linstadt

16 minutes ago, cruisingnewtoit said:

I was looking for that excursion but never saw it. When are you going? I don't think it was ever offered for us because we are going Mid June.

 

We emissedit on our HAL cruise because it was booked up.

It probably wasn't since salmon season is usually July-August. Wow, looking for these pictures, it was Sept 2, 2010 when I was last there. I was on a HAL ship that time. You can see from the pictures that mesh is only for keeping the salmon in area, not keep bears in or out. The viewing platform is right next to water. Fabulous trip, well worth the money. These were taken when I got my first Nikon D5000 and I was learning how to use the camera, most likely auto! Lens 70-300, some taken at 300mm

17 hours ago, plagmah said:

 

We saw a lot of bears in dandelion fields in Skagway. Amazing. 

How close where you???? WOW. What where you in, a vehicle?

18 hours ago, cruisingnewtoit said:

How are you getting to Needs Bay?

I'm on a shore excursion from ship, via floatplane. It's not on the list of excursions any more (at least a few days ago) but they also have one by boat. I don't believe you get out of the boat on this one. The floatplane one, which I hope is the same one I did before, we get out of plane and walk the paths to the stream where the salmon are running. There is a platform just a tad above the stream, you are there with the bears. Walking back to the plane, you see trees where the sap is running from the bears scratching the bark, their sleeping areas, old boat, I loved it!!! Just hope it hasn't changed from what I remember.

The new renovations are gorgeous. My cousin and I have a handicap accessible on deck 7. Thanks for the info on the lenses. I'm bringing my nikon 7100 and 2 lenses, 16-300 (wide angle and misc) and just got 100-400. Hoping for some bear pics! Going to Neets Bay.

Great review, concise, great tips and pics. You all look like a fun family from your pics and review. I’m going on cruise tour 8 B July 20 and SB Cruise July 26 on Millie. First time on her, 3rd cruise to Alaska. Thanks again!

1 hour ago, dleone74 said:

 

Hi linstadt - How did you upgrade to the Tundra Wilderness tour?  I'm on a similar trip in June.  I've called Celebrity twice and both times they told me that I can't upgrade ahead of time (have to wait until we're there).  I'd love to know how you managed it!

 

 

Hi dleone74, when I booked this land tour 8B and cruise, I told my travel agent that I wanted to go by train, wanted this tour, etc. It was a choice when I originally booked, I guess it was an upgrade for the 8B. I've heard that on the 1st night of land tour, the tour leader goes over the optional tours available, we have morning and afternoons free on certain days. When you get back from your trip, could you let me know what the optional tours are? I usually like to research in advance. I'll give you my email if you want to let me know. 

I's sure you'll be able to upgrade!

linstadt

1025 Cruise - I haven't been able to find a roll call for this date. Good idea.

Chezmarylou - we did upgrade to include the  Tundra Wilderness tour and we are taking the train. Land tour is before cruise. 

I'm not sure what you mean about packing so what you don't need on the land tour will go to ship? Is this for the last night? The beginning of the tour? I'm a tad confused. I'm also wondering about some of the tours, how large of a group is on the land tour (probably more about Denali than the other stops). Do you know anything about the optional tours, so I can do some investigation prior?

Thank you both for the suggestions.

Anyone signed up for this followed by cruise July 26 2019? I’ve never been on a land tour prior to cruise, what to expect?

linstadt

Our fly schedule showed same, arriving and departing from terminals 1. When I looked at diagram of terminal 1, I quickly realized how large it was, and I also realized that it was on many levels. Yea you can request a cart, however as one person stated they had to wait at one point for the cart to arrive. In addition they had to transfer to several carts. When I looked at flights to Prague, if we missed connections, next fly was 4 hours later. I really don't want to miss the connection on our return from Budapest as it is Frankfurt to Orlando non stop. Saying all of this, hopefully it will be monies well spent.

 

 

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Hi all, I'm on the AMA Katrina, May 6-13, 2017. I'll be traveling solo for 2 weeks before boarding, then staying in Amsterdam for 5 nights afterwards. I've flown through Frankfurt and arranged a cart to get me to next flight. Trust me, stay on top of getting your cart. I have a walker so had to wait for someone to take me up the elevator just to get cart, I was toLD to sit and wait. There were 5 others waiting for a cart.

