari where we were lucky enough to come across so many lions (that again – I just took way too many videos of!)

Within one day, we were fortunate to view the Big Five that everyone aspires to see – so amazing. Kruger was experiencing a major drought when we visited which was not good for the animals but great for viewing. We had morning (6am to 9am) and afternoon (4pm to 7pm) safaris which gives you an opportunity to see different animals who are more active at different times. It was so hard to narrow down the pictures to just a few and I will post some more again soon.

Kruger Leopard
Kruger Leopard
Kruger Cape Buffalo
Kruger Cape Buffalo
Kruger Baby Lion
Kruger Baby Lion


If you dream about Africa and its on your bucket-list, my advice is to make that dream become a reality and you will never regret it for a minute !

Video clips of the trip can be seen below:

Filed Under: Africa, AMA Waterways, Cape Town, Kruger Park, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, River Safari, Victoria Falls, Virtuoso Travel Tagged With: Africa, Botswana, CapeTown, Kruger Park, RiverCruise, Safari

Breathtaking Bordeaux Scenic River Cruise

December 13, 2016 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

I now see why the new Bordeaux region river cruises are becoming a fast favorite – it was wonderful (and not just because of wine tasting at 10am !)

There are a couple of different ways to get to the region, one being a pre-cruise stay in Paris and then taking the 3 hour train ride to Bordeaux or flying straight into BDX which is the airport in the region.  Since I had previously been to Paris, chose to fly straight in and the representative from Scenic Cruises was there to meet us for the 20 minute transfer to the ship (one of their complimentary inclusions, even if you don’t book your airfare with them)

After settling in our cabin, enjoyed a welcome buffet dinner but due to some jet lag, many turned in early that night.

The next morning we sailed to Bourg and once we were docked, we headed off for our first excursion which was a Saint Emilion city tour where we got our first glimpse of the stunning chateaus that fill the wine region.

Scenic Diamond docked in Bourg France
Scenic Diamond docked in Bourg France
Scenic River Cruise Saint Emilion City Tour
Scenic River Cruise Saint Emilion City Tour
Stunning Chateau in Saint Emilion France
Stunning Chateau in Saint Emilion France

On our way back after the tour, we stopped at Chateau Soutard for a “sundowner” drink which was very nice.  It is one of the oldest estates in the area dating back to 1513 !Then we met up with the ship in Libourne.

Saint Emilion France
Saint Emilion France
Chateau Soutard Saint Emilion
Chateau Soutard Saint Emilion
Welcome to Libourne
Welcome to Libourne

Our next day gave us a choice of three different excursions and I chose to do the wine tasting at Chateau Franc Mayne  (we were in Bordeaux after all 🙂 )

The Chateau is not only a vineyard but also a charming little hotel that has a total of 10 rooms, each of them different with a specific theme.  Right in the middle of their vineyard, they even have a tree house that you can stay in.

Wine Tasting in Bordeaux
Wine Tasting in Bordeaux
Scenery along the river
Scenery along the river
More Scenery along the river
More Scenery along the river

Back to the ship again for a scrumptious lunch and then we did a leisurely sail along the river heading towards Pauillac enjoying the scenery along the way.   We also had great talk about “Understanding the Gironde Estuary” from Captain Jeremy followed by a port talk from the cruise director on what to expect for the next day.  Then the Captain rejoined us for a his welcome reception before we headed off to dinner.

Another day, another wine tasting !  This time we had a guided tour of the Medoc area and passed so many stunning chateaux, especially on such a beautiful sunny day.  Our tasting was at Chateau Lagrange and since we were such a small group, hardly needed to use our “Tailormades” (which are Scenic’s GPS locator guides connected to personal headphones that allow you to wander around while still being able to hear your guide without having to stand right next to them, plus they are also useful when walking around on your own or sitting up on deck listening to the diverse selection of topics)

Medoc Area Chateau
Medoc Area Chateau
Wines of Chateau Lagrange
Wines of Chateau Lagrange
Chateau Lagrange in Bordeaux
Chateau Lagrange in Bordeaux

After lunch we had a free afternoon so took the bikes out for a spin around the Paulliac area, such a nice leisurely way to see the town.  The Scenic bikes are so easy to use and don’t like to admit but the power assist boost sure made it easy to go up any hills.  For dinner that night, we were treated to a meal off the ship at the famous estate of Chateau du Tertre and it was so special, we felt like royalty.

