Bet & Peg

Magellan2022 ~ thanks for the compliment - but I forgot about the water - yes - still and bubble!!

Also a note - as I remember Viking always had bottle water available (gratis) to take on excursions - can anyone else confirm that?? Our RCs were in October and December so water wasn't on top of list, but I do remember our summer OCs when it became important - and we had to buy it!!

And thanks for the book recommendation!! Just requested it from our library! I read some of his other books 2-3 years ago before we went to Provence - fun reading! I just reread a little book from a few years ago - Wine and War by Donald Kladstrup. Interesting book about the wine growers during WWII - gives an interesting insight into the country of France and especially the wine industry when it was more "home" based and not just a corporation -really conveys the love owners had/have for their land that actually goes beyond the $$!!

You are correct - NO room service - however there is coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cookies, etc available 27/7 on the second deck on both sides of the ship at the entrance to the lounge. (mornings also saw orange juice) You don't have to get dressed - just throw on a robe, caftan, etc and one of you can bring the morning drinks back to your cabin.

I'm the early riser when we're on a trip - not that I can't sleep but I figure I can sleep for free at home! I'd get up and throw on my caftan go to the center area of the second deck and settle in with my tablet & coffee & morning "paper" (Viking provides a daily one-page edition of major papers). When it was almost time for DH's alarm to go off I'd get his coffee + a second for myself and get into our cabin. Worked perfectly - except spoiled him for home when he's up first - come to think about it - I still haven't had my coffee served to me!!!

And don't forget slippers! Last year on our Christmas Markets RC I had bought a pair of fabulous boots - "fur" lined, warm, sturdy sole, laced up high. But then I realized I wasn't going to want to wear them on the ship - I'd need a change. So for the morning - and even lunch sometimes - I bought a pair a "zebra" slippers, that looked like low boots, but with a softer sole. They turned out to be the hit of the cruise!!! This year's cruise should be warmer in October so I just bought a pairs of soft, fuzzy "flip-flop" type slippers!!

Hope this helps!!

Loge23 ~ sounding GREAT!!!! I'm sure you're making many of us smile!!!! Can't wait to hear more!!!

Oh Rose - I'm SO sorry to hear about your husband's mother. I'm sure after all this you guys will certainly need some time away just to be together! I hope the cruise meets your expectations - just relax and enjoy it!!! But then come back to tell us all about it!!!

ganski ~ welcome to CC!!!!

We did this trip last year - fantastic!!!! And our weather was very good - never saw and snow and never used our umbrella except for a few hours in Basel!!!

I think you're smart going south to north - in my opinion Cologne has the best CMs - if I had seen that first I would have been very disappointed in the rest! Strasborg was great but still the whole scene in Cologne was magical!!! Maybe it was because we docked in the city and it was a very easy on-off, but I just loved it!!!

If you haven't seen it yet, here's my slide show of our trip!!

Rhine River Christmas Markets Slideshow TripAdvisor™

Any questions just ask away!!

If you haven't found it already, you might also be interested in the thread for All Christmas Markets 2014:

All Christmas Market Cruises - 2014 - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

Hope your experience is wonderful!!!!!

MABoat ~ sorry, you're still the only one on or list for the 23rd - see below. My only "complaint" about RCing is the lack of CC activity for a specific cruise! Wish there was a way to reach more passengers!!

Have a great cruise and PLEASE come back to tell us future cruisers all about your trip plus any suggestions & recommendations you have!!

