Essence of the Elbe: Hamburg to Prague (2012)

It was a wonderful tour. The ship's crew were phenomenal. I never had such good service and an atmospere everyone being part of a family;

The itinerary was excellent and the guides were truly outstanding.

--The hotel in Prague should be scrapped. It was very far from the center and directly on both trolley and railroad tracks, The service was quite poor because the hotel was understaffed. After 2 12 hours I finally took the baggage myself. Reception did not answer their phone because the one clerk on duty was overwhelmed. Sizewise, the breakfast room did not adquately meet the needs of the guests.
--The hotel in Krakow was only fair because it to, was far from being ideally located. The rooms were very small with inadequate clothes storage.
--The hotel in Hamberg was fine and the one in Warsaw was just outstanding.

Overall, the trip was superb except for the criticism, above, of the hotels.

Traveler: Bruce Shames from New York, NY traveled on April 18, 2012

[Our Program Director] Jakob needed to be able to provide restaurant recommendations in Poland on holidays when most places are closed.

More info on day’s itinerary needs to be given so free time can be planned more effectively. Orientation walks around hotels were most useful.

Bus driver had to stop for petrol on one of our day tours (Auschwitz) – poor planning and poor use of our time.

Traveler: Hilary Rauch from Jamestown, NC traveled on April 06, 2012

We have been looking for more river cruises as we have enjoyed all those we have taken and waited until we felt the kinks would be out of this particular cruise. The wait was worth it.

It was a great trip from start to finish. The scenery was different than most of the other river cruises we have taken so far. Hamburg is a beautiful city and when you think about what it has gone through just in the 20th century, it makes it extra special to see what the people have done to rebuild the city.

Our Home Hosted Kaffeeklatsch in Wittenberg was unique for us. The host was a retired Detective and spoke little English and no one in our group spoke German (our fault). But he had a computer set up in the room where we had our coffee that had a program where half the screen was for German words and half for English. When he would type something on the German side, it translated it to the English side and the same when we typed on the English side. It worked out great and the afternoon went by so quickly and we all enjoyed reading what the other had to say. I hope GCT will keep him on the list for hosting. He was very interesting.

We were fortunate to be in Torgau when the city was having its 67th anniversary of the link up of the US forces from the west and the Russian forces from the east in 1945. Our Program Directors made it possible to be there at this time and it was quite an honor to be there at this monumental moment. We were there for the whole ceremony and were able to talk to the representatives from the US, Germany, and Russia.

The Crew and the Program Directors were exceptional. This is probably the first time we were able to spend so much time with the Captain as he made himself readily available. We were concerned about the ship as it was smaller than the others we have taken but it turned out to be more comfortable than we imagined it would be.

I believe, like others, that the bus trip to Berlin made for a long day. I see that in the 2013 itinerary that the trip now will start in Berlin giving more time to see more of the city than in the 2012 tour. Too bad that it is at the cost of Hamburg, but I guess you can’t have everything.

Traveler: Fred & Marion Hofmann from Gold Canyon, AZ traveled on April 18, 2012

This river cruise was in a word - exceptional. My wife and I have been on several river cruises with grand circle and this was absolutely the best.

The food was diversified and preparation, taste and service was outstanding. The wines were from local vineyards and we were able to enjoy as much as we wanted. The crew was the best we ever experienced. They were friendly outgoing and the Capt. especially was entertaining. Apparently as he was growing up he had a band with which he performed. He played guitar and sang and was a big part of the ships entertainment. We would recommend this trip to anyone interested in seeing the old GDR. The side trip to Berlin was especially, informative.

Traveler: George & Pat Frazier from Edwards, MO traveled on April 11, 2012

We loved this river trip. We were amazed at the large amount of country in farm land, and the amount of canola grown. Being ag. oriented, we wondered: who owns this land now and who manages it? At our home hosted coffee, our hostess told us her grandparents had a smal farm that was confiscated, and previous owners did not get their land back. She became very emotional when discussing this. We also enjoyed bird watching with other couples on the upper deck. We found the Hamburg harbor tour and emmigration museum fascinating, and enjoyed meeting and talking with a Danish couple in the hotel restaurant. The small towns we visited were very picturesque, Berlin was historic, Dresden beautiful, Wittenberg a highlight. The visits to the Nutcracker factory and Meissen porcelin factory,the Bastei national park and Prague were also very interesting. As for the captain, Jurgen Luderer, and crew and tour guides Dena and Alex and trainee Martina, they


were all excellent. The food was excellent, as usual, cabins cozy and large enough. We also very much enjoyed the talks from German ciitizens who had been through the war and communist occupation. We are somewhat disappointed that Hamburg will not be part of the tour in the future, but an optional part. Berlin, which was interesting, and will be part of the main tour, was interesting but not very pretty. Hamburg much more picturesque.Those planning this trip should know this is a more "laid back" trip. Plenty of activity, but not what we think of as typical Germany. We are so glad, and feel fortunate, that we got to see "the rest of the picture"

Traveler: Mary Hackett from Stevensville, MT traveled on April 04, 2012

I was amazed at how beautiful Poland was . Also surprised at how few tourist visit Poland. It should be one of the hottest spots to visit. The salt mines are incredible. Before we left for this rip I looked at the reviews of last years trip. The review on the Chopin concert was terrible. Me and my husband decided we would do the concert anyway, we are so happy we did it was just wonderful GCT had corrected everything that was wrong with the trip last year and made it a delightful evening. The palace was great and the restaurant was fabulous.

Traveler: Deanna Varricchio from St. James, NY traveled on April 04, 2012

We enjoyed our visit in Hamburg which was part of the trip in 2012, but will be an extension in 2013 in order to provide more time in Berlin, which will be a plus. If you go to Hamburg make sure to see the Miniature Wonderland - a fabulous HUGE miniature railroad display.

