Ship Review

This post out of sequence.  My Cesky Krumlov post will appear as soon as  I can get the photos uploaded.

We went with Scenic Cruise Lines.  Our friend Anne did the legwork and concluded that it was the top-end luxury line.  All we have heard over the past year, since we booked, confirmed that.

The ship was The Scenic Amber.  Launched in 2016.

Photos and video of the ship, some food and drink and of our cabin can be found HERE.

We enjoyed it for sure but given the price even if we were organized tour people I think we would have difficulty justifying another cruise.  We might, though I doubt it, consider a cruise with a less pricy line but it turns out that Geri’s motion sensitivity is acute enough that whenever the ship moved throughout the night she would become quite ill.  When we were docked overnight she had no trouble.  So I think this will turn out to have been our one and only cruise of any kind.  Not sad about that.  It was an experience but not so wildly wonderful that we need to do it again.  But something we have wanted to try for a long time so for sure no regrets either.

The company was great.  And Anne took care of organizing all the details that Scenic didn’t handle.  The others of her friends that we (re-) met with fun, engaging.  We would be very happy to travel with them again.  Or at least get together for drinks in Montevideo.  😊

The food was mostly very good and occasionally great. 

There were absolutely no surprises, everything was exactly as advertised.  The only thing we had to pay for were postcards and off-campus beers during tour free times.

I was disappointed with the wine.  I expected a much bigger selection.  I think we were spoiled by our week in Budapest and all those absolutely wonderful wines we could play with at our hotel.

The staff and the level of service they provide were both spectacular.  All of them personable, helpful and engaging.

I heard no complaints from the cocktail drinkers.

Despite the small footprint of the cabin there was plenty of storage.  The high (and comfortable) bed with removeable side panels meant our large suitcases could be stored away.  Lots of hanging space.  The bathroom worked fine and only lacked a tub.

The internet connection was cellular.  A satellite connection would be way more reliable.  And their router had problems dealing with all the phones and tablets and laptops when all the guests were aboard.  It was noticeably better when lots were off on a tour or two.

Was it worth the cost?  Would we recommend it to others?

For us it was the trip of a lifetime and something we have wanted to do for years.  Geri says my review a bit negative but I see it overall as a wonderful time and something we won’t do again but which we would not have wanted to miss out on either.

So, for others?

Certainly not to the motion-sensitive.

As a week of luxury?  Possibly if you can afford it and you want something a little more exotic than a week in a high-end hotel.

But I think to make it worth the price you also need to take advantage of and enjoy the daily tours. 

Now, on to Munich…