Scenic Crystal Review
Clean ship, wonderful staff, great cruise let down by inferior food.
Review for Europe River Cruise on Scenic Crystal
survey54
10+ Cruises • Age 60s
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Sail Date: Jul 2016
At our departure airport in Sydney, my wife and I were approached by a Scenic representative to ensure that everything was OK as we boarded our Scenic-arranged flight. We flew from Sydney to Singapore, then to Frankfurt and finally arrived at Budapest 29 hours after leaving Sydney. Due to my wife’s walking difficulties, we had prearranged “meet & assist” and this certainly helped in the larger airports to get from arrival to departure points. Both at the start and end of the cruise there were exclusive Scenic Passenger rooms at the designated hotels with tea, coffee, pastries and other delights for guests while waiting for the next stage of their experience.This inspired idea allowed passengers to mix with their fellow guests as well as those who had just completed a cruise and who could provide most welcome advice.
On embarkation onto the Scenic Crystal in Budapest, my wife was handed a white rose - a lovely gesture. The 168 passengers comprised 110 Aussies, and then Kiwis, Canadians, Brits, Americans and a couple and family from Chile. The status of passengers was evident by the colour of name tags: white for first timers, then gold up to emerald. The ship was always spotlessly clean and its international staff were faultless and very friendly. The front desk staff were exceptional. The captain was the friendliest captain of any ship we have sailed on. Cathy the Cruise Director was bubbly, competent and very approachable – a real delight.
Drinks on the ship were good quality and freely available, with cocktails arguably more potent than usual. In our experience, nothing was ever refused. There was never any pressure to tip staff, not even at the end of the cruise. Entertainment on board was top quality. We didn’t hear any noise from the engines, with the only disturbance being the very occasional “clunk” as we went through one of the 68 river locks. Those with difficulty walking on stairs should note that the elevator does not go down to the lowest deck.
Cabin Review
Cabin E
We had chosen a cabin, with a window, on the lowest deck as it was $2500 extra each for 14 nights for a balcony cabin on the deck above: I told people that we were rowing the boat. An umbrella and two walking sticks are provided in each cabin. The minibar included both drinks and snacks. The room was small (so small we put the luxurious bathrobes in our suitcase under the bed to give us more room). There was plenty of wardrobe and drawer space. The shower was tiny – if you are anywhere above medium size, you will have trouble fitting into it, which is a serious problem. Showers on the upper decks are apparently bigger, some with disco lights. On the lowest deck, it’s a “don’t drop the soap” scenario as you can’t bend over to pick it up without hitting your head and if you can’t bend your knees the soap stays on the floor. I had to put a wet flannel over the shower’s central mental control bar to prevent burning one’s bum. In the room there is no chair, but I could move one of the twin beds (made up separately) over to the desk to sit on to write my diary. Upper deck passengers get canapes every afternoon and we got a list from the butler telling us what he would and would not provide. The window was on water level and it was nice to see the swans peering in. We had the biggest and fluffiest bath towels ever. Wifi is free and fast except when in a lock or going under a bridge, when both the TV and wifi cut out. We also found out that if you experience a frustrating amount of trouble accessing your room, the battery in the door is probably dead.
In our room, we were provided with a complimentary map and a 448 page complimentary guide for the whole journey as well as handy electronic “Tailormades” for use on shore excursions and during cruising down the river. For our allocated one time of free laundry, we were provided with a small bag into which we tightly rolled nine polo shirts which came back fresh on hangers. All other laundry we did in the shower and hung upon the small clothes-line in the bathroom shower or left on the window shelf to dry.
Port Reviews
Durnstein (Krems)
A lovely small town. Best to walk into town (about 10 minutes – although a trolley train operated later) early to avoid the arrival of the next wave of tourists. I counted 3 extra cruise boats and 5 tourist buses. We arrived on a Sunday which meant we missed seeing the inside of the church, which opens at 9 am every other day but 10 am on Sunday, and sailaway was 10.45 am.
Regensburg
We arrived at Regensburg early at 10.35 am. Time for a short walk in the cobblestone streets before heading out at 1 pm for the Weltenberg Abbey tour. Cruised on a small charter boat from Kelheim, down the Danube Gorge, to the Abbey. The abbey itself contains a magnificent baroque chapel and we had an exclusive, and extensive, talk by a local guide. Although the beer is no longer brewed at the abbey, we had a beer tasting with pretzels. Back to the ship at 5.20 pm for an immediate sailaway.
Nuremberg
Arrived at the dock about 20 minutes drive from Nuremberg at 1.30pm. We chose the ‘tastes of Nuremberg” tour, which was changed a bit due to the heavy rain (the boat meanwhile continued to Nuremberg, arriving at 6 pm due to a long wait at one of the locks). Stopped at the ‘Bratwurst Roslein’ restaurant for two small sausages in a bun and a glass of beer: typical, mass produced, tourist “food”. The gingerbread was served from a plastic bag. We then had free time to explore central Nuremberg before being taken for a quick tour of the grounds of Nuremberg Castle. A five piece Oom-pah band serenaded us back onto the boat.
Wurzburg
Arrived in Wurzburg early, about 11 am. After an early lunch, we set off at 12.45 pm for the Bishop’s Residence tour. It was a great tour followed by a wine tasting in the cellar (generous servings of three different local white wines) and a walking tour of the city. Scenic Crystal left at 6.30 pm.
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