Bet & Peg

MalibooNew York ~ glad you enjoyed the photos! Indeed it was a wonderful trip - just over too quickly! Now working on the Paris part of our trip!

Rose ~ once again Thank You for your compliment!!! I find it great fun re-living our trip through my photos!!! Now to make a digital scrapbook!!!

Have you posted your photos anywhere???

Have a Cruise Slide Show finished - its actually part II of our vacation - working on Part I (Paris) now.

Hope the link works!! Enjoy!

Chateaux, Rivers, And Wine Slideshow | TripAdvisor™

Dbakers, Grizzlymj, Alltravels ~ don't know if you'll read this, but have a fabulous cruise!! Hope the weather is good and the tides flow in you favor!!!

If he hasn't left for vacation yet, say hello to the Hotel Director, Michael Stamm and tell him FotoPeg is still singing his praises!!

I know its difficult to write while you're on board, but I'm sure we'd all love to hear about your trip when you get home - so please fill us in with your experiences, thoughts, comments!!

I'm SO jealous!!!! I'd do this cruise again in a heartbeat!!!

Have a wonderful cruise!!!!

We just got home from this cruise last Saturday (the 11th) and I'd pack to go back today it was SO fabulous!!! Yes, there were minor things I didn't care for but overall it was just fab!!!

You mention the "water 'level" - we were lucky that it wasn't an issue but seeing the difference between low and high tide - WOW! And that "bridge" that was such a problem in the early cruises (getting the required documentation) well seeing it anyone can understand how difficult it is to navigate! We passed under it on the way to Cadillac about 5am but returning it was in the afternoon so the top deck was crowded as well as the lounge - and everyone applauded the captain as we passed under it!!!

But you asked about optional tours so here goes:

There were 4 Optional Tours and I took 2 of them but will add comments from those who took the other 2.

Cognac - I didn't go on this tour but DH & our friends did and thought it fantastic! It was a long bus ride ride to and from but they had fun making their own blend of cognac at Camus that they brough home - and a generous size bottle. They also received a lovely small bottle of cognac. Everyone said they tasted, tasted, tasted as much cognac as they wanted. The bus was scheduled to return at 7pm - theyw ere a little late but dinner had been postponed to 7:15 - but it was a rush!! And note: small bottles were sold for 6 euro and they've made great gifts!

Truffle Hunting - our friends went on this tour and really enjoyed it! The group had fun finding 3 truffles and at lunch in the farmers house enjoying a meal with truffles in everything! It was also a long bus ride, leaving at 8am and returning after a quick visit to St. Emilion about 5:30pm.

Chateau Siaurac - I took this excursion and I'm SO glad I did - I think it was the best I've ever experienced anywhere and - don't tell Viking - but I would have paied twice the price!! We began with an hour walking tour of the market in Libourne - wonderful! - and then a short bus ride to the Chateau. We were fortunate that our cruise was at harvest time! Paul Goldsmith, the Vineyard owner, stopped the 2 buses on the road inside his property and invited all of us into the fields to watch the harvesting and also encouraged to taste the grapes pointing out which was wich - merlot, malbec, etc. He was wonderful and a gracious host! He led us through the processing plant, had us taste freshly crushed grapes, invited us into his home to see his collection of plates, hats, books, etc, and then to lunch - a magical day!!! After the Chateau we drove to St Emilion for about a 2 hour stay. We returned back to the bus about 5:30pm.

Bay of Arcachon - I also took this excursion and it was a close second to the Chateau!! It was also a long day 8:30am to about 5:30pm, we arrived back about an hour earlier than scheduled - but I think we were all thankful with the Captain's Dinner plus packing ahead of us! It took about 45 minutes to drive to Arcachon and the drive around the town was lovely! We then boarded a ship for a cruise in the bay which was fabulous. I knew nothing about Oyster farming, I wasn't even thrilled about eating oysters - I had in the past but not happy about it! I thought we'd be but cement vats wehere the oysters were raised - but no, they're farmed in the bay! Our guide, Maxine, was SO interesting and easy to understand! So we went to an Oyster Farm, had oysters & cold white wine (great!!), went on to a restaurant by the water (only complaint the long tables were too close together!) and then the boat made a quick, direct return to town and the bus location and we drove back to the ship. One note - someone earlier had commented on this tour and suggested that it was a good one for IF the weather was good - I completely agree!! Our day was cloudy but not chilly. All week the weather forecast had called for rain but we were very fortunate!!

