We're planning on a Rhine river cruise for 2011. There's quite a few companies running these but their itineraries looks very similar. Has anyone got any experiences?

I'm especially interested in a Croisi cruise as their 6 night 'The Romantic Rhine and its tributaries' sounds exactly what we're looking for but I couldn't find any reviews of this on the net. Has anyone done this?

They've been around for years. They do not deal with Travel Agencies, so we do not book them. We HAVE had excellent reports from clients on AMA Waterways (good food, small portions . . . ha, ha, ha) and Viking River Cruises. Lots of choices out there. Enjoy your cruise!

This or a Danube River cruise is one thing I want to do in Europe. In Bulgaria, I did a bus tour and was in the bus for hour after hour. Got very boring because there was so little to see between stops. On a river cruise, at least they'd pass by river towns and maybe some other sights. Plus I like being on the water way better than being in a bus.

I'm cruising the Rhine later this year with Viking River Cruises. I'm very impressed with the promotional information they have provided and the cruise itineraries sound great for any of their cruises. It's pretty easy to research any of the cruises and cruise lines to see what they offer and what they cost. Good luck.

sav2dsm, as you have researched this, can you pass on some of your early work? Dress code issues on the boat (meals, free time etc). Laundry? Dress code for those tours that include a classical concert on shore? Is one side of the boat better generally that the other, so one needs to check this out for the specific tour? How much viewing disadvantage is the lower (cheaper) level?

We have been on many cruises on large ships, but never a river cruise. We are looking at Viking and Trafalgor.

Sorry for the time delay. My research as well as viewing the promotional DVD have given me the idea that there is no dress code onboard, but I believe it's better to at least pack one or two pairs of nice dress slacks (men or women). I believe laundry is available, but would hesitate to depend on that. Black is always in fashion for women (& forgiveable when traveling) so dress for classical concerts could easily include a black ensemble. You can always ask when you book if you go through a travel agent (not sure if agents directly with the cruise lines can answer these questions - I would think they could). I wouldn't even consider the lower level for a room! I'm booked on a Viking cruise and looking forward to the experience.

we did an 8 day Danube cruise on AMA waterways. this is a much better way to see those sights as one unpacks once. There is a castle/cathedral/something around every bend in the river, and if not, one can always nap. we had lots of free time, opportunities for guided tours and the dress code was casual. I took one blue blazer, khakis and dress shirts, and never had a worry about dinner dress. Meals were great, but most lunches were on our own in the towns. The boat pulls up to the shore, and we were literally in the heart of the old part of wherever we were. spent 2 days in Prague, bussed to Germany, then went on the boat to Budapest and flew home. We would really like to make the second half of that journey from BUD to the Black Sea.

Last year, we cruised from BUD to AMS on the River Empress with Uniworld cruise company. Part of the itinerary was on the Rhine.

I do not hesitate to recommend this ship and this company. The food was outstanding, the service was impeccable and the tours were more than satisfactory.

We liked the company so much that we are sailing next week on another Uniworld ship for a two week trip in France.