My flight was with German Wings who ran on time and the flight was good and reasonably priced at £66 to Cologne including 20 kilos luggage plus hand luggage and a snack was included on the plane. The flight left on time at 07.55 hours and arrived at 10.05 hours. Deb and Gill met me in Cologne, travelling with Easyjet with a flight price of less than £60 return travelling with hand baggage only from Gatwick. This flight was at 0710 hours arriving at 09.25 hours and ran on time.
An afternoon walking tour was arranged for the delegates through Cologne with the focal point of the cathedral the largest in Europe, visiting a few of the oldest buildings in Cologne and through its charming cobbled streets, ending at the oldest pub/restaurant in the town . This was an ideal centre for the convention as the ships were docked just a few minutes walk from the centre of Cologne.
We chose to stay at the Konigshof Hotel which was a friendly 3 star hotel in a great central position, close to the rail station and Cathedral. Our room was a good sized 3 bedded room at a cost of £119 for the room and the breakfast was excellent with a wide choice of hot and cold food available.
Day 1 of the conference commenced on board the KD RhineEnergie a charter ship which can be used for conferences and day trips from Cologne to Dusseldorf as short as 20 minutes and stop several places en route. Here we met with most of the river cruise companies and talked about their ships and cruises offered at the morning workshop. We then walked to the A-Rosa ship for a tasty buffet lunch and back to the conference ship for an afternoon conference finishing with our stay on board the CroisiEurope French cruise ship the Gerard Smitter and enjoying a good french meal with wine included.
Day 2 of the conference was our ship visit day with chance to view 7 different River Cruise ships. All ships viewed were either 2 or 3 decks with the lower deck with portholes and fixed windows as close to the water line, second deck larger picture windows and largest on the top floor. The first was the MS Serenity in the River Cruise and Diamond Holidays brochure. This is a 3 star cruise ship - a bit ordinary but the prices are very affordable. 95 cabins (up to 190 people) on 3 decks, Cabins only twins with fold away beds put up in day so that it becomes sitting area. Upper deck rooms have french balcony.
Next we viewed our host ship for the 3 day river cruise the CroisiEurope Gerard Smitter. It has 3 Decks, 2nd deck medium size windows and upper deck full size windows - all cabins are the same. Restricted small cupboard with hanging space but lots of shelves instead. Small shower room with no full shower cubicle (just pull round curtain) and restricted space in shower area. The provide 90 percent french food occasionally change menu to be relevant to destination. Next year all inclusive will be offered with drinks all day. One disabled cabin but not suitable for immobile clients as lift does not go to top deck and if you have to cross other boats. New ship- built 2012. Colourful use of pinks and purples with nice lounge areas and friendly staff. French is the main language but they do translate to english.
Next we went to view the Rotterdam offered through Shearings. I was pleasantly surprised by this ship. Traditional but built to a nice standard, traditional feel with use of quality woods and more of a hotel feel about it. As they market to the over 55s, they have chair lift on stairs as no other lift but not to the main deck so if clients have restricted movement, need to make sure they are on upgraded rooms on reception and lounge decks. They cater more to the british market. 3 decks with only twin rooms which fold away for day rooms. Rooms were all different styles the ones we saw were nice rooms.
We then moved on to the Uniworld River Duchess - this was one of my favourite ships with a price tag to match. This boutique style ship uses lovely fresh light colours to give a bright and inviting feel to the ship. Cabins were generous in size and there was a lovely spa to pamper you during those relaxing hours. In 2014 they will offer all inclusive (including tips). There are 67 cabins for 120 guests. There are four suites with tea coffee making facilities and 4 interconnecting rooms and cabins are on 4 decks. It has a gym and dinner is a la carte. Main deck has coffee stations and cakes/biscuits.
We then moved on to the Lord Byron offered by Riviera Travel. Originally promoted solely through Readers offers in papers such as Observer but now bookable through travel agents at the same price. Riviera aim at the british market with tea/coffee making facilities in every room and english speaking staff. Free seating for dinner and free shore excursions but alcohol not included to encourage people to go ashore to enjoy the local towns. You can join by rail or flight. 2 disabled cabins but not suitable for very disabled customers that cannot walk under 200 metres. Sun deck with mini golf and plunge pool. Dinner with silver service and choice of meals. Lunch and breakfast is buffet style. 78 cabins on 3 decks. Hair salon and spa. Lower deck cabins £300 per person lower in price for suites and standard cabins on this deck are offered to singles at no supplement. This was one of my favourite ships. 4 deluxe suites on Diamond deck - top deck. All cabins have showers on this ship. A very pleasant appearance throughout the ship with an appearance more of a hotel than a ship.
Next we saw Amadeus Princess with 80 cabins for up to 160 passengers and 2 suites on deck 3. Buffet breakfast and lunch, but dinner is served. Cabins are all the same just different sizes of windows on each deck. This ship was pleasant but not with anything that stands out from the rest. Colours of decor were rich and dark maroons or wood.
The final ship came in late and I was advised is offered by Riviera and E Waterways, the Queen Maxima is a 5 star plus and I was advised is the most expensive built ship on the Rhine with lovely quality wood and large cabins. Spacious deck areas and good spa and gym with sauna and jacuzzi and hairdresser and massage.
We then checked back onto our host ship Gerard Smitter for the commencement of our cruise. The principle of the ship food is that the meal is a set meal and time and displayed in advance . If you are not happy with the menu they are due to serve, you can give notice to change to something different. Special diets need to be advised well in advance as certain foods like gluten free are not easy to get in certain ports. We left at 5 pm and head towards Koenigswinter and went ashore after dinner. This sleepy little village is pretty and upmarket but there is not much to see and only a few bars were open at this time of year. We found a nice bar attached to a local hotel.
We sailed at 4 am and arrived in Koblenz, where we had a walking tour of the centre of the town which was pretty and interesting and though 80 percent was flattened in the war, the rebuilding has been sympathetic to its original and appears much older. After 2 hours we set off and enjoyed lunch through beautiful scenery and magnificent castles for Rudesheim, another pretty little wine growing village where we enjoyed a wine tasting and music museum displaying and demonstrating the largest collection of self playing instruments which was very interesing. A short stroll back through the pretty streets to the boat for our gala dinner of salmon and cream cheese, followed by veal steak which was the best meal so far.
The following day we set off towards Mannheim and had an early lunch at 11.45 hours. We boarded our coach which took us to Heidelberg where we had a tour of the wonderful castle and a walk round the pretty town with cobbled streets with some free time before returning to the ship. We departed at 6 pm for our final destination in Strasbourg.
On arrival in Strasbourg, we were able to view another 5 ships owned by CroisiEurope and a delightful barge which was exquisitely furnished and the rooms were not much smaller than the ship we were on and each cabin had private facilities - total number of passengers 24.
Overall, we had a very enjoyable trip and River cruising would appeal to the 55 plus age group or those that like the idea of being taken from city to city or village in a relaxing environment. Excursions range from £10 for a walking tour up to £35 ish for a longer coach inclusive tour. It would also be a great way to see the Christmas markets which were being erected as we travelled around and would be up and running within the next week or so. River cruising is not suitable for those who cannot walk more than 200 metres or very disabled as there are times that ships are docked next to each other and you have to cross 2 or 3 ships on the top deck across ramps which can vary in steepness. A most relaxing way to travel and thanks goes to CroisiEurope for the opportunity to experience river cruising first hand.
For more information, please call Sue, Gill or Deb on 01243377211 and for more photos see Emsworth Travel facebook.
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