I have done 2 Viking river cruises. The last one was in November 2019 over Thanksgiving and I was traveling alone. Met great people and had a great time! They had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for us. We visited a number of Christmas Markets in lovely towns. Nice to be able to walk back to the ship when ready.
Went up the Elbe with Viking & it was wonderful. One big thing to remember is generally good mobile coverage (with data).... not having to pay the cruise line for it as it is just "there".
@@philhardy6470 just Germany and the Czech Republic. Food was great. Big cruise ships are better at their excesses ( 56 varieties of donut available 24/7). River cruises seem more civilized...... I like both!
@@StreakyP yes wife & I have done many cruises, on Holland America Ships, been to some lovely places. River cruising around Europe & the beautiful places to visit, seems tempting. Thanks for your response
We river cruise with Scenic. Amazing holidays, not cheap but EVERYTHING is included. That even includes the mini bar in your cabin, all excursions and they even have a specialty dining restaurant where you are invited at least once on your cruise. Booked again for next year.
We love river cruises. Have done 7 river cruises over the years in Europe with Tauck and Viking cruises at different times of the year.Have another booked with Tauck in May 2022. We have met so many wonderful people and the crews were terrific. Ben and David explain it so well. Look forward to seeing your coming river cruise.
I've only been on one cruise, Croisie Europe late June down the Moselle and up the Rhine. It was cheap, the food was amazing and the stops were fascinating. Met some great friends.
Another excellent video and you touched on all points! We did a Mississippi river cruise on the American Queen and it was fabulous. Our next one is with Viking on the Rhine in May, 2022. I'm certain the Rhine river cruise will be a true cultural & historical experience as was the Mississippi cruise.
I would love to try a river cruise and I love the idea of one that includes more physical activities...AND wine! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! So grateful for your videos!
Perfect timing for you to release this video, I’m leaving for my first river cruise next week on the Rhine. I’m really excited to experience the Christmas markets!
Your Christmas river cruise was amazing. I have always wanted to visit Europe Christmas markets. Your cruise was like I was with you all. The tastes, smells and sights were real.
Always happy to see a new video by B&D I would like to try river cruising for sure. Thanks for keeping us updated. Happy Holidays to both of you and your family
My reluctance to river cruise is all about the water level issue you brought up. I've read multiple stories about people booking expensive river cruises, only to find out what they actually were getting was a bus tour plus second rate hotels --- and the cruise line explains that it wasn't in their control. Of course, a bus tour plus hotels is something people book all the time, at much less cost than the cruise.
I remember pre-covid the rivers dried up and passengers were enraged about the coaches, demanding refunds! Thank you for the video. Have an amazing weekend!
Fellas, I’d love to see a video on your favourite cruise. I know it probably would be hard considering the food, the entertainment, drinks packages, but even a list of your favourites
We totally love River Cruising, and its so much more relaxing and you see such wonderful truly amazing destinations. We have done them in Asia, and Europe, and this June will be on the Colombia and Snake rivers. And in August , Budapest to the Black Sea, and in Oct, the Rhine And Mosel. All these trips were actually booked either in 2020, or 2021, and have had to reschedule for 2022. We also have done 2 Christmas cruises, different ports, and our favorite city to visit at Christmas time is Nuremburg, Germany! But i have leaned that they will not open this year, cause of lockdown. Has your trip been cancelled yet ? We have met some wonderful new friends on these trips and still travel with several! 66 large cruise ship trips, all over the world, and 15 river boat trips under our belts! Vickie from SE Pa
Watching with the hubby and at 4:03 he howled laughing and screeching "the animal crossing chairs!" Thank you as always for the info but also the good laugh today 😆
We had reservations to leave Thanksgiving Eve day for Budapest with Ama Waterways, and do the Christmas markets in Bavaria and Austria. Trip was cancelled at the last minute (we were on our way to the airport to catch flight the next day). Needless to say we were disappointed!
We did Viking's Budapest to Amsterdam cruise in 2019. Service was great. The food was good. The excursions were outstanding. We did have to switch ships once due to low water, but Viking did it easily while we were seeing Nuremberg, all our things were transferred to another identical ship without a problem. We dived into the history and beauty of the cities we saw. We made new friends. You cannot ask for more.
As always thanks for the amazing content. My first river cruise and it was amazing. Plus it was during Holiday season so got to see the wonderful Christmas markets. Aren’t they amazing?