Bike riding in Pauilliac
Bike riding in Pauilliac
Chateau du Tertre
Chateau du Tertre
Chateau du Tertre estate
Chateau du Tertre estate

It was nice to have a leisurely morning the following day as we sailed back to Bordeaux.  Since we enjoyed the bikes so much the day before, signed up for the Bordeaux City tour by bike and although there was more traffic, was still a very enjoyable way to see the sights.

Scenic Bike Tour
Scenic Bike Tour
Biking around Bordeaux
Biking around Bordeaux
Bike Tour around Bordeaux
Bike Tour around Bordeaux

I haven’t even talked about the food yet which is another wonderful part of river cruising, you certainly never go hungry !   Dinner every night is served at 7pm in the dining room but there are two other choices available.  One is a separate dining area on the ship called L’Amour which is a separate smaller venue that you can make a reservation for. The other one is exclusive for Diamond deck guests and they are treated to a special six course degustation menu dinner called Table La Rive with sommelier paired wines.  Only ten guests per evening partake in this so it makes for a more intimate dining experience.

Dining on Scenic River Cruise
Dining on Scenic River Cruise
Dining on Scenic Cruise
Dining on Scenic Cruise
Another meal on Scenic
Another meal on Scenic

There was a multitude of excursions to choose from the next day which were 1) Hiking tour through Loupiac (which we chose) 2) Walking tour of Cadillac 3) Excursion to Roquetaillade or 4) Excursion to Saint-Macaire.

We were lucky to have another beautiful day for our hike and with our quirky local guide leading us, felt very immersed in the area and had some wonderful views of the river from the ruins of the castle that we hiked to.

Welcome to Loupiac
Welcome to Loupiac
View from Loupiac hike
View from Loupiac hike
Castle ruins along our hike
Castle ruins along our hike

That evening because we were still in Bordeaux, took advantage of going for a walk after dinner and we found out why its nicknamed, Breathtaking Bordeaux as the lights that lit up the buildings were just that.  We were docked right in the heart of the city and could walk around easily.

Scenic docked in Bordeaux
Scenic docked in Bordeaux
Bordeaux at night
Bordeaux at night
Moon over Bordeaux
Moon over Bordeaux

Whew, the next day we were back to wine tasting – this time in the Sauternes region with a visit to Chateau de Myrat  – run by the Pontac family who have been winemakers for over 400 years !

Entrance to Chateau de Myrat
Entrance to Chateau de Myrat
Chateau de Myrat
Chateau de Myrat
Wine lesson at Chateau de Myrat
Wine lesson at Chateau de Myrat

After dinner, a local guitarist, Jeremy Dupouy came onboard and had most of the crowd singing along with him for an evening of fun.

We had a longer bus ride the next day as headed all the way to the coast to Arcachon where we did a really interesting hike up and down Europe’s tallest sand dune.  It is called Dune du Pilat and when we got to the top, (felt like I cheated go up the stairs so walked back down the dune ) had a great time watching this fellow try to paraglide but there wasn’t quite enough wind so he just couldn’t get going.

Walking up the stairs at Dune du Pilat
Walking up the stairs at Dune du Pilat
Paraglider at Dune du Pilat
Paraglider at Dune du Pilat
Walking down in the sand at Dune du Pilat
Walking down in the sand at Dune du Pilat

Stopped for a great lunch (included) before heading back to the ship where we were joined by some amazing musicians called Les Veneurs d’Epernon.  They play what is classified as Trunk Hunting which belongs to the family of natural brass and its origin was a church instrument for liturgical songs and concerts.

Les Veneurs d'Epernon on Scenic Cruise
Les Veneurs d’Epernon on Scenic Cruise
Les Veneurs d Epernon on Scenic Cruise
Les Veneurs d Epernon on Scenic Cruise

When we sailed to Blaye/Bourg the next day, we were feeling very brave and signed up for the 30km/18.6m guided bike tour and it turned out to be one of our most favorite ones.  The scenery was spectacular, the weather was wonderful and felt better knowing that I was burning off some of those delicious meals!.  Scenic even presented all the bike riders with a certificate at the end for our accomplishment.

