@Senator1416

We did the Viking cruise in November/December and loved Dresden, also going over the Gleniecke Bridge. In Berlin, we found a bottle of Wackerbarth wine, which we took with us on board. Best wine we drank during the trip, light, fruity and dry. Viking is good about letting us bring our own preferred wine on board, and we wanted to try something from the Elbe district. You can find Wackerbarth all over Dresden. If we go back to this area, it will be to spend more time in Dresden. Also, great idea to re-read Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five.

This is one of the best, most complete trip reports I have ever read. We are doing the Elbe trip in late November, visiting some of the places we were never allowed during our years serving in the military during Cold War Europe. Your trip will help us with our planning - we like to do a lot of things on our own, too. I love the information about 70+ riding free on public transportation in Prague, and the Berlin Pass. Thank you!

My husband and I leave the groups often. We always check with the guide and let them know we are leaving. We also take full responsibility for getting ourselves back to the ship well before departure. We have never caused a problem, and we relish having time to explore on our own. Many times the cruise lines have no interest in things we really want to see - petroglyphs or walk the city walls in Dubrovnik, or have time for a relaxed meal in Marrakesh, things that are fun and special to us. We think it is perfectly normal to seek out these experiences on our own. We choose our own adventures 🙂 You can, too. 

8 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

Thank you everyone for their good wishes, comments and encouragement over the last year and especially in the last few days. What a year it has been. I am not a friend of the TV shows with the title "looking back on 2018" or whatever the broadcasters come up with. It usually makes for dramatic, gloomy watching and the bad images tend to stick longer than the good images. But photo galleries in a mild form I am okay with. As weather has concerned us all in various ways and degrees here on CC over the past year I give you a short look at the weather in Rhineland-Palatinate, one photo per month. It starts with flooding and ends with... flooding: https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/Wetterbilanz-fuer-2018-Rheinland-Pfalz-knackte-den-Waermerekord,wetterbilanz-100.html

 

And in between? We all know, drought and low water levels. The article's text tells us that Germany got a new mean high temperature this year and Rhineland-Palatinate even topped that with its own new record. We have a mild climate here in the West of the country... For Germany overall, as predicted in November, 2018 enters the statistics as being the warmest and sunniest year ever recorded (it will become official only at the beginning of next year) with all months from April to November having been too warm, too dry and too sunny. And 2019? Only one thing is certain: we start into the new year with too low a water table. There is still not enough ground water, i.e. it has not rained enough to fill reservoirs and and saturate the soil. As regards the rivers anything is possible apart from "Neujahrshochwasser" (flooding on New Year's Day).

 

Do you have the feeling sometimes that no matter what you do and how much benign fun (usually) it is there is always a spoil-sport around? This is the feeling I got when I heard on the news that New Year's Eve fireworks are an enormous source of fine dust in the air. It may be "fine dust overkill" but it only lasts one hour. My goodness, let us enjoy it and if you cannot bear it blur your environmental vision with champagne. Conscience, commitment and reasoning is for 2 January, after the mind is free of the fuzziness of food, drink (mostly) and laughter.

 

Laughter, that brings me to that odd German tradition of watching a black-and-white "British" television comedy sketch (recorded in Germany) in English with no dubbing or subtitles. Yup, who ever claimed the Germans have no sense of humour?! Here are some more New Year's Eve traditions in Germany: https://www.dw.com/en/10-german-traditions-on-new-years-eve/a-36648029

 

With that I leave you and hope to see you all again in good health in 2019. 🎆 🍾

 

notamermaid

 

Happy New Year, Notamermaid. 

I always remember, living in Germany, my parents coming home from New Year's parties, telling us about a live piglet being brought around, and everyone petting the piglet for good luck. Even this last trip, here and there I saw little pig ornaments with a gold coin in their mouths. 

23 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Just returned from a short trip to my beloved island in the North Sea, having been bombarded by Brexit issues on telly, falling down the stairs with my body brutally reminding me that I have a coccyx and muscles that can hurt I am taking things easy during the mad rush of shopping before Christmas. I am also spreading a cold mercilessly around my workplace and among the family.

 

No problem at all, life is good and hope is eternally there in my mind for more peace and understanding in the world.

 

One way to achieve a bit more understanding and spreading good cheer is by joining in with other people's happiness across religious boundaries: https://www.dw.com/en/an-indians-first-german-christmas-market/a-46465911

 

With that and a photo of the Christmas tree in the Hall at Hever Castle in England I leave you and wish you all a

 

Merry Christmas

 

notamermaid

 

Does this thread break any kind of record for length or number of responses? In addition to all the timely and relevant information you provided, Notamermaid, you created an engaged online community who were breathlessly waiting the next post. The drama of not knowing whether or not the trip would go, or how it would be implemented kept us glued to the thread. Well done! Hope you are well. Merry Christmas, Peace on Earth, Good Will to Mankind.

