Gambshein

[Linda-E]

I was just notified by Ama that our cruise on the Amacerto will dock at Gambshein for Strasbourg. Has this happened to anyone else? How long is the bus ride? We are there till midnight. Will there be shuttles through the day and evening?

 

Thanks. We are river cruise newbies and I'm not sure how this impacts our trip.

 

Linda

[orchestrapal]

You'll get instant results when you Google for information. It's about 1/2 hour by car and 19 minutes by train!

[Linda-E]

You'll get instant results when you Google for information. It's about 1/2 hour by car and 19 minutes by train!

 

I saw that. I am hoping someone can tell me whether the ship will run a shuttle and how often.

 

Thanks.

[Floridiana]

FYI: Strasbourg is not directly located on the Rhine.

[CPT Trips]

FYI: Strasbourg is not directly located on the Rhine.

 

While that is correct, ships do dock in locations that do not require any special bus shuttle. A short walk and just a few minutes on the tram and you can be in town. It's very easy to come and go as you choose when docked there.

[notamermaid]

Hello Linda-E,

 

I have not heard the name Gambshein - correct is Gambsheim by the way - mentioned on CC before. It looks like an average yet somewhat picturesque Alsatian small town: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambsheim

 

There is a large lock/canal system at Gambsheim. The fact that the ship has been moved to Gambsheim at short notice seems to suggest that Strassbourg and Kehl are too busy. I fully trust that Ama will make the short trip to Gambsheim as covenient as possible for you. I am surprised, though, that a shuttle or transport possibilities have not been mentioned to you. I think it would be best to contact Ama directly and ask them about the transport situation. After all, a taxi will be expensive and quite a few taxi rides will be needed for 100+ passengers. And not everyone is comfortable with handling ticket machines or booths for purchasing train tickets in foreign currency.

 

Have a great trip.

 

notamermaid

[Got2Cruise]

On our Rhine cruise with Avalon we were moored in a canal away from Strassbourg, probably the same area. Here's how it was handled by Avalon. In the morning there were canal tour boats that picked us directly from the ship and then these boats transported us to the main canal in Strassbourg where we had a narrated tour. After the one hour canal tour (they were open roof) we were broken up into smaller groups for a walking tour. After the walking tour, as with all walking tours we were given free time. We were directed to where to meet the guide so she could accompany us back to the bus parking area which was located a few blocks from town square. After lunch additional tours were offered, we chose the tour to the Alsace winery. Read your AMA itinerary perhaps your day is set up similar.

[CPT Trips]

Contacting the cruise line is a good idea. AMA has a good reputation here, I would expect them to arrange shuttle busing.

 

You are docked 15-20 miles from Strasbourg, I doubt you will meet the canal boats there. But, who knows.

[Host Jazzbeau]

On our AMA Enchanting Rhine cruise in 2013, we were docked in "Strasbourg" but it still required a bus ride to get into town. They bussed us in for the morning walking tour, then offered either to bus us back to the ship for lunch or let us stay in town and meet the guide in the afternoon -- we chose to stay and AMA gave us tickets for the Astronomical Clock performance, then we had a great lunch [tarte flambée aka Flammkuchen] -- we all met up for a canal cruise in the afternoon before being bussed back to the ship. It doesn't sound like your docking location will really change the days activities very much.

[Got2Cruise]

I wouldn't worry about AMA. I'm sure it will work out to your satisfaction. What I recall about Strassbourg the most is that the people had to keep switching nationalities. And the gingerbread. :-)

[Linda-E]

Thank you all for the info.

 

Jazzbeau, our itinerary doesn't mention an afternoon tour but I hope they offer us the tours you described.

 

Linda

[CPT Trips]

Stay in town for lunch if you can. Jazzbeau is right about flammkuchen - try some choucroute too.

[SteveU]

Last September when we were in Strasbourg on the AmaCerto, it was just as Jazzbeau described. We started out the morning with a bus tour of the new section to see the European Parliment building, etc. That was followed by a walking tour of old town - through La Petite France - ending at the Cathedral. We could then either return to the ship for lunch. or stay in town on our own. If you stayed, there were two or three shuttles back to the bus in the afternoon. You just met the tour guides at one of the appointed times in front of the cathedral, and they escorted you back to the bus (about a 20 minute walk). If I recall correctly, those that went back to the ship for lunch could also return to town for time on their own. Definitely stay in town for lunch and experience the local specialties.