515kitty

We went to Prague ahead of time but did not book it with Scenic. We took the Student Agency Bus from Prague to Nuremberg and then spent one night at a Scenic sponsored hotel. If you are with Scenic, I don't know what time you arrive in Nuremberg.

 

We looked into getting a private tour for the day that the cruise started but decided not to. We had contacted Kevin at Nuremberg Tours in English. You could look on Trip Advisor and read about him. He got really good reviews. There were four of us, and he would have picked us at the hotel, with our luggage, and dropped us off at the ship after. I would think that you would get a more detailed tour, and it would be easier on your husband considered any mobility problem. His website shows that he includes the courtroom but as JVilleGal said there are times that it is closed.

Kevin is whom I had seen also that seems to be a great guide and someone who I was thinking of contacting. I wish Scenic could get more detailed with there answers when I call. My guess is that they will probably plan on getting there only an hour or 2 prior to leaving. Thanks for all the help so far.

You wouldn't be able to do both tours as they both leave at 9am. We got back from our WW11 tour around noon or 12:30. I think that you could elect to be dropped off in Nuremberg directly after the tour and not have to be back until the last shuttle at 4pm. My husband and I am a little iffy if this was the case, but I think it was. Even if it wasn't, Scenic does have a shuttle that leaves the ship at 2, 2:30, 3:00pm, returning to the ship at 3:00, 3:30, with the last one at 4pm.

 

Our friends did the Taste of Nuremberg. It starting with a bus tour, similar to the WW11 tour) and then a walking tour in Nuremberg. I think they visited the castle, one of the churches, and saw the clock on the hour. I know they got a lebkuchen (gingerbread cookie), somewhere and then later stopped at a restaurant for a sausage sandwich and beer. They were given some free time before returning to the ship or they could stay there and take the shuttle back later. You certainly could do most of that on your own, if you elected to be dropped off on the way back to the ship after the WW11 tour or even with the shuttle provided.

 

The area is really pretty which lots of shops. It is definitely worth seeing. We came in a day early so we walked to the castle, had a beer and sausages, and bought some cookies. I really liked to cookies. There are several shops that sell them in various sizes and packaging. I brought some back to our Grandchildren.

 

The first night that we boarded in Nuremberg, there was not a shuttle provided so going into town was not an option.

 

If you are going to the Weltenburg Abbey, there will be no free time that day.

The ship doesn't arrive into Regensburg until 1:15 and the tour leaves soon after.

 

If you are going to the Melk Abbey, the tour leaved at 9:10 and there is a return bus back at 11:45. You have the option to walk back from the Abbey to the ship. Most people did not as it was a rainy day. We decided to walk, and I was glad that we did. It was not a long walk, and the town under the abbey was very cute with some nice shops.

 

Hope this helps!

We did not go to the courthouse. The courthouse is closed to the public on Tuesdays, which was the day that we were there. I knew that going into the tour but I did hear a few people expressing disappointment that they wouldn't see it. It was one of the buildings that the guide pointed out as we drove by. I don't know if you would stop there if your tour was not on a Tuesday. We only made two stops, one at Zeppelin Field and one at the Documentation Center. The Documentation Center is where we spent the bulk of the time. I think it was over two hours. You are given an audio guide. You can't read everything as if you do, you will run out of time. The guide told us this but we still spent too much time in the beginning so were rushing at the end.

 

Hard to say as far as walking. You do a ton of walking. I was fine with it but my husband not so much. At Zeppelin Field there was quite a bit of walking to the area and then up a bunch of steps. You wouldn't have to do this if you didn't want to. At the Documentation Center you could go at your own pace.

 

We found that when we finished a tour, we didn't want to do much else (or I should say my husband didn't)! We do not have any mobility problems but we were still tired out. I would have loved to spend more time in Nuremberg but we didn't. Same in Vienna...We did the Palace and although there was so much to see in Vienna, we just didn't feel like doing more. We all came down with colds and one of my friend's back was bothering her which slowed us up a bit. I don't know what provisions Scenic makes for people that have some difficulty walking. You could try asking Scenic but as I know, and you have said, they are not great at handing out information.

