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Posts posted by Kevdog71
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We just got word that Viking has moved the docking location for our Sunday P to B cruise on the Aegir from Old Town to Hafen Racklau. Anyone knowledgeable about this area of the Danube know the reason for this? Is this a water level issue or a docking space issue? How does it make sense to move an eastbound ship farther to the west if water level issues are at play?
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Just off Independence and had few complaints with the new menus. Each of the three courses has about 8 options, with roughly two in each category changing every night. I had most of the rotating dishes and the "available every night" options. I thought everything was above average, and liked giving my dessert choice up front (one less interruption during the meal). Escargot, calamari, prime rib, lobster, and NY Strip were standouts. The portions were smaller than typical American restaurants, but leaving the MDR without feeling utterly stuffed proved to be a good thing. MDR food is not what it was 35 years ago when I first started cruising, but we also didn't have rock walls, ice shows and Flow Riders. Things change.
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Hello MadcityTravelers,
We're doing the same cruise on the Kara in June, and here's what I've managed to put together from various posts and reviews. Keep in mind that things can change based on weather, water levels and other considerations, so these should not be taken as gospel.
Day 1
Board Viking Kara
11:00am-3:00pm: Embarkation buffet
1:30pm-3:00pm: Amsterdam walking tour
6:15pm: Welcome briefing
7:00pm: Dinner
11:30pm: Viking Kara departs for Kinderdijk
Day 2
7:00-9:30am: Breakfast
8:00am: Viking Kara arrives in Kinderdijk
9:00am-11:00am: Kinderdijk windmills tour (10-15 minute walk from ship)
??? Viking Kara departs for Cologne
11:45am: Safety drill
12:30pm: Lunch
7:00pm: Captain’sWelcome Dinner
Day 3
7:30-10:00am: Breakfast
10:30am: Viking Kara arrives in Cologne
10:30am-12:30pm: Cologne walking tour (15-20 min walk to Cologne Cathedral)
12:30pm: Lunch
6:45pm: Chef’s dinner
8:45-10:45: Cologne’s beer culture walking tour (optional excursion)
11:00pm: Viking Kara departs Cologne for Koblenz
Day 4
7:00-9:30am: Breakfast
8:00am: Viking Kara arrives in Koblenz
9:00-11:30am: Marksburg fortress excursion (bus ride followed by short walk)
10:00am: Viking Kara departs Koblenz for Braubach (Marksburg tour participants rejoin the ship here)
11:30am: Viking Kara departs Brabach for Rudesheim
12:30: Lunch
12:30-2:30pm: Cruising Middle Rhine and castle sightseeing with commentary from program director
5:00pm: Viking Kara arrives in Rudesheim
5:00pm: Rudesheim orientation walk
6:30-9:30pm: Rudesheim mini-train & dinner (optional excursion)
7:00pm: International dinner
12:30am: Viking Kara departs for Mannheim
Day 5
7:00-9:30am: Breakfast
9:30am: Viking Kara arrives in Mannheim
10:00am-3:45pm: Heidelburg castle and walking tour
10:30am: Viking Kara departs for Speyer
12:00pm: Lunch for those remaining on board
1:00pm: Viking Kara arrives in Speyer (Heidelburg tour rejoins ship here)
3:45pm: Welcome back afternoon buffet
5:00pm: Orientation walk through Speyer (10-15 min walk from ship into town)
7:00pm: Taste of Germany dinner
7:00pm: Viking Kara departs for Strasbourg
Day 6
7:00-9:30am: Breakfast
8:00am: Viking Kara arrives in Strasbourg
8:30am-12:30pm: Strasbourg city tour
12:30pm: Lunch
1:45-6:15: Alsace wine tasting and walking tour (optional excursion)
7:00pm: Dinner
10:30pm: Viking Kara departs for Breisach
Day 7
7:00-9:30: Breakfast
8:00am: Viking Kara arrives in Breisach
8:30am-12:30pm: Black Forest tour (bus trip to Schwartzwald & cuckoo clock demonstration)
12:30pm: Lunch
1:45-6:40pm: Colmar City tour (optional excursion)
1:45-6:30pm: Colmar Pocket museum & WWII tour (optional excursion)
1:45pm: Viking Kara departs for Basel
6:30pm: Viking Kara arrives in Kembs (Participants in optional tours rejoin ship here)
7:00pm: Captains Cocktail Party
7:30pm: Farewell Dinner
9:00pm: Viking Kara arrives in Basel
Day 8
6:00-9:00am: Breakfast
9:00am: All guests must settle accounts and depart
I highly recommend reading the 2014 Rhine Cruise review from CruisinSkiier - it's very informative.
I hope that's helpful!
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We had 14178 & 14180 (port side, pretty far forward) last month and there was absolutely no noise from the kids area. The cabin hallways are separated quite a bit from the central part of the ship where the Adventure Ocean is, plus the kids rooms are very far forward in the ship from the main entrance (one has a full glass windowed view out to the bow of the ship). It won't be a factor.
The bigger issue with deck 14 cabins in noise from above. Some other guests, including those with other deck 14 cabins in our party that were located midships, complained about noise from the pool deck above but we had none toward the front. If you're under the Solarium, I doubt you'll have any noise.
We were very happy with our location, so you can compare it to where you've reserved.
Danube water levels 2023 and similar topics - plus tips and info
in River Cruising
Posted
The best explanation I’ve received so far is that there is a waterfront concert series in Passau from the 11th to the 19th, and the floating stage takes away some space normally allotted to cruise ships.