Christmas on the Danube featuring a 6-Night Danube River Cruise

03/13/2024

Review on 03/13/2024

Trip Rating:

The reason I wanted to take a Christmas market tour was to visit the markets, particularly at night when they're all lit up and festive. This did not happen other than a quick walk through on our first stop. Our stop in Vienna was during the day, seeing all the holiday decorations that would have been amazing to see in the evening, but that was not an option for us...so very disappointing! Also, the ship was dated and the hallway carpets were filthy along the edge. The evening entertainment was nice, but it was the same every evening. Our guide was nice, but not really that engaged with our group. She also made it very clear she was expecting a nice tip from all of us, and how much she depended on her tips. I think everyone planned on tipping her and the staff (they were amazing), but it was very close to pandering regarding her tips. Dinner tables were reserved for seating along the windows...Any particular reason why those groups had the windows every evening?? I would not recommend this tour based on my comments. I have traveled with Collette previously with great experiences, but this trip was a total disappointment.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We have forwarded your feedback to our Traveler Relations team and a member of the team will reach out to you to discuss your specific issues and concerns. Your feedback is very important to us, we appreciate your patience as we work to resolve your issues.

Collette Support

01/23/2024

Trip Rating:

would not do December again.

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Collette Support

01/23/2024

Trip Rating:

The optional tour to the Palace Christmas Market was horrible.. We paid $90 for the tour. The admission price for the event was 8.5 euro. So in essence we paid $82 for a 15 minute coach ride. I'm now reluctant to book optional tours through Collette.

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Collette Support

01/11/2024

Trip Rating:

Was a wonderful trip. Just a few things that would have made it better.

Thank you for your review! We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

01/11/2024

Trip Rating:

Last day of tour was too extensive . I would like to have been able to visit the castle and then go back to the hotel . I chose not to do the walking tour- since the weather was terrible.

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Collette Support

01/11/2024

Trip Rating:

Poor timing of excursions. Paid for airport transport then Colette advised a week before the trip that they will not provide transport from airport and refunded the fee

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Collette Support

01/05/2024

Trip Rating:

WONDERFULLY PLANNED AND EXECUTED. ALL PERSONAL GREAT. ENJOYED TRIP IMMENSELY.

Thank you for your review! We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

01/04/2024

Trip Rating:

Simply mediocre… food was presented beautiful… quality not what i expected… too many busses …

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Collette Support

01/04/2024

Trip Rating:

due to the flooding, the river cruise only lasted 1 day of our scheduled 7 days/6 nights. Alternate plans were less than desirable with long bus rides and missing the biggest Christmas market of all in Nuremberg. Ship credit for two of the three lunches we had to purchase on our own forced us to buy stuff from the boat (gift shop or bar) as we couldn't use the credit towards tips. Tour manager was not friendly and didn't communicate important details to the group.

01/03/2024

Trip Rating:

Just a truly wonderful experience.

Thank you for your review! We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

01/02/2024

Trip Rating:

Great Crew. Great Service. Great food.

Thank you for your review! We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

01/02/2024

Trip Rating:

It was a very enjoyable trip. Found the places interesting and the tour guide knowledgeable.

Thank you for your review! We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

01/02/2024

Trip Rating:

Wonderful Trip! Our first River Cruise and we loved It!

Awesome photos. Thank you for your review! We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

01/02/2024

Trip Rating:

Delays in pickup @ airport upon arrival in Paris for our transfer to the ship. Unexpected change in original flight arrangements likely caused this. Seems the local bus driver and Collette representatives did not communicate that our wait would be delayed thus causing us to be late to board Amadeus Brilliance.

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Collette Support

01/02/2024

Trip Rating:

Every aspect of the trip exceeded expectations.

Thank you for your review! We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

01/02/2024

Trip Rating:

Everything about the trip was perfect!

Thank you for your review! We look forward to traveling with you again soon.

Collette Support

12/29/2023

Trip Rating:

I would have liked to see more Christmas decorations. I would have liked to have had other options to see & do other than Christmas Markets. Loved everything else, especially the cruise ship & sights on the river & Cathedrals!

