Bet & Peg

Breisach - St Stephen's Courtyard - statue of the Bull with Europa breaking out of the ground is symbolic of the beginning of the European Union. If I remember correctly, the city of Breisach was the first to ratify (?) the proposal. So it was chosen as the location of the statue.

Jerry ~ looks much different in the summer - but still stunning views from St. Stephen's!!!

lionsfan99 ~ forgot to mention Walking Tours - check the Ports of Call section of CC and then go to France Ports. Click on Search this Forum, put in Paris Tours and then hit GO. I can't guarantee the results but I know the subject has been discussed. Other pages regarding Paris should also come up.

Good luck with your research!!!

lionsfan99 ~ what to do in Paris??? There's just SO much to choose from and it all depends on your likes!!! I thin a cooking class would be great but I think we'll just prowl around some markets! Last time we stayed in the Latin Quarter and went to the Marche Edgar Quinet - after the Tour Montparnasse 56 - market was about 2 blocks away.

But this year we're staying near the Bastille so will head for the Marche Aligre and Marche de le Bastille. Not sure what's around the Arc but Rue Montorgueil Markets (closer to Les Halles) look very interesting.

Paris by Mouth Aligre Our Guide to Eating & Drinking In & Around the Market

Rue Montorgueil Market Street in Paris

We also plan on taking a Seine Cruise this year and I want to get to the Orsay - DH can go back to the Musee de l'armee - it was interesing but I want something else this time!! We again have our Eiffel tower tickets, hoping for better weather this year! So far the only dinner reservations are for DH's favorite - Bofingers - a very nice Alsatian restaurant: Bofinger - Traditional Brasserie in Paris, Bastille

Someone here on CC (in the Ports - France area) The web site below was recommended and I have become addicted - find it very interesting and full of ideas! Join Us in France Podcast

And if you aren't sick of me by now - here's my photos from our 2012 trip!! Paris SlideShow

Hope some of this helps!!!

Lionsfan99 ~ Paris post-trip thoughts - we're actually staying in a Paris apartment with our friends for 8 days pre-trip. Its our second Paris visit having been there 4 nights - in a hotel - before our 2012 RC. Both on our own.

But I have to admit, while I'd suggest a RC for a single, I'd personally think twice about going it alone in Paris, especially offered the opportunity of going through the cruise line. Plus I think taking a post-cruise through Viking includes the airport transfer!

In 2012 we also had 2 women friends who took the same cruise - but went to Paris via Viking. One of them had a difficult time adjusting to the time and spent much of Paris in bed. She had also been there before so wasn't too anxious to go sight seeing. The other woman got great help from the Viking rep at the hotel and was able to plan a few tours so she wasn't trying to navigate the Paris streets/subway on her own.

I don't know anything about your own travel history - how much you've traveled alone; have you been to Paris/Europe before; do you speak French? But if it were me, I think I'd book through Viking! It's hard to see Paris in 3 days, but you can get a taste of it!! Plus post-trip you won't have to worry about adjusting to the time difference so you can "hit" the streets as soon as you get there!!

Hope this helps!!

Dbakers ~ happily 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

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

coolerchick ~ I presume your ship is leaving from Basel. If its Viking then you can check out the docking location - page 29 of the detailed itinerary book that can be found by going to their website then "my trip" then "about my cruise" then "itinerary and travel information". That's the on-line version of the book you'll get from them with your pre-cruise documents. (If you're not traveling with Viking, I presume your ship will also be leaving from the same area but double check with your cruise line.)

We sailed from Basel last December and did a pre-visit there on our own for 3 days. We stayed very near the train station and took a cab from our hotel to our ship. I think it was about 30euro for 3 of us. But note- when we got into the cab driver asked where the ship was. Luckily I had the book and showed him and he said "no problem". It only took about 15 minutes but when we got there and he drove to the pier it was the wrong ship. He made one call to the office and was told the Viking ship was in the same area but just slightly downstream. So don't leave the cab until you're sure its the correct ship!!!

The Basel train station is very, very nice - more like an airport terminal! shops, cafes, grocery store, wine store, bakeries, a great local chocolate shop, etc. I'm not sure if they have lockers for luggage but you might be able to find out from their web site or on the ports section of CC. And the tram system in Basel is great - not sure of the cost since hotels give free daily passes to their guests.

Any questions - just ask away and I'll try and help!!

lionsfan99 ~ welcome to CC and to our Chateaux thread!!! Hope its OK that I added you to our "Roll Call" list!! There are 2 others (probably 2 couples) already booked on your cruise - hopefully they'll "drop-in" here before the cruise and say "hello"!!

As for safety - I think the RCs might be safer than OCs because there are fewer passengers so its easier to get to know people. So far I've always traveled with my DH, however there are times when we've gone our seperate ways and I've never felt alone - usually there's others who you at least recognize on the tour or shopping, etc. As MalibooNew York commented, RC passengers are very friendly and all inclusive!!

