Hi group! Thanks for throwing in your thoughts on River Boat Cruising. There seems to be a lot of good reasons to look into that as a possible cruise/tour!
By the way, you can go to any of the previous "postings" as these blurbs are called simply by clicking on them at the bottom right. Then you can read what other people have said in response to my rambling and leave your own thoughts (anonymously if you want) simply by clicking on the "comments" button and then the "anonymous" button.
We'd like to hear from you. The more responses and views we get, the better off we are.
Today, I'd like to throw out a related but different idea for a cruise/motorcycle tour - Canal Boats!
Throughout Britain, France, Italy and probably some other countries near that area are canal boats you can rent. (In France they're called Penichettes.) Many are captained and hold 2 or 3 "suites". Some are "one family" size and can be self driven.
They only do about 4 miles per hour so you wouldn't get far each day, but I'm thinking you could do "cloverleaf" rides out from the barge each day in different directions and still get enough riding in. I understand that when you are ready to dock for the night, you just pull into a small town and tie up! That way you wouldn't need to have the bikes kept on board each night. Just park them beside the boat!
Does anybody know if there is anything like this in North America? I've not heard of any.
What are your thoughts on this "cruise/ride" option?
Cheers,
Darry
PS
Don't forget you can visit any of the other "Posts" in this BLOG and comment on them. Just click on them. (I believe they're at the bottom right.)

Greetings.
Thanks for visiting this cruise ship/motorcycle BLOG.
Here are a couple of questions I'd like your feedback on. They both involve riverboats!
When I first thought of cruising and riding, I thought of the "high seas" but what about the Mississippi or the Rhine?

1) Would a 7-day cruise up or down the Mississippi interest you? We could bunk on a riverboat each night and ride the roads along and around the river by day. I crossed the Mississippi last summer from Wisconsin to South Dakota and remember that for at least a half an hour the roads were great leading away from the river. Would there be good motorcycle roads further south?

2) Would a 7-day Rhine cruise with day rides interest you? I did a Rhine cruise a couple of decades ago and the scenery was spectacular. I'm going to assume that roads around the river would be just as interesting. Again, we could bunk on the riverboat at night and ride by day.

Click on the comments box below and leave us your "2 cents" worth. (You can also comment on other people's comments if you want.)

Here is Question 1 that I asked in the first round of questions and some comments that people made. You can add your own comments to the comments if you want! Just click on “Comments” at the bottom and then on “Post a comment”. Thanks, Darry.

1) Rank the following scenarios from best to worst. What would be the best situation? A) Having your own motorcycle on board B) Having a rental bike on board C) Renting a bike at each port

A – I have rented bikes before and rode many that are not mine. I think everyone would agree that his or her own bike is the most comfortable.
B – Unfortunately, it would be difficult for some to get to the departure location with their own bike so this would be a nice option.
C – Too much trouble. There is so much paper work to do to rent a bike and if you multiply that by the amount of potential renters at each port of call….

1) A - However the bike depends on the type of ride and the terrain. If you are in the Caribbean and you are offering on road/off road adventure riding, people will need Dual-purpose bikes. If you are in Europe they may want touring or cruising bikes for the better roads. Alternatively, you can have someone bring one of their own, and have alternate style rides available "on board". Most riders are "cruiser/tourers" who would sign up for this -- adventure riders tend to be more solitary and wouldn't go for a tour concept.
Realistically, I am not exposing my baby to thieves in foreign countries. If a cruise ship could handle a rental bike on board that would be great. Realistically, I would expect to have to rent a bike in each port.
It really depends on how far one has to ride to get to the starting point.... and how long one has for a vacation. Ideal situation where, as you said, time and money were not a concern.... I would like to have my own bike. If that was not possible or feasible.... I would like to rent a bike and have it on board (not having the hassle of renting each day) (getting use to the same rental bike)..........and last would be to rent at each port. (I am a Harley rider... so I would like to rent a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.... some ports may not offer that)

