Great website. You own the river cruise niche. The Cruise Compare section is particularly helpful. Would you consider adding a comparison to define Fully Vaccinated where covid vaccines are required? For instance, many cruisers from Europe and Canada have received mixed doses of covid vaccines and it would be helpful to know if fully vaccinated includes a mix of vaccinations. Larger cruise companies such as Holland America, Princess and Carnival define fully vaccinated to include a mix of two different mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna while other cruise companies want only two shots of the same vaccine. Or if this was too complicated to track, I believe many readers would appreciate a story on the mixed vaccination requirements for river cruises and updates from time to time.
thanks…by the way I love the info on your site. My wife and I are considering a European river cruise – we’d consider most anywhere in Europe or Africa – and could either go between April 4-12 during her break (she’s a teacher) or during the summer when she’s off. We love to get outdoors but she’s not fond of the cold and it seems like the vessel deck would be rather cold in early April. Any advice on whether we wait till June/July or go for it in April?
thanks
You would fewer tourists in April, a plus. But it would be chilly, a minus for your wife. I’d bundle up and go in April. You may have some very nice days there. April can be stunning.
I was on a Viking Rhone River cruise May 2014. I had a balcony suite. For about 4 of the 7 days of the cruise, the balcony was totally blocked from use by other river boats parked right up next to us. When I spoke to a ship representative, he told me there was nothing that could be done about river traffic conditions. This was never mentioned in the literature that this might happen.
One day the captain ran the ship into the shore and into a tree which came crashing onto the front deck. The tree destroyed the protective glass screens set up at the front of the ship. The people who were sitting at the tables effected by the tree coming onto the boat told me the cruise company never apologized to them, not did they ever offer anything to the passengers as compensation. In fact they hardly even mentioned the incident. I have photos of the damage.
One day I was told I had to leave the front of the ship because it was a “private party and you were not invited.” It was a thank you party for those that had returned to Viking. No announcement was made to let others know what was going on. A very abrupt young wait person literally grabbed the Diet Coke can right out of my hand and told me to leave.
Another day, during the lunch buffet, after standing in line for about 10 minutes, I reached the table to find the guacamole, what there was left of it, had turned brown, and the tortilla chips were glued to the cheese at the bottom of the dish. No replacements in sight.
Another incident happened on an afternoon tour where our friends were left stranded on a bus for 45 minutes with several others while those that could handle the walk got off and enjoyed the little town. I would not recommend Viking.
My husband and I paid $6000 apiece for this river cruise. I am asking for a $2000/each refund (NOT a credit) due to these incidents. VIKING IS REFUSING TO GIVE ANY REFUND TO ME AND MY HUSBAND.
I am interested in the Gate 1 19 day cruise/tour for 2013 entitled Budapest to Regensburg on the MS Sound of Music. I did not see Gate 1 or MS Sound of Music listed on your website. Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated.
Hello!
I’m Alyssa Strickland and I’d love to write an article for your site!
What do you think about the following topic?
How to assist those with settling into a new city who have recently relocated from out of town.
Would you be interested in reviewing the article once complete and, if you like it, posting it on your site?
Thank you!
Alyssa
Fully Vaccinated Cruises
July 30, 2021
Great website. You own the river cruise niche. The Cruise Compare section is particularly helpful. Would you consider adding a comparison to define Fully Vaccinated where covid vaccines are required? For instance, many cruisers from Europe and Canada have received mixed doses of covid vaccines and it would be helpful to know if fully vaccinated includes a mix of vaccinations. Larger cruise companies such as Holland America, Princess and Carnival define fully vaccinated to include a mix of two different mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna while other cruise companies want only two shots of the same vaccine. Or if this was too complicated to track, I believe many readers would appreciate a story on the mixed vaccination requirements for river cruises and updates from time to time.
Is early April too cold for a south of France river cruise?
No. But there is always a risk of a cold snap.
thanks…by the way I love the info on your site. My wife and I are considering a European river cruise – we’d consider most anywhere in Europe or Africa – and could either go between April 4-12 during her break (she’s a teacher) or during the summer when she’s off. We love to get outdoors but she’s not fond of the cold and it seems like the vessel deck would be rather cold in early April. Any advice on whether we wait till June/July or go for it in April?
thanks
You would fewer tourists in April, a plus. But it would be chilly, a minus for your wife. I’d bundle up and go in April. You may have some very nice days there. April can be stunning.
I was on a Viking Rhone River cruise May 2014. I had a balcony suite. For about 4 of the 7 days of the cruise, the balcony was totally blocked from use by other river boats parked right up next to us. When I spoke to a ship representative, he told me there was nothing that could be done about river traffic conditions. This was never mentioned in the literature that this might happen.
One day the captain ran the ship into the shore and into a tree which came crashing onto the front deck. The tree destroyed the protective glass screens set up at the front of the ship. The people who were sitting at the tables effected by the tree coming onto the boat told me the cruise company never apologized to them, not did they ever offer anything to the passengers as compensation. In fact they hardly even mentioned the incident. I have photos of the damage.
One day I was told I had to leave the front of the ship because it was a “private party and you were not invited.” It was a thank you party for those that had returned to Viking. No announcement was made to let others know what was going on. A very abrupt young wait person literally grabbed the Diet Coke can right out of my hand and told me to leave.
Another day, during the lunch buffet, after standing in line for about 10 minutes, I reached the table to find the guacamole, what there was left of it, had turned brown, and the tortilla chips were glued to the cheese at the bottom of the dish. No replacements in sight.
Another incident happened on an afternoon tour where our friends were left stranded on a bus for 45 minutes with several others while those that could handle the walk got off and enjoyed the little town. I would not recommend Viking.
My husband and I paid $6000 apiece for this river cruise. I am asking for a $2000/each refund (NOT a credit) due to these incidents. VIKING IS REFUSING TO GIVE ANY REFUND TO ME AND MY HUSBAND.
Yah Viking is the ‘Carnival’ of river cruises. Not a very good rep – cram as many ppl onboard as possible and starve them out.
I am interested in the Gate 1 19 day cruise/tour for 2013 entitled Budapest to Regensburg on the MS Sound of Music. I did not see Gate 1 or MS Sound of Music listed on your website. Any helpful information would be greatly appreciated.