21 күн бұрын
2 ай бұрын
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@mokeyandabandit 19 сағат бұрын
Great info, thank you!! subscribed.
@DileepB 2 күн бұрын
we have been on one Princess and one Holland America cruise because of the itinerary, but we prefer Celebrity.
@askarealtravelexpert Күн бұрын
We have a soft spot in ur hearts for Celebrity
@Paradise-on-Earth 3 күн бұрын
What a fascinating idea! Thank you!!
@askarealtravelexpert 3 күн бұрын
You are so welcome!
@seventeenavenue-h8i 3 күн бұрын
I loved everything that Barb said about Explora Journeys. In fact, it resonated so much with me that I called Barb and booked the Explora 1 cruise with her. Barb has been excellent to deal with and is exactly as she presents on video. She is very knowledgeable and helpful, and although I am the type to plan all my own trips from start to finish, I decided to get Barb to book it for me for a special celebration I was planning. I would absolutely recommend using Barb if you are contemplating booking any cruises!
@askarealtravelexpert 3 күн бұрын
Barb was a pleasure to interview and a true travel expert
@greytravels4311 3 күн бұрын
I'm booked on this cruise this next February 2025. Does Atlas give you any time in Ushuaia to walk around before you have to board the ship? I would like to purchase items to bring back to friends and hate cruise shop prices :). Thanks
@craigborgardt6396 4 күн бұрын
Our last two Uniworld ships in France and on the Rhine had max 124 people. Viking dining rooms were reported to be excessively noisy by friends who like us having some hearing issues. Maybe it's the # of diners or how the rooms are built to reduce ambient noise but it's important to us.
@askarealtravelexpert Күн бұрын
Oh man , we hear you about the noise factor in some dining rooms. (It's an any restaurant peeve of mine). Not sure if its a Viking structural thing or the number of passenger but 60 plus more folks in a dining room will definitely make a difference.
@craigborgardt6396 4 күн бұрын
We've done Uniworld Europe twice and continue because of all-inclusivity even though we are not big alcohol consumers. Uniworld offers significant incentives to return to sail with them and along with their top-notch service, food and BOTH free and optional shore excursions. We've only done one where we paid extra and even that one was not exorbitant. I'd perhaps like to try Ama once but that could be difficult price-wise. Friends who've sailed with Viking complained about the very noisy dining rooms....Uniworld has their DR's well insulated and the sound is not at all a bother and I have bad ears where such is noticeable. Our one and only dismay with Uniworld was that we could not visit the Versailles Palace on our Paris to Normandy cruise. They only had so many tickets and could not obtain more. We figured out quickly how to never allow that to happen: At the first ship's meeting, sit in the back near the exit and be the first in line at the service desk to arrange any trips that are optional, desirable and popular. Food choices dropped just a TAD between 2018 and post-COVID 2023 but not enough to warrant changing ships. We will see on our upcoming trip to Bordeaux whether it's back up to previous standards....if not, it may be the reason we try Ama next year.
@monikamichaelis-iw3to 5 күн бұрын
On silversea cruises there were no anklebiters on board.
@askarealtravelexpert Күн бұрын
You are correct you not going to find a lot of kids on Silversea although they do allow for children there are no programs or services for young children as a result you don't see many. That plus the cost. :-)
@debbietaylor1703 6 күн бұрын
Sure is hard to call Regent an Ultra-luxury when they encourage kids. We loved Regent until this year and we were surrounded by Children. They tout the included airfare but since Covid, they don't give you a good choice for airfare. They took us west when going east and then past our state going west. Twenty-one hours to get home when it should have been 14. You can change the airfare but they charge more to do so. How can it be luxury when they book two stops? It is a beautiful cruise line and the children and bad airfare booking has changed it.
@askarealtravelexpert Күн бұрын
Negotiated air contracts have been getting worse since the in recent years so I guess it comes down to keeping the overall price point of a cruise within range at the sacrifice of quality air not a great choice in our opinion. Interesting comment with regard to kids what time of year did you sail exactly? Summer and holiday season are bound to attract more kids as more and more families want the multi generational experience. The luxury cruise lines are now looking to fill that need.
