eqj60

Oh dear, we were upgraded to C740 on Sky.

Will have to watch for soot!

7 hours ago, notamermaid said:

This morning the level at Pfelling is holding. At 298cm it is just minimally down since the slight (unexpected) rise last night. But it is all within the built-in error interval, i.e. the forecast has a most likely figure allowing for the river doing a bit differently from what sophisticated computers and experts can predict.

 

The weather: The forecast has changed a bit for the week. What looked like mostly dry sunny days is now more unsettled, with more rain. Today and tomorrow will be almost completely dry, Thursday and Friday will see patches of drizzle to light rain over parts of the Danube and its tributaries in Germany.

 

At the moment, the level at Pfelling is supposed to stay a good few centimetres above 290cm for 36 hours. That is the most likely scenario.

 

Let us have another quick look tomorrow.

 

notamermaid

 

 

Thank you for all you reports,  so helpful. 

Is the Main-Danube canal navigable by long boats?

Regards, El 

Hope rivers stay navigable at least for next week!

Many thanks t p.o botj of you for all your help and advice!!

16 hours ago, G.M.T. said:

I can send dear MiL over to give you a fright, it still works for me after all these years.

Ok, funny!!??

Seriously,  some cruise lines really do it up, just want to be prepared.

Just wondering if/how Halloween is celebrated on Viking longships.

Many thanks,  El 

5 hours ago, POD49 said:

eqj60.  Which river boat will you be on?

 

We are on the Monarch Duchess, Budapest to AMS.  October 24.

We will be on Viking Embla. Looks like water levels will be ok.

5 hours ago, DanL said:

And October 23 Hungary.

And since we embark in Budapest 23 October to AMS, looks like this may effect us.

Can you please give an idea re what may be closed, does anything change if ship in port? Will there be special celebrations to see?

Many thanks, 

El

1 hour ago, G.M.T. said:

The 1st. November and 8th. December are religous holidays, shops will be closed, some restaurants and museums will be open.

 

Celebrations, 1st. November is when you visit cemetary to pay respects to family members who have gone from us.

 

8th. December Christmas Markets will be open.

 

Nothing changes if a ship is in port.

Many thanks, GMT

4 hours ago, G.M.T. said:

There are some public holidays coming tp along the Danube:

 

Germany

Friday 1st. November - All Saints Day

 

Austria

Saturday 26th. October - National Holiday

Friday 1st. November - All Saints Day

Sunday 8th. December - Immaculate conception

 

And since we embark in Budapest 23 October to AMS, looks like several of these dates may effect us.

Can you please give an idea re what may be closed, does anything change if ship in port? Will there be special celebrations to see?

Many thanks, 

El

On 6/5/2019 at 3:19 PM, memoak said:

Too bad was hoping to have it once on our 15 day Hawaii trip in October

Just ask head waiter

Many thanks for info!

Hi ,

We'll be cruising French Polynesia next month and was curious as to which island and where would we find best prices for gifts and souvenirs. 

TIA

Cartagena is a hidden gem, lovely and easy to do self guided walking tour.

Be sure to stop at artesian craft store for quality, unique souvenirs. 

The Best Western Plus is also an option with breakfast and shuttle. Newly renovated.

Thanks Astro Flyer for quick response.

I was wondering  if anyone had recent experience boarding at berth 46, size, waiting areas, etc as we have delayed boarding since ship just in from SA.

Any info re berth 46 in San Pedro?

We will be boarding the Star March 30 from this berth.

TIA

Very confusing and no info re new location.

There are still many Viking river cruise roll calls in old location.

New site difficult to find.

Notice and link to new location would be big help.

Also, please clear Viking from old site.

OP may want to check Roll Call and Home port sites for more current info . Ten years ago we finished our AK cruise in Vancouver and we're able to store our luggage at cruise terminal, take Hop on Hop off bus on our own, enjoy the city, have dinner and then pick up luggage and taxi to train. (Airport in your case)

Just not sure they still will hold luggage at terminal

We were on Emerald SA cruise Jan 3 to 17, 2018. Very disappointed that wine package was not available.

Since we were sailing in major wine producing countries surprised supply would be a problem.

It did appear that Inclusive Beverage package was being promoted.

Plus side, were able to bring wine on in port.

Ok so PENGUINS.....here’s the deal. We did two shore excursions that involved Penguins. One in the Falkland Islands and the other in Puerto Madryn. Both excursions involve driving about 2.5 a 3 hours IN EACH DIRECTION. Here is what you get:

 

Puerto Madryn - Magellanic Penguins by the thousands spread out in the desert every couple of feet based upon their nesting areas

 

Falkland Islands provided you go to Volunteer Point - Magellanic Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, King Penguins all in one place.

 

Pros for Puerto Madryn....drive is easy, Penguins are everywhere....you have to be careful not to step on one...they are in the desert....who would have ever thought hat you would see a penguin in a desert.

 

Cons for Puerto Madryn - you cannot go all the way down to the beach.....only one species of penguin.

 

Pros for Falkland Islands - multiple species of penguins.....you have to be careful not to step on any....they group together which looks cool....you can go all the way down to the beach and watch them enter and exit the water (they are tiny torpedoes).

 

Cons for Falkland Islands (this is for Volunteer Point)....the drive up there is tough. 5 people per Land Rover and it is 2.5 hours of driving wii about 1.5 hours of that really EXTREME 4x4 off road driving....to be honest, there is no road. The caravan drivers pretty much make it up as they drive along.

 

Given the chance to do it again, we would definitely pick the Falkland Island Volunteer Point penguins again. The drive was crazy but exciting, and the multiple species of penguin was a bonus...especially the king penguin. Very colorful and large.

Thank you so much for all the great info. We board Jan 3 aND now we have to get to volunteer point!

We were on the repositioning from Lima to San Antonio. We stayed one night in Santiago and flew to Lima. I arranged my own trip to Machu Picchu, round trip airfare, 2 nights hotel in Cusco and a full day excursion to MP. Total cost $612.00. Machu Picchu was the highlight of my trip. Words fail to describe it.

 

OP - great report. Just a tiny correction. Peru - soles. Chile - pesos.

Would like to know more details re your private MP trip.

Thanks

Gracias to all of you for information!

Looking for recommendations for Paella ideally on the beach.

We will be there on Sunday Oct 22 and need to be back on ship by 4pm.

Many thanks!

Thanks, that's what I was afraid of :(

Looking at Jan 3,, 2018 SA Emerald from Rio to Santiago in Cruise Atlas.

Cannot find on Web site.

Has Rio been dropped??