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First time riverboat cruisers
We are booked to go on the westbound Danube Reflections cruise next July (2015). Is there anybody else booked for this cruise? This is our first riverboat cruise, though we have taken a number of ocean cruises. I realize this will be much different. Would just like to connect to some fellow travelers.
Clarene & Bill Dworin
Clarene & Bill Dworin
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Dave and Elsa Hornfischer Framingham MA
We have heard only positive comments on River Cruises in general and With Tauck rated at the top of the list we are optimistic. Our other Tauck tours were all outstanding.
We will look forward to meeting you.
Bob & Carol Rawlings (Indianapolis)
Rich & Cheryl Wunder - Olathe, KS
Bruce Gaynor and Patty O'Donnell
Shaker Heights, Ohio
How did the men dress for dinner?
Here is the official Tauck word as listed in the Before You Go tab for your cruise - lots of very helpful information especially for first timers here.
"During evenings aboard the riverboat, dress is resort casual. Items such as slacks and collared shirts are appropriate for men. For women, slacks, a dress or a skirt and blouse are suitable. For dinner and throughout the evening, guests should refrain from wearing shorts, t-shirts, jeans, sandals, flip-flops or sneakers. Your journey also includes one or two special occasion dinners, where a sport coat and tie for gentlemen and a dress/pantsuit for ladies are suggested."
Apparel is the most frequently discussed item about river cruises on this forum. Lots of opinions on it. In my experience (2 cruises - 1 summer, 1 fall) most nights men wore slacks (not jeans) and some sort of collared shirt. In the summer that was typically a knit golf shirt. In Oct it was a plain or plaid long sleeve shirt. For the welcome/farewell dinners (special occasion dinners), there was a range from sport coat, tie and slacks (dressiest) to a long sleeve dress shirt, dress slacks, tie and/or pullover sweater.
I understand that on the big ocean going ships this occurs but river cruises are different. For one the number of passengers are much smaller - Tauck max is 130 on the new ships and the older ships are going to go down to 98 starting next year. Couple that with the all inclusive cruise prices (i.e. you're paying for unlimited drinks) and the likely number of attendees is going to be small. Also river cruising has a very different pace - your day is filled with guided tours, time to explore locations on your own, the occasional information talk by one of the TD's, etc that there just isn't much time. When possible I think they arrange the actual underway cruising time to night so that you wake up in a new location.
If being around alcohol is a problem for someone I'd avoid a river cruise. The only public spaces are the lounge and the bistro - both of which provide bar service. Even on the sun deck waiters come by and ask if you want something so even there you'll likely be around drinkers - especially in the late afternoon when the days sightseeing is done.