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If Royal starts river cruising would you do it?


michelle

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Both are of interest to me. 

The cost of Mississippi cruising has so far been beyond my budget for the perceived value for the type of cabin I researched.  I assumed that was due to an all-American workforce.  I'd rather sail Star Class on the ocean or do a rail journey across Western Canada for that kind of money.   I'd like to do the Mississippi but the price would need to come down before I consider it further.  

Europe river cruising is very interesting to me.  Family have done many and love it.  I think it's a great way to experience Europe to a much greater extent than you can on a Med. cruise.  

I've come to appreciate the value that ocean cruising on mass cruise lines has become compared to small ship river cruising although the service and on board experience is very different so that isn't a fair comparison.  

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7 minutes ago, twangster said:

Europe river cruising is very interesting to me.  Family have done many and love it.  I think it's a great way to experience Europe to a much greater extent than you can on a Med. cruise.  

I agree! The only caveat is that the rivers have to have enough water to move the ship. This has been an issue the past few years. A friend's travel group has tried to book one, but have found that depending on the amount of water in the Rhine/Danube/etc., the company had to move guests to busses to continue the "cruise" in certain areas. 

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I would like to try river cruising.  I have looked into it and for what it is @twangster has a great point about the cost.  Correct me if I am wrong I think they are all inclusive and include excursions.  We talked with someone who has been on a couple and that is what she told us.  They did the Mississippi.  

I think a European river cruise will be something we need to put on our radar.  They just seem to really get you to the heart of the places you visit.  

So if Royal started this sort of cruising we would check it out.

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7 minutes ago, DublinFC said:

Correct me if I am wrong I think they are all inclusive and include excursions.

Many are this way but perhaps a new player like Royal could introduce another option.  Time and again people express the desire to do their excursions.  I don't want to pay for excursions that don't interest me.  If they are included you do pay for them and have to choose from their menu of excursions.  That may work for some but thinking beyond the pandemic I don't want to be forced to sit on a boring bus ride because it is the least undesirable excursion option available.  

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4 minutes ago, twangster said:

I don't want to be forced to sit on a boring bus ride because it is the least undesirable excursion option available.  

Terrific point.  I did not think of that.  Things are going to be different for awhile.  We usually pick cruise line excursions for peace of mind if we were delayed for some reason.  But, now there looks like we won't have a choice of going out on our own.  For now at least.

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2 hours ago, twangster said:

Many are this way but perhaps a new player like Royal could introduce another option.  Time and again people express the desire to do their excursions.  I don't want to pay for excursions that don't interest me.  If they are included you do pay for them and have to choose from their menu of excursions.  That may work for some but thinking beyond the pandemic I don't want to be forced to sit on a boring bus ride because it is the least undesirable excursion option available.  

Right I agree - I know the prices are higher but they are more inclusive - food is good - drinks (wine, beer) included - excursions like you said.  I just think smaller ships could be more desirable to some in the future seeing as how if you are on a river cruise, that ports in a town everyday, then you could kick off anyone with flu systems and not have to keep sailing.    Plus an excursion in New Orleans is always a good idea.

 

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2 hours ago, twangster said:

Both are of interest to me. 

The cost of Mississippi cruising has so far been beyond my budget for the perceived value for the type of cabin I researched.  I assumed that was due to an all-American workforce.  I'd rather sail Star Class on the ocean or do a rail journey across Western Canada for that kind of money.   I'd like to do the Mississippi but the price would need to come down before I consider it further.  

Europe river cruising is very interesting to me.  Family have done many and love it.  I think it's a great way to experience Europe to a much greater extent than you can on a Med. cruise.  

I've come to appreciate the value that ocean cruising on mass cruise lines has become compared to small ship river cruising although the service and on board experience is very different so that isn't a fair comparison.  

European river cruises are great - yes, pricey but I thought worth alot of what I paid for them.  Some lines better than others but the excursions I really like and the pulling right up to a city, like Paris was amazing.  Will do more of these in my future.  You are right -ocean cruising has a better value for sure

 

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All I am going to say is that you had me at cruise!  At this point I would go anywhere, as long as it was with a reputable brand! I do believe that I would enjoy the leisurely pace as well as being able to see parts of the country that I have never seen before, I know that it is a small inconvenience but I believe that it would be nice to be able to take a cruise like that and not have to worry about a passport or going through immigration on the way back into the country (unless it did go out of the USA).  I do enjoy going out of the country and seeing other places but I do believe that it is time for me to start focusing on the natural beauty that we have been blessed with here at home from time to time! ?

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Thinking a bit more about this... I wouldn't do a river cruise just because Royal started offering them.  I like C&A points as much as everyone else but not that much.

It might fit better under the Azamara brand.  "Azamara River Cruises" even sounds better.  They are better at small ships and it fits their model better unless some other brand is built or acquired for the concept.  It doesn't seem to fit RCI so I doubt C&A points would be on the table.  

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1 hour ago, Jill said:

Hubby and I have been invited to be guests of a Hotel Director from American Queen who was a former hotel director for Royal. I was told the food is incredible. We plan to take the offer as soon as sailings begin. 

It’ll either be PNW or Mississippi. Secretly hoping for PNW. All depends the ship he’s on. 

I'm officially jealous.