Scenic Bike Tour from Blaye
Scenic Bike Tour from Blaye
Scenic Bike tour past the Citadelle
Scenic Bike tour past the Citadelle
Scenic Bike Tour through Blaye
Scenic Bike Tour through Blaye

As we head into our final day, I should mention that Scenic is the only company (currently) who offers Bordeaux as a 11 day itinerary which is why we were able to fit so much touring in, while most others usually do it as an 8 day sailing with pre-nights in Paris or post nights in Amboise/Loire Valley to create a longer trip.

Speaking of our last day, it was also a pretty special one as headed up to Cognac where we had a picturesque walking tour through the town before continuing on to visit the Remy Martin estate and sample a few tastings.  The toughest decision was deciding on which bottle to bring home as a souvenir ! (the kind of souvenir that doesn’t sit on your shelf gathering dust 🙂

Hennessy Ferry in the town of Cognac
Hennessy Ferry in the town of Cognac
Cognac tasting at Remy Martin
Cognac tasting at Remy Martin
Which Remy Martin Cognac to buy?
Which Remy Martin Cognac to buy?

As we sailed back to Bordeaux, that evening we were treated to a beautiful illumination cruise up to the Pont de Pierre bridge to help create more memories of this breathtaking river cruise.

Filed Under: Bordeaux, Europe, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, Scenic River Cruises Tagged With: Bordeaux, France River Cruise, river cruise, River Cruise Lady, Scenic River Cruises

Comparison of River Cruise Companies in Europe

November 2, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

Which river cruise company should you choose ?

Many times, it just comes down to a monetary choice, a personal choice or a recommended choice from a friend/family or cruise agent.

Sometimes it may come down to which cruise might be available at the time you are looking as many of the itineraries book up so far in advance, your 2nd or 3rd choice might be the one you end up on.

For a very quick comparison overview of AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Waterways, Scenic Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Viking River Cruises, here is a snapshot below and if you would like to view it on your own computer as a pdf for better viewing, click HERE to view as PDF.

Whichever one you choose, it will be a great river cruise and you’re going to love it !

Comparison of top River Cruise Companies in Europe

Comparison of top River Cruise Companies in Europe

 

 

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, Avalon Waterways, Comparison of River Cruise Companies, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, Scenic Tours River Cruises, Tauck River Cruises, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises

Rhine River Cruise

September 19, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda 2 Comments

After doing a Rhine River cruise, I can see why it is one of the most popular choices for travelers.  It takes in everything – from the canal lined city of Amsterdam, the historical city of Cologne, the picturesque city of Rüdesheim, the imperial city of Speyer to one of my favorites which was the contrasting city of Strasbourg with its French and German culture.

Of course the many benefits of river cruising also factor in:

  • unpack once
  • docking near the heart of the cities & towns
  • your ‘hotel’ cruises along the river while the mesmerizing scenery floats by
  • the almost all inclusive value
  • flexible sightseeing – you can go on the tours or off on your own
  • fewer passengers onboard so can get to know fellow travelers

This list goes on and you will understand once you have taken a river cruise as you’ll be hooked and want to do them all and I haven’t even mentioned the food and wine yet!

We had wonderful meals onboard Ama Waterways and the wine flowed freely at lunch and dinner.  They also have a 24 hour coffee/tea station in their lounge area so if you happen to be up at odd hours, could always find a nice hot cup of something plus various pieces of fruit and those darn good cookies that I kept saying I didn’t need.

The staff onboard were also very friendly and it didn’t take long after a day of touring off the ship to feel like you were coming home as you were welcomed back onboard.

I’ve made a short video of the trip, hope you enjoy and may it lure you to journey down the Rhine !

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, Rhine River, River Cruise Lady, River Cruising

Viking River vs AmaWaterways vs Tauck River Cruises

August 31, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda 36 Comments

Without a doubt, the most asked question I get is “which company should I book my river cruise with ?”

So I thought I would pick out three companies and do a comparison (there are many river cruise lines out there but to keep this article from going overboard in length, keeping it at three)
They are Viking River Cruises, Ama Waterways and Tauck River Cruises.

