Bet & Peg

Sorry - got distracted and clicked too soon!! Hope the remaining three are here!!!!

Continuation of Viking Dailies:

Last December we took this cruise - also Basel to Amsterdam - mainly for the Christmas Markets but found the itinerary itself just fabulous. And I don't imagine much will change on the non-CM sailings!

I've scanned the first page of each Viking Daily - its filled with the daily time schedule.

I enjoy the Viking Daily - filled with info about the port, local info, etc. but I didn't scann all of that! If you're like me, you mainly eant to know ahead of time, the schedule of events - so that's what I scanned!

4 attached - next 4 in following post.

Maliboo ~ thanks SO much for your suggestion - will try and remember the flashlight!!!!

Suggestions like this is one reason why CC is SO helpful!!!!!

We were on this cruise in December - spent 3 days/2 nights in Basel beforehand. We boarded the Rinda about 12:30pm and I do remember 2 bus groups going into Basel for a tour - we had decided beforehand to remain on the ship and just chill!

When we boarded our room wasn't ready yet but we left our luggage to "check-out" the ship before we had lunch. We were just finished eating when they came and gave us our room cards - so timing was perfect!! And our luggage was in our room when we got there!

As for Switzerland - you're right - expensive!! Don't know where your hotel is but we stayed near the main train station and found that to be a wealth of cafes, bakeries, grocery store, wine store - even bought a small poinsettia plant to decorate our room!!

Have a great time on the cruise ~ we really loved it and not just for the Christmas Markets!!

We were last on Viking December 2013 - on the Rinda. I found the DR nicely warm - had my sweater (dinner) or sweatshirt (bk) all ready but never needed them! But as been said - warm to me might be cool to you!

Not sure about the summertime and AC!!

I think someone "reported" that other passengers had said cab's about 20euros from the train station. Looking at the map it isn't too far and even possible to take the tram if luggage isn't a consideration. We're planning on taking a cab - but that won't be until October!

Maliboo ~ SO happy your cruise ws a good one!!! Also can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

lovetocruise 17 ~ sorry to hear about you cancelling your trip! Hope all feel better soon!

kidfixer ~ thanks SO much for your review and comments!!! Now we have a ballpark figure for a cab to/from airport!!!

Did you dock in both Blaye and Cadillac???

Did you, yourself, slip the Liborne Market or was the tour cancelled?

Thanks much for the info about the Cognac optional tour - DH & his friend are really looking forward to it!! Was there any alternative offered at that tour's time? Just wondering since firend's wife and I (like the wives on your cruise) aren't really interested in taking the tour but we'd enjoy seeing the town!

mwest ~ thanks for your comments! Dare I ask what were "some problems we had during the cruise"??? Were you able to dock at Blaye and Cadillac???

One thing I forgot to mention about us choosing this cruise is that I really do believe that Viking - or any large RC line - can make arrangements for tours that just aren't available for a couple or a small group. Last year on the Rhine River cruise there was an optional WWII tour & museum visit in Colmar France. A check on the internet showed that the museum was closed in December except for groups. And, yes, indeed the tour took place with the visit to the museum - DH really enjoyed it.

I think that example is a small one compared to what we've been reading regarding this cruise. Could a small tour group - even 8 or 12 people - make arrangements to eat dinner in a Chateau? make their own cognac? have lunch and a private chateau visit? Perhaps they could but I'm not sure!

We usually don't enjoy ships excursions and rarely take them on ocean cruises perfering to go in smaller groups. But sometimes a large group is needed for certain experiences!

I think what Carolyn said about the Bordeaux cruise (any RC line) puts its perfectly - it doesn't cover much distance but its a more concentrated experience.

The main reason we chose this RC was because of the itinerary. DH became seriously interested in wine in the late 60s - yes, we're ancient!! In those by gone days, in the US it Bordeaux was THE wine to drink. It always intimidated me - too many rules (i.e. red with meat, white fish, etc) and too intimidating! I was SO happy when we began drinking world-wide wine with an any-thing-goes attitude! I enjoy a strong fish taste and a good body red wine! But Bordeaux has always held the top spot for DH and I'm not sure why we never thought of just traveling there!!

We took the Rhone River cruise mainly for Chateauneuf-du-papa. We SO enjoyed the RC!! Returning Viking had announced this new itinerary so we booked ASAP. But again - our choice was itinerary driver not the distance we're be sailing. The fact that the sailing part would be limited I felt was obvious from the map! Perhaps Viking should incorporate Carolyn's excellent quote in their advertising!!!

We have a land trip to Ireland in June but now I can't wait for October's cruise - except once here it'll be over too quickly!!!

Similar to Becki, I work on my photos - so the trip can continue and continue and continue!!!! Have found the sildeshow feature on Trip Advisor just fabulous for creating a quick look at our trip! (Here's our 2013 cruise:

RhineRiver TripWow Build Your Own Trip Slideshow) And then I also creat a more lasting memory with a digital scrapbook - Picaboo is my favorite web site.

But I also don't like to get stuck in the past - so planning the next trip is also exciting!!!!

tipsygirl ~ will happily send my e-mail ~ my screen name at aol dot com.

Thanks SO much for scanning the wine list - DH really looking forward to seeing it!!!!

Carolyn ~ thank you for your added info about the Arcachon trip - sounds fantastic!!!!

And also a "heads-up" about the machines and US Passports!

