I chose Scenic for our Rhine River Cruise based on web research (including this site) and other independent sites. Obviously Scenic is not as well known in the U.S. due to their lack of advertising. Every time we would mention that we were going on a River cruise folks would say, "On Viking?" Ah, the power of PBS advertising!

I knew that with water levels low in Europe this summer the potential for an interrupted journey on the Rhine was a possibility--and, yes, that's exactly what happened. However. I give Scenic high marks for handling this in stride and my remembrances of this cruise will be about the wonderful experience, service and excursions rather than the slight trip disruption. Having never taken another river cruise I don't have a basis for comparison but I doubt that any other company could pull this off any better than Scenic.

We disembarked Amsterdam on the Scenic Ruby (instead of the Jasper as advertised) and Scenic was very open that up river problems caused them to switch boats. No problem, the Ruby was an excellent vessel that was refurbished not too long ago. Great crew (excellent butlers), great food and entertainment and top notch cruise director. Shortly before we reached Koblenz we were informed that the trip would be interrupted so we had to repack. After our morning excursion to Cochem (outstanding) and lunch (o the Ruby) Scenic put us on a commercial sightseeing boat to go through the Rhine Gorge for three hours (i.e., not bussed but still cruising) and then coaches for the last 40-50 km meeting our new ship (Crystal) at Rudesheim. When we arrived in our new cabin all our luggage (including carry ons) was waiting. The cruise continued as normal, albeit with a different ship which was virtually the same as the Ruby although the Crystal was several years newer. Never crew but same great service, food and entertainment and our Cruise Director (Kathy) stayed with us which really helped the continuity of the cruise. Read more