 

The ship and crew were great.

I just looked up and we too are scheduled to do our tour on Tuesday. How disappointing. Can you tell me if you were motor couch from Prague to Nuremberg and would there be time to see the courthouse prior to boarding if I can find a guide to pick us up and take us there on Monday??

Forgot to ask if the WWll tour goes to the courthouse in Nuremberg?

You wouldn't be able to do both tours as they both leave at 9am. We got back from our WW11 tour around noon or 12:30. I think that you could elect to be dropped off in Nuremberg directly after the tour and not have to be back until the last shuttle at 4pm. My husband and I am a little iffy if this was the case, but I think it was. Even if it wasn't, Scenic does have a shuttle that leaves the ship at 2, 2:30, 3:00pm, returning to the ship at 3:00, 3:30, with the last one at 4pm.

 

Our friends did the Taste of Nuremberg. It starting with a bus tour, similar to the WW11 tour) and then a walking tour in Nuremberg. I think they visited the castle, one of the churches, and saw the clock on the hour. I know they got a lebkuchen (gingerbread cookie), somewhere and then later stopped at a restaurant for a sausage sandwich and beer. They were given some free time before returning to the ship or they could stay there and take the shuttle back later. You certainly could do most of that on your own, if you elected to be dropped off on the way back to the ship after the WW11 tour or even with the shuttle provided.

 

The area is really pretty which lots of shops. It is definitely worth seeing. We came in a day early so we walked to the castle, had a beer and sausages, and bought some cookies. I really liked to cookies. There are several shops that sell them in various sizes and packaging. I brought some back to our Grandchildren.

 

The first night that we boarded in Nuremberg, there was not a shuttle provided so going into town was not an option.

 

If you are going to the Weltenburg Abbey, there will be no free time that day.

The ship doesn't arrive into Regensburg until 1:15 and the tour leaves soon after.

 

If you are going to the Melk Abbey, the tour leaved at 9:10 and there is a return bus back at 11:45. You have the option to walk back from the Abbey to the ship. Most people did not as it was a rainy day. We decided to walk, and I was glad that we did. It was not a long walk, and the town under the abbey was very cute with some nice shops.

 

Hope this helps!

Thanks you so much for the info as it was very helpful. Can you tell me what pace you went at as my husband has mobility problems and are very concerned how he will handle all the things he wants to do.

I would love to do the tasting or food tour but would also enjoy the WWII tour also. Is there anyway to do both. I understand the length of time with the Salzburg and CK and that they are going in different directions. Would love to do both of them also. So wish someone from the Scenic # could help before getting on the ship? I called and all they were doing was reading from the info they had in front of them.

I agree with Gregdude as there are so many things in what makes the trip right for what you might want it to be. One thing I looked for was how old the ship was. We are taking our first river cruise in October on the Danube with a Prague add on. We are sailing on the Amber ship new this spring to the fleet of Scenic. I had heard many good things about there tours but never know until it is your tour. Are tour is all inclusive. There air department also found a good price on business class airline tickets which was also important to us. Hope this gave you a few ideas for thought.

We are going on the Amber on 6th June on Nuremberg to Budapest, so can let you know after that if its not too late?

Thanks that would be great we don't sail until October. I know there are many sailing and might like this info too.

I have read the reviews and watched the video of the Jasper and read the choice of shore excursions. It is in the details such as how they handle the shore excursions last. How long the shore excursions are. Tried to talk to Scenic and have had my travel agency check on some things also but they only know what is online to them. But would like to visit with someone whom has done Gems of the Danube from Prague. They can share more light on what I am trying to find out.

Also notice the number of people whom have view this post I am not the only one wanting information.

