ural guy

Just purchased airfare for a late February Camino. I'm going solo, 9 days on E bicycle, Porto to Santiago da Compestela, following central route. Super slow pace so I can relax and take a rain day if needed. Following that, I'll have a car for 4 days to drive around Northern Galicia.

We recently spent two nights in Passau, and seeing all the different ships tied up, I got curious and did some google work. This may be interesting for someone with extra time before or after a Danube cruise: There is a two night cruise, Passau to Linz. You stay in a hotel in Vienna and Linz, then a 2 hour return train ride to Passau (included in 700E price for two people). You can also do a Passau to Vienna cruise where you either return to Passau that night, or stay in Vienna overnight and train back to Passau, or use the provided bike and peddle back to Passau. https://www.donauschifffahrt.eu/kurzurlaub-passau-linz-wien/ The second one is a 7 night bike/barge trip, you start in Passau, peddle to Vienna, then back via barge/ship. Depending on when you sail, it's either on a fancy looking barge (Merlijn, I've seen a video review, very nice), or larger ship like the Swiss Crown or Prinzessin Katharina. The daily distance peddled are 16-28 miles (longer routes available), E-bikes available. And you can always skip a day and just relax on board. Reasonably priced. https://www.tripsite.com/bike-boat/tours/along-the-danube-passau-to-vienna/ JAZZ- If either link not allowed, please just delete them, and not entire post.

I'd like to add that the Presidents club is a nice perk, after three sailings (we got the perks as our one cruise was Covid canceled). 20E laundry credit per person, cabin upgrade if available (it was, from aquarium to French Balcony), and free airfare deviation fee if you get included airfare , you just pay the fare difference. I'm sure other lines offer similar perks for repeat business, this was just a nice surprise as we weren't expecting it.

We sailed with them in November. Enjoyed the cruise. We've sailed with them 3 times, this was a similar experience. A lower tier line for amenities and food quality, at a lower cost (especially during specials. We're not foodies, and eat mostly in the second dining room, where the food is more basic, so not a big deal to us. Typical tours in port, just not a lot of choices. I go on bike rides frequently, they have quite a few on board. We like that the cost increase to go from aquarium class to french balcony is about half that of Viking, and the cabins are larger. Not as many cruises: they are down to one ship on the Danube/Rhine, and one on Douro. I believe they are starting on the Seine in 2024. Front office: you've read the front office stories. Not good. Our personal experience has been OK, and they were pretty fair with Covid cancellations and low water credits. If I had asked for my $ back, my story might be different. During low water issues, it was maddening to hear the office staff read the script stating our cruise was departing on time, on schedule. It was impossible unless it grew wheels. I hope they are able to rebound. They have longer cruises that we enjoy; 8 nights on upper Danube route, 14 nights on AMS-BAS sailing (more time on Mosel than most lines), the Portugal one has 3 nights in Madrid and 3 nights in Lisbon with 7 nights on the river. Good luck with whoever you sail with.

Here is a link showing the ferries that notamermaid references. You could spend time post cruise for a nice week long stay, for what some companies want for a 3 night extension. Just stretching the comfort zone a bit. The local tourism industry has made it easy and not that intimidating. http://www.loreley-info.com/eng/rhein-rhine/timetables/ferry-ferries.php

The Monarch Queen use to be Vantage's River Voyager. We sailed on her twice and really enjoyed it. Good to hear that you enjoyed yourselves.

No cruise scheduled for now, returning to Portugal for a 2 week trip in April.

Thanks for clarification. I found frequent stops on the Inn heading upstream from Passau, as stated, also upstream on Rhine from Koblenz, when I biked to Boppard, I think it was. (I remember what I had for lunch in both places though). Other places I've just done round trips.

100% agree on trains being easy and a great resource. And that the region is wonderful to travel through, boat/bike/train/rental car, whatever. What folks may not realize is that the regional train will stop at seemingly all the villages along the way. So you can head out on bikes or a hike, and if you're feeling energetic, go an extra 10 kms or so, and grab the train at a further station. You may stop for lunch, and find out about a place just a little further that sounds worth exploring. You have the flexibility to go check it out. On the Inn, heading upstream from Passau, the train was running every hour.

Here is the link I found for the Fluvius: https://www.boatbiketours.com/boat-bike-tours/belgium/best-of-holland-and-belgium/ The only tour I've found that is 100% on the Moselle/Saar: https://en.radreisen.at/germany/bike-and-boat/moselle-and-saar-by-bike-and-boat I am really wanting to do this. Looking back, I realize that some of my best memories of my 4 river cruises are when I took a ships bike and just went out and explored.

Quick answer: Yes, just let the CD on board know. Low water cruise 2019, we stayed in Basel for 5 nights, as boat was stuck in Koblenz. We bussed to the sites every day, with the drive getting longer each day. When they told us we were going to bus to Strasbourg, head back to Basel for the night, then bus to Koblenz the next day, stopping in Heidelburg enroute to ship, I started planning. I booked a cheap room in Strasbourg, and took the train to Koblenz. This allowed me to get some great night pictures in Strasbourg, and visit a museum in Koblenz that I wouldn't have had time for. The cruise bus was supposed to make it to the ship by 1700, due to Autobahn issues they didn't make it until 2100. In Koblenz I stumbled across a CD I had sailed with previously, and she pointed me towards the docking location. She told me she thought it was 'cool' that I had jumped ship. Both CD and spouse blessed off on plan, and I had an adventure. This is your cruise, enjoy it as you choose! (*My spouse may be atypical, 20 year's Army active duty. She understands ya gotta zig sometimes when everyone else zags. No plan survives initial contact with the enemy. Flexibility is key.)

