Bet & Peg

Rose ~ your words always make me feel SO good!! Paris has been fantastic!!! And the weather wonderful! And the apartment working out very we'll - love, love, love the idea of so much more room than an a hotel and being able to easily have bk before we leave to begin our day!

I feel like out time here is rushing by - SO happy we have the cruise to look forward to!!!

Today we're off to see the Eiffel Tower - and the sun should be out!!! Big difference than 2 years ago!!!!

More from the ship on Saturday!!!!

We + our friends made to Paris safely - just a few hours behind schedule!! Hurray!!! Our flight wasn't cancelled but delayed - on the way to USA from Paris the plane had to make an emergency stop at Halifax due to a sick passenger.

Our friends' flight was cancelled Wednesday evening but my DH caught it on the Air France status page almost immediately and they rebooked themselves even though they had their air fare through Viking. The Viking rep called them late Thursday morning to tell tem their flight was cancelled and was very surprised they had been able to rebook!!! Hurray for them!!

Our apartment, booked through VRBO, is very nice with a great view of the Eiffel Tower!!!

We took a car service into Paris that was recommended on the French Ports forum - I would also highly recommend it!! We paid 55 euros plus tip, the driver met us as we exited picking up our luggage, waited as I purchased the metro visits cards, took us to his car and off we went right into Paris!!

Here's the link: http://www.shuttle-inter.com/.

More later!!!

Oh Rose ~ thank you SO much for your lovely words!!! I'm really just an overgrown 5-year old who can't wait for new adventures!!! Even thought we've been to Paris, I know this trip will be different - no two trip are ever the same so Viva La Difference!!!!!

And the cruise - from what all of you have written it'll be just fantastic - SO many things sound SO great!!!

And I'm still holding my breath with the Air France strike but it looks like we're "good to go"!!!! We have our boarding passes - now just hoping there's a plane at the gate when we get there!!!! (I'm SO tired of googling the AF Status page - no matter what happens on the cruise it can't be as stressful as this!!)

Amsterdam to Bucharest? GOOD for you!!!! We're looking at Nuremburg to Budapest for next fall to include a side trip to Werdau where John's G'father came from plus maybe a quick trip to the Munich Octoberfest! Amsterdam is fabulous - plan on a few days there - its a fun city!!

KathyA ~ you've been added!

Viking Chateaux, Rivers and Wine ~ 2014

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. 9, 2014 ~ kbella

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

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Dbakers: Dave & Donna

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Grizzlymj

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Alltravels: Nancy & David

Oct. 25, 2014 ~ KathyA: Tom and Kathy

Nov. 1, 2014 ~ Laffey724

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ itchyfeetx2

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ sable16

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ lionsfan99

Dec. 13, 2014 ~ Vinelvr

Viking Chateaux, Rivers and Wine ~ 2015

Aug. 22, 2015 ~ ganski

Sept. 26, 2015 ~ Adoremus

ABQcruiser ~ SO wonderful to know you're still visiting long after your cruise! We've all learned SO from all you early cruisers!! Yes, our anticipation grows as we get SO close to this adventure!!

Please come back to tell us all of a Danube site you've found or begun! We're looking into the Romantic Danube - thinking of combining the cruise with a visit to DH's g'father's birthplace, Werdau, Germany and Budapest sounds wonderful! Yes, RCing is addictive!!!!

Carolyn ~ have a wonderful trip!!! Sounds VERY interesting - a cruise area I never thought of!! Looking forward to your wonderful reports!

(We're off on Thursday for a pre-cruise in Paris before we board the Forseti for the Viking Bordeaux cruise! Your reporting has been very helpful!!)

zmjh45 ~ SO happy everything is going well so far!!! Sounds just wonderful and can't wait to be aboard and experience everything ourselves!!! By everyone's account the dinner at Chateaux Kirwin is fantastic - can't wait to see for ourselves!!!!

