Onboard the AmaKristina 8/26 - 9/02

[Wings55]

After a very enjoyable week on the AmaLyra cruising the Seine River, we are now on the AmaKristina headed for Avignon on the Rhone. Yesterday morning we were up EARLY to put our bags out so the crew could transfer them via truck to Lyon and the new ship. At 10am we hopped on TGV high speed train for the two hour ride to Lyon. I was very impressed how smooth and quiet it was even at speeds approaching 160 mph. We had lunch on our own in town and then enjoyed a quick tasting of local products before boarding the 'Kristina. 

One thing we didn't expect was another round of COVID tests. Many who didn't have a Passe Sanitaire signed up for tests a few days before just in case the railway authorities asked for proof. We had our passes so didn't take a test two days ago. Ama has a new policy that those who transfer from ship to ship be tested so many of us had a rapid Antigen test when we got on the ship. That was my third test in three weeks.. I'm pretty sure I do NOT have COVID at this time. 👍

 

The new ship is very nice; it's newer than the 'Lyra and that's clear in the décor and the amenities. I don't have a headcount yet but I would assume we are near 50-60% full based on last week's experience. One disappointment was we did not get one of the double balcony cabins. When we booked the trip last Nov our TA indicated we would be assigned the larger option but we are waaaay back in #230. Oh well, we will still enjoy the trip but it would have been nice to sit out and enjoy the beautiful weather we are expecting this week.

Paul

[boblerm]

Have a great time!  This is a fabulous itinerary.

Do you know what would have happened to someone who tested positive?  I assume they would have to quarantine in Lyon.  Do you have any idea how long the quarantine would last, for a fixed period, or until getting a negative test?

[need2travel1]

Please give us a review when you have the time, we'd love to hear details.  Have a great cruise!!

[notamermaid]

I hope you get to see the Pont du Gard.

 

Have a great time on the Rhone.

 

notamermaid

 

[Wings55]

6 hours ago, boblerm said:

Have a great time!  This is a fabulous itinerary.

Do you know what would have happened to someone who tested positive?  I assume they would have to quarantine in Lyon.  Do you have any idea how long the quarantine would last, for a fixed period, or until getting a negative test?

@boblermThat's a good question but I haven't heard any specifics. I assume you'd be put off the ship to quarantine in a local hotel for 10days to two weeks. So much for a much anticipated cruise!

[Wings55]

1 hour ago, notamermaid said:

I hope you get to see the Pont du Gard.

 

Have a great time on the Rhone.

 

notamermaid

 

I'm sorry to say I don't believe we signed up for that. I was interested but 'someone else' (ahem!) suggested an alternate excursion. 

I know on which side my bread is buttered! LOL

Paul

[Wings55]

2 hours ago, need2travel1 said:

Please give us a review when you have the time, we'd love to hear details.  Have a great cruise!!

We're just getting started but so far, the Rhone has impressed more the Seine last week. 

Pauo

[Wings55]

18 hours ago, need2travel1 said:

 

The weather here in Lyon has been absolutely stunning. A bit cool in the morning but low to mid 70's in the afternoon with lot's of sunny skies and puffy white clouds. Pictures of the countryside have been amazing and the views over Lyon from the Basilica this morning were wonderful. 

Last night we learned there are 91 passengers onboard so we're at about 58% capacity. I believe the 'swan deck' cabins are not being used on this sailing. Fifty-two of us were on the AmaLyra last week so there are a lot of familiar faces. That's mostly good news with a few grumpy faces who never seem to be pleased. 🤷‍♂️

 

As we discovered last week the use of masks has not been all that bad but those without a French Passe Sanitaire have been excluded from select restaurants and museums. On the ship temps are taken every morning prior to breakfast and what used to be buffet meals are served off a menu. It's worked out well with limited numbers of guests but I wonder how thing will go when capacities reach 90-100%. People have been very good about trying to follow the rules. We all forget our masks now and then but a friendly reminder is all that's been needed. People are all being good sports about the situation and Ama is doing their best. The staff and our guides have all expressed how good it is to be working again after so many month's of inactivity. We have tried to be a bit more generous with our gratuities after considering what these folks have been through. 

That's it for now. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.

 

Paul

[skinnylegs]

If all goes well, I'll be on this itinerary next week on Uniworld. Thank you for your updates!

[need2travel1]

On 8/27/2021 at 4:27 PM, Wings55 said:

We're just getting started but so far, the Rhone has impressed more the Seine last week. 

Pauo

That's cool to hear!  We did the Seine w/ Uniworld in 2014 & again in 2018 & loved it both times.  We're doing the Rhone w/ Tauck next July (too excited for words!) so I'd love to hear your overall impressions of the towns, etc.....

Have fun!