You are right - weather is a difficult one to predict! We did a Rgine River cruise last year that left Basel Dec. 7th. We were all prepared for cold, cold weather but, thankfully, it never came! We left our toe & hand warmers with the staff!!! My only sugestion, keep a watch on Bordeaux's weather!!

Silver Bar Package - only you can decide if you'll drink enough to make it worth it! Wine/beer is served free at lunch and dinner and poured very generously! Plus you can easily bring your own wine on board and there's no problem - or attitude - with having it at dinner. That being said, pre/post-dinner drink you have to pay for. So only you can decide how much you'll be drinking! But note: when we boarded last December there was a letter in our stateroom saying we could still get the package - so its something you can take your time deciding on!

Optional Excursion ~ you sign up for these after you board, so there's still time to decide on that also. I'd say read over the descriptions and decide what you'd like to do. We've already decided on the Chateau Siaurac lunch while our friends traveling with us are going truffle hunting!

Hope you have a fabulous cruise!!!!!

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

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

StudentoftheWorld ~ I never noticed a USB port - what we do is pack a small power strip - with all the devices + rechargeable batteries it comes in handy! The ship has at least 2 110v plugs but many hotels will not have any so an adapter + power strip can make life easier!! Lately I've also been taking a 1 to 3 plug for extra room!!

jimsohio ~ you are right on target - in Rudesheim we did stay overnight on our south to north cruise. Lovely town - and I really enjoyed seen it in the daylight through Jerry's photos!! In December we docked about 4:30pm as it was just getting dark! It was a "trade-off" - fabulous CM lights but very early sunsets!!

StudentoftheWorld ~ glad you enjoyed the dallies - as you can easily see, this cruise is just a little different than the other direction. We had a wonderful time on the Rhine Cruise - any questions just ask away!!!

WOW - the noise isn't a nice situation especially after spending the extra $$$ for the third deck!!! I think it's been mentioned before on these boards in regards to the longships! Glad out cabin is on the main deck!

We were also on that deck last year on the Rhinda and noted that the cabin was especially quiet - never heard our neighbors in any direction!!

But besides the noise - how was the cruise? Excursions? Ports? Bordeaux?

Any suggestions or recommendations you can offer to those who will be taking this cruise shortly?

Thanks much!!!

StudentoftheWorld ~ you've gotten excellent answers - but will just add some thoughts!

Jerry's is fabulous posting the dallies- but just be aware that traveling in the other direction often means slight adjustments to the schedule. You'll basically see the same places but perhaps at different times. For example, we sailed Basel to Amsterdam and Kinderdijk was after lunch. Just small changes.

As for First Courses being more interesting than the main - I completely agree with you - even in most restaurants!!! Last cruise one of the soups sounded very interesting but I really wanted a different First - after asking, the waiter brought the soup plus extra spoons so we all could taste!! They really are very accommodating!! And remember there's an "alternate" dining place - the Aquavit Lounge! We never ate there since we never wanted to miss "our table" - people we became friendly with - but sounds like it'd be a good suggestion at times!

As mentioned, the coffee station is open 24/7 with water, tea, coffees available. Jerry's earlier photo brought a smile as I remembered the early morning juice, coffee & e-mails!! And, yes, as you leave the ship water - and umbrellas in rainy weather - is always available and free!!

Excursions - daily ones plus a list of optional should be on Viking's Web site - they now have the digitalized version of the book you receive pre-cruise which is more detailed. Gives you a chance to do some research into the tours before the cruise. And remember, you don't have to take any excursions if you decide to DIY or even just stay aboard! Last year when we arrived at Kinderdijk I got off to take photos before a speaker began her presentation in windmills. There was a fellow passenger all excited after seeing a sign about bike rental and he said he was going to talk his wife into it! Shortly I saw him at the desk looking over a map (Viking always has them for every stop) and talking to the cruise director. Later that evening when asked about the bike ride he had a big smile and said it was his best cruise day!! And sometimes when the tour bus returns for lunch its possible to stay in town for lunch (like Strasbourg) and catch a later shuttle or walk if the distance isn't too far. So there are chances to personalize your trip!!!

Have a great cruise!! Amsterdam is fabulous! and Basel wonderful!

Jerry ~ once again Thanks for letting us re-live our trip! And thanks for letting us see Rudesheim in the daylight!!! Last December when we docked - about 4:30pm - it was just getting dark! Of course the CMS & lights did make it magical, but also required our attention to walking!! It was a beautiful little town!!!

And your Middle Rhine photos are fabulous!!! For us it was really special cruising through that area since we had stayed overnight at the Schonburg Castle Hotel on a land trip a few years before! Great seeing it from the river!!

Really enjoying your trip!!!

Got2Cruise ~ we were in Cologne on a Thursday, I think, and our guide took us inside the Cathedral and all around it - no problem! He asked us to stay together inside even with the voxbox. He gave wonderful explanations of the windows, statues, etc. and also told the story of the Magi.

It is a shame that Viking doesn't make exceptions for Sundays - they should really think about adjusting the schedule a little - even if they offered it for one or more tours for those who really want to go inside! Maybe they'll consider it in the future!!