12/29/2023

Trip Rating:

We all had a wonderful experience !

12/28/2023

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I liked the boat,the meals and the staff. The Christmas markets would have been better lit up at night

12/28/2023

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I enjoyed the daily tours.I like history and learned a lot about the different cities

12/28/2023

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Everything was so excellent

12/28/2023

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It was a wonderful trip and I woyld do it again

12/28/2023

Trip Rating:

Good time, good experience. However, on-ship food offerings took little benefit of regional offerings ANd tour manager was not top-notch in terms of organization and getting to know her customers. Nothing bad but nothing great either.

12/28/2023

Trip Rating:

Prague and Vienna and Regensburg needed more time .

12/28/2023

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Post tour of Praha should be pre tour because everyone was to tire after 6 days of river cruise my opinion is pre tour of Praha.

12/28/2023

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Loved the charming cities, scenery along the rivers, and walking around the Christmas markets.

12/28/2023

Trip Rating:

a wonderful trip and great tour directors.

12/28/2023

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I thought it was a great tour. I enjoyed the boat experience very much and also the stop at the markets.

12/28/2023

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Keep up the great job....

12/28/2023

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Service on the boat was great. Food was good. Wish we had done more history and less shopping.

12/28/2023

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She didn't have to do much, since we were on a cruise rather than motor coach.

12/24/2023

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Everything went well except for the bus connections

12/23/2023

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The experience was wonderful. Our first River cruise and it was all we had wish for. The snow was an extra bonus.

12/23/2023

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Great way to see the Christmas Markets. Ship was excellent, food and staff could not be better.

12/23/2023

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My overall experience has nothing to do with Collette, I got sick on the third day with congestion and coughing, then received word from home one of my best friends had died, after that I just did not want to continue the trip , also the weather was not as expected, it was so cold, and I could not keep myself warm. It is a good trip but my circumstances had nothing to do with collette

12/23/2023

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It was an amazing trip. The Amadeus was wonderful. The excursions were well planned out and interesting yet giving us time to shop the Christmas Markets.

12/23/2023

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Magical experience seeing all the Christmas markets and Christmas decorations! We happened to have snow during our cruise and when visiting the markets, it felt like walking around in a snow globe!

01/02/2020

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Absolutely buy from them again.
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going to Prague

01/01/2020

the cost of Vienna at night was definitely not worth it.

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I would buy again. Side trips are too expensive I think this should be reconsidered I really think Vienna at night was not worth it and think we should be reimbursed
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Prague Prague, Czech Republic

01/01/2020

Clean, beautiful ship. Excellent service. Friendly staff.

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Excellent service on the ship. Everyone was friendly and well above helpful. The room was very clean! The food was delicious and provided a good variety. Our server was friendly and responsive. He served courses promptly.
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I really enjoyed seeing the different cities. The local guides were interesting and knowledgeable about the history of the places we visited.

01/01/2020

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The tour manager was extremely organized and helpful in providing info before the trip, upon arrival and during the trip.
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Loved the day in Regensburg and the optional tour to the Palace and the Market at night. Would have liked to have optional seating during breakfast and lunch as one of the great experiences of traveling is to get to know persons from other places and countries.

01/01/2020

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Tour managers were very professional and knowledgeable.
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The walking tours were my favorite. I was disappointed in the Vienna at night, since we saw the same thing the next morning.

12/30/2019

EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE, EXCEPT FOR ONE LIFE-SAFETY GLITCH.

Trip Rating:

The trip was fabulous. The guides were fabulous. I just don't know how it could have been better! BUT, before the trip, I had some trouble with being waitlisted for the Prague extension when the Collette website was still selling the extension to others. Got it all worked out. Also, the bus driver got lost several times on the trip leg that was supposed to allow us to get to the vessel. Not only did he not listen to the guide, he nearly put us into terrible danger when he tried to turn around in the middle of a busy road and almost ran us off into a ditch. The guide, Polina, did her best to convince him that he was making some wrong turns, but he would not listen. BTW, Polina was WONDERFUL. Looking at the tulips trip.
Trip Rating:

Most memorable? Nurenburg .

