River Cruise Radio

This week we break down the difference between European river cruises and river cruises that are sailed on American waters. We talk about the types of cruises, excursions, onboard atmosphere, and key distinctions. 

Howard and Alex just returned from an 11-night European river cruise on Scenic River Cruises, roundtrip from Paris. The couple normally sails Viking River Cruises but Normandy and Paris have been on their radar for a while and they decided to check it out. Hear a Scenic River Cruises review, what it was like visiting the beaches of Normandy, and what they thought of the voyage.  Share your river cruise on the show: doug@cruiseradio.net.

A river cruise is all about the destination so today we are going to talk about shore excursions offered on river cruises and how to pick them.  We will tackle: What types of shore excursions are there?  Examples of culinary tours?  Active tours? Sightseeing tours? How do you pick a shore excursion on a river cruise?  Can you buy on from a third party company?  How long are the excursions? What's the best way to figure out what excursion you want to do?  What if you want to do a city on your own?  Share your river cruise review: doug@cruiseradio.net. 

Paul wrote in and told us that he's taking a Christmas market cruise with Viking River Cruises. He told us we should talk more about dining on European river cruises. On this episode, we attempt just that!  Ask your questions: doug@cruiseradio.net.

Chris and his wife are on a 14-night cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. We last talked to Chris as he was getting ready for his journey. On this episode, Chris talks about his journey to Europe and the airline part of the European river cruise. He also talks to us about his mindset of traveling in Europe after the latest terrorist events overseas. 

Chris and his wife are about to fly to Budapest for a 15-day, 14-night river cruise to Amsterdam. This voyage is coined the Grand European Tour and travels throughout the heart of Europe, often docking in small towns along the way. Chris talks about the Viking River Cruise pre-cruise experience, getting there, and what to expect along the voyage.  Be on the show: doug@cruiseradio.net. 

Theresa Norton just returned from the christening of AMAKristina, a brand new river cruise ship from Ama Waterways. Her itinerary from was Amsterdam to Switzerland. We talk about the design of the cruise ship, the dining options onboard, the stateroom, and the ports of call she went to.    Share your river cruise review: doug@cruiseradio.net.   

Chris drops by this episode to chat with us about the where the river cruise industry is at and where it's going.  We discuss:    AMA Waterways just announced a pretty state of the art ship that will debut next years. What are river cruise lines doing to separate themselves from the competition?   What about ocean cruising - are the river cruise lines trying to capture the ocean cruise market?   How to align what river cruise itinerary would match your personality or your cruising style? Demographic in river cruises. More younger folks are surfacing on river cruise lines - is this going to be a trend or just a fad?   Listener Q from Maria in VA   What is the suggested time to pad your trip on the front and back end if we want to explore Rome before our Northern Europe river cruise. 

Sherry Kennedy links up with us this week from Europe where she just stepped off Avalon Waterways' Artistry II. She was sailing on a seven-night Northern Holland and Tulips cruise. This is a seasonal sailing that Avalon offers.  We hear about:   Her pre-cruise adventure  How embarkation was different than other sailings she's been on  The thoughts of the ship  How the food was  What ports she visited (it was a lot!)  Details on her excursions  How her connectivity was on the ship  Tips for sailing Northern Holland    Your feedback and reviews are appreciated: doug@cruiseradio.net. 

This week I had a chance to chat with Vanessa Lee, river cruise expert, and Godmother of the Avalon Vista. I've known of Vanessa for years and finally had a chance to meet her on a Holland America sailing in 2016, we quickly became friends. We chat about: Being a Godmother of a river cruise ship  Where she thinks river cruising is going  Are world events causing people to hedge with river cruising   Terri Burke has been on both side of the cruise industry, once on the consumer side and now on the operations side as Managing Director of Avalon Waterways. Recently, Avalon Waterways announced some new enhancements and we caught up with Terri to speak about them.   We talk about: Culinary enhancements  The new Active Discovery shore excursion program  How immersed does Avalon Waterways get into the destination Waiving the solo supplement fee for 2017 European sailings

We link up with Sherry Kennedy who is in chilly Zurich, Switzerland this week. Sherry is about to embark on a seven-night European river cruise on Rhine river. She talks to us about her pre-cruise stay and gives us some important tips.  Sherry chats with us about: Weather in Zurich, Switzerland Quick overview of the river ship she’s sailing on What is the region known for? Using trains to navigate Europe Her favorite travel apps

When people think of Disney, they don't normally think of a European river cruise. Thanks to a partnership that Ama Waterways has with Adventures By Disney, Disney now has you covered with ocean AND river cruises.  We first spoke with the owner of Ama Waterways a few weeks ago to talk about the program, now we're getting a review of an Adventures by Disney river cruise on the brand new Ama Kristina. 

We’re back this week, but with a twist. This week I’m being interviewed about my Douro river cruise experience in Portugal. We discuss getting from Florida to Portugal, what life was like onboard, the tours offered, and the food. Special thanks goes to Richard Simms for taking the time to interview me.

This week we are broadcasting live in Porto, Portugal with CroisiEuope River Cruises as they christen the brand new MS Miguel Torga. The Miguel Torga sails six to eight-night cruises along the Douro River across Portugal. The Douro River is known for its scenic views and wine trails. We discuss the ship itself, the services offered onboard, dining, tours, and who is CroisiEurope River Cruises is for.  Chris Owen joins us to answer a listener question from Alex. Alex needs help on where to start when it comes to buying his parents a river cruise for Christmas. This will be their first river cruise and Chris helps him make an informed decision. 

This week we're heading over to Portugal for the christening of CroisiEurope River Cruises' newest river ship. But before I left, I asked Chris Owen some last minute questions...an hour before I needed to be at the airport.  Chris answers my questions on:  How to adjust to jet lag and the best ways to cope with it  What to do on the first day of the river cruise  How early can we board the river cruise Apps for language and currency conversions 

Chris just returned from a cruise on Windstar Cruises. There aren't that many difference between a Windstar Cruise and a river cruise. Today we break that down, talking about experiences onboard, dining, off board experiences, and who this cruise is for.  We also answer a listener question if Viking River Cruises will ever make a Mississippi River debut.

Chris has our detailed planning guide to river cruising from booking it a year out to the day you leave. You'll want to follow along with this planning guide. A big lesson we learn in this episode is paying attention to air details is REALLY important. 

We talk to one of the co-owners of AMA Waterways about their Adventures by Disney program and find out what it's all about. Chris Owen returns to answer some of your listener questions on pre and post cruise packages and what amenities we find on river cruise ships.

Sherry Kennedy is with us this week to share her review of American Cruise Line's replica paddle wheeler Queen of the West. Her seven-night voyage took her to the Pacific Northwest along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Here about her week on a paddle wheeler, the destinations, and her take the river cruise. 

This week we tackle your listener questions. Chris Owen joins us to answer river cruise questions on: 1. How do the loyalty programs work on a river cruise line and are there levels like like ocean cruise lines?  2. We are going to Amsterdam. What should we know about navigating the city?    3. Booked on a Viking Windmill Tulip cruise - what should I expect aside from the obvious?    4. What is there to do if we are docked at night in a port?    5. Is it customary to tip the crew members and program director onboard?