marchmom

Mom did say that they weren't going to dock because of rough seas but she just had an odd feeling with security so visible. She said that even later they had another helicopter circling the ship. She's still not sure why. I heard from her yesterday and everything seems to be back to normal.

As for seeing the scuba gear, (or whatever type gear it may have been) they're in the garden villa and she said she saw the crew when she went upstairs on the private sundeck so it's doubtful they were working on the pool. That one's still very much so mystery.

Thank you all for your responses.

My mom is currently on the Star and she said a helicopter landed on the ship to take someone away for medical issues and she saw crew with scuba gear on the upper level. She said that they're not going to port in Falmouth and there is security everywhere.

Is there any way to find out if something is going on that we should be concerned about?

It was so nice meeting you onboard! What a coincidence that we would be at the same table the last day.

I agree that more free time would be nice. I made that same comment in my review post and on the questionnaire at the end of the cruise. I would have preferred less "tour". The guides were very informative but I tend to tune out when the a.d.d kicks in.

We were supposed to have a bit of free time in Nuremberg but because of the delay we were unable to.

My sister and her husband were also on this trip. They are ready to go back. This trip ranks as one of their favorite vacations. They raved about Claudia.

We sat with a couple from Philadelphia. I wonder if that was them?

Claudia was fantastic. As was the entire staff. I'd love to go back and have this entire crew again. :)

Unless you need the stickers for transfers, I don't see the need to have the documents in hand for the cruise. We didn't show ours once during our trip. You can always print your itinerary from their website for that information just in case you don't get the docs before you leave. You just have to do it before they mail them out. I noticed I couldn't access our trip online after they'd mailed our docs.

Thank you all. I obviously left out information about the tours. They tend to mostly all be the same, with knowledgeable guides, fast bus rides zooming past landmarks as you're trying in vain to snap photos through bus windows. I think Reichsburg castle was my favorite stop because of the stunning grounds and photos I was able to get there. Marksburg castle had the best inside tour, IMO. It was quite a walk to get to it and inside was quite hard to walk at times as well due to the cobblestones, and some steep steps, some without handrails. I enjoyed Trier and seeing Porta Nigra. I wonder if the people living in these places realize how spectacular their buildings are. They're simply gorgeous. And I think we had a gelato at every stop! Can't beat it for 1€!

I still don't understand the 1/3 shower glass at the hotels...

Paris to Prague. This was my first river cruise and first trip to Europe. The first representative I met was Claudia, the Program Director. The hotel at Paris did seem a bit unorganized but with people coming in at all different times, I can understand that. We got into it rooms fairly quickly but our request for adjoining rooms could not be met. We were even on different floors. Claudia was great at the hotel but the other rep (don't know her name) wasn't as helpful.

The Paris city tour was good but somewhat rushed with very little free time while we were out, as was the case with most of the tours. I personally would have liked less "tour" in most places with more time at fewer stops. The scenery and castles along the route were stunning.

The trip got better when we got to the vessel. I can't say enough positive things about the staff onboard. Check in and luggage delivery were both very fast.

Our room (the Explorer Suite) was spacious, the bathroom bigger than I expected with heated floors. The beds were small since we had separated beds (traveling with my aunt) but they were comfortable and I had no trouble sleeping at all.

The hotel manager, Thomas, was fantastic, making sure that everything we needed, we got. Our stewardess, Julia, was a little ball of energy and light. She made sure our room was spotless every day. The captain was super! He was very friendly, available, and seen quite often. He started calling us his Mama's. (There were 4 of us, a women's trip.) The restaurant staff was amazing. What a well oiled machine they are! We settled in the area for Pavlin and Michelle. They were fun to talk with and took very good care of us. And Alex made the very best sweet iced tea for us! Most lunches we had on the Aquavit terrace. Chef Andreas was also very visible, friendly, and took time to listen and even made a change in the way they serve the roasted chicken because we commented that it was dry the first night. The crew was also very friendly and spoke to us every time we'd see them. And Claudia, the Program Director, was everywhere, all the time. I don't know how she does it. I'd be exhausted!

Did this cruise go off with no problems? No. We had engine trouble that delayed us some toward the end of the trip. A freighter cut the line going through a lock one day that delayed the vessel from making it to a dock, which in turn led to us having to wait about 45 minutes for them on a bus, with the air conditioner running, or outside in the heat. Claudia went to a market and bought whatever they had to refresh us, which turned out to be ice cream bars, popsicles and fresh strawberries. The delay upset some people because they weren't able to take an optional tour, but if you put things into perspective, if you have a delayed airline flight you miss things, right? Does the airline compensate you for delayed flights and things you miss? No. I see it the same way. I went into this experience with knowledge that things can go wrong. Did I like waiting for the vessel to arrive? No, not really. Just like I don't like waiting for delayed flights. Would an airline buy you ice cream and strawberries (I'm sure the only things available because we were in an industrial area) because their flight was delayed? NEVER. I don't know that it could have been handled better unless the crew knew about the delay early enough for us to have stayed in town longer rather than getting on the bus. During this Claudia never lost her composure and kept smiling. Well done, "My Secret" (That's what she told my mom when mom asked what her name was, haha! I do hope you read this, Claudia!)

