Grand Circle Cruise Line Tours 7 trips, 105 reviews

Table Of Content

• Expand Your Horizon with Experienced Program Directors Onboard Grand Circle Cruises
• Grand Circle Cruise Line: Why You’ll Enjoy Sailing with Grand Circle
• Grand Circle Cruise Experience
• Germany, Czech Republic, Austria & Hungary in 11 days - Capitals of Central Europe - SUPERIOR BY BUS
• Want a tailor-made trip instead?
• Solo friendly
• Athena Deck Plans Have Traditional Nautical Decor

Recently cruised the Rhine and Mosel Rivers and had great service, great food, a great Tour Director, and lots of fun. Our daily tours with Tim included lots of history and background and were delightfully not crowded at the beginning of November. We saw lots of Christmas decorations and booths going up for the coming Christmas Markets. We expected lots of rain, but had just a few showers with 1 day of rain. Grand Circle Cruise Line also prides itself on its commitment to responsible travel and sustainable tourism practices. The company works closely with local communities to minimize its environmental impact and support conservation efforts in the destinations it visits.

Expand Your Horizon with Experienced Program Directors Onboard Grand Circle Cruises

Grand Circle can help you realize your travel dreams for a lot less than you ever thought possible. That’s because each of our Small Ship Cruise Tours, River Cruise's, and Land Tours includes full-service accommodations, included tours, exclusive Discovery Series events, and so much more. And, because we work with our regional offices located throughout the world, we’ve been able to establish long-term relationships with many local vendors and hotels. Buying direct brings down our costs—and allows us to pass the savings on to you. And negotiating directly for hotel space also allows us to secure as many single room allotments as possible for our solo travelers. That way, we can also extend our great value to solo travelers, too!

Grand Circle Cruise Line: Why You’ll Enjoy Sailing with Grand Circle

Artemis Cruise: Expert Review (2023) - Cruise Critic

Artemis Cruise: Expert Review ( .

Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:01:46 GMT [source]

Neither caters to young families.Ships on both lines have top-deck walking tracks. Unlike Viking, Grand Circle ships have a small fitness room and massage services. Viking and Grand Circle are similar when it comes to dining.

Grand Circle Cruise Experience

Viking passengers are a bit younger, around 55 and older. Grand Circle passengers are around 70, give or take a decade. The Christmas Market cruises attract a slightly more mixed crowd, with younger passengers sailing these itineraries.

The line doesn't market to families and doesn't accept kids as passengers. Its guests are generally well traveled, with large percentage repeat passengers and members of their Inner Circle loyalty program, an organization for those who have made 3 or more trips with the line. The majority of passengers are married couples, though clusters of friends sailing together and singles are not unusual. Given Grand Circle's focus on learning experiences, most of the company's guests are open-minded and curious, eager to try new things. As with most river cruises, the ship eschews formal nights, and sports coats are not required, although the older clientele means that you don't see many jeans or T-shirts at the dinner table.

Germany, Czech Republic, Austria & Hungary in 11 days - Capitals of Central Europe - SUPERIOR BY BUS

Whether sailing along Europe’s scenic rivers or exploring remote corners of the globe, these vessels offer a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that feels like home away from home. With a capacity of just 50 to 200 passengers, Grand Circle ships provide an intimate setting where travelers can forge lasting friendships and enjoy personalized service from a dedicated crew. The entertainment options on Grand Circle Cruise Line ships are varied and engaging, with a focus on enrichment and cultural immersion. The ships also offer a range of activities and excursions, including hiking, biking, and guided tours, providing guests with the opportunity to explore the destinations they visit in depth. The first ship in the Grand Circle Cruise Line fleet was the M/S Explorer, which was launched in 1967. The M/S Explorer was also one of the first cruise ships to offer an onboard enrichment program, with lectures and presentations led by expert guides and local experts.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

My group consisted of 38 passengers -- half retired, half not. Along with the current operations, mention should be made of company's sense of commitment to responsible tourism in the regions where it operates. During the last 20 years, the Grand Circle Foundation has committed more than US$92 million to advance education and preserving cultural traditions.

