Canal archive

Alan this was our second cruise with Scenic and it was in April no water level challenges but Amsterdam was bitterly cold some of their canals were only just off freezing but by the time we approached Basel it was balmy weather so layers of clothing then you can get unpeeled. There are several outstanding points that I remember, if your interested in engineering the Delta works are not to be missed and the Moselle is beautiful. Looking at the itinerary it is somewhat different, I could do the trip again but then Scenic keeps changing things. Enjoy I’m sure you will, say hello to Calgary for me have flown out from there once.

Wow what a restoration project, thank you Notamermaid fascinating!

We traveled with Scenic (we’ve only ever cruised with Scenic) last year for their 11day Paris to, Honfluer return. There are only five companies that actually moor in Honfluer. Bikes are available just ask at reception, entertainment is varied one afternoon the tour leader of the previous day did the most amazing presentation about WW1. Plenty of time to tour various ports especially Rouen. If gardens are your thing Giverney is a must or you could join a painting class. It’s a special cruise. We’ve cruised with Scenic since 2011their staff have been unfailingly excellent the food especial and because they change around the excursions we’ve repeated two and a half of the cruises - the half was our first cruise which we did again but twice the length.

Thank you CNDPolar, for pointing out the seeming inadequacies of the European efforts to support or aid those of us who are mobility challenged. I am trying to imagine the turmoil of the challenge to remove and change every cobblestone in Europe, every millennia old steps removed and every castle tower made to instal a lift. No, the vast majority of us that are movement challenged recognise that this is impossible and work out how to cope with it or work around it. It’s not possible to see everything we know this and are very grateful for any assistance and that’s how I for one approached River Cruising, I’ve run the full gambit from fully mobile to not so I completely understand the situation. I’ve also travelled extensively in North America and it’s not all you would hope it to be. Just travel with an open mind and enjoy.

Oh enjoy and please report back as there’s not a lot on these boards about the Elbe and just a plea please mix and mingle, the Belgiums can be a bit off the wall and real fun. Have a great cruise.

As you have no answers I will try. I’ve only been to Mont St Micheal on a road holiday in France fascinating, interesting and worth the trip as it was a compliment to a trip only a few weeks earlier to St Michael's Mount a few weeks earlier, luckily I could do the comparison. An eleven hour, hopefully round coach trip is really for you to decide, I wouldn’t but obviously some do. I have heard that occasionally and I do mean occasionally your final destination would not be achievable for various reasons, that of course could happen anywhere. Rouen, well what a city and area, you think France is historic well this city alone could knock your socks off. Joan de Arc, the Museum of fine Arts, the Medieval parts the sheer history and it’s not that far from the WW1 battlefields of the Somme. I’ve cruised the Seine twice and driven the area many times whatever you choose you’ll enjoy, it’s trying to fit it all in that’s the challenge and personally I think that eleven hours could be spent absorbing the closer area of France (and that’s from an English woman).

Wheels within wheels!

Not to sure if Crystal Mozart is still under that name.

What a mixture ARosa, Viking and Crystal Mozart to name but a few. Note one who’s name has not changed yet.

Absolutely I started in the industry before the first manned flight (that’s giving my age away somewhat) At the start of computers being involved and yes before then it was almost the era of the abacus. Now you can understand why a technical illustrator was heavily involved, as I said exiting times.

Would a sneaky side trip by yourself to the Czech Republic on your cruise even you up?

I was told some years ago, (when still gainfully employed) by a, for want of a better expression, space flight scientist that the only time the calendar conundrum could be a challenge was on re-entry to earth’s atmosphere by a space flight vehicle. Something to do with the exactness required. I should imagine that this has been overcome by now as I was working on it in the very early days, exciting times.

Masks are useful in helping to protect frescos but to many bodies creates an atmospheric change and some frescos sad to say however beautiful were not created as expertly as they could have been. For all of the amazing artefacts across the world time is the big challenge, regardless of their age now the fight is to help stop them degrade further so that future generations can appreciate and learn from the expertise of our forefathers and mothers. So enjoy what you can see now it may not be there tomorrow!

Interesting Scenic in the past have been near Cologne in Leverkusen where there are quite a few Viking vessels moored at the moment.

