What a wonderful group of people are gathering around this. Okay I will definitely do this in 2010.

Doing research now and will be meeting with the Amadeus rep tomorrow.

Amadeus are still showing up as the front runner in my research.

Other choices are Avalon and the Tauck boats - Swiss Saphire and Emerald boats.

Pretty much narrowed it down to those three. Intially I had heard good reports about Peter Deilman and Viking but in Europe they just dont compare to the three I mentioned first.

Viking has the great ships in the Yangtze. I am learning!!!

Great news, Ngaire! Danube, here we come..... in 2010

Ngaire, told Susan that Ida and I (like Sue/Tom)
would be interested in December Christmas Markets
Cruise (fall 09/10)--"Christmas Time Cruise
Enjoy 2 nights in Prague, then visit the Fascinating Christmas Markets between Nuremberg and Budapest"...if u plan more LCT river cruises--we are also interesting in Amadeaus's (or other lines) Spain & Portugal river cruise. thanks...Wes

Never a dull moment on LCT! Return from one trip & here we go planning two years out again. Have wanted to try a river cruise :) Add us to the list, thanks. Don & Michele

Wow, this is a super group -- and large. It looks like we'll need to charter the whole boat :D

Does anyone know what the single supp is?

Yahoo!!

I'm just thrilled so many people are expressing an interest in this! Even if half those currently on 'the list' drop out, we'll still have a good sized group.

Diane, I don't think anyone will know about a single supplement until we've settled on a specific line, ship and itinerary. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

Assuming September of 2010, that's only a 30-month countdown we're starting ...

Betty

That's great, Ngaire. Ken and I are so pleased that you are going to organise a group for a river cruise. We've wanted to do one for some time and I've done a fair bit of research but just never got around to booking one. Anytime in 2010 and any itinerary suits us.

This is exciting. I'm starting to pack.... :)

Diane, Amadeus website for single sup sez:

Single Supplement for Cruise: 50% of twin price; Jr. Suites 100% of twin price.

(e.g.,their 2008 tulip cruise lowest cabin price for cruise only is $1799)

Please add Mark and me to the interested list. We have good friends that have loved the meandering pace of river cruises.

This was a "review" that I posted for the same itinerary back in 2005 - http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000134 . We're doing a Rhone River one this summer.

Glad to read that again Peter. Thanks for posting that link.

Add Jan and Fred to the list!

Better add some Aussies here! Please add us to the interested list.

That should read "more" Aussies!

Sheila and Ken are Aussies - so there are four of you at least!!

Still researching BUT Amadeus is coming out ahead. I have met with the Amadeus rep and will meet with the Amadeus National Sales Manager this week.

One conversation with Tauck but not enough detail yet, still waiting for Avalon to get back to me. So to be fair I dont know many details on Avalon and Tauck yet. Lots of things are the same, included tours, though I think many times we will bypass the tours and "do our own thing". Depends on what they are. Wine with dinner etc etc. I am looking for the "differences".

In contention, Tauck, Amadeus and Avalon
Expense basically in that order.

AMADEUS-Postives
FREE INTERNET in the CABIN via TV and then WIFI in the lounge for Lap Tops
82% have sliding glass doors - french balconies
Mid price range for the three lines
All English speaking
30 people we get a private bus and guide for tours
Officially maximum 40 people (20 cabins) in group but they will allow us to add additional people via normal reservations.

AMADEUS - Negative
Only FOUR 255 sq.ft. larger suites
All other cabins are 170 sq. ft.

TAUCK Positives
14 LARGE suites 300 sq ft with french balcony
Wifi in the lounge - cost depends on bandwidth usage. Reading emails about Euro.50 per minute, pictures Euro 2.00 per minute
Less people 118 total - not sure yet but think the space ratio will be better here.
All English speaking
Get a "sense" the tours may be better but no real foundation for that opinion yet.

TAUCK Negative
Regular cabins dont have french balconies.
Toughest cancel policy

AVALON not enough information yet to assess properly.

Wish Ken and I could fly to one city - see all the ships and fly right back again. Sailing would be better but no way I can fit that in. Just seeing the ships would help.

I think this will be a fantastic trip Ngaire! Thanks for all your efforts!

Agree with Marcie, Ngaire - I think this will be a fantastic trip. Can't wait. Will look forward to more details when you have them.

Maybe Amadeus should just let you take over the whole boat. :D :D :app:

Don't forget to put Jan and I on the list!! :nw: :hello1:

Since Ngaire is waiting for more information from Avalon, I thought I'd share my thoughts based on our experience on their Artistry boat (not the one you're looking at).

On the Artistry, there are only 2 of the "larger" cabins/suites - I think about 250 sq ft. The "standard" cabins are all the same at around 160 sq ft. Quite a bit smaller than what we're used to on Regent. It was very well appointed with the only negative being small bathroom (with very small shower - no tub). I believe that all of these riverboats have 3 decks - avoid at all costs cabins on the lowest level since some of the time the windows would be underwater.