The ship crew and food is fantastic. Take advantage of the tour of the galley - very interesting. Bring a swim suit if you want to use the sauna on board which is free.

The optional trip to Seiffen is too quick. It is a rather long drive, which is very scenic, but by the time you visit the factory and the museum there isn't a lot of time to shop and explore the town.

Before the trip read Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut and view the movies Dresden Part 1 & 2 from Netflix. When visiting the Green Vault in Dresden check jacket etc. using the lockers - you receive your euro back when you take your items out. During your free time stroll along Bruhl's Terrace "The Balcony of Europe".


View the movie Luther from Netflix (Guttenberg).

In Prague we left the included tour at the Castle complex early because it was Sun. and we wanted to attend mass at St. Vitus Cathedral which is on the Castle hill. They won't let visitors in during a service and we had to convince the guard we really planned on attending mass. It would be worth the money to take a tour of the Cathedral. On our own we then made our way down the steps from the hill and stopped at the Toy and Barbie Museum which is about half way down. Very well done and interesting. We then made our way to the Charles Bridge and continued to the town square and then to St. Wencelslas Square.

If doing the extension to Poland - which we highly recommend - view Netflix movies Schinder's List (Krakow) and The Pianist. (Warsaw).


In Krakow, if doing the optional tour to the Salt Mine, which is very good, if you stop at one of the cafes for lunch on your own in the town square (service is very slow) you will not have a lot of time to do exploring and shopping too. Ask your program director if there is some fast food available in the area. Our program director arranged for us to get to Schindler's Factory - it isn't part of the tour. Find out how to get there on your own if needs be - an extremely well done museum about
Krakow during German occupation.

Enjoy the trip. We certainly did.

Traveler: Charles & Elaine Statz from Elkhorn, WI traveled on April 04, 2012

This was my thirteenth trip with GCT, and thirteen proved to be a lucky number. This river cruise was very relaxing and informative. We were on the first trip of this season, and I wouldn't change a thing. All the cities and small villages were unique, and the people were especially friendly. Traveling in Eastern Europe is so interesting. We were very welcome as tourists. If you ever need help, find a person under thirty and they will usually speak English. We especially liked Hamburg and its harbor tour.
One thing to note is that Prague restaurants, for the most part, would not accept credit cards. Be prepared to have cash for that part of the trip.
The crew and Captain were outstanding. These trips just keep getting better because of their excellent service. I'll be checking for a fourteenth trip.

Traveler: Margaret Folluo from Saint Louis, MO traveled on March 28, 2012

Having taken most of the available river cruises we found this one most relaxing and enjoyable. Being in towns not often seen in most trrips, enriched our knowledge of the area. I had been to Germany many times in the past but this opened new vistas. Including Berlin was a wonderful adventure. It was a thrill to go through Check Point Charlie once more after 65 years. Most of our fellow travellers were multiple trippers. I have the highest regard for the ship, the crew, an director.

Traveler: Norman Palmer from Peoria, AZ traveled on April 04, 2012

The Allegro is not suitable for Grand Circle. All viewing space is wasted in the dining area. There are a few things that could improve the trip especially putting shelves in above the beds and putting in beds with devices that fold into a headrest.

Traveler: Sara Ryals from Beaufort, SC traveled on November 05, 2011

Schwerin was delightful, except, the itinerary says: TOUR the Gothic Castle but we had to pay to visit it and I think the entrance fee should have been included ...

Traveler: Marie Gieser from Plainfield, IL traveled on October 17, 2011

We were informed a couple of days before departure that the intinerary would be modified because of loss of one engine on the boat. I can only say that if anything, I believe that the changes enhanced the trip. We stopped at a couple of small towns that were not on the original list of ports and these (Lauenberg in particular) were charming, authentic towns built during the middle ages that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Athough the changes meant we had a couple of days with longer bus rides, our program director, Lutz Hagen, ensured that everything scheduled was included and even added a couple of extra attractions and "treats" for us all. We enjoyed every day and the different sights that awaited us. The staff aboard the boat was the most attentive of any boat we have sailed on with GCT. They could not do enough for us. They were friendly, professional and always in good humor often waiting for us after shore excursions with face towels, mulled wine or other refreshments. I cannot say enough about the outstanding treatment we received.
The ports we visited were different from those of western Germany and fascinating because of decades of communist rule.
If I recommended changes they would be-an extra day in Prague, and a change in the Hamburg hotel. The area it is located in is seedy and dirty. Either a new hotel or one less day in the city.
All in all-a great trip, an incredible Program Director, (Lutz Hagen) and outstanding hotel staff aboard the River Allegro

Traveler: John Weiss from Canton, CT traveled on October 29, 2011

The cruise up the River Elbe from Hamburg to Prague was one of the most memorable, exciting experiences of our many GCT trips; so many discoveries to be made in the former East Germany! In many ways it was like taking a step back in time, to a much slower and relaxing way of life. The cities along the Elbe are very beautiful, and at the same time we saw what the tragedy of war can do to a country like Germany. However the great and friendly people of this region have rebounded to restore their cities and towns to their original historic designs. There is so much history and beauty in this region it is difficult where to begin telling about it. Starting with Hamburg, every city visited along the Elbe was a new and wonderful discovery! One of our favorites was the city of Tangermunde. After our tour, we sat at a sidewalk pub and had a pint of "Tangermunder Cow's Tail' beer. It was great! We learned that it takes 7 minutes to correctly draw off a mug of this very tasty delight! Our home-hosted Kaffeklatsch was another highlight experience, where we were able to discuss with the Family,life in former East Germany prior to reunification. Our Ship's Captain Jurgen Luderer provided us with great entertainment with his singing and guitar skills. He is a fantastic person! We can't say enough good things about our Tour Director Team either! Nils and Christian were fantastic with their skills and perspectives on unified Germany!
On the downside, this trip ended way too soon. We feel that another 3 days on the river itself would make this great trip even greaterThere are too many discoveries waiting to be made here, and so little time to find them all!
Travelers to this region should prepare themselves to see things that are not experienced in our homeland,such as the war damage that still exists after 65 years. Since the fall of Communism 20 or so years ago the people of this region are rebounding in a big way, but still have a long road ahead.
This trip could be further improved by adding more cruise days on the river Elbe, and also by doing more cruising during the daylight hours so us travelers can view more of the countryside in this region. We could only recall about 2 opportunities to sit on the sundeck to watch the passing scenery. But overall this is one fantastic trip!

