worldtrav

I have just returned from an APT cruise aboard the "Sound of Music" from Budapest to Amsterdam. In recent years, I have been on 4 European sea cruises where the emphasis was on frequent post calls so I anticipated that the regular stops on river cruises would suit me.

The itinerary was indeed very good but my enjoyment of the trip was marred by the fact that the meals did not cater for someone with dietary problems. I am a diabetic with gallstone problems. This information was made known to the company at the time of booking. I soon found myself in difficulties because it seemed that the cooking was based on the use of unsuitable oils (based on a recipe discussed by the chef, we believe that it was palm oil). I sent back several meals before, half-way through the cruise, we were able to arrange for special dishes for the main meal. At breakfast, I could not cope with the cooked food and had to rely on the limited range of cereal together with bread. This affected my system so much that it was not until three weeks after the end of the cruise that I was able to handle a 3 course meal again so much of my later travel was less enjoyable.

I do not recommend this cruise to anyone with dietary problems. I referred at length to the problems I had had in the end-of-cruise appraisal but, 4 weeks later, I have had no reply from APT.

The ship has been hired for the exclusive use of Australian tourists which meant that there was not the mix of nationalities which my wife and I have enjoyed on previous cruises and tours.

One other problem which I encountered was that if the water levels were high, the ship could not go under some of the canal bridges. We were held up for 18 hours at one port. Although efforts were made to bus us to ports en route, we were still late in reaching Amsterdam and we only had rushed and poorly timed tours at Koblenz and Cologne as well as having our activities in Amsterdam curtailed. This was something the ship could not avoid but I can see there being many disappointed river cruisers where the water levels are really high.

worldtrav

middy

Hi Worldtrav
It must have been a disappointment with the food, I know that food equates to a large amount of the enjoyment of my holidays.
Never thought about water levels affecting the ships before. Something to definitely bear in mind.

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Middy


Cruises completed on.
Edinburgh Castle, Thomson Topaz, MV Van Gogh (2) Thomson Emerald. Airtours Seawing. Thomson Spirit. Princess Sun. Thomson Celebration (2). Splendour of the Seas. Celebrity Constellation. Fred Olsen Braemar.Thomson Calypso (2). NCL Gem, Celebrity Century, Independence of the Seas

Artemis Panama Cruising in: 33 day(s), 13 hour(s), 12 minute(s)

Ally

Hello Worldtrav

Thank you for your review

It is a shame that they didn't get the meals sorted out straight away, that should have been the case, especially as you had notified them prior to travelling that you had dietary needs.

I too was unaware about the river levels being a potential problem...just shows that you learn something every day.

Thank you again

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Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator
Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...

15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights

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