Gate 1 "Monarch Empress" Rhine River cruise review

[@cal8605]

Thanks for posting your review! Debating on taking this same itinerary with my parents and this made me feel so much better.

[@CathyDillon-or4gz]

Thanks for the video. We have 3 cruises on the Empress in 2023.

[@DallArtOrigins]

Dear Mark, thank you for an inspiring report :)

[@pzp6r8]

Thanks for the review.

[@clarkcalabrese292]

Looking forward to book a river cruise, but on the Danube with Gate 1. May I ask you a few questions? Are tips/gratuities included? (Tour Director, Tour Guide, Ship Staff, Maid, Servers, Bar Host, etc.) Or do I need to plan to do that separately? Beer & wine with dinner, but can you buy/get beer or wine with lunch as an option? Are there any snacks/cookies and coffee/tea available throughout the day? Thank You!!! Clark C. ***Updated: 7/21/23, I have booked with Avalon Waterways. After doing more research and reading many reviews (Yelp, Tripadvisor, Trustpilot). I do not feel comfortable with Gate1. The ship, food, and excursions get average scores. But the bigger issue is transportations (to from boat/airport & bus), delays, and "Thiers" insurance company Gate1 used. I and the wife feel better and more secure with a company we have use only once before. Avalon Waterways is also part of Globus Journey's and we have use them serval times. Good Luck to all and Happy Travels! Clark C.

[@take2markTV]

Tips and gratuities are not included. I believe we charged the tips for the crew (excluding the cruise director and his assistant) to our room and gave the those two their tips in cash. You can always buy a drink during lunch or any other meal, or any other time. There was a coffee/tea machine in the back of the boat and small plates of cookies for snacks. Hope that helps!

[@clarkcalabrese292]

@@take2markTV Thank You for your help!!

[@monkeyb1820]

note that you never need to use the trip insurance company Gate1 recommends. We get trip insurance, but not with their recommended company. I have not studied any of this in a while, but I think the Avalon is way more expensive on a per person per day rate. The Avalon is probably a bit nicer, although the gate1 looks like a great product at the price point (it's not some dumpy older boat).

[@jtsherry1]

Thanks for your very informative video! We are considering a Danube cruise in Oct 2024 with my 95 year old mother. She is mobile but I hear no walkers/wheelchairs are allowed on board. What was your experience with getting off the boat when it docks - steps, slopes etc? Any idea if wheel chairs etc can be rented at the various cities as one exits the ships? Hoping you have some insight you can share with me! Thanks so much!

[@take2markTV]

I don't recall seeing any wheelchairs or walkers on board, but I don't think they were banned. The ships do have an elevator. We are talking about old European cities so I did see steps in some areas. I believe it was sloped gangways to get on the ship. My dad is 95 so I understand some of the restrictions but it would probably be a great adventure for your mom, even if she can't see some of the places easily

[@fanniewong2056]

When you arrive to Amsterdam on the first day, how much free time did you have after the glass bottom boat ride and tour of the town?

[@take2markTV]

I believe we had the late afternoon and evening free. We also stayed an extra night at a hotel near the train station

[@fanniewong2056]

@@take2markTV thank you for the quick reply. I wanted to book the Anne Frank house tour the first evening upon arrival.

[@tracimorgan3695]

Thank you we are getting ready for our cruise in May, question how was the tipping done, daily? or at the end? and in what currency?

[@take2markTV]

Hi Traci, it was at the end. Separate tips for cruise director and his assistant. (Cash, I believe it was Euros) There was also tipping for rest of staff and I believe that was a charge to credit card

[@suzanphipps9246]

@@take2markTV I realize you posted this a year ago but do you recall the tip amount? I am trying to see what I need to budget for my cruise with Gate 1 this year. Thank you.

[@take2markTV]

@@suzanphipps9246 Hi Suzan, I couldn't locate that info. (It was in the travel docs) I looked on the internet but saw conflicting figures. I suggest calling Gate 1 and they should be able to tell you. I do remember we paid in Euros. Have a great trip!

[@suzanphipps9246]

Thanks for trying. I will give them a call as I have a couple of other questions for them.

[@tracimorgan3695]

@@suzanphipps9246 Crew (Shared by all crew members): US $16 per person per day Cruise Director: US $4 per person per day Activity Host: US $4 per person per day Local Guide (Offers in-depth information at specific locations): US $5 per person per day of sightseeing, US $3 per half day Local Driver (Provides chauffeur services at specific locations): US $5 per person per day, US $3 per half day

[@mywroclaw2237]

😊

[@ce19651967]

Hello, Do you have some email?