Traveler: Floyd Light from Reese, MI traveled on September 28, 2011

We have done the French and Winter Adriatic cruises with GCT and OAT. The Elbe is a fascinating river, not as well-traveled by Americans as the Danube, etc. and the countryside is less familiar to us. Jakob was our PD, with Rita also helping. We especially enjoyed Tangermunde and the Bastei. Wittenberg was interesting, and, of course, the rebuilt Dresden. Yes, Berlin was too short, but, not having been there before, it was interesting. We had been to Prague previously, but Poland was new. Because our dates put us in certain cities on Mondays, and not on weekends, we had less museum time and concerts than we are used to. We should have considered that! The Salt Mines were excellent and Krakow was especially enjoyable. We missed having a more extended home-hosted visit, which is always a highlight for us. We would have liked more ongoing information available and better maps on the ship. Jakob enjoyed Chuck's quest for the highest tower, more steps to climb, etc. which we appreciated! We would also have enjoyed some other interactive opportunities on the ship, such as music. There were entertainers, but some passengers had talents that were not utilized (we had more of this on the Adriatic trip). The Black Madonna Trip took more time than Joan felt it was worth. We heard just half of the Chopin recital, because we were late arriving in Warsaw; it would be nice to substitute some other musical event for this rather commercial concert. We did enjoy the magician! The food was good and the crew worked hard. The cabins were not as small as those on the China trip. The location of hotels is O.K.; we are used to public transportation, because we live in a big city. Also, getting around on one's own is a good way to meet the locals. We found some interesting restaurants to have dinner on our own, and that was fun. There was some illness, but colds are not unusual when one is in a group, and when one is fatigued. Fortunately, we managed pretty well. In general, the passengers, mostly very well travelled, were patient and kept their sense of humor. Jakob experienced some sadness at the end because of a personal event, and the group was a good support -- and he, also, was very kind. (It was connected with GCT, but not with our group.) We have now traveled 11 times with the company, and haven't decided yet what we will do next!

Traveler: Joan Or Charles Staples from Chicago, IL traveled on September 17, 2011

This was truly a Learning & Discovery trip.Thanks to our outstanding PD we saw beautiful landscapes while on our bus trips,say & tasted locally made products,had interaction with local folks and learned a lot about the history of the area per and post WWII. The majority of the trip was in East Germany and witnessed the rebuilding of the area...i.e. Berlin & Dresden. The refurbished MS Allegro is a little smaller than the other GCT ships but is well laid out and comfortable. Capt Juergen,was the most charismatic available ship captain I've met. Impressive man. Don't pass up this trip.

Traveler: Robert Ryan from Dana Point, CA traveled on October 01, 2011

With deference to other GCT cruises this would have to be rated only "good" in order for others to be rated a little higher. It would be an most excellent first cruise if there were nothing else to compare it to. The usual wonderful dining, and the staff bent on rendering outstanding service, did not overshadow the Elbe itself not offering the truly breathtaking interests of some of the other rivers. The Elbe also does not appear to allow the use of a larger, less cramped vessel with more amenities. A plus, however, is a more intimate setting. If it weren't for comparison with some of the other GCT cruises, however, this would be considered excellent indeed. While perhaps not my first choice. I could easily go again.

Traveler: Bob Merchant from Tamuning, GU traveled on September 24, 2011

Recently I returned from my 40th cruise, sadly, not all with Grand Circle. It was on the newly refurbished Allegro on a brand new River Cruise itinerary. Every aspect of the cruise was so awesome that I called GCT as soon as I returned home and booked another River Cruise. I took the pre cruise option to Poland and thoroughly enjoyed both Warsaw and Krakow , even more than I thought I would. Two nights in wonderful Prague and then the "piece de resistance", the Allegro. I cannot give the ship and everyone on it enough praise. From the adorable Captain who entertained us with his songs and guitar, to the three wonderful and helpful gentlemen at the hotel desk, David, Alex, and Julian, to the extremely competent dining room manager, Mateo, to the PERFECT service of all the waiters, and right on down through housekeeping, everyone made sure all the passengers enjoyed an awesome cruise experience. The food was amazing, so fresh, so varied, and so much of it! All the port stops were delightful, every one so interesting in all their different ways. One thing was wrong~~the cruise portion was not nearly long enough. Loved, loved that ship!!

Traveler: Gail Sears from Plymouth, MA traveled on September 05, 2011

While the trip was basically enjoyable, I have a few suggestions.
The time traveling to Berlin was excessive when you consider the extremely abbreviated time in Berlin. Berlin needs a much longer stay. I would recommend consideration of a visit to the Spree forest & river in it's stead.
While interesting, the time in Czestochova was also far too short as was the case in Wittenberg and it's Martin Luther Museum.
The "Miniature Wunderland" in Hamburg should be an included or optional tour, or at least mentioned in the City highlights. It was far more impressive than the 'harbor, boat tour'.
On board entertainment & informational sessions were not up to other trip standards.
While the Salt Mines visit was a definite plus, the 'Chopin Recital with Dinner' was poor. The pianist left much to be desired as did the restaurant food.
On the up side, tour guide Jakob
Kummer should be congratulated for his abilities and efforts. He is a prize!
Martin

Traveler: Martin Lang from Beach Haven, NJ traveled on September 17, 2011

This was a fun trip despite the lack of spectacular sites and scenery found on trips like "The Great Rivers." What it does offer is a relaxing experience in an area unfamiliar to us and most of our fellow travelers . Having done all the other GCT cruises we can say the "Allegro"and its crew match up with the best in friendliness and service. And if you are lucky you will get Jutta Hinterer for a Program Director. She is one of the best. And the local guides on this trip were uniformly excellent.