[LTC]

Thanks for all the info you've been posting. Extremely helpful! We're going with AMA on The Essence of Burgundy and Provence on September 30th. When you mentioned on your last post that without a French Passe Sanitaire, people were excluded from select restaurants and museums was that on AMA's excursions or if you went exploring on your own? Will be doing the paperwork for this Passe Sanitaire in the next day or two but have been reading that people don't always receive them and wondering if shore excursions are affected if you don't have one. 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[Wings55]

@LTCI haven't heard of it affecting an Ama organized activities but on a walking tour yesterday in Lyon our guide pointed out a museum that she recommended but mentioned a P.S. would be needed if we wanted to visit on our own. Earlier Ama mentioned they didn't know for sure if the French railroads would allow people on board with only a CDC car the end we weren't even checked when we hopped on the train. Hard and fast rules are hard to come by. It took us days to get our Passe Sanitaires; We submitted our paper on the day the US State Dept announced the program so we got in early. You'd be wise to allow some extra time to get yours. 

Paul

[LTC]

9 hours ago, Wings55 said:

@LTCI haven't heard of it affecting an Ama organized activities but on a walking tour yesterday in Lyon our guide pointed out a museum that she recommended but mentioned a P.S. would be needed if we wanted to visit on our own. Earlier Ama mentioned they didn't know for sure if the French railroads would allow people on board with only a CDC car the end we weren't even checked when we hopped on the train. Hard and fast rules are hard to come by. It took us days to get our Passe Sanitaires; We submitted our paper on the day the US State Dept announced the program so we got in early. You'd be wise to allow some extra time to get yours. 

Paul

Thanks for the reply Paul. Will be submitting it today so hopefully we'll receive it within a month.

Karen

[Wings55]

3 hours ago, LTC said:

Thanks for the reply Paul. Will be submitting it today so hopefully we'll receive it within a month.

Karen

Best of luck. We just had drinks with another CC couple and she received her P. S. within an 8-10 day window and he still hasn't seen his and we're four days away from heading back to the US.  We 'think' the key is to send each request from a separate email address but that may just be a quirk that worked for us. Wish I had a more definitive answer/solution to insure you get it on time. 🤷‍♂️

Paul

[Wings55]

We toured Arles this AM and then visited a local 'pop up' COVID testing lab before going back to the ship for lunch. Most of us need a test to get back into the US so hopefully we have better luck getting results in a timely manner than a few of our earlier experiences. 🤞

The weather has been beautiful, the staff on board every helpful and the excursions most enjoyable. I am NOT looking forward to Thursday morning and the start of a very long day getting back to Dallas. 

Paul

[Daisi]

Heading home is always the hardest...but just think of the trips you can plan on that long plane ride home.  That's what we did!

[Lois R]

Hi Paul, thanks for posting!  Hope you had 2 wonderful cruises👍

[notamermaid]

3 hours ago, Wings55 said:

We toured Arles this AM and then visited a local 'pop up' COVID testing lab before going back to the ship for lunch.

Wonderful Arles. Would love to see the Roman structures again. Sounds like the testing regime is going smoothly, well organized by Ama. Have those taken the test that stay somewhere post-cruise as well? Or is that purely for those going home and the others have to see to testing themselves (that problem with the 72 hour window)?

 

notamermaid

 

[Wings55]

1 hour ago, Lois R said:

Hi Paul, thanks for posting!  Hope you had 2 wonderful cruises👍

Thank you Lois! We've had a very good time. My only issue has been a cold that I must have caught on the flight over. I figure I'll shake it about a day after we get home. 😉

[Wings55]

3 hours ago, Daisi said:

Heading home is always the hardest...but just think of the trips you can plan on that long plane ride home.  That's what we did!

We are already planned for the Mediterranean next May but after that...... 

Paul

[DebbieActon]

5 hours ago, Wings55 said:

We toured Arles this AM and then visited a local 'pop up' COVID testing lab before going back to the ship for lunch. Most of us need a test to get back into the US so hopefully we have better luck getting results in a timely manner than a few of our earlier experiences. 🤞

The weather has been beautiful, the staff on board every helpful and the excursions most enjoyable. I am NOT looking forward to Thursday morning and the start of a very long day getting back to Dallas. 

Paul

Hi Paul,we are on the AmaLucia in October.  Did Ama arrange your visit to the popup testing lab or did you just happen by and take advantage of the opportunity?  I am hoping it was prearranged, as we are under the belief it will be.  Thank you.

[Rexythree]

Paul,

we are traveling on the Ama Mora in October, did you say both of your trips were about 55% filled ?

[Wings55]

13 hours ago, DebbieActon said:

Hi Paul,we are on the AmaLucia in October.  Did Ama arrange your visit to the popup testing lab or did you just happen by and take advantage of the opportunity?  I am hoping it was prearranged, as we are under the belief it will be.  Thank you.

@DebbieActon Yes, our cruise director collected names, emails etc and arranged the testing for us. A few missed the signup but I believe he worked things out for them so they too got tested. I see I have my results in my e-mail inbox but my French is lacking (to say the least!) so I need a translator this morning. 🙂
Paul

[Wings55]

10 hours ago, Rexythree said:

Paul,

we are traveling on the Ama Mora in October, did you say both of your trips were about 55% filled ?

@Rexythree Yes, they were both between 55 and 60% so the ship have not felt crowded at all. 

Now that the dining room staff has to sever both breakfast and lunch I'm sure they appreciate the smaller crowd. They are kept very busy at meal times.

[Canal archive]

Remember the French have this wonderful expression Laissez-faire