This weekend I am off to have a look at some River Cruise ships, care to join me…part 1

I am off to Amsterdam this weekend to join a river conference and it is something I have not done before so i will be very interested in what goes on.
I have set ideas on what a river cruise involves and I am looking forward to seeing if what I think goes on and what actually goes on are one and the same, somehow I don’t think so.
Starting from Amsterdam means that many low cost airlines can be used and this can keep the cost down if the company does not give the flights as part of the cost.

The other good thing about Amsterdam is you can get to the airport into the centre of Amsterdam by direct train in no time at all and it is less than 8 euros one way, you are literally minutes away from where the cruise ships depart once you get off in Amsterdam Central station, I will tell you how easy that is in the second part of my blog after I have been.
River cruise ships vary in size but are rarely above 4 decks high and they are usually quite long, this compensates I think for the lack of decks as a lot can be fitted on board, some even have an infinity pool.

There is a big difference in price as well depending on what you get from your cruise, some include drinks and all inclusive while others are full board and you pay for excursions, there are so many different options and the main thing is to get it right.

The time of year can change prices as well and lots of river cruise lines offer shorter cruises especially in the run up to Christmas as there are all of the Christmas markets to take in, Rudeshiem on the Rhine for instance has a lovely Christmas market and the droselgasse is a lovely little street that runs up to the most amazing little christmas shop which is open year round, everyone knows where it is if you are there, just ask.

Budapest on the danube is another and the scenery in these places is simple stunning, if you get a little flurry of snow in the winter it makes it all the better and sets the scene.
talking about setting the scene how about sailing from Cologne, you are in the shadow of the mighty cathedral and again lots of lovely markets here along with the biggest christmas tree on the Rhine, in fact some of the markets are actually on a river cruise ship.
So I guess I will find out lots of new things when I fly out on 17th (later today)
If anyone wants to know anything then just pop a comment in the box.
I will be staying on the MS Symphonie which is a Croisi Europe ship,this is a smaller vessel at only 2 decks high and was recently refurbished, here are the details on her
Characteristics

Built : 1997 – refurbished in 2017
Length : 110 m long
Width : 10 m wide
Cabins : 55 cabins
Passengers : 106 passengers
Facilities : lounge-bar with a dance floor – bar – dining room – large sundeck with deckchairs – gift shop. Central heating, 220V electricity, air-conditioning, radar, radiophone, wifi on board.
Upper deck : 20 cabins (16 twins, 2 single cabins, 1 suite, 1 cabin suited for people with reduced mobility )
Main deck : 35 cabins (32 twins, 2 single cabins, 1 suite)
Equipment : all cabins are equipped with shower and toilet, hairdryer, satellite TV, radio, safe

Having been used to sailing on some of the biggest cruise ships in the world it will feel a little odd I am sure but I am really looking forward to it and my next blog will follow this up.
See you all soon