14 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Okay, I do admit this might annoy some people and I was in two minds about giving you this link. Making lemons out of lemonade, or veiling a bad experience in a good marketing story? For the couple mentioned it was a nice experience but how do others see it? I am not sure about this article, I feel a slight annoyance rising up inside me. Over to you, judges, past, present and future cruisers: https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/bright-side-low-water?ct=river

 

One note: closure of the port at Cologne? I did not read anything about this. I did see ships on marinetraffic docked in Cologne (large ones as well as small ones) and the harbour in Niehl would be a weird thing to close. Do they mean access to docks I wonder? Or what has happened? .confused.

 

notamermaid

 

 

 

I think she was very clever, finding positive things to say, except for not addressing the major issue - that those who sign up for a particular tour usually do so for a destination-related reason. I liked the idea of Bruges; such a gem, but the rest of it sounded a little desperate, and a stretch at the very least, to find something positive. And she told us right up front she is being comped to be positive. The remark about the ports at Cologne being closed is just bizarre. They aren't closed; they are quite busy.

Our experience has been very positive on our Christmas Markets tour. The ship swap was inconvenient, but handled so smoothly that it was minor. The directors and crew of the MS Grace and MS Inspire are knocking themselves out to make this a delightful trip. Today is Colmar and Riquewihr, and then on to Basel tomorrow, and departure. 

Thank you, notamermaid, and all posters who shared information on this thread. For you, notamermaid, the angel reading the Christmas poem:

9 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Good to hear, Intlxpatr. I believe you docked in Andernach and headed up the gorge to get to Heidelberg. Correct?

I like this itinerary for the rare fact that it stops in Baden-Baden. Few river cruises do. I know of a Swiss one (tour operator) that does it a few times a year.

 

I would love to see the Christmas angel arriving in the carriage. Enjoy.

 

notamermaid

 

We went to the opening tonight. We didn't get to see the carriage, but we listened to a wonderful school choir, the Mayor greeted the people and welcomed the Angel who appeared from between the curtains at the back of the amphitheater, and read a Christmas poem. We agree with you, the Baden Baden market is beautiful, and very large, with unique items we haven't seen anywhere else. We think it is one of our best experiences, but then . . . we've thought every market was cheery and magical. 

Yes, we left the MS Grace at Andernach and met up with the MS Inspire docked in a canal in a small town with locks that starts with a G, like Gerbersheim. We left there tonight to cruise about 30 minutes (LOL) the approximately 17 km to Strasbourg. 

We booked this company on the strength of the city markets they chose: Aachen, Koln, Rudisheim, Heidelberg, Baden Baden, Strasbourg, Colmar ending in Basel. Tauck has done a great job making it all work. We are having a great time. 

Update for people booked on future Tauck Christmas Markets tours:  We did the ship swap yesterday. Packed bags out in the hallway by 8, when we departed for a 2 1/2 hour coach ride to Heidelberg. Heidelberg even produced a couple hours of sunshine to welcome us, and it was a lovely day altogether. As part of our focus this trip, as well as the cheer of the Christmas markets, is winter food, we ate at the Ritter, having goose and duck. It was elegant, serene, and the food was excellent. There are four main markets, one specializing in food, the others in decorations and lots of fun rarely-seen things, and, of course, Heidelberg is always a city of dreams and infinitely photographable. We boarded our bus at 4 to head to the MS Inspire, which is similar, but not identical to the Grace, a one and a half hour drive. Actually, because of theme and color and a few design differences, we find we like the Inspire very much. Our luggage was waiting in our stateroom, we cannot imagine a more smooth transition. Today we are in Baden Baden; tonight we will go into the city for the opening of the Christmas Market where "the Christmas angel arrives by carriage at the festive stage."  We appreciate that Tauck provides thoughtful solutions to a very difficult natural situation which is nobody's fault. We are having a great time.

Update on Tauck Christmas tours; we are aboard the MS Grace in Cologne and have been told that our itinerary will go as planned with a ship swap on Wednesday with our twin ship the MS Inspire. The MS Grace will actually set sail to Andernach on Monday night, busing us into Rudisheim and back on Tuesday, then to Heidelberg and on to some port in France where we will board the MS Inspire and have our same exact cabin. 

Tauck has handled a terrible situation with grace. We will have the exact itinerary, even the coaches will go along the scenic route to Heidelberg so cruisers can see the castles on the Rhine. They are doing everything they can to give us a great experience. The cruise director, Yenner, told us tonight that when given the options, only six people cancelled on this tour, everyone else held firm and we have almost a full ship. 

