Uniworld - Basel to Amsterdam - Oct 31-Nov7

[Cruisers1975]

Hello Cruisers!

 

This is the continuation of a 5-week, 3-cruise experience, the longest we've ever tried to live out of suitcases. We started on Sea Dream - are now on Uniworld - and will finish on Celebrity.

 

We have been posting the first segment, including from October 11 or so, Sea Dream and a side trip to Madrid and Edinbourgh, on the Sea Dream board, here on Cruise critic. I don't know if links work or are censored, but here is a link to that segment, if you are interested.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1296635

 

We'll continue in the posts here, with the Uniworld trip, which is, by the way, our very first River Cruise. We are hosting a group of 15, the annual reunion of our bed and breakfast guests, and some family members as well. This is the reason we came to Europe - to work this cruise - and that's why we decided to tag on the Sea Dream cruise at the beginning, for a personal vacation. The coming Celebrity cruise is a 2-day meeting, in Miami. And then - home to Victoria BC on November 16.

 

Happy sailing!

[Cruisers1975]

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Day 19 – October 31 – Boarding Uniworld’s River Ambassador

 

 

Up early and down to breakfast in the hotel, where we meet P&A, mother Meg and Deb. The room rate we got was great, but the breakfast menu was priced to make up the difference. Perhaps that’s where Radisson BLU gets it’s new last name, from the faces of its breakfast diners?

 

 

Two cabs are always at the front door of the hotel, we are assured, so I run down to catch one for the “15 minute” trip to the dock, timed just in time, I hope, to meet Don’s mother, Lois, who is scheduled to be the first arrival transfer.

 

 

Of course, there are no cabs. I was unaware that elsewhere in town, the streets are filled with a festival for some reason, and traffic is bound tight there. Here, however, there is not a vehicle of any description on the street. The hotel calls one, and it arrives eventually and I’m off to the port.

 

 

Not the original port, because 2 weeks ago I got a note from Uniworld that it’s a different port. Fortunately, there is a Uniworld representative at this “different” port to tell us that it’s changed again, and the cab is redirected there.

 

The reception aboard was very personable, helpful, welcoming in every way. I immediately met Tony with whom I spoke last night to change the transfer times for Don & Meg. He was on board for the official hand-off to Doris, his replacement Trip Director. He assures me that all has been arranged, and invites me on board to enjoy a “light snack” as the rooms will not be ready until 1 pm. The “light snack” is a full brunch, but it’s too late to call back to the BLU guests to tell them to push back from the $32 breakfast buffet and rush on board.

 

Shortly the first transfer, including Lois, arrives, and is attacked by a swarm of seamen unloading luggage and welcoming the new arrivals. I get Lois settled with a snack and new friends in the lounge and wait for the next batch: the BLU guests, including R, arriving in three taxis, all on the circuitous route of original, different, and ultimate dock locations. The seamen are on break between Official Bus Transfers, it seems, and we are left to our devices bringing a thousand pounds of luggage aboard, down steep concrete staircases with no handrails from the curb to the dock. Not as good a first impression as I received, but then I only had a carryon when I got there an hour earlier.

 

Six on board, eight to come – almost halfway there! From the comfort of the lounge, we wait out the remaining arrivals: Bill & David, Meg & Don, my dad Larry and Lorraine, my sister Joy, and Ken, the last to arrive, but at least American Airlines has restored his lost luggage to him, so all is well!

 

Big breath!

 

The rooms were indeed ready for occupancy at about 1 pm, which is remarkably early by most cruise standards.

 

It’s probably not appropriate to give much of a review of the cabin as the entire Ambassador boat is going to be taken out of service in 2 weeks and completely gutted, chopped in half, have an extra 10-feet added in the middle, and see entirely new interiors, including suites.

 

What I was impressed with was that, despite already knowing that the ship was going in for refurb after our sailing, everything looks brand new. Not a threadbare chair or carpet or worn towel in the place. There is a blue Astroturf carpet on the sundeck, for example, that looks as bright and fresh as if it were laid yesterday. Our cabin simply sparkles, and while the general décor may appear a tad Old World, it’s in perfect condition.

 

I could offer a few suggestions if pressed. Okay, I feel pressed. For one, the 140 square feet is just too small for two people. The twin beds are “dressed” as a queen, but are overly firm and almost a forced roll into the crack. Uniworld is very proud of their “hotel-style” beds, but it’s a European hotel we’re talking about, not a Westin Heavenly Bed, for example. The space would not permit any space between even if you did have them made up as twins. Each side gets a comfy duvet (no top sheet) and two very nice pillows; a note in the room’s orientation book says you may have your bed made with sheets and blanket, if preferred. There are three tiny closets, capacity about 5 garments in each. The only drawers are under the foot of the bed, nearly inaccessible in the tight space provided there. That and the paucity of shelves makes unpacking a challenge, but we eventually get there. Two suitcases can be stored under the bed.