While I would love to have my own Harley with me, to add to the list of nations I have ridden in, for all around convenience, I would pick "C". Ports like Nassau or Jamaica have docks where the bikes could be off-loaded. In the Cayman Islands or Mexico's eastern coastline, on the other hand, the cruise ship stays out in the water and a small taxi boat shuttles passengers to land and back. Rental bikes will be small, and not very comfortable for the passenger. Actually, a motor scooter is better for the passenger. (Ugh)

A, B, C but B would be the most practical (and profitable) and C could be made interesting by changing bikes/style of bike daily

( 1 Problem with taking bikes on a boat is the sea air makes the chrome rust, you would need a ship with good storage)

to stop each day and unload the bikes wouldn't be as much fun as stopping every other day and unloading them and staying in port until at least 8 or 9pm. I just came back from a cruise with 22 other motorcyclists, without our bikes and this is what I heard.

My husband and I would like to rent a bike at each port. When we had a couple from New Zealand stay at our home for the HD 100th we know how expensive it is to crate up your bike. It has to be totally drained and crated and then set up again once you get to your location. Not cheap.

yes, motorcycling renting is about $125.00 to $150.00 for one day. Some may not be able to afford this daily. We rented one day in Las Vegas from the Harley Davidson in Laughlin, Nevada and that was the cost. Having your own bike is the best we find. And yes costly to renting daily.

Having your own bike on board would be the best bet,
not only do you already know your own bike,
you know that the maintenance, tires, etc are good. For
me, I ride a Harley with a sidecar and not many places
would have that option for me to ride. The downside to
this could be the cost to ship your own bike with you.

I’m not sure I want my bike exposed to possible rust from ocean water.

Having my own bike although maybe not practical, rental next (although quite expensive) and last renting a bike at each port, but making sure it's taken care of maybe through the cruise so that you know it's done and the bikes are available and ready when you arrive.

Ideally I would love to ride my own bike, but getting it to the port of departure would require extra time and hassle, even if money were no object. So the best way is to rent on the way or have a rented bike on board. The pros of having a rented bike on board are fewer bikes to rent during the trip making the logistics easier. The cons are having to waste time embarking and debarking the scooters. You usually only get one day to do your excursions and I'm not sure that getting bikes on and off the ship would be a smooth and quick process. Would the potential cruiser be standing around waiting for his ride while everyone else was off scuba diving? I don't know

If you couldn't have your own bike on board and you had to rent a bike - if you had the rental bike on board you would be comfortable on it after the first day. If you had to rent a new one in every port - by the time you get used to it you'd have to take it back and get used to a new one the next day.

Any ship used, obviously has to be able to dock everywhere. Some of the places around the Med. require a shallow draught
To be economical a large party would be required. Groups of over about 20 would cause some of the places to feel ‘invaded’ and the local police would not be happy and would stop further excursions. In fact 10 would be about the biggest you’d get away with.
A ship to hold 20 – 40 people (partners as well) would be quite small. Good for the shallow draught bit, but bad in a Med. storm. An LSL would do the job, but they roll like a B*** in puddles.
In Britain the roads in the south of England are very congested, not a nice place to ride. So riding to Plymouth or Portsmouth would be a bit of a chore. Loading and unloading is problematical, there will always be errors and one dropped bike would wipe out good will. So 'roll on', 'roll off' would be a necessity if you took your own bike.
With sufficient diversity of bike types, you could make a feature of trying the different styles.

Having your bike on board would be everyone's first choice, you know what you bike does, so you feel safer. But those islands in the Caribbean are small, so the expense might preclude it being feasible...too much time on ship and too little time on the bike. Renting motorcycles would probably be more cost effective.

I would rather have my own bike - you're already in a strange area on roads you don't know. Being on a bike you aren't used adds another variable to the situation. Renting one on the ship (in theory the same one for the whole time) would give you a chance to get used to that bike. However, having a different bike each day would let you try out different bikes.

A) by far however getting to the departing port of call could be a real issue, especially if you tailored due to bad weather. Where can you park and not have to worry about what will be there when you return.

C (people would be able to "test” ride different model)
B--so I don't have to cart my bike to the ship

Here is question 2 from my first set of questions and some comments that people made. You can add your own comment at the end by clicking on “Comments” at the bottom and then “Post a comment”. Thanks, Darry.

