ural guy

In Czech Republic now, Pilsen had their St Martin’s market set up in main square. First stall, Yankee Candle on display. Did not expect that. Some very nice wool items also. Second surprise, we’re use to Gluhwein, but this one vendor had at least 10 warmers going with some different mulled drinks. Unfortunately, we couldn’t work out the names. Bought some nice cherry liquor later, with a picture of cherries for us linguistically challenged. In Karlovy Vary now, we have our Beer Spa at 1300. You soak in a tub with the hops and some other beer ingredients, supposed to leave skin smooth and supple. All while drinking local beer, along with beer bread. It has good reviews and seems like a silly thing to do before cruise. A few pictures: The one is Castle Loket, 20 minute bus from Karlovy, well worth the visit. The colonnades cover the springs in Karlovy.

No, my oldest has done it, she's found some pretty neat spots.

Queen- Thanks! 'Essential River Cruising', not luxury, that's an interesting distinction, and we're fine with the lower end. When people talk about Viking not being a luxury line, it all comes from prospective. That was our first river cruise back in 2014, and coming from tent camping for many years, yeah it was luxury to us! I like simple.

Queen- Yes, thanks, I'd appreciate your passing the question on. I did find the info through a consolidator, not a direct google link that I could find, either. Yep, wife and I were discussing price difference, and guessing that difference in consumer law plays into the price difference, among other things. Our Viking cruise we had a nice share of Brits and Scots, not so on Vantage as they mostly do the direct booking thing here in the states. One of their disadvantages, imho.

Thanks for posting this, APT Travelmarvel, I have never heard of them. They have an interesting Budapest to Budapest cruise, 14 nights, taking in the lower Danube. I have emailed them this question, but if anyone knows, please chime in: The airfare is included from UK, is there a price break if you don't use it? Can Americans even book these cruises, the Pound price looks reasonable to very good, and I like that the ship has the separate dining venues. After showing this to my wife, and the sail date working for us (31 October), I'm waiting for the bad news....we did sail this route on Vantage, but quite a few new stops on this route, for a more indepth look at places that are still a bit harder to get to than Nuremberg.

Here's what I can find for some starting dates, for those of us sailing on Danube the next few weeks. Best info I could find, please verify on your own, and sorry if it's wrong 🙂: Regensburg Christmas Market: Nov 21 – Dec 23, 2022 Romantic Christmas Market at Schloss Thurn und Taxis: Nov 18 – Dec 23, 2022 Lucrezia Markt: Nov 25 – Dec 23, 2022 Passau: The Christmas Market takes place from Nov. 31 - Dec. 23, 2022. https://tourism.passau.de/leisure-sports/events/event-highlights/christmas-market-at-the-cathedral/#:~:text=The Christmas Market takes place,23%2C 2022. Linz: There are several, all starting 19 November. https://www.linztourismus.at/en/leisure/discover-linz/events/christmas/markets/ Vienna: November 11th: Stephansplatz; Altes AKH; Spittelberg; Am Hof; Genussmarkt bei der Oper November 16th: Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz November 18th: Belvedere; Karlsplatz, Freyung November 19th: Christkindlmarkt am Rathausplatz (the big one); Wintermarkt am Riesenradplatz; Schönbrunn Christmas market All locations normally stay open until at least December 23rd. Expect several markets to continue through the Christmas public holiday period. One or two may stay open until late December or early January, possibly in the form of a New Year market. https://www.visitingvienna.com/sights/christmasmarkets/when-open/ Bratislava: Bratislava Christmas Market dates: 22nd November to 22nd December 2022.Location: Hlavné Námestie (Main Square), Hviezdoslav Square and Františkánske Square. Budapest: I'm not posting anything here, as it isn't an easy cut and paste answer. If someone knows more than this, please chime in. The main market, Vorosmarty Square, wasn't able to sign a contract with a vendor in enough time to get it set up as in years past. Another market's vendor, maybe St Stephen's, is going to fill that space (typically there are several markets throughout city). The gist of what I got from a Hungary paper translator is that there will be markets, maybe just not as big as in past. I've been able to visit Europe a couple of times in early November, and I can vouch for the effort it takes to put up all the little shops and lights. It seemed like wherever we would go, half the square is closed and the cranes/flatbeds/mobile fencing/temporary ice rinks are all going up. I'm in Construction, so I love to watch the activity. Always a bit of sadness, as you know you'll be missing it. Like our Prague precruise, after 3 nights we board the bus to Regensburg on Saturday 20 November. The day the Prague markets open. Oh well, we'll see many more. Happy sailing to all.