We did the Munich pre-trip mainly to visit Neuschwanstein. We saw it on one of the beautiful warm days which we had every day of the trip. We were happy to revisit Munich, Prague, and Berlin which we had visited on previous trips. It was good we had visited them before, but for those making a first time visit, one day in Prague and 6 hours in Berlin will hopefully bring them back because more time is needed.
As many have noted in reviews, it is a long day on the Berlin trip. Not sure what can be done. The "fault" is the geography of Germany in not putting highlights spots uniformly along all the rivers! Our trip to Schwerin (another four hours on a bus) was a letdown because, due to the national holiday (Unification Day - Oct. 3) the the trip highlight castle" was not open for touring. It was a nice town though.

On the plus side were the views at Bastei and the charms of Tangermunde. As we are regular visitors to art museums, the galleries in Hamburg, Dresden (& Berlin) were great experiences. Hamburg was a wonderful surprise and we greatly enjoyed being "kids" and visiting Miniature Wonderland along with hundreds of real kids! And don't miss the Hamburg Harbor Tour. Dresden is an architectural jewel.

Our visit to Wittenberg was most satisfying. A knowledgeable and personable local guide took us through Lutherhaus with its' historical artifacts and documents and we visited many other siters connected with Martin Luther. Fir a fun afternoon we had our home hosted kaffeeklatsch with a Germany family.

For visitors to this part of Germany make sure you load up on small change at every chance. Almost all bathroom facilities charge 50 cents, payable either to an attendant or in a turn style. The hotels and the front desk on the ship are very good at breaking down big bills to small and changing smaller bills for euros: 1's, 2's are good for local guides and drivers.

It is good to note in the 2012 GCT catalog that the Hamburg pre or post trips have trips to Lubeck and Luneburg. It would have made a good post trip for us.

We think that devoted river cruise travelers will enjoy this trip even if it doesn't have the "dazzle" of some others. We are certainly glad we went.

Dick & Betty Carroll, Hamilton, NY

Traveler: Betty Carroll from Hamilton, NY traveled on September 21, 2011

We traveled in late Sept beginning in Munich for the Oktoberfest - the Weisen. That was great fun and a good beginning for any tour! The hotels and transportation were first rate and our Trip Leader, Jutta, was the best. I always place a very high value on a sense of humor and Jutta measured up!
There wre several highlights for me. I like history, sociology, geneology and a lot of other subjecdts. The Weisen was a study in people and their behavior (pretty tame really) when imbibing copious quantities of the local nectar. For scenery, the trip through the Bastei Region is very nice, indeed. I found the Czech Republic interesting because of the many Czech people I know in Texas. The food there was excellent, as well as the Pilsner Urquell. We then boarded the ship that was to be our hotel for a week or so. It is newly refurbished and I found it very comfortable. The Chef was excellent and they were able to accomodate my wife's diabetic condition with no problems.
As we sailed north down the Elbe we passed many picturesque villages, churches, homes and lots of green fields. The weather was unusually warm for this time of year and we enjoyed that for sure! Lutherstadt Wittenburg is a study in religious history that is well preserved and well presented. The Germans love museums and this whole town is a musem. We almost expected Martin Luther to emerge and give a sermon.
No trip here would be complete without a visit to Dresden. In Dresden we saw the remarkably well restored city and the China factory with its modern treasures for sale. Amazing workmanship in the best German tradition. There wre several other stops that took our attention. Our bus driver knew of one and we stopped to look at the memorial for a WWII Concentration Camp that was liberated by the 82nd Airborne Division. It was a study in contrasts - the original inhumanity and the final construction of the memorial - late fall roses were blooming with lots of rose hips that many of us had never seen. In Berlin we had a nice tour of the city and then had trime to visit the great Egyptian Collection in the Neaue Museum. In the 1970s I was stationed in West Germany but my security clearance would not let me or my family travel to Berlin. I fulfilled a promise to my wife that some day I would take her to see the bust of Nefertiti in Berlin. Mission Accomplished. I bought her a small replica that now sits in a place of honor in our home.
Finally the tour of the harbor in Hamburg where so many modern day Americans can trace their ancestors imigration points of departure. One of our group met her cousin there, a person she had research and found but had never met. At the age of (classified) she had recently studied German enough to carry on a conversation and meet her relative. Like so many others on this trip, she was a delight to meet and have as a traveling companion. We visited a large church where the choir and orchestra was rehearsing and enjoyed a great concert.
If you are thinking about a tour that is just a little off the beaten path in Europe go here and see what we Americans could not see for all the years of the Cold War. Do not expect a lot of castles, even though there are a few nice ones. You will see Germany as it really is in a pastoral setting moving at a moderate pace - very relaxing! Thank you Grand Circle for a tour well done.

Traveler: James Bridges from Austin, TX traveled on September 21, 2011

We thoroughly enjoyed this River trip. The two trip leaders that guided us, Rita and Jakob were excellent. They worked very well together which is always an asset to a successful trip. The accomadations on the ship and the hotels were all excellent. Dresden was a great stop. The post trip to Krakow and Warsaw stood out as a highlight of the overall expereince. The group size of 45 was the only negative.
Our advice to all is to add this river boat experience to thier travels.

Traveler: Ethel and Howard Olson from Murrells Inlet, SC traveled on September 17, 2011

Excellent trip, very informative as to history culture, people, and architecture. Could have spent one more day in Warsaw.