 

There is no free shelf space in the bathroom, but fortunately our toiletry bag will hang on a robe hook. The shampoo and shower soap dispensers (oh!) are labeled L’Occitaine so they probably are; you also get a bar of soap and a little bottle of conditioner, and a plethora of tiny boxes of whatever: shower caps, emery boards, etc., all crowded onto the sink’s shallow edge.

 

A single chair is crowded into one corner and a tiny low table is anchored to the opposite wall upon which are crowded three water bottles, two glasses and an empty ice bucket. Removing the glasses to create some space simply gets them replaced by the housekeeping staff on their next round. While there are blank wall spaces everywhere (including in the bathroom) crying to have a shelf or two installed, none are heard. Even a drop-down desktop would be great, so I wouldn’t have to be in the common room typing this blog.

 

 

There is a flat-screen TV mounted out from the wall at the foot of the bed, so you have to be particularly careful of your shoulders when crossing to that side. The room safe is about the size of a passport holder (we like to stuff our laptops inside where possible). And the crack under the door lets in an uncomfortable flood of light during the night, and the paperthin walls transfer television audio perfectly. But now I’m getting picky, so let’s move on. I’m sure all this and more will be corrected in the next incarnation of the River Ambassador.

 

Tea is served in the middle of the afternoon, tomato/cucumber sandwiches and a spread of pastries. Nothing formal, just a side table, in the lounge accompanied by the Charlie, the one-man band who plays nothing that has not aged into Public Domain, his favourites being Strauss polkas.

 

Dinner is un-reserved seating, even for groups, so there are several rude exits from the Trip Director’s pre-dinner presentation in the lounge as knowing previous guests rush down to stake out their favourite tables before the dining room officially opens.

But that’s enough for one day, don’t you think? We’ll get into the food and bar and staff more tomorrow. After all, we’re on vacation and one day just melds into another as we glide down the Rhine.

[Bowie MeMe]

Watching the blog with great interest. I WAS considering Radisson Blu for Amsterdam but now not so sure. Let us know what's up:)

[JR_Janet]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. We are going on GCT Rhine and Mosel next Friday and cannot wait. How is the weather. Obviously ships are different but will be interested in hearing about your stops. Enjoy!!

[genmasjoy]

Very interesting so far, please keep posting. It sounds like you have your hands full hosting a group.

[Cruisers1975]

Day 20 – November 1– Day 2 of Uniworld, in Breisach

 

Breakfast is a bit confusing, entirely self-serve from several different areas of the dining room, but special items such as oatmeal are available upon request. And a request to the waiter for skim milk for the oatmeal was responded to with a directional wave toward the Beverage Station. Help thyself. All fresh made I’m assured, but not very hot, if the scrambled eggs and sausage are any measure. Warm eggs and cold sausage would be a better description.

 

A tiny crisis develops as “Mr & Mrs R” (that would be R and his mother Meg) and me, and my dad, are invited to the Captain’s Table for dinner tonight. Absent from the list is Dad’s girlfriend, Lorraine. Ouch!

 

Disembarkation process is less formalized than ocean cruisers. We are asked to pick up a cabin-numbered boarding pass as we leave, and to return it when we come back. If the purser finds a pass missing at midnight or whenever they prepare to sail away, they will call your room and wake you up. Passports were kept overnight the first night, only, and returned for your own safekeeping.

 

We assemble at 9:00 AM for our first complimentary excursion. We knew that each day there is a complimentary shore excursion, but I thought they would be simple walkabouts of the dock area. No, we are escorted into three luxury buses (with bathrooms – that’s my definition of luxury) each with a professional local guide, all equipped with “your gadgets” (Vox boxes and headsets). We drive for 30 minutes to Colmar, where we have a guided walking tour for about 90 minutes, then another half-hour in the bus on to Riquewihr, an absolute jewel of a hidden medieval village, for a brief tour and then independent time for lunch. And finally, at day’s end, a 90-minute bus ride back to the ship, which in the meantime has floated down to Strasbourg. A completely enjoyable, educational, and exhausting day!

 

Those four passengers who stayed aboard, including my dad, were treated to a relaxing day and a full lunch.

 

Arriving back aboard, the lounge music hasn’t improved, but there is good news about the Captain’s Table: Lorraine is now in!

 

The damnable disappearing belt just about cost us that dinner, however, as it hid itself again. A 30-minute search of every one of the 20,160 square inches of our cabin revealed nothing. A continuing search of the 1,814,400 cubic inches was no more productive. R finally hitched his pants up on his ever-shrinking waistline, and walked carefully to the cocktail reception, and thence to dinner with the Captain.

 

Joining us at the table were Mario and Yvonne from Guatemala, which is an appropriate juncture to discuss the demographics of this ship.

 

My dad, almost 85, is the oldest of the 103 passengers aboard. Mario, 82, next. Mother Meg, proudly just turned 80, is probably next in the census of the Wise Ones. The majority are between 60 and there, with a scattering of those a decade younger. There are maybe four couples under 40. Most are American, a good portion is Canadian, and the Guatemalan couple represents the third nationality among the passenger list. We have brought the only openly gay passengers aboard in our group, and there is only one black person aboard this sea of white, even among the crew.