If I recall correctly, the internet charge onboard was like $2.50 a minute. However, you're docked very close to (or in) town everyday so most places have an Internet Cafe that you can use. Also, I believe that the tours are generally included on most of these cruises. However, with a few exceptions (like Bartislava (which used a bus) and Salzburg (which is about 2 hr bus ride from the dock), the ports are very small cities/towns where you could actually just explore on your own anyways.

Food was very good - but not quite as good as Regent.

Thank you Peter, you are always so helpful to us as trailblazers! I don't think any river (or expedition) cruise could fully compare to Regent cuisine. Ok, never been on a river cruise, but Explorer 2 in Antarctica, in my mind was not up to Regent standards dining wise, not that it would keep me away! I would definitely do that cruise again! Unfortuntely, most of us moving to another line are not going to get the perks(like internet) we do on Regent. Not a deal breaker for me, just something I say "thank you" for each time I sign on with a Regent ship.

I think several of the lct active members are planning to do this Danube River thing, at least I hope so, from the responses. We would love to hear from more who are interested! Sounds like Ngaire definitely will have a plan for us in 2010!

We are interested - seems long way off but I know that feeling - I'll be lazy and let the others do the planning - group trip would be A plus

Well, at least this sounds like a plan! Enough people to make a cruise, and then some! Just adds to the fun Ngaire has with her website!

We too are very interested. I have several clients who have done or are doing a River Boat and they all seem to be happy with the experience, some enough to be doing it a second time.
I agree that it will not be a Regent cruise, the cabins will be smaller, the atmosphere different, the food different, but as you said Olivia regarding the Explorer 2, its the experience. Probably the best thing we can all do for ourselves, is to not compare to Regent and instead just look at it as a new and different adventure and think on the "glass half full" side. Think of all the laughs we can have telling about our experiences in the "very small" shower!! (We had that experience on the Mississippi Queen several years ago, and the whole group laughed and laughed about our showers every night, and talk about tiny rooms, no closet, just an armoire, no TV, no chair to sit on, no vanity table or even a full length mirror, one small three drawer dresser and fixed twin beds, but......we did have a balcony, with one plastic chair - it was still fun and a trip to remember). And the places we will get to see, that you can't get to from a regular cruise - not to mention a great group of LCT'ers - priceless. :lct:

Ngaire: Are Scenic Tours available in the US? They are amongst the best here and from next year will be putting on new boats with balconies (not just the French type). Friends who went this year thought they were great. Lee

Update.

I met with the Amadeus Sales Manager today. I really like this company, their attitude and flexibility. Saw examples of the shore excursions (some excursions they do sell that do more extensive touring. Prices for these excursions run about $50 to $90).

Saw Dinner Menus

APPETIZER
Boiled Beef Sirlion
Red Reddish - Tomato - Gherkins

Green Garden Salad with Potato Dressing

Pear Cocktail served with Williams Snaps

SOUPS
River Crayfish Soup with Puff Pastry

Chilled Apple Soup

Cassis Sherbert

ENTREES
Local River Perch with Potato Crust
Riesling Sauce - White Asparagus

Grilled Stuff Chicken Breast
Chanterelles Suase - Romanesco - Spaetzle

Potato Gratiin with Spinach and Caraway Butter Sauce

DESSERTS
Apple Cake served with Cinnamon Parfait

Lukewarm Chocolate Souffle - Whipped Cream - Chocolate Sauce

Fresh Fruit and a selection of International Cheese

DAILY CLASSICS
Grilled Chicken Breast, Salmon Steak, Caesar Salad, Coleslaw - French Fries.

They have complimentary Champagne with breakfast every morning. Mimosas to start the day - that works for me.

Of course now I have to go and learn what I can as fast as I can. Just so many trips in the near future. So I plan on making a quick 3 day trip to Budapest hopefully in August. It looks like August 10, is a date where I can tour all the main lines, Tauck, Avalon and Amadeus.

Cannot take the time to sail but at least I can "eyeball" the ships and hopefully have a lunch or dinner on board to experience the food. If there is space I may stay on for one night so at least spend a night onboard the Amadeus ship.
If there was a way Ken could get off I would do more but I also need to be in town as it is the month before ROAR.

In fact I am actually quite excited about the whole prospect of river cruising now. I am going to add Amadeus to my web for regular bookings.

Thanks Betty - would not have even gone down this road without you.

Lee funny you should ask that. I have been looking at this line too. Starting in Europe in June 2008. Regular cabin 160 sq ft so you have to go up to a balcony suite and they are 200 ft and YES they do have REGULAR balconies. Look like nice ships. Since there is little information yet and almost nothing on message boards I was hesitant to go with them. Also their information was confusing on pricing so just not been able to get a handle on it all yet. They looked expensive at first glance but I have not really figured it all out yet. All kinds of offer for flights etc but these are mostly from Australia. Just put it aside for now to concentrate on the "known product".