Jerry ~ fabulous to see Cologne in the summer-time!!! When we were there, the CM stalls filled the square in front of the Cathedral and also there was a skating rink around the statue near where the ship docked!! Their CM was by far the most wonderful - at least to us!!!

Enjoyed your statement about it being difficult to get the whole Cathedral into a photo - just wait for Strasbourg!! But then I guess you've already been there!!!

Now I can't wait for Rudesheim and Marksburg and .......!!!!

roebub ~ I have to say we found our cabin last year very, very quiet - never heard our neighbors on either side! So if you do retire early you should have no trouble sleeping!

When we travel we bring an adapter - actually a pack of them! - one side fits into the 220V outlet and has a USA plug on the other side. There are 2 110v outlets in the cabin, but we bring the adapter to just give us an extra outlet on board and especially for hotel rooms - never know what they'll have!

Hope this helps!

kbella ~ thanks for your thoughts about the Arcachon excursion - not being tied into a tour does make sense - will have to think about it!

Also appreciate your info about the menu. It's funny they had/have a choice of deviled eggs!! Saw that as an appitizer on a NYC menu just last month and thought - "picnic food"!!! But calamari and cod or duck sounds good!!!

Thanks again!!!! Hope the rest of your trip is great!!!

kbella ~ Thanks SO much for the restaurant name! Do you remember if there was a set menu or choices? Love oysters - but only the warm kind! But I'm willing to try an oyster at the farm!! DH thinks maybe they'd only have raw ones at the restuarant - I found it on-line but can't open the site!

Did they also have oysters before dinner on the ship that night?? Someone didn't go on the excursion but said they had samples onboard. Just wondering!!!

You seemed to enjoy the Arcachon excursion but said next time you'd take the train - could you expand on that! Thanks much!!!

roebud ~ I've never found it east to "rest" on a cruise - but them I can be like a 5-year old wanting to try everything!!

My suggestion would be to really look at the itinerary and decide want you "must" see - what excursions you really want to take. Maybe skip a few. And remember there's always an "easy" group that goes out - they say they see the same as the other groups (at least most times) but at a slower pace. You might especially want to avoid anything with a lot of walking - and I'm sure the guides can recommend some place to sit - park, café, etc. - to wait for the group.

On our first RC we made friends with a great couple, she was recovering from knee replacement and said she would have been fine but the pre-Paris trip subway stairs had "killed" her!! She and her husband sometimes split and she's go on the east excursion. In Lyon she was with us for the bus ride, then had coffee in a café while the rest of us went on the walking tour, then took the bus back for lunch while her husband joined the rest of us at lunch in town. I think lots of things are possible depending on the couple! And I'm sure resting on the top deck will be wonderful in the warmer weather!!

Have a fabulous time - can't wait to hear about it!!!

kbella ~ once again thanks SO much for your post!! And especially the Arcachon info. The Fête de Med must have been wonderful to see!!! The trip is still a "?" on our list!!

Jerry ~ your photos and comments are fantastic!!! We did this cruise last December in opposite direction - just lovin' re-living it!!!! And thanks SO much for adding Belgium & Amsterdam - that was fun to see, even place we never experienced!!!

This thread should be a "must" for anyone taking the Rhine cruise, especially on Viking!! You've answered almost any questions anyone could think of - and mostly in photos so people could "see" the answers - fabulous!!!!

Thanks SO much!! Looking forward to the rest of your adventure!!!

kbella ~ hurray!!!! Everything sounds fabulous!!!!

And I'd love to hear ALL about Arcachon - I'm still trying to decide about going there!!! Carolyn's report was great but I'd like to know the name of the restaurant!!!!

Thanks for your post!!!

I know this is the River Cruise part of CC - but perhaps you could go to the ports area to post about Ypres (would enjoy hear about you trip there, we had a one-day private excursion in 2011), Amsterdam (we've been 3 times), Belgium, and Paris (4 days in 2012 and will be spending 8 days in September).

I'm know we're not the only ones who would enjoy & benefit from your photos and review!!

Fabulous photos!!! Should answer all questions about Viking's longboats! Except for some decoration details - large photo at top of stairs, lounge furniture coverings - it looks just like the Rinda we took last December and all the other longboats.

Thanks again!!!

Loge23 & MalibooNewYork ~ thanks much!! Good to hear from you veterans!!!

I hate to open Pandora's box with this question but will ask anyway since its been growing in my head for months!

Anyone who's sailed this itinerary with Viking - are passengers dressing just a little step up on this cruise? With visiting Chateaux, having dinner and an option lunch in a Chateau, I'm thinking that clothes might be a little "smarter" than usual.

Last cruise was Christmas Markets in December. Fabulous time and very, very casual - theme was staying warm! Jeans, cords, turtlenecks, layers and coats & boots so no one really knew what anyone was wearing on excursions!! The ship was warm but still most people dressed very casually even for dinner - flying required space/weight be given to the warm necessities!

But, hopefully, October shouldn't be that cold. We plan to dress a step up for Paris and just looking for any comments about this specific cruise!

Thanks much!!