All in all, a very enjoyable trip made even better by an awesome crew.

I had asked before our cruise if there were additional amenities offered for Explorer Suite guests without any replies. There are some, and if anyone is interested in knowing what they are feel free to email me, wdmartin32@yahoo.com, for questions or more information on that.

I AM ON THE ODIN RIGHT NOW, TOO! Do you know which passenger I am? I am traveling with my mom and two aunts. If you see this before we disembark, andcan figure out who I am, please come say hi! I have been on the D bus for tours. I have had a great time so far, even the rainy morning!

Hydrokitty, my aunt took us on a cruise (Norwegian Garden Villa) to AK almost 2 years ago. Words simply can't describe how beautiful it was up there! We were lucky on our trip and didn't have one day of rain, and it was in the 70's. That's a trip I would love to take again!

"She's accustomed to ocean cruises where very little can go "wrong". "

 

Are you kidding me, she's never had something go wrong on an ocean cruise!!!!! Wow has she been lucky.

 

Enjoy your first river cruise, they are completely different from an ocean cruise.

She travels in style! :D And yes, she has been very lucky. And I am lucky that she takes me along on some of her travels! She cruises quite frequently and as far as I know nothing out of the ordinary has happened to her.

I've tried to prepare her for how different the river cruise will be, but since none of us have been on a river cruise before I think we're all in for some surprises. I'm ready for them all!

Great advice. Thank you all.

Thank you for the tips. I have 1 in the group that might not be as flexible, less sense of humor if things don't work out just right; but she has been warned (I've been reading this forum since we booked since I know she will expect me to know what's going on) that things can and quite possibly might happen that will change the schedule for the day. She's accustomed to ocean cruises where very little can go "wrong". We're doing Viking's Cities of Light (Paris to Prague), in the Explorer Suites.

Quick question, you mentioned a copy of RX. Do you mean a paper copy in case we need to fill one while we're gone or for some other reason?

14 days and counting until our flights begin for our very first trip to Europe and river cruise! I am beginning to feel anxious and ready to go. It's finally almost time! I am traveling with mom and my aunts. We'll be the Beverly Hillbillies on the ship. Haha!

Thank you for the information. :)

Wendy, Cities of Light is what I mentioned in my post. We're starting in Paris, cruise through Germany, end in Prague. It's 12 days.

I don't plan on using a credit card during the trip unless necessary.

I know answers will vary, but what would be an approximate amount of money to budget for a river cruise, leaning toward the higher end? We're doing Cities of Light, the end of May. A general amount for souvenirs, the meals not on the boat, etc., not including tip money (that amount is already set aside) is what I'm looking for. TIA!

I will be on Odin in May and I use a CPAP as well. From what I've read there is a US plug near the bed. I plan on taking a power strip just in case.

Thank you for the information!

I never thought about having to claim baggage for customs. I will be taking my first trip to Europe the end of May, flying DL/AF, PHX to JFK to CDG. So I will go through customs at CDG after I get my luggage, right? Flying home will be Nuremburg to Amsterdam to Minneapolis/St Paul, to PHX, all on DL (KLM Cityhopper from NUE to AMS). If I have this correct, I will claim luggage in MSP for customs. Is that right?

I will be travelling with my mom and two aunts, and I know they will expect me to be on top of everything! We are going on Viking Cities of Light, but ending our tour in Nuremburg rather than Prague.

Thanks Mark, I'll look into that.

Mom and I were talking about that this afternoon and we'll probably text my sister and have her keep in contact with dad. Anything technology related is out of the question for him. He's not the least bit interested in trying to learn since his first disastrous try at a computer haha. The major concern is that he's not in the best of health and we will need to stay in some sort of contact with him.

Thank you for the input!

Forgive me if this has been addressed. I have been reading this forum for a couple of months now and I don't recall seeing it. I am curious about phone reception during the cruise. My dad refuses texting and is completely clueless on a computer, so keeping in contact with him while mom and I (and my aunts) are cruising will be made more difficult. I have ATT cell service and I know they offer international packages, which I plan to purchase to keep in contact with dh and my kids. Mom will have to call dad though.

We are going on the Paris to Prague, Cities of Light tour (Viking). I would appreciate any input. 😃

Hydrokitty, I have one still at home full time and another in college (another is living on his own now). It is through the generosity of my aunt that I am able to take this trip. I certainly couldn't afford it on my own just yet! Maybe when the youngest gets out of college my dh and I will be able to save $ for a trip on our own. :D

I am booked for my first Viking cruise in May. Thankfully, I have only gotten two brochures in the mail so far. I hope it doesn't increase after my trip.