 

The crew of 38 is overwhelmingly from Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary in that order. There’s a few Portuguese, Dutch and maybe a German or two. The Hotel Manager is from Italy, the Captains are both Dutch.

 

There have been some concerns about the shore excursions for the less agile, as the ship is not currently considered “accessible” (although there are chair lifts up/down the staircases). However, the walking pace was gentle, and the passengers could stay on the bus, or retreat at any time to the bus, if desired. I think my dad, who only sometimes uses a cane, could have handled it, but considering the unexpected length of the tour, he was better rested to have skipped today’s excursion.

 

The demographic around the bar in the evening is defined by, and limited to, our group of happy travellers. No one else was there! Guess they were either too tired or had heard enough polkas and WWI-era tunes for one day.

 

Wine and beer are included at dinner, but in the interims the bar is available at fairly reasonable rates (about 4 to 6 euros each). Bartender Ivo from Bulgaria is a dedicatedly evil host.

[sayaguru]

Thank you for taking the time to post.

 

Keep em coming!!!:D:D

[Cruisers1975]

Day 21 – November 2 – Day 3 of Uniworld, in Strasbourg

 

I overstated the cabin sizes on the Ambassador. They are not 140 sq ft, but rather 128. Whatever the actual number, they are quite small in comparison to anything else we’ve sailed in. This might be all right on a warmer weather cruise, where you have more options (upper deck) for a quiet retreat, but in cooler climes, you often do need some cabin time, and it’s pretty small.

Other ships (ocean cruisers, admittedly) have more spaces. The Ambassador has just a Lounge, and a “patio” which is really a foyer to the lounge. The “library” is a corner of the Lounge. When there is a lecture, or when Charlie is playing, there is no escaping it, except to your cabin, where your neighbour is likely listening to their television. (I will admit, the thin walls have provided some pretty interesting breakfast conversations about the romantic activities adjacent!)

 

Today’s complimentary shore excursion is a canal ride to the Strasbourg Cathedral, free time, and a shuttle bus every half hour for the return. Sounded like something even the Wise Ones could enjoy, so they came along. The weather is still barely cooperating, with sun most of the day, and beautiful fall foliage everywhere. Strasbourg is beautiful city and its cathedral, well, about as garish as most. Although there was no charge for admission, each of the “attractions” cost 20 cents to illuminate. A particularly grotesque sculpted depiction of the Mount of Olives with double-life(death?)-sized Crucifixion scene allowed a brief glimpse for 20 cents. And 20 cents would also get you into the toilets. I can imagine it could be a difficult decision for some pious bladders.

 

We walked the Wise Ones back to a coffee shop across from the shuttle bus stop, and then to the stop itself to catch it on its rounds, as we were told it wouldn’t wait. We did, however. For 30 minutes we stood shivering and pacing, but eventually it carried us back to the boat where staff welcomed us with glasses of warm spiced wine.

 

Lunch aboard was buffet style, featuring much of the local cuisine. It is served from 12:30PM to 2:30PM, but don’t count on it. I was surprised at noon to find I was too early, so I started catching up on some other work, and didn’t arrive until 1:30PM. I was greeted with “You missed the French Onion Soup!” which, apparently, was not to be missed. The other hot items were excellent, so excellent, that I returned to the trough at 2:00PM to find them all gone and only desserts available.

 

This is another difference we’ve noted between Uniworld (at least) and other ocean cruise lines: the inability to stuff your mouth every moment of the day.

 

There are three meals, plus a very small selection of sandwiches (the choice being white or brown bread; same cucumber and tomato filling) and sweets (brownies or sugar cookies) for tea time. A bowl of apples sits on the concierge’s desk – I don’t know if they are real or not.

 

There is coffee, sometimes, in the “patio.” Yesterday morning, the coffee machine was broken (which it has been the entire trip) and the Thermos jugs were empty. Fortunately, it was still breakfast hour, so I went downstairs to the dining room (called “the restaurant” on this boat) and snagged a waiter to fill two cups for me from a table setting. I explained that the jugs were empty, upstairs. He shrugged.

 

I ascended the stairs again, juggling my two coffee cups past the inquiring eyes of the concierge. I explained, “The jugs on the patio are empty.” He replied, “The restaurant is open. You can get coffee there.” Harrumph.

 

There is no room service, no cookie jar, no fruit bowl in the room, no bar fridge in which to stash a celery stick and a bit of cheese for when you are peckish at midnight, and bedroom turn-down treats are limited to a wrapped chocolate candy, one per passenger. Now, I certainly don’t need it, but it’s a big difference of note.

 

On the other hand, a great advantage is the no-corkage charge for personal wine. We bought a few bottles, gave them to Evil Ivo the Bartender for chilling, and he served them liberally to us at the bar all evening. Too liberally, I fear.

 

I neglected to mention the pre- and post-dinner entertainment in the middle of my rant about food services. Before dinner there is always a port talk by the Cruise Director of what to expect tomorrow, what’s included, what’s optional, etc. After dinner tonight is a special appearance by two Strasbourg ladies, Muzette and Lidia, with chansons and accordion in traditional French (a la Edith Piaf, etc.) style. Very entertaining.

