Just Back from the Rhine on Uniworld SS Antoinette!

[acwmom]

After our morning stroll around Koblenz, it was time to return to the ship and fuel up for our trip to Marksburg Castle. The dining room didn't open until 12:30, and the tour left at 1:45. I'd estimate between 80-90 people went on the tour, so the waitstaff were a little stressed that day.

 

Our bus trip only took about 20 minutes, to get to the castle's parking lot. Along the way, we got a closer view of Lahneck.

 

 

There were two ways to get from the parking area to the castle. Up 120 steps, or a more gentle driveway. The main problem with the steps was that they weren't equal heights, or equal depths, so it made them a little more challenging. Marksburg was never designed to be anything other than a defensive fortress, so it was never decorated in the true castle "sense." There are a handful of caretakers which maintain it, one of whom lives in the castle itself, with his family.

 

We met our guide at the entrance, who held the proverbial "key to the castle."

 

 

We made our way to the entry

 

 

For those wondering about mobility issues.....this was the surface just inside the entry

 

 

We next had to ascend these steps

 

 

Not a bad vantage point

 

[acwmom]

Another cannon shot:

 

 

I "think" this was the blacksmith's work area.....but, honestly, can't remember....

 

 

 

More stairs

 

 

[jklc123]

Thanks! And I really enjoyed your review of your Egypt cruise. It's definitely in our future:-)

 

Robin

 

Glad to hear Egypt is in your future!

[acwmom]

A few shots of the castle's kitchen-a walk-in fireplace:

 

 

One long table:

 

 

I tried to photograph this table from several different angles, but couldn't capture the fact that the table gets wider as it gets further away from the window (as do the walls)

 

 

A couple of the bedroom:

 

 

 

And, another "walk-in" fireplace:

 

[acwmom]

The castle's chapel ceiling:

 

 

The toilet:

 

 

And, the outside view of the toilet:

 

 

A few more exterior views:

 

 

 

[acwmom]

More steps, this time, more scenic

 

 

And, a few of the views-breath-taking

 

 

 

[acwmom]

For dinner, I wasn't in the mood for the menu offerings for the evening, so decided to try the "always available" steak. It was very good, cooked to order, tender......

 

 

I started with the carpaccio, because, I needed the extra protein:-)

 

 

 

For dessert, we had the crispy, sweet "doug"-there were a few typos during the week which made people smile.....

 

 

[acwmom]

Next, is one of two reasons I personally feel going the Basel to Amsterdam direction is better......

 

Our bartenders told us not to go to bed early, because arriving in Cologne at night is magical, with the bridges and cathedral lit up. There were 10-15 of us up, around 11:30pm, when we pulled in. We weren't disappointed.

 

Unfortunately, I only had my iPhone with me.

 

 

 

[Lois R]

WOW...Robin, the pictures are all fantastic:D....the bridge AND THE FOOD:D

[mlbcruiser]

acwmom, thanks for the info regarding your time in Lucerne. Loved seeing the pix! We'll be doing a Rhine cruise in a few weeks and I hope we get weather as nice as you did.

 

Since your cruise was on the Rhine, I thought I'd ask you about the types of clothing was appropriate based on the air temperatures most days? It seems like everyone in the Lucerne photos is wearing jackets. Where I live we have been having all types of weather - cool, dry, wet, warm, hot. Often all in the same week! I have to say, I've worn jeans and long pants most of the time, but capris a few times here at home. I was planning to bring predominantliy capris on our cruise, but I'm wondering if I need to concentrate on long pants instead - ? While I know it will likely be warm when we cruise, it seems the weather in that part of Europe tends to be about a month behind the change of seasons here.

 

Not sure it's possible to answer with surety, but please give it your best shot!

[acwmom]

acwmom, thanks for the info regarding your time in Lucerne. Loved seeing the pix! We'll be doing a Rhine cruise in a few weeks and I hope we get weather as nice as you did.

 

Since your cruise was on the Rhine, I thought I'd ask you about the types of clothing was appropriate based on the air temperatures most days? It seems like everyone in the Lucerne photos is wearing jackets. Where I live we have been having all types of weather - cool, dry, wet, warm, hot. Often all in the same week! I have to say, I've worn jeans and long pants most of the time, but capris a few times here at home. I was planning to bring predominantliy capris on our cruise, but I'm wondering if I need to concentrate on long pants instead - ? While I know it will likely be warm when we cruise, it seems the weather in that part of Europe tends to be about a month behind the change of seasons here.

 

Not sure it's possible to answer with surety, but please give it your best shot!

 

The weather, for late March, was much warmer than we expected. My long underwear never got used, my jacket, only a few days. Except for Mt. Pilatus in Lucerne, we didn't wear jackets. Our scenic cruising through the Rhine Gorge.......mid 70's and sunny. The same the next day. I would say you will be fine in capris. Maybe repurpose long pants you'll be wearing on the plane. I didn't take any short sleeve shirts...I wish I had!

 

Robin

[acwmom]

Our last day......

 

We climb church towers, we climb to castle ruins....we like....to climb.....we love, the views.

