Jjarlath115

Best to ask this on the Celebrity board.

Sorry thought I did!!😱

Hi! I know!!! :) But does anyone know if Celebrity has an outside bar that allows smoking?

TIA

Yes they have a laundry service, very reasonably priced and fast!! Gave them my skirt in the morning and had back in the afternoon for four euros no dry cleaning service

Easy, We gave the suggested tips on our credit card and then gave cash to our cabin steward , waiter and program director at the end of the cruise !!

20 extra euros each and 100 extra euros to The cruise director

Remember all tips are shared throughout everyone on the boat kitchen and all crewmembers so personal service like the steward and Waite we handed directly to them

We took the same cruise Amsterdam to Basel July 4-11. Most days were in the 80s, but it wasn't as humid as here along the US Gulf Coast. I brought one lightweight sweater and wore it only once, in the evening when we passed through a lock early enough for us to be awake and we were up on the top deck. The rest of the time we wore short sleeves, lightweight slacks and capris or shorts.

Not quite that hot!! The ship was very comfortable! But not much else air conditioned!! Three slacks are fine you can’t believe the amount of clothes I brought home with me that I didn’t wear !!!:)

Also they have a laundry service on the ship that’s quite reasonable !!

HI jJarlath115. Thanks so much! I may get an extra pair of slacks or two, but your info is very welcome. You mention it being warm in mid-July. Curious... it's 93F at 7 PM today near Pensacola. It wasn't THAT warm on the cruise was it? :-).

Hi!!! Just returned From our Rhine Cruise!!! It was glorious!! It was very casual daytime dress, shorts, tees but slacks at dinner, three pair plenty just rotate!! Capris for dinner for women were fine....

Also from Florida, We found it warm mid July!! Any other questions just let me know !!

It would help to know what cruise line you're referring to!

 

 

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Sorry!!!! Viking!!

Can anyone tell me the time the cruise leaves Amsterdam on its way to Basel?

I see you can board early and your room will be ready at three but what time does it leave??

No, seriously. Long posts that are all one paragraph are very hard to read. It is much easier for the poster to include paragraphs (one time) than for every reader to slog their way through a lengthy post. James Joyce is an acquired taste ;)

Lol!!

No easy answer. Depends on which countries. Sometimes there are technically Customs but generally minamal formalities. Sometimes there are immigration controls. Sometimes both. Sometimes neither. Sometimes the currency changes, sometimes it doesn’t. If you could give info on where you are thinking about cruising you’ll get much more specific answers.

TY I’m doing a Viking River cruise Amsterdam to Basel Switzerland going through Germany and France

Can anyone help me, I’m very confused about the golden pass, are there different lines on this route?

Thanks

Wondering, when on a river cruise, do you have to go through customs in each country??

Brief comment. Breaking your post into paragraphs would make it much easier to read.

Kidding me??!!!

We just returned from the Viking Rhine cruise (Basel to Amsterdam) in mid-May. Here are my observations an answers to your questions.

 