We had elected to go a day early to Cologne, and loved the Hotel Ernst Excelsior where they put us up. We saw the cathedral from our room windows, and when we awoke Sunday morning at 6:30, we easily made it to the 7:00 a.m. mass, a very special experience, having that grand cathedral all to ourselves and a few committed worshipers. The Christmas markets are just opening, the smell of roasting chestnuts and gluhwein are in the air, and there is an air of merriment. If you are traveling on one of the Tauck Christmas Tours, you are in good hands. They have a plan, and it includes every night being in a Tauck ship on the Rhine.

So far, so good :-)

1 hour ago, Tfaith said:

So so relieved to have the information confirmed!! We leave Wednesday to spend time with friends in Zurich so that would be why we were contacted sooner.  308 will also be immaculate! And thank you again for the feedback!! We are a family of 8 celebrating our daughters beating cancer. Twice. Much to celebrate! Safe travels and enjoy whatever happens! 

What a wonderful reason for an 8-day family celebration! We wish you safe travels; we leave Friday for Koln. (We are on the odd numbered side)

20 hours ago, Tfaith said:

I was told there will be no changes to our original stops, just the method we get to them may require some extra bussing! I promise to leave our cabin in great shape for you!! 

We heard from Tauck today, actually my husband called and they were in the process of calling clients. They assured us that all the destinations on the original itinerary will be covered, so that concern is allayed. There will be some coach travel (sigh) but we also like that Tauck will take care of all the transfer of luggage and that our crews will come with us (like cruise director, I am guessing) which provides some nice continuity. All nights will be on board. We DO know our cabin number :-) and will be sure to leave it immaculate for you :-) Again, thank you for your original post.

6 hours ago, Tfaith said:

I have been following all of your posts for 3 weeks or so as we depart Basel to Cologne November 25 with Tauck for the Christmas Market Cruise on MS Inspire and we WILL be departing!  I must praise Tauck for their communication and all the efforts they are doing to make our changes as minimal as possible. I was called by a representative yesterday to advise that we would have a ship swap on day 4 to the MS Grace, their sister ship, same cabin as Inspire,  to continue our cruise on to Cologne, that there would be additional bussing of approximately 4 hours spread out throughout one day with stops along the route and they were working to provide alternative excursions for those not wanting to bus that would lessen that time. I know without doubt if I hadn’t had the benefit from those  have been so kind to post and share their experiences I would have been disappointed but instead we are thrilled at how fortunate we are. Things can certainly change in a week and more changes may be necessary but thanks to all posting we are prepared and can’t say enough good things about Tauck’s handling of the circumstances. Safe travels to all. 

We are on the Tauck MS Grace, the ship you will be swapping to. We haven't heard anything, so I am delighted to see your post. I had just said to my husband that "the best we can hope for is a ship swap and as much of the original itinerary as possible (we love Aachen, Heidelberg and Colmar)."  So you and I will be . . . . wait for it . . . . like two ships passing in the . . . . Sorry, could not resist. Anyway, thank you so much for posting, so we can be hopeful about the trip going southbound.

42 minutes ago, nstarrenburg said:

Attached is an interesting text exchange I just had with a passenger doing the AMA cruise from Basel to Amsterdam.  

 

I had posted a “praying for rain” comment on the AMA Facebook page as I follow them and there was a generic “sail the Rhine with us” post made by them.  AMA Then responded with a benign “see you onboard” comment and no mention of the water levels.

 

I was a little surprised to then get a response from an actual passenger telling me what is actually happening.  The situation is that the ship goes from Basel to Strasbourg and stays there for three days and you do daily bus tours.  Then you do a 6-7 hour bus trip to Antwerp for a ship change and sail up to Amsterdam.

 

hmmmmm

 

the Rhine cruise suddenly is no longer a Rhine cruise.

 

 

I am sorry, I know it is not funny, and we are likely facing a similar situation on our Christmas Markets on the Rhine trip starting November 25th . . . . but that exchange is hilarious. The situation, of course, is not . . . . hilarious.

6 hours ago, Hoyas96 said:

I'm scheduled to embark AmaKristina on 11/26 in Amsterdam headed to Basel.  I received the attached update from AMA today.  It's not super clear what this will mean for the itinerary / ports of call in between the cities mentioned, especially for scenario B.  Fingers crossed for scenario A.  No matter what happens, I'll be happy to escape the smoky air in CA and breathe some fresh air in Europe!

 

LOL@ verbiage: "exciting alternative solutions"

Today we received the following notification from Tauck. We like that they are addressing the issue forthrightly, that it is still ten days out, and that they seem to be adhering greatly to the Christmas Market agenda. If there is a swap, we can handle that. If there has to be some coach time, oh well, not our favorite but we like walking and sometimes you see and experience more on the ground.

Dear Mr. & Mrs.

We hope this email finds you well, and that you are looking ahead to your upcoming Tauck journey with excitement and anticipation. 

