NFR: Anyone with experience European river cruising?

R

richard-in-cincy

Well-known member
Planning a big celebration around a certain 5-0 birthday next year and this looks fun. Of course the brochures all look fabulous, but as we all know, when the reality hits the pavement, or the waves in this case, the brochures are a whispy memory. Would love to hear from anyone who has taken a European river cruise and what your experiences were.

And since this is a food forum, the food is an important component to consider!

TIA

 
Ireland

Not so much a river, but a lake, Loch Derg - skip it - it's beautiful, and the towns are really quaint, but the food is terrible - pub food at it's worse!

 
I took a river cruise in Germany in Fall of 2007 starting in Prague thru Bavaria ending up in Paris

Having traveled mostly by land, I felt the cruise had both positives and negatives in contrast. I am very glad I did it but am not sure I would do it again. However that's my taste and would also depend on where the cruise goes. I thought this one was excellent but felt less connected to the country and isolated with your fellow countrymen rather than wandering the streets. More restful than land trips. Would be glad to send you more by private message if you wish.

 
We've twice rented a canal boat on the Canal du Midi in Southwest France

It was a wonderful way to see the small towns the way they were originally built--as canal stops. Having a kitchen on board and being in the country meant a lot of wonderful al fresco lunches and dinners, and much much cheapter than city restaurants. The old stone locks and bridges are magical.

The first trip we had 4 people--too few. The second trip we had 11--three generations of my family--too many!!

We went the bargain route by renting a houseboat. There are lots of luxury cruises with chefs on board and other amenities.

The company we used is Crown Blue Line. They have boats all over Europe.

 
I've always wanted to do this. Not to captain the boat though. IT sounds like

such a fine experience.

I recently found an article about a French canal cruise that was sort of a combination. It had a crew including chef, but you could choose to do the shopping with the chef at various stops, and help in the kitchen, getting instruction along the way. But if you wanted, you could do nothing but sit back and enjoy watching everyone else and various restaurants at the stops along the way.

And it was all luxury but provided that unique insight into the old towns, as you describe.

I need a vacation.

 
Did this years ago in Germany when I was a kid.

It was wonderful floating down the Rhine watching all the castles. A very serene trip, as I recall. My parents really enjoyed all the wine. smileys/smile.gif

 
The boats are idiot-proof. They only go 5 mph and there are rubber bumpers all around.

We had college-age nephews along who did most of the driving, and the locks are fairly easy once you get the hang of it.

The biggest drawback I see is that there are more and more boats and rental companies. The canal was swimmable when we traveled 13 years ago. Ten years later, it was too polluted.

 
I've seen the program where he travels on the river. It looks like a ton of fun ...

...and leisurely way to travel.

I would hope Burt's excursions would include a culinary twist. I really liked his old PBS cooking show. The travel show is decent, but I'm much more interested in what he's cooking, not what he's looking at.

Michael

 
Here is their website. We found it such a relaxing way to tour the countryside, and

cheap, compared to the price of hotels. You can pull over anywhere to stop for the afternoon, or the night.

6-8 people would be perfect.

We've only done the Canal du Midi, which is amazing, (Louis XIV era) but very lock-intesive. Other routes are easier to get through, but the whole point is that you don't have to get anywhere, just relax and open yet another bottle of rosé while the nephews, (or idiots) navigate.

http://www.crownblueline.com/

 
Nope, but if you need someone to tote your luggage on/off the boats, I'll gladly volunteer! smileys/smile.gif

 
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