seahags

Well, a bit more than four weeks away, although since we've broken the 100 day mark they seem to be speeding by! Next Sunday is our in person interview at the airport to finalize our Global Entry hoping to make re-entry to the U.S. quicker! It'll be my pleasure to share what comes next in planning! This is really a Bucket List trip for Carol and I! Will post again soon, Bob! Eileen:cool::cool:

Eileen

 

Sounds wonderful already! Four weeks away...can't imagine that for me - yet! Please keep us posted during planning and your trip.

 

Bob

Well, we're all four REALLY excited about this trip! We'll be away for nearly four weeks, spending time in Munich, Prague, Frankfurt and Nuremberg before boarding the S.S. Beatrice. We've been busy researching what we'll do in the cities before we board, Christmas Markets in each are definitely on tap! We're doing "The Nutcracker" in Prague, as well as a Czech Christmas Concert...tix already in hand! Munich will be a full day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. Still working on more...stay tuned!

eileen

Our reason for doing this cruise is to see the Christmas markets. A long held wish of mine.

Are they all similar? Once you see a few, does it get repetitive? Should we plan other excursions for some of the ports? How large are they?

Thanks for any advice!

Although we're on Uniworld and not Viking, we've done extensive research into the Christmas Markets. This is truly a bucket list trip for us! We leave the U.S. on 12/12 and will visit Munich, Prague and Frankfurt before going on to Nuremberg the day before our ship leaves. Each of the cities' markets have their own flavors. There are specialties in food, beverage and collectibles in each one. We're doing a list of the food/bev highlights for each city, hoping to graze our way through! By the time we return to the States on 1/3, I'm sure we will have tried dozens of sausages, beers, wines, pretzels and the like, and will have lots of collectibles as well as fantastic memories of the whole trip!! Really exciting stuff!!:halo::halo:

Four of us are booked on SS Beatrice for this cruise (Uniworld) 12/22) this year...less than 200 days, now as we booked last December! We are incredibly excited, and will arrive in Munich December 13 to do Munich, Prague and Frankfurt pre-cruise. We shopped the late winter sales and, as another cruiser has said, got great deals on 32Degrees layers, as well as packable down jackets rated to 4F. We can't think of a more romantic, seasonable, joyful time of year to do the Christmas Markets and enjoy the ambience! (I grew up in Southern California and am not a great fan of the cold, LOL, but simply can't wait for this trip). Hope to see ya soon!!!

I would love to hear from River cruisers about their experience cruising Nuremberg to Budapest at Christmas time. Seriously thinking about this cruise..How cold is it..will we still enjoy it?

Interested in all your thoughts..

Thanks Dave

I'm often amazed at some of the things I read on the boards! Having been fortunate enouwe will sgh to consider ourselves cruise veterans and having experienced so many different ands, it's all to enjoy! Our cruise companions are also from Delaware and it admittedly took him some time to come to grips with a 'cold' vacation in the middle of winter here. It's all good...Germany and Austria are incredibly beautiful in the winter...it's a whole new experience and we will be packing to layer. Whatever itinerary you choose, ENJOY the planning and the adventure:p:p

Seahags

 

Great planning! When you read these boards and read people complaining about missing the markets - I always say to myself - didn't they do any research? Anyway, completely understand about your excitement. We took our first river cruise over this past holiday season and it far exceeded our expectations. As long as you sail with the right attitude (it is December so it will be cold and the weather will be unpredictable) and expectations of the ship itself (size, on board entertainment, etc) you will have a wonderful trip. AMA was a pleasure and I am looking at Uniworld for our next cruise.

:')

Thanks, Robertmartha! We knew that most end about the 23rd, hence planning our arrival about the 19-20. We board the 22nd in Nuremburg, so that will give us a couple of days to wander. Even though we are so far out I'm finding it hard to contain myself, LOL. I'm waiting impatiently for air to be available!

eileen

Seahags

 

Just an FYI on the Christmas markets - most close on 12/23 with a few open on 12/24 until 2pm in Germany and Austria. We sailed AMA (boarded Christmas Day- spent the 23rd and 24th in Munich). We knew going in that most if not all the cities we visited during for week would not have open markets. Munich's markets were in full swing on the 23rd and even on the 24th ... up until 2pm ;). Remember Christmas Eve is the Holiday in those countries. Interested in this thread - would love to sail over the 2018 holidays on Uniworld - have my eye on France.

Thank you SO much for your insight and suggestions. There's nothing quite like the voice of experience! It's really exciting to plan, even though it's 11 months away. We are travelling with another couple and have been tossing around whether to stay a couple of days in Munich pre-cruise, or in Nuremburg. We've heard wonderful things about both cities. For many years I've wanted to do the Christmas markets! We will be in Regensburg for Christmas Eve...I was in that cathedral maybe 35 years ago and can still remember its glory. We are looking forward to Christmas Eve there! Again, thank you for your reply...I'll look forward to hearing more as we go on!

