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Disappointed: A True And Honest Review... - River Rhine

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Disappointed: A True And Honest Review. Emerald Waterways.

Cruise: Nurenberg to Amsterdam. Emerald waterways No fault with the staff, all very friendly and polite. Staff very attentive and seem happy to look after you. Only slight complaint one man on reception (can’t recall his name) not so friendly and was cold. Although food was of good quality the buffet at lunch time was a bit like wildebeests going to a watering hole, all pushing and shoving to get there first. As with all buffets there were those that had to be at the front of the queue, do they not realise that there was more than enough food for all. Evening meal excellent quality and cooked very well but very small portions, more like having four starters. At all times the waiting staff were there filling your glasses with wine so no empty glasses anywhere. The Captain’s gala dinner on two occasions is not a dress up affair although we did dress up a little. In the Horizon lounge there was a coffee machine that is 24/7 and serves very good coffee and chocolate, it has tea making facilities beside it. We had a balcony cabin that was very spacious and clean. It was serviced twice a day. The en-suite was a good size and the shower was superb. To get the balcony effect the top electric window panel slides down and adds to the whole feel good experience of the cabin. The window is the whole width of the cabin. The only down side we found to the cabin was as we were in the last cabin at the back we got all the noise of the propeller shaft, and were woken up quite a few times from the noise. As far as the guided tours go you can have one every day free of charge, we found the guides excellent and well informed. We enjoyed all of the Bavarian tours, all the towns we went to were clean, all the people we met were friendly, and the scenery was out of this world. However Amsterdam was dirty with a high risk of being run over by bicycles. One place we will never go back to. Now the bad points. Be aware if you are doing this cruise you will not be able to use the sundeck for 5 days due to low bridges unless the ship is moored up, and then there will be only a small area opened up for the smokers. We had to ask for more space to be opened up when we were moored for long periods so more people could enjoy the sun. When we booked we were not informed that this would happen due to the low bridges, had we received this information we would not have booked this particular cruise. This all meant that 175 people were crammed into the Horizon lounge as the restaurant was not open unless we were having meals. The pool area is quite small and not much room to sit round it, so we couldn’t even go here when the sundeck was closed. Just to add to this the ship broke down just outside Amsterdam. The problem was sorted within a few hours. It only delayed our day for a little while.

Visited here on a 5 day break with National Holidays. Wasn't sure what to expect to be honest as it wasn't a destination we'd planned so it was quite unexpected. The whole tour was fabulous from start to finish. We visited Boppard, Cochem , Richstein & Limburg I would definitely recommend the first 3 places for tourist attraction as Limburg is more of a City. We didn't manage to do all the tours as stated in the brochure this was due to sudden road repairs but the drivers ensured we had a happy and enjoyable time visiting the other places we did. The River Rhine was absolutely fabulous an worth going on especially on a beautiful day. We stayed at the Hotel Kurfurst, an old building which was once a church/monastery. The rooms were very basic, no Tv, telephone or tea making facilities but this was not a problem as the place itself was of character with so much history, a perfect place to stay on this holiday. The food was basic but tasty, excellent friendly service from Markus & his staff nothing was too much trouble. The evening entertainment was a success with great karaoke suitable for all ages and a free bar. Our Drivers Darren and Steve were excellent, polite, fun and at our service, neither never without a smile. All in all a very pleasant few days away.

Only reviewing the airfare part for now, more upon our return. We book first class included air with Viking and have the worse possible flights and times we have experienced in our years of travel. No departures from Philadelphia even though their are direct flights from Philly, we have to go to JFK and sit in the airport for 1/2 a day; on the return, we also have to wait over six hours in Atlanta despite their being more convenient flights readily available. Booked a year in advance and seats not together. Not a first class experience in any way, at least as far as travel arrangements concerned.

I read some of the most negative reviews just now and I must say, those are very unhappy people. I would suggest looking rather at the much greater % of 4 and 5's. This was our 3rd Viking river cruise. We loved the brand-new ship (Alruna). The service on board was mostly great. The food was good though less than stellar-- which really doesn't bother me-- breakfasts were fantastic, and my best meal of the day anyway. The sights: do not miss the Lucerne extension! The Rhine itself is not all that picturesque except for the one whole day spent cruising between Mainz and Koblenz-- non stop castles, beautiful scenery, and we were blessed with a sunny day too (late August). As for the day tours, It was a bit hot in the towns-- I would not go any earlier than this in the summer. Some people complained about the distance required for walking. The tours are walking tours, people! They are voluntary... We will definitely cruise Viking again- maybe on one of their new small ocean vessels.

Second trip on lady Anne ,third trip with company . We particularly love this friendly boat. Marvollous trip down the Rhine to Lucerne . David cruise director goes the extra extra mile . Staff ,food cleanliness first class everyone helpful and friendly . Fab value for money. Biggest disappointment we are to late to book for new year on this boat for promenade deck . Will most defiantly return. Ease of booking with company ,easy transfers ,no hassle ,great careful drivers with plenty of comfort stops and eta of arrival ...cases delivered to cabin cannot praise highly enough.