Would love to ask questions to someone whom has been on this ship? Also the stops and how they handle them?

Well I will have to eat my words as far as getting a reply back from Oceania. After 2 months we got a letter and a coupon for a 25% on a cruise only to the Caribbean 2016/2017. And only on Riviera. I am sorry but that doesn't cut it for me. I might try another Oceania but not Riviera. To little to late to win me back. Sorry Oceania. Oh might I mentioned it was a form letter also. Perhaps they are winning others but after sailing 2/22 that did it for me. I feel sorry for all those who got sick on all these cruises. And I am sorry I don't think they handle it well.

At least you folks or at least some of you heard from Oceania. We were on the sailing 2/22. After returning my husband wrote a letter to Oceania with my husbands letter head thinking that might have some chance of being answered. He is an attorney.Well we were wrong as we now are almost 2 months out and not even a form letter from them. I truly think there are many other ocean and river cruise lines that will be more than glad to take our money and provide a nice vocation. I am very disappointed on how they handle us and so many others.

Thanks for the info. Plan to save the site and check it from time to time. Every travel agent in this world should use it also.

I emailed them and asked this question was informed that it will be christen next week and might have a few pictures at that point. But they said that Jasper is the same in ever way just the new name.

Has anyone seen any pictures of this new river ship called Amber by Scenic. It seems to be sailing but would love to see what it looks like.

We are on Amber in October and for those who were talking about air. Our TA worked with Scenic air department and booked our air United/Luftansa business for 2200 each into Prague and out of Budapest. Felt it was a good price. We are really looking forward to this trip but according to the travel alerts for Europe have some concern. But can't hide from everything. Just travel smart.

Have any idea when I might start looking for this information as far as the free choice tours.

We are booked to take, probably, our last river cruise on Viking. We have been on three other cruises with them and think that they are a fine company. However, am I may be:mad: getting too particular in my advancing age, but it seems that every time we take a river cruise (not much different than on an ocean cruise) we are faced with hoards of people in port indicating that river cruising has expanded so greatly that it is to be expected. I just looked at a picture of Viking's new longships that were christened this year. Wow!! How many more boats can the rivers take? One of the most annoying things that has developed over the years of river cruising is the typing up of two ships at one port and having to walk through the lobbies of another ship to debark. One night on a Danube cruise I opened my balcony door to the surprise of someone else's balcony from another boat. So much for being able to sit on the balcony. While the perks of river cruising are still obvious--smaller ships, better scenery, the ability to walk off the ship, etc. --the popularity of river cruising is putting a damper on some of the reasons why people chose to do so in the first place. O.K. I guess I'm getting old, grumpy and jaded.

Don't ever apologize for getting old. It happens to all of us. I to wonder when the industry will feel they have reached there capacity of flooding all these river or cruise ships into waters. Especially when the airlines are not working with them but against them. The days of travel have come and gone just wish our children would have some of the glory days of travel that we experienced. Enjoy travel and just try to stay out of the major travel areas.

Was wanting to watch what is happening on the Danube this spring and thru the year. We are to sail on Scenic in the fall and do not want to do a bus tour. Is there a sight to see the levels and how the river lines are handling the low or high levels. Since it was so low all last year was worried it might take a while to raise back up to normal. thanks for the help.

Did you find that they did not send a lot of info and promotions prior to sailing? I even emailed them to find any update on the ship as far as launch date and they never even responded. Just so different from ocean cruising.

So glad to start to see a thread about Scenic. We are taking our 1st. river cruise on Amber in October and can not wait as I have heard many good things about this river cruise line. I am surprise that since we have booked we have got little to no emails or any mailings from Scenic. I hope this thread keeps going as I am sure I will have many question.

We are doing a Prague add on and was wondering when they leave Prague to motor coach to Nuremburg and how long it takes. Some where someone said it showed 9 hours on there information sheet to travel from Prague to Nuremburg. They thought Scenic might include a tour of the city before getting on the ship.