Tonight we had an early celebration of DH's birthday with our grandsons (11 & 13) - broke open a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape from our 2012 Rhone River cruise - wonderful and brought back fun memories! Hope our Bordeaux adventure will be just as special!!!

ganski ~ thanks much and certainly hope that we will have at least a 5-star review upon return!! No matter what, I'll be envious of you next year!!!

loge23 ~ thanks for your input regarding the beverage package - guys are still undecided! On the Rhone River cruise we did buy wine a few times, mainly at wineries we visited. Have to agree with you - there was never a problem or attitude or a cost when anyone brought a bottle to dinner. And I've said often, one of the larger "group" at dinner onoly drank white and the staff gladly poured her drinks from their wine and the rest of us from bottles we supplied.

Will "report" back on our wine experience once we're aboard!! Ane we're really looking forward to a great, fun trip!!!!

HURRAY!!!!! Our Viking package arrived yesterday afternoon!!! The nice "case" we also received last year, our red luggage ID tags, our itinerary booklets, an interesting little book about the Bordeaux area, wine & Paris and our luggage room tags. I guess we could board without anything that was sent but receiving the package makes the trip REAL!!! We're going to France!!!!!

Got2cruise ~ thanks for your Bon Voyage!!! Wish you could be aboard - think it would be fun traveling with you, although we'd slow you down!! See you're looking into Venice (my favorite city - try and include a vaporetti ride to the Lido!) and the Greek Islands - only been to Santorini but just fabulous!!! Had lunch in Amoudi after walking down the 200 steps - a great experience!!! Suggestion - Istanbul was also fantastic!

tipsygirl ~ thanks for the info regarding the dinner wine - will pass it on to the guys - sure it will help them deciding!!

And now - to packing!!!!

zmjh45 ~ have a fabulous cruise!!! Hope you have time to post with some comments and suggestions!

We fly out Thursday for 8 days in Paris pre-cruise!!! Seems like forever ago (22 months) that we book this cruise - can't believe its actually about to happen!! Awaiting our cruise "packet" - its on its way as I write this! And I

Hope I'll have the time to post while cruising - main "problem" is too many things to do!

Alltravels ~ You're added!!!!

Viking Chateaux, Rivers and Wine ~ 2014

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. 9, 2014 ~ kbella

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

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Dbakers: Dave & Donna

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Grizzlymj

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Alltravels: Nancy & David

Nov. 1, 2014 ~ Laffey724

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ itchyfeetx2

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ sable16

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ lionsfan99

Dec. 13, 2014 ~ Vinelvr

Viking Chateaux, Rivers and Wine ~ 2015

Aug. 22, 2015 ~ ganski

Sept. 26, 2015 ~ Adoremus

I think everyone can learn a good lesson from Kling Klang's review - he states it in his second paragraph - they were trying to take advantage of a "special offer" from a credit card company and were required to use a certain Cruise and Vacation Group TA. At the end of that paragraph, he even goes further saying every time he spoke to the travel comany it was with a different agent. He should be angrier at the TA Company. Not the best of ways to begin a relationship with a TA!! Beware of "special offers", unless you know the TA/Travel Company!!

And I must say that I agree with others who have a difficulty with many of his complaints. While I can't comment on his problems with his cabin - we've never stayed on the lowest deck - the exterior as well as the interior design of the longships is a personal choice, I happen to like the bold, clean Scandinavian lines but undestand that not everyone will. The limited number of seats in the lounge has been noted here on CC many times, best advice is getting there a little early or watching presentation on in-room TV.

After 2 Vining cruises - and many of you have lots more to your credit! - I have to comment about his Dining Room "problems". Was his whole table ignored and not served food or drinks for 2 hours??? Our Viking DR service has always been fabulous and wine/beer flowed throughout dinner - its hard to believe that just he was overlooked!

As for the Moevenpick Hotel - we stayed there pre-OC in 2010 - a wonderful hotel with a fabulous staff!