Sorry for the length but hope it helps! Any other questions just ask away!!!!

highland Cruiser ~ what CM cruise are you taking? We were on the Rhine River and just loved the cruise!! But I'm sure the Danube would be much the same as to mulled wine at the markets!! Yes, there's plenty available, usually in nice cups/glasses/mugs that you can buy to take home!!!

Viking pours their wine very generously - hint: at desert-time get a full glass and ten just take it up to the lounge or to your room - no problem!! Also there's no problem or "attitude" if you bring a bottle to dinner, or I guess even lunch! They'll open it for you and you can enjoy.

I'd be happy to give you info on the CMS but try this site. If you're lucky maybe you'll even find someone on your cruise!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1795467

If you still have doubts/questions about the package, you can until you board to purchase it. You could talk to the miatre'd, ask what wines will be served free with dinner and also look at the bar/wine menu to get an idea of what's available.

We just returned from the Bordeaux cruise - fabulous - and the included wine at dinner changed each day. But they also told us that our cruise was the only one with a sommelier, Franck, who was wonderful.

When we boarded there was a folder in our room with cruise info and it included the package to buy plus others have said they purchased it on board.

We decided not to purchase the package and were very happy with the poured wine plus 2 evenings the guys brought their own bottles to dinner.

But it all comes down to which cruise plus what you like to drink!

Have a great cruise!!

memaw123 ~ We did this cruise in 2012 as our 1st RC and, after many big ??? about RCing, I just feel in love with it!!! We had 2 friends who did pre-Paris with Viking and so they took the bus down. I don't know how long it took but they had a guide, enjoyed the bus ride and stopped for lunch, don't remember where. I'm not sure what they do on a post-cruise transfer.

One point about Viking - they DO listen to passengers! I'm not taking any personal credit for their change in policy to allow passengers not booking Pre-Paris with them to buy bus transfers to the ship, but I was one passenger - I'm sure among many! - who complained that we couldn't pay to ride with them! That was 2 years ago and not there's a new policy!! THANK YOU Viking for listening to our requests!!!

And a point to all of us - fill out those end-of-trip evaluation forms!! Put in your suggestions, comments and praise for specific crew members!! They are read!!! And after your trip report back on CC - Viking, like all lines, follows the boards and, as seen, they do make changes in their policies!!! Plus your comments do help others on CC!!! (OK - off my soap box for the day!)

kbella ~ know exactly what you mean!!!! But better to have snapped away then missed something!!!!

Did you finish the digital slide shows?? If so could you post them?? Would love to see them - especially France!! But Portugal & Spain as well!!

Got2Cruise ~ thanks again for your vote of confidence!! Got home easily last night - "biggest" problem was, after landing, in JFK we had to sit on the tarmac about 20 minutes since the plane in our gate hadn't left because of maintenance issues!!! I'll take that kind of "problem" anytime!!!

I try and look at the cruise objectively - like I wasn't happy with the first wine-tasting excursion - and hope that Viking can eventually change things that their passengers aren't happy with! I just call it like it is! When asking us to fill out the evaluation form, the CD had us all laughing about the pillows! He said the earlier passengers complained they were to hard so they were replaced and now everyone is saying too soft!! He said they do keep trying!

But especially this cruise I'd recommend Viking to anyone and, if you contact me, I'll be more tan happy to give you my reference number for the $100pp discount!! (my name - FotoPeg at aol dot com)

And now on to photos - I took over 1300 on the cruise plus another 1000 in Paris all on 35mm camera and about 400 on my iPhone - easier to post on Instagram and sometimes it was just easier to carry like Moulin Rouge or dinner on the cruise. So now I have to edit for a slide show (Trip Wow) and digital photo book- but I really enjoy that - a way to keep reliving our adventure!!