I have been on Avalon Cruise Paris-Normandy -The first night I sat down with my partner for dinner and a follow passenger came over to us and invited us to dine with them at their table-We joined them every night for dinner-in addition they invited two others to join us at the table-We had a great time
Hi. I love watching ALL your videos. Regarding the river cruises, I have priced them in the U.S., they are 2X or more, in price! Cannot afford these cruises. I think it’s important that you include pricing in all your videos. The bottom line is important to many. Again, love your videos…..keep them coming!!
Thank you for your video boys!! Jay here from West Hollywood. We did a Christmas Market River Cruise on Emerald from Amsterdam to Budapest. Absolutely the best cruise we have ever had. Which River Cruise will you both be doing?
I'm in my early 30s and going on my first river cruise with Viking this summer through Paris. I'll be going with my parents and grandma, and this was really exciting to get a sneak peek of what the experience will feel like! 🤞 we'll be parked by the Eiffel Tower too!
@@Largepapa2 not really! There were a few families that brought their kids, so that placed me as the 3rd youngest on the ship. But then there were also a lot of people in their 50s. I didn't mind!
You mentioned American River Cruises, but seem to focus on European cruises which is fine, but when you get a chance try to due a video focusing on American River Cruises especially the Mississippi and/or the Snake River and/or an Alaskan River Cruise since the River ships can get into areas the Oceanliners are too big for.
Thanks for another excellent video. I must say though Ben that I was alarmed at several attacks of white hair syndrome that I noticed you had on your trip. I heard about this as a downside to river cruises and does not happen on ocean liners. Good to see it was just a temporary thing though and your hair reverted back. No casinos I suppose too, I would miss them, but otherwise pretty good.
I'm so interested in river cruises - it seems like such a different type of adventure. I think we'll wait until the kids are a bit older. Are there any kids onboard? Any lines with kids programs?
Cruising with Kids - yes Adventures by Disney, Uniworld & Tauck offer family cruises and programs for kids. It runs generally in the summer. Christmas cruises is also another time when a lot of travellers with young kids river cruise. How old are your kids right now?
Hello, I'm back from MSc Virtuosa. I was a fan of MSC cie but I agree with you the customer service is very bad, entairtement 👎, but the food still amazing, have a good week end. HÉLÈNE from Paris
I'm so not a cruise person (and yet I'm a sub, go figure - no, I mostly just watch cos you guys are so cute) but I definitely want to do a few river cruises one day [you neglected to mention some in Africa and Oz fyi, also South America]
MandMGirl, Scenic & Emerald have eBikes. AmaWaterways & Avalon have regular bikes. Viking doesn't have bikes but I know one of their biking excursion on the Danube uses eBikes.
Love river cruising but made the mistake of going on Viking once……never again! Staff and rooms were wonderful but the food was AWFUL. About four nights in my friend looked at me as we were walking to dinner and said…..so, what do you think we will not be eating tonight……that truly summed it up. They ran out of diet cola the third day….what?…..we spend the entire day in port…..go stock up! This happened with some bar brands also. Very unfortunate but never again on Viking when so many other lines offer really good food. Scenic, Uniworld, AMA etc. have great food.
Hi Jane, You are under no obligation to socialize with other guests if you do not want to, so I'd still recommend it for someone who's not looking to be overly social. Hope that answers your question.
KS It's definitely a myth that river cruises are for people 60 & over. And as for meal times, there is usually snacks available in between meal times on river cruise lines like Avalon, AMA, Viking, Uniworld to name a few.
My husband and my daughters I want to go on a river cruise but Under age 18 are not permitted. Even though our 2 girls are seasoned travelers and really quite kids. It's a big fat no from every river cruise company I've called. It's ashamed really they didn't like the Disney Cruise.(they said it's too noisy). My husband and I will just haves to wait another 10 years.
AZKARMA 2010, may I ask how old your daughters are? I'm curious which river cruise lines told you passengers under 18 are not permitted? The minimum passenger age for a number of the European river cruise lines (that cater to US & Canadian travellers) is 8 and kids under 18 have to accompanied by an adult. On my first river cruise there was a guest with her daughter who was under 18. While some river cruise lines are adult only, there are a number that take kids under the age of 18.