Traveler: Robert Suydam from Grand Junction, CO traveled on September 17, 2011

Wonderful trip with the highlights being Dresden and Wittenberg. Pottery market and 850th wine festival in Meisen. Opted not to take trip to Schwerin, enjoying a day instead of walking around Wittenberge. Certainly quieter than the Rhine but well worth the time and effort.

Traveler: Chester Davis from Atlantic Beach, FL traveled on September 17, 2011

The new boat is fantastic and the crew is one of the friendliest we have sailed with. The Captain sings and plays the guitar and puts on a great show during one of the evenings. My wife and I did not go to Berlin since we had recently been there and the Captain was on deck with us pointing out birds including eagles. Apparently he is an avid bird watcher. All of the staff lived up to the high standards of GCTOAT and helped make this a very enjoyable trip. If you go on this, I hope you have Christian as a Program Director, he is knowledgeable and really goes out of the way to make this trip a unique adventure and learning experience. We had taken the Elba trip 13 years before and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the changes in many of the towns, especially Dresden. Christian was able to secure tickets to the Green Vault for several of us.

Traveler: Richard Mears from Flat Rock, NC traveled on September 05, 2011

First of all, the Allegro and crew were magnificent!! The best we have experienced. They obviously took their enthusiasm from Captain Jurgen who should win any Johnny Cash impersonation contest ever held. The food was always excellent and the service from the dining room to the bar to the rooms was perfect.

We suffered a rare glitch for GCT in having a much less than perfect Program Director. This created some problems and distractions but I am sure this will be remedied in good time.

The restaurants and food off the ship suffered from comparison to the shipboard fare but these could be improved.

The itinerary is good with the exception of the long coach ride to Berlin and just a few hours spent there. In my view, this should be extended or included in a post-trip extension.

The post trip extension to Poland and Czech Republic was excellent. The ininerary and pacing were good, the food average again but the day at Auschwitz and Burkenau are never to be forgotten. We thought we were prepared but it is impossible to truly prepare for this emotional experience.

Traveler: Frank Colburn from Afton, OK traveled on July 23, 2011

I thought the boat portion was really good and have nothing negative about any of the people. However, I would like to make some suggestions'
1. Berlin is such an awesome city that perhaps Hamberg could be an add on and just add days in Berlin. So much to see and do and a few very few hours is just not enough.
2. So far out of town in Prague, that it was difficult without going back into town to find a restaurant. I didn't feel we were in Prague. Hotels you use in this city way too far out of town, especially when one likes to walk. Too far to walk to old town or to an area that at least has some nightlife.

Traveler: Roberta Perlis from Albuquerque, NM traveled on September 10, 2011

The lucky passengers on the Sept 3 Elbe trip had great fall weather, except for a rainy Berlin, and we were among the even luckier half to have Dina as our PD.Always “up” and positive, Dina made every city walk , port talk and conversation fun and informative. We were also lucky in having the full river experience with only the expected bus portions.
My biggest surprise was the Meissen “factory” tour. I don’t particularly enjoy such things, but the Meissen visit was excellent; a museum, rather than our image of a factory, with brief and interesting demonstrations of the process of making the world-famous porcelain and many rooms of beautiful objects.
Dresden was the true highlight for me. Not only are the old town buildings beautiful and impressive, but the “back story” of the rebuilding of Dresden to its present beauty is a testament to their resiliancy and determination, especially since the reunification. We bought tickets for the Historic Green Vault online in advance and enjoyed two plus hours seeing the treasures amassed by Augustus the Strong; rooms of jewels, ivory, gold, silver and more; this is a museum of precious decorative pieces, not paintings, and the rooms themselves are gorgeous. An audiotour is included in the price, but it selects only a few items in each room to discuss; you will spend a great deal of time seeing the multitude of remaining pieces.
Though this was our fourth time in Prague, we added an extra five days to our trip, moved to a great and reasonable central hotel, and walked the city. I feel sorry for those visiting for the first time, as time was far too short for them. I would especially like to suggest to GCT that the included city tour be expanded. The visit to the Castle area should include the ticket that admits you to five of the sites there; it’s a shame to not be able to enter the church in its entirieity, not just its crowded section near the door, and no one should miss the Golden Lane or the other three buildings that are included. By the way, the GCT Park Hotel was very pleasant, walking distance to the Vysehrad castle (a ruin), church, park, ancient round chapel, and fascinating cemetary. The hotel is even walking distance to or from town if you enjoy walking. Otherwise, the tram is nearby. Should you spend time in Prague on your own, here’s another little hint: MAYBE you, if over 70 years of age, can ride the trams free. Most people we asked said that applied to us as well as Czechs, and we decided to give it a try, and had no problems. BUT - no one really could say for absolute sure, so, do so at your own risk.
There was not a town or site we visited that was not worth seeing; Schwerin castle is picturesque, Tangermunde is charming, and Wittenberg educational and a delight to wander. Hamburg was a surprise: green, built along lakes, and with a fascinating harbor area and a controversial new concert hall by the noted architects Herzog and de Meuron. Another great GCT river trip!

Traveler: Margo Wilson from Scottsdale, AZ traveled on September 03, 2011

For pictures, commentary, and slide shows of the Grand Circle Elbe River Cruise and Poland Extension, go to http:sheila-elbe.blogspot.com It was a great trip full of wonderful memories.

Traveler: Sheila Knox from Modesto, CA traveled on August 20, 2011

The Essence of the Elbe!
what can I say for a trip that was GREAT our program director Rita was a gem and very knowlegable and a lot of fun.
The crew of our ship were superb as was the food I give this trip five stars.
Keep up thegood work.
Charles Rogers 7 time traveller.

Traveler: Thomas Charles Rogers from Lilburn, GA traveled on September 17, 2011

My wife and I traveled on Sep 3 and I would like to add my comments to this forum. Out of the 88 folks on the trip, 76 were IC so you know that everyone is trying it out. This was the nicest group we have traveled with.

