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River cruising

(38 Posts)
Araabra Fri 20-Jan-17 15:40:14

We found the food fabulous, save for the night on each cruise when the dinner was regional buffet. Ridiculous foods on that one night per cruise. The guests seem to be 90% American. We do not socialise on deck, the telly in our stateroom and a bottle of wine on our balcony is entertaining.

Jane10 Fri 20-Jan-17 09:33:01

Re the food: one of our American cruisemates described I as 'cheap wedding reception food'. That summed it up well we thought.

Jane10 Fri 20-Jan-17 09:31:33

Our first one was from Budapest to Amsterdam and was 95% American. This came as a surprise to us at the time. Their thinking was that it was worth the transatlantic flights for a 15 night cruise.
On another trip from Paris to the South of France there were lots of Aussies. It was another longer cruise though so worth their while making the flight.
All very friendly and great company. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Largolass Fri 20-Jan-17 08:58:26

I would say 50% American

Lillie Fri 20-Jan-17 08:06:24

This is just what I wanted to hear. We're going to do our first river cruise with Viking from Amsterdam to Basel. We enjoy looking smart, but not dressy. DH has visions of us spending most of our time on our balcony rather than socialising / -boozing- on deck.
Can anyone tell me the main nationality of the guests on board? Is it predominantly American?

Araabra Thu 19-Jan-17 22:43:28

We've been on several Viking River cruises. Overall no dressing up, a few women wore sparkly tops with slacks. The cruises are grand, fabulous food, great tours, lovely rooms. Enjoy!

Largolass Thu 19-Jan-17 21:51:37

We've been on a few Viking river cruises and black evening trousers and some smart tops together with jewellery and a pashmina was fine for the two formal evenings.

Pittcity Thu 19-Jan-17 20:59:27

We are going on a Viking river cruise this summer and plan to change as Jane10 says, but aren't taking anything dressy, a summer dress for me and a clean shirt for DH.

Jane10 Thu 19-Jan-17 20:11:17

We've done several Viking cruises. People generally change for dinner but I'm sure you'd want to have a shower and change anyway after an afternoon ashore or on an excursion. Nothing fancy though. A few sparkly tops for the 'captains dinner' but not everyone. Few jackets and almost no ties in sight for men. You'll be fine.

dahlia Thu 19-Jan-17 20:01:22

Thank you for replying so promptly!

Greenfinch Thu 19-Jan-17 19:57:18

We have been on several river cruises and there was no dressing up.However we have no experience of Viking which I believe is one of the more up market lines.

whitewave Thu 19-Jan-17 19:52:40

My sister did a river cruise this autumn. No dressing up but not sure who she went with, but they are to be had

dahlia Thu 19-Jan-17 19:46:39

My fellow gransnetters have been so helpful with advice in the past, I am asking for your help yet again! We are looking at a holiday cruising the Rhine, and the Viking ships appeal. However, we don't like the idea of a trip where you have to really dress up for dinner and such like, preferring to be smart casual. Apart from everything else, we don't have the life at home to use any special clothes - sad but true!
Does anyone out there have experience of river cruising and the type of clothes we would need.
Thanks again wine