European River Cruise

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nzkiwiman

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#238026 29-Jun-2018 15:00

Looks like I am heading over to Europe in a few months with my father to do a river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam, which should be fun as it will be my first time heading to Europe

Has anyone here done the "Magnificent Europe" cruise and can advise me what to expect?
We are sadly going "cattle class" as the cost for the next step up was significantly more expensive.

Haven't quite worked out how we are getting to Budapest and how we get home after Amsterdam, but I am trying to fit in a detour to London .. sadly limited by the amount of time I can take off work - approx 20 business days, with the cruise taking 15 days from that schedule.. Anyone got suggestions?

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#2046058 29-Jun-2018 15:00

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BlueShift

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#2046062 29-Jun-2018 15:17

I haven't done a river cruise, but I recommend getting to Budapest a couple of days ahead of the cruise to let you get on top of the jet-lag, and to allow for any problems with flights or strayed luggage.

Nothing worse than missing the boat because your flight arrived 12 hours late and your luggage 8 hours after that. My son just spent an extra 12 hours travel time on a flight to LA which ended up going through Dallas with some luggage not arriving until 2 days later, so getting to Budapest may give more opportunities for problems.

Or less bad, but still no fun, being zonked on the first couple of days because your body is certain that its actually 3 in the morning, not lunchtime.

You can fit in a lot in 2-3 days in London though. Stay fairly close in (we got an apartment in Earl's Court), get a card for public transport, also a day ticket on a hop on hop off tour is good value. Get tickets for a show in the West End. Many of the interesting bits of London are in walking distance of each other from Trafalgar Square.

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#2046252 29-Jun-2018 23:07

Which month? Remember the seasons are the other way around.

nzkiwiman

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#2047286 2-Jul-2018 10:46

Turns out the tour agent already booked us in for a night in Budapest before the tour started; so that side is covered.

Heading over in October/November so I am aware it will be getting colder (or will already be cold)

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#2047586 2-Jul-2018 15:23

nzkiwiman:

Turns out the tour agent already booked us in for a night in Budapest before the tour started; so that side is covered.

Heading over in October/November so I am aware it will be getting colder (or will already be cold)

It will be chilly by then, especially at night. Budapest averages for November are a high of 8C and a low of 1C.

trig42

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#2047597 2-Jul-2018 15:37

Does your river cruise include a flight credit or flights? A lot of them do (though, I think it is still probably better to organise your own flights).

We have looked at doing the Budapest to Amsterdam Cruise (and yes, in October, Nov it will be cold, but still pretty). Friends of ours just completed one in Bordeaux. They said it was great, but when I asked if they'd do it again, they said probably not as they would probably just organise something themselves to stay in a few of the places. They also said that they were probably the youngest aboard (they are in their early 50s).

They did say the cruise was great, as everything is included - food, drinks and shore tours, and the boats are very comfortable. They are quite expensive for the 10 or so days, but when you count all the inclusions, not too bad.

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nzkiwiman

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#2047724 2-Jul-2018 17:12

Negative on the flights; they are additional.

I'm pretty sure I will be the youngest person on board, but its probably going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to go on something like this
I have a feeling I may be bored at night, but if I can load up the phone with archived Netflix, it should be ok

rscole86

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#2047831 2-Jul-2018 19:41

I have been to Budapest a couple of times, and going back early December this year. First time we trained in via Prague, otherwise we are flying British Airways to/from Heathrow. This is in part due to our connecting flights from LA or Singapore. BA was a little more than some of the cheaper airlines, but Heathrow has the tube going direct to London, where some of the other London airports with flights to Budapest can be a little harder/longer to get to/from. Also some flights ended up costing more by the time you added on bags etc.

Check out Kayak.com or similar websites for flight options, just select 'London All Airports'. We have booked directly via BA rather than use travel agents.

Ive got a mate who did one of the river tours around 5 years ago, he loved it, and was around his late 20s.

nzkiwiman

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#2049698 5-Jul-2018 12:16

Flights are booked in; Dad had a "requirement" to use an airline that was partnered with his Qantas frequent flyer card, so we are flying Emirates Auckland to Budapest via Dubai (and then back home from Gatwick to Auckland via Dubai). I am not looking forward to these long 17 hour flights as I can't sleep on planes at all but upgrading to business class was just too hard on the wallet.

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#2050352 6-Jul-2018 10:52

nzkiwiman:

... I can't sleep on planes at all ...

Zopiclone, a glass of wine, noise-cancelling headphones and an eye mask work for me.

Sometimes I use big words I don't always fully understand in an effort to make myself sound more photosynthesis.

trig42

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#2050384 6-Jul-2018 11:26

nzkiwiman:

Flights are booked in; Dad had a "requirement" to use an airline that was partnered with his Qantas frequent flyer card, so we are flying Emirates Auckland to Budapest via Dubai (and then back home from Gatwick to Auckland via Dubai). I am not looking forward to these long 17 hour flights as I can't sleep on planes at all but upgrading to business class was just too hard on the wallet.

I'm the same on Planes. We flew London (though it was Heathrow - are you sure you are Gatwick?) - Dubai - Auckland.

The plane would have only been about 2/3rds full (downstairs anyway), so it was pretty easy to stretch out. The crew do not mind you shifting around (we did it before take off). The A380 is a really comfy plane. Get some noise cancelling headphones though.

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lxsw20

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#2050423 6-Jul-2018 12:25

Emirates do fly into Gatwick also. It's easy enough to get a train to either London Bridge or Victoria from Gatwick, long as you don't fly in at stupid o'clock.

trig42

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#2050440 6-Jul-2018 13:00

OK, that's cool. Wouldn't want anyone to go to the wrong airport though.

nzkiwiman

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#2050645 6-Jul-2018 16:00

I was slightly wrong; the flights are now fully booked in - I'll know the information when I get home

Dunedin - Auckland (Jetstar *shudder*)

Auckland - Dubai - Budapest (Emirates)

Budapest - Amsterdam (Cruise)

Amsterdam - London (flying, unknown airline)

London - Dubai - Auckland (Emirates)

Auckland - Dunedin (Jetstar, again *shudder*)

We had the option of coming back from London via Singapore however while it did break down the 6 + 17 hour flight into slight better 12 + 10 hour flights, it added an extra night in Auckland ..
I also can't get a new Pokemon for the collection in Singapore but I can in Dubai

My few hours in Dubai has me wondering - what is the WiFi like at the airport and can I use it to play Pokemon Go?

nzkiwiman

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#2112667 23-Oct-2018 12:46

*sigh*

On Friday, 5 minutes to 5pm the travel agent called
Cruise had been cancelled due to low/no water on the rivers in Europe thanks to a very hot summer.

Spent 3 hours at the travel agent discussing alternatives .. decided on a bus tour of a different part of Europe departing in a few weeks so spent a few thousand changing the flights around to accomodate the change.
Dad still wants to do a river cruise though..

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