Gopherpharm

My TA sold me on not Viking because of the passenger count…there’s a big difference between 190 and 152 when it comes to public space. 

@beesKate you’re right! And yes, we have pre and post cruise plans so I gotta fit 2 weeks of stuff in that suitcase!

@beesKate I’m a chronic overpacker but will be limited to my rolling suitcase plus a carry on. I have to remind myself that I can do laundry onboard (although I’m not sure I’ll have the time and/or desire to do that). 
 

loving the ongoing duvet debate. 

9 hours ago, Second seating said:

Make sure they are waterproof!

I have a different pair of shoes if it’s rainy…and a great long raincoat and umbrella!

3 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

One thing that surprised me was the cobblestone streets on most of the walking tours.  Make sure you bring shoes with sturdy soles!

My husband and I both decided to get new walking shoes and break them in before this trip. Ours were getting worn for sure. While I know European style tends to be a little less sporty, I gotta have my sneakers for all that walking!

@travelingman all good points!

@Canal archive we are expecting to be pretty tired…the schedule is busy!

7 minutes ago, Ritabob said:

Well you are ticking off the boxes, so how do you feel about  an early breakfast and starting a tour by 9?

Considering our kiddos wake up at 7 and they won’t be joining us, positive! It’s easier to be a morning person when you only have to get yourself dressed and ready!

23 hours ago, Ritabob said:

Don't expect glitzie entertainment in the evening.  

 

Our preferred evening is cocktails, dinner, and reading or two player card games…so I think we may love river cruising!

4 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

And unless you have a full screen, beware of insects at night!

Low temps around 30 F for us at night so we definitely won’t be sleeping with the window open! 

1 hour ago, Second seating said:

The bedding on Uniworld is the BEST, I do have them remove the duvet.

 

Second seating

I love the weight of a duvet but it’s usually too warm for sleeping for me. 

1 hour ago, slidergirl said:

I have not seen Farcus' name in awhile...

 

I have had many great times on Carnival but I will admit the designs can be garish. Everything has a season, and my time for a historical period drama-inspired ship is here!

6 hours ago, Wings55 said:

 

After being used to ocean cruises we were surprised at how easy it was to meet fellow passengers and develop some good friendships.

As @Ritabobmentioned the decor on can be a little overwhelming on a Uniworld ship but the the service and the food is outstanding. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as we did. Have fun!
Paul

My eyes have been accosted by Farcus’ designs many times, so I think I’m prepared for the “ornateness” on Uniworld. I know we will have a great time. 

2 hours ago, travlr21 said:

We have been on Viking  and on Uniworld. We enjoyed them all, they are quite different from ocean cruising. I don't know if I missed it in the documentation for either cruise line, but they offered an excursion in the afternoon of embarkation day. For Viking it was a guided walking tour in Amsterdam, and for Uniworld they gave us tickets for a cruise on the Seine in Paris. 

That’s a great tip, we will listen and see if something is offered in our last day. 

1 hour ago, Roz said:

I really can't say I was surprised by anything due to the excellent information and advice available here on CC.  Having taken a land tour of 4 European countries, I was amazed at how easy traveling was by river boat.  No living out of a suitcase and having to get on a bus every morning with a suitcase and schlepping off the bus every evening.  No long days getting from place to place.

 

I agree with @Canal archive; wish I had discovered river cruising earlier.

That is the very reason I love cruising to begin with - so easy to see lots of places without packing and repacking a bunch of times! I’m about 10 years into this “hobby” (or spending habit, more like) and am finally venturing to non-ocean waterways!

1 hour ago, Canal archive said:

That’s easy I just wish I’d discovered it sooner! Gopher will you make a chart of your answers now that would be interesting!

I can do that!

Hello all! I’m departing on my first river cruise, a Uniworld Rhine cruise, in just a few weeks.

My family has been pretty isolated for two years now, and the stress of working in healthcare means I would be happy with a rowboat (assuming someone else is doing the rowing!). 
 

I’ve been on a handful of ocean cruises and I know this will be different: magnitudes smaller in terms of ship size and passenger load. I know ports could change or be skipped, or land transport used, if there’s a problem with water levels or something else. I also know this is the first cruise I’ve been on that includes tips (even for your guides!). 
 

Help me have an amazing first river cruise experience! What is something you wish you had known about river cruising?

You are welcome!

I was able to get a green pass by uploading my Swiss covid certificate. 

Sounds like they are making the best of things! I also will not be going to St. Petersburg anytime soon. Stinks because it’s a bucket list item for me. 

Yes, it is my understanding that your vaccine card is valid. It must be the original and not a copy. 

I found it here, under the “view pre trip screening” link: https://www.avalonwaterways.com/avalon-assurance/

I realize this is an older thread but we are doing this same ship and itinerary next month. Will be interested to see what has changed or remained the same from last year. 

We will be sailing Uniworld next month for the first time. It is my understanding that you do not need a negative test prior to embarkation (although we will have one anyway, in order to enter the Netherlands). 
 

As far as homegoing I cannot help. We are staying a few days after the cruise in Switzerland and are bringing “proctored” tests from home in order to re-enter the US. 

Sailing on Uniworld but we have Marksburg castle included I believe, it’s scheduled for when we dock in Koblenz AM/Boppard PM.  Maybe they take us by land from Marksburg to Boppard since we’ll already be halfway there!

On 3/2/2022 at 3:26 PM, notamermaid said:

A good question, not naive. You can get around with little cash these days, but you will need a bit of money. Small food places - like a bakery - sometimes do not have the facilities for you to pay with a card. Also a few souvenir shops may not have it. Loose change for public toilets. Stalls on food markets, etc. Please also note that you may be able to use a debit card in places, but the machine they use may not accept a credit card. This can occasionally happen. In the last two years things have shifted more towards card payments but cash is still needed.

 

ATM and what amount before departure or in the country is a question you may want to put in a separate thread, it is quite an interesting one, depending on where you live and where you travel to. Your fellow countrymen will have some good tips on this. I remember a good thread from quite some time ago, not sure that I would be able to dig this out.

 

notamermaid

 

Thank you this is helpful! I always forget about coins for public toilets. I might even have some euros in the dusty “travel” box. I will have both a debit and a credit card (with chip and PIN) along with some cash when we depart Amsterdam. We aren’t big souvenir shoppers but I love to get a taste of local food and drink!