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papa B me

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  • Posts

    983
  • Joined

About Me

  • Location
    Knoxville, TN
  • Interests
    Travel
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Uniworld, Silversea, Oceania
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Venice

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papa B me's Achievements

Cool Cruiser

Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. It is back up. I just booked a cruise on line
  2. I’m going on the new Uniworld Belgium Christmas Market cruise in December. Looking forward to the Chocolate, Cheese, and most importantly Beer-ha
  3. I’m the one who booked the Belgium Markets in 2023 with Uniworld. It really seems unique as well as Taucks. I’ve previously sailed the Danube for Christmas Markets starting in Budapest and ending in Passau. We did a 3 day stay in Munich pre cruise and really enjoyed their markets. Budapest, Vienna, Bratislava, and Passau all had unique and fun markets. Plus there was a day trip to Salzburg. Highly recommend this itinerary. I’ve sailed the Rhine but not during Christmas. I really don’t believe you can make a mistake with either. Good luck in your research
  4. Thanks for the great responses. I’m planning on doing our pre cruise in Bruges. I think it looks like either an hour and a half car ride from Brussels or less then an hour by train. Unlike my travel idol JP, we don’t travel lightly(usually have a carryon just for shoes-ha) so will probably hire a driver to take us from Brussels and back. Thanks again and look forward to sharing and learning again with you. Brian
  5. I finally booked my first overseas adventure since the beginning of Covid. I have a good friend who is from Belgium and I had read Notamermaid’s post on Belgium so was thinking about a trip to Belgium. But I really have been missing river cruising so decided that for 2023 I would book a Christmas Market cruise. My 40th anniversary is in 2023 and both my wife and myself turn 60 in 2023. So thought it would be a great celebration trip. Having cruised 3 times with Uniworld I decided to look at their Christmas Market cruises for 2023. To my surprise they are offering a new cruise in Belgium. It is 7 nights and is round trip from Brussels with stops in Ghent, Hasselt, Maastricht, and Antwerp. I will plan a 2-3 day pre cruise stay to explore places that the River Cruise doesn’t. Thought I would share this as it being new I thought many may not be aware of it. Will share more as the planning proceeds. If anyone has already begun research on this cruise I would love to hear what you’ve found. Happy to be back! Brian
  6. This was our first river cruise about 7 years ago. We really loved it. Here are a few things to consider: 1. Do the vinegar tasting excursion. I almost canceled it because it sounded awful. But it turned out to be one of our favorites. 2. Don’t overbook your day with multiple excursions. I’m always tempted to try and cram as much as I can into a day out of my fear of missing out on something good. But a river cruise is perfect to spend some free time wandering on your own; laying on the top deck for an hour or two with a glass of wine and enjoying the scenery, or just getting to know your fellow travelers. 3. If your health allows use the bicycles. This itinerary is perfect as there are usually bike paths along the river. Most nights we would take a bike ride after or before dinner. 4. Spend an hour or two after dinner in the lounge enjoying their on board musician or special entertainment they may have. Again a great way to meet fellow travelers and you can still get to bed at a decent time. 5. Enjoy the moment and go with the flow. Unexpected things can happen such as high water, low water, changes to the itinerary, cancelled excursions, etc... I’ve met people that let these things ruin their trip since their expectations weren’t met. Instead try to enjoy the moment and look at the unexpected as an adventure and not a disappointment. Have a great trip! Brian
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