@faithmoore7520 8 күн бұрын
do a vidio on these three regent, silver sea or ocieina
@askarealtravelexpert Күн бұрын
Hi Faith have you seen this on kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hq6gmtqg2Mi7cmQ.html
@SportsBoss999 11 күн бұрын
I wish I could afford a luxury cruise, but my finances don't allow for it. But it was very interesting to listen. Lola really knows her stuff! I'm an older person and am going on my very first cruise in just 2 months. Can't wait! It appears that it's affordable, comfortable, and enjoyable. Can't ask for too much more than that. I like good food, relaxing entertainment, and lounging around the pool area to take in the sights and look out on the water. Thank you for this video. It was a good listen. But holy crap - $18,000 for a couple in a luxury suite? Wow. I'm spending $3,000 for my cruise, which includes my flight and a hotel stay. No wonder it's an all-included cost. That cake must have cost a grand then.
@askarealtravelexpert 9 күн бұрын
You will have a great time on your first cruise even at $3000
@larrykeitges5736 13 күн бұрын
We have been on two viking riverboat cruises with free air. Stayed in main cabin for under 2500 each including tips.
@askarealtravelexpert 9 күн бұрын
Excellent value
@DileepB 14 күн бұрын
All excursions on all river cruises are not included. Take Viking for example.
@askarealtravelexpert 9 күн бұрын
Exactly Viking allows for a more Ala Carte experince
@DileepB 15 күн бұрын
On our Viking Danube River cruise we had to walk through AMA or Uniworld boats.
@askarealtravelexpert 9 күн бұрын
Interesting normally Viking is the closest in as they actually own some of the docks
@DileepB 9 күн бұрын
@@askarealtravelexpert epends on who gets there first.
@DileepB 15 күн бұрын
AMA often has morning and evening included excursions on most cruises.
@askarealtravelexpert 9 күн бұрын
They also seem to have a wider variety of choice.
@Paradise-on-Earth 17 күн бұрын
And a special thanks to Lola! What a gift!
@askarealtravelexpert 16 күн бұрын
You are so kind
@Paradise-on-Earth 17 күн бұрын
Ken, again, this was awesome!! I had informed myself quite well already when I asked for a clip about the topic. But you did it again- find the perfect expert, and let me learn so many new tips and inspirations. WOW!!! THANK YOU so much!!! You never disappoint!
@askarealtravelexpert 16 күн бұрын
Lola is super
@billdeibner7105 18 күн бұрын
My teenage kids always had fun on Celebrity
@askarealtravelexpert 16 күн бұрын
We had ours on Millennium about 20 years back. Not quite teenagers but close, a couple of them had way to much fun on the first day.
@patricksp71 20 күн бұрын
Having Just come back from a TAUCK BRIDGES Danube River Cruise( we had only 102 on our boat), Which is the family river cruise, We looked at Adventures by Disney but that was 5 thousand more not thier ship, TAUCK, it’s thier ship, Guides etc. it really is 1st class, Top Shelf Beer Wine and Champagne (Local Wine was always offered at Dinner along with Local Beer) on Tauck, They made sure my son 11 was comfortable, they had game nights and a Pizza Party for Kids only at dinner, They had excursions planned for families, My son got to cut an apple with a sword, saw a Marionette show, The Formal night at the palace they had the Kids Dancing with each other. If was fantastic. I let the steward what Dinks we wanted in the mini fridge and it was full every day. You could either order off the menu or eat at the buffet and the buffet was geared more for the kids, Pizza, chicken nuggets, Spaghetti. They Chef had local sourced food and menu. The cabanara made with fresh pasta that was put in a cheese wheel after it was melted was amazing. I really felt like I was a 5 Star Hotel that followed use on the river. When we stopped for a rest stop and the Tour Guides had bathroom tickets, because in Europe you need to pay for the bathroom visit. They think of everything.
@askarealtravelexpert 19 күн бұрын
Wow high praise thanks for the min review.
@patricksp71 20 күн бұрын
Having Just come back from a TAUCK BRIDGES Danube River Cruise, Which is the family river cruise, We looked at Adventures by Disney but that was 5 thousand more not thier ship, TAUCK, it’s thier ship, Guides etc. it really is 1st class, Top Shelf Beer Wine and Champagne (Local Wine was always offered at Dinner along with Local Beer) on Tauck, They made sure my son 11 was comfortable, they had game nights and a Pizza Party for Kids only at dinner, They had excursions planned for families, My son got to cut an apple with a sword, saw a Marionette show, The Formal night at the palace they had the Kids Dancing with each other. If was fantastic. I let the steward what Dinks we wanted in the mini fridge and it was full every day. You could either order off the menu or eat at the buffet and the buffet was geared more for the kids, Pizza, chicken nuggets, Spaghetti. They Chef had local sourced food and menu. The cabanara made with fresh pasta that was put in a cheese wheel after it was melted was amazing. I really felt like I was a 5 Star Hotel that followed use on the river.