April 12, 2014 ~ id4elizabeth – ports missed Cadillac

April 12, 2014 ~ Go Pack – ports missed Cadillac

April 26, 2014 ~ tipsygirl – ports missed Cadillac & Blaye

April 26, 2014 ~ ChesapeakeSailor – ports missed Cadillac & Blaye

May 10, 2014 ~ editor@cruisecritic: Carolyn

May 17, 2014 ~ kidfixer: Linda

May 24, 2014 ~ MalibooNewYork: Theresa

May 31, 2014 ~ ABQcruiser

June 28, 2014 ~ Le bon vin

July 5, 2014 ~ magellan2022

July 12, 2014 ~ vcgeno

July 12, 2014 ~ SueFrankuk

July 19, 2014 ~ loge23

Aug. 16, 2014 ~ lovetocruise17 – cancelled, illness

Aug. 23, 2014 ~ MABoat

Aug. 30, 2014 ~ roebud; Rose & Gary

Sept. 6, 2014 ~ indianrider - CANCELLED

Sept 13, 2014 ~ smokinmike

Sept. 20, 2014 ~ zmjh45

Sept. 27, 2014 ~ parkie

Oct. 4, 2014 ~ FotoPeg: John & Peg, Tony & Linda

Nov. 1, 2014 ~ Laffey724

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ itchyfeetx2

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ sable16

I think one thing that must be considered is the number of people being served (fed) at almost the smae time on a river/ocean cruise - a much different situation than at a land restaurant where numbers can be controlied so the dinner(s) receive a much more personalized experience. (One reason for the increase in smaller, specialized restaurants on large ocean cruises.)

On a recent land trip to Ireland we dined at a one star Michelin restaurant (Chapter One) in Dublin. Service was top notch and food fantastic - but there were only two of us! - not a room full of hungry dinners!! We are very spoiled foodies - our daughter, in management, has worked at top NYC restaurants and her husband is a professional chef. While we've been badly spolied we also understand how complex a good dinner really is - and cooking for hundreds makes life even more difficult for any chef!

All that being said, we've found the food on Viking to be very good - probably as good as it could possibly be given the circumstances.

Mare ~ that's what CC is all about!!!

SO happy to hear that they made the best of a bad situation!! Things happen - its how they're handled that matters!! And most important is how they're handled at the scene - onboard! California/corporate is important but much more important is on the ship - and they seem to be coming out winners!! Hurray!!!!

Again, I can breathe a little easier!!!! Really looking forward to October!!!

Ukalady ~ I completely understand how you feel!!! First RC when we had our first meeting and the idea of the Quietvox was introduced I thought - Oh No, that's not for me!!! Then I caved and decided I'd try it - but ugh - all that "stuff" - put on my cross body bag, add the box strap around my neck, put in the ear phone, my carmera on my shoulder - I remember thinking I'll just stay in my cabin and pout!!!

But wait - then I'd miss everything! So off I went to join the excursion feeling like a complete tourist!! (Like I wasn't??) And, surprisingly, my box worked and I found I could wander off to take photos (my "thing") and never miss a word! And within minutes I had forgotten all about the "stuff" on me!! And when we did go off on our own the box easily went into by bag!

And as for being tourists - traveling in a pack of 20-30 people "marked" us in the first place before anyone could get close enough to see our boxes and earphones!!

SueFrankuk ~ ugh!! Hope it gets fixed soon and you can continue to sail!!!

kittiescrap ~ "it is what it is" is the attitude to have with something like you described!! Accidents do happen - it how they are handled! In a way its very good that this cruise actually contains SO little sailing - much easier to use a bus when needed! Just hope it won't be needed in October for our cruise! Happy to hear you'd still recommend this cruise - we're almost at the "count the days" point!!!!

Got2Cruise ~ SO glad you had a great cruise!!! Heidleberg-Rudesheim-Castles-Cologne! all bring back wonderful memories from our Christmas Markets cruise last December!!!

Have you decided where your next adventure is yet??? We're getting ready to leave in September for Paris & a Bordeaux cruise - getting more excited as each day goes by!!!

On their web site, Vikiing posted the pdf version of their booklet for the Bordeaux (Chateaux, Rivers & Wine) Cruise months ago. This is a new 2014 itinerary so it was posted after the already existing booklets.

Check on their site for you cruise and see if its been posted. So many of us apprecite the specofoc information so far ahead of time!

Now I wish they'd post the time-schedule dailies for each cruise - that'd be really fun to know!!!

Viking groups tend to be in the 30s and the use large buses. They also have a "gentle" group for people who need to walk slower - they see the same as the other groups but at a slower pace.

