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Arlene, Phoenix & Passengers a Great Combination
3 of 3 people found this review informative
 
Reviewed By: Plumridge, Harlow on 4th Aug 2010
Cruise Line: Phoenix River Cruises Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: MS Arlene Sailed: May, 2010
Destination: Western Europe Age: 56-65
Cabin: Outside Occasion: Annual/regular holiday
We have recently returned from sailing on the Arlene, we did 3 back to back cruises spending 24 days on board and an over night on the way home. We were picked up by minibus and taken to Thurrock to change on to the main coach that took us via the Channel Tunnel to Amsterdam, where we were very warmly welcomed by the the lovely hotel manager Francess (she always remembers returning holidaymakers) and the crew. Phoenix tour manager Mattaius and a new colleague were also there to greet us.

Settled into our cabins and a freshen up we then went to the lounge for Captain Hans welome drink followed by the welcome dinner and to meet new friends and of course, friends we have met on previous cruises on the Arlene. The friendliness on the Arlene is unbelievable, and all ages mix together. Not everyone on the Arlene is of an age where some people think that they are in 'Gods waiting room.' There were a lot of fantastic elderly people cruising with us and they were great, they know how to have fun and great to spend time with.
All the staff are very pleasant , nothing is to much trouble and they are very polite.

We had a grade 3 cabin, we had to go down a few stairs to reach the cabin but it wasn't a problem. There were 2 very comfortable beds which the cabin crew kept lovely. One bed you could shut up onto the wall to give you more room, but we never did, never in there long enough. The cabin has a tv but I can't comment on that as we never put it on. There is also a desk/dressing table and a hairdryer also a clothes hanging area. The bathroom, averge size was very clean and plenty of hot water.
The dining room was always immaculate, the food was lovely, very well presented. Breakfast is buffet with plenty of choice hot and cold. Lunch is 3 course but it was too much for us so we had a very well presented salad. Dinner is 3 or 4 course with a choice of main meal. All food was was of a very good standard. Tea and coffee is serverd in.the lounge mid morning and mid afternoon also early morning.
Entertaiment on board was the resident pianist, he was very good, a real gemtleman. Quizzes and games are seem popular.
Sometimes Mattaius would sing and sous- chef would play the trumpet. One evening we had a young band play and they were brilliant.
Phoenix cruise managers Mattaius and Anna are excellent they certainly know their business. Unfortunatley for 2 weeks we had a new rep, although she was friendly she was not suited to it and went. Anna came the next week 'yah'

We sailed on the Rhine from Amsterdam to Rudesheim stopping at Arnham, Colonge, Koblenz, Bonn, Rudesheim and an evening cruise and Captains dinner to Mainz where the first cruise ended. At each place where we berthed our coaches were waitng to take us on an optional excursion or you can spend free time where berthed.
On this cruise we had quite good weather so we spent a lot of time on the sundeck which is great.
The next day was spent sailing from Mainz to Aschaffenburg. During this time we were well looked after, I think there were about 8 of us doing this back to back. While we lounged around all crew were busy cleaning the whole boat ready for the next lot of passengers.

This second cruise was from Aschaffenburg to Linz stopping at Wertime, Wurzburg, Schweinfurt, Bamberg,Riedensburg, Ragensburg, Passau and Linz. This cruise was kind of different because you spend quite a lot of time on the boat. I would suggest if you were thinking of this cruise to read the itinery carefully. Some of the excursions are quite long. Also one day is spent on board climbing 175 metres using 11 locks to get to the sumit of the canal where the Rhine and Main connect to the Danube.
The cruise ends in Linz in Austria, we enjoyed this cruise very much even though the weather was quite nasty we still went on the excursions and enjoyed them very much. The only downside to this cruise were a group of passengers from( I believe another tour agent) they seemed to complain about everything and compared this River cruise to Sea cruising. You can't possibly get all the shops, resturants, entertainment and larger cabins on a river boat, you would have to have a bigger river (the sea) I think they were misguided by their tour operater, but thats just what I think.
Another Captains dinner! mmm.

The third and last part of these cruises we sailed from Grein visiting Melk, Tulin, Bratislava, Hainburg, Budapest and Vienna all of which was really lovely to visit, my favorite was Budapest the buildings were amazing the weather! well it was so bad that you couldn't walk. the wind and rain was beating us back. Mattiaus arranged for the guide to come on the coach and we were driven around. We did manage to get off and see some of the sites. I would like to go back on this cruise with better weather.
Sadly :( we sail back to Melk for our last evening and another Captains dinner :)

Thanks to all the crew on the Arlene, Phoenix and passangers for making this a great holiday.

We'll be back
Quality of Food5
Entertainment3
Shore Excursions5
Staff5
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activitiesn/a
Cabins5
Overall Rating5
3 of 3 people found this review informative
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Opinion: Agree Comment by Francis, Bournemouth. Dorset (22 Aug 10 13:04) about this REVIEW
I to went with the M.S. Arlene on the 9day cruise on the Rhine to Switzerland. 19 July. It was one of the best cruises I have had the pleasure to be on. Thanks to the hard working crew who made my trip so relaxing and there ever smiling faces, nothing was to much trouble. The ship was in very good order and the hygien standards were very high indeed. Mr Plumridge has sumed it all up extreemly well, so there is not much I can add. I am now thinking of going again in 2011. I thank you all on the M.S.Arlene, from the Captain to the whole crew for giving me a truly wonderful holiday and look forward to seeing you all again soon. Doug Francis, Bournemouth, Dorset.
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