Thank you for traveling with Collette on our Christmas on the Danube tour. We're sorry to hear about your experience with the coach driver. At Collette, the safety and security of our guests is our number one priority. Your comments will be reviewed by our Logistics Team so that the overall touring experience for our guests can be improved.

Collette Support

12/27/2019

Trip was enjoyable. I realize it was a Christmas cruise, too many markets.

Trip Rating:

Service was good. Had issues with items being removed from the dinner table as we were eating. This made the entire table feel rushed. Also had issue with Captain's Gala when alcohol beverages were free but being charged for non-alcoholic beverages, not very celebratory. Last dinner seemed inadequate, one shrimp or prawn does not make surf and turf.
Trip Rating:

Tour manager was friendly and caring, we just went to more Christmas Markets than I expected. Could not spend enough time at other sites.

Thank you for traveling with Collette on our Christmas on the Danube tour. We're sorry to hear you experienced issues on tour. Your comments will be reviewed by our Product Design Team so that the overall touring experience for our guests can be improved.

Collette Support

12/27/2019

Trip Rating:

Mostly very well run. Only issue is that I hate been 'nickeled and dimed' to death. All this business about tipping is a PAIN. Figure out how much then add it into the cost and then you guys pay those who need to be tipped.
Trip Rating:

Overall professionalism.

Thank you for traveling with Collette on our Christmas on the Danube tour. Your suggestion on including the tips in the land price will be reviewed by our internal department managers so that the overall touring experience for our guests can be improved.

Collette Support

12/26/2019

Great tour experience

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Our guide was very organized polite and professional.
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Prague was beautiful.

12/26/2019

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Our tour manager was excellent and took care of us. The three Collette managers on the trip worked well with the on board activities director(in stark contrast to the last trip we took with Collette).
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We really enjoyed our total experience but to choose one it would have to be Prague as our granddaughter had visited there

12/26/2019

Relax and be amazed.

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Collette made European travel easy and relaxing. The river cruise was a great way to see lovely German towns that would be hard to get to any other way. And seeing the towns decorated for the holidays made the experience more memorable. The Collette staff was great, the Amadeus staff was efficient and fun. I enjoyed just being on the boat, something I hadn't anticipated. I had never heard of Collette before but I am telling everyone who travels about them and their excellent service.
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I really enjoyed just being on the boat. My favorite experience was cruising the through locks in the morning looking at the scenery.

12/26/2019

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They handled all the travel arrangments and transfers. The travel guide made sure all the side trips were handled properly.
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Great tours. Weather was a slight problem but manageable.

12/26/2019

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Yes would use them again.
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Every need met.

12/27/2018

Every Christmas Market had a unique flavor

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What an amazing and charming trip, the river boat experience was also wonderful. Visiting the Christmas Markets that had been going on for such a long time was the best!
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Visiting the Christmas Markets in Vienna, Nuremberg, and Prague were the highlights of the trip!

01/23/2018

I wouldn't travel with anyone else. They are reliable, dependable, fun,.

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They went above and beyond expectations. They made little stops that were not on itenerary, that were special surprise visits for Gluhwein and entertainment. Daniel our guide found a classical Christmas concert in Prague that was beyond our dreams. I wouldn't travel with any other than Collette!
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The picture tells it all, sheer happiness

12/30/2017

Great trip!

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I left my wallet at home by mistake and it made me want to cancel the trip. I did have some money in a body belt but no credit cards. When I notified Collette, they were very supportive. I think the lady in the office was named ***** and the tour leader ******* were great, constant communication and support. I went on the trip and Collette loaned me money. What states out dismal ended up great. It was a wonderful trip!
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The trip was very organized, the boat was lovely, and ******* was on top of everything.

12/27/2017

Wonderful trip!