 

Our own dinner this evening was a pre-planned recognition of R’s mother Meg’s 80th birthday, and my dad and Lorraine’s commitment ceremony, both celebrated officially on shore earlier last month. We had arranged, before the cruise, to have two cakes delivered, with champagne, and lotsa noise. As there is no reserved seating, delegates must sneak into the dining room before the dinner hour to hold adjacent tables. At the last moment the ship’s dining staff inform us that they cannot do two cakes, and so one arrives to celebrate Meg’s event with spouting fireworks and Happy Birthday carolers, and the single bottle of champagne is eked out into 15 glasses. That means, alas, we have to go through the whole rigmarole tomorrow night.

 

But meanwhile, there is a return trip to the bar, and the liberal libations of Evil Ivo. Charlie the One Man Band has even progressed a few decades and I seem to remember dancing YMCA with my mother-in-law.

 

The rest is a blur.

[Cruisers1975]

Day 22 – November 3 – Day 4 of Uniworld, in Speyer and Heidelberg

 

Crawled out of bed only because it was breakfast time, and despite my aching head, I was ravenous. I ate most everything on offer, including an excellent omelet prepared quickly on request. A request from one of our party for hot chocolate, and the response (“No. You have to get that from upstairs.”) reminds us that although this is billed as 5-star, it has a tendency to slip into 3-star service.

 

I crawled back into bed, thereby missing the complimentary walking excursion into Speyer today. R walked into town independently to visit the world-famous Technology Museum, featuring many great airplanes, trains, even a Russian space shuttle. He especially enjoyed climbing aboard a Lufthansa 747 mounted on huge pylons, looming overhead. As there is no airport in Speyer, it is a wonder just that the plane exists in this tiny place.

 

I did get up in time for one of the optional extra-cost excursions, this one to Heidelberg. I think the extra cost was 69 Euros or so, and well worth it. Would expect to pay twice that price for a shore excursion on any other cruise line. Always a local guide, good English skills, pleasant personality and informative commentary, both on the bus and with the Vox Boxes as we walked around. We toured the Castle, and then had free time in the Old Town after the included lunch at a very nice and picturesque hotel restaurant.

 

Dinner this evening is the Epicurean Night, which means there was a complimentary cocktail (Sect, the German version of Champagne) and pre-dinner canapé selection in the lounge, and the courses this evening are paired with specially selected wines. Main course is salmon or lamb, with a vegetarian spinach and feta quiche option. The cake and singing entourage arrives on schedule for Dad & Lorraine, and B&D also took advantage of the special moment to present each of our group with a special memento honouring Bill’s recently passed mother. All in all, a very touching evening.

 

From which we retired immediately, avoiding any temptation of a reprise of last evening around the bar!

 

That meant we missed this evening’s special after-dinner entertainment, a glass blowing exhibition (what happened to the “no open flames” policy!?), so I’ve no idea of its value, but nothing burned down so all is well.

[Windy56]

Excellent review! Love your writing style and I really appreciate the detail. My husband and I will be on the December 20th Christmas Market cruise onboard the River Queen, with many of your stops. It's our first river cruise, also. Going from 8,000 passengers/crew on the Oasis this past summer to 138 passengers on the River Queen in a month or so will be an interesting contrast.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise. Can't wait to read the rest. I may have a question or two for you later, if you don't mind.

 

Regards,

Cathy and Barry

[DCCruiselover]

Write a book with your travel adventures and you can retire! You are hilarious! Start thinking who will portay you and R in the movies!

[genmasjoy]

I am enjoying your review, please keep it coming.

[Cruisers1975]

Gracious! Really got behind here! To the River Queen cruiser, we were on that ship at one of our docks. Very very nice. You will love it!

 

 

Now, to continue

 

 

Day 23 – November 4 – Day 5 of Uniworld, in Rudesheim

 

It could have been a lazy sleep-in day, were it not for mother Meg tapping on the door at 7:30, all dressed, made-up and ready for breakfast. Ah, well, I guess nine hours of sleep is enough, eh?

 

R’s belt shows up, in case anyone is following its here-now-gone-now adventures. It was nested in a stack of shirts and sweaters. It now has a designated place on top of the room safe.

 

Breakfast is uneventful, other than that a request by the hot chocolate-requesting guest is repeated this morning to our favourite waitress, Ralitsa, who responds, “There is none here; it’s available from the machine upstairs. May I bring you one?” Now, that’s more like it!

 

Beverages are a beef of mine by the way, Uniworld, if you are listening. I think I misinterpreted something saying wine and beer was complimentary at lunch and dinner – perhaps I got that confused with Azamara Club Cruises in my mind. No matter – don’t need it, but the options should include more than water and very very weak iced tea. Soft drinks, if requested, are delivered from the bar, and charged accordingly. Coffee and hot tea are available with lunch, but only if you serve yourself from a different floor. Beer, although apparently available with dinner, has yet to be seen or offered.