Like you, I had a short, 90 min, turn around. I hunted down someone in charge and said I HAD to get going. Be nice but assertive. She hunted down a cart and drove me herself. Yes, there are levels and you may have to change carts. When there wasn't a cart available, she ran down to gate to hold the plane, I was last on. Well worth $20 tip.

I don't know about paying for expedited cart, I avoid Frankfurt at all costs. Just have everything ready to go, in hand, be nice but don't let them tell you to sit and wait. Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

I was on the Danube, Avalon cruise from Budapest to Neurenberg/Prague and had a walker. My walker is a trionic veloped from Sweden and is wonderful for cobblestones, etc. When we had to dock next to a viking ship, we had to go upstairs to get to our ship, a crew member was waiting for me to carry my walker up and over for me. Many times they were waiting for me to return to assist me. I just had to keep the walker in my cabin which made it tight.

The only problem I had was with a tour guide in Prague. She was so nasty to me because I had a walker. Since we had headphones for the audio tours, I could hear everything she said and another fellow passenger said - that I was holding up everyone. Excuse me but there were at least 6-9 people always behind me yet I was to blame. She took every staircase there was to go someplace and never showed me a way around. At the end, not only I and my cousin complained to our cruise director (he asked us to write a letter) but 6 other passengers complained about this woman. Luckily I was changed to another tour guide the next day. I've never been treated that way and was in tears. Europe is not handicapped accessible, some won't or will refuse to help you and others just about fall over themselves to help you.

I'm sure you'll find out that the crew on the river ship will be most helpful. But make sure there is an elevator (only fits 1 person with a walker) that goes to your cabin level. A scooter shouldn't stop him from taking a river cruise!!

Linda

I'm in a similar situation as the OP. While my husband enjoyed the RC we just did last month (Amsterdam to Basel)' date=' his interest in future cruises isn't as great as mine and as such, I've been considering a solo cruise sometime in 2017. For those that have cruised solo before, is there a way to identify other solo cruisers when you get on board to help ease into getting to know people?

 

Or, I'm curious, are there any other solo cruisers that might want to coordinate a trip. I have no interest in sharing a room with anyone as I like to have my space and so finding a cruise that waives single supplement would be ideal, but the knowledge there's another solo traveler or two onboard might be reassuring when facing a dining room full of couples! I'm 54 and I love to not only drink good wine, but am into learning about wine and love visiting vineyards and talking about the wine making process from start to finish. I enjoy good food though admit to having the palette of 10 year old in that I'm not too terribly adventurous with foods. If anyone might be interested in something like this, give me a shout and maybe we can put something together.[/quote']

 

Hi, After my first river cruise with my cousin, we both decided that sharing a cabin on a RC is tight! I travel with a walker because of my back, the walker allows me to walk much faster, it's the taking photographs that slow me down!

 

I'm on the May 6, 2017 AMA Kristina, Basel to Amsterdam, traveling solo. My husband isn't a traveler and my cousin isn't interested in river cruises, she prefers ocean cruising, more to do. I booked this when they waived the single supplement but because the rooms were below the water line, the elevator didn't go down to that level, so I'm in a cabin on the level up. They wouldn't waive the supplement, even though it was their fault of not providing accessible access to the 3rd level. I know this cruise is sold out on the single cabins.

 

My plan for this trip is: flying from MD to Paris on 4/21 for a 6 day stay in a timeshare I traded; then train to London for 5 nights (I think); train to Lucerne or Zurich (I'm doing the 4 night pre-cruise). After the cruise, I'm staying 5 nights in Amsterdam. I found that some of the hotels I was interested in were already sold out since it's tulip season. I've gotten my phane ticket. Now I have to find a hotel in London.

 

I love planning trips. I turned 65 this past March. This past spring, I signed up for a landscape photography tour of Western Ireland. I flew over a week early to stay in Dublin, then train to Ennis, then after the workshop a train to Cork for a week and back to Dublin and home. I did great managing my suitcase, carry on, camera and laptop backpack and walker. So I figured I'm ready for my next big solo trip.

 

I found on my first river cruise that people would come up to you if you're sitting alone. It was nice except when I was actually taking a break from my cousin and enjoying some quiet reading time LOL! Oh, the beds on the Avalon were terrific, I expect the same from AMA. You may want to alert AMA that you have a back issue, they may be able to add support or cushioning on the bed for you.

 

I love the idea of planning together, sharing ideas. I'm interested if anyone else is. Just let me know.

