stmartins

If you read the heading this only pertains to Egyptians with Canadian passports…

Too late for us!!!   

We were booked on Gate1 Nile cruise leaving  October 10th.  We did have E-Visas, which are now invalid.  It’s just not possible for us to go to Montreal or Ottawa to apply in person so…..we’re cancelling…..our insurance doesn’t cover our loss.  I’m very disappointed in the lack of information from the government, it’s just a “so sad too bad” attitude.  We only found out through social media and that’s sketchy.  Guess that’s politics.   

My husband tested positive first but the nurse that tested us told me (I tested negative) give it 5 days…then I was positive…it’s a strange virus..fingers crossed you’re going to dodge it.

Just finished two back to back river cruises..one on the seine and the other on the Rhine with two different cruise companies.  We had 4 Covid cases on both ship.  That we know of.  We’ve done 12 river cruises over the years and had credits that had to be used before year end, so we took the chance. It was our choice.
Seriously,  these were not  the most enjoyable cruises.  We agreed we’d be very Covid conscious.  Wear a mask in doors and in crowds, we wouldn’t do excursions on buses just guided walking tours around villages and tried to distance.  Meals were a nightmare!  A couple of drinks in and everyone was shouting.  Not many wore masks even after the cases were went public.  On one ship the staff wore masks, mind you not properly, the other didn’t at all.  
Fingers crossed we did enough to avoid the virus.  We had done these itineraries before so it was nice to just get away.  

We did Paris to Paris last week and we had 1 confirmed Covid case (thank you to the person reporting it to the cruise director..btw) they were isolated and the spouse distanced and wore a mask.  No crew wore masks and few passengers.  By the end of the 11 days most people were sniffing and blowing their noses…but no other positive Covid cases were reported.  We tested ourselves and fingers crossed..still negative.

On 9/2/2022 at 12:37 AM, RDVIK2016 said:

Well, my wife is not of the same opinion and it is more important that my wife be happy than to save money on the the cabin. We have been on two cruises and have reservations for a third, all in staterooms with a veranda  - I doubt that will change. I figure we could do maybe five cruises in "aquarium class" for the price of four or less in upper deck veranda cabins - especially if we would travel at non-peak times.

I’m with her!  We got a good price on a Viking river cruise once…it was a bottom floor!  We had to stand on a chair to look out the window and when we docked all we saw was the waterline and docks!  Absolutely awful!!

We’re on the Basel to Amsterdam October 9 Uniworld cruise. So did Uniworld rebook these people onto the Seine cruise?  

We’ve sailed with Uniworld, Viking and Gate 1.  We had a lower deck/port hole room on one Viking cruise only because of timing for the cruise and itinerary. Wasn’t the best room.  It was noisy and when we docked in some ports we only saw the dock…I mean the below water wood part…. I love being able to watch the scenery going by even during the evening.  If you’re doing your first river cruise make it the best experience.  Im jealous…you’re going to love this itinerary, it’s spectacular.  Enjoy!  

Thank you for sharing this cruise.  We’ve been looking for something to add to our Scotland adventure and this cruise just may be it…I’ll be following the topic 

August 25.

We booked on the august 25 trip.  We’re having second thoughts just for this reason. But as of August 13 Uniworld requires all passengers to be fully vaccinated. Well that’s what their website states today.   The rules seem to change everyday and country to country.  
We did this cruise in 2017 and loved it.  Thought we’d enjoy seeing others things this time.  
Im wondering if Venice crowded?  

They did answer and said it depends on the restrictions in place at the time.  They could test in Milan or in Venice and there will be a Uniworld team member there to assist us. My husband and I talked about canceling the trip last night. We weren’t worried about the virus until the whole delta variant thing… if We do go we’re going to get tested before we leave Canada, we’re concerned with the asymptotic cases.  Don’t want to get there and test positive and have to quarantine or what ever.  I wish we had waited ….it’s very confusing and stressful 

1 hour ago, sharkster77 said:

Personally if I was on a cruise, I would prefer that all be vaccinated, as opposed to just testing negative.

At this point I’d like both.  