As we did this just a week ago. We got off went directly to the curb and found a cab area and had no problem getting one and our cost was flat fee of $27 to airport for both of us. Gave him a tip Was very easy.

I want to say I am glad you had a nice trip Heather. I have to say I was not as pleased and have sent a letter direct to Oceania. When we arrived at the dock we were waiting in the hot sun, but finally got checked in and was told to wait in the lounge when told we would be in our room by 4 pm so started up to our floor. When the door opened others had this idea also. Included in this was a very elderly couple whose stateroom was directly across from the doorway. After standing for 30 minutes and seeing her weak husband she broke though the tape and was immediately told that she could not get a chair for her husband to set down.

It didn't get any better. I booked 3 Oceania tours and I usually don't do that but wanted them to help with my husband to get to the buses. It was working pretty good till St. Maarten and had checked before getting off and was told there would be transportation to the buses. None was provided and had over 100 yards to walk. Report this upon return and was told sorry.

Disembarking was good however I was told by Oceania not to book a flight before noon. So booked at 2:50pm. So that is what I did. Part of this problem was that we were told to be out of our cabin by 8 AM so left after talking to our cabin steward at 8:30 we were at the airport by 9:30 AM. Could have done something in Miami but was just time to end our holiday.

I didn't have free internet and the last day it took 53 minutes to get my boarding passes for our flights home.

Safe travel for all.

I won't go on as there were many other problems. Did miss the cooking class due to the virus.

Just returned from Riviera yesterday. I have so many stories there isn't enough time or space. But do want to pass on a few things that might be of interest. The product that was being used was OXIVIR as that is what was told to me. I have not had time to look up any info. Now we arrived in Miami 2 day prior to sailing we were at the Intercontinental Hotel and our room looked at the ship. There was little or no activities that were visual no movement on the outside. Once on board it was told to me that they used a product and could not be disturbed for 24 hours and then could start cleaning again. Now my husband happened to hang out in the smoking area where also 2 of the CDC people also were and were very close lip however once they said they were getting off in San Juan and the ship had no cases they would lift the band. As sailing from San Juan we started seeing the salt and pepper, the plastic came off the buffet area and we stopped seeing the product not being washed on the walls. As leaving I visited with an officer and was told that we had no confirmed cases. Hope the problem is solved because this has got to have hurt sales. There were many cabins that were empty. But I have no number exact. On floor 7 and part of 8 when luggage was being delivered you could look down the halls and saw very few pieces outside the cabins.

I feel bad for all that were looking forward to have a wonderful holiday turn into such misery. We arrived into Miami and are to get on Riviera tomorrow. Now it has been interesting as the ship is setting there and have not seen one person on any deck front to back it looks lifeless. Really strange! If all this cleaning is being done wouldn't you think you would at least see workers on the ground coming and going? I can only hope this problem has been handle. I do have my doubts.

Exactly. Thank you. My husband and I are also on the 2/22 cruise and obviously we're not thrilled that Noro is onboard now, but on the other hand we are completely confident that Oceania is going to do a thorough cleaning and health officials will be onboard that day to make sure of that. Getting onboard a little bit late isn't going to be the end of the world for any of us and I just thank God I am fortunate to be boarding the Riviera at all ... whatever time.

 

Since we know for sure it will take longer to clean the ship, it would be silly to get to the pier for our original boarding times. Getting there a bit later will make it more comfortable for everyone.

 

If anything, we have a better chance of a Noro free ship than many others heading to all the piers in all the world over the next few days to board their

ships. Unfortunately Noro is a common occurrence. No one is happy about it, but we'll end up having a fabulous time with amazing service and delicious food with, hopefully, yummy weather the whole time.

Just want to say how much I enjoy your comments always a cup 1/2 full instead of a cup 1/2 empty. We will be at the InterContinental Miami Club floor waiting out this till we can get to board.