Rhine and moselle river cruise amsterdam to basel in august 2017 good weather apart from 1 day overall 7.5 out off 10

Rhine river cruises

Discover a world of fairy tale landscapes and historical backdrops along the Rhine River.

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Explore the delights of the Rhine River

Sail on a voyage of discovery on board a Rhine river cruise and unveil gems such as the Black Forest and the cultural mecca of Amsterdam. A mesmerizing route through mainland Europe, the Rhine offers an abundance of unique charm to lose yourself in.

Uncover the jewels of the Rhine

A world of experiences

Enlightening experiences await on your Rhine river cruise. Journey from the Netherlands and through the heart of Germany, along the eastern border of France into the north of Switzerland, enjoying all the sights on the way.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Marksburg Castle, Germany

Discover the Rhine River

Embrace and celebrate european flair.

Tasty sweets and hearty meats

Fairy tale landscapes

The beauty of nature

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Jewels of the Rhine

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Your guide to Europe river cruising

Our featured blogs.

The top 6 cities on the Rhine River

There are many beautiful cities, towns, and villages along the banks of Rhine. Discover the top six cities to visit on your luxury river cruise.

The history of Riesling wine

Discover the history and origins of Germany’s favorite grape variety and uncover the Riesling wine-producing regions of Europe.

How the Rhine Gorge became one of the most romantic places in the world

The Rhine Gorge is synonymous with romance. Find out how it gained this famed reputation.

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The best river cruises for boutique European cruising

From wine tasting along the Douro to Italian feasts with top chefs in Venice, browse the most amazing river cruise itineraries

From the Douro to the Rhine , Europe has some of the world's most scenic rivers that are best experienced on a small ship, where you can sail from little towns to historic cities via relaxing long stretches of countryside.

We've rounded up the best river cruises for boutique sailing, selecting those that combine the most carefully put-together itineraries aboard the loveliest ships, including a super-luxe option to explore the Venetian Lagoon in autumn 2024.

River cruises are also the perfect introduction to cruise holidays for first-timers, while those who already know and love the joy of discovering destinations by small ship will enjoy exploring new itineraries accompanied by famous faces, such as chef James Martin and historian Lucy Worsley .

Here are Good Housekeeping's pick of the best river cruises for exploring Europe's wonderful rivers, plus a few options for those who want to travel further afield.

Sail the magical Venetian Lagoon and hear Russell Watson sing

Venice is a captivating city, almost frozen in time, where astoundingly beautiful buildings line a maze of canals — it's no wonder the sheer decadence of this place captures the hearts of so many. Part of the thrill of visiting Venice is getting swept up in its narrow streets, peering into windows displaying intricately painted masks and feasting on plates of risotto in piazzas. Join Good Housekeeping's fantastic music-themed Venice cruise with world-renowned tenor Russell Watson, which includes an exclusive intimate concert in this stunning and historic city and seven nights on board a luxury ship. You'll explore the lagoon's elegant waterways aboard S.S La Venezia. It's an incredible eight-day itinerary that takes you around the Venetian Lagoon to visit places such as Chioggia, Torcello, Mazzorbo and Burano.

S.S. La Venezia matches Venice's splendour in its opulent fittings, filled with accents that honour its location, including exquisite Venetian masks and Murano glass. Everything's included on this five-star cruise, from delicious food and wines to a choice of excursions around the islands.

When? October 2024

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Taste Portuguese wines on a Douro River cruise

The gorgeous Douro Valley is an enchanting and peaceful pocket of Portugal, famed for its port wine and loved for its storybook-style beauty. Terraced vineyards rise steeply from the winding river and are dotted with whitewashed Quintas - the region's terracotta-roofed wine estates - making it a particularly scenic area for a relaxing river cruise.

Sit on the sundeck of a ship to watch the scenery pass by, and delight your palate with some of Portugal’s most sensational wines on an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Douro River. You'll be able to explore the area and learn more about its port production — with plenty of opportunities to sample it yourself on visits to rustic Quintas

After arriving in Porto to board the A-ROSA ALVA, you’ll sail to Régua, a pretty riverfront town that’s produced port since the 18th century. You'll follow the Douro, hopping from place to place to where Portugal borders Spain before turning back. A highlight is visiting a Quinta in Pinhão where, depending on the season, you might get to take part in the traditional grape harvest, picking and crushing the grapes underfoot .

When? June and September 2024

Visit Germany's famous Christmas markets along the Rhine

There are so many enchanting cities and villages along the banks of the Rhine, and they really come into their own in December. Germany is famed for its atmospheric Christmas markets, and many of the best in the country can be found along the Rhine, making a Christmassy cruise a fabulous way to explore them.

There's Mainz, one of the oldest cities in Germany, where you can visit a historic Christmas market on the Domplatz, set against a backdrop of the illuminated Mainz Cathedral. You'll want to visit Koblenz too, a city considered to have one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany, and one of the largest in the Rhineland.

Join Good Housekeeping for a festive voyage along the Rhine on the the beautiful ship A-ROSA Aqua and you'll visit Mainz and Koblenz as well as Frankfurt and Cologne, where the market takes place right in front of the famous Cologne Cathedral.