:cool::cool:

Jklc and Seahags,

How wonderful you will be travelling with Uniworld over Christmas and New Years. Two different itineraries, but some similarities. We were on the 'Grand' trip the end of 2011. It was so magical we opted to do it again the end of 2013. Both times we made arrangements to fly into Nuremberg a couple of days early. Stayed right inside the gates of old town. Spent lots of time at the Christmas markets and exploring and getting rid of jet lag. Christmas Eve the highlight was going to mass at the large cathedral. Our CD, Bart, made sure we got there by 9pm for the 10pm service so we would get a seat. If you go, wear your warmest clothes and bring one of the ship's blankets from the blanket boxes on the top deck. I kid you not, it is cold in there. The srevice is in German, but the best part is hearing the boys' choir. They are as good as the better known Vienna boys' choir.

New year's eve is in a palace, not a castle. When l picture a castle Disney World comes to mind, and in Vienna the location is a big building on a street with many other impressive buildings. The shuttle bus will not be able to drop you off at the door due to all the roads being blocked off for all the street parties. So wear your warm coat, hats, mitts and sturdy boots and bring your dancing slippers in a tote bag. Yes, dress was fancy with men in everything from tails to sport coats to sweater and jeans and hiking boots. Ladies in long gowns to cocktail dresses to dressy pants and glitzie tops.

There is room for 1 suitcase under each side of the bed and there are self serve laundry facilities, so it really isn't that difficult to pack light.

The visit with Princess Anita is rather laid back, and she is delightful.

 

Any questions? I'm glad to answer...

RB

LOL, good old autocorrect...gets me often! Thanks, Roz!

Are hard and fast rules.....

 

Don't you love autocorrect?

 

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Admittedly I am confused about the dress for the evening. I actually spoke with Uniworld and was told it IS formal, which lead me to post my question, especially given the available storage for formal wear (I've read that we are limited to one suitcase, one carry-on and one personal item by the ship. I think it's quite an adjustment from ocean cruising????? ALL comments are really welcome:cool::cool:. We looked at your itinerary, but NYE in Vienna was just too good to pass up, LOL. I'm anxious to see pix of the Beatrice when she emerges from such a significant drydock in April! Thanks again, look forward to talking through the year!

Eileen

Hello Seahags

 

We are booked on Uniworld's 2018 Christmas-New Years on the Maria Theresa and also are so looking forward to it. From what I've read on another thread, NYE may not be as formal as you might think. We will celebrate NYE at a dinner dance in Budapest. I will be interested in any comments you receive to your post.

 

By the way, our first river cruise was on the Beatrice several years ago and we were hooked! Of course, the ship has been recently refurbished but we loved her as she was.

Hi, all...absolutely loved reading through this thread! Thank you to each of you for comments. We are experienced ocean cruisers, but are SO looking forward to our first river cruise, Grand Christmas & New Years on the Beatrice. I know it's SO early, but as it's still cold weather ere in Delaware I'm attempting to put together anything new that we might want for Europe in December! Since this is really a 'bucket list' trip for me, with the Christmas Markets and New Years Eve in Vienna, I'm most curious about the dinner and dancing in a castle for NYE. I know that it is formal, and will be sure Jim's tux is cleaned and pressed well ahead. I'm looking at clothing for myself, and am wondering how we get from ship-venue in the cold! Can anyone help?

Again, hello to all...look forward to talking over the next few months!:cool::cool:

eileen

...see ya onboard!:cool::ship::cocktail:

Does anybody know if the Celebrity Summit sells Ferry tickets? Thanks. cAN'T wait. leaving for Bermuda Sunday....hope no hurricanes.

...just remember that she's running slowly because of the propulsion problem and her track from Freeport may be a couple to a few hours shorter. Speed could be increased without a full load and with full power, too! Hoping it all works out for you!

I am a member of vesseltracker dot com and it says that the Summit is on her way to Freeport in the Bahamas and is due to arrive 4-10-2017 at 2:30 pm. This means it is about a 48 hour run. Obviously I am keeping a eye on when she leaves Freeport. If it is not by the late 15th or early16th we may be out of luck :(

:):)

I believe it was just last week (maybe the week before that), and it was propulsion problems. The ship's speed is greatly reduced because of the issue and they will replace one pod that is now inoperable (per letter from CCL explaining the cancellations).

Been awhile since this happened, years ago it seems like one of the M class ships was out of service every month. Curious if it's the same problem.

Karen, Thanks for the rant...I'm right there with ya! Couldn't have said it any better!:D:D

eileen

I agree with you.

I know I'm a dinosaur but I find it so disturbing to be in a restaurant and see whole tables of people looking down at their phones and not communicating with each other at all and am afraid that's what's coming for cruises.

