I'm not actually sure where to post this ... it's not Regent, but I'm becoming everly more hopeful that it WILL be B&K escorted!

Al and I have wanted for quite some time to see more of Eastern Europe. A river trip seems like the best bet. We have been looking at something like Amsterdam to Budapest, but would also like to include Prague and/or Istanbul.

For a while now I've been nagging (OK, 'nagging' isn't a nice word, let's say 'encouraging') Ngaire to escort such a group. Admittedly my motives are selfish -- the trips are SO much more fun with a good group, and Ngaire ALWAYS has a good group!

I think she's on the hook -- oooops -- 'likely convinced'!

Who else might be interested? We're looking at fall of 2010. Yes, that's a ways out. However many of us already have 2009 heavily booked, and the river trips sell out quickly. The line that seems most appealing so far is Amadeus. It seems smart to go 18 months ahead to get what we want.

If you are interested, please respond. I think Ngaire would like an indication of how many might make up such a group. I know Al and I are hoping many of you might join us.

Here's to fall of 2010!

Betty

Betty, I have been interested in a Danube cruise for many years. This is the itinerary I would like to see. Is this something you were thinking about? (This is from the Amadeus site.)

Day Destination
Day 1 Overnight flight to Hungary
Day 2 Budapest Transfer to hotel
Day 3 Budapest City tour
Day 4 Budapest Embarkation
Day 5 Bratislava
Day 6 Vienna
Day 7 Dürnstein Melk
Day 8 Linz Passau
Day 9 Regensburg
Day 10 Hilpoltstein Nuremberg
Day 11 Nuremberg Prague Disembark
Transfer to Prague
Day 12 Prague
Day 13 Prague
Day 14 Prague

Hard to say at this stage, but this looks like something I could be interested in.

We too have been thinking a River Cruise might be a great way to see Cities that aren't on a regular cruise itinerary. Amadeus is definitely one of the better River Cruise companies, although there are several out there.

I think we'd be definitely interested. There are some great 14 night cruises that go between Amsterdam and Budapest that sound really interesting. Also there are some as mentioned above that are 7 night cruise, plus 2 or 3 nights on each end.

We are cruising with Amadeus on their new vessel, Amacello, Sept. 2008. Beth, we are taking that exact itinerary - Danube Discovery, including a pre stay for 4 nights in Budapest, 1 post night in Prague.

When considering a river cruise, it's best to keep in mind that river cruising is not ocean cruising. It is, however, a great option for a slower pace and viewing the beautiful sights along the river you are cruising along. We loved our Deilmann river cruise along the Seine in 2006. Now we are going to give Amadeus a try this year.

As B&K does not handle river cruise bookings, I did some research and found a reputable agency that offers some nice discounting.

River cruising is really growing in popularity. In fact, I read in a trade magazine several weeks ago that a new line is preparing to launch, that will be boutique, all-suite and will cater to an upscale market. It's imperative that you book early. We did and were happy we did so. Our cruise has been sold out for months.

I'll really be eager to hear your impressions after you've cruised Amadeus, Denise, especially since you've also been on Deilmann. Do you have any idea what the name of the new line is or when it will launch?

Beth, that's definately one of the itineraries we're looking at. It looks like most of their river itineraries that start or end in Nuremburg include nights in Prague. However starting or ending in Nuremburg makes the Amsterdam-to-Nuremburg leg more difficult. Possibly there will be some combination of itineraries so individuals can pick and choose which suits them best.

I'm glad there seems to be some interest. Hopefully as details become clearer we'll get a fun-size group. By planning this far in advance we should be able to get a block of cabins on the ship.

Keep the comments & ideas coming! This is something new to us.

Betty

Betty - there is a 16 day that goes between Amsterdam and Budapest, but it doesn't go to Prague and it is 14 nights on the boat, which might be a lot (wouldn't be for us, but I'm sure it might for some people). Another thing maybe to consider, is that if you end in Budapest,many of the flights out, at least to some destinations, are very early in the morning, like 6:30, and it means getting off the boat like 4:00 in the morning to get to the airport, so it might be better to begin in Budapest and end somewhere else. For Amadeus, this tour is called the Magnificent Europe, and you have an overnight onboard both in Amsterdam and Budapest. There is also another one between Budapest and Paris (Trier) with 2 nights in Budapest and 3 nights in Paris. Also with Amadeus, there are three ways to book, cruise portion only, cruise/land portion and cruise/land and air, so that does offer some options. Just a little additional information I have found while doing some research, and I'm sure you have found much of the same.

Betty, That was just one of the itineraries I was interested in. I am flexible, though.

JoAnn, Thanks for the heads up on the Budapest air. I always wanted to start in Budapest since I hoped I'd have the most energy at the beginning of the trip.

I would be interested in the fall of 2010, though noy perfectly sure.

Depending upon the date we may be interested. I have looked in to river cruises, but I was looking later in fall to be able to get to the many German Christmas festivals and bazaars.

Len and I may be interested, but probably only if the itinerary was 7 days. (It's getting harder and harder to get a pet sitter for two full weeks or more.)

Andrea

We did Budapest to the Black Sea on Viking(through Slovakia,Serbia,Romania, Bulgaria,Croatia) and back to Venice (14 days) a few years ago. We thought it was a great trip--the tours in these Eastern European countries were really interesting, the boat was nice and the food was great. We'd definitely do another river cruise with a Ngaire group, but we'd want to do more than just seven days. I wouldn't be too interested if the cruise line was European and we had to pay in Euros--unless the exchange rate improves significantly.

We would definitely be interested in a group river cruise. Put our name on the list for 2010.

I dont look at off topic posts so going to get Karen to move this to perhaps a new thread.

