Fabulous trip with fabulous crew

We had a fabulous time aboard the Princess Royal from Amsterdam to Cochem. Everything from the crew and guides to the food to the cabins was top notch. Our chef prepared delicious 3 course meals and a variety of snacks each day from a tiny kitchen with flair and passion. Our guides led us on enjoyable and relaxed tours. The captains and crew managed the barge, housekeeping, and the bikes with care, and our bartender kept everyone in good spirits. We would make 2 suggestions: 1. A group of 26 is difficult to manage. By the time the caboose catches up to the engine, the engineer is ready to go and the caboose hasn’t heard anything that may have been said or had a chance to rest. Some people prefer a different pace. Some always ended up at the rear and others were always at the front. We’d recommend splitting the group. 2. The trail to Berg Eltz was muddy, slippery, and dangerous for some. We left our bikes at the trailhead which meant one of the guides had to remain with them. People arrived and departed at different times because of hiking ability. Due to timing, we missed the English tour. It’s very difficult to know the conditions beforehand. We’d suggest arranging for the group to take the shuttle from Moselkern to avoid all these issues.