With any trip there can be "problems". But when one reads of a trip that is filled with problems all around - air transfers, hotel, crusie ship, dinner, etc - one can't help but wonder if the "problems" originate from a very negative person.

Grizzlymj ~ added you to the list! We'll miss you by 2 weeks!! There's also another couple listed in the Oct. 18th cruise - the Dbakers - maybe they'll post again before the trip and you can trade info!

Vinelvr ~ I also added you to the list - hope that's OK. As for Bordeaux CMs, I have no idea. But I'm sure you will find info on the internet!

Viking Chateaux, Rivers and Wine ~ 2014

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. 9, 2014 ~ kbella

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

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Dbakers: Dave & Donna

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Grizzlymj

Nov. 1, 2014 ~ Laffey724

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ itchyfeetx2

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ sable16

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ lionsfan99

Dec. 13, 2014 ~ Vinelvr

Viking Chateaux, Rivers and Wine ~ 2015

Aug. 22, 2015 ~ ganski

Sept. 26, 2015 ~ Adoremus

Hi Adoremus ~ welcome to our Roll Call!!! Hope a lot more will join you for next year's cruises!

Viking Chateaux, Rivers and Wine ~ 2014

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. 9, 2014 ~ kbella

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

Oct. 18, 2014 ~ Dbakers: Dave & Donna

Nov. 1, 2014 ~ Laffey724

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ itchyfeetx2

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ sable16

Nov. 22, 2014 ~ lionsfan99

Viking Chateaux, Rivers and Wine ~ 2015

Aug. 22, 2015 ~ ganski

Sept. 26, 2015 ~ Adoremus

Just a few added thoughts since I totally agree with all the above. On Viking - and maybe all lines - a map of the local city/ town/area is always available at the front desk. Also the cruise director or those at the reception area are ready to make suggestions for independent travel.

Mostly the ship's dock as close as possible to the "heart" of the city - so it's easy to DIY.

Most line schedule tours in the morning and/or afternoon bad return to the ship for lunch. However if the ship isn't moving during lunch time ten it's possible to stay in town, have lunch, and continue sight seeing on your own.

When we OCed we almost always took small excursions (8) people that were formed on CC roll calls. We completely enjoyed it. Found that's not possible with RCs since such a small percentage of fellow passengers are on CC. But we also found that the ship's excursions were interesting and we enjoy them for the most part. But, that being said, we still usually stay in town to see things on our own when possible!!

Package should go to the TA and then to you - make sure your TA knows if you're leaving very early to do a pre-cruise on your own so they can request your info even earlier.

Viking usually sends a "folder" to keep info & documents in - very nice BTW. And also a booklet about the River you'll be cruising on and a detailed booklet about the itinerary. That last booklet is available on line - I think for all the cruises. You don't have to print it but if you're like me and want to know more info ASAP you can at least read over the itinerary pages!!!

When I received my "package" for our first RC I called the TA immediately in a panic - no bar-coded document like an OC - where were our "tickets"?? How would we get on board?? How would they know us?? I had vision of standing on the dock waving "good-bye" to the ship!! It was our first realization that RCing is really different from OCing where you're just on of hundreds/thousands!! When we arrived at the ship and gave our names we were warmly greeted and shown our stateroom as our luggage was carried behind us - SO different!!!

Have a great cruise!!!

Oh Rose ~ I feel SO bad your cruise is coming to an end but also SO happy everything worked out SO we'll!!! (Remember all those dire posts some months ago!!!)

Thanks for the tip about the ice coffee - hope our October weather calls for it and that they're still making it!! 3 weeks from right now we should be boarding the plane for Paris!! Can't wait but also don't want the trip to speed by!

Enjoy your ocean cruise!!!! Hope its half as good as the RC!!!!!!

roebud ~ thank you for the info about the wine tasting at Chateau Siaurac - haven't heard yet about the actual tasting and sounds wonderful - DH will be very happy! We've tasted "immature" wine from the barrel in Napa and this in France should also be interesting!!

lionsfan99 ~ I'm such a dummy - that's why DH is the wine "expert" in our family!! Chateau Siaurac is located in the Lalande de Pomerol - I forgot that!! We have had one of their wines - Plaisir - that was very nice - even went back to purchase more, one as a gift for an acquaintance who's taking the cruise in November.