We knew from studying the material and looking at maps that this is not what you would call a "normal" GCT river cruise. It is not a vineyard and castle cruise and it was going to involve a lot of bus time. This didn't bother us because just about all the stops were places we wanted to see. The idea here is know before you go.

The Allegro has the finest crew in total of any other ship we have been on. They will take excellent care of you. The food was absolutely outstanding in our opinion.

Tangermunde was nothing to write home about and our trip to Berlin was hampered by rain. Outstanding weather the rest of the way. The free time in Berlin is really too short to do much on your own. But, we had never been to Berlin so enjoyed what we saw.

There was a lot of talk about the Green Vault in Dresden. We saw the new Green Vault and got sensory overload after a while. It should not be missed but don't know if trying to get into the "real" Green Vault is worthwhile.

The hotels were really great and it was easy to get to where you wanted to go. We thought they were among the best we have been in with GCT.

We did the Poland extension and found it to be far nicer than we expected. I would say you shouldn't miss it.

We did the Chopin concert and salt mine excursions and enjoyed them.

Maybe we are easy to please but it was a good trip.

After thought, we spent a afternoon at the Miniature Wonderland in Hamburg. I knew of it before we left and it was not mentioned by the PD's but it is marvelous.
The largest model railway in the world.
1300 sq meters with 13,000 feet of track.
Check their website. Get the tickets at the hotel for easy entry.

Traveler: Earl W. Herman from Jacksonville, FL traveled on September 03, 2011

Allegro on the Elbe

It seemed like the world stopped short
Along the Elbe.
Placid scenery nurtured the river
Stillness of the day
A postcard photo
A painting
An unbelievable moment. In a frenzied world.
A world of many distractions,
My eyes widely opened,
I found peace,
Peace found me.

Traveler: Philip Meyerson from Palo Alto, CA traveled on September 03, 2011

My daughter accompanied me on this trip. We had to alter our travel arrangements due to the hurricane which came up the east coast as we were supposed to arrive there. Thus we ended up with a 7 hour lay-over in Dusseldorf, Germany. We used it to explore the city. We especially enjoyed visiting Berlin, Wittenberg and Schwerin. In Wittenberg, the home visit was a chance to see first hand what challenges young families face in Germany today. Berlin gave us a glimpse of life under the Communist rule. We were pleased to go to Schwerin where some of our ancestors were born and lived. The crew of our ship was fantastic and gave us great service. I highly recommend river cruises, they simplify getting from place to place, no constant packing and unpacking. Just stow your clothes in a closet, and away you go. You still get to see the country on day trips, but much less hassle.

Traveler: Patricia Schroeder from Wichita, KS traveled on August 27, 2011

We were on the first GC trip down the Elbe, with many other seasoned GC travellers. Because it was the first, there were a few glitches here and there, but the presence of management onboard much of the trip helped work them out. And they got an earful!!!! I enjoyed the stay in Hamburg...a whole city under construction! The subway was very easy to understand and use and was right outside the hotel. We found good restaurants and useful shops for necessities right nearby. The refurbished river ship could have used another couple of weeks of refurbishing but served most of us well. Many of us would like to have the salon at the front of the boat, as it is on other river cruisers but that was not the design of this ship. The crew could not have been better...friendly, eager to respond to requests and experienced. At one point we stopped in the small village where the captain and his wife, the head housekeeper, lived. She gave us a ncie tour of the quiet town while others took an optional trip. We enjoyed exploring the small towns along the way. The Elbe is not as scenic a trip as some, at least for the first few days, but that relaxing tempo and rolling countryside makes for a gentle vacation. Included trips were very worthwhile and we really felt we learned a great deal about the former East Germany. The stay in Prague was very brief, but the hotel was fine and near a tram to downtown and a market. All in all it was a trip we were glad to experience. Now to get the ship shipshape and all will be well!

Traveler: Joan Garniss from Waltham, MA traveled on April 16, 2011

I really enjoyed the cruise. The food and staff w ere wonderful. Found the cabins a little TOO SMALL. Don't know how to fix the problem. I found the the trip to Berlin was too long for what we did. Should consider another side trip. We spend 6 hrs in a bus. My trip to the back mondona was not very good. The crowds were hugh the day we were there. Would have loved to have been there another day. Sunday is not good. Trip director was wonderful. Will travel again with you company.

Traveler: Patricia Kubinski from Monroe, NJ traveled on September 03, 2011

We miss the 1st 28 miles of the river cruise from Bad Schandau to Dresden doe to boat machanical problems. Shortly after leaving Prague, passengers started getting sick from a gastro0intestinal ailment eventuall making over half of the passengers and some crew members sick. This was no ones fault just something that happens. We calculated that we traveled 360 miles in a bus as opposed to only 310 miles by river. Quite a bit of the river travel ws at night this limiting time on the deck for sun and conversation. The scenery along the shore line of the Elbe River is pretty ordinary when compared to the spectacular Rhine River. We enjoyed the trip into Lutherstadt-Wittenburg to the home of Martin Luther which was probably the trip highlight. We also enjoyed Dresden and all of it's history. The Meissen Porcelain Factory was intresting. We did no no the home hosted visit or the optional trip into Havelburg. We enjoyed the optional Hamburg Harbor Tour, well worth the money. Wd did a quick tour to Berlin, spending 3 hours on the bus coming and going and had only 3 hours of free time there. Concerning the River Alegro, the room are smaller than on the Rhine boats, 120 sq ft vs. 150 sq ft. The bathrooms are miniscule, most notably the shower which measures 20X 42 inches. I advise anyone with a problem climbing stairs to take a room on the Serenade Deck. The 13 stairs going down to the Sonata Deck are quite steep and there is no elevator. However all things considered, we had a good time but the trip could use some fine tuning.

Traveler: Judy & Paul Zirjacks from Iola, KS traveled on August 13, 2011

Sorry, I have nothing good to say about the ship portion.
The hotel manager and Karol did a great job in difficult circumstances.
Berlin deserves more than 4 hours after a long bus ride.
Long rides using the ship as hotel doesn't cut it.