2010 Possibilities.

This reminds me of how I started Africa. Olivia cornered me on a balcony until I agreed to Roar.

Love Al and Betty and enjoy travelling with them so much, Ken has always wanted to go to Budapest and Prague. Betty started talking about it and I think we will probably do this.

Will do some investigation and report back at a later date. Amadeus looks the best bet so far, larger cabins and new ships. Still have a lot of research to do before we finally decide of course. I do know with Amadeus a group is limited in size to 20 cabins and with 30 people a private bus and guide for all tours. That sounds good.

We might be interested fall of 2010 -

We've been wanting to do Amsterdam to Budapest or reverse. Get enough of us and we'll force Ngaire to do it as she indicated. Best times are just before or after summer vacations so the weather is still good but the tourist crowds are much less.
Jim

If the schedule is right we were thinking September time frame once kids are all back in school and Europe calms down.

The new river cruise line is Jewel River cruises.

"On April 5, 2008, a brand new company known as Jewel River Cruises, launches the maiden voyage of the ms Jewel Imperial Blue along France’s River Seine. Former Silversea CEO Albert Peter aims to bring the 'Silversea touch' to European river cruising"

You can google this new company find lots of articles, be interesting to see how this develops - quotes 7 days starting at $5,129K

http://www.jewelrivercruises.com/

Huge jump in pricing from other river cruise lines.

Standard cabins 215 square feet, old ships refurbished not new ships.

Carol and I would also be interested as long as trip does not extend too far into October. Lots to learn of course. Would want an experience as close as possible to Regent. 14 days or at least 10 would be our preference.

And I was ready to corner Ngaire on a balcony on the Whisper to do a river cruise, as I am running out of places at the top of my list done by Regent! I have been looking into this ever since I wanted to do a Yangze (sp?) river cruise in China several years ago, and after Denise had such a good time on her first Deilmann cruise.

Put me on the list, Ngaire!

Ngaire mentioned this to me on our flight home from Santiago and I asked her to put us on the list too.

We've been to some of these cities ourselves and loved them. Positively put Tom and I on the list too. I just hope the price won't be as high as Regent pricing. 7 or 10 days is fine with us....we can always tack on pre or post days if we want to extend.

We would be interested in Fall also. Also 7-10 days, any more than that becomes too difficult with work obligations. Is is possible we will finally be on an LCT trip?
------------------
Helen

Put us on the list too. Hopefully it will all work out. We like anywhere from a 7-14 day cruise, or as Marcie said can always add on some land.

We took an Amadeus river cruise (our first ever) from Budapest to Prague (7 nights on ship with 4 nights planned by ourselves pre and post) last September. We loved the ship and would definitely travel on it again. With just 148 passengers and all this interest already, LCT could really rock the boat (sorry for the pun). Crew was great, touring was wonderful, and food was okay (certainly not the CR). Linda & Larry

Put us on the list, too! I'd love to do something like this, and we are wide open for 2010!

I'll tell you what, cornering Ngaire can add all kinds of adventures to life.

Since Linda & Larry liked Amadeus and we'll hear back from Denise & Alan's experience....is this a boat (or do we call it a ship?) to consider ? Doesn't seem like we should be locked into Jewels River Cruises or any particular company in this very early planning stage.

Marcie - in my limited experience with clients, Amadeus is one of the best, nice decor, nice cabins (definitely not RSSC type) good food. There are other options out there, but Amadeus consistently gets good press so to speak from clients. I think its called a boat, but not sure. :) One of the things to consider and a good reason for very early planning, is that they only carry maybe 150 give or take passengers in general, and they would probably limit the number of cabins a group could block and they tend to sell out pretty quickly. Now thats not 100%, and I haven't ever tried to do a large group, but I have sometimes had problems just getting individuals on a given sailing.
I think this is one of those situations where advance planning will be key.

We are not locked in to anything Marcie. It is going to take me some time to do due diligence and figure out what option is best. Group policies, pricing, cabin size, reputation, itineraries must all play into the final decision. We have tons of time the schedules wont even be out for a year yet. I will be working on that project in the coming months.

Jewel River Cruises is brand new not even sailing yet. They may get good or bad reviews. THe first season is open only to Europeans. FAR more expensive at this point, so not sure that they will turn out to be one we would consider.

There is no doubt that Amadeus is the "front runner" right now. Newer ships with larger cabins. Not had enough time to really do research yet but this was the conclusion Betty came up with and with just a few hours in checking things out I also feel that at this time it looks best. I have been in touch with the representative so will learn more in the near future.

The itinerary will be one that includes Budapest and will plan on doing Prague pre or post.

Put us on the interested list, please. One can never start planning another trip too soon! cheers, Anne

We're interested, too, so add us to the list. We've been wanting to try a river cruise. This might be our chance.

Please add us to the list as well!

Gail and I are interested too. We were thinking of doing Prague when we did the Baltics, but this sounds better.

-------------

Eugene

Hi.

I'd love to see this part of the world. Put me on the interested list, too, please.

Marcia

Ngaire -

You can add my mom and I to the list as well. Would love you join a group with you and Ken again.

Tina

Greetings from Manaus....please put Ray and Pat on the list...2010 is still wide open for us so far. WE DID Amsterdam to Switzerland years ago in October....rain ..rain.. more rain. LOL

Please put me and my husband Larry on the interested list.

Nancy

Pls put Ray & Penny on the interested list.

Cheers! Ray

Haven't checked with the 'boss'(Michael) yet but could be interested. The only drawback is I've been to all of these places but by coach - could be an entirely different experience by river. Friends have just completed a tour and loved it. I loved Budapest and Prague. Lee

Add us to the interested list.
Jim & Pat

This would be great, add us to the list please.

Carolyn and Don