ABQcruiser

Aquarium class--so much more appealing than bilge!

I can speak about the Standard rooms on Main deck on the new Forseti (just back from Bordeaux) and on the older Prestige (Prague to Paris in 2013).

The older ship's standard cabins were larger, with space for two chairs in front of the window. And at 5'1", I could see out the window to commune with the ducks by standing on my tip toes.

In the new Forseti, fresh, bright, and lovely, the window was 2-3 inches higher, so I had to pull out the stool from under the desk to really look out the window. And the window was not flush with the wall but set in over a bulkhead space--where the two chairs sat in the older Prestige.

So the window height and the space for chairs were important differences for me. Otherwise, storage, bathroom, etc. of the standard cabins were not different in any meaningful way.

As for the rest of the ship, the older ship had a dedicated library room at the stern, a quiet space. The newer ship has a library wall in the center of the ship, near two computers, above the main desk. The dining room, Aquavit Terrace, and other public spaces are comparable.

Alice

Though only Thursday we had the debarkation info session this morning while sailing to Cadillac. The word is that taxi from ship to airport is 70 euros for a van or about 60 for regular taxi, and 20 from ship to rail station. No credit cards.

People taking taxis let the desk know what time the need to leave, use different color bag tags according to their departure time and Viking will have arranged taxis for your pickup time. We are traveling independently later in the day but still have a certain tag color for bag storage. All passengers must be out of cabins at 9 a.m. but can have breakfast and/or hang out in the lounge. Bags must be ready for collecting by 9, too, and will be safely stowed. Many people on this cruise have quite early return flights. We will leave our bags on the ship and wander to a nearby museum or some shops, then return for our bags, take a tram to the train station, then Navette shuttle to the airport using the senior rate return tickets (10.40 Euro) purchased a week ago.

Gratuities can be added to your account. With so many people leaving very early Saturday, settling up on Friday night will be busy.

Tomorrow, Friday, is a free day in Bordeaux (if not going on the optional Arcachon trip). Chef Magalie will give a (free) market tour. The concierge put together a list of suggested things to do. We may head to the Museum of Aquitane. We've had enough food and wine to last a while!

Alice

Does anyone know how many euros from the train station in Bordeaux to the ship? Not sure if this question was asked before.

 

Rose

I should have been more specific. I was wondering how much a taxi ride was from the train station in Bordeaux to the ship

We took a cab from the station to our hotel at Meriadek for 15 euros cash. To the quai de Chartrons where the boat docks would probably be 10-15 more. Don't count on being able to use credit cards for the taxi.

It is quite a way from the airport to Bordeaux and heavy traffic at 5 pm. We took the Navette shuttle bus from the airport to town. There is a shuttle route with five stops, but we found ourselves on an express to the train station. Still, the shorter taxi ride was much cheaper than it would have been from the airport to town.

Heading toward Libourne now while some have gone on the truffle excursion or to Chateau Siurac.

Does anyone know how many euros from the train station in Bordeaux to the ship? Not sure if this question was asked before.

 

Rose

A tram ticket is 1Euro 40 to last one hour, including any transfer you need. The C line goes to the gare (station), but the B has the Chartrons stop. Looks like you can transfer at Quinconces, 6 stops along. Then just 2stops on the B line to Chartrons.

We are on the ship now and having a great time.

Alice

We just returned from our first river cruise, on Viking from Prague to Paris, June 28-July 9. Without any river trips to compare, we were very pleased with Viking, their service, food, planning, attention to details and passengers needs. Our program director (like cruise director) was everywhere, so energetic and attentive to all. I have no reservations about recommending Viking.

As for time of year and weather, we experienced from under 60 in Prague to high 80s in Paris. Have multiple layers available. I read traveling from east to west gets you through weather patterns in Europe faster, since they move west to east. Photos of Christmas markets are lovely, with special photo enhancements. Not for me--too cold and grey.

As for crowds, summer is inevitably crowded. An unexpected addition was school groups who visit sites after their studies but before school lets out. Knowing that, I'd aim for before mid June.

Whenever you choose, embrace it and have fun!