bubbulz

Trains are very easy. We took the train from Basel to Lucerne and then from Lucerne to Zurich for our flight a few days later. We stayed at the Hotel Schweizerhof and it was outstanding. Perfect location, right on the lake and close to the station.

We spent four nights in Prague recently and enjoyed every second of it. We also had a transit day on the way there from Passau (our stay in Prague was at the end of our cruise), where we had a stop for a tour of Cesky Krumlov with lunch. We were very glad to have included that as well. We had a personal guide for the first full day, and then used that experience as a guide for what to focus on for our remaining days. I'd love to go back!

1 minute ago, FuelScience said:

 

We did a wheelhouse tour while underway a couple of years ago on the Rhone and the captain let one of the guests steer the ship for a little while!! Thanks for posting. Great photos and a great opportunity to tour the ship.

Yep, from what we were told, they used to allow visits routinely but more recently it has become an insurance liability issue for the company so the policy was revised.

One other note: There are certain areas of the ship where passengers are not allowed while the ship is underway due to liability issues, so the dinner was scheduled for an evening while we were docked. Also, several people had wished to visit the wheelhouse earlier in the week and the captain accommodated the group by allowing them to come up for a visit while we were stationary in one of the locks.

The captain had joked at one point about all of the cameras that were literally all over the boat, and while we were in the wheelhouse he showed us that really is true! I had looked around in the pool area and couldn't find a camera anywhere, but it's definitely there! 😉

3 hours ago, jpalbny said:

Looks more like progressive drinking, rather than dinner. 🤣 I saw lots of wine but only one picture of food.

 

But that's a pretty cool idea! It looks like a lot of fun, and a chance to explore parts of the ship that you don't usually see. Glad you enjoyed, and thanks for posting!

LOL! True!! I was more focused on my surroundings than the food, but did manage this shot of one of the appetizers.

We opted for Uniworld's progressive dinner option one night since several in our group of friends were interested in visiting the engine room and some other areas of the ship that guests don't normally get to see. It was a multi-course dinner that had us enjoying different courses throughout the ship, including the galley, the wheelhouse, the laundry center, etc. Everything was very high-tech and utterly spotless - including every surface in the engine room. Everyone was glad to have chosen to do it. (I was amazed that they produce what they do every day given the relatively small size of the galley!)

2 minutes ago, DC0743 said:

Guest Relations have been very good in the past, but that was not my experience this time.  They gave me the cancellation credit which reduced it to being $735 more than the cancelled cruise and then said "that's all we can do for you".  I worked with the same person I booked the 2018 cruise with.

Sorry to hear that. Our experience was definitely different and we found them extremely accommodating.

4 hours ago, DC0743 said:

A month ago I would have suggested Uniworld hands down but now it would really depend on price. For reference I have 8 Uniworld Cruises and one Viking.  My biggest complaint with Uniworld is they have NO loyalty to past cruisers and they have reduced or eliminated all their booking incentives.  When I booked my 2018 Christmas market cruise I received 10% off for paying in advance, 5% for being a past cruiser and another $500 off due to the number of cruises I have taken with them.  Unfortunately the cruise was cancelled at the last minute due to the low water levels.  Uniworld refunded our money but when we tried to book for 2019 we were advised the same cruise, same ship, same room would cost $2,735 MORE.  They eliminated all booking incentives except a whopping $100 for being a past passenger.  They should have at least matched the price I had paid for the cruise THEY cancelled.  Viking and Tauck offered me more incentives and actually acted like they want repeat customers.  I do love the Uniworld SS ships and the food has been excellent.  I just wish their service in the front office (and management) would match that on the ship. 

 

Again, as I said in my response to you on another post, have you requested that they change your trip to one for next year at the same price? I've found that management is very able and willing to work with clients - particularly repeat customers - but you have to make the effort to connect with the right people.

We felt that Uniworld guest relations went above and beyond in accommodating us on our recent Danube cruise, even to the point of arranging for a private driver for us.