Traveler: Margaret Galcher from San Clemente, CA traveled on August 08, 2011

My wife and I recently returned from the August 8th “The Essence of the Elbe” river cruise.
First, we are long time customers of both GCT and OAT. We wish to commend our Program Director, Margarete Chada. Maggie performed admirably under some trying circumstances. At the beginning of the main portion of the tour, a sick traveler infected a large number of our fellow travelers, several members of the ship’s crew and both our Program Directors, Maggie and Jutta, with an intestinal virus. In addition to her Director duties, Maggie monitored all those afflicted in a caring way.
As to the tour itself, my wife and I were disappointed. It was not up to GCT standards.
There was too much free time.
The hotels were away from town, necessitating use of either a bus or taxi if one desired to explore the locality or eat away from the hotel.
A number of “walking” tours showed the exterior of sites, but we were informed that if we wanted to see more we should come back during our free time.
I believe this was the initial “Elbe” tour. It needs to be restructured to remedy some of the above criticisms."

Traveler: Seamon Molkenbuhr from Palm Desert, CA traveled on August 08, 2011

First half of trip was great, especially included tour of Berlin. Then intestinal illness struck. Improvement is needed in avoiding such illness (at least 50 passengers were affected and even the Captain) and caring for it when it strikes. The ship personnel was were reactive rather than proactive. For example, they didn't provide hand sanitizing sites for those returning from shore until many people were ill several days into the cruise. Restaurant personnel tried but didn't seem knowledgeable about what sick people needed once we were confined to our cabins.

Traveler: Renee Horowitz from Scottsdale, AZ traveled on August 13, 2011

I along, with many travelers, know of The Rhine, The Main and the Danube Rivers, but seldom is much said about the Elbe River, and the Eastern part of Germany. Also, you may hear about Wittenberg and the Protestant Reformation and Meissen Porcelain, but don't know the cities of Wittenberg and Meissen are on the Elbe River. I absorbed much history,and cultureI that I was not aware of, on The Elbe River Cruise. My most interesting,(but hard to chose), was Wittenberg Visit, Berlin Wall and Meissen Visit and the Porcelain Makers.My adivce to fellow travelers, do all the included tours, and also the optional tours, to absorb the history and culture.

Traveler: Rita Westerman from Westerville, OH traveled on August 06, 2011

The Elbe River is most peaceful and pastoral. Green grass, lovely cows, graceful waterfowl, quaint villages and bustling historic cities to enjoy. Yes there are many churches, museums, little shops, and amusements to keep you occupied, but never bored. The long history of the region provides much to learn. Good beer, wine and food both on and off the Allegro, companions and crew to enjoy being with, swapping stories, sharing pictures.
Seriously consider visiting the Miniature World in Hamburg. You should make reservations before you leave to avoid waiting possibly hours to get in. Plus there's a senior citizen discount. Also the Soviet era submarine and Beatlemania are fun to visit. Taking the tram is easy in Hamburg.
There's a wonderful museum at the Meissen factory. Don't miss it! The New Green Vault at the Royal Palace in Dresden is fantastic, too, It's open on Monday's when other museums are closed in Germany.
We took the extension to Poland which didn’t fail to amaze us with its spirit of renewal, its lovely country side and historic cities. Do take the optional tour to the coal mine even though there's lots of walking, plus the dinner afterwards is great. If you have a chance to hear a Chopin concert, do it!
We've been on GCT Danube, Rhine-Mosel, Seine,and Volga River cruises and are so glad GCT has created this tour of the Elbe along with the wonderful extension to Poland.

Traveler: Jean Pec from Arlington, VA traveled on July 23, 2011

The ongoing melding of the old East Germany with west Germany is fascinating to see.
The newly restored ship is fine; the dining excellent - the crew is so eager to please.
Highlights: the juncture where Soviet troops and American troops met at the destroyed bridge on the Elbe; the home-hosted coffee hour; the like-new half timbered homes in the small east German towns; the stork on the steeple teaching its youngster to fly.
Take this trip; it's different enough from the other river trips to make it a new experience.

Traveler: Milton Wilner from Long Island City, NY traveled on August 06, 2011

We took the pre trip in Amsterdam and the post trip in Munich. All in all a pleasant experience with a few high points and a lot of bus time. High points included the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, a must for art lovers, Hamburgh, the harbor cruise and BallinStadt the emigration museum, Tangermunde, small enough for wandering, Dresden, lovingly restored and enchanting, and our one day in Munich. Disappointments included the travel time to Berlin and the resulting shortage of time there. Travel time to Prague put us in the outskirts of the city in a somewhat questionable area in time for dinner, not Prague. Travel time to Munich was most disappointing of all since we didn't leave our Prague hotel till 8:30 and then stopped in Pilsn for two hours arriving in another not centrally located hotel in Munich again in time for dinner, not Munich.. Opting to go to Neuschwanstein for one day left the Munich extension being a single day for a very lovely and historic city. Not enough. Overall I enjoyed this trip but it won't be at the top of my list. Ship was comfortable and the cabin cozy. Food was good though at times overly salted for some of us. Crew was cordial and fun. No complaints about the ship, captain , and crew. I just think the travel plans for shore excursions and trips from and to extensions could be tweaked for a better travel experience.

Traveler: Charlotte Pusey from Earlysville, VA traveled on July 06, 2011

We came home with so many wonderful memories of the places we visited...especially Hamburg, Berlin, Wittenberg, Dresden, Prague, Krakow & Warsaw.
The local guides were outstanding. The optional tours to Hamburg Harbor and Jewish Prague were very good. The hotel accommodations were excellent.
There was a transportation problem getting to our home-hosted visit but that has probably been addressed. We enjoyed our visit to the "garden" home of our hosts.
The tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mine requires lots of walking!
We would liked to have had more time in Prague.
It is tricky to always have the proper currency on this trip for CR and Poland especially since you have to use ATMs. But our program director helped us with that problem.
The highlight of the trip was the visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is hard to describe the emotions we felt. We will always remember this experience.
The crew on MS River Allegro were very gracious and accommodating. Thanks to Nils, our program director, for making this trip a memorable one.

