newgolfr

We were on the Splendor in the Baltic in June and had one of our excursions cancelled and had to wait in the theatre for waitlisting on another excursion. The method of issuing tickets and getting all the seats filled is very organized and most likely any time you want to change your mind, it's possible to get on another excursion.

Yes eye masks work for some people. I hate the elastic around my head. Plus the LIGHT sweater gives me that "privacy cave" I like. Breathing is easier than wearing a mask!

My tried and true solution to red-eye flights to Europe from North America: skip the airplane food and drink service. Have a good meal (salad and some protein, low fat and lots of WATER) before getting on the flight. Take a light sweater/blanket/scarf/jacket and cover your head. I also use Bose noise cancelling earbuds. I'm usually asleep before take off! This will give you about 30 minutes before the flight attendants start their service. If you wake up hungry before the pre-landing breakfast service, they always have snacks and drinks at the service bays. Good luck! I'll be in Athens in November.

I've been on the Ama Rhine trip that you are contemplating. I have never seen a tandem bike on any of the 4 AMA ships we've been on. My experience with the bike tours is that they require a high level of fitness and biking experience. There are always a few hills and high traffic areas to maneuver. The walking/bus excursions always offer options for levels of exertion but often it is quite a distance just to get from the ship to the bus for the "easy" walking tours. You should be OK if you can walk a mile.