SkygirlSue

I just disembarked from Legend yesterday.  So sorry you had to miss Key West.  We had to miss it on 12/17, too.  We also had to bypass Cozumel on 12/24 to 12/25 due to rough seas.  I always enjoy sea days so I didn't mind.  We also had rainy skies the last 3 days so here's wishing you lots of sunshine.  Yes, I ended up enjoying the Star Bar, too.  Great place to sit on couches and enjoy a drink in the evening.  

Thank you for this information!  We will be here until 7 p.m. in December....the boat trip sounds like the thing to do!

Anyone have experience with a room in 444-451 area?  They are right above galley and I wondered if it was noisy in early A.M.?

I just booked a cruise and my TA said the daily gratuity rate is $16/day for each person.  I have chosen to pay this at the end of the cruise.

Just curious because I just sailed with Windstar in April and it was $14.50/day.  Any current cruisers who can confirm this new rate?

   Thanks!

Airline employees.

My April 18 cruise has been canceled.  According to my TA, I, as one who booked with an interliner discount am not able to choose the option of a full refund of monies paid to Windstar.  This doesn't seem right.  I am not going to bother Windstar today.....yes, I was offered Future Cruise Credit,  but NOT the option of a full refund.  Does anyone have any info on this?  INTERLINE PEOPLE ONLY.

I was on an Ama cruise in late October 2019, and was given a two category upgrade when I arrived because they had a large group cancel.  It was a twin balcony room that was awesome!

United does not fly JFK-ZRH nor AMS-DTW.  

NOTE:  on the final day, you will be given suggested gratuities to add to your bill.  They will recommend that you tip the cruise director separately; I believe it's 25 Euros/person.

AmaVenita? There is no ship by that name.

JOHN, I didn't do the post-cruise with Ama, as I like to ad lib after my cruise.  I can tell you that Ama hotels are always top-notch.  As it turned out, the weather was crummy in early November, so I just took the train from Basel to Zurich.  Very easy to do.  If you're seasoned travelers it is easy to take train to Lucerne, spend a few days, then take train back to Zurich.  For me, it's a matter of budget as those pre and post cruise tours are expensive!  But you can be sure Ama will give you your money's worth.

I've been on the AmaKristina twice this year. Just finished the Rhine in November.  I highly recommend that ship.  Absolutely an outstanding crew and named after one of Ama owners.  It is very new and the balcony cabins are almost all twin balconies.  The Rhine gorge is gorgeous, so be sure you get up early enough that morning.....don't want to miss any castles!!   Captain Jan is such a pro we never once bumped against the locks!  All Ama crews are wonderful but I believe these are the creme de la creme!

    Hope you enjoy your cruise!

The scenery on the Danube cruise is stunning, so anytime is good.  I went first week of June. I also did the Tulip Time cruise which was nice, and am leaving soon for the Rhine gorge cruise.  For what it's worth, Rick Steves thinks that cruising the Rhine Gorge is one of the top scenic cruises or train trips in Europe.  Ama is fantastic.  Just call them and I'm sure they'll help you decide. 

I suggest you book one of their Christmas Market cruises, which begin in later November.  They go down the Rhine or Danube. The Danube cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest is one of their most popular routes......absolutely beautiful. Once you've experienced Ama, you'll never go back to Viking.  They are stellar in every way.

You don't need to decide......each day, director will talk about next day's excursions. And you can't sign up for bike tours until you are onboard.  Almost all excursions are always available. Except for the special ones that charge a fee.  

Go to Amawaterways.com.......then My Cruise......use your booking number and complete Cruise Checkin.  You can't choose Excursions until you check-in.  I was able to choose mine more than 90 days ahead.

I’m not sure. But you will find the wines very nice and usually representative of the area you are cruising through. 

CaroleLee....I did the Vilshofen to Budapest segment in June.  You absolutely don't want to miss the Illuminations cruise dinner the last night!  You will have ample time to walk the decks after dinner to take in the magnificent lights.  We opted to do the Chef's Table the first night and met great people who we did a lot with during the rest of the cruise.

If you have a choice to go to Czesky Krumlov on an excursion, go!  It is a magical village in the Czech Republic.  I think it was the Linz stop for the boat.

anyone that has recently been in budapest, any idea of maximum cash spit out at ATM's in one transaction? any tips ?

Well I can tell you for sure that the ATM in the Central Market will give you $700 worth of forinths (?). I made a big mistake when I calculated the amount I wanted. HAHAHA! This was in June.

June 15?

Ah, sorry. We are on June 1. I realized I had written to you before. I'll try and post a report. Happy sailing!

We're going on our first river cruise with Serena from Vilshofen to Budapest in June. Really appreciate hearing about experiences and tips anyone might have.

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Forums mobile app

Hi! A friend and I will be on same cruise. Looking forward to my first river cruise too. Sue and Bonnie hope to meet you.

Thank you, Steamboats and Lyndarra! I really appreciate your information.

Hello, I am booked on AmaSerena cruise starting in Vilshofen on June 1, ending in Budapest. Any information on current water levels? It's my first river cruise and I'm really looking forward to it! Any info is greatly appreciated.:cool:

Yes, we did, we stayed for a few nights at the Radisson Blu in Budapest. We took a taxi that the ship arranged for us after we disembarked. The Radisson Blu wasn't within walking distance to the waterfront, but we did like the location. We had a newly renovated room, which was lovely. The area was within walking distance to the big Mall and the train station. There were quite a few restaurants in the area as well. We took a taxi to the Fisherman's Bastion and did the Hop on Hop off bus one day. Enjoyed our stay there. One thing of note, we asked our Concierge what it should cost us to take a taxi from the hotel to the Fisherman's Bastion, and he gave us the price and called us a taxi. On our way back, we walked down the hills and across the bridge, and tried to pick up a taxi near the river cruise ship port. The taxi driver we first checked with was trying to overcharge us by a lot, so we walked a few more blocks and picked up a cab that was more in line with what we knew it should cost.

BEACHBUMSNS.......Thank you for the info! I'm looking forward to seeing Budapest! And, yes, it is always good to know, in advance, what a taxi fare should be. Also, at airports, I always ask the police which are the official taxis.

Make sure you leave yourself lots of time for the Fisherman's Bastion in Budapest. It is a most stunning place to visit. The Views are amazing and the cathedral is stunning. The illumination sail is beautiful as well.

Thank you! I've put it on my list. Did you stay an extra night in Budapest? We are thinking of doing that then training back to Munich.