2) Many people ride “2-up”. How important do you think it is for the passenger to have the option of riding every day or taking days off to “relax” on board or explore the port on foot or with other people on a tour? A) Very important B) Somewhat C Not important at all

A – My wife rides her own bike but I know if we were to do a trip like this, or if we had to rent a bike, she would probably prefer to be a passenger. We have been on many trips and just last year, while at Myrtle Beach bike week, she spent two days alone at the beach and said it was the best two days of the trip

A-THIS WOULD APPEAL TO MORE WOMEN THAT MAY NOT BE INTO IT AS MUCH AS THEIR HUSBANDS.

I think that it is "somewhat important" to have that option.... reason being, you have signed up to go on a riding tour and most riders and passengers would expect to be riding at different ports...but you may be offering more people the opportunity to say "I'll go on that trip" because they know that if they don't feel like riding, they can bum around town and or just hang out on the boat (if that is an option on the boat)

(two-up passenger opt-out) A, very important

So the answer to this one is "A." Frequently, the cruise line will have a bus waiting to take the tourists to more distant points of interest. If you rented a bike, you could follow the bus, but parking fees would be "on your own." The Alaskan cruise ships even own their own railroad cars, for touring over land on the Alaska Railroad. Here again, would riding a bike instead be preferred?

Some guys will only be able to do it if the lady is otherwise occupied

A People will choose when they want to ride, but given the fact they went on the trip to ride around the islands I think everyone would ride everyday unless something bad happened. Two things to consider are Traffic flow and laws on the island were riding that day, and having a itinerary for the entire trip before leaving port.

As a passenger it’s very important to just relax some times.

Very important to some. However, I would not want to miss a ride or an adventure along the way that may occur. We love riding together and especially on a vacation away. If we were home and he wanted to pursue a trip with the guys, no problem. But...on a vacation....nah! However, it is an option that anyone can stay on board or do other things while the other person goes on a ride. I think this is very important to have choices.

B Usually passengers on a bike are just as enthusiastic as the rider but think that options should be open

I think it's important for any passenger to do what
they want to do, whether it be riding 2 up or doing
their own thing. It's a vacation and they should be
able to go snorkeling, hiking, shopping, etc.

Depends on where you cruise. For example St. Thomas is in the USVI but you drive on the left side of the road. I think this would intimidate some people and the whole island can be circumnavigated in about an hour anyway. Not much of a motorcycle tour. So yes, having other things to do would be great. It's the Caribbean after all and sun and sand are what most folks are looking for.
On the other hand starting in San Juan would be a great scooter tour if given enough time. It’s a big island.

Being a passenger I thoroughly enjoy being able to sightsee while on the bike however also being a rider I know that the passenger doesn't get the same excitement that the rider does. I think that having the option of not riding in a particular port is very important. Having been on a cruise, I know how important the "spa day" is for the girls!!!!

Very important, let them choose what they want to do

I would say a passenger without a bike already has the option of deciding for him or herself each day.

C-If I am going as a passenger, I want to ride
A, She wants to do what she wants to.

Here is question 3 from my first set of questions and some comments that I received. Please feel free to click on “Post a comment” at the bottom of the page to add your own thoughts. Thanks, Darry.

3) Most cruise ships (it seems) cruise A) The Caribbean Sea or the B) The Mediterranean Sea. If money were no object, which would you choose? Do you have a 3rd choice? If so, where would that be? C) _______

I like the Caribbean best and the islands are beautiful, but some of the islands are not great for riding. For example – Grand Cayman can be quite congested, Aruba can get quite windy, too many animals in parts of Mexico, crazy taxi drivers in Jamaica. But, again each of these locations has plenty to offer. Examples – A ride to Hell in Grand Cayman; A ride to the lighthouse at the end of Aruba, a ride to the Mayan ruins in Mexico or a ride through Fern Gully in Jamaica.
Another suggestions would be an Alaskan cruise in the summer.