I am going to use the analogy of an airplane going overseas that has three classes of service – economy, premium economy and business class. All three sections are going to the same destination but as you move up, you’ll get a bigger seat, better amenities and more inclusions (and a higher price of course)

I will be comparing a similar seven night Danube River itinerary in Europe for July 2016 departing from Budapest in a French Balcony category cabin (they all offer lower window categories and higher suite categories but will just be comparing the French Balcony)

On an airplane, economy class has the most seats for passengers then fewer in premium and even less in business.

For the river cruise ships, have listed the number of ships each company operates in Europe, the number of guests each ship carries and lastly, the square footage of their French balcony cabin category.

Viking has 58 ships
Ama has 16 ships
Tauck has 9 ships

Viking carries 190 guests*
Ama carries 164 guests**
Tauck carries 130 guests***

Viking cabin is 135 sq feet
Ama cabin is 170 sq feet
Tauck cabin is 225 sq feet

Just like what is included in each section of the airplane, each of the cruise companies offer more inclusions as the price increases.

Viking provides wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner, using the same wine throughout the cruise. They include most excursions with four optional tours (excursion group size is up to 20 guests) Gratuities and transfers are extra.

Viking River Cruise Ship Atla

Viking Atla

Ama Waterways also provides wine/beer/soft drinks with lunch and dinner but they use different wines from each of the regions they are travelling through. They include almost all excursions with two optional tours. (excursion group size is up to 12 guests) Some of their excursions are divided into Gentle Walkers, Active Walkers and even a Late Starter group for those who prefer to sleep in. They also offer bicycles onboard that you can do a tour with or sign out on your own. Gratuities and transfers are extra.

AmaSerena

Ama Serena

Tauck provides unlimited complimentary beverages onboard which includes regional wine, beer, soft drinks and premium spirits. They include all excursions, all gratuities to staff, cruise/tour directors (noting that most companies have one onboard but they have three) and even local guides. They often have private exclusive shore excursions such as an evening in Vienna inclusive of dinner and a private performance in a palace. They also have bicycles onboard and include airport transfers to and from the ship (even when you don’t book your flight with them)

TauckSavor

Tauck Savor

For the compared itinerary, here is the per person price (based on two sharing) that each company has:
 Viking River         $3655usd
 Ama Waterways $4198usd
 Tauck River         $5440usd

Just like many travelers who are unable to splurge on the luxury of business class, the higher price of the Tauck River cruise puts it out of reach for many but once you factor in their larger size cabins, fewer people onboard and everything that is included, you can understand why they are at the top of the market.

Although Viking has the lowest price, you will still have a enjoyable experience with them. Their new Longships feature a very contemporary Scandinavian design with several dining venues including the Aquavit Terrace which functions as an indoor/outdoor restaurant for Alfresco dining. They also purchased quite a few of their own docks in Europe so receive priority docking in some places.
Instead of building just one new ship a year like most companies, they went on a building frenzy recently which provided them with a lot of buying power plus they can keep costs lower since they have more people on each ship. They are the largest and most well-known because of their huge advertising budget with ads on shows like Downton Abbey, plus have a very aggressive print campaign (if you ever get on their mailing list, I swear you receive a brochure a week!)

Due to their middle of the market price range, Ama Waterways has been gaining popularity and fast becoming a guest favorite. Since they are family owned, it creates a very friendly atmosphere that resonates throughout the ship when you’re onboard. They have also introduced a new dining concept onboard with an intimate chef’s table restaurant that features a tasting menu.

So back to the question of “which company should I book my river cruise with?” As you see, just like when you are offered choices of where to sit on an airplane, there are many choices for river cruising too. All you have to decide is how much you want to have included within your budget, pick the best one for you and then relax with the comfort of realizing that all of the choices will have you floating past spectacular the scenery!

 

 

*Viking Atla July 10th sailing/ **AmaSerena July 10th sailing/ ***Tauck Savor July 9th (all three ships compared are 445 feet long and 38 feet wide)

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, Danube River, Europe, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, Tauck River Cruises, Viking River Cruises Tagged With: AmaWaterways, Danube River, river cruise, river cruising, Tauck River Cruises, Viking River Cruises

Cruise cabin night light

August 18, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

As we all get older (which seems to bring on more trips to the bathroom), I have found this great night light that I’ve been taking on all my river and ocean cruises lately (also works great for hotel rooms too) so thought I would share a quick video with you on this handy little device.
I brought it with my on my last trip and my roommate commented on what a smart idea it was and enjoyed the soft glow it projects rather than the typical blinding bathroom light in the middle of the night.
You should be able to find it at any hardware or drug store selling night lights and this flat style one seems to work the best. Then the only thing you need to remember is to pack it with you when you go!