Traveler: Peggy Veasman from Lees Summit, MO traveled on May 14, 2011

The crew of our river ship was excellent as always. Five stars to the Captian and crew.

The scenery on the trip was very poor with a few excetions. Flat and boring. One star for eye appeal.
Included tours were at the usual standard.
Did not do any optional tours because they appeared to be boring, or so long that we could not enjoy without physical discounfort.

Our program director was good, but not very forgiving of people who could not keep up with the group.

There were so many "older" people, with physical problems that we spent a "lot" of time waiting for them to catch up.
You need to put a strict ability limit on the people that are allowed to do this trip.

Traveler: Weldon O. Nabors traveled on May 28, 2011

Did not come up to the standard of previous river trips.
Low water prevented the ship from travelling the entire route.
Too much busing. The trip to Prague would have been too long even if the ship made all ports. Wasted a day.
The ship and crew did an outstanding job as alway;s. The meals were super.
The on-board entertainment left something to be desired.
What would have been the most scenic part of the trip on the river was missed. The river itself was not that impressive. Could have done without the visit to the porcelain factory. I think there were better sights to see in and around the city.

Traveler: Richard Hunkele from Ocean Pines, MD traveled on June 25, 2011

Well, because of Mother Nature, little snow-melt or rains, this turned out to be a floating hotel trip with daily bus trips.
BUT: The Program Directors, supported by Grand Circle did everything in their power to insure that we saw every major event as described in the brochure! They stuck with it, and (except for wearing out our and bus seats) we were treated fair.
And while there are two other companies (their names begin with a "V") with ships on this natural (i.e. no locks) waterway, I didn't see any pass.
Grand Circle could have cancelled, but they came through.

Now to find a trip we haven't taken to use our credits from this trip!

Bob... 22-time traveler.

Traveler: Robert Hoenes from Marietta, GA traveled on June 25, 2011

The boat, captain, crew and food were all exceptional. The cabins, altho smaller than usual, had ample storage and were well appointed. The scenery is somewhat pastoral but all the attractions we visited were worth the bus rides taken because of low water on the river. Rain gear and warm clothing was a must. Our Program Director, Dina Ebeid was excellent - full of knowlege and good humor, perhaps the best of my 11 GCT trips. No one can deny the thrill of standing before the Brandenburg Gate, seeing remains of the Berlin Wall and Prague is a city beyond comparison.. It would not be my first choice for a river trip, but definitely worth doing.

Traveler: Donna Kobitter from Oldsmar, FL traveled on June 25, 2011

We very much enjoyed our trip and the ship. Although the ship was a bit smaller then other GCT ships, it was adequate and most pleasant. The crew was terrific and I think one of the best we've had on all of our cruises (7 or 8). The captain was excellent and kept us well informed of everything happening on board. He was formerly on the River Melody and we liked him then. Our meals were excellent and up to the usual GCT standards. We had to be bused to Laurenburg to begin our cruise due to river conditions. We enjoyed the short bus ride and fell in love with Laurenburg. This is a very old town, beautiful buildings, pleasant people and made a perfect place to board the ship. This is where the cruise should always begin.
The scenery on the cruise was not as spectacular as on the other rivers as it is basically flat. The towns and villages were charming and fun to visit and we enjoyed trying the local specialities - especially "cows tail beer" and delicious kuchens.
Prague, Krakow and Warsaw are favorite places to visit, especially Prague.
All in all we enjoyed the trip and had very good weather. I recommed the trip to all.
River trips are great - please find more.

Traveler: Bruce Donald from Glendale, AZ traveled on June 11, 2011

This trip did not live up to all the other river cruises we have taken.
We sailed a little and spent a lot of time being bussed to towns or cities. No one can help when a drought happens, but we could have been notified before leaving home of circumstances.
The little sailing we did--Everything looked the same on the Riverbanks. Enjoyed Hamburg. Prague, and visiting Berlin.
The Captain and Crew of the ship were great. The food was good..
My recommendation is that this trip should be dropped . Do not feel it is worth the money.

Traveler: John Mench from Stone Mountain, GA traveled on June 25, 2011

We thought that we had run out of GCT European rivers cruises until it announced the Elbe River Cruise. Certainly up to GCT high standards, the trip was an eclectic collection of great sights, interesting places, wonderful travel companions, excellent tour directors and local guides and a great home visit, while traveling on a ship with a crew second to none. Whether this will be your first CGT. river cruise or you're an experienced GCT river cruiser, you will not be disappointed.

Traveler: Harvey Randall from Schenectady, NY traveled on May 16, 2011

The crew, the ship and the trip were great in spite of the low water. My complaint is with Boston! I would have gone on the Poland extention if they could have told me how we getting home. Some travelers don't care about transportation, but I traveled over 1.5 million airmiles working and will not commit to travel without knowing the transportation. Also, everything cannot be answered on the web site and telephone connection to Boston is a joke. Wait times are unacceptable, sometimes exceeding 20 minutes. you need to address these concerns.

Traveler: Bernard De Cillia from Mukilteo, WA traveled on June 25, 2011

Excellent is a good word to describe this river cruise, and the Crew of the River Allegro deserve the "excellent" rating in every aspect. We especially enjoyed the Elbe because it is a smaller, more pastoral river compared with other rivers we have cruised. Highlights included medieval Tangermunde complete with 4 stork nests in town; the technological wonders in Hamburg harbor; photogenic Dresden and the home-hosted visit.

Traveler: Anne Hruza from Brick, NJ traveled on April 18, 2011