 

And watch out for those plastic bottles of water beside your bed. They are there for you to take on excursions, and return to be refilled. They are not replenished. I found that out too late, after dropping our empties in a recycling box somewhere in Strasbourg.

 

This morning was gentle cruising down the Rhine, in brisk but rain-free weather. We sat topside for much of it, watching the cities of Worms and Mannheim and Mainz glide by. I am told by a crew member that the ride down the Rhine is the best. Taking the reverse trip, Amsterdam to Basel, is upriver, with motors noisily chugging away against the rougher current – a good tip to keep in mind with any river cruise, I would imagine.

 

We dock at Rudesheim around 2:00PM and even the Wise Ones have decided they can handle the short walk into the old city, a beautifully preserved medieval town of souvenirs and coffee hausen. We stop at one of the latter to enjoy the local specialty, Rudesheim Kaffee am tisch flambiert. That’s German for “showy.”

 

As we were in the crossroads, on the only outside tables, the show drew lots of spectators as our deadpan waiter set up a tray-table on the sidewalk and mixed our brandy, coffee, whipped cream and chocolate shavings. After he dollopped the cream into each waiting mug, he had one spoonful left, which he lifted, turned around to the tourists with their clicking cameras, and plonked straightaway into one fat, gaping, and very surprised mouth. The Teutonic sense of humour appears in surprising ways!

 

The official complimentary excursion today was a bus trip from Rudesheim to Vollrads Castle for wine tastings. The Wise Ones wisely opted out, but we thirstier types proceeded for the balance of the afternoon.

 

Impression? Too much sprachen und too little drinken.

 

Home again, it’s already dinnertime. I had to make a short speech apologizing to our group for not having a special occasion cake and Roman candles tonight. Tomorrow’s another day.

 

B&D and we slipped out after dinner back to Rudesheim, hoping to see all the Christmas illuminations illuminated, but alas, strung but not sprung. The little tourist street was nearly deserted. We heard some music pounding up from a place called Partykeller – so we descended into the dungeon-like cavern that was, in fact, poppin’! Great DJ and cheap drinks. The place looked pretty worn out, and opposite us was a tattered “toiletten” sign on a door that forewarned us of even scarier sights beyond, but – cheap drinks soon necessitate certain risks.

 

Beyond that door, we were back in Modern Germany – sparkling clean, white and bright! The washroom corridor was connected to a fine-dining restaurant upstairs, and also to a parking courtyard behind, which explained by we kept noticing people coming into the bar from the toiletten!

 

This visit to Rudesheim’s night life, limited as it was, is another wonderful advantage to river cruising: you are docked overnight many times, and right in the very centre of town, so it’s an easy after-dinner excursion, and provides a whole new perspective of the communities you visit.

 

Docking sometimes doubles up on ships, a process I believe called “rafting.” You may need to cross the lobby of another shipped parked parallel to yours, to get to and from the dock. This provides an excellent opportunity to visit other brands, and we did so whenever possible. Eager to try Scenic, AMA and Avalon next, or even this ship again after its renovation. By next year, the entire Uniworld fleet in Europe will have been renovated within the last couple of years.

[Cruisers1975]

Day 24 – November 5 – Day 6 of Uniworld, to Koblenz

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What a magnificent day! The weather, which has cooperated every single day so far, held out, excelled itself even, for this, the most important day of the entire cruise. Today was the core Castles of the Rhine experience, as we cruised by 40 castles in 80 km. The sun ignited the golden leaves of fall and illuminated the faces of town after town of riverfront villages and of course their crowning castles.

Most passengers went topside where Doris the Cruise Director gave an amplified commentary from the wheelhouse (bridge) as we approached and passed each town and attraction. A 30-minute break gave the kitchen time to prepare a “Fruhshoppen” in the Lounge. I thought this was going to be a souvenir shopping opportunity, but was instead a buffet of sausages and pretzels, and most excellent sausages at that!

Charlie the One Man Band cranked up the Oompah music and it was all quite festive, and then we returned topside to watch more castles float into view.

This was one of the finest days we’ve ever experienced in travel. Thank you, Uniworld! It could not have been better.

Lunch came too quickly, wiener schnitzel and hot dogs were the features, and then most passengers took the complimentary walking tour, with four Vox-box equipped guides, three “regular” paths and one “gentle” path for the less agile among us.

And then there was at least one of us (me!) who took the even gentler path of a massage by Peter during that time. A very different experience by a very gentle young man, it left me oily and relaxed, and smelling of peppermint.

Spent the balance of the afternoon catching up on work and blogs, and then at 5:00 PM was a “Signature Lecture” by Markus Urban, a local authority on The European City from Middle Ages to the Present. As 60 of our passengers were on the optional tour to Marks burg Castle, he had a relatively small potential audience.

Three of us attended, in total. Four, if you count R, who was in the library nook trying to work and listen at the same time. My dad, his girlfriend, and my sister made up the rest of the attentive audience. The other 30 or so passengers aboard were nowhere to be seen. Poor Markus – that was his smallest lecture class ever, and clearly a harder job than one to a group of 200, but he did well and was appreciated.