Solo friendly

Was it perfect, wait no it was not but either am I! A couple hotels were further from downtown areas but wait, after having fun all day, we were ready to rest and get ready for tomorrow. This was my 11th GCT/OAT trip and they adjusted to the events wonderfully, as usual.

Athena Deck Plans Have Traditional Nautical Decor

Choose Grand Circle if you Prefer a No Frills CabinGrand Circle cabins do the job just fine when it comes to sleep and storage and they feel quite roomy when the beds are pulled up. Overlook the clingy shower curtain and Grand Circle may be the right pick for you. The cabins aren't up-to-date decor-wise but there is something that's nicely old-fashioned about their nautical blue and gold color palette. These are cabins, not hotel rooms, and it's typically more of an affordable choice.

He knew nothing about the French or their customs and embarrassed us by sending us into a full cafe in the middle of their extremely short lunch hour window, among other shortcomings. He also had 160 passengers to deal with, although AMA sends you off with a local for whatever tour you picked. His idea of a port talk the night before a stop was to show you photos of what you were going to see the next day - hello, can you say spoiler alert? GCT doesn't make you pick your one shore excursion - they simply take you everywhere of interest you need to go.

While walking is our signature mode—allowing access to many of the most unmissable sites, we always balance any lengthy walking tours with plenty of time to refresh and rejuvenate. Plus, you can always rest assured that your safety and comfort are our top priority, with a resident Program Director along, and our local staff in a regional office nearby. The dining experience on Grand Circle Cruise Line ships is exceptional, with a focus on regional cuisine and fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

That was back in October - it is now December and I have called no less than 5 times and each time they tell me it will be sent - it has not been sent. Looking at the other reviews here, it seems that you absolutely cannot get a refund back as they will keep stonewalling you and keep your money. Even showing invoices that no longer show your credit. Luckily I kept the initial copy showing the credit because I cannot find it now. We are happy to hear about your experience with our Program Director and will share your praise with our regional team. We are also taking immediate steps to address the issues you encountered to improve our customer service.

Each cruise includes onboard lectures ranging from cultural customs (holiday traditions and cooking demos, as examples) to ripped-from-the-headlines topics like the European refugee crisis. During guided walks, program directors routinely stop locals on the street and ask them about how they live their lives. And Grand Circle pioneered the now widely copied home-hosted lunch, an opportunity for small groups of six to 10 passengers to dine with local residents. Complimentary offerings include onboard Wi-Fi; gratuities for local guides and motor coach drivers; an included tour at each port; and wine, beer and soda with meals. Grand Circle's river cruise ships, accommodating 86 to 162 passengers, sail in Europe on the Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Main, Elbe, Rhone and Seine rivers.

Bamberg began to prosper in the twelfth century and was the center of so... Since the other passenger drew blood, my wife needed to get medical help plus x-rays and bloodwork done. The captain claimed they could not and did not confine the other passenger to quarters and we were told we could stay in our own room if we did not feel safe! Other passengers also did not feel safe with this person on board and we had to form our own safety circle with other passengers - Grand Circle did not ensure this. With warm wood paneling, wooden window shutters, brass fittings, and a beamed ceiling, the decor on Artemis is reminiscent of a vintage yacht.

The "Health Club," as it’s called, is not well used. On a positive note, however, Grand Circle now has massage therapists on its Danube, Rhine and Main itineraries.

And because we know you’ll want to experience local life through the people who call your destination home, we’ve arranged for you to meet them where they live, work, and play. Over the years, Grand Circle Cruise Line has continued to expand and evolve its fleet of ships, with a focus on providing a unique and immersive travel experience. Today, the fleet includes 10 ships, each designed to offer a personalized and intimate cruise experience with a focus on adventure, exploration, and cultural immersion. You’ll always have plenty of choices with Grand Circle. You have plenty of choices within each vacation, too, enabling you to follow your own pace and tailor your experience to your own interests with our optional tours.