I just looked at a quick rate analysis I did and it was for a balcony suite about $758 Australian per day per person. That is VERY high. Compare that to an Amadeus of about $425. Almost double.
Australian $$ and US $$ pretty equal these days.

Please add Karen and Larry to the "interested" list. Would prefer the Sep/early Oct time frame due to possibility for much better weather. The "markets" period can be quite cold in Europe. (And we've had enough of that in Chicago this winter, thank you!) Length of 10-14 days seems right. Hopefully the Euro will be below $1.50 by then!

Please add marc and Arlene to the list as well.
Sounds like a great trip and I know we can't go wrong with Ngaire!


PS.... THANKS BETTY!!

I am beginning to care less where this river trip takes us - just being with great bunch of LCTers works for us -

I'll drink to that

I'll buy Pat - hope you two are thinking about this trip :ch: :ch:

Hi Ngaire: Regarding Scenic Tours, I haven't gone into any costings and would probably come up with the wrong answer if I did, but I noticed a 15 day cruise including airfares but not taxes (from Australia) was from AUD$5,350. Your airfares would be cheaper, wouldn't they? I just can't imagine my friends paying $758 per day! I just love where the Aussie dollar is now - sure hope it stays that way!! Lee

Different itineraries vary Lee, particularly with the time of year. Plus it was the most confusing pricing. TINY print so hard to read on line on the brochure. This is just when I was doing basic research on a trip on the same basic itinerary on a per diem basis. Do not even remember what itinerary that was now. There are LOTS of river cruises to check out.

I just looked on line and a 12 night Prague to Budapest River cruise in the lowest level cabin is $5450 with upgrade to the least expensive balcony cabin of $1495 so that makes a balcony cabin $6935. A per diem of $577. I think probably well worth that too. Could not see any air offer in this pricing but there certainly could be. It is an 86 page brochure on line. The ships look great.

Amazingly they already have their 2010 dates.

I won't give up my day job!! I agree the ships look great - just love the idea of a balcony! Scenic Tours is posting me a brochure so hopefully, I'll get a better idea.

We haven't been on our 2008 cruise yet, 2009 hasn't been organised and already we're planning 2010! We're mad, but it's fun!! Lee

Lee one of main reasons I dropped considering this line was there was no USA representative listed. Without the support of a USA booking center and people you can talk to in the USA it makes booking an Australian product a problem.

Often there is a designated agency that handles overseas bookings that causes all kinds of issues and problems. I just wont go down that road, not for me or my clients. I just did not go further, when there are so many established river lines that look good already.

The agent in Australia for REGENT is why I now have so many Australian clients. Probably nothing wrong with the agency but it is much more difficult when you are not working in the country where the cruise line is headquartered. I tried this with Hapag LLoyd and the Hanseatic - a complete nightmare.

Also Australians will get different offers than USA citizens do. It just gets so complicated and it goes on and on.

With Amadeus for instance within a week I have met the representative in the Dallas area and the Sales Manager from California came to meet me. One on one relationships is how you solve problems. Before working with K&D in Africa I flew to Houston to meet the President and see their operation. Cant do those things with a company operating totally out of Australia.

However, they ARE good looking ships of this there is no doubt. Similiar to the Tauck ships, no tipping and also a more extensive shore excursion program included. So I did revisit this and have sent off an inquiry - we will see what happens now.

I am with you Joanne, this sounds like a lotta fun no matter where it goes!
-----------------
Helen

Ngaire - I'll just have to be your Aussie Agent!! Only kidding of course! I didn't realise Scenic was Aussie owned - you are so knowledgeable. I'll retreat into my shell and watch the board for updates.

Lee

Actually Lee I am glad you bought this company up. It was on my back burner and I would have revisited it eventually but you sped up my process. They just opened up a center in Canada. Not the USA but much closer and more convenient than Australia. I think they are getting ready to start trying to build an American market. I am looking at them closely.

One of their ships will be in Budapest when I go in August so I will be able to get on board and actually see the ship.

Scenic markets their cruises with land packages and in many cases the trips are generally longer duration and that may be a problem for this first escorted trip. Not sure how all that is going to work. Prices though on the US market look better than at first glance.

Front runner is Amadeus right now but there is a long time before 2010. I am going to start selling Amadeus now so that will give me even more insight into the company and how things work. That is how you REALLY know and gather knowledge about a company and how their ships run. I may add selling those companies we are considering. Even the process of contacting companies to see their response time, information sent, talking to the managers, gives you a great insight into how efficiently a company runs and probably how well their ships run.

By the time 2010 comes out I think I will know a LOT more and be able to make an informed and logical decision as to what will be best for the escorted trip. Still looking at multiple lines and have a lot to learn yet.