More later!

Learned last night that we're leaving just a few hours too early to see all the excitement - the very popular Mayor of Bordeaux, Alain Juppe, and some of his ministers will be here aboard the Forseti for some function! Viking banners are flying outside by the ship! Its been a wonderful cruise - sad at leaving but filled with great memories!

Thanks everyone for all your help, advice, comments are we prepared. More when we get home about food, excursions, ship, etc.

Maliboo & ginabab ~ thanks SO, SO much for your responses!!!!

ginabab ~ enjoyed your wine tonight - made put last might extra special - thanks again SO much!!!!!

And now today - Arcachon - nothing I had read prepared me for today - an excursion that rivals Chateau Siaurac!!!! It was a cloudy day, but after a week of rain predicted it was a very welcome change! It was an early excursion - 8:30 on the bus but well, well worth it!!! We had about 30-35 fellow travelers, just enough!! Bus ride was about 1 1/2 hours and had most of us asleep by the end! But we ended with an interesting ride around Arcachon looking at some great houses. Next came a boat ride around the Bay - very, very smooth on a just-large-enough catamaran. How completely interesting! Our guide was Maxine and she was great - English and has lived in the area 27 years and obviously loves the it!!!! Her explanations of the Oyster Farms, Bird Island, etc. was fabulous!!!

Then came the best part - going to a real Oyster Farm and tasting the oysters with white wine and bread & butter - fantastic!!!! The oysters came directly from the holding tank - fresher would be impossible!!! (Oysters are really raised in the local sea and brought to the tank when being worked on or ready for sale.)

From there it was a short ride to the restaurant, lunch (great!!) and return to the bus and drive back to Bordeaux. We arrived about 5pm with a rush to "finish" packing & be dressed for the Captain's dinner - but we did make it!!!

It was a long day but well worth it IF the weather cooperates!! The Bay is a real experience!!!! And the oysters, lots of fun!!!!

Dinner tonight surpassed all expectations - Chef Max is the best!! Will post more on food, wine, etc. In the future! Safest part as I sit here is that its over - have dreaded this for months!!! I told the captain & staff tonight I had one complaint - some looked worried - but my complaint is that it's over!! Too short!!

I will write more about the cruise, excursions, staff, etc when I get home. Will also try updating with photos or at least post link to my photo site!!!

So today we awoke in Cadillac - in the rain! Ugh!!!! But, thankfully, the drops ended as we arrived at the Chateau fir our walking tour - an interesting look at some French history!! The walking part began about 9:30 (wish Viking could get the Castle/Chateau to open earlier for them!!!) about 11am we returned to the buses to drive to taste Sauternes!! 4 buses + 2 chateauz = smaller groups which was wonderful!

Off we went to Chateau 'Arches – about a 30 minute drive through some beautiful country side. Our guide was Lindsay and very good. She began by saying she wasn’t an historian but was actually filled with info made understandable! SO many Henrys, Louis, etc!!!!

The Chateau experience was also enjoyable, nice since Sauternes are not our favorite wine – too sweet! Our 2 buses were broken into 4 groups for “workshops” about 15 minutes each and we tasted 3 of their wines. An enjoyable time, especially getting into the edge of the vineyard!

Time ran away with itself and we didn’t return to the bus until about 1:30 – time for a late lunch and a quick sail back to Bordeaux going under THE bridge – another interesting experience – do not miss it!!!! (about 5pm on our sailing – time may differ with the tides)

Tomorrow we’re praying for good weather since we’re scheduled to go to Arcachon!

Our itinerary was changed for today - Bordeaux instead of Cadillac - patently because of the tides. Its just a shame that the reason wasn't announced - the change left many wondering "what happened??" What a teachable moment it could have been as to the tides, etc!!!!