Your story about your little "picnic" onboard brought such a smile to my face!! We are kindred spirits!! On our first cruise - over 25 years ago! - we sat on the pool deck eating the most fantastic take-out fish chowder from a local restaurant as we sailed out of Bermuda! And the year we sailed up the St. Lawrence, we took the train back to NYC, just for something different - and bough lunch at the Montreal Station - it left everyone wondering where the delicious food had come from!

You may be giving a new name to such an event - A Carolyn Picnic!!!! Will let you know if we follow your lead on our cruise!!!

tipsygirl ~ thanks for your info about the wine list! Any chance of getting a copy? Might help in our decision! Maybe you could scan it or take a photo?

The package seems like an unjustified added expense but the guys are still thinking about it. All this ifo will help in the final decision!

Thanks much!!

Once again Carolyn, you've proved invaluable! I thank you for your comments about the drinks-all-inclusive Viking package - I had forgotten to ask about it - I'm beginning to think you're a mind reader!!!

Our last ocean cruise we took the package and just about broke even. Two RCs we didn't bother and DH looked at the wine list last cruise - Rhine River -and wasn't really impressed but the selection, though it OK but just as happy with the included offerings.

But this year the guys have talked about getting the package and wondered if the wine selection would be better because of the area we're sailing. Sounds like they might be right and will be happy to hear your comments! It would be great to see the list! And I presume passengers can still purchase the package when they board - there was a sheet on our bed about doing just that when we got into our room last cruise.

Thanks again!!!

remydiva ~ fabulous idea!!!!! Will surely use it!!!!

Carolyn ~ right now - as your cruise ends - I'm sad for all of us! Same feeling I have when I'm physically there!!! It's been great following you on this post - makes me more anxious to be there in person - hope our weather and the tides are as good! From the comments I think many feel the same way!!! Hope your tripe home is a safe one and easy one!

Archachon ~ thanks SO much for your complete review! Do you remember the name of the restaurant? I did laugh out loud about wine included and not soda!! Did you feel you missed a lot of Bordeaux by taking this optional? Still on my list - but in pencil!!! Wish I had "fought" harder to stay a few days post-cruise in Bordeaux - still sure DH will be sorry!

Airport ~ could you explain more about the tricky check in machines? Also interesting comment about a "hosted" transfer. Last December was first time we used Viking air and departing in Amsterdam was handled nicely as to time - we didn't have to leave the ship until about 10am. No one rode the bus with us but at the airport a Viking rep got on to tell us which number line to use but never came into the terminal. Maybe its a new service justifying the cost. Still thinking if we should use Viking's Bordeaux transfer or just a cab - got our own air since we'll be in Paris pre-cruise.

Thanks once again for all your time on this thread - I'll miss it and YOU!!!!

Sorry - I guess I didn't explain correctly. What I'm suggesting is to sign-up for the optional tour ASAP when you arrive at the ship - most probably the list opens about the time the CD gives the pre-dinner talk the first evening.

And I don't think Viking will even allow you to pre-trip book tours.

When you think about it, the insurance really makes sense - anything you add - tours, transfers, etc. - to your trip is covered so the cost will go up.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's talked to fellow passengers on a cruise - river or ocean - who have no real idea of the cities/towns they'll be visiting or the tours offered. Its just their way of traveling not to prepare. Others like me - on CC - enjoying knowing about every little detail beforehand - I SO enjoy preparing for a trip! I'm just suggesting that - at times optionals DO fill up - so, once on board, sign-up early for the one(s) you really want to take!

We on CC have such an advantage knowing SO much about the trips we're taking so use that knowledge!!

id4elizabeth ~ bingo!! You said it perfectly regarding the optional tours!!!

Carolyn ~ was your day in Bordeaux a tour? or a talk aboard the ship? Either way sounds great to learn more about the area!

A list of restaurants and shops would help us all - especially ones you've personally visited - nothing like a "real" recommendation like for the shop in Pauillac! And as Nana says - "real" photos!! (although personally I'm sure the Forseti is much like the Rhinda - sisterships - which we were on last December and it was just wonderful! Of course that was with Christmas decorations! Wondering if it'll seem a bit bare without them! But otherwise, the ship and especially the crew were just fabulous! Now I'm hoping October will be warm enough to really enjoy the top deck! We were only on it during the sail down the "middle" Rhine and it was a chilly morning - really enjoyed the available hot chocolate! And this cruise we have a balcony - didn't seem worth it in December!! Should enjoy the extra room!!)

Thanks again for taking your precious time to keep is all informed!!!

If you mean optional tours, on last December's cruise DH took the Colman WWII optional in Breisach (sp?) and enjoyed it a lot - but then he's an Historian! I choose to stay back and explore the town!!

We also went to the optional dinner in Rudesheim and had a fabulous time!

Carolyn ~ once again Thank You for your details!! And of all things, Thank You for mentioning mustard!! Sounds silly but on our Rhine River Christmas Markets cruise we bought pots of mustard in Cologne. DH loved it SO much and is savoring the little left - even my Swedish chef SIL put his usual imported mustard aside for our gift from Germany!! I know we'll be visiting that little store on our cruise!!

Between your suggestions and Elizabeth mentioning wine store on Bordeaux our list is growing!!! Best part of CC - getting suggestions from past travelers!!!

So please, keep telling us about this fabulous cruise!!!!