My husband and I are escaping from our children and going to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary in Europe in April next year. We've just decided to book the "Enchanting Danube" 7 day river cruise with Trafalgar in the middle of our 3.5 week trip. I wondered whether the least expensive 'staterooms' Category 5 were ok or if they have tiny little porthole windows and we should pay to get a Category 4 room? Has anyone stayed on these River Cruise Ships?

ANNIE

This is my first post but I have visited this site several times and was hoping somebody would answer your question. My wife and I will be travelling on the River Princess in August 07. I believe that a Cat 5 cabin will give you a birds eye view of the waterline. Good luck with your trip, and please post a report.

trepidtravellers

I checked tour tales for you and no one has written up a cruise on those ships. Hopefully someone who has will see your query and help you out.

I've recently been looking into river cruises with both TT and other cruise operators. I found a great non-biased web site (which I don't believe I can name here, unfortunately) that gave great information about things to watch for when booking a river cruise.

The web site said that you would be well advised to avoid booking the lower level rooms. Apparantly river boats boats take water into their bilges (sp?) if they have to get lower in the water to clear beneath low bridges. When this takes place, those portholes on the lower level will be belowthe waterline. The pilot apparantly makes an announcement that this will be the case and advises passengers not to be concerned.

If you are interested in finding the site I have mentioned, google "river cruises" and do a sub-search for Helen and Tony.

Hope this helps, I've never been on a river cruise myself, but it's definately in the plans! Can't think of a nicer way to see the countryside.

Hi - I heard that this is the first year that Trafalgar are offering these particular Grand River Cruises which probably explains the lack of postings. We are booked on the Enchanting Danube cruise for 8 days departing Budapest on April 7. So we are very keen to hear from anyone who has travelled on one of these cruise ships? Certainly I will post our thoughts after our trip. Any one out there been on these? Just noticed that the first start date in 2007 listed in Trafalgars brochure is March 24th. We may be waiting. Annie