So we spent a fabulous day on Bordeaux - talking to other passengers I got the feeling that many appreciated the "low-key" day after so much activity!!! We began with a 9:30 bus trip around the city. Jennifer was a fabulous guide - request her!!! She was born in the US in the New England area, married a Frenchman, now lives with their 3 children outside of Bordeaux - like "comfort food" hearing her talk!!!!! (Seriously, I thought Pauline was fabulous until we had Jennifer - hearing her speak "our" English was SO reassuring!!)

We had a wonderful experience of seeing The Hermione - Lafayette's ship that brought him to the US. The rebuilt version is in Bordeaux for a long weekend and will travel to the USA in April, 2015!! ( NYC, Philly, Baltimore, Greenport)

We decided to stay in town after the walking tour, had lunch, shopped, and ended up at Bar a Vin, part of the Ecole du Vin for some fabulous wine!!!! We even managed the tram going "home" - another European transportation!!!

Got2Cruise ~ thanks for your vote of confidence that my photos will turn out well - I sure hope they do!!!!

Carolyn - will deliver your message to Franck tomorrow!! He's great!!!

Today was the day!!!! If I had to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, it'd be a 15!!!!

Pauline was our guide - ask for her, she's fabulous!! We spent about an hour in Libourne at the market - fun experience. Then the bus took us to the Chateau - about 25 minutes away - nothing like Sunday's trip!

As we were driving into the Chateau, Paul Goldsmith stopped the buses to invite us into his fields to see the actual picking! And he kept encouraging us to taste the grapes on the vine! Then it was off to see the wine making process and taste the juice that was pressed yesterday, then a week ago and then a month ago - fabulous to taste how the juice/wine changes in even just days!!!

Then he took us through his Chateau and explained his collections - plates, hats, books, etc. - as we all took photos! Then time for lunch - and what a sampling it was - interesting and all bought fresh from the Libourne market today! Because of that, I'm sure the menu changes almost every week!

Paul Goldsmith is SO passionate about his wine & Chateau its unbelievable!!! He is the most gracious host in the world! His enthusiasm hasn't faded in the least and it was a joy to be in his presence!!!

St Emilion is a wonderful city - but not easy to walk - cobble stones, narrow sidewalks, very steep - but, unless you have a problem walking, don't miss it!!!

Dbakers ~ thanks for the vote of confidence! Just trying to "pay it forward" for all the advice we've gotten through the years! Just happy the WiFi seems to be working although a fellow passenger was just complaining about it! I found it works we'll in the reception area and upstairs but not really in the cabins. I sneak out here early - so I don't wake DH - write and then get him coffee & morning news. Works well for us!!

DH made his own Cognac yesterday and had a fabulous time! Tour left the ship at 1:15 and returned a little late about 7:15 - just as the dining room was filling up! Since I had stayed behind I quickly saved seats for him and our friends! They made it in time to order but he said the rush was well worth it since the tour was SO good! I'll get more specifics from him.

I stayed on board and Viking didn't forget about us! We had French tea with wonderful pastries in the afternoon and also the CD gave a French lesson - wish I had it before going to Paris!!

And after dinner the sommelier, Franck, had a wonderful wine-tasting! Only drawback for us personally was that it had been too long a day for DH!! But try and stay up for it - informative and fun!!!

Today we're off to the Chateau for wine tasting and lunch! Our friend are going truffle hunting (bus leaves at 8am!!) so I'll try and report back on both excursions!

I must say that the Viking night crew (11pm) is fantastic as they say " Good Evening, Madam" as I stagger past them (dinner + wine tasting) carrying my tablet, iPhone, glasses, room key, shoes (thought the heels were a good idea hours ago!!)!! They are SO proper and diplomatic - can I take them home with me!!!!

Today's walking tour to the citadel was very nice and DH was very, very happy with the optional excursion to Cognac - although it was a long day ending as the bus arrived at 7:15 just as dinner was beginning! Actually the kitchen had been alerted (thank you Michael!!) and all was OK as the group arrived a little late!!!

Again our dinner was fabulous - I really think the meals on this cruise are a big step above the others we have experienced on Viking!!! Chef Max's presentation of the beef dish (cooked in red wine a la Beef Bourgogne) was genius - only word I can use to describe it!!! You must experience it to understand!!!!! Only hope the food continues to the same standard!!!!