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Food on the ship was EXCELLENT. Didn’t understand why a glass of soda with lunch was charged to my acct while a glass of soda was free
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The Villages we went to we’re quite charming. Sometimes too much time allotted for a Xmas market (Erlanger) and others not enough time. Purchasing the optional tour of Prague was wonderful. Beautiful city.

12/26/2017

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Our Tour Guide ******was so great. Everything was cordinated perfectly. It was a wonderful experience.
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Ruthenburg Christmas Market at night and the tour of the palace.

12/22/2017

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excellent in all areas!
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staff, guides, food, accommodations, fellow travelers were all exceptional

12/20/2017

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I would recommend them and use them again. I realize you tried to make up for the markets that where closed but my reason for booking this trip was to visit Nurnbergs Christmas market, I had visited this city many times before, never at Christmas and I was looking forward to the market.
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The crew, on board ship, was he highlight. I felt our tour guide played favorites, and we were not ne of tem.

12/20/2017

Great experience

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Everything was fantastic. You are treated like royalty and catered to at every opportunity. The only change I would make is you are not given enough time in the markets. This is supposed to be a Christmas market experience and you’re lucky to get an hour in most of them. Not enough time to even see it. Skip the church etc tours and spend time seeing what you went to see.
Trip Rating:

Not enough time in markets and this is supposed to be a Christmas market tour. Never even saw a quarter of the big night market as a Saturday evening, extremely busy and had only an hour.

01/13/2017

Good service by Collette

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The only disappointment I had was with the waiter on the boat (very bad).

01/05/2017

Good cruise. Interesting Christmas Markets. First time to this part of Eu...

Trip Rating:

Good cruise. Interesting Christmas Markets. First time to this part of Europe. Wish is was warmer.
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Going thru a lock. Walking around a town that has been around for hundreds of years.

01/04/2017

Perfect Vacation

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We enjoyed every aspect of our trip. All arrangements were perfect. We loved our tour guide. Everyone on the boat made our vacation very special.
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Experiencing the Christmas markets.

01/02/2017

great

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Lovely experience with nice guests, good accommodations, excellent guides
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the evening market at Regensburg

Hello Linda!
We're pleased to hear you had a great time on our Christmas on the Danube river cruise! We saw that you left a 1-star review with some positive feedback. If you wouldn't mind changing that to a 5-star review, it would really help us out.
We greatly appreciate your business and hope to travel with you again soon.

Collette Support

01/02/2017

Fabulous!

Trip Rating:

Wonderful tour. Loved every minute except flight home. Will be encouraging all my friends to take this tour.

01/01/2017

Excellent service by Collette

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Outstanding except for the return flight arrangements, with long layovers.
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Guided tours and free time at the various ports.

01/01/2017

Germany, Austria on a river cruise.

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Excellent trip, excellent tour manager. Flight home had issues, but I blame Delta not Collette.
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Just cruising down the Danube. Loved it.

12/31/2016

We had a wonderful time on the trip and enjoyed the helpful guides very muc...

Trip Rating:

We had a wonderful time on the trip and enjoyed the helpful guides very much.

12/31/2016

We had a great time!

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This trip was wonderful! Our tour guide, Bobbie, set the tone for a very well organized and exceedingly pleasant trip! The sights were wonderful, the food was delicious, the accomodations were fine! I have only positive memories!
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Seeing the sights in a number of German towns and Vienna as well as the Christmas markets in each of these places was memorable in each case! I would not be able to single out one experience as I loved it all!

12/30/2016

Tour guides were excellent. They always wanted feedback to improve the tour...

Trip Rating:

Tour guides were excellent. They always wanted feedback to improve the tour.
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We did not have hot water on the ship for showering. The complaint was logged 3 times and I spoke to the hotel manager and he basacilly brushed me aside

12/29/2016

Excellent service by Collette

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First longboat river cruise. It was wonderful. Would take another one.

12/28/2016

Excellent service by Collette

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Exceeded expectations!
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The ship was wonderful. The food was gourmet and the service was excellent!