Geotex- Thanks for posting, sailing in 2 weeks. Hope your husband has a mild case. Regarding your not catching it despite close proximity, scientist determined that a gene mutation has provided those who have it with great Covid protection. Don't pretend to understand the details, but it has been replicated with blood samples of those who have this mutation being placed in petri dishes with the virus, and the good guys win the battle quickly. Hopefully science magic can take this intel and do even better things with vaccines? Cruising: I expect a similar situation, although Vantage skews older than Viking, so we'll see what % masks. We had our second Covid booster and flu shot 2 weeks ago, we'll mask on plane and buses, and see about the rest. We went to Portugal in April, our first overseas trip in Covid time. Big stress thinking about the negative test required to fly in both directions. The happy-happy-relief-thankful feeling when the Mrs received the negative test results while wandering around Lisbon were incredible. I never want to have to go through that again, but understand why it was in place.

On our two previous Vantage trips we had the FB; the upgrade isn't so steep with them that we can afford it. On the 10+ day cruises, it is nice to have the big view out the full glass, and a private spot to relax. It was only on Viking we did aquarium. My wife had to stand on bed to see out. I do know that Viking aquarium is 150sq ft, and Vantage aquarium/FB is 165 sq ft, and that 15 extra sq ft really made a big difference. The room design, with wall lockers on a different wall then Viking, seemed to work out better. Having said that, I'd never turn down any deal to cruise, Aquarium or better. The unpacking once is so sweet. Flight in 19 days, 6 days to roam Czech Republic on our own, then Prague.

Woot-woot, sailing in 3 weeks on Danube with Vantage, booked aquarium class using Covid credits, and used the rest of the credit for a 3 night pre-cruise in Prague. Just noticed we were upgraded to middle deck, with a French Balcony. They have us a President's Club, so received this perk. I thought we wouldn't find out until we boarded the ship, so this is a nice surprise.

Gnome, correct, we were lucky with weather. We stayed in Belgium until the end of November, with our two youngest 20 something daughters flying out to meet us in Brugge. They lost 2 days due to snow that shut down NYC airports, two days of amazing hot chocolate they missed. Ghent tried to make up for it. We toured around Ypres and got the more typical grey, misty, chilled to the bone by end of day weather. Made us appreciate the earlier stretch that much more. I would love to do a tour by e-bike. The bike trails along the rivers are in amazing shape, great signage. Then it is easy to jump on a regional train if you hit rain or want to explore elsewhere. The train cars have a bike symbol right on them. Daughter is awaiting her next assignment, and Stuttgart is on the short list of options. Fingers crossed, she spent her first seven months in Germany, has visited a few times, and after 4 years in Alaska, GE will be warmer by far!

Gnome12- Glad you enjoyed yourself. Probably because I'm spoiled by motorcycles, I loved the E-bikes on our Vantage trip. On a free day, I biked around 50 kms and revisted Trier; another time I skipped the Koblenz walking tour and headed 'upstream' for about 35kms. On a regular bike I might make it 1/4 that far. Enjoy being able to break free from all the other cruisers and have some alone time, and my wife can enjoy her break from me. He are some pics from Bernkastel, mid November of 2018. Vineyard above town. Town square. Door to wine cellar, changes color with sunset. Along the river. And Cochem castle. To us, use to pretty harsh winter, November was a great time to cruise. Even when it did get cold, warmer than home, and a lot fewer other tourists out. We didn't see any other river ships the 4 days we were on the Moselle.

I try and take pictures of the various manhole covers that have town names, symbols, dragons...I like it when a bland object (a 30" round piece of steel) has something on it that shows a bit of pride, moreso than 'Sanitary Sewer'. Older ones in the US have place of manufacture, and you get a glimpse of how productive certain areas were 70-80 years ago. Neenah, Pennsylvania: I have little idea where you are located, but your steel is all over the Northeast. Miss G- Appears that the river bug has gotten to you. Great writeup, your descriptions really convey how much fun you're having. Yeah team, this sounds so close to normalcy, just great!

Miss G- Hope you enjoy your cruise. Good eye on detail...if you enjoy quality shingle work, you'll have a great trip. Travel is about the small things to me, and Europe has so much 'nifty' architecture. Always look up!, the tour guide says for a reason, so many neat decorative touches.

Hope you have good weather. I took a quick look at the Quo Vadis, and see nothing but great reviews. Please let us know how it goes...I borrowed a Viking biked one time and pedaled past a bike/barge excursion. I thought that looked like such a neat way to travel. Your home for a bit, and so others can see.

Part of our cruise is paid for with 2018 low water credits...hope you have a great time.

