BMoreE

Came across this as we are planning a July trip with an identical situation - @mialeighs what did you end up doing? We are an "explore on our own" type and would have no problem hopping a train to Nuremberg, but definitely find value in having an experienced person telling you about what you're looking at. Perhaps there are guided tours available for purchase on site? As an aside, does anyone know which, if any, of the stops on this cruise are closest/best for taking a tour of a concentration camp memorial?

A to B Viking Hermod/now Sigyn. Only thing missing is dinner cruise and nighttime drinks whilst on the water. it’s a good thing we visited the Rhine in Speyer today, the water is warm! Standing on rocks that clearly are normally under water!

For sure! Had one at a brauhaus in Köln, very refreshing. Currently riding bus to Speyer for the days tour, 90 minutes from a shipyard at Stras. Which is not a very picturesque place to hang out on the ship all day. (Although 3 more hours on the bus no picnic either.) A big downside of the swap: no cruising 2 nights in a row. Just not as enjoyable having that nightly drink on deck when next to container ships instead of passing villages. 😞 But still better than NOT being on vacation! We feel lucky!

Just getting off the gorge replacement cruise in Bingen. Catching bus to swap ship to continue south. (4pm local time, supposed to have us to new ship by 6:30.) Gorge cruise was beautiful; mediocre food but good beer so who cares! Oh: 2 ships combined on the gorge cruise; other one was Viking AMS->Budapest? We are AMS to Basel.

Hot off presses: Viking Hermod, departed Tuesday from Amsterdam (Day 1.) destined for Basel. Visited all original ports so far. Evening in Cologne, announced swap from Hermod to Sigyn. Luggage must be packed outside room by 8AM (Day 4.) Go on Koblenz tours as normal during day 4. They rented a boat to take us through Gorge tour, departing from Goarhausen. After gorge, taking 2.5 hr bus to Strasbourg to get on sister ship. Will miss Day 5 port Speyer; no idea what will take its place. Sit on ship and drink? My advice going through it (including reading this thread for weeks and worrying about water levels): stop worrying about that which you cannot control! It’s been beyond expectations so far. Sounds like Viking has this down pat, but will let y’all know our experience. If the bus will ruin your trip for you, don’t risk it: Water is visibly low on the rocks as we pass. But if you can go with the flow, don’t stress and enjoy the experience.