And just a FYI - you aren't required to take the excursions. Yes, they're included in your cruise cost (except optional ones) but you can leave the ship and do something on your own. Example: last year we stopped at Kinderdijk, Netherlands for a few hours mainly to see the windmills. As we left the ship there was a small gift shop that also rented bikes. A younger couple from our cruise chose to go for a bike ride using a map and advice the got at the ship's reception desk. Afterwards they said it was the best part of the cruise!

Also towards the end of the cruise I found some people are just tired and choose to skip an excursion in favor of ship "down" time!

So there are many possibilities!!

loge23 ~ I look forward to your reviews of the cruise and hope you're experience is as great as the other recent ones!!!

How long will you be staying in Paris??? Any comments or recommendations will be appreciated since we'll be there 8 days!!

Thanks much!!

Magellan2022 ~ SO, SO glad your trip turned out SO perfectly!!!! Again I hope ours is half as good!!

I'm not surprised with your comments about the crew - on both our cruises we also had excellent service with crew members always ready to help!

Thanks again for your reviews - every one adds a little and a full picture is sowly coming into view! We've checked out many of the Chateaux and its fun knowing where we might be going - something wonderful to look forward to!! About a week ago we enjoyed a lovely bottle of wine from Chateau Siaurac - it was even more special since we knew we'd be visiting there in just a matter of weeks!!!

Hank ~ thanks SO much for your comments! Sad to hear about the smoking - but unfortunately understandable - thought is education will deter bad habits, i.e. smoking, but doesn't always happen!

We'll be spending a week in Paris in late September, first time in an apartment!, and hoping for the "real" French experience of sipping wine in outdoor cafes - hope the smoking doesn't prevent this!!!

Glad you had a great trip - can't believe its over already!!!

We've taken 2 Viking cruises so far and have a 3rd in October! We've always found the service fabulous and the ship's wonderful! Everyone has different expectations - only you can decide for yourself!

Both trip the top deck was open on the evening, I'm not sure about very late at night. As mentioned, when sailing under low bridges the deck will be closed - but, depending on the river and number of bridges, it isn't closed for long.

Hope you and your sister enjoy your trip! We came home from our first RC and immediately booked 2 more!!!!

Watched the game in our local German Restaurant/Pub - fantastic finish!!!! Great fun!!! (and it was packed!!!)

Yes, anyone sailing in Germany this year will be very fortunate!!!!

Congrats to the German team and country!!!!

MalibooNewYork ~ we've been on two other Viking cruises - Rhone River aboard the Neptune, an older ship, and Rhine River on the longship Rinda, sister ship to the Forseti. I found both ship immaculate - never a question of cleanliness.

We've found that the main desk is open 24 hours and other areas like the lounge and 2nd deck center area - computer, "library", coffee/tea station - is also always open.

I too am an early riser on trips - not that sleeping isn't comfortable - but I'm a "big kid" at heart and don't want to miss anything! I can always sleep at home for free! Love the ship since I can sneak out of our cabin early in a robe/caftang & slippers without waking DH and do my e-mailing & read the "paper" (Viking has their versions of ones from different countries) while enjoying my early morning coffee - and I'm never alone!! I usually bring a Cup of coffee back to him!

We've also often closed the lounge at night - piano & bar are usually open till the last guests leave! And there's couches, chairs & low tables in the lounge as we'll as regular table & chair set-ups for eating or playing cards/games.

Enjoy your trip!!!!

Disembarking all depends on the time of your flights or your own plans if you're staying post-cruise.

Example, last December we were flying home the day the cruise ended. Our flight was around 1pm and we had arranged it through Viking so we had their transfers. The bus took us - and about 10 others to the airport about 10:30am. The did ask if everyone could be out of their rooms by 10am so they could prepare for the arriving guests. (Last year I saw 2 people who must have come straight from the airport and arrived at the ship at 6:30am!!!)

