love2sing

Thank you! Someone from Vantage called me, following up on a survey I completed. I was able to get a little info about port times. Still, the representative seemed to want me to ask specific questions about each port before he would offer any information it was strange. He first asked for which port did I want the info, and I told him I wanted the info for all of the ports. He wouldn't simply provide it until I started asking specific questions about each day and each port. We received the email with the concierge's info on it just a couple of days ago. I don't know why they won't release the port time info without a person persistently asking for it. It is frustrating. Part of the fun of a trip is researching and planning ahead for what one may be able to see and experience. :) Thanks again.

On our one Vantage trip they provided the email address of the concierge. I had the same questions you ask and the concierge was able to provide answers. The caveat was the arrival/departure times are approximate and subject to change.

 

Steve in Philly's recommendations make sense.

Thank you SteveinPhilly! Sorry, yes, I misstated the arrival date in Amsterdam. We fly from home on the 11th, arriving in Amsterdam on the 12th. Thanks for the info on the orientation. I had not thought of that, nor had it been mentioned anywhere. We have an overnight in Amsterdam, and sail away from there on the 13th, I think in mid-to-late afternoon. I will check into the Van Gogh Museum. Someone from Vantage called me, based on a survey I completed, and I finally got a little info. I don't think we will have too much time in Amsterdam on the 13th, following the morning walking tour. Thanks also for the info on the jacket.

Hi Steve,

We are beginning our river cruise in Amsterdam on July 11. How does one know what would be a good time to reserve tickets at the museums ahead of time? I cannot get Vantage to provide me with approximately sail-away times. Also, we arrive on 7/11 and head to directly to the ship from the airport, but I do not know if Vantage has anything planned for us that first day, nor when the walking tour would take place. I assume it may be the morning of the 12th, but again, I do not know what time we depart Amsterdam on July 12th to sail to the next port. Any ideas? What other sites were included on the ship's Amsterdam tour?

 

On another topic, did many of the men don a sport coat for the first and last nights of the cruise, or for any others?

 

Thank you!

 

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I think I can answer this. The first "day"/night" is arrival day. We flew in the same day for ours - which started in Brussels. Because of plane delay we didn't get to ship till 6:45 and missed the orientation lecture (there were 5 arriving on same shuttle from airport with us). So, The important thing on Day one is : when do you arrive in Amsterdam? Assuming it is is in early afteroon, you weill be taken to ship to settle in (and getrid of jet lag) and meet for orientation at about 5pm. The cruise starts the next morning with your included walking tour at 8:30 AM. (be prepared to walk a lot on Vantage Tours - but that's thewayto see thiongs!. I don't know your itinerary but GUESSING that you have two nights in Amsterdam (right?). If that'sthe case, your walking tour will end at theRijksmuseum at around noon. And you should have ":afternoon free, dinner on boat and sailaway either at dinnertime orthe next morning. It is on your itinerary. In that case, I'd recommend staying a little longer in Rijksmuseum grabbing lunch somewhereand going to the Van Gogh Museum at 2pm with prebookedtickets. Get the audio guide. Then wander around Dam Square and back to ship for dinner. IYou'll get a "taste" for Amsterdam but would be better if you extended trip on own (not their extension. We cut cost by 2/3 by booking a great hotel on own).

As for sport jacket - leave at home. For dining room men will just need clean long pants and a shirt. Nothing fancier than that. I can't help with ports outside of Holland

My husband and I are on the July 11th Amsterdam to Budapest sailing.

We went to Rothenberg independently via train, from a visit to Munich in 2008. While I cannot speak to the Vantage excursion itself, Rothenberg-ob-der-Tauber is a wonderful place to visit, and is very charming.

Are there travelers going on the "Grand European Tour" on Sept 5, 2017 from Amsterdam to Budapest? There are 4 of us traveling together. This will be our first river cruise with Vantage. Looking for tips on tours at the various stops along the way. I have read some of the previous posts about visiting Rothenburg as an optional tour. Any opportunities to visit the camps at Nuremberg? We will do the post-cruise extension to Bratislava and Prague. Looking forward to seeing and enjoying this part of Europe. We have done the a GCT river cruise from Paris to Nice several years ago. Thanks for any advice and info.

We are sailing Amsterdam to Budapest on July 11th! I am searching for info on approximate port times, mainly departure times, so I will know what time is available for free-time sight seeing. Vantage could/would not provide me with this information through customer service.

We too/two are taking the same cruise but on October 3. Also our first river cruise. Hope to see more posts about this itinerary

Hi Steve,

We are beginning our river cruise in Amsterdam on July 11. How does one know what would be a good time to reserve tickets at the museums ahead of time? I cannot get Vantage to provide me with approximately sail-away times. Also, we arrive on 7/11 and head to directly to the ship from the airport, but I do not know if Vantage has anything planned for us that first day, nor when the walking tour would take place. I assume it may be the morning of the 12th, but again, I do not know what time we depart Amsterdam on July 12th to sail to the next port. Any ideas? What other sites were included on the ship's Amsterdam tour?

On another topic, did many of the men don a sport coat for the first and last nights of the cruise, or for any others?

Thank you!

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Re: "For Amsterdam - your included tour will end at the Rijsmuseum. with an included 1 hour tour. You do not have to leave and can stay on your own. Neither the Van Gogh Museum (we went!) and Anne Frank House (we didn't) are not included in cruise and you MOST DEFINITELY need tyo buy tix on line in advance or expect to wait an hour or more in line. I'd recommend the Van Gogh if you have time."

Does anyone have any information on the port times, mainly departure times in the evenings, for the ms River Splendor Amsterdam to Budapest itinerary (Majestic Rivers of Europe: Castles, Cathedrals, and Fairytales)? I cannot seem to get these from Vantage. I don't know how to plan for potential free time without this information, nor when may be a good time to reserve the onboard bikes. I understand that the times may vary some based on river water levels and such, but an approximate time would be very helpful. Thanks so much!

Thank you! This is fantastic! I appreciate your taking time to do this for people you don't even know personally. Happy Thanksgiving!