The one river cruise I've done (and I'd love to do more) was definitely biased towards the upper end of the age spectrum; I'd say the average ago was over 60. That's wasn't with Trafalgar, but I suspect that's not too big a factor.

Ah Chris, you have given me the perfect excuse to leave the kids at home. They have always gone with us on cruises and have had a wonderful time, but I think this would be a bit too much for them when they are still teens.

The company that I have done my four river boat tours targets the "mature" traveler - over 50, at least. There have never been any children on any of my tours!!! In some circumstances that can be a good thing.

Going on first river cruise 9June up Danube down the Rhine on Grand European Serenade. Anybody else?

Please let us know about it when you come back. Most of us are curious and have not yet done a cruise.

Oh I forgot, welcome to the board GlenT

Hi glenn would love to do the tour with you but are first time travellers on European Jewels 30th Sept.

shirleyT, Pity about that, but trust you will enjoy it anyway. You should try to get to Mainz while you are there.

Midlife traveller, Back from Danube River trip. Touring is not for the aged or infirm. It is Go,Go Go all the time. Trafalgars organisation was great and the journey enjoyable. Very efficient organisation. There were 122 people on the trip and everything went like clockwork. Everyday brought something new. Some days were long bus tours, but these were also at the mercy of local conditions and road closures. Off ship meals that were organised as part of the tour were excellent, specially the luncheon at "private" residences where we were in groups of 6 - 8 and fed at different houses. Well organised.The crew were excellent and went out of their way to ensure you had a good time. Unfortunately
i had to leave the ship at Budapest, but received every assistance to make other arrangements to get home after a night in hosital. One suggestion regarding money on this trip. Although carrying US dollars, Euros and English pounds, we found that a cash passport was the easiest to manage. In most ports we were able to use the ATM to obtain the smallest amount of local currency, which was sufficient for our needs as everything was included except for drinks and souveniers or pivate purchases. If you want more details on any aspect ask in reply
Glen

GlenT ~ I am interested that you found the river cruise to be quite hectic. I had assumed it would be a more laid back trip ~ Thanks for letting us know, as there is not a lot of info on the BB about the River Cruises.

GlenT Would you be willing to write a tour tale for the part of the cruise that you did manage. We would like to hear about it as no one has written a tour tale on the Danube.
Why were there lunches at "private " residences?
By drinks, only alcoholic drinks had to be paid for?

Hi Mid Life Traveller & Dimpz, Pleased to see interest. I will get my thoughts together and give you a precis of trip Bucharest to Budapest ASAP.
In the meantime to answer Query. All drinks had to be paid for on the boat. Tea & Coffee available 24/7 Gratis. Some lunches on tours included drinks, wine or beer or water. The lunch at "private" residences were to experience and have contact with locals and were very well received. These were with people running Bed & Breakfast style accomodation and experienced in deaing with groups of strangers. We were encouraged to tour their house and question them about their lifes nd share our own experiences. More later.

GlenT Looking forward to your tale. My husband and I would very much like to take a river cruise one of these years.

GlenT, looking forward to your tour tale. We are doing European Jewels (Amsterdam - Budapest) on 5th August and have been hopeful that somebody would post a report before we leave. Bad luck about having to leave the cruise early. Hope to post a tour tale before shirleyT leaves.

Departed Brisbane via Singapore,Dubai, to Istanbul, 19.5hrs flight plus 3hrs at at stopovers. Saw all the sights of Istanbul before proceding to Bucharest for start of tour. Trafalgar arranged pickup from airport and transfer to JW Marriot Bucharest Grand Hotel for our first two nights. 5 star marble everywhere, although a little way out of town.
Next day was optional tour to Bran Castle, legendary home of Vlad the Impaler, Dracula to his friends. Picked up by coach from the hotel travelled thru the Plotiesti oilfields area, up into the Karparthian mountain chain and the Prahova Valley with its winter resort towns. Lunch was organised as a hearty Romanian meal before heading bach toward Bucharest to Snagova Island where we visited a 16 century monastery and the tomb of Dracula. This was a long day as we had to make a long detour because of temporary road closures.
Next say after a leisurely breakfast there was a tour of Bucharest itself including a visit to the 2nd largest building in the world, The Palace of the People. Has to be seen to be believed. A monument to one mans ego. Nikolai Ceausescu. On to Oltenita where the River Countess was waiting for us. Very efficiently processed for boarding we were soon in our cabins and exploring the ship.You have all seen the brochures and have the layout, dimensions etc. pm was the safety briefing held by the Captain and the introduction of the entire crew. Off to the dining room for the Captains welcome dinner. Encouraged to dress for this occassion we were able to sit where and with whom we pleased. All future meals were casual and being able to sit at various tables and with different people if you so desired, it was very easy to meet the other 120 people on board. Whilst we were at Dinner at 19.30hrs we set sail for Silistra our next port to the East. Yes we went East before starting on our journey Westward up the Danube. End Day 2.