No 15% gratuity on drinks. We did not get the beverage package, but you just give your cabin number if you order a beverage in the lounge. The trick is (if you are not heavy drinkers) -- get your wine/soda/iced tea glass refilled before you leave the dining room at lunch and dinner, and just take it with you. REALLY, no one cared!!! You can sit in the lounge or up on deck or in your room with the beverage. A couple of evenings, a wine or sparkling drink was provided free in the lounge during the evening orientation, and sometimes an appetizer or two. You'll want to attend that -- every day just before dinner. You go from the evening orientation directly to dinner. They give you a preview of the next day's activities and time schedules (in addition to the newsletter in your room each nite), so it's a really helpful way to prepare. No charge for soda or iced tea in the dining room, and I got really hooked on these small bottles of cold, Italian lemonade -- delicious! Hot tea was available in the dining room -- I need decaf. Also, just outside the lounge on each side were coffee/tea/cocoa/water stations. You could go fix yourself a cup anytime and take to your room, etc. Tea was in bag, and a variety was available. Also in that area were baskets of fresh cookies (variety rotated, such as oatmeal, chocolate, etc.) and in the mornings, pastries were there instead of cookies. The dining room would have buffet style breakfast -- omelets or eggs made to order, fruits, sausages, bacon, bread and pastries, etc. Then you could order off the menu also -- french toast, eggs benedict, etc. If you're rushed for time in the AM, it works well. They also had champagne sitting there, so you could have a mimosa if you liked and had the time on a more leisurely day. Each day when you get off the boat, you are supposed to pick up your personal card from the desk, and you return it when you reboard. It's not computerized like on the ocean ships, but they do supposedly keep track that everyone is on board. You also get a card as to which tour group you are on (they split the boat in to about 4 groups), so you know which bus you get on. It also has the location of the boat in that port so that you can call or have a place to give to anyone if you are on your own and have an emergency or get lost. Take your listening device, which works quite well. They are small and not very heavy at all and have a neck strap. Each day when you depart, they give you a free bottle of water for your day. Pretty thoughtful, and usually when you get back on they supply you a little treat or small shot of a smoothie. No, they do not check your bags, and in fact they encourage you to bring back beverages or snacks and offer to cork wine for you at no fee if you bring it back on board. One time we had a thing where there were a few boats in port and the other boat had to walk through us to their ship. The staff was a bit more cautious then when we returned, making sure we were on the correct ship and actually belonged there. The hallway doors were secured to prevent anyone wandering through. If you want to purchase anything from the very small shop, you just tell them your room and they put it on your tab which you pay up the night before you debark. Actually the staff seemed to know us on sight after the first day or two and were very friendly and helpful. We did the precruise in Como. Our tour director in charge of us there went with us on all the tours in Como and was always available for help or suggestions. She went with us on the bus to Basel. We stopped in Lucerne for a few hours for lunch, a bit of a walk around, and then time on our own. Very nice lady, and she continued as far as Basel where she told us good bye. I'm assuming Amsterdam would be the same, except your hotel isn't very far from the boat. Getting on the boat was a breeze. We showed our passports at the desk and a staff member took us to our room and ran us through the amenities, quick and easy. The room has several electrical plugs for US needs, and a good hair dryer, so no need to pack that. There are bottles of nice shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion supplied as needed. There is a mini frig in the room, and your steward will bring you fresh water as needed, too. There's adequate drawer and closet and bathroom storage, and store your suitcase under the bed. We had a veranda room, but honestly, we were not in the room all that much. The boat is so much smaller than an ocean ship -- you're up to the dining room or lounge or up on deck in just a minute. It seemed like most days we didn't have a whole lot of time to pretty up between our tour and lunch or dinner, so often I'd just wear what I had on or maybe change my shirt and head to the dining room. It is casual dress. Most ladies had a pretty or nicer blouse or top, but just capris or slacks or even shorts for dinner. I'd imagine by the time you go on your trip it would be warm enough to throw on a summer or sun dress and be comfortable and feel fresh and pretty. BTW -- the room is air conditioned, but you do have to put your room "key" (a plastic card) in the slot to activate the a/c and lights. I put my AARP card in the slot and it worked to keep the a/c running as needed while we were out on tours and not be stuffy when we returned and just made sure to turn the lights off to conserve. A good hint I heard was when out on your tour, set your phone alarm for 30 minutes BEFORE your tour guides meet-up time. That way if you get carried away walking around or relaxing, when your alarm rings you'll have ample time to make your way back. One couple on one of our tours got lost and missed the bus back to the boat, even though we waited 30 minutes for them and we were all concerned. You'll be in the same time zone your entire trip. I think there is a number you can give to your family in the final document booklet that Viking mails to you. I took along my Kindle for reading books on the long flight, and I could check my emails on that while on the boat. Internet isn't that great on the boat, but it works eventually. You need to put your cellphone on airplane mode though unless you purchase an international plan there before you go (mine was $60 for a month). There are also a couple of computers you can use outside the lounge area. It was a wonderful trip. I have no real complaints, except we did have some gloomy, rainy weather. We're from California, so we're not that used to rain. It didn't really interfere with anything with did, and your weather should be much nicer. Viking did have some large umbrellas you could use if needed, but I brought my own small collapsible umbrella and a windbreaker. If you have any other questions about the cruise, the ports, tours, etc. just write to me. We did and saw so much -- it was just amazing.

Great info thanks!!!

Quick question do you have to go through some sort of customs each country ?

I will try to answer what I can . .

 

First thing - relax and enjoy your cruise. It will be wonderful and totally different from the large ocean cruise experience.

 

Diet Coke is free if you get it with a meal. Other times there is a charge.

 

Several hot teas are offered. Not sure what kind.

 

They have very good toiletries. Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel and Lotion.

 

We did a pre-cruise with Viking and it was wonderful. We were met at the airport by our driver and at the hotel by our concierge. All luggage was handled for us. We were transferred from hotel to ship and had extremely simple check in. You just give them your name and you are escorted to your cabin on ship!

 

You do get a card for a room key like on the large ocean cruises.

 

Your bags are not checked when you return to ship.

 

The telephone number for the ship will be in the final documents when you receive them.

 

We cruised the first week of April but we lived in jeans. We did not dress for dinner and were perfectly comfortable.

 

Hope this helps!

It helped me! Thanks!!

Thank you for the excellent info!!!:)

We bought it for 2 days and thought it was worth it. We took trams all over the city, got an included canal boat tour, were able to jump the line at the Van Gogh museum, and were able to visit Rembrandt's house.

When it says 24/ 48 hours is that from the purchase time?

12 pm to 12 pm??

We bought it for our 2 days pre-cruise in Amsterdam, coming up early July. Will report here after we return!

Hi! We are cruising Amsterdam to Basel July 10 you??

Uniworld includes guide & driver tips. Viking does not. Tip in Euros in Euro currency countries. Viking recommends Euro amounts, usually 2 Euros per person for guide and one for driver. I use 5E bills for most guides. Some folks do not tip at all. You may need Euros or whatever coins for public toilets, especially touring on your own. Many times guides advise you of freebies when you're touring.

Thank you for the info I had no idea you needed to pay for toilets good to know !!!;)

Has anyone purchased and used that I am Amsterdam card was wondering if it was worth it for a day thank you

Thanks, i didnt think so....

Question on tipping,

For bus drivers and guide host are American dollars acceptable?? Any info on tipping would be greatly appreciated....

We just finished our Rhine river cruise with Viking. Weather - we had it all from pouring rain and wind to bright sunny days. Just think lots of layer options. Dress is casual on and off the ship. Viking is very helpful with very strong big umbrellas and very well maintained buses for all tours (amazing how punctual every tour was!) Wonderful extra touches throughout the trip. Loved everything about our cruise!

Could you answer a few questions??

What time did the ship leave the first day?

How long are you actually sailing? Seems like most of the time the ship is parked for tours?

Does the ship travel at night?

Did you find it hard to find a place to sit for dinner?

Thank you in advance!!