@askarealtravelexpert 19 күн бұрын
We are goin to interview Tauck stay tuned
@Paradise-on-Earth 22 күн бұрын
Fantastic info! So inspiring and helpful for us, who love to travel as 3 generations! ...I loved you speaking about how wonderful it is to "raise the first round and now spoil the second"... exactly. Exactly!!
@askarealtravelexpert 19 күн бұрын
That's what grandchildren are for. Nothing better then seeing the wonder in their eyes
@Paradise-on-Earth 22 күн бұрын
Wonderful soothing info. And wonderful wise advice... "Just go, and enjoy the Adventure!" 👍 That is what travel, and LIFE, really is.
@askarealtravelexpert 19 күн бұрын
Absolutely!
@suzyinstitches273 22 күн бұрын
I would totally hate being bussed everywhere when the plan was to be on a ship.
@loumello8813 22 күн бұрын
We did the Christmas Markets cruise with Avalon last December on the Danube and it was right after 17 inches of snow which resulted in the river being WAY too high. They bussed us to the towns we were scheduled to go to and gave us 30 Euro per person every day to cover extra lunches etc. After three days we bussed everyone to Vienna for two days and then to Budapest for 2 days. Only one couple decided not to do the trip, but, everyone else stayed and it was fine. You just need to be flexible and enjoy.
@suzyinstitches273 22 күн бұрын
But sitting on a bus for hours on end is a lot different than being on a cruise. Probably not nearly as relaxing.
@askarealtravelexpert 19 күн бұрын
To pardon the pun you just have to go with the flow!. No sense letting it ruin you vacation.
@lesliedonnelly6596 24 күн бұрын
What about the Grand. Circle cruise line?
@askarealtravelexpert 19 күн бұрын
Good point let us check into that.
@lindamacarthur8754 Ай бұрын
Does princess have single events and solo balcony rooms
@askarealtravelexpert 25 күн бұрын
Princess has solo rooms on Sun Princess not sure if they are balconies. You can certainly book a balcony as a single by paying a single supplement. They do have singles events.
@dogzdad123 Ай бұрын
We're planning an adventure for Fall 2026. Been Viking guests on German river-based cruises, and thoroughly had a great time. Never been to Portugal/Spain. This video is great, but it's soooo much information, that it's challenging to keep who's who and what's what. We're open to exploring other cruise lines. Wish there was a "spreadsheet" type comparison chart to make an informative decision on this pricey vacation. Thanks again for your video.
@askarealtravelexpert 25 күн бұрын
Spreadsheet is a great idea as a former travel advisor I had one but the issue was keeping it up to date.
@bftime1 Ай бұрын
AS the summers become hotter and hotter American Cruise Line will have to start putting swimming pools on their sun decks! Luxury River Ships already offer this!
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Agreed
@PaulSchmidt-hy7ht Ай бұрын
Unfair comparison as tauck is luxury versus viking is basic cheap cruise .
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Tauck is definitely luxury ⛴
@dougmacmillan1712 27 күн бұрын
I think they are pointing out what you get for the different levels. You are right about Viking being a basic cheap cruise. I hope those who watch PBS and see those Viking ads aren't sucked in and expect the cruise to look like that. Notice you never see more than two or three couples in a shot. The reality is that you'll be herded around in groups of 30 or more. We paid an extra $150.00 for a wine tasting excursion in the Moselle region. We were promised four wine tastings. We have been to numerous wine tasting both in the US and abroad, so we were expecting to go to four wineries. No, we were taken to a retail shop in the middle of a town. They had a basement with a few wine casks lying around and we tried four sips of their wine choices. We were then quickly hustled upstairs where they tried to sell us their very overpriced and mediocre quality wine. Even Viking's "cheap" cruises are expensive when you add in all the hidden costs. We travel independently and six months before we went with friends on the VRC Rhine cruise we went to the heart of Tuscany and stayed in an agriturismo. We were gone for the same length of time. We had a car and took Walks of Italy tours in Rome and Florence. Including our airfare, the VRC was THREE TIMES more expensive than our wonderful vacation in Chianti. Plus we didn't have to endure the several drunks and jerks that sailed with us.
@PaulSchmidt-hy7ht Ай бұрын
You should have compared Tauck with AMA WATERWAYS and Scenic...better comparison..