1 hour ago, DC0743 said:

I have 8 cruises with Uniworld and ever since she took over, customer service has dropped significantly.  They are now focused on one time cruisers and have no loyalty to past passengers. Example they lowered their River Heritage (past passengers) promotion from 5% to a whopping $100. 

We just got back last week from our third Uniworld cruise and I have to say I have noticed no decrease in customer service whatsoever. Everything about our cruise was outstanding, and despite the low water issues preventing the Maria Theresa from sailing beyond Vienna, everyone we spoke to seemed to be happy with Uniworld's response. In our case, we chose not to spend an extra day in Budapest (it would have been our 5th day there) and Uniworld guest relations arranged for a driver to take us directly to the ship in Vienna.

Did you try going further up the management chain or using social media to request they simply move your booking to next year rather than giving you the credit? If not, that's what I'd be doing.

1 hour ago, fred111 said:

An important note we go by when reading reviews.  If a person is not happy with something, they will review.  If they are very happy they might review.  Most of the rest will not bother to review.

 

Exactly. Actually, I'm a case in point. We returned from our third Uniworld cruise last week and it was as phenomenal as the first two. I've still not done a review. (That said, I probably will eventually to help balance some of the negative reviews I read before this trip.) I was concerned after reading reviews stating that food, service and the condition of the ship had declined, but I have to say I did not find any of that to be the case for our trip. I've only been on the Uniworld SS Maria Theresa and Antoinette but found both of those to be outstanding (absolutely love the pool area on the Antoinette!)

I don't like the feeling of being nickeled and dimed when I'm on vacation, so I would never consider Viking as an option. I also can't imagine a more comfortable bed than those on Uniworld's ships and that's something that's important to me.  

We've done the Christmas markets with Uniworld twice now and thoroughly enjoyed each trip. They are all-inclusive for the most part, although I've found them offering more additional 'optional' tours at an added charge for those who are interested. Massages, facials, etc. are also extra charges (but worth it!).  Tips, alcohol, etc. are all included. We've not done their pre- and post-trip add ons but instead have done our own arrangements. If you are in a suite, butler service is included, which includes free laundry service, etc. 

18 hours ago, Homerody said:

G.M.T.

 

I will seek out your future posts -  for your sense of humor and MIL lines!

 

BTW - the Passau stop on our recent river cruise - was my favorite in Germany.  It is a lovey place to explore!  A lunch of Weisswurst, pretzels and "unfiltered" beer in town, was delectable!!! 

Same here! We had been to Passau in the past, but thoroughly enjoyed our recent visit. Definitely a special place!

We're on the SS Maria Theresa and left Vienna last night after several days there. We had one day with temps in the mid-50s but it's generally been much colder. Some periodic drizzle but nothing major. We visited Gottweig Abbey and Krems (lovely old town!) this morning and enjoyed both very much. Now we are cruising the Wachau Valley on our way to Melk for the evening. So far the cruise has been incredible. The staff, food, excursions, etc. have been every bit as good as every Uniworld cruise we've been on in the past and the boat still looks brand new. Now if I could just figure a way to bring this bed home with me! 

2 hours ago, Coral said:

I personally wish that the rain would hold off until after everyone has cruised this season (after New Years). I feel sorry for those on the rivers right now who are touring in rain.

 

Or, if it has to rain, rain only at night.

We have been pretty fortunate so far, but the weather is certainly actin schizophrenic! It was cold and rainy yesterday here in Vienna and today it's mostly sunny with temps around 55. Crazy!

39 minutes ago, AWD Cruiser said:

Currently on River Beatrice, embarked 12/1 in Vienna as scheduled, berthed next to empty Maria Theresa (their passengers in Budapest?), sailed 11PM 12/2, stopped in Durnstein and are cruising the Wachau past Melk. Cruise director confident we will make it to Nuremburg in a few days. 