Now Charlie has cranked up the show tunes. Either his music is getting better or I’m getting more tolerant. Maybe it was Peter’s soft hand, melted my grumpy demeanor.

The disembarkation talk is delivered with good humor by the Hotel Manager and Cruise Director, detailing some more differences with Uniworld and other ocean cruises. For one, we are asked *not* to put our luggage out the night before, but to wait until just before we disembark ourselves, on a schedule laid out to match our flight departures with the complimentary airport shuttle service. We also are invited to stay aboard as long as we wish if we have a later flight, all the way up till the ship departs from Amsterdam at 4:30 (we are only asked to vacate our cabins by 8:30AM so they can be prepared for new boards), including staying for lunch if we wish.

Tipping is also discussed: individual tipping is discouraged and we are given two envelopes, one for the Cruise Director (a separate contract) and another for the Crew, which will be divided among all, including those we don’t see often but are equally responsible for our comfort.

Dinner and more cake and Roman candles as we celebrated David’s birthday, followed by live musical entertainment with Toni and Florina in the lounge. Great show!

Then another session at the bar with Evil Ivo. We’ve got to stop meeting like this!

[Cruisers1975]

Day 25 – November 6 – Day 7 of Uniworld, in Cologne

 

Rain.

 

The first time we’ve had any this entire Rhine trip. It’s as if the weather gods forced a smile on their divine faces just long enough to get us through all the medieval village walking and bus tours and that magnificent day yesterday with all the castle bliks. But today, it’s just a dreary big city on a sleepy Saturday, with little time (only 4 hours in dock) and not much to see except the biggest cathedral in Germany. It’s really kind of nice to just relax for a day. It will all be over soon enough.

 

Spent the rest of the day resting, reading, trying to find a quiet space. That is not easy. Even the cabin is not quiet, as every third one is a housekeeping station, and the neighbours do need to have their CNN on the telly. That was my one “suggestion” on the survey form: a designated quiet area, no public address commentary on passing steel mills, no Charlie the One Man Band, no cackling bridge players – just a quiet proper library somewhere with a view. I suppose it’s a size issue, but as they are making it bigger by 10 feet to add suites, all that will accomplish is more passengers in the same common area space. I’m already feeling a bit crowded and we are sailing at less than 80% capacity now. Oh, and I also suggested they add a shelf in the bathroom and a drop-down writing surface/desk in the cabin.

 

But otherwise, I checked off Exceptional to Good in every category except on-board music)., R’s survey looked much like mine, except he pointed out that their brochure sells a very high-end luxury product, and they deliver a very nice premium or deluxe product. Where, one wonders, are all the white-gloved waiters and butlers featured in the brochure?

 

And although we would return to Uniworld in a flash (especially the Rhone cruise), R is particularly eager to try some other, more upscale, lines first, so we can make a more fair comparison, and he can sell the product more appropriately and to the right client.

 

Surveys completed, it was time to pack. We have to leave out suits for tonight’s Captain’s Farewell Dinner, and our clothes for the flight home, and add all of R’s many many acquisitions! Actually, it’s just an extra duffle bag full of travel brochures, and weighting 60 pounds by itself. It’s hard to imagine that we still have 9 days left before we get home. No wonder we haven’t yet eaten all the sugar-free chocolate puddings we packed.

 

I skipped the Black Forest Cooking demonstration by Chef Josef, spending that time packing, while R got his massage.

 

Tonight was the Captain’s Farewell Dinner, and lo and behold, out came the white gloves we had seen in the brochures! Dinner was preceded by a cocktail reception, was concluded with the obligatory parade of the flaming baked Alaska. This was the second night that suites were de rigueur, for gentlemen at least. Ladies have a much easier solution: put a shawl on it, whatever “it” is, and Voila! – you’re dressed for dinner.

 

We had resolved to stay sober tonight, but Dad and Lorraine admitted to having a final bill of Negative 32 Euros, as they hadn’t spent a penny on board, at the bar, in the boutique, or for a shore excursion or massage – so they still had their USD 50 per person on-board-credit we arranged for everyone in our group. Well, you can’t let that go undrunk, so we drunk it.

 

And then we finished packing.

[EKML]

Great review! Was especially interesting since we were on the same cruise (met Meg and Don-nice, friendly couple). Thought I'd add a few additional comments and opinions from another passenger.

 

Cabin size:

Small, but it was adequate for us. (We've had smaller.) We weren't in the cabin too much, so didn't feel that cramped. I agree with the noise problem, but I was usually tired from the busy days, so was able to sleep ok. Great idea about more shelf space. Didn't even notice the drawers under the foot of the bed-would have been useful.

 

Food:

Breakfasts were the same every day, except for the daily special (the Belgian Waffles were excellent!). Lunches were better, with more variation. Dinners were generally good. Some of the fish was overdone and dry, the batter for the breaded fish was too thick and tough, the bacon wrapped tenderloin was overdone (had an excellent one on a previous cruise), but the rack of lamb was excellent. Rolls and breads were great-fresh every day.