I think a river cruise would be fun! Yes, a different vibe from an ocean cruise. I love the idea of thoughtfully prepared food with local ingredients! How lovely! I'd use it as a sampler to see what places I'd like to return to for a longer land visit. ❤️👍
We did a river cruise and while I liked the towns we stopped at I did not care for the cruise itself there was nothing to do at night if u didn’t drink
@@lauraguerrero2190 I also don't drink, but I found hanging out in the lounge after dinner, during my last AMA cruise to be fine. Some nights we had local entertainment come onboard, but it's a far cry from an ocean cruise. For the most part it was chill enough for me - after a few hours, I was usually pretty tired and ready for bed. I realize though that some travellers may prefer something different.
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I have done 2 Viking river cruises. The last one was in November 2019 over Thanksgiving and I was traveling alone. Met great people and had a great time! They had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner for us. We visited a number of Christmas Markets in lovely towns. Nice to be able to walk back to the ship when ready.
Went up the Elbe with Viking & it was wonderful. One big thing to remember is generally good mobile coverage (with data).... not having to pay the cruise line for it as it is just "there".
Ian, I’ve heard of Viking before. Did you visit more than country, how was the food,
@@philhardy6470 just Germany and the Czech Republic. Food was great. Big cruise ships are better at their excesses ( 56 varieties of donut available 24/7). River cruises seem more civilized...... I like both!
@@StreakyP yes wife & I have done many cruises, on Holland America Ships, been to some lovely places. River cruising around Europe & the beautiful places to visit, seems tempting. Thanks for your response
We river cruise with Scenic. Amazing holidays, not cheap but EVERYTHING is included. That even includes the mini bar in your cabin, all excursions and they even have a specialty dining restaurant where you are invited at least once on your cruise. Booked again for next year.
We've cruised on Avalon twice (Rhine & Danube). Love their boats and active lifestyle. Food rocked.
Loved our Vantage 24 day cruise! Amazing!
We love river cruises. Have done 7 river cruises over the years in Europe with Tauck and Viking cruises at different times of the year.Have another booked with Tauck in May 2022. We have met so many wonderful people and the crews were terrific. Ben and David explain it so well. Look forward to seeing your coming river cruise.
Love Tauck. Just got back from the Danube with them.
My husband and I got to cruise on Mississippi Queen several years ago and it was so much fun!I love your videos!
I've only been on one cruise, Croisie Europe late June down the Moselle and up the Rhine. It was cheap, the food was amazing and the stops were fascinating. Met some great friends.
Thank you for your insights - I have always wanted to take a River cruise. It sounds amazing!
I've never been on a cruise but I love watching your videos, they are very interesting.
We have done the Grand European and Waterways of the Tsars in Russia with Viking and they were absolutely fantastic.
Another excellent video and you touched on all points! We did a Mississippi river cruise on the American Queen and it was fabulous. Our next one is with Viking on the Rhine in May, 2022. I'm certain the Rhine river cruise will be a true cultural & historical experience as was the Mississippi cruise.
I would love to try a river cruise and I love the idea of one that includes more physical activities...AND wine! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! So grateful for your videos!
Perfect timing for you to release this video, I’m leaving for my first river cruise next week on the Rhine. I’m really excited to experience the Christmas markets!
Which cruise are you on Bryan? We are also cruising the Rhine next week!
@@Cruisewith I’m on the AmaSiena out of Amsterdam.
Fantastic video again..We were booked on a river cruise but sadly had to postpone..Fingers and toes crossed it will happen 2022...
Wow never seen that before look very cool cruise. Thank you for share with us….
Always great information, luv your videos guys! River cruises look very relaxing as well as fun. Thanks
Your Christmas river cruise was amazing. I have always wanted to visit Europe Christmas markets. Your cruise was like I was with you all. The tastes, smells and sights were real.
Always happy to see a new video by B&D I would like to try river cruising for sure. Thanks for keeping us updated. Happy Holidays to both of you and your family
My reluctance to river cruise is all about the water level issue you brought up.
I've read multiple stories about people booking expensive river cruises, only to find out what they actually were getting was a bus tour plus second rate hotels --- and the cruise line explains that it wasn't in their control. Of course, a bus tour plus hotels is something people book all the time, at much less cost than the cruise.
Never thought of a river cruise but this video has piqued my interest. Thanks.
I remember pre-covid the rivers dried up and passengers were enraged about the coaches, demanding refunds! Thank you for the video. Have an amazing weekend!
Did Vietnam and Cambodia with aapt and it’s been one f my favourite holidays
Might try one when I'm retired. Or when covid is gone whichever comes sooner.
