TravelerThom Posted June 11, 2010 #51 Share Posted June 11, 2010 ...A good question I had not thought of about the suitcase. We chose the bottom of the ship this time and yes with the fold up bed/seat where in the world can you put it. Help each of us with the answer I have been on five GCT river cruises. Each time there was plenty of room to put suitcases under the "sofa", behind a "skirt". I took the Viking Schumann in April [admittedly a twenty year old ship that is particularly small due to Elbe river conditions] and the underside of the sofabeds was solid, and most suitcases had to be stored by the crew. GCT cabins were about 160 sq. ft, while the older Schumann was in the 120s. Thom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallygator Posted June 23, 2010 #52 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I have found that reading the postings really helps you make some decisions, but in the end it is up to you. I have asked questions here and thank ful for the reply I got and was able to research a few things for my boat trip. We have done Viking and feel they were tops, but we were with a group that included our best friend TA.A good question I had not thought of about the suitcase. We chose the bottom of the ship this time and yes with the fold up bed/seat where in the world can you put it. Help each of us with the answer We were on the Viking Spirit and thinking folks needed a spot for their bags. They(Viking) had bags stored at the base of the stairs on the lower deck. I'm guesing they were from folks in your type cabins.:) We had plenty of room for our baggage in our cabin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glassespro Posted October 17, 2010 #53 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Karen, we're booked on Viking for the T&W, March 26, 2011. Please post your thoughts, and anything we should know from your experience. (or e-mail, jimmydear@aol.com). I won't hold you responsible for the weather!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyGirl2 Posted October 18, 2010 #54 Share Posted October 18, 2010 We took the Budapest to Amsterdam cruise in July and really liked it. I can't think of anything that I would warn you about except the number of locks that we had to travel through--67 in all. While they were a necessary evil, there were some night that we were awakened by a slight bumping in the lock--ship against wall. Also, if you are a light sleeper, you will hear the change in engine noise when you enter a lock--it is a distinct difference. If you fall in love with the sweet mustard that you will be eating with your never ending offering of sausages, buy it in Germany because you can't get it anywhere else. Enjoy the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Posted October 18, 2010 #55 Share Posted October 18, 2010 Karen, we're booked on Viking for the T&W, March 26, 2011. Please post your thoughts, and anything we should know from your experience. (or e-mail, jimmydear@aol.com). I won't hold you responsible for the weather!! I’m not Karen, but we are also booked on the 3/26 Tulips & Windmills with Viking. And are really looking forward to seeing all the beautiful flowers at Keukenhof Gardens again. We visited there about 10 years ago. Their color and beauty are hard to imagine. Trying to guess the right time to be there at the “peak” time for the Tulips is almost like guessing what the right numbers will be in the lottery. Everything is dependant on the weather. Speaking of weather. Our son lived and worked in Amsterdam for 7 years. Over those years we visited many times, during Spring, Summer and Autumn. In all our visits we never had any real weather problems. Here’s a link to the weather in Amsterdam. Amsterdam Weather Check it out, it will give you what you want to know about the monthly and daily averages for temperature and rainfall during the time we will be visiting. Just remember, a rain jacket just in case, and dress in layers and you should have no problem with the weather. For other places we will be visiting just type in the name. We have had one prior cruise with Viking on the Yangtze River in China. All I can say about that cruise is that it was first class all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimotorin Posted October 25, 2010 #56 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Great information everyone and thanks for sharing! I just booked the Rhine Getaway for March 2011 and getting pumped up about it. Quick question for the viking vets, i like to have a drink after after dinner and hang out in a chair to watch stuff float by, what time do they shut down the bar service? Don't plan to be up at 1am drinking but I am up normaly to 11pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfran Posted October 25, 2010 #57 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Great information everyone and thanks for sharing! I just booked the Rhine Getaway for March 2011 and getting pumped up about it. Quick question for the viking vets, i like to have a drink after after dinner and hang out in a chair to watch stuff float by, what time do they shut down the bar service? Don't plan to be up at 1am drinking but I am up normaly to 11pm. Usually the bar will be open while there is still someone in the lounge wanting a drink. I believe they used to shut down around midnight if there was activity, obviously earlier if everyone has left. Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisker92 Posted October 25, 2010 #58 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Another company not mentioned is Vantage. Their boats in the jr. suites have French Balconies, which we loved. The story of our trip is on our website http://www.stevekathytravels.com I am not associated with Vantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrandle Posted October 26, 2010 #59 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Another company not mentioned is Vantage. Their boats in the jr. suites have French Balconies, which we loved. The story of our trip is on our website www.stevekathytravels.comI am not associated with Vantage. Q: What does one say when he sits on his French Balcony? A: Sacre Bleuuuuuuuuuuuuu! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mavin Posted December 4, 2010 #60 Share Posted December 4, 2010 One company that has not been mentioned is Grand Circle Travel (GCT dot com). They sell only directly [do not offer any commission to TAs] and since their marketing is primarily by mail, only to people with a US port office address. Their prices are very competitive, but be aware that they offer only twin beds folding out of the wall [NO double beds]; but for the price I can live with that. They have had some complaints with the Better Business Bureau, but we have always greatly enjoyed our five [sixth in April] river boat cruises with them and their great mostly East European English speaking crew. We are leaving this week for our first Viking trip [on the Elbe - since Peter Deilmann dropped out if you want the Elbe it is pretty much Viking (not a slam on Viking, as I have yet to sail with them)] followed a week later by a GCT Danube cruise. GCT often has extremely good close-out prices on their website [under "Ways to Save" and then "Last Minute Travel Deals"; if you don't go this way you get the regular price] on cruises leaving within the next month - since their base price includes air from NY with generally reasonable add-ons from other cities, last minute bookings do not have extreme costs for last minute air [but your routing may not be the best]. And, No I do not have any ownership in GCT. Which ever way you go, river boats are a wonderful way to travel. Thom we are going on the elbe trip in oct 2011 anything you can tell us about viking or the trip would be greatly appreciated mavin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mavin Posted December 4, 2010 #61 Share Posted December 4, 2010 Just booked this today. Will be our first to travel with grand circle. Anyone on the tread booked also on the July 12,2010 Anyone been on this leg of the Rivers?? any info welcom you will enjoy this trip. food great,tour directors very good.nothing bad i can think of except the travel.Dont expect the most direct flights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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