This will be my last on this but you haven’t read all on CC about Scenic if you want to go to Portabellos more than once there are ways to do it. When I mentioned hierarchy I most probably used the wrong expression maybe perceived status is more appropriate especially where the upper and lower decks are concerned on Viking.

We’ve had the same just the once on Scenic and it seems to be a pet hate of the staff. I must admit to being up really early, only once before 6am once to try for that not to be missed picture of the confluence of the Moselle only for our Captain to apologise as he’d had the message to leave the Moselle due to rising water levels. Normally you cannot hear but it’s the repetitiveness that causes the problem.

If anyone is interested at all in self drive hire barges/boats in Europe read a book entitled ‘Narrow Dog to Carcassonne’. Okay it’s a Narrowboat and the dog is definitely narrow as it’s a whippet but at one point during their journey they actually venture out into the Med well actually a nip out and back. On our hire boat cruise on the Nivernais we met quite a few like minded Americans to a certain extent at first it was a bit of a surprise but on reflection actually not some of you North Americans are pretty used to small boat, boating aren’t you. There is a follow up book ‘Narrow Dog to Indian River’ enjoy.

pontac I I know you disliked your Scenic cruise and if you’d had the longer trip maybe you would have got to enjoy the one restaurant - two names for the same restaurant, in different countries. It has ten course tasting menus with paired wines. Yes it is for Diamond deck and Junior suite guests only on a ten or more day cruise. A menu like this is not for everyone but I’ve been lucky enough to indulge in it. All the other eating areas are open to all.

Notamermaid there have been some re-enactments of the wood transport from the Canal du Nivernais to the Seine and to Paris.

Ohhhhh didn’t realise there was a hierarchy on Viking or actually on any river cruise vessel. My best memory of anything like that was on Scenic when a quite large group were chatting one evening when it turned out one couple a lower deck Aquarium/Swan/Submarine cabin their first cruise so all of us never having seen one trooped down for a sneaky peak. Where we had a small party keeping their lovely Butler very busy. I still would not book one of these cabins but don’t mind either other decks. Noise from the upper sun deck is a possibility but also on the second deck from the top deck passengers cabins, swings and roundabouts.

I quite agree but I believe the USA has one of the lowest holders of passports per capita. I’m not knocking that but for instance getting my DH to wait until our Grandson could really enjoy Disney full on was quite a task. As Paris has nothing on Florida, and here we go how to start an inter states contra taunt, has nothing on California, I know Florida is bigger but there’s just something about California. Age is a thing that many consider when holidaying, for years I worked with youngsters through the Guide & Scout Association these kids are sponges. For a river cruise from young teens upwards unless it’s specifically aimed at younger but then that’s my humble opinion.

It’s seriously uncool to be seen enjoying yourself with your parents but then I had the most wonderful parents. My first trip to Europe I was just 14 (1962) a school trip, my mother had then only been to the Isle of Wight. I went the next year a bit further to Austria another school trip. The next year was the first big one myself my best friend(still) on our scooters down to Spain. I will forever be so grateful that my parents said yes you can go. I know these days (it’s horrible to have to say this) you’ll feel safer having them with you but you’ll build up memories that will last for years. Our family trip to the States just pre covid was a repeat of trips we took the girls on but this time for our grandson and son in laws. Take them and enjoy but please make sure there of an age that ensures it means something.

My new to senior school grandson is still trying to make his case to learn German instead of French so has asked his Grandad for a new German word every week during their FaceTime chats. At least DH says it’s making him relearn his German.

Okay hers another two Doo rou or Do row. The Douro was a notoriously dangerous river as were several in France that although not used by river cruise companies are by barge companies now. They were used for moving wood as in fire wood from inland to Paris. These rivers until canalised were also extremely dangerous. When you really get to the nitty gritty for the lock size reason it’s cash, how cheaply/inexpensively can we complete this project? Then the vessels are built to fit. Apart from most probably the canalised Main it had to fit vessels from either end.

Have you ever heard Welsh spoken? It’s wonderfully interspersed with English words, although Wales is in the process of changing everything it can to Welsh, could be interesting.