SometimesCruiser

In the US, we'd call that a "Three Buck Chuck". I don't know the German translation....

The key is to be strategic about what clothes you bring. We just came home from a 7-day Rhine cruise with 2-day extension. Going over, my DH and I had one checked bag between us, which was less than half full because I wasn't confident we'd see it when we landed in Switzerland! Most of our clothes were in our carry-ons and personal items. I didn't bring any jeans (though they are a staple of my at-home wardrobe). I wanted all my clothes to be quick-wash and -dry, so I made sure they were mostly tech materials, including nylon and polyester. We also used compression packing cubes that helped squeeze a lot of air out of clothes and kept the size to a minimum. One wildcard is the time of year you'll be going. If you will need warmer clothes, try to think in terms of multiple, thinner layers rather than one thick layer. And it might be a good excuse to purchase a stylish jacket or sweater during the trip!

On our recent northbound Romatic Rhine cruise with Avalon, we didn't have any hotel stays, but did stay for 2 extra nights in Strasbourg on the (stationary) ship, before being bussed to Rudesheim to tour the Gorge and then board the swapped ship. We received $200 per person in reimbursement. This figure didn't appear to be tied to cabin class, because everyone in our group received the same amount, regardless of cabin class booked.

From conversations with our captain on the Visionary, one of our group learned that it also makes a difference whether the ship is moving downstream or upstream, even between sister ships! There are lots of variables in play that we who are not in the industry could easily overlook! Overall, I was happy with our ship swap experience with Avalon, though it meant one additional packing/unpacking event and a handful of additional hours on a bus. I hope the weather breaks soon so that the cruise lines can resume more normal operations.

If the daily testing mandates and the possibility of being whisked off the ship into quarantine at any time didn't drive their customers away, I doubt the possibility of ship swaps would register.

Sadly, I think we were so happy to arrive on our new ship (and unpack and attend happy hour...) that we really didn't avail ourselves of the city of Engers at all. None of our family group of 11 wanted to venture back out once we boarded the Imagery II! Our few shots from Engers:

During our B-A Avalon Romantic Rhine cruise (Jul 31-Aug 7), we actually moved from the Kehl side to the Strasbourg side after the first day. We stayed there in Strasbourg for 2 additional nights. The first day we were free to use the provided shuttle to go into Strasbourg if we weren't going on the bus tour to Heidelberg. However, the second day we had to vacate the ship and bus to Rudesheim. I don't know what options were provided if anyone didn't want to participate in the Rudesheim excursions. As far as I know, everyone from our ship was on the tourist boat through the Rhine Gorge before we joined the Imagery II at Engers.

This would be the second swap made with the Visionary, I assume. Same script from last week.... (Last week, we were bussed from Strasbourg to Rudesheim, then boarded a tourist sight-seeing cruise of the Rhine Gorge. From the tourist ship, we boarded the Imagery II.)

Here is our experience flying out of Schiphol this week, at the end of a northbound "Rhine Interrupted" cruise with Avalon: After checking our bags at the automated kiosk (very cool, assuming it works), we arrived at a checkpoint where our boarding passes were examined. When they determined that we were flying internationally (back to the US), they directed us to a particular line. Our line snaked around inside, never went outside, and took a little over an hour to reach the security checkpoint. Once upstairs and right before security, there was another line that merged in with ours. I don't know for sure, but assume that other line was the long one we've heard about that goes outside and takes up to 4 hours to traverse. They could be routing European traffic through that line. No one else in our 4-family party (who were all flying back to the US) was routed to a line that went outside, and everyone had about the same total wait times. Overall, the experience at Schiphol was hugely more pleasant than the horror stories that made me imagine the worse. Our transfers were made through Avalon, and we had a bus that took us from the ship to the airport. We had arrived at the airport nearly 4 hours before our flights.

We boarded the Avalon Visionary in Basel on Sunday, July 31st, for their Romantic Rhine cruise northbound from Basel to Amsterdam. On Tuesday (while in Strasbourg) , we were notified that at least one person from each cabin was required to attend the port talk that evening (uh oh...!). At the port talk, Adrian the Cruise Director informed us that due to low water levels, the Visionary would not be making the trip north. We would be docking in Strasbourg for the next two nights (Tuesday and Wednesday) and Thursday morning we were to check out for transport to the Imagery II, which would be docked at Engers. Wednesday, people with Heidelberg excursions were bussed from Strasbourg to Heidelberg, and back to Strasbourg. Avalon also provided a shuttle bus for people to go into Strasbourg if not joining the Heidelberg excursion. On Thursday, we were to put our luggage out for transport to the Imagery II. We were all bussed to Rudesheim for an excursion at the Mechanical Musical Instrument museum, then a tour of the Rhine Gorge via tourist boat. When we reached Engers, we boarded the Imagery II and continued on our way to Amsterdam under the same schedule that the Visionary would have followed. Avalon provided lunch for everyone at a restaurant in both Heidelberg and Rudesheim. They made a potentially messy situation run very smoothly, and really tried to make sure everyone's needs were met. It was not ideal to have to switch ships midway through a cruise, but Adrian and the rest of the Avalon staff made sure it was as painless as possible.

@Poulsbo Cruisers We are scheduled to be on the Avalon Visionary from Basel to Amsterdam, starting Jul 31st. I was trying to see what ship(s) on the reverse itinerary would possibly be available for a ship swap, should it be needed. The Imagery II was the only ship I found that was on the reverse itinerary overlapping, our cruise. So we might be swapping ships if needed!

That is the same deal we have with Avalon. Breakfast-only included during our two pre-board days (land portion), and all meals while on the ship (cruise portion).

Thank you! Understood!

Thank you so much for posting these and all the other tips! I will share with family members who will be joining us on our Romantic Rhine cruise in July.

@coyboy1971thank you for reporting on this! I will be following as we are scheduled on the same ship/itinerary in July! Just to confirm--was a COVID test required prior to boarding? Or are vaccine cards sufficient? Thanks again!