River Cruise:Rhine, Main & Danube

[japiscopo]

We've just booked Uniworld for Oct. 10 cruise, Vienna to Amersterdaym. Has any one ever been on this cruise, either on Uniworld or other line? I'd like to know about weather. Also did you find you had enough time in each port? It seems that we only have the most 4 to 6 hours. Love to hear from any of you. This is our first time on a river cruise, and I certainly hope we enjoy. Thanks in advance.

 

Mary Lou

[Kayelache]

We did the same cruise with Grand Circle last July, only in reverse, started in A'dam and ended in Vienna. We thought it was a wonderful trip. The stops were adaquate, some places we could have stayed longer, but mostly, it was about right. Often we were docked in a town until late at night, so it would have been possible to go back in the evening if one wanted. The first week of our cruise was cold and rainy, but the second week was perfect. The ship usually docked within walking distance of the town center, which was nice. Don't forget comfortable walking shoes and be forewarned about the cobblestones. They are murder on the feet.

We liked the tour so much that we are doing another one with Grand Circle this coming July, this time on the Rhine and Mosel from Antwerp to Basel.

[patw]

Mary Lou,

 

We took this trip last August on the Viking River Cruise Spirit from Vienna to Amsterdam. It was a wonderful trip. We had been to some of the stops in Germany and Austria 30 years ago but it was fun to return. We thought most of the stops and tours were adequate and provided enough time. We had organized tours and most of the time free time at the end before returning to the ship. You have to think in terms of smaller cities and villages and the way the tours are organized, you can see the important things and have time to shop or continue to sightsee, if that is your desire. Only a couple of times did we find the guides were very difficult to understand so we just walked around by ourselves. They always have a map available before you leave the ship.

 

It was our first river cruise but it will not be our last. Since they do the same trip repeatedly, they are so organized and have each detail carefully planned.

 

Early October should be a wonderful time to go. Because of the proximity to the water, it can be cool in the mornings and evenings. Surprisingly, we had rain almost every day of our trip but it really did not intefer with our activities. It has taugh me to always go prepared for rain and you will be fine.

 

I agree with the comfortable walking shoe recommendation.

 

If you have specific questions, I would be more than happy to try to respond.

 

Enjoy!

Pat

[Flick]

We were on the same cruise as Kayelache at the same time..Hi, Karen! Be advised that your time in port is dictated by the ship's appointments to go thru the locks. There are 84 or 87 locks on that route! We were in Austria again in mid-October and it was chilly and we had some snow the second week and that was in Southern Austria and Bavaria, not Northern Austria.....

[Carhut]

I took this trip last Aug. from Vienna to Amsterdam. See my review dated Oct. 16, 2004.

Carole