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Agreed that would make a great comparison stay tuned.
@mfung7757 Ай бұрын
Very informative!
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Thanks
@janh.4479 Ай бұрын
Great comparison and information!! Thanks!!
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@sandywashko-uf6ye Ай бұрын
Tips included?
@askarealtravelexpert 25 күн бұрын
Yes tips are included according to tier website
@ryanm7171 Ай бұрын
I also have this river cruise on my bucket list as someone who appreciates Canadian history. I wish you would have asked her about solo travel options. You usually are really good at asking about the needs of the solo and the disabled community, which I appreciate.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Thanks for watching I appreciate the tip. AmaWaterways does have solo travel options but it very much depends on the departure date and the itinerary to how good they are. For example on some select sailings they will go as far as waiving the solo supplement.
@cruisecrazy7066 Ай бұрын
Don't just talk about it.....SHOW me, if you have been there.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
❤️
@orenwolfe6506 Ай бұрын
Please include discussion of how the lines handle times when things don't go according to plan. We have cruised with Viking several times, and have experienced events where things did not go according to script thru no fault of Viking. Viking managed very difficult situations exceptionally well, leaving me with the idea that "When things go according to plan, anybody can look good. When things go off script, Viking looks VERY good!" Also, no kids on Viking.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Great suggestion stay tuned
@Paradise-on-Earth Ай бұрын
awesome!! Thanks so much to both of you! <3
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
😀
@mindybaker7761 Ай бұрын
The resorts are truly an extension of the parks! Such a great experience added to any WDW vacation!
@christy3448 Ай бұрын
100 percent!!
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
😀
@kathyb1011 Ай бұрын
Im booked on Regent and all the free excursions are booked out on the second day the excursions opened. One excursion allowed 12 people on it. Ridiculous.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Wow that's unfortunate have you tried wait listing as what's happening is people are sitting on more then they will use.☹
@LaurieBixler Ай бұрын
Thanks Lauren. Very great information.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
@Em_Dee_Aitch Ай бұрын
Wow. She’s the expert, and she didn’t know the name of “Spice H2O, and the fact that it isn’t only on the Epic….
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
😕
@LuxuryVacationsTravelGroup Ай бұрын
Great Video. Very informative. They are a great up and coming brand.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Yes they are!
@LuxuryVacationsTravelGroup Ай бұрын
@askarealtravelexpert I am a TA, started promoting the brand and getting the word out.
@Paradise-on-Earth Ай бұрын
I am amazed. I had no idea about Riverside (which is exactly what I like- especially with having a big family), and I am a German! Wonderful knowledgable comparison by Lauren- and Ken, you did it again: Your choice of content is SO inspiring!!
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Thanks Elke we have to come visit you wonderful country soon
@Ivehadenuff Ай бұрын
My Regent cruise has 2 days at each port. That means on the first day in port you can do a twilight cruise and not worry about getting back. You don’t worry about missing the trip because the first 2 days are at the same port. At the end, you don’t have to worry about getting back to port on time because you get there the day before. I am seeing what a great advantage it is to have fewer ports, but more time at each.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Thanks for the comment
@Ivehadenuff Ай бұрын
I don’t see the attraction of cooking classes. I am a good cook but I can watch videos to learn new skills. I only signed up for a cooking class because it was an excursion to a beautiful place and it was at my activity level.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
I love to cook as well but not sure it would be my first choice on vacation 👍
@Ivehadenuff Ай бұрын
My sister loved the Regent’s vegan dishes they prepared just for her, with no extra charge.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
That is awesome!
@Ivehadenuff Ай бұрын
On Regent, the best shore excursions cost extra, but not as much if you booked separately from an independent company.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Good to know
@bobohara3974 Ай бұрын
We typically book 3 to 6 months out. Never had an issue getting what we wanted, or shall I say if we don't find what we want we just pivot to a different destination or cruise line. Booking 2 years out is super risky and at some point, just like all the other Covid inflated silliness and Lemming over-compensation, this too will begin to back-pedal.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
🛳️😀
@gayledeadwyler846 Ай бұрын
Beautiful
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
Thank you
@ptr1537 Ай бұрын
Calling Viking cheap? You must have more disposable than most. You cant tell me that spas and massages are included in the Taulk all in cost. Taulk paid evaluator for sure. You imply that you only get fresh and hot food on TAULK at dinner. Give me a break.
@askarealtravelexpert Ай бұрын
😕