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, American Cruise Line, Avalon Waterways, Cruises, Featured Post, Mississippi River Cruise, Regent Seven Seas, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, Scenic Tours River Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, Silversea, Small ship cruise, Tauck Tours, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises

Would you like to cruise around French Polynesia?

July 8, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda 4 Comments

Small ship cruising is the best !
I recently returned from sailing on the Windstar Wind Spirit that had 140 passengers onboard (so in a way, its the same capacity if not less than a river cruise ship – but just built differently). The cruise began from Tahiti, which is actually in the same time zone as Hawaii and the non stop flight from LAX to Papeete takes only 8 hours. Most people think it is much further away but the tourism board has the best slogan which is “think of going to Honolulu but just watch one more movie and you’ll be in Tahiti!” You can see the location on the map below

Tahiti distance on map

Tahiti distance on map

Even with the sails down, the Wind Spirit sat majestically in the Papeete harbor waiting for the eager passengers to embark. There was a real demographic mix of people which included couples on their honeymoon (including many second marriage & same sex honeymoon couples) a few active families with their children, a few solo travellers and of course friends travelling together.

WindStar WindSpirit in Tahiti

Windstar Wind Spirit in Tahiti

Most cabins are the same layout located on decks one and two (out of four total). They have an amazing amount of space in them and the bathroom is one of biggest I’ve seen for a ship this size

Windstar Wind Spirt cabin

Windstar Wind Spirit cabin

Windstar Wind Spirt bathroom

Windstar Wind Spirt bathroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even more amazing though is the blue/green warm water, the palm trees and the sunshine. If you love the beach, then this is the perfect holiday for you. One day we went to Motu Mahaea where you can see in the picture the clear water, the blue sky, the shady palms and on the right, they even set up two tents where the spa staff were giving massages on the beach. The sports staff brought paddle boards and the chef even cooked up an excellent bbq lunch – which all added up to a perfect day.

Windstar beach day at Motu Mahaea

Windstar beach day at Motu Mahaea

View of Motu (Island) Mahaea

View of Motu (Island) heading back to ship

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our ship visited the Islands of Moorea, Tahaa, Raiatea, Bora Bora and Huahine where plenty of shore excursions were available if you wanted to take in a swim with the stingrays or snorkel to see the colorful fish. There were quite a few hikes offered and many visits to Pearl Farms or for the more adventurous – 4 wheel drive off roading. On our second day in Bora Bora, many of us rented these crazy looking little electric cars called a Twizy and drove all around the island (which if you didn’t stop, could do in an hour)

Twizy car around Bora Bora

Twizy car around Bora Bora

One night, we were taken by catamaran to another Motu close to Bora Bora where Windstar hosted us for an evening feast with local entertainment – such a fun night and they even put up the sails so when we were returning back to the ship guided by the moonlight, it was a breathtaking sight.

Windstar special Island evening

Windstar special Island evening

Windstar presented fresh local Tahitian foods

Windstar presented fresh local Tahitian foods

Wind Spirit in the moonlight with the sails up

Wind Spirit in the moonlight with the sails up

If you have a bit of trouble with a rocking motion though, this may not be the ship for you as many nights the gentle roll stepped it up a notch. I was not bothered by it at all but noticed there were many SeaBands and ear patches after our first night of it.

One of the most memorable things is the song that was played when the sails went up (Conquest of Paradise in case you were wondering) & everyone would gather around during the sailaway ritual which always ended with cheers. So I guess the question should be re-phrased from ‘Would you like to cruise around French Polynesia’ to ‘When do you want to go ?’
For more information, visit www.windstarcruises.com or drop me a comment with your questions about the trip.