On board your ship you'll find a sauna, fitness area, and whirlpool to enjoy between your market trips, and ample breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets in the ship's lovely dining venues.

When? December 2024 FIND OUT MORE

Glide along the Danube and see the Lipizzaner horses in Vienna

The banks of the Danube have seen the rise and fall of empires and provided inspiration to some of Europe's greatest artists and composers. This grand river winds its way past mysterious hillside castles and ancient medieval towns and meanders through a range of culture-rich cities, including four European capitals . A river cruise is an unbeatable way to explore some of the cities straddling the Danube, allowing you to visit several towns, villages and cities on one trip, without having to organise local transport yourself.

One of the finest cities that the Danube flows through is Vienna, once the home of Mozart, where manicured gardens, chic coffee houses and baroque palaces will have you feeling like you've stepped back in time. It's also the home of the Royal Lipizzaner Stables at the Spanish Riding School, where grand Lipizzan horses perform a mesmerising type of equine ballet. On Good Housekeeping's Danube River cruise you can visit the Royal Lipizzaner Stables with historian Lucy Worsley. You'll enjoy an aperitif and a talk before watching the training of the young stallions in the imperial atmosphere of the Baroque winter riding school, as classical Viennese music plays.

When? September 2024

Sail further afield with a cruise through Vietnam and Cambodia

While Europe has more than its fair share of enchanting rivers, you're also spoilt for choice if you fancy a river cruise further afield.

Asia has several waterways which provide ideal routes for discovering new countries and cultures. Flowing through Myanmar, China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, the Mekong is one of the longest rivers in the world and home to an incredible range of wildlife.

It makes the ideal destination for a river cruise that combines culture, delicious cuisine and wildlife-spotting. You might spot species like the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, giant freshwater stingray and giant catfish swimming alongside you.

Good Housekeeping is offering an immersive adventure along the Mekong through Cambodia and Vietnam. You'll sail in a Luxury Balcony suite aboard the Mekong Jewel, a luxurious and beautifully decorated ship, to visit unforgettable sights like the UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat temples and incredible cities like Phnom Penh and Hanoi.

There'll be ample opportunities to learn about the turbulent history of the region too, with visits to the infamous Killing Fields and a glimpse of the Viet Cong's network of tunnels dating back to the Vietnam War.

When? December 2024

Enjoy an Italian feast with James Martin in Venice

One thing that's synonymous with Italy is good food, and that's exactly what you can enjoy on this eight-day sailing around Venice and the Veneto region.

Tick off Venice's spectacular sights, including the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Basilica, which you'll visit after dark on our Good Housekeeping cruise . As part of our GH trip, you'll also get VIP access to the Doge's Palace, the stunning Venetian Gothic palace that dates back to 1340.

Sailing on the luxurious S.S. La Venezia , which accommodates only 126 guests and has a wonderfully intimate feel, you'll also visit the colourful, charming islands of Burano (pictured above), Mazzorbo and Torcello, all situated in the Lagoon of Venice.

If all of that wasn't exciting enough, the cherry on top will be meeting acclaimed chef James Martin, who will join you on board for the day to give a talk and partake in a Q&A and book-signing session. In addition, the much-loved Saturday Morning host will cook a delectable gala dinner one evening, too.

Discover local traditions as you sail the Ganges in a luxury ship

Another Asian adventure awaits on the Ganges, India's most sacred river. Sailing along this important body of water allows you a unique insight into life along its banks. It meanders 2,500km through the country from its starting point high in the Himalayas down through sprawling cities, tiny villages, and spectacular nature.

A Ganges cruise is a wonderful way to see some of India's best attractions, with highlights including the Rajbari temple complex in Kalna, the artisan village of Matiari, and the neoclassical Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad.

Join Good Houskeeping's once-in-a-lifetime tour of India , which includes seven-night cruising in luxury down the Ganges. After exploring India's Golden Triangle – including a trip to witness both sunset and sunrise over the iconic Taj Mahal – you'll board the opulent Ganges Voyager II, a spectacular ship adorned with hand-painted murals, to explore the culture and history on the river banks. Of course, another highlight of India holiday is the cuisine, and you'll be joined on board by Michelin-starred British-Indian chef Atul Kochhar, who will share his passion for Indian cooking in a live demonstration.

When? November 2024

Discover the wonders of Egypt and sail the Nile

A brilliant option if you're itching to explore another continent is Egypt, where the Nile holds awe-inspiring archaeological treasures along its banks.

A cruise along this fabled river allows you to easily visit magnificent temples like Kom Ombo, Philae, and Edfu and to see the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. There are several more fascinating monuments to see along the way, including the towering twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Join a cruise along the Nile with Good Housekeeping and you'll see all this and more while sailing on board the exceptional luxury ship, River Tosca. Making this river cruise even more special is the company of historian and author Lucy Worsley.

Lucy is an expert in Agatha Christie, who took inspiration from this region for one of her most famous works, Death on the Nile. You'll have afternoon tea at the hotel which features in the novel and Lucy will share her knowledge of the famous author's work during several Q&As and talks.

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