The Caribbean doesn't have the road systems to support the type of riding most people would like to do. The Med. does -- but I don't know enough about rides in the area to figure if it would work -- but I would see riding around Europe based on a cruise ship as a really neat concept. You might even transport the bikes over to Europe for the riders and have them fly over. There are cruises up to the Scandinavian countries and even Russia that would offer some really exciting touring/cruising opportunities. The Caribbean works only for adventure style riding -- and you would have to research the areas where riding is allowed. Don't forget Alaska, Australia and New Zealand -- all great biking destinations

First choice Hawaii, second choice Mexico third choice Caribbean. In view of the terrorism situation I would not go to Europe (Mediterranean)
My wife and I loved our cruise to St Thomas, St Crox, St. Martin. It was great. US Virgin Island / US Ports
I would start with "A" and poll your passengers and web site visitors about "B" as a later option
Alaska in the summer, July to August. June is too early. The Caribbean in winter, after the seasonal storms have passed. I was on Isla Mujeres in January, and high the winds made the palm trees scream in pain. The power went out, I got an upset stomach, and it was too dark to find the bathroom. (Why did you have to remind me of that night?) A ship's stateroom would have been nicer.
So, take the best the cruise line has to offer. The cruise isn't designed with a motorcycle tour in mind. You might not want to ride the bike at every stop.
Maybe the way to do this is to be off-loaded at a port like Nassau, then ride the island for a few days and take a later ship back. There is a small taxi line named "Discovery," I think, that shuttles daily from Florida to Nassau. The ship is large enough to haul vehicles. It's almost a cruise ship, but the voyage only lasts a few hours.
Did this make any sense?

B. But I live in Scotland so it's closer. C) Would be Africa

C) I guess you yanks would say the opposite as you will feel safer in the Caribbean, and think it is too dangerous to sail the Med, but more totally different places to ride and cultures to visit, _______

Third choice? How about Alaska and the Pacific Northwest? Maybe drop me off in Seattle and pick me up in Anchorage so I can ride the Alaskan Highway.

We have been on a Caribbean cruise and the islands are great. We have wanted to go to Greece and Rome for a long time.

We’ve done the Caribbean cruise and I love it but the Mediterranean would be fantastic. My mom comes from Italy and I would love to see that area.

A "world cruise"! They depart from F. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, and New York. The riding would be incredible there touring through the Acropolis in Athens to the Pyramids of Egypt, Suez Canal, sail the Pacific to Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam and Hong Kong. Austria is where we want to go the most and view the fjords of New Zealand, and explore Australia's kaleidoscopic GREAT BARRIER REEF> Not only would be a journey that determines your overall enjoyment but, a world cruise that offers ultimate adventure. Especially on our bikes. And you see parts of the world you only read or dreamed about...These cruise lines are longggggg trips as you probably well know. Well that is our dream cruise if money was no object. OR THE SECOND DREAM: IS a cruise to Europe.......I went there 34 years ago for a month on my first honeymoon.....It was the greatest trip and first time flying....Those countries and the architecture were amazing and breathtaking views along the way....Switzerland , Germany, Ireland, Paris, Portugal, Spain.....We covered a lot with our little Volkswagen we rented over there.. That was some trip! Now if that were today, and my husband and I had our bike over there, wow that would be a real dream if money were no object!

If money were no object, I would choose the
Mediterranean Sea cruise, I have been on a Caribbean
and Mexico cruise. I would love to see Spain, Italy,
etc. Also, a third choice would be the Hawaiian islands.

Personally I don’t think the Caribbean is all that great. (Been there.)
Other choices: Hawaii (just did a fly and ride in Hawaii last March), Mexico East and West coast, Alaska, River Boats, Australia, New Zealand, Canada.
The Med definitely - right hand roads, fast highways
Other choices would be ALASKA - I did the Inside Passage on the Alaska Maritime Highway, which is a ferry from Skagway down to Seattle. Easy on and off but no place to go. Beautiful scenery and a total of about 15 miles of roads in 6 stops! Haines, Wrangell, Sitka, Juneau, Petersburg and Ketchikan. Anchorage would be the place to ride - down the Seward Peninsula. One of the most scenic in the world.

I've never been to either however both would seem appealing. Don't forget the Mexican Riviera!! For us West Coast folks this is very appealing as we can leave from a California port. Also, cruising to Hawaii would be awesome as we did the Road to Hana in Maui on a Harley for our honeymoon and thoroughly enjoyed it!!