 

Service:

Generally good, but hectic during dinner-the staff had much more to do then during breakfast and lunch, and had to rush around, so dinners were slow. But not really a problem, since we weren't in a rush to go anywhere, and we could go straight to the evening entertainment at 9 pm. Coffee was not usually provided at lunch, but when we requested it, they brought it without a fuss. Think you might have trained them earlier w/your experience. They also gladly provided some of their excellent ice cream when asked, even if it was not on the menu. Just had grumbling one time when I requested the Rudesheimer Coffee after our orders were already in. "We only make enough to fill our orders-you have to order it early!" but then: "the Chef is my good friend, so I was able to get one for you". Was he just trying to give me a bad time? But the staff was usually very friendly.

 

Entertainment:

Not much, but the singers were excellent. The glass blowing was very interesting, and they did have a strong open flame. Maybe they had fire extinguishers close by?

 

Tours:

Very good guides, and w/the Vox the talks were very clear and understandable. Thought the Marksburg Castle tour was a little disappointing-the exterior was nice, but the interiors were dark and drab.

Not much of interest inside except for a room full of Knights' armor and weapons, and a torture chamber. Agree w/your assessment of the Vollrads Castle wine tasting-except that the wine was very good, and had I known that there was no corkage fee, I might have bought a couple of bottles-they were very reasonable-9-10 euros each. Had an interesting hike up the steeple of the Strasbourg Cathedral-330 steps! And the cable car in Rudesheim over the vineyards provided a wonderful view of the town and countryside. Handy maps were provided for each town, and info sheets on the German language, architectural styles, list of castles along the Romantic Rhine were available.

 

Transfers:

Handled very efficiently, and frequent buses meant you didn't have a long wait at the airport. Amsterdam airport security was very thorough, with interviews and body scans. But they had good staffing, so things moved along quite well.

[Cruisers1975]

Thanks for chiming in! Glad you had basically the same opinions. I didn't comment on the fact that never in any first class restaurant have I ever had staff say, "Excuse me, please!" so often as they almost pushed you out of their way. They weren't rude - it was just bloody crowded and they were bloody busy.

 

Did you recognize the celebrity in Meg? Think Golden Globes. Think Agnes of God. Her secret is safe with us! She's a children's author now, after a couple of really disturbing autobiographically inspired novels. Hubby is a screenwriter and author as well. And one of the sweetest guys on earth. (But then, so is Meg!)

 

I'll get around to the last day shortly. We are currently in Miami after 4 days in Toronto, and have one more cruise to do before we get to go home. We'll be on the Celebrity Eclipse tomorrow. That's only five cruises this year, but then again, it's only November!

[EKML]

Wow! Had no idea we were traveling w/a real celebrity! Meg was so nice, friendly and outgoing-not at all like my (probably inaccurate) picture of aloof, snobish famous personalities. All she said when describing herself was that she wrote children's stories. True enough, but certainly not the full story! She is very attractive, and I can see where she would be a fantastic actress. Maybe it was best that I did not know who she was-might have made me a little hesitant to talk to her.

 

Thanks for the info, and we're all looking forward to your final comments. How would you rate the cruise in general? It was probably not a 5 star, but better than 3, maybe 4 stars?

[Cruisers1975]

...dreaded double post...

[Cruisers1975]

Day 26 – November 7 – Day 8 of Uniworld, disembarkation in Amsterdam

 

Up early for breakfast. I’ve not mentioned this earlier, but as this is the last meal, I think I will: Never before in any fine dining establishment have I been told, “Excuse me, please!” so often by restaurant staff. They aren’t being rude, they are just in a hurry, or overworked, or more likely, very crowded.

 

The disembarkation process was amazingly orderly and easy. We put our bags outside at 7:30AM as requested, and at 8:00AM were bid farewell by waving crew members as we identified them (the bags) beside the shuttle bus before they (the bags) were put aboard. We had noticed new arrivals actually coming aboard as we were leaving, as well, and nothing was confused or less than welcoming.

 

The bus driver announced our stops at the airport, told us which way to go inside for each airline on his passenger list. We felt cared for each step of the way. SeaDream could take a lesson here!

 

R ran off to help one of our group get through the tangle of KLM, while Mother Meg and I found our way to BA. Meg wasn’t travelling business class, but a little sweet talk and there she was, on the short leg from AMS to LHR at least.

 

Despite a delayed departure (and three gate changes and two complete security procedures), a bus-gate arrival and a minimum legal connection in London, we (and our bags!) miraculously made it to our Toronto-bound flight. Again, Meg was in economy, but was invited to move up to Premium Economy for some serindipitous reason, so our guilt was slightly asuaged, as we nibbled on our prime rib and foi gras while she unwrapped her ham and cheese sarny in the back.

 

Brother Anthony, wife Jan, son Matt, were at the airport in two cars to transfer us home, for Meg, and to our second home, the Residence Inn by Marriott downtown. Wonderful early dinner with Anthony and Jan at Le Select Bistro and we were off to bed, with visions of one more cruise to go haunting our jetlagged sleep.