 

So, when in Cologne, with a limited amount of time, skip the included excursions (city walking tour with beer tasting, or museum visit) and climb to the top of the Cologne Cathedral. All 533 steps. I'm not sure if there's a tower with more. The view was well worth it.

 

There weren't a lot of views, on the way up.

 

 

Fortunately, the bells were about halfway up, which was a good spot to rest, and catch our breath

 

 

 

At approximately 380 steps, there was another resting spot. After so many winding stone steps, we transitioned to aluminum. Several straight flights, followed by a circular end.

 

 

 

The view to the other tower

 

[uncertain river cruiser]

Glad to hear you didn't have low/high water issues. We are thinking of a rhine cruise April 2018 but was wondering if anyone had thoughts on whether a Nov cruise date would be better re water level issues?

[gnome12]

I don't know about water levels but I think early spring would be much more pleasant than November (unless you are specifically going right at the end of November when the Christmas Markets are open).

[acwmom]

Looking up, once we reached the top:

 

 

And, from the outside:

 

 

The view:

 

 

The Antoinette:

 

 

 

[acwmom]

Of course, repairs were being done while we were there:

 

 

There were several of these sections, totally missing like this:

 

 

We managed to find this date, way up high

 

 

The way down was very disorienting, as the steps all the way back down to the bell level were this (unlike the way up)

 

 

A view of the front. We were in the tower on the right.

 

[acwmom]

We departed Cologne around 12:30. This was the only day the sun didn't shine, the entire week. Burgers were being offered on the top deck, and about 1/2 the passengers dined up top. The regular buffet was offered downstairs, in the dining room.

 

Reason #2 why I liked going Basel-Amsterdam.....with Uniworld, there was no stop between Cologne and Amsterdam. Essentially, a "sea day," which meant I could pack. (which I needed to do, as we had to disembark at 4:30am for our 8am flight:-O)

 

Once packed, we headed to the lounge, to relax. We socialized with new friends we had met on board, enjoyed our "free" alcohol, and enjoyed the "send-off tea" that Uniworld does so well.

 

 

 

 

A few sights, along the way

 

 

 

[notamermaid]

acwmom,

 

they got the map wrong on the cake, Koblenz is on the left bank. :D But who cares, as long as it tasted great. What a lovely idea and the table full of food looks splendid.

 

Do you recall what that half broken old bridge was called or where it is?

 

notamermaid

[acwmom]

acwmom,

 

they got the map wrong on the cake, Koblenz is on the left bank. :D But who cares, as long as it tasted great. What a lovely idea and the table full of food looks splendid.

 

Do you recall what that half broken old bridge was called or where it is?

 

notamermaid

 

According to my iPhone, it was Wesel, Germany:-) It was an old railroad bridge. We asked the captain about it. We were in the room, getting ready for cocktails, and I "rolled" our window down to get a better picture.

 

Here's another view-it looked very interesting from this angle.....looked like arrows

 

[acwmom]

Prior to the farewell dinner, there was a farewell cocktail hour.....

 

Our sommelier, Nedco.....one of the people responsible for replenishing our depleting beer supply mid-cruise.

 

 

Our hotel manager, Miguel, on the left; and cruise director, Chad, on the right. The first full day of the cruise, one of the passengers was having a tremendous amount of ear pain, and Miguel arranged for him to be seen by a local physician. It was determined that the man needed to have a procedure done to relieve pressure on the eardrum. Miguel stayed with him, the entire time. Chad was awesome, a lot of patience, and a great sense of humor. The last day of our cruise was April Fool's Day, and he was more than willing to be a participant for some good-natured fun:-)

 

 

Some of the new "friends" we met, and Chad.....we shared so many laughs, drinks, name that tunes......no suits, and only one tie.....

 

 

Our farewell dinner menu:

 

[acwmom]

And, the dinner itself:

 

 

 

 

 

I opted for the veal, it was outstanding.

 

 

[Ritabob]

Mrs. Tollman's baked Alaska.....OMG! You just brought back a wonderful memory of the best kind of sugar rush. :D

 

RB

[notamermaid]

Thank you acmom,

 

really interesting photo of the bridge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesel_Railway_Bridge It was destroyed close to the end of WWII (sadly, not a surprise to find out that fact).

 

The gala dinner sounds and looks lovely. I had a kind of baked alaska without the baking, i.e. the meringue, on my river cruise.

 

notamermaid

[amd1234]

Love the post... we were on the Uniworld SS Antoinette Castles on the Rhine three years ago. Wonderful itinerary We are cruising the Rhine and Moselle Uniworld in August. Amsterdam to Basel...Amazing food thx for pix..

[bobalink]

Hello acwmom,

Wow! Excellent review and fantastic photos. Well done, right down to the end!

We are considering the Rhine and Moselle for our river cruise in 2018.

You documented your trip so well. It has inspired me to do a better job taking notes.

We tend to get overwhelmed towards the end of the adventure and when we get home, I need a vacation from my vacation. :D

Thanks for sharing your experience and for taking the effort and time to post the outstanding photos.

Bobbie