 

Linda

We're booked on the Amakristina. The Rhine Basel to Amsterdam departing Basel on May 6th. First River cruise!!!

Hi Jane, I'm also booked on this cruise! I booked the pre-cruise hotels in Lucerne and Zurich and I've booked Hotel Brouwer on the Singel canal in Amsterdam. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that spring is late in 2017 so I don't miss the masses of tulips.

I've already been working on this trip. It has turned into a much bigger trip than I originally planned. I figured this could possibly by my last Europe trip/cruise so going for the gold. I'm arriving in Paris 4/21/17, staying in a timeshare exchange, then heading to London for 5 days, then train to our pre-cruise hotel in Switzerland. I'm staying in Amsterdam till 5/18 when I head back to MD. Just shy of a month of traveling solo. I contacted AMA about their fly program and although they don't have that out yet, they did give me a pretty good hint how much r/t would cost. I ended up getting a great deal, $200 cheaper than the price on the airlines website; I had to call the airline for a question and they quoted this lower price. Who knew that calling them would be cheaper than their internet price! I must've hit the right time, right day.

I did great on my Ireland 3 week trip. I actually enjoyed being able to spontaneously change plans, go on a tour, walk around the city, etc. I met tons of friendly people.

Where are you coming from? This is my 2nd river cruise. Just got off a 9 day cruise of New England and Canada with my husband. It was great.

If you have any questions, just ask.

Linda

Lois, I really enjoyed reading your review. You were very thorough and I added the Amsterdam hotel to my list to consider. I went on my first river cruise 2 years ago on Avalon, Budapest to Prague. Just wonderful

I'm traveling solo on the 2017 river cruise. I need to use a walker for tours because of my back, but I don't need it for just normal stuff. I tried to get one of those single supplement cabins on the bottom deck, but the elevator doesn't go down to that level and I don't want to carry the walker up and downstairs everyday, so I had to book on the level up. It's a shame these ships don't allow people to store their walkers, but just no room.

I'm looking forward to visiting Switzerland again. I'll be looking at this forum to see other reviews from travelers. I always pick up great information. I'm hoping the tulips will still be blooming when we arrive in Amsterdam, I start the trip May 2 in Zurich.

Thanks for taking the time to write your review. Enjoy your next cruise!

We're looking forward to being able to drive to our cruise port but looking at parking, looks like its $18-20/day. 12 day cruise... It may be cheaper to stay at a hotel with park and stay offer. Anyone have any experiences with either option?

Thanks.

We're booked for the May 2017, Enchanting Rhine trip, on the AmaKristina, from Amsterdam. It will have been about six years since our first European river cruise. Looking forward to this trip and maybe some post-cruise hiking in the Swiss Alps.

 

Bob

I'm checking one off of my bucket list, Amsterdam during Tulip Season! This is my 2nd river cruise (1st Avalon Budapest to Prague), first with AMA. I decided to go towards Amsterdam instead of from Amsterdam because of weather. The captain on my 1st river cruise mentioned that sometimes its best to go East to West, then you go through weather fronts, instead of following the weather from West to East. I'll see if it works this time too.

Going solo on this trip, my cousin decided after the 1st, river cruising wasn't for her. My hubby isn't much of a traveler, although he is going with me on the Allure 2016.

Right now, planning to stay post cruise in Amsterdam a few days, so much to see and do and I'm looking forward to photographing the city and tulips. I may head down to Paris for a few days then head home, but I have plenty of time to decide. I'll wait to see I do on my solo portions of my Ireland trip (solo before and after a week of a photography workshop in Western Ireland).

Happy this thread started.

Linda

Sorry all, we stayed at the hotel Hilton, Pobrezni 1. Not the old town. That was the one that we were going to stay at.

On our bus trip from the ship to Prague, we make a rest stop at a gas station that has a store. That's your last chance to get rid of all your euro coins. We were advised to buy our lunch there also, because once we got to Prague we didn't have much time before our 2 pm walking tour.

Regarding checking in, we checked in at the front desk, so they took a credit card imprint so you could charge a meal if you wanted. The others checked in at the Avalon hospitality desk, no credit card was taken. We did get our key faster than waiting for Avalon. The restaurant in the hilton is very expensive, we had soup the first day and because we weren't feeling well, dinner our last night.