Hope the link below works!!

http://chateausiaurac.com/topic/index.html

lionsfan99 ~ hello again! Through the past posts, I picked up a thrid name: Chateau Prieure-Lichine (hope that's the correct spelling) but I've never gotten the forth yet!

As for Pomerol - I hope someone can answer your question!! If not, I can only suggest going to a wine store in Bordeaux. Someone mentioned one to go in to see even if you don't buy - have to look for the name/address. And another suggestion would be to ask the Cruise Director or Concierge - they usually have great advice!

kbella ~ thanks much for into about the martini - you just made DH's day!!!! I read your post aloud and to quote him: "Great, you can't drink wine all day"!!!!

Thanks much! Can't believe we leave for Paris in just over 3 weeks!!!!!

magellam2022/Jackie ~ your post-cruise is just wonderful!!! Viking could use it in their advertising!!! But to set the record straight, this informative, interesting thread was begun by vcgeno - I just have a big "mouth" exercised by posting!!!! And it has been a wonderful link and I'll miss it - although I hope it continues with next year's cruisers - we'll all have to stop by to answer any questions!!

Thank you for asking - we leave for Paris on Sept 25th - spending 8 days pre-cruise in an apartment rented through VRBO - first time for us!! We were there in 2012 for 4 days but that wasn't nearly enough!! With all the time & $$ spent getting to Europe we decided to really "see" Paris this time!! I'm sure even 8 days won't be enough but we'll try to both see the city and, even more, also experience it!!

Your comments about the drink package are interesting - that's one of the only decisions I think is left! But its up to the guys - one less thing I have to think about!!

While I'm hoping the next 5 weeks fly by, I also know that then Paris & Cruise will - I just always wish that last part could pass in slow-motion! - but haven't found the way yet!!!

I'll try and post from the Forseti - IF there's time!!!!!

sable16 ~ trains: I'm far from an expert but in the pass I've always bought our tickets (three times I think) through Rail Europe. I never questioned the price. European tickets go on sale 3 months out from when you're planning on traveling and I did notice they got more expensive the closer to the trip.

A few months ago, a very dependable poster mentioned on the French ports site that using scnf.com could produce a great savings in tickets bought about 3 months before the trip. I used that site on July 4th - 4 of us will be traveling on Oct. 4th. Scnf was having a multi-ticket special and we got 2nd class tickets for 12euro pp. I forget how much 2 tickets would have been at that time but it was a lot less than RE. Since it's such a short ride - I think a little over 3 hours - we felt 2nd class would be fine. Traveling 1st or 2nd class is a personal choice.

I've never used Captaine Train so I can't comment about that site.

If you haven't purchased your tickets and are still pondering what to do, I think I posed the address of the discussion site on an earlier site. Or post back and I'll do it here - right now I'm not on my lap top so I can't add a link.

Rose ~ SO happy your surgery went we'll and that things are good with the Forseti!! Will pass along the info regarding your DH's thoughts about the wine. I assume you purchased the Silver Package after dinner? Or before? I remember there was info in our room regarding it. That's a point we still haven't decided.

So your DH's a "wine snob" - I always call mine one! Please pass along any tips, comments, thoughts he has so I can prepare mine!!

Thanks much! Continued good health and have a great trip!!!

Thanks for your review! We're thinking of this cruise next year!

One question - any reason you choose the direction west to east??

Thanks much!

Willard ~ thanks much for the compliment!! The photos are mine but Trip WOW (from Trip Advisor) is SO easy to use!!

That was our first River Cruise and we had such a great time we came home and quickly booked two RCs!!!

If you book a RC I hope you have a fabulous time!!!!