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17 hours ago, michelle said:

Just wanted to start a new discussion since its Friday ---
IF Royal Caribbean starts to build River Boats either in Europe or USA (Mississippi River like Viking) would
you sail on these?  Thoughts?  and what would it half to look like for you to consider it.

Europe would interest us, but probably not the US.  We would wait until a vaccine became available, but we'd love to tour Europe, and river cruises are an alternative to the proverbial "bus trip".

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18 hours ago, twangster said:

They could lower labor costs and flag overseas as long as they had a stop in Canada.

Windsor would be perfect - it would allow folks who want to go to Detroit (why, I don't really know unless your favorite sports team is playing there) easy access and meet the requirement.

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Yes, we would go on a river cruise but as @twangstersaid, not just because RC was the cruise line. I have always liked the idea of cruising not only to the country of choice, but through your country of choice. I equate it to taking a road trip. You really get to see the countryside that way. That being said, like others have mentioned, they tend to be very expensive, especially the ones here in the US. 

If RC ever decided to expand their company into river cruising, I think it would probably involve buying an existing line and transforming it to an RC product. I can't see them starting from scratch.

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On 9/19/2020 at 9:47 AM, HeWhoWaits said:

Windsor would be perfect - it would allow folks who want to go to Detroit (why, I don't really know unless your favorite sports team is playing there) easy access and meet the requirement.

I read the first four words out of context and had a good laugh. But outside of that, you make a good point. 

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But anyway, I did a 3 Gorges Dam river cruise. And outside of an understandably partisan narrative during tours (mainland China, what are you gonna do?), it was a pretty enjoyable time, although it took a while to adjust to the idea of mostly sitting down and enjoying the trip.

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We have sailed on European river cruises, Victory Cruises on the Great Lakes, and four different American Queen/Empress itineraries.  Some considerations include (some already mentioned) shore excursions that are included, beer, wine, and soft drinks included (sometimes all alcohol included).  There is often a hotel night included in the price, including transfer to the ship.  For some travelers, there may be no air fare expense.  Some of the shore excursions include pricey admission tickets.  Almost always no casinos.  Food, in our experience, has been outstanding, with local cuisine often offered.  Small, intimate ships, with great opportunities to interact with entertainers and officers.  Right now there are some major discounts being offered, probably to increase cash flow.  All in all, these options are worth considering!  All the above has not deterred next year's three RCL cruises booked to date.

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On 9/18/2020 at 8:21 PM, twangster said:

Thinking a bit more about this... I wouldn't do a river cruise just because Royal started offering them.  I like C&A points as much as everyone else but not that much.

It might fit better under the Azamara brand.  "Azamara River Cruises" even sounds better.  They are better at small ships and it fits their model better unless some other brand is built or acquired for the concept.  It doesn't seem to fit RCI so I doubt C&A points would be on the table.  

I agree - a family brand where I got some of the benefits for your C and A points would be great, but it would have to be a small ship. Azamara or SilverSeas might would work, but still might be too large for a river cruise.

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River cruises in America are too darn expensive for the product offered....in most cases you can take at least 2 RCG for the price of one. River cruises in other countries are a better value because they allow you to see, often historic, sites at a decent price. European river cruises also work out to be a better bang for your buck because the all inclusive pricing usually covers intimate touring groups. I took a 4N Nile river cruise in Egypt and we had a private guide, balcony and all excursions included for under $400 per person. I was looking at American Queen and the most basic room is over $2000 per person. I know most of the river cruises are are over 9 days, because it is a lazy way to travel, but with no real activities....it is just not worth it. I cannot see RCG wanting to do river cruises, maybe another flagship like Azamara...but they would have to choose their ports, excursions and itineraries carefully.

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20 hours ago, Allen2 said:

We have sailed on European river cruises, Victory Cruises on the Great Lakes, and four different American Queen/Empress itineraries.  Some considerations include (some already mentioned) shore excursions that are included, beer, wine, and soft drinks included (sometimes all alcohol included).  There is often a hotel night included in the price, including transfer to the ship.  For some travelers, there may be no air fare expense.  Some of the shore excursions include pricey admission tickets.  Almost always no casinos.  Food, in our experience, has been outstanding, with local cuisine often offered.  Small, intimate ships, with great opportunities to interact with entertainers and officers.  Right now there are some major discounts being offered, probably to increase cash flow.  All in all, these options are worth considering!  All the above has not deterred next year's three RCL cruises booked to date.

great input and I agree - to not have to travel by airplane to get to a US port is a great point.  I have always wanted to do the Columbia River and Mississippi

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On 9/21/2020 at 11:37 AM, Ampurp85 said:

River cruises in America are too darn expensive for the product offered....in most cases you can take at least 2 RCG for the price of one. River cruises in other countries are a better value because they allow you to see, often historic, sites at a decent price. European river cruises also work out to be a better bang for your buck because the all inclusive pricing usually covers intimate touring groups. I took a 4N Nile river cruise in Egypt and we had a private guide, balcony and all excursions included for under $400 per person. I was looking at American Queen and the most basic room is over $2000 per person. I know most of the river cruises are are over 9 days, because it is a lazy way to travel, but with no real activities....it is just not worth it. I cannot see RCG wanting to do river cruises, maybe another flagship like Azamara...but they would have to choose their ports, excursions and itineraries carefully.

Not just river cruises in NA - I once looked up that train tour through the Rockies and wow that's pricey. Wouldn't mind doing it but I gotta win the lottery first. 

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