Maururu ! (Thank you in Tahitian)

Filed Under: Cruises, French Polynesia, River Cruise Lady, Small ship cruise, South Pacific, Tahiti, Windstar

The highs and lows of River Cruising

June 23, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

High water, low water – not too long ago I was asked by a reporter if I warn my clients about the possibility that the water levels on the river could affect their river cruise. I replied honestly that I didn’t and it got me thinking about whether or not I should.

However I also book their airline tickets and does this mean that I should be warning them about the possibility of the flight being delayed or being re-routed or worst of all, cancelled ?

United Airlines has been in the news lately for a couple of unexpected re-routed flights where the passengers were stranded in foreign airports overnight, some having to sleep on the airport floor with no access to their baggage. The key here is “unexpected” because even if these people were told in advance that this could happen, no one thinks it will ever happen to them.
I believe it comes down to how the situation is treated as in the United’s case, most passengers were very angry about the lack of support and no communication.

This is where it differs from the river cruise lines (and I do realize the they are dealing with much smaller numbers) but our company had some passengers who were to get on a Rhine river cruise in Basel and due to high water, the ship was not able to get under the bridge into the city. The company had staff on hand to assist guests, they ordered extra coaches to bus people up the river to where the ship was located and generally tried to keep people informed and the disruption to a minimum. In speaking with our clients when they returned, they said they felt well taken care of.

Now I know that many will say, well the airlines could never be like that but I had a scenario with Singapore Airlines that I will never forget. I boarded a flight once in Bali and then the power went out in the terminal so we sat on the tarmac for quite a while before we were able to depart. I was supposed to connect in Singapore for a flight to Hong Kong, however after our delay, realized that I was going to miss my connection. So I was dreading getting off the plane not knowing when I could catch another flight. However, this is where superior customer service came into play as an airline representative was waiting with my name on a sign & when approached, was handed my new ticket for a flight three hours later, a meal voucher and offered an apology for missing my connection. I was absolutely astounded and kept looking around thinking I was on TV or something because I had never seen anything like it.

So instead of warning clients about the possibility of disruptions, will always try to book them with companies that will take care of them with some old fashioned customer service.

High water mark level in Passau Germany

High water mark level in Passau Germany

This was a picture that I took in Passau Germany in 2011 which shows the high and low water mark level from the Danube River. In 2013, they suffered the highest water levels in 500 years and it went up over the top mark shown by at least another foot, it was an unbelievable sight.

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, Avalon Waterways, Cruises, Danube River, Europe, Featured Post, Rhine River, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises

Uniworld introduces river cruising to India

May 4, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has released their itinerary for a never before river cruise adventure called the India’s Golden Triangle & the Sacred Ganges for 2016.
Here is a map of the trip

Uniworld India Itinerary

Uniworld India Itinerary

Having just returned from the doing the golden triangle (which is New Delhi to Agra to Jaipur) I will be excited to be able to share first hand knowledge for cruisers wanting to take in this amazing trip. I had seen many pictures of the Taj Mahal before going there but when I actually saw it in person, it took my breath away.

First Glimpse of the Taj Mahal

First Glimpse of the Taj Mahal


The stunning Taj Mahal

The stunning Taj Mahal

Here are the highlights of the trip with pricing starting at $7500usd per person based on double and I believe its going to be a popular trip.

Your cruise/tour package includes:

Travel
7-night Ganges River cruise in a riverview suite onboard the Ganges Voyager II*
5 nights in luxurious Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, including daily buffet breakfast and all service charges, taxes, and porterage*
Tips for local experts and drivers
All transportation throughout your trip, including intra-India flight between Jaipur and Kolkata
All transfers on arrival and departure days

Taste
12 buffet breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners
Welcome and Farewell Dinners
Afternoon tea in the Governor’s Lounge
Complimentary local beers, spirits, and soft drinks throughout the cruise
Onboard/onshore dinners include complimentary house wine, local beers, or soft drinks
Afternoon coffee, tea, and snacks in the Governor’s Lounge

Explore
11 days of captivating, fully escorted excursions with English-speaking local experts
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise/Tour Manager throughout your trip
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Flowers and fruit plate upon arrival
Onboard cultural enrichment, including traditional sitar music, a Bollywood-style song and dance show, and more
*Ship and hotels are subject to change

Filed Under: Asia, Cruises, ganges river, River Cruises, River Cruising, Uniworld Tagged With: ganges river

River cruising just got a little more family-friendly!