Fellas, I’d love to see a video on your favourite cruise. I know it probably would be hard considering the food, the entertainment, drinks packages, but even a list of your favourites
I am looking to redo a Mississippi cruise. Wonderful
We totally love River Cruising, and its so much more relaxing and you see such wonderful truly amazing destinations. We have done them in Asia, and Europe, and this June will be on the Colombia and Snake rivers. And in August , Budapest to the Black Sea, and in Oct, the Rhine And Mosel. All these trips were actually booked either in 2020, or 2021, and have had to reschedule for 2022. We also have done 2 Christmas cruises, different ports, and our favorite city to visit at Christmas time is Nuremburg, Germany! But i have leaned that they will not open this year, cause of lockdown. Has your trip been cancelled yet ? We have met some wonderful new friends on these trips and still travel with several! 66 large cruise ship trips, all over the world, and 15 river boat trips under our belts! Vickie from SE Pa
Watching with the hubby and at 4:03 he howled laughing and screeching "the animal crossing chairs!" Thank you as always for the info but also the good laugh today 😆
We love Viking cruises.
Nile cruise was awesome too
Super info chaps thank you both. ❤️🇦🇺
We had reservations to leave Thanksgiving Eve day for Budapest with Ama Waterways, and do the Christmas markets in Bavaria and Austria. Trip was cancelled at the last minute (we were on our way to the airport to catch flight the next day). Needless to say we were disappointed!
We did Viking's Budapest to Amsterdam cruise in 2019. Service was great. The food was good. The excursions were outstanding. We did have to switch ships once due to low water, but Viking did it easily while we were seeing Nuremberg, all our things were transferred to another identical ship without a problem. We dived into the history and beauty of the cities we saw. We made new friends. You cannot ask for more.
As always thanks for the amazing content. My first river cruise and it was amazing. Plus it was during Holiday season so got to see the wonderful Christmas markets. Aren’t they amazing?
Love it thanks for sharing👍🏽👍🏽
We adore Viking River and ocean cruises😘
I have been on Avalon Cruise Paris-Normandy -The first night I sat down with my partner for dinner and a follow passenger came over to us and invited us to dine with them at their table-We joined them every night for dinner-in addition they invited two others to join us at the table-We had a great time
Another wonderful vlog. I always look forward to every trip you go on!
Thanks!
Thank you for your informative videoes.
Hi. I love watching ALL your videos. Regarding the river cruises, I have priced them in the U.S., they are 2X or more, in price! Cannot afford these cruises. I think it’s important that you include pricing in all your videos. The bottom line is important to many. Again, love your videos…..keep them coming!!
Sounds great. Nice video. Thanks for the info.
Thank you for your video boys!! Jay here from West Hollywood. We did a Christmas Market River Cruise on Emerald from Amsterdam to Budapest. Absolutely the best cruise we have ever had. Which River Cruise will you both be doing?
That sounds amazing!
Thank you guys
Do you two plan to do a Nile cruise? I would love to hear about it!😃
I'm in my early 30s and going on my first river cruise with Viking this summer through Paris. I'll be going with my parents and grandma, and this was really exciting to get a sneak peek of what the experience will feel like! 🤞 we'll be parked by the Eiffel Tower too!
I am your age. Were there other people our age on the boat?
@@Largepapa2 not really! There were a few families that brought their kids, so that placed me as the 3rd youngest on the ship. But then there were also a lot of people in their 50s. I didn't mind!
We just signed up for our fourth River cruise on Viking.
Thanks guy!!! Great video as per usual 😘🙂 I would like to find a nice wine cruise in the US.
You mentioned American River Cruises, but seem to focus on European cruises which is fine, but when you get a chance try to due a video focusing on American River Cruises especially the Mississippi and/or the Snake River and/or an Alaskan River Cruise since the River ships can get into areas the Oceanliners are too big for.
I am considering a river cruise in Asia-like Vietnam or Southeast Asia! I think that would be spectacular! The prices I’ve seen are not bad either!
We would love to do this - river cruising in Asia looks epic!
@@Cruisewith Let’s Do It!!!
Thanks for another excellent video. I must say though Ben that I was alarmed at several attacks of white hair syndrome that I noticed you had on your trip. I heard about this as a downside to river cruises and does not happen on ocean liners. Good to see it was just a temporary thing though and your hair reverted back. No casinos I suppose too, I would miss them, but otherwise pretty good.
Happy Thanksgiving Boys!! 🦃
I'm so interested in river cruises - it seems like such a different type of adventure. I think we'll wait until the kids are a bit older. Are there any kids onboard? Any lines with kids programs?