In 2012 we took a Rhone River cruise -our first - that ended in Avignon where we were staying for 2 nights. Two days before the end, the Cruise Director asked everyone who didn't have Viking transportation to please see him about their exit plans. When I told him we were staying in town, he asked if we wanted them to call a cab for us. I said sure and he asked what time - I was pleasantly shocked since I thought they'd be throwing us off the ship early! We had the cab for 10am and Viking carried our bags to the car for us - very individual service!! He also told us just how much the cab would be!

Because they're dealing with so few people compared to an ocean ship, we've found that they can give much more personal service!! Yes, you still get colored tags for your bags but that just keeps them straight for the crew who's putting them on busses or in cabs. BTW - both times they took luggage out to the bus/cab but it didn't go in until the person checks that it's is indeed his/hers - added safety feature!!!

Hope this helps!

megellan2022 ~ once again, Thank You for your reports of your fabulous days on the cruise!! I can only hope and pray ours are half as good!!!

Your comment about an end to your ocean cruising is very interesting - especially since it echoes our experience. It was my DH who first suggested our 2012 Viking cruise - our desire to see Paris coupled with his enjoyment of wine led to the Rhone River Viking cruise. I was curious enough about RCing to agree but full of my own doubts - no pool, no large entertainment, no large balcony, senseless to arrange our own small excursions, etc. But I did keep an open mind and returned home having fallen in love with River Cruising!!!

And you also echo our experience with the staff & crew - even though we rarely had a problem on Celebrity, the Viking crew just seems SO much friendlier and helpful!! And you haven't even experienced departing when everyone - even the captain - helps with the luggage!!! I also love the idea of returning from an excursion and just walking aboard - no checking into bags or surrendering wine - I've described it as being treated as an adult!!

We haven't crossed ocean cruising off our list, but we're also not looking into any new trips. On the other hand, we have been talking about the Danube fir 2015!!!

SO interesting reading this! We'll be in Paris for a week (Sept 26th to Oct 4th) before a river cruise (Oct 4th - 11th) and will celebrate DH's birthday in Paris on the 27th!!!!!

He decided he wanted to return to his favorite Paris restaurant (only been there once in 2010!) Bofingers!!! Some months ago he tried to make reservations but their books weren't open that far in advance so he went on their facebook page and had a confirmed reservation within a day!!! Its in the Bastille area. In 2012 we stayed near the Saint Michel metro station and it was fast to the restaurant, only one fast train change as I remember. Ovely restaurant, great service and wonderful Alsatian food - great reviews on Trip Advisor and also here on CC. But a reservation is needed!!

Bofinger - Traditional Brasserie in Paris, Bastille

Just a suggestion since Paris is filled with fabulous restaurants! We're also thinking of a dinner cruise this year but haven't made reseervations yet.

A special day is great - but all depends on what you like to do! You could begin with a visit to a museum (for DH I'd choose the Musee de l'Armee but then he's an historian!!) or to an open market - Saturday at Marche Edgar Quinet could be coupled with Tour Montparnasse 56 (might be the ulgiest building in Paris but offers great views!)

Tour Montparnasse 56 - Accueil

or visit one of the great churches or just a walk through one of the great Paris areas. Afternoon you could take a river cruise and then off to a special dinenr!

Whatever you decide I'm sure it'll be a special day!!!!

Hank ~ even if people, myself included, forget to stop back to say "thanks" or "it worked" don't ever think your advice, suggestions, comments, etc. are not being used!!!

I was first introduced to CC back in 2008 as we were planning our Med cruise. I was naturally a do-it-yourself traveler and when I'd put "how to" question into Google (usually about getting from port to a place, i.e. Pompeii) answers on CC would usually come up - often from Hank!!! I didn't even know what a "roll call" was until a asked a question and "junglejane" answered it and sent the link to our cruise RC and invited me to join - God Bless her, she opened a whole new world to me!!!

Soooo.... you've probably helped almost as many travelers as Rick Steves - only with free advice!!! None of us can ever repay you!! We can only try and follow your example as we use our own experiences and pass along our advice, suggestions, comments to others!!!

OK - back to planning Paris/Bordeaux 2014!!!!!