River cruises

Anyone done a river cruise in Europe? Any suggestions? We have a big anniversary coming up so I'm looking for something big to celebrate.
Not sure I would handle ocean going too well but thought a river might work out!

I've done a river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Not something I would want to do in today's political climate.
I think it totally depends on how comfortable you are traveling in foreign countries. I would recommend it for people who want to see some of the major sites along the rivers, but keep in mind that you will be very limited in your site seeing.
I'm more of the type of traveler where when I see something, I stop and explore. Can't do that with a river cruise. Also, with it being much smaller than a cruise ship, you get to know everybody...good and bad. Think of it as a big floating B&B.

We want to do something special for our 2015 anniversary - it'll be 25. Have you thought about one of these? http://www.eurocanals.com/Cruising/self-skipperedre.html
We know some folks who did that and really enjoyed it. Maybe an Innspiring Boat Trip?

The river cruises advertised on PBS that look like they are in Germany look awesome and big. The drawback for me is I am, like Diva, and explorer.
We have #40 coming up in 2015 - surprised we are still breathing as we were not young when we got married.

Breakfast Diva said:

I've done a river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Not something I would want to do in today's political climate.
I think it totally depends on how comfortable you are traveling in foreign countries. I would recommend it for people who want to see some of the major sites along the rivers, but keep in mind that you will be very limited in your site seeing.
I'm more of the type of traveler where when I see something, I stop and explore. Can't do that with a river cruise. Also, with it being much smaller than a cruise ship, you get to know everybody...good and bad. Think of it as a big floating B&B..

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I'm tired of doing all the planning. I'd like someone else to do it for a change! And to not have to drive all over and find accommodations. And someone meets you at the plane and all that.
But, yes, small space.
I'd need a cabin with a balcony so I could hide out during the evening.
Was looking at one along the Dalmatian coast or from Paris to Marseilles. Or Paris to Normandy.

muirford said:

We want to do something special for our 2015 anniversary - it'll be 25. Have you thought about one of these? http://www.eurocanals.com/Cruising/self-skipperedre.html
We know some folks who did that and really enjoyed it. Maybe an Innspiring Boat Trip?.

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I'd rather relax and let someone else navigate! Altho it looks like it could be fun with a group.

If you want a trip of a lifetime, I'm planning one for December 2015...an African Safari in Tanzania. Private tour guide with private safari vehicle for 4 of us. All lodging, transport from airport, meals, etc. I've been saving up my travel points to hopefully cover the airfare for both of us by then. That's a major expense. The land tour is more reasonable than you would think.
Check out this company. They offer a river cruise and also some packaged tours you might like. A long established company with very reasonable prices.

friends just returned from one. unfortunately, everyone on the cruise got sick.UGH! 125 people spred the flu bug really fast. other than that, the husband enjoyed the cruise. Other friends LOVED their river cruise in france.
i think i would prefer France to a Rhine cruise.

Breakfast Diva said:

If you want a trip of a lifetime, I'm planning one for December 2015...an African Safari in Tanzania. Private tour guide with private safari vehicle for 4 of us. All lodging, transport from airport, meals, etc. I've been saving up my travel points to hopefully cover the airfare for both of us by then. That's a major expense. The land tour is more reasonable than you would think.
Check out this company. They offer a river cruise and also some packaged tours you might like. A long established company with very reasonable prices..

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Wow! A safari! Cool!

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

If you want a trip of a lifetime, I'm planning one for December 2015...an African Safari in Tanzania. Private tour guide with private safari vehicle for 4 of us. All lodging, transport from airport, meals, etc. I've been saving up my travel points to hopefully cover the airfare for both of us by then. That's a major expense. The land tour is more reasonable than you would think.
Check out this company. They offer a river cruise and also some packaged tours you might like. A long established company with very reasonable prices..

Click to expand...

Wow! A safari! Cool!
.

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I know, I'm SOOOO excited about it!
If you want to do a more exotic big trip for your Anniv. Check out Friendly Planet. com They get great reviews, are affordable and have some area of the world that are pretty amazing. Check out their FB page also. Most of the packages are the kind where you just have to show up, you don't have to do much planning.

Friends did a river cruise in France several years ago and LOVED it. They'll be leaving mid-April to do another one from Vienna to Amsterdam. They liked the smaller size of the river boats, food & wine, some free time (they don't mind doing the group land tours though). They have gone on the Avalon boats through Globus. Pricey, but well worth it they thought.
We had a fantastic time on our 11 day 2011 Med Cruise on Disney. Shore excursions were awesome and I liked that they had them grouped by adults only, family friendly, as well as activity level. We usually do not liked being dragged along with a group of people where you're forced to travel at the pace of the slowest members of the group, but the ones that I picked which were moderate activity and higher had smaller groups and we were busy but able to really see the sights.
We have milestone birthdays this year (I'm getting a trip to Spain!). 2015 will be a big anniversary and we're considering the French river cruise.

Breakfast Diva said:

If you want a trip of a lifetime, I'm planning one for December 2015...an African Safari in Tanzania. Private tour guide with private safari vehicle for 4 of us. All lodging, transport from airport, meals, etc. I've been saving up my travel points to hopefully cover the airfare for both of us by then. That's a major expense. The land tour is more reasonable than you would think.
Check out this company. They offer a river cruise and also some packaged tours you might like. A long established company with very reasonable prices..

Click to expand...

African safari is on my bucket list! I hope you have a fantastic time!!!

Breakfast Diva said:

I've done a river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Not something I would want to do in today's political climate.
I think it totally depends on how comfortable you are traveling in foreign countries. I would recommend it for people who want to see some of the major sites along the rivers, but keep in mind that you will be very limited in your site seeing.
I'm more of the type of traveler where when I see something, I stop and explore. Can't do that with a river cruise. Also, with it being much smaller than a cruise ship, you get to know everybody...good and bad. Think of it as a big floating B&B..

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I went on this trip, but Petersburg to Moscow. This was in '99, so maybe a bit different today. LOVED the trip.
Now...I would do the Danube river, as far and as long as I could afford.