April 21, 2015 by River Cruise Lady Linda Leave a Comment

Adventures by Disney is excited to announce the newest addition to its already exquisite portfolio with the debut of all-new river cruise itineraries for 2016. Sailing with AmaWaterways, the travel industry’s premier luxury river cruise line, Adventures by Disney river cruises offer a new way for families to experience the heart of Europe in a way that is active, immersive and easy. These sailings along the Danube River will give travelers the opportunity to experience iconic locations and hidden gems in eight destinations across four countries – Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.

DisneyFamilyRiverCruise

DisneyFamilyRiverCruise

The Adventures by Disney river cruise departures will take guests off the beaten path in search of the culture, art and unique stories intrinsic to each European city and town visited. On this 8-day/7-night voyage, guests will explore castle ruins in Germany, savor chocolate tastings and waltz lessons in Bratislava, visit the locations filmed in the movie “The Sound of Music” in Austria, and so much more. Those looking for even greater immersion into local culture can also add an Adventures by Disney 3-day/2-night pre- or post-river cruise experience in Prague, Czech Republic.

Adventures by Disney river cruises offer maximum port time in each city, arriving at dawn and departing late night. That means more time for you to discover the destination through guided activities and individual exploration for a completely tailored and customizable vacation experience.

DisneyRiverCruiseEurope

DisneyRiverCruiseEurope

Our guests will sail on the all-new river cruise ship, AmaViola, which is being custom designed with families in mind. New family-friendly design elements include six sets of connecting staterooms, as well as some rooms and suites that accommodate three- and four-person families, and other unique details that lend themselves to luxury family vacations. Shipboard spaces are being reimagined to provide for specially designed activities geared towards kids, teens and adults.

This video offers just a small peek into what this experience has to offer for your family.

Adventures by Disney is a brand known for providing exceptional service and hands-on experiences that appeal to travelers of all ages. These new river cruising departures are designed to meet the needs and interests of all participating family members – allowing grandparents, parents and children alike to make memories that will last a lifetime in a European setting that is truly breathtaking.

For more information on the new Adventures by Disney river cruising itineraries, visit www.AdventuresbyDisney.com and then contact linda@therivercruiselady.com for Virtuoso special pricing and benefits.

Posted on April 14th, 2015 by Heather Killingbeck, Director, Trip & Program Development, Adventures By Disney on the Disney Parks Blog

Filed Under: AMA Waterways, Castles, Christmas Market Cruise, Danube River, Europe, River Cruise Lady, River Cruises, River Cruising