12/27/2016

a wonderful and relaxing trip for the holidays!

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I did enjoy this trip. The time spent on the ship was relaxing and the food was good and most of the crew was friendly. (not the women at the front desk)
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pre trip communications should have been better

12/27/2016

Would go again!

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Well organized, excellent Tour Director, great attention to helping with anything!
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Cruising through the Wauchau Valley

12/26/2016

Excellent trip, would do it again.

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Everything about the trip was excellent from the pickup to the return. The accommodations were more than expected, the meals 4 and 5 stars, and the fellow travelers were the best. The guided tours and free time in the Markets topped off the trip.were just
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The tour was excellent, Walking through the old towns and the Christmas Markets was my most memorable time.

12/26/2016

Package was very well put together.

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Collette guide was excellent, itinerary was very well thought out and we'll executed. Cruise company was amazing also, great food and comfortable accommodations. Collette staff and Cruise staff worked diligently fogether to ensure the trip ran smoothly and nothing was too much trouble to ensure that their guests had the best possible experience.
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Great staff, comfortable accommodations and excellent food.

12/24/2016

Excellent service by Collette

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Enjoyed the smaller boat & tour group..
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Amazing scenery. Enjoyed the markets but would have enjoyed downtown Vienna at night vs the short time at market

12/22/2016

Glad we had the opportunity to experience Germany and Austria by river.

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Overall we had a good experience. The stop in Durnstein was useless, nothing available because the shops were all closed. Nuremberg Xmas Market extremely crowded, no access to kiosks due to crowds.

12/21/2016

Collette - never again

Trip Rating:

Too little information up from. Misinformation/disinformation during the tour. Changes that did not seem necessary but saving Luftner money. Cabin switch that resulted in additional charges.
Trip Rating:

Been there very often so there was nothing new

Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience, we have passed along your feedback to our product and tour manager team. They will use this info to improve the tour for future guests.
If you would like to speak to a member of our customer care team to share more about your experience, please let us know and we can help set that up for you. Thank you for your business.

Collette Support

12/21/2016

Enjoyed the tour. Spent several days on our own in Vienna. Excellent. Made ...

Trip Rating:

Enjoyed the tour. Spent several days on our own in Vienna. Excellent. Made our own way to the river boat. One criticism we heard was from the people who flew in the same day and had to loiter around Vienna until time to go to the boat. Strange city, unsure of landmarks, cold weather, There should have been a designated INDOOR place where people could gather until time to take coach to boat. One couple got dropped off several blocks from where they should have been. Not happy campers. Seemed to me a real oversight by the tour planners.
Trip Rating:

The Werzburg Xmas market seemed the most original and authentic.

12/21/2016

Expected More

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Actually 3 1/2 stars, but no option. Meals varied between very good to subpar and there was little option most times. Server was clueless at our tables, though wine/water server was very good. Group guide was fairly worhtless, thoguh the local guies were usualy very good.
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Locations were good, though there were times when you felt like you were too rushed. Couple things were worthless like gluwein party in Emmersdorf and Heurigher in Vienna that would have been better left off and given more time for other things.

12/21/2016

Cruise was fine. My only real criticisms are 1. there was not much to do a...

Trip Rating:

Cruise was fine. My only real criticisms are 1. there was not much to do after a tour (which sometimes only took 2 hours) and 2, at meal time the coffee was always lukewarm..
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The Christmas markets . The tours were all good. excellent guides.

12/21/2016

Rate this company as a 10..

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Collette has wonderful Tour Guides. They are extremely knowledgable about their tours and very personable.

12/20/2016

Outstanding, highly recommend to others

Trip Rating:

It was an excellent tour which was extremely well organized both on tours and the ship. Our Collette tour manager was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and caring with a goal of taken excellent care of the group. Local guides we experienced were outstanding. I did an interview with 2 Collette reps who were doing filming throughout the tour.on the ship with two
Trip Rating:

The Thurnund Taxis castle and Christmas Market Tour ( new tour added) and the extension 2 day trip to Prague.