We boarded the Maria Theresa yesterday at about 2 PM, but yes, the other passengers are in Budapest (actually, by now they are on the bus and due to arrive here in Vienna within the next hour or so.) We saw their luggage arrive awhile ago. We decided to skip what would have been our 4th night in Budapest and had a private driver take us to Vienna instead. We toured on our own today and just had terrific massages. Can't complain!

We did get a tour of the Beatrice yesterday. The decor is much different from that of her big sister! Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

18 hours ago, steverhodes said:

We actually hope we will be bussed from Vienna to Budapest since that adds an addition day in Vienna. 

Understand that! We headed to Vienna to board the boat while others were spending a night in a at the Kempinski in Budapest. Drizzle and temps in the upper 30s in Vienna today; still a bit of snow on the ground in places. Thought I was finally going to get to visit Vienna and not have it rain, but I guess I had to keep my streak going.  Still managed to walk 3 miles today. 

I love both and I'm not sure I could choose if we were to do it again. We did 2 nights pre-cruise in Amsterdam and 3 in Lucerne afterward and it was wonderful all around. (Also, count me among those who would never arrive without at least a night beforehand prior to boarding; but on the other hand, I'd never want to fly out immediately afterward either!) 

3 minutes ago, Coral said:

We heard it was going to open the next day again. Since I didn't make it back, can not confirm it.

 

Bratislava has 2 Christmas markets. One seemed to be mostly food and drink. This one seemed to have a little bit of everything. I almost stayed in Vienna (as our ship could not sail) but did go. We were thinking the markets in Bratislava would have different things. I am glad to check Slovakia off my list but Vienna offers so much more - if I was to do it again, I would stay in Vienna.

Thanks for the information! I'm quite happy to stay in Vienna since I'm not crazy about long bus rides (and I've already checked Slovakia off my list  )

2 minutes ago, Coral said:

 

We saw the ship in Vienna. Very beautiful!

We agree. This is our second time aboard, and although our home is much more understated we enjoy the decor of the ship. I know some find her a bit 'over the top.' Heck, I'm on vacation and don't mind acting like it!  

On 12/1/2018 at 5:38 PM, steverhodes said:

We are going Passau to Budapest starting this coming Wed, Dec. 5. Right now the part from Vienna to Budapest is not passable. And guess if it will be on December 10?

I'm certainly no expert, but we've been in Budapest since the middle of last week and are now in Vienna on the SS Maria Theresa. Temps are pretty consistently at freezing or below, so even if there is precipitation it is not likely to be in the form of any amount of measurable rain. Between Passau and Vienna should be fine, but my 'guess' is that you'll be looking at land transit to Budapest.

I heard about this from our guide in Budapest the day before yesterday. Any update, or is all pretty much back to normal at the market? Thank goodness it sounds like it was pretty well contained! 

I am on Uniworld''s SS Maria Theresa for the second time right now but just had a brief tour of the SS Beatrice since we are rafted to her and noticed that the dining room has many private tables for two. 

4 hours ago, Coral said:

I can tell you that I did a November 20-30 Danube River cruise. Most cities/towns were beautifully decorated for Christmas. The ship I was on was also tastefully decorated when I boarded.

 

There are many lines - more than just the 2 you listed. I would order a bunch of brochures and read reviews. 

Agree completely with Coral. Definitely check your options. We've been in Budapest since the middle of last week and the Christmas markets are in full swing. We are now on Uniworld's SS Maria Theresa and the ship is very festively decorated with Christmas music playing. 

We enjoyed Uniworld so much for the Christmas markets in 2016 that we are boarding the SS Maria Theresa for the second time this week. Can’t wait! Can’t speak to the others. 

We got to Budapest yesterday afternoon, and it is cloudy and cold (around freezing) and the Christmas markets are in full swing. We are all bundled up and ready to head out for a tour. We will meet the SS Maria Theresa on Sunday in Vienna for the start of our cruise. Last night we went to a wine pairing dinner at Taste Hungary’s Tasting Table and it was fantastic! Highly recommended!