Kevdog71

1 hour ago, rcaruso said:

We were docked in Racklau too.  Viking did run a shuttle to Passau, this was due to low water in July. Also they use Lindau too, both out of town. Could be too many ships docked in old town.  If high water an issue they will move the ship to Lindau or Old town.  Usually they board at old town and then disembark at Lindau or so.

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.