Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours - UK
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A Tour and not a cruise
Just returned from Danube trip and this is a hard review to write, So many positives with some nasty negatives. Firstly lets be completely honest this is not a cruise its a tour and sadly the hotel is tired and there is a lack of attention to detail. Dressing gowns badly worn with holes under the arms. Sure they changed them but the fact is they should never have been put out. The bathroom door closer was hanging off and needed an urgent repair. Again this was rectified but why was this not addressed before the Room was handed over to a guest. We paid for a top floor room and it was so small two people struggle to get dressed at the same time. We specifically chose the Scenic Crystal for the Balcony and what a complete disaster and waste of money. The Boats moor and tie up along side each other plunging the room into darkness and making the balcony unusable unless you want to look into the rooms of people on the next boat. This totally obscured any view from your room. It may state this somewhere in the small print but it is certainly not advertised. The excursions are very limited on time and although the guides are enthusiastic being spoken at not stop for 4 hours at a time is draining to the point more is missed than absorbed. There is a complete lack of flexibility regarding food timing. Sure you can order something to have in your room if you don't want to be compelled to comply with the strict times for Breakfast, Lunch and Diner. Please note the food is mostly good and caters for all tastes.There are many more negatives but I think most people will understand what I am trying to get across. On the positive side the staff are wonderful and attentive and can only be praised for the service they provide. Information is provided on a daily basis and can also be accessed through the TVs in your room so no one should miss anything however on departure there is a feeling of being thrown out. Back to the dressing gowns these are removed from your room on the day prior to departure so anyone wanting a shower simply has a towel which is not really an issue but the fact that people pay to use these items for the full duration of their trip and not for 6 days out of the 7 they are on board. The level of service tails off at this point. Less waiters in the dining room and fewer drinks waiters in the bar. The new guests seem to be far more important that those departing and being kicked out of my expensive but very small room at 8.00am when my coach pick up is not due untill midday and my flight home not due until 5.00pm gives a feeling of a cheap package holiday in Benidorm. Transfers to and from the airport are good. Would I recommend a river tour? the answer is no. In summary I visited Vienna, Budapest and Salzburg and want to go back and spend more than 4 hours in each place. I could make an individual trip to each of these places for 3 or 4 days at a time and spend a lot less on hotels, flights and food than the Danube boat trip cost me. Make your own mind up but remember the marketing and promotion over exaggerate what is actually delivered.