[Cruisers1975]

Quick Reply rating? Maybe 4 stars. So much that was 4 stars, at least, that 3 stars would be unfair, yet clearly not 5 stars. I think that is the only complaint: it is advertised as top of the line, 5 stars implied, but it is clearly not that. However, the value pricing is such that no one should complain about what you get for the money. I just think they shouldn't emphasize those white gloves so much in their brochures. And you should know that it is crowded, everywhere. HOWEVER, you have all day to wander the towns, go to cafes, whatever - all an easy walk from the boat - so why grouse about a crowded lounge and noisy Charlie when you can just walk ashore and be in Germany, or France! Shish! How tacky to complain about that!!

 

Well, that was Uniworld. If you are intersted in following our adventures, we will be on Celebrity in a week (in fact, as I catch up here .. we are already there!). With your indulgence, I'll post the week in Toronto's notes here, as a "bridge" and then give you the link to the Celebrity Eclipse reveiw.

 

Hint: It takes a lot of free booze to make it favourable!

 

So, please, just skip the next few posts as they have nothing to do with cruising, and when we get a Celebrity link we'll post it here.

[genmasjoy]

Thanks, I will keep reading. I have been on Celebrity but not their newest ships, so I will be interested to hear what you think. We really liked the Millennium and the Summit, not so much Century which was smaller and lacked a heated indoor pool that the other two had.

[Cruisers1975]

[skip this if you just want cruises ... this is the four days between cruises, for the sake of continuity only!]

 

 

 

Day 27 – November 8 – Monday, Toronto

 

Full day of work today, R in the office with son Ian, and Jim in the hotel, catching up in real time (Toronto time zone!) and fast Internet, a treat indeed. Then all at the office for training session and the quarterly Independent Contractors meeting and update, cocktails, and dinner, joined by son Keith at The Keg.

 

Day 28 – November 9 – Tuesday, Toronto

 

More of the same: work, and a chance for R to meet his number one clients, this evening for dinner, at a favourite restaurant in our old neighbourhood of Yorkville.

 

Day 29 – November 10 – Wednesday, Toronto/Orillia

Another day of catch ups, including an ophthalmologist appointment for me, and a chance for R to meet his other number one client for lunch, the first time they’ve ever met face to face. Then check out of the Marriott, rent a car, and off to visit son Christian at Georgian College in Orillia. Always nice to see him, and how quickly one of those visits clears a wallet!

Then off to Anthony’s for two nights, and an evening of wine & cheese & Grilled Cheesus.

 

Day 30 – November 11 – Thursday, Mississauga

 

Anthony’s school is having a Remembrance Day assembly and celebration today, to which we were invited. Very moving. Even for me, with my anti-Remembrance Day belief system.

Dinner this evening with the family, A&J, Matt and his sister, Meg, Ian and Keith, and us.

 

Day 31 – November 12 – Miami

 

Final stretch!

 

5:00AM wakeup and a flight out this morning to Miami by WestJet. WestJet has no business class, but it had the best schedule. You almost get used to the dandruff from the fellow sitting ahead of you constantly flaking onto my iPad. Jeeze! Those seats are tighter than a cabin on The Ambassador, and that’s saying something.

 

Bumpy approach leads me to reach across the aisle for R’s hand, and a prayer of “I don’t want to die in Economy!”

 

But we did land safely and eventually so did our luggage, and we were off by taxi to our, what is it now, tenth hotel?

 

Tonight it’s the beautiful Acqualina Hotel and Resort on Sunny Isles Beach, Miami. The reception is impressive, a swarm of bellmen and staff greet your taxi and unload luggage, as you walk to the Front Desk and are offered a glass of Champagne or a Bellini (accepted!) and cold towels. We had a complete site inspection by Noelia, introducing us to the many features of this magnificent property. Its 97 rooms are deceptively few (and qualifies it for membership in the Luxury Small Hotels of the World consortium) because of the flanking residential towers and upper floors of the hotel. Opening level bedrooms are 50% larger than our first 2-bedroom apartment! Even the room temperature can be controlled from a screen on the bedside telephone. And the view over the Atlantic is nothing but restful. Do we have to leave?

 

We do pry ourselves away for some Luxury Goods shopping. Bal Harbour Mall is the best and most complete such collection I’ve ever seen in one area. Every single luxury brand (with the apparent exception of Burberry) is here, and tempting. Successfully temping. A couple more Pink shirts and a tie, some Hugo Boss jeans and gloves, and, although an outfit on a mannequin at Brooks Brothers was exactly what I wanted, it wasn’t available in Portly, so we headed to the next one: Ventura Mall, with its Cheesecake Factory!

 

 

...tomorrow... Boarding Celebrity Eclipse. I'll post a link to the Celebrity thread when I get there ...

[boards]

Thank you for the review. You have helped us make a decision, we probably will not now ever do a river cruise again. We were on the River Beatrice last year on the River Danube cruise. Your cruise does not compare to it and now it seems that a future cruise is out of the picture since I don't a future one will ever be as good as the River Beatrice was. So thank you.

[Paulinda]

Boards - WOW! That's pretty harsh!