B) forget the Mediterranean to much concern regarding Terrorism etc, plus they drive like a complete bunch of idiots. Of course certain Caribbean locations are just as bad if not worse. Driving (Riding) in Caribbean Islands could be a real adventure. Puerto Rico wouldn't be as bad, its 35 miles long 15 miles wide plus does have some and I emphasize some fair roads, stay away for the cities. I believe Aruba would be OK as well as the Antilles Islands

Most ports of call in the Caribbean are very busy and commercial with difficulty in getting away from port. A lot off them have no place to ride if you get out of the major port area. In the Mediterranean it would have the potential of some beautiful riding depending on which country, their rules and their attitude towards Americans. To start out it would be simpler to do some of the major rivers in the USA and expand it from their if it goes over as well as it should.

Here is question 4 from the first set of questions and some comments that people had. (I have a feeling that it was too vague and needs to be asked again in a different manner!) You can add your own comments to these comments by just clicking on “Post a comment” at the bottom of the page. Thanks, Darry.

4) What time of the year would be best for a Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise? A) Winter B) Spring C) Fall D) Summer

D Again it depends on destination. Summer would be better for Europe, Scandinavia and Russia. Winter would be better for the Caribbean and for South America and Australia -- but by alternating during the seasons you could turn it into a full time job, not a seasonal one.

Whenever the weather is good there.

I am not sure of the weather and temp at the different seasons. We went in April and it was nice and warm...but not too hot.

Best time for ANYTHING in the Mediterranean is C, fall.

D, local summer that is

Summer too hot

I don't know about the Mediterranean but it would seem the Caribbean would be warm all year. Except during Hurricane season, so let's rule out the fall.

You just have to remember about Hurricane Season.

Summer for the area we’re going to.

The best times for a Caribbean cruise are: JAN, FEB, MARCH & APRIL.
And the Mediterranean cruise would be: MAY, JUNE, JULY, AUG, SEPT & OCT.

THE OTHER MONTHS ARE NOT GOOD CRUISE WEATHER, UNLESS YOU PLAN ON WEARING ALOT OF RAINGEAR!! AND SLEEPLESS NITES WITH STORMY WEATHER!

P.S. You are in for a treat if you decide to cruise. Glorious fun and would really be nice with a group of similar interest.

Caribbean - November; Mediterranean - late spring

I don't know what time of the year is good for those
types of cruises, it would depend on the weather in
those locations. I went on a Caribbean cruise in May
and the weather was perfect. I would want the weather
to be warm with not much rain if I am going to be
riding my bike! Most of the ports in the Caribbean were
humid, but tolerable. I live in the Central Valley of
California and our down time for riding here is in
December and January due to the cold foggy rainy
weather. Cruise ships offer good deals during their off
peak times, so I have no idea what would be a good time.

When the weather is 80 degrees ... I like leaving Alaska in the winter.

Winter in the Caribbean - after the hurricanes season officially ends Nov 1. till May
I'm not sure about the Med

I would think that winter and fall would be ideal since we have riding weather here in Summer and Spring - it would be nice to go over during the winter and fall to get some riding in that we can't do at home.

Caribbean: Spring, winter (not summer: hot). Remember that late August to November is hurricane season in most Caribbean islands

Mediterranean (I am myself form the South of France): Spring, summer and fall. Winter can be cold and damp. Spring being the best along with early fall. The Med can have a lot of tourists in the summer.

N.B.: A lot of Caribbean islands have limitations on the size of engines 2 wheel vehicles can have. For instance Bermuda has an upper engine size limit of 100cc. Does it apply to visitors vehicles? I am not sure. Most Caribbean’s have scooters for rent.

Spring or winter before not after the big winds off the Florida coast. Summer to hot and humid for bikers (wives).

Spring would be nice because it's not too hot yet, and it's also not hurricane season.

Fall-less crowds

(Early Spring) Late summer is Hurricane season, too much to worry about regarding weather.

Definitely when it's WARM, regardless of what season it is.

Spring or early fall in Med. or summer in USA.

January/Feb. Guys are getting the itch to ride again.

A – Winter into March.