Ganski- Thanks again. Bringing your own seat makes 100% sense. Middle daughter went to SUNY Brockport, she loved walking along the canal.

Great pictures, thanks. Did you guys just pack super light, or have a luggage shuttle? I'm just seeing one pannier and a small backpack on the one bike. Two fears on this type of trip for me would be the weather (which didn't favor you on your Bavarian trip), and the bike seat being uncomfortable. With a rental, it's roll of the dice. My motorcycle seats have my butt conditioned to luxury!

Ganski- Sounds like a very nice time. Guessing you rented bikes in Koblenz?

That factoid about the Soviet version of the astronomical clock is funny. I wonder if the Soviet craftsmanship will have the same lifespan as the Prague one. I'm sure the Orloj has had a lot of maintenance work done over the years, but still, 1410 is a long time ago... Sorry, edited this to say the Olomuoc clock was built roughly the same time period as Prague. The 'Socialist Realism' style was added in 1955. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olomouc_astronomical_clock

Jazz- I see that Noble includes airfare from UK. For US passengers, do you know if they offer a credit if you line up your own airfare? Not sure if I remember correctly, but didn't you extend your trip once, flew over to the UK for a quick visit, and then used the included airfare? Either way, looks like it would be a nice trip.

Loriva- Biggest pyramid yet!

dcassetta- Yes to Budapest. We've been there 3 times, as recently as a few weeks back. Mrs and I agree we could spend a week there no problem.

Nothing wrong about liking the 'Pyramids'. My parents had the little ones when I was growing up, and later we bought two when stationed in Germany. Stuff like that off limits now; between the puppy/cats/myself, something is going to catch on fire. The Viking ship looks nice and festive. Glad you have good water levels and are enjoying yourself, you'll be back in sun soon enough. Keep the pics rolling!

AnhaltER- Any idea of how Viking's early spring sailings went in 2022? High water the problem then? Sailings start 8 March in 2023. Bring warm clothes for that one. I thought that there is more to the Viking boat than just diminished size, didn't they do away with propellers and are more like a jet-ski type propulsion system? I remember there being some 'excitement/PR' at the time that made Viking seem to have solved low water due to no dam issue. Unfortunate the end result wasn't better suited for the Elbe.

Queen: Glad that you're enjoying your trip so far. Feels pretty neat to be on the ship with just a few other passengers while you head down the river? I've skipped a tour and stayed on board, imagining it was a private yacht. The crew is typically in a good mood, as they can go about their work while joking, they don't have to be as serious.

On our recent Vantage cruise, they had little plastic gloves to use so you wouldn't be directly touching serving spoons in buffet line. They had pretty good compliance. We were lucky in that we only had 122 passengers with capacity being 176. For the most part it seemed like people just had the normal post flight coughs. Worst experience was in Budapest airport waiting to check-in. Another lady (American) had to comment on everything, loudly, at 0345. Either negative or passive aggressive nonsense, like she was in a bubble and no one else could hear her. While coughing, pondering if they should wear masks. In between berating her 2 young teenagers. Luckily they were not on our flight, but at the adjacent gate, by boarding time 3 of the 5 were coughing. The airport and plane were the only times we wore our N-95 masks, along with the Vienna public transpo system that required them.

Stayed in Budapest an extra night to avoid returning the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Last afternoon went to Gellert Baths, which was director across from docking spot. Facility is gorgeous, vibe is awful. Selfies and cameras allowed in thermal baths, everyone chatting despite signs not to, not worth it to us. Pretty building though, from cabin. Castle Hill and Parliament. Bohem Art Hotel, amazing location, 3 minute walk from our docking. Leave bags and easy Metro ride to the Zoo. A great end to the trip. The animals are well displayed and enclosures are decent sized. Buildings are all unique designs. This was in one of the animal houses. lots of playgrounds Best exhibit was wallabys with emus together, and you walk along a sidewalk through the fenced in area. We arrived just after they opened, and the critters were curious. Very cool, a great breaks from crowds and cathedrals. The entire zoo is very well landscaped and i think it would be cooler in summer. and when you exit, you can watch the ice skaters. and the castle behind Hero’s Square.

I understand there are low water issues. For the early season Viking sailings, say later March/early April, are there high water issues or other issues? I know nothing is guaranteed, but is it 50/50 you'll sail, or 90 % sail, 10% bus. I also know it can be cold weather, just always been intrigued by the route and would like to have the best chance for sailing. Thanks...

The river confluence was also border between Soviet sphere and west. There were several memorials for those who tried and did not make to the west. I am posting these with no political commentary, and ask others to refrain. Merely trying to show what can be found so close to the ship, accessible via good bike paths. A heart made with barbed wire, recreation of one crafted in 1989 from just removed barbed wire. maybe 10kms up the Morava, an old gun bunker, and more memorials. There were also tank barriers closer to the river. All this was offset with a nice playground with workout equipment. I passed several playgrounds with very nice looking mini gyms, along with bike repair stations. Crossing the river is this neat bridge, with a summer Hapsburg palace a few kms away, Schloss Hof. A huge place, the grounds are highly rated. I wonder how many gems like this could help to spread out the cruise ship crowds. We sailed with numerous couples who were on this section of the Danube for the fifth time, options would be nice. The bridge is part of a peace trail that is being worked on, utilizing the green corridor left by the former border no-go zone. Another view of castle.