Be sure to get rid of your Hungarian coins before you leave Budapest. We had an early, 6:30, dinner at cafe Kor, excellent. Hotel made our reservation and you need it. The daily specials very inexpensive. Had lunch at Imperial cafe in Prague, worth it but go for lunch, cheaper.

Hope this helps, Linda

Just returned from my 1st river cruise, Danube river. My travel agent of 12 years recommended them and I was extremely pleased. They picked us up at the airport, used their pre and post hotels, all gratuities were included, breakfast each day at the hotels as well as guided tours and optional tours. Only thing I had to plan was what optional tours did I want!

Budapest hotel is Intercontinental outstanding and great location. Prague hotel is Hilton old town. Not a bad location but the main thing I didn't like was the smoking in the lobby and free internet only in the lobby. Mgmt wrote me that they have smoking and non smoking sections but sure didn't see evidence of that. About a 20-30 minute walk to old town center. Note that Viking also uses this hotel so it was crowded.

Nice rooms on the Vista, I had room 203 and had a walker. Suitcases fit easily under the beds. Food was very good, the fish was usually pike perch. Lots of beef, veal, pork typical Bavarian food, local breads also. I remained mostly on my diet, lost 4 lbs while away but didn't feel deprived. Happy hour every day, $2 wines but why pay when you could have as much beer or wine as you wanted during dinner (sodas too). I enjoyed the local wine selections.

Excellent tour guides, all local. Our cruise director, Hans, was outstanding. Enjoyed the on board entertainment. Thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and folklore show in Prague, I usually think these are hokey, but this was outstanding. In Budapest took the optional tour to Lazar horse farm, outstanding even if you don't like horses. Everyone loved it.

The only con I can say is if you want some "down" time, to read or whatever, it's hard to find unless you go to the back lounge (24 hr coffee, tea, desserts) or go up to the sky deck. You'll find people will join you if you are sitting alone. It's hard to remember everyone's name, but they can't remember yours either.

Our weather was like home, Maryland, 50s, 80s and 60s with only one day of rain. We enjoyed watching the boat go through the locks, 27 of them. The captain even sat with us as we went through one of the last ones (went down 87').

If you haven't planned yet, go from Budapest to Nuremberg or Amsterdam. Mainly because you won't follow the weather if it's bad, you'll pass through it. Also, plan at least 2-3 additional days in Budapest, we arrived Monday morning and boarded ship on Wednesday afternoon, not enough time. And pack 2pairs of good walking shoes, one waterproof. I walked more than 35 miles on this trip.

Have fun

I have been on Perurail.com trying to at least get prices for tickets for March 2014 and every date I put in is unavailable, even dates in 2013. Does anyone know the problem or if all the tickets are already sold out? We intend to go to MP before our cruise on March 15, 2014 so I would like to get my train tickets before making any other plans. Thanks for any insight! Sue

Hi, I was just checking out the South America board, my cousin was in the Peace Corps in the 60s in Peru and would like to go back, do a cruise and see MP. What cruise are you on, where are you embarking, etc?

Also, for those that have been to MP, I have to use a walker for my back. I've taken my walker to Europe, Pompeii, just did the Baltic cruise last week (walked over 50 miles on cobblestones with walker), etc. I've finally have gotten smart and ordered a "Sport"walker that can go over curbs, rocks, etc so it'll be much easier to hike, etc. Is it doable?? It looks like from photos, I know I'll have the altitude, breathing problem, but just want to know about the walker?

If you go, it may be 2014 Jan-March. Which would be a better month to go?

Thanks for the info.

Linda

Hi Danish Viking, as everyone else has said, you're wonderful. I was in Copenhagen last year for several days before Emerald Princess cruise. I stayed at the Hotel Maritime, great location but the staff was rude. I'm now returning to complete the cruise (my mother-in-law died the day after I boarded the ship, so only saw Copenhagen and Oslo) but traveling alone this time. I'm having problems deciding if I want to stay in the Nyhvn area again (Best Western maybe) OR the Tivoli/HOHO stop area (thinking of Clarion Mayfair). I will have a walker because of bad back so steps up to the hotel entrance make it a tad difficult. I'll be arriving early morning on June 2 and cruise June 3.

What would you suggest? Also, since I have to take taxi from airport and then hotel to cruiseport, can you give me an estimate of cost? There were 2-3 of us and we split, and having a senior/blonde moment here, can't remember. Since we are also going to Aarhus, I figure about 800DKK should make it.

Thanks for your help!! I need a decision maker here :)

Linda