You've got bad luck Brian/Mary sailing mid-November...we could have high water issues with the Passau bridge, followed by low water outside Bratislava...so absolutely, who knows. 😉

Christmas markets. Good news for us, the Vienna markets open anywhere from the 11th of November to the 19th. https://city-walks.appspot.com/pdf/wien/Vienna-Christmas-Markets-2022.pdf Bratislava is 24 November, and Budapest 18 November. https://www.hungarybudapestguide.com/events/christmas-markets/ *The Budapest link describes the markets, and lists a 4 November opening date for 2022. Other searches have the 18th as opening date, so not sure there. Capitalism has them not tied to advent as much. When you see the effort that goes into building these outdoor shopping villages, it's not surprising they want to stay open longer. Gluh Wein, I am ready. Our 3 daughters can get the little souvenir cups for presents, I'm sure we'll come across some nice ones.

We were in Bernkastel mid November, and the yellow leaves on the grape vines was stunning. No idea how drought impacts that. I know with our Maples it can impact foliage and what colors we end up with before our Winter colors of white and grey.

We booked our air through United, and was able to change it through them. I see this number under their Vantages flight choice: 1-888-782-6824, not sure if that's what you were using. You can also try sending an message through 'My Portfolio'. Oddly enough, I received a call this morning to confirm our mailing address for final documents, and to see if I wanted to upgrade out of aquarium.

Notamermaid- Thanks for all the updates. We've made adjustments to our November Danube cruise, we were going to have 12 days prior to meeting with Vantage in Prague. Spouse got a puppy after we booked airfare. We cut the independent precruise down to 6 days to give our daughter, our puppy sitter, a break. Going to hit Pilsen and Karlovy Vary via train now, then turn ourselves over for 3 nights in Prague, and a 8 night Regensburg to Budapest cruise, with a night on our own in Budapest. Low water was too much deja-vu. This cruise was partly booked with 2018 low water credits for not sailing for 5 out of 14 nights, and the rest from a COVID canceled 2020 Tulip cruise. Tulip cruise, the no-fly order started 13 March and we were supposed to fly 20 March. Ouch. Happy sailing to all on a hopefully sailable river.

Pontac- Great write-up, thanks for posting this. I'm guessing that whatever they were refilling that bottle with didn't cost as much as the labeled drink did. That's what a dive bar does. I can't think of a reasonable explanation for this. Canal- Regarding him asking Scenic for something, the OP did, and it sounds like it involved a bit of jerkiness on part of the bar tender. The customer on a claimed luxury line asked for something, and he was told that the substitute was just as good. Doesn't matter if it is, it's not what OP wanted, nor asked for; what was wanted was available, just more effort/expense. That's lame. On Vantage, they had beans for breakfast, I like them on my eggs. Next day, no beans. I asked the head waiter. No, today is not the day for beans, that was yesterday and tomorrow, we have a scheduled menu. But I want beans, and they come in a can, why aren't you saying, 'Dude, I got you, give me a minute, beans you shall have.' That didn't happen, I was beanless, and still salty about it today. It really wasn't the beans, it was the attitude. He liked it as after that I told him, 'Tu estas el grand hefe, tu trabajando mucho'. I know I butchered writing that, but it kinda means, 'you are the big boss and work hard'. He understood my attempt, and loved it. When I washed dishes in a restaurant, my Dominica bus boys taught me that gem. The waiter always had a big smile for me after that, but no special beans.

Our first cruise was on Viking in aquarium...we booked with minimal research 30 days before sailing and took our 2 20's daughters went with us. The youngest was able to jam herself into that window nook and read a book while watching the river go by at eyeball level. Viking is set up differently on the long boats with the offset hallway; you pay more to upgrade to a french balcony, and are in a smaller room than steerage below; the room taken from the FB cabins for the next jump up to full balconies. Gentelman- Thanks for posting and great that you are able to keep sailing. Enjoy.

Regarding the Moselle, by far my favorite river cruising we've done. It was November, gorgeous weather, and we didn't see another cruise ship the 4 days we sailed on it. We want to go back and explore this region further.

Is it any wonder that 'Breasting Up' is a more pleasant experience experience than rafting?

The only thing I'd miss going from the 135 m ship to a smaller one is the second dining area. I can't do to many two hours meals in a room with a low ceiling and all the people talking means I can't hear anyone, smiling and nodding gets old after a bit. I'd really like the flexibility the smaller ship would provide for different ports, smaller rivers. With the increased popularity of cruising, it would be nice to spread the load out to other docking locations. I mean, there has to be more than one glass blower to visit on the Main River...