Also not ready to have to listen to other's phone conversations while I'm layng on my deck chair (or on my balcony) trying to relax.

 

Sorry for the rant! :o

Great Summation!! Can't wait to try it out...down to single digits now:D:D:D:D

I'm getting the picture that for best results in Luminae we should think of it as our favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant. There's a menu, but the chef is happy to make anything you ask for if the ingredients are to hand. And the same seems to apply to the Luminae sommelier -- no need to worry about the wine menu, because the range of wines by the glass can be expanded to include anything onboard that will improve your experience (and by billing it by the glass, you get credit for the premium package per-drink allowance not just the % bottle discount). If that's how it works, I can't ask for better than that.

I'll let ya know real soon:p:p:D:D

On out upcoming cruise we have a Royal Suite and understand that Luminae is available to us. Our daughter and her husband are also traveling with us, we booked a balcony cabin for them. What is the charge for them to dine with us in Luminae for dinner? How about for lunch or breakfast? Can we get a package deal for them?

 

Sorry if these questions have been asked before, did not see an answer in my search. ;)

 

Thanks so much,

yes

I did last year leaving Istanbul on Equinox to Barcelona, booked same cruise this sept haven't booked airfare yet. If I pick choice air from celebrity will they adjust flight if they decide to change starting port from Istanbul ?

 

 

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AFT, AFT, AFT...love looking at the wake...walking works off calories:p:D

We're counting down the days now...can hardly wait! The MDR menus look fabulous, but Luminae is beyond special!! Thank you!!:D:D:D:D

This story warms the cockles of my heart!!! Hurray

The Silhouette Solarium butlers were excellent, a few months ago, at picking up 'forgotten' items and keeping the chair hogs out of there. They were on a mission and I enjoyed the solarium very much.

 

The theater was another story. My husband and I arrived a half hour before the show every evening to get good seats. There were passengers reserving entire rows for their friends, who would arrive much later, sometimes after the show started. We witnessed several kerfuffles between passengers arguing over rows. It was obnoxious.

 

So here is my funny chair hog story. On the last night of the cruise, husband and I spotted some prime seats at the mid balcony rail, no obstructions and a ledge for our drinks. We noted there was a man standing at one end of the row, refusing to allow anyone to enter. So we slid into the other end of the row. Two women that had been rebuffed at Rude Man's end of the row asked if we were saving seats, we said ' of course not, please join us.' The dopey seat saver must have thought 'his row' was a dead end because he was surprised when he turned around to see us four strangers sitting in 'his row.'

 

He told us we should move because the seats are saved.

One of the woman asked, 'For who?'

Rude Man replied 'I'm saving them for my wife.'

Woman asked, 'How many seats does she need?'

Rude Man replied, 'All of them, for her friends.'

I told him 'That's not possible, seat saving isn't allowed.' The women agreed. My husband told him 'We're not moving.' End of discussion.

When Rude Man's wife finally showed up, she was very annoyed with him for messing up. She pouted throughout the show because some of her friends had to find other seats. It was strangely satisfying to stand our ground.

Where's my "LIKE" button! Good going, made me laugh out l:p:poud!!

I was told last week on the Equinox that I "was sitting in someone's chair!" I am a pretty big guy, so I immediately jumped up and apologized to the person that i had bee sitting on for the last hour and a half, and said that I hoped that they were not injured in any way! I must have damaged their vocal cords as there was no answer!:eek:

I've done courtesy hold numerous times. It works well.

 

My issue is with the waitlist. I don't think it works like it should, or doesn't work at all. For example, if I'm waitlisted for a certain stateroom, and the person in that stateroom cancels, it shouldn't go into the general inventory. It should go to the person who is on the waitlist. By the time Celebrity gets around to check their waitlist cabins several hours later, if that's their process, the cabin could be taken by someone else. I think the cabin on the waitlist should be tagged in some IT fashion so it doesn't go into general inventory and Celebrity should notify the person on the waitlist that it's now available.

 

Their system for checking manually at the end of the day sucks to put it mildly. If they are having a hard time with their website, they certainly won't be able to fix this process. :rolleyes:

I don't know whether or not they check manually at the end of the day, or if it is automated, but either way it's inefficient!!!

It is my understanding (direct from RCCL/Celebrity) that the wait list program is run once per day, late evening. Therefore, any cabin that has been released to inventory and requested on waitlist won't get assigned until that night:(:(, leaving several hours for someone else to grab the cabin. I know that when I am looking for a specific cabin I'm continually checking on availability ...websites that show the inventory. Several times I've found what I wanted without waiting for their program to run availability!

Very exciting...on our bucket list for sure!!!:cool::D:D

AWESOME!! Definitely on our bucket list!:cool::D:D:D