We are contacting you today to provide you with the attached letter, which contains important information regarding your journey. Please be sure to read it carefully prior to your departure. 

NOTE: Please do not respond to this email. If you have any questions, please contact our Reservation Sales Center at 1-800-468-2825. 

As always, our thanks for choosing to travel with Tauck. 

Sincerely, 

The Tauck Worldwide Operations Team

p: 800-468-2825 ● e: info@tauck.com ● www.tauck.com
November 14, 2018

Dear Mr. & Mrs.                    ,
We are looking forward to welcoming you on your Tauck Christmas market river cruise along the
Rhine, where an enchanting and memorable experience awaits.

We are contacting you today because certain areas of the Rhine continue to experience low
water levels resulting from exceedingly hot and dry weather in Europe over the past several
months, and these low-water conditions have the potential to impact your cruise. Conditions
along the Rhine are subject to change with short notice, and it is possible – but not certain – that
your itinerary could be affected. Itinerary alterations could be minimal, or more material
including additional motor coach travel, transferring to another Tauck riverboat positioned
beyond a low-water stretch of the river, or other tour adjustments.

We apologize that we’re unable to provide more specific information at this time, but we did
want you to be aware of the situation along the Rhine and the possibility of alterations to your
itinerary. Please know that we are carefully monitoring conditions along the river, and if
necessary, we will inform you of any major changes as soon as they are confirmed.
In addition, we also wanted to advise you that the Baden-Baden Christmas market will not be
open to shoppers during our morning visit to the city on Day 5 of your itinerary. (We will still visit
Baden-Baden as planned, however, and you will still enjoy your tour of its famous casino.)
Fortuitously, the Baden-Baden Christmas market opens with great fanfare that very same
evening, and you’ll be able to experience those festivities if you so desire. You’ll have the
choice of remaining in Baden-Baden that afternoon (following the conclusion of our visit that
morning), and we’ll also be providing motor coach transportation to and from the city later that
day.

Your Tauck Director will share additional information about options in Baden-Baden during your
cruise, and once again, we are looking forward to hosting you on your journey!

Sincerely,

The Tauck Worldwide Operations Team

"If Tauck was using only 135m ships and sending out this message applying it to cruises coming up in the next five days, this would ludicrous to the point of annoyance. However, they are referring to cruises that by definition of Christmas market should not start before 22 November."

Our cruise, on the MS Grace, is due to start 24 November out of Cologne. The Cruise Tracker app says she is 135m. I just checked; she is harbored today close to Maastricht. Following this thread, it seems possible that we might be on board in Koln, but that there may be some bus travel involved if the trip is not cancelled. I don't know how good Tauck may be at swapping out ships; I believe they lease the ships, not own them.

This was not an e-mail, merely an alert at the top left of the page when I looked at the Tauck Web page.

Ural guy, we are loving your photos.

Today I found the newest alert from Tauck regarding the Christmas Market cruises on the Rhine and Danube:

TRAVEL ALERT REGARDING TAUCK'S CHRISTMAS MARKET RIVER CRUISES

(11/9/18) Water levels on some of Europe’s rivers (particularly the Rhine and to a lesser degree, the Danube) remain below normal following Europe’s hot, dry summer. These low water levels have the potential to impact our upcoming Christmas market river cruises, but at present it is far from certain if those cruises will actually be affected, or what any specific impacts might be. Conditions along the river are subject to change with short notice, and itinerary alterations – should they occur – could be minimal or more material, including additional motor coach travel or other adjustments.

Please know that, in conjunction with our European office and our wide network of trusted partners, we are continuously and carefully monitoring conditions along the Rhine and Danube. Should there be a major itinerary change, we will inform impacted guests as soon as those changes are known and confirmed.

16 minutes ago, MitchellD said:

Lucky Us.

 

Anyway, I just looked for the clause as well through the contract information and I do see what you mean.

 

I sent an email to the TA I went through (who gets all the information from Uniworld.) I'll see what he says, but I am still looking forward to seeing some of Europe regardless.

Some of our best vacations, great adventures, have had disastrous beginnings, i.e. missing bags on arrival in Zambia, having to find a store where we could find even the basics to get us through until the bags arrived (found some really great clothes at reasonable prices and they took our credit cards), bags missing at the beginning of our Med cruise (they caught up eventually.) You've got a great attitude. When you roll with the punches, new opportunities for a great time open up. Happy trip :-)

We are on a Tauck trip in late November from Koln to Basel, visiting Christmas markets in Germany and France. I am guessing we will do part of this on bus, which means a whole different way of packing, but as our main object is walking and eating good winter French and German food (we lived in the area for several years) we are prepared to roll with the punches. Horrified by the photos and videos of the low levels of water, and expecting this will be a very strange adventure :-)