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John is definitely a travel writer who is writing for several print publications. steamboats

Not sure whether John would call himself an influencer 😂. He's the husband of CC's editor-in-chief I've mentioned in the other thread 😉. I'm sure he'd call himself a journalist 😉. steamboats

Here´s video with a full ship tour of the Riverside Mozart. And a cabin onboard the Riverside Mozart: steamboats

Explora I left Monfalcone yesterday evening past 7 pm on her way to Barcelona. And BTW, it was not the christening by Sylvia Earle but the traditional bottle break at the delivery ceremony. The so called shipyard christening was done by Zoe Africa Vago. steamboats

More news... The christening as well as the handover will be today in Monfalcone - so four days earlier than announced. The panels stay onboard (also on the MSC Euribia) and are regarded safe. steamboats

Promising news for those on the Aug 1st cruise. There are reports that media has been invited for a preview cruise out of Portsmouth to Copenhagen. steamboats

I saw that Cruisecritic´s editor-in-chief´s husband is currently onboard the Riverside Mozart. I don´t know whether she is also onboard. But we might hear more soon. steamboats

Usually the ships have enough fuel onboard to sail for 2 weeks on regular traveling speed (which is between 13 and 17 kn). So there wouldn´t a stop needed on the way to Copenhagen. They can refuel there. steamboats

Even with leaving on July 24th (which is the lasted date they announced for the delivery) it might be a problem to be in Copenhagen on Aug 1st. If that Kiel date is correct the first cruise will be Aug 15th from Copenhagen to Hamburg. So still one cruise away from your Aug 21st cruise out of Hamburg. steamboats

@Hlitner, yes, you missed out the Aug 15th cruise out of Copenhagen. So Kiel could be either the christening or just a media/TA showcase or even short cruise to Copenhagen. steamboats

I wrote "usually" and was more referring to the European companies as we are talking about VIVA. steamboats

That´s what Explora Journeys said when they officially cancelled the first cruise on July 17th. steamboats

What age are we talking about? Kids are usually allowed on river cruises. But they might not have any triple cabins (or only one or two). VIVA is not an adult only cruise line and there are at least some board games and more. But VIVA does not have any kids´ facilities. The only ship I know of is the new A-Rosa Sena which has a kids club. My DD was 5yo on her first European river cruise (and 18 months on her first US river cruise). steamboats

Now Explora I is gone from the port of Kiel list in August... TBC... steamboats

Just to clarify... although on an ocean going vessel there usually is a medical center with a doctor they do send the patients to onshore hospitals too as soon as possible for serious illnesses. So you can end up in a hospital on some Caribbean island or Middle America which might not be up to the US standards either. steamboats

Couldn´t have said it any better! @Lalof wear whatever you feel comfortable in!! Sneakers are widely worn in Europe and popular with all ages. And you can´t avoid to be identified as a tourist. I can´t either as a German being on vacation in Italy... Why, we all dress differently when we are on vacation. We don´t go on the street in our business/office wear when we´re on vacation. We don´t wear shorts either when we go to work... Especially cobble stones can be tricky so do wear comfortable footwear!! steamboats

The article sounds like the competitor did report the failure in his tests. steamboats

The link to the Kiel port website was in my post ("hidden" in the word Kiel) 😉 steamboats

The Explora I is now listed in Kiel on Aug 13th / 2 pm til Aug 14th 5 pm. As Kiel is not a port on the now first cruise on Aug 1st from Copenhagen to Reykjavik and back this looks more than those cruises may be cancelled too. steamboats

Here is sort of an update with more information. The article is in Italian so you have to translate it. To sum it up: A Danish competitor of Paroc did it´s own tests which the Paroc panels failed. Obviously the panels have to be fire resistant for at least 60 min. The test results are speaking of 43 or 50 min only. RINA (an Italian classification organisation) and Fincantieri are now conducting their own tests simulation the interior of the Explora I on land. Looks like the results of the first tests are more optimistic... steamboats

Some river cruise ships have a doctor but just a doctor so no small hospital or anything. The reason they usually don´t even have a doctor is simply that you are not far from the next town. They can order an ambulance car to the next landing spot. steamboats

The photo shop (The Hub Photo & Digital) on deck 6 / atrium doubles as internet center. They might have a printer. We once did print out something at the internet center on another MSC ship. There are also two conference rooms (MSC Business Center) on deck 5 near the atrium but usually they are busy. You may ask at the reception. steamboats

Sorry, it´s past lunchtime at my side of the pond ;-). steamboats

It´s the same area as in 2021... It was only magma coming up but no big ash clouds which can impact the air traffic. So no real need to worry yet. And they are pretty well organized there. Back in 2021 they had a parking lot where you paid the fee with your cell phone. Wooden sticks marked the walking way. Guides were present to advise you where to go... Currently the area is under examination of the scientists and closed for the public. steamboats

You don´t need a dry dock to change the panels. It may depend on where those panels are buildt in. But pretty likely they are custom made so there is nothing like "in stock". steamboats