Cruising with Kids - yes Adventures by Disney, Uniworld & Tauck offer family cruises and programs for kids. It runs generally in the summer. Christmas cruises is also another time when a lot of travellers with young kids river cruise.
How old are your kids right now?
Hello, I'm back from MSc Virtuosa. I was a fan of MSC cie but I agree with you the customer service is very bad, entairtement 👎, but the food still amazing, have a good week end. HÉLÈNE from Paris
I'm so not a cruise person (and yet I'm a sub, go figure - no, I mostly just watch cos you guys are so cute) but I definitely want to do a few river cruises one day [you neglected to mention some in Africa and Oz fyi, also South America]
Do they have ebikes on river cruises. Biking is fun if you can do it.
MandMGirl, Scenic & Emerald have eBikes. AmaWaterways & Avalon have regular bikes. Viking doesn't have bikes but I know one of their biking excursion on the Danube uses eBikes.
Love river cruising but made the mistake of going on Viking once……never again! Staff and rooms were wonderful but the food was AWFUL. About four nights in my friend looked at me as we were walking to dinner and said…..so, what do you think we will not be eating tonight……that truly summed it up. They ran out of diet cola the third day….what?…..we spend the entire day in port…..go stock up! This happened with some bar brands also. Very unfortunate but never again on Viking when so many other lines offer really good food. Scenic, Uniworld, AMA etc. have great food.
If you had to choose one river cruise company to go on which would you choose?
7 countries and 20 cities/towns!
Would you advise a river cruise for those who are slightly antisocial?
Hi Jane,
You are under no obligation to socialize with other guests if you do not want to, so I'd still recommend it for someone who's not looking to be overly social. Hope that answers your question.
I’ve always heard that river cruises were primarily for those 60 and over. Some river cruises...you can not get food unless it’s mealtime.
Yep that’s true meal times are very set! Some lines like Avalon have snacks and treats available at non meal times.
KS
It's definitely a myth that river cruises are for people 60 & over. And as for meal times, there is usually snacks available in between meal times on river cruise lines like Avalon, AMA, Viking, Uniworld to name a few.
💙
Hi chaps. are there facilities for wheelchair users on River cruisers? Lifts,acessible rooms etc Thanks Ben and David xx
Yes both on all of the ones we have been on!
Research carefully. Some ships have very limited access for people with mobility issues.
What is the best time to go on a river cruise
I've done three with Tauck all in shoulder seasons - April and October. Not so hot and crowded
hello people
My husband and my daughters I want to go on a river cruise but Under age 18 are not permitted. Even though our 2 girls are seasoned travelers and really quite kids. It's a big fat no from every river cruise company I've called. It's ashamed really they didn't like the Disney Cruise.(they said it's too noisy). My husband and I will just haves to wait another 10 years.
AZKARMA 2010, may I ask how old your daughters are?
I'm curious which river cruise lines told you passengers under 18 are not permitted?
The minimum passenger age for a number of the European river cruise lines (that cater to US & Canadian travellers) is 8 and kids under 18 have to accompanied by an adult. On my first river cruise there was a guest with her daughter who was under 18. While some river cruise lines are adult only, there are a number that take kids under the age of 18.
I would rather visit those places by land. I’ll save cruises for islands
I would not be good on a river cruise because I'm more of a eat-only-when-I'm-hungry guy.
Are they wheelchair friendly
I think a river cruise would be fun! Yes, a different vibe from an ocean cruise. I love the idea of thoughtfully prepared food with local ingredients! How lovely! I'd use it as a sampler to see what places I'd like to return to for a longer land visit. ❤️👍
But sucks/can’t go if your disabled
That is true for the most part, but I do have a client - who was in a wheelchair - do an Emerald River Cruise in 2017. So it is possible.
We did a river cruise and while I liked the towns we stopped at I did not care for the cruise itself
there was nothing to do at night if u didn’t drink
Hi Laura,
Which river & cruise line did you cruise with?
@@koartravel_ I think it was ama waterways
@@lauraguerrero2190 I also don't drink, but I found hanging out in the lounge after dinner, during my last AMA cruise to be fine. Some nights we had local entertainment come onboard, but it's a far cry from an ocean cruise. For the most part it was chill enough for me - after a few hours, I was usually pretty tired and ready for bed. I realize though that some travellers may prefer something different.
@@koartravel_ we r not party people but I felt there wasn’t anything to do at nite if u did not drink.
I think these clips are from the future? Your hair is so gray.
From the past!
@@Cruisewith I stand corrected 😉.