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A big thank you to @amawaterways for cohosting a f A big thank you to @amawaterways for cohosting a fun painting & product update night! I wasn’t as creative as others but I did manage to stay inside the lines😉😆 
We learned a third ship is coming to the Douro in Portugal - very exciting!
Plus a brand new itinerary in South America on the Magdalena River in Columbia so stay tuned for more info….
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #rivercruising #paintnight
Next May would be a perfect time to go on the beau Next May would be a perfect time to go on the beautiful AmaMagna river cruise ship as it sails the lower Danube through the Iron Gates to spectacular Budapest.
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #rivercruise #danube #amamagna #may2024
The last stop on our river cruise was in Nuremberg The last stop on our river cruise was in Nuremberg & before hitting their Christmas market we went on a WW2 tour which included a walk on the plaza where the rallies were held, then got to visit courtroom 600 where the Nuremberg Trials were held. 
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket 
#rivercruise 
#amasonata
This star lined street leads the way to the 12th c This star lined street leads the way to the 12th century old stone bridge in Regensburg where right next to it you’ll find the famous historical "Wurstkuchl" (Sausage Kitchen)  which is the oldest one in the world!
Their Thurn und Taxis entrance fee Christmas market is ranked as one of the most romantic ones with its palace backdrop wonderland setting🎄 
Also found some smaller markets in town where many locals gathered & the apfelstrudel stall was calling out to me so just had to indulge 😋 
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #rivercruise #amasonata
Arrived in Passau in the evening so took a walk to Arrived in Passau in the evening so took a walk to the Christmas market and watched them make our dessert 😋 with St Stephens Cathedral lit up in the background 
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #amasonata #chimneycake
After we left Durnstein, we sailed through the pic After we left Durnstein, we sailed through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Melk.  The Abbey lights up the town & loved the advent windows on one of the buildings. 
#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #rivercruise  #amasonata #adventcalendar
It was active hike day for Durnstein & you can see It was active hike day for Durnstein & you can see from pic 1 where the castle ruins are way off in the distance up the hill. Certainly a good workout for the legs but a fantastic view of the Danube River from the top! We were rewarded with a wine tasting after we climbed back down 🍷 
#rivercruiselady 
#amawaterways 
#christmasmarket 
#rivercruise 
#walkingtour 
#winetasting 
#amasonata
After my earlier post of the daytime Vienna pictur After my earlier post of the daytime Vienna pictures, here are the nighttime ones 😍 It was very busy at their main Christmas Market but the lights & decorated stalls made it all worthwhile. If you zoom in on the full city hall one, you will find a band on top of the roof of one of the stalls! Then we had to walk back to St Stephens to see it all lit up plus the surrounding streets 
#rivercruiselady 
#amawaterways 
#christmasmarket 
#rivercruise 
#amasonata
I have to divide up my Vienna pictures into daytim I have to divide up my Vienna pictures into daytime and nighttime ones because both need to be seen! St Stephens Cathedral was sparkling in the sunshine & we could see the shapes of the lights that would be turned on later in the streets. We visited one of the smaller Christmas markets and had some Gluhwein (mulled wine) plus watched the chef in the window at Demel’s preparing their famous treat that everyone was lining up for 😋 
#rivercruiselady 
#amawaterways 
#walkingtour 
#amasonata 
#rivercruise
We had a lovely day in Bratislava🌞Saw the nickn We had a lovely day in Bratislava🌞Saw the nicknamed UFO tower, climbed the stairs to the Hrad castle which gave us great views of St Martin’s Cathedral and the new buildings built behind the old city. The shop window had the best small business sign ❤️ and the famous Man At Work sculpture in the town square is well photographed. Busy at the Christmas market & then a nice stroll back to the #amasonata 
#rivercruiselady
#amawaterways 
#rivercruise 
#christmasmarkets
Not sure if you want to sit inside or outside in y Not sure if you want to sit inside or outside in your river cruise cabin? On the #amasonata with @amawaterways you don’t have to decide when you have one of their twin balcony ones! 
#rivercruiselady 
#danube 
#rivercruise
Before joining my @amawaterways Danube River cruis Before joining my @amawaterways Danube River cruise on the #amasonata its always enjoyable to go through the Great Market Hall in Budapest. 😍
#rivercruiselady 
#christmasmarket
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River Cruise Lady Linda

10 months ago

River Cruise Lady Linda
Mark your calendar for May 5th 2024 as that’s when I’d love for you to join me on the beautiful AmaMagna river cruise ship as we sail the lower Danube through the Iron Gates to spectacular Budapest.#rivercruiselady #amawaterways #rivercruise #danube #amamagna #savethedate #may2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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River Cruise Lady Linda is in Bayern, Germany.

12 months ago

River Cruise Lady Linda
The last stop on our river cruise was in Nuremberg & before hitting their Christmas market we went on a WW2 tour which included a walk on the plaza where the rallies were held, then got to visit courtroom 600 where the Nuremberg Trials were held. #rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #rivercruise #amasonata ... See MoreSee Less
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River Cruise Lady Linda is in Bayern, Germany.

1 years ago

River Cruise Lady Linda
This star lined street leads the way to the 12th century old stone bridge in Regensburg where right next to it you’ll find the famous historical "Wurstkuchl" (Sausage Kitchen) which is the oldest one in the world!Their Thurn und Taxis entrance fee Christmas market is ranked as one of the most romantic ones with its palace backdrop wonderland setting🎄 Also found some smaller markets in town where many locals gathered & the apfelstrudel stall was calling out to me so just had to indulge 😋 ... See MoreSee Less
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River Cruise Lady Linda is in Bayern, Germany.

1 years ago

River Cruise Lady Linda
Arrived in Passau in the evening so took a walk to the Christmas market and watched them make our dessert 😋 with St Stephens Cathedral lit up in the background #rivercruiselady #amawaterways #christmasmarket #amasonata #chimneycake ... See MoreSee Less
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