Tomorrow should be a long day but hoping for the best!!!! (I'm jealous of all of you who'll be traveling after us!!!!)

Just some observations ~

Bordeaux Saint Jean station - IF you arrive on one of the inner tracks, there is a ramp at the far front end of the platform (heard there was one at the far back end but not sure!) you can take that down, walk under the tracks and go up via escalator - heaven with heavy luggage!! Then follow the signs for taxi - towards the left entrance. Ours cost 22euro for 4 of us + 4 heavy suitcases. BUT - make sure the driver takes you up on the embankment and down to Viking. Ours left us at one end - I thought it was as far as he could go - and I walked quickly ahead towards the ship to get help for DH who was struggling with his cane + bag. There were 2 Viking reps sitting there who jumped up as soon as they realized where I was heading and one hurried to help DH. That was the end of the luggage until we found it in our room - they were great!!!

Weather - don't believe the forecast! The towns on the river are very, very windy! We're in Blue and this part of the river is about 2 miles wide so the shore gets hit with lots of wind!! Today the walk ashore isn't too long, but yesterday it was also very windy and there was a long gangplank that faced the front of the ship. Then a long walk alongside the length of the ship and then a long walk to land - there was a town docking area between the Viking ship and land. It was windy and cold the whole way! Just a "heads-up"!!!

ginabab ~ I can't thank you enough for the wine!!! It was a fabulous way to begin our cruise! They sent a bottle to our room plus they came over during dinner, presented my DH with a bottle as a gift, opened it and poured it for us, our traveling companions and another couple sitting with us - just wonderful!!! So, I really do THANK YOU for being SO thoughtful!!!!

Rose ~ our experience so far has been very mixed. Don't get me wrong, we're having a great time, but I do have to say that I feel there's a "spirit" missing among the crew that was shinning last December on the Rinda! And also present 2 years ago on the Neptune, Rhone River. The Hotel Director (? will check his role), Michael, is a stand-out!! He's very personable, always around, does everything - from big to small jobs!!! Maybe since this is a new cruise the crew just hasn't clicked yet - plus we still have awhile to go!!!

I thought the dinner at Chateau Kirwan was fantastic - the wine to just die for!!! But, sadly I wasn't impressed by the wine-tasting/ride that came before. We went to Prieure-Lichine and, sadly, we weren't impressed! We stopped too many times for photos of Chateaux and even at a "quaint" little restored village - DH said "quaint" was French for wasting time as we rode back and forth over the same twisty road until our guide, Elaine (who was rather good) decided it was time to get to dinner. Unfortunately we were the 3rd bus to arrive and missed walking the grounds to see the beautiful sculpture others have commented upon! I think Viking had a good concept for the excursion but it was poorly executed since there were 4 buses that went to different places at different times and so zigged-zagged all over for 3+ hours!! Hope they'll improve for next year!!

The Blaye walking tour was very nice - never expected some stores inside the citadel! Our guide Marie was good. DH is off making Cognac - I had planned to see more of Blaye but the rain helped me decided to catch up on mail! Internet service is so-so!!!! We're having afternoon tea as we get ready to cast off to Libourne!!!

Oh ginabab ~

Thank you SO much!!! Just went to the reception desk and sake if someone had left a bottle of wine for FotoPeg and they said yes, are you her! Michael, the hotel director was there and said they'd send it right down! I feel like a celebrity!!!!

Thank you SO much!!!!!! More later!!!!

No - the Eiffel Tower hasn't fallen down!!! Forget that my tablet has a mind of its own in correcting photos while viewing them but you wind up posting them the incorrect way!!! Will be very careful in the future!!!!

Hi Rose ~

Our week in Paris has flown by!! Can't believe we leave tomorrow morning for Bordeaux!! About 22 months in the planning - I really was we could s-l-o-w down time while enjoying it!! We did lots in Paris but the time seems to have just disappeared - but at least I have over 1000 photos to remember our time here!!

Now - on to the Viking Cruise!!!!

(sorry for the size of the photo - don't have access to programs while traveling!)