056: Smoking on River Cruise Ships, Staying Active, & Itinerary Changes

I sat down with Kristin Karst, co-owner of luxury river cruise company AmaWaterways, to find out what's new on the rivers for next year.  Kristin reveals more about their soon-to-launch double-wide river ship built solely for the Danube river.  

This week we talk with Doug Parker from Cruise Radio about his very first river cruise. Find out what he learned from his lack of research. 

This week's episode catches up on the new river ships set to launch this year. From Europe to the USA, new river ships are taking on a new look.   Not sure what Europe river cruise shore excursions to choose? Curious about Keukenhof? Here's a rundown on several extra-special shore excursions, most of which are included in the price of your river cruise.  

A cruise along Scotland's west coast is truly a bucket list vacation. Step aboard Argyll Cruising's eight-passenger Splendour and set sail from Holy Loch, one of Scotland's most picturesque ports.  Argyll Cruising is family-owned and operated by the Duncans and everyone pitches in. Meet Jamie Duncan and learn about their unique, hand-picked itineraries, remote places you'll visit and the gourmet cuisine prepared by Chef Mike.

A lower Danube river cruise is like stepping back in time to the Cold War era, when the entire region was under Communist rule. Beginning in Bucharest, Romania and cruising upriver to Vienna, the transformation from Eastern to Western culture is clearly noticeable.  River cruiser Rusty Pickett describes his first Danube river cruise experience, what he enjoyed most along the route and why it's such a unique and interesting river cruise.     

This week we hear from Annie Rudolph who just returned from her first Tauck luxury river cruise.  From Prague to Budapest, Annie talks about her first impressions of Tauck's MS Savor, life aboard and all of the special, exclusive Tauck events in cities on their river cruise.  Ever wonder what it's really like to cruise aboard a truly all-inclusive river ship? Annie tells all plus what you can expect for shore excursions, night-time events and dining aboard MS Savor.   For more information and everything you need to know about river cruises, visit GuideToRiverCruising.com Have a question or just completed a river cruise? Contact me at [email protected]  

Did you know there's a new river cruise line only for Millennials?  This and more river cruise news about new ships for next year...who's building what and where they'll cruise. Embarkation day doesn't have to be stressful.  Here's some advice and suggestions about embarking on your river ship as well as what to expect when you get there.   When it's time to make the decision to choose your river cruise itinerary, sometimes it helps to know what you might expect depending upon the season that you choose to go. For more information on river cruising that includes podcast descriptions and related articles, visit GuideToRiver Cruising.com  

This week we answer more of your listener question. Sherry Kennedy from GuidetoRiverCruising.com answers them.  Are there any times during the year that river cruise lines offer great deals?  How do I know what river I should go on, to be honest, they all seem the same to me! If I'm a single cruiser, how can I avoid getting charged that dreaded single supplement fee?  Any tips for picking a cabin?  International terrorism is stopping me from taking my family to Europe. How are the river cruise lines ensuring guest safety?  Any advice on picking a river cruise through Holland/time of year to go? Questions? [email protected] 

Sherry Kennedy from GuideToRiverCruising.com stops by to answer more of your listener questions.  1. Are all river cruise ships alike?  2. Is it easy to gain weight on a river cruise?    3. What are some good ways to stay active on a river cruise?    4. What is the smoking policy on a river cruise?     5. What happens if the river levels are too high or too low?   6. I'm flying in on the morning of my cruise, how early can I arrive for embarkation? 

This week we answer some of your questions about river cruising. Sherry Kennedy from GuideToRiverCruising.com takes the hot seat.  1. Categories of river cruises? 2. When to river cruise? 3. What is life like onboard? 4. Is all inclusive really all inclusive? 5. How does the gratuity program play out? 6. Do people get seasick?  Thoughts or comments? [email protected]