We’re starting our “cruise” in Milan.  Wonder if they consider this the start of the cruise.  Maybe we should have one prior to leaving home.  But then that wouldn’t be 72 hours because it could take 3 days to get our results..I’m soooo confused!  Gotta make a call…

1 hour ago, Bookishcruiser said:

Yesterday was Torricello and Brumano. Both were absolutely delightful. There was murano in the afternoon but I stayed on the ship and enjoyed transiting the lagoon. 
 

today was the Rialto market and watching the chef buy food for our dinner. Also great. He explained what he was buying and why. 
 

Tomorrow is disembarkation,  which is quite sad. It has been a great trip. The small crowds were amazing and likely not be be repeated. 
 

oh… I have been in cabin 402 which is the first cabin next to reception. It’s got a French balcony.  Which means the window opens. No issues with noise. Minimal issues with crowds around the desk. 401 might have better views but I was happy with this cabin. I don’t know if I would do this class again since the opening window didn’t seem super important. 

We got a great last minute  deal on cruise Viking about 2 years ago and the room had a water level pothole type window…I had to stand on the bed to watch the scenery and saw nothing but dock boards views when in port….I have now set my expectations of rooms up…that being said, The Maria Theresa has a balcony room with sliding doors..they are in the all the suites…spectacular river cruising!  My condolences on having to leave tomorrow….it’s never easy.  Don’t be sad it’s over be happy it happened!  Thanks for all your info..

We did this “cruise” with Uniworld a couple of years ago and booked it again for august 25 this year.  Enjoy the bus tour portion.  We stopped at a winery for lunch, it was spectacular!  Let us know how the new protocols for travel go…and how much fu you’re having!

On 6/4/2021 at 10:37 PM, Bookishcruiser said:

Uniworld July 9 Milan, Venice and Jewels of Italy. So happy about traveling again. Any advice  or anyone else on board? 

We did it in 2017…going again August 27.  Loved it so much!  In Milan book the Domo (sp?) roof top tour…exciting!  Take Old Milan tour then try out the restaurants along the canal interesting food, great atmosphere  …take the trolley back to the hotel.  The guide will give you the details.  On the way to Venice the bus will stop at a winery…we were there on Mother’s Day…but it was such a wonderful lunch…enjoy.  And let us know how it goes.

We’re booked for August 27.  We did it in 2017 and absolutely loved it but at the time we weren’t able to sail the river because of the weather (seriously we really didn’t care,  they entertain us and being in Venice extra time was wonderful!) but we have been assured us this new ship can make the crossing.  That being said, I told my husband I’m glad our first trip after 18 months of Covid is with Uniworld.  I believe they will have everything under control.  Plus they do  seem to have the ability to “jump” lines.. less crowds.  St. Mark’s!!!

We have done 9 different river cruises on different lines and this route was my favourite by far!!  Absolutely gorgeous sailing! 
Haven’t been on the new ship, we were on the last sailing of the old one but it’s Uniworld, it’s gotta be perfect. 

We booked the Milan to Venice “cruise” for the end of August yesterday .  We did it 4 years ago and loved it…We just want to go somewhere…so fingers crossed!!

12 hours ago, zdcatc12 said:

 I agree with you on him being annoying. In addition to Rudy, we had Betti for the entertainment director, though I'm not sure what she ever did.

 

This was my first river cruise and I was kind of surprised that we were expected to tip them. I did, but I have never done that on any other cruise that I have been on.

They don’t work for the cruise line they are on contract.  They aren’t included in the general staff tipping.  Unfortunately some don’t deserve the tip.  This was the first Gate1 we’ve done that the cruise and entertainment directors (and now that I think back, even on other cruises)  earned every penny.  It’s a crap shoot for quality.  

We got off in Nuremberg not Regensburg ...took a train to Frankfurt...

1 hour ago, zdcatc12 said:

Were you on the December 8th one to Amsterdam? I was on that one also. I loved it----until the PA got fixed and Rudy started all of his announcements with that irritating "waaaaawaaaaawaaaa" thing!

We were on the Vienna to Regensburg leg it continued to Amsterdam ...the PA went down during the cruise.. Juta was our cruise director but she left when we did.  Oh we’ve had the “pleasure” of having Rudy on another trip...very annoying!  Juta and Armon (entertainment director) we The Best we’ve had.

We were on this cruise with you!  It was wonderful!  Gate1 should have more reviews and I’m not sure why they don’t have their own board.  We’ve done 4 so far and would do another depending on the itinerary.  Shout out to the crew!  They made a real difference!