shipster60

1 hour ago, notamermaid said:

Hmm, perhaps others who have been on the river in those months can help you there more. I find all three months good as regards the weather from what I know of what Germany is like. In June you definitely have the most daylight so that could be a pro.

 

Con is for September the potentially low water levels. This applies mainly for Germany. A cruise from Vilshofen to Budapest is preferable to one starting in Regensburg and going to Budapest. May and June are months with relatively good levels but there is a minimal risk of flooding which would apply to the whole journey from Regensburg to Budapest potentially.  All in all, if I planned to go on a 135m ship upstream from Vilshofen I would choose May or June.

 

A general note on low water. The whole Danube can be low but locks prevent some stretches from getting really low. A long part of Austria almost never has problems. Usually low water is worst between Straubing and Vilshofen, then what appears to be Komarno to Budapest next - not a guarantee, just my observations. According to hydrology and geography websites the Danube delta has a different pattern and can be low at a different time from the river much further upstream.

 

Hope this helps.

 

notamermaid

 

 

 

Thank you so much for your detailed advice! This really helps. 

I’m trying to decide between May, June and September for a Danube cruise. Can you give me pros and cons of those times?

We are just beginning our journey. Even though it’s my understanding that you still only need vaccine cards to enter Ecuador, when we checked in at the airport, the agent looked up requirements and said he needed to see our negative Covid test. For our own peace of mind we paid to get a rapid pcr test yesterday, so we had it. He didn’t even look at our vaccine cards. I never did call Celebrity to find out if we were included in the 72 hr test required starting September 13 because I knew we were getting one anyway. 

Now that I’m actually pulling things out to pack I have questions. What kind of hat is best for ladies?  I have a straw hat that stays put in the wind well and I also have a dry fit type ball cap like runners wear. Or do I need something else?

6 minutes ago, kent4489 said:

Well, Saturday night. Lots of tears tonight as every passenger was in awe of the week. I’ll be brief….

Today, we went to the Darwin Research Center, very interesting. By the way, I had a fleece and it was a long walk from the bus in a light rain. Make sure you wear a rain jacket. We ended up buying jackets at the research center. Nice quality and a nice souvenir. Glad we had them for the tree planting, which was really nice. By the way, I had read that someone suggested bringing disposable gloves and it was nice as we kept our hands clean. Not necessary, but several people were asking where to get the gloves and I had to tell them that we brought our own. I would highly recommend doing so. Another thing I red was to bring higher socks for the boots. I forgot and only had low cut. I got a blister on my ankle from the boots, so bring higher socks!

We really enjoyed the lunch and show at the ranch. Then walking among the tortoise… it was an all around wow day. 
This evening, again wow. Unbelievable that they introduced the entire crew. Tears!!! The pics from this week were flashed on the big screen and again, amazing. Such a very lovely gift to take these memories home with us. Lastly, our fellow passengers, again, wow! All very lovely people. With 42 of us, it was easy to bond and get to know everyone. I really feel this is something that will be very difficult to duplicate.

 

You have been so helpful, thanks for taking time to do this. I have used Tours by Locals before, I’ll definitely check out Vivian. Do they give you boots at the Darwin Center or are you taking about your own boots? 

2 hours ago, kent4489 said:

Thanks.

We have a driver/guide for Monday. Day trip to Mindo Cloudforest.

Would you mind sharing who you booked through. I’d love to hear if you would recommend them after you go. We have a full day in Quito as our flight doesn’t leave until midnight. We will need to leave the hotel about 8. I hope to find something to do during the day, but don’t want to duplicate what Celebrity provides before we leave for Galapagos. 

1 hour ago, kent4489 said:

We did have a bottle of sunscreen in our cabin. They haven’t announced that a certain type is required, but I did see reef safe is suggested. We aren’t snorkelers or swimmers. For wet landings, I used the sunscreen they provided for my feet, but used my own for face and neck. We have plenty still in the one provided, but some people have said they used all of theirs.

Thanks!

I’ve read different accounts on the type of sunscreen required. Do they provide it in your stateroom or has anyone specified what kind you must have?

Thank you so much for taking time to write about your experiences. Could you please tell me about what time that looked at your Covid test results at the airport, or if they did. I’m getting it done before we leave, but need to time it right. 
Also, I live in Chacos in the summer but they’re opened toed. Will I be ok in those for hiking or will I need something with a closed toe?

So glad to have found your new post. I was communicating with you before you left. When you have time would you please tell me when they checked your Covid test results? I can’t wait to hear more about your cruise. Are you doing inner or outer loop?

3 hours ago, kent4489 said:

Calsnoozie, thank you for confirmation that this is sufficient. I did know how to find the insurance coverage details. I just thought I needed an actual policy or document with our names showing that we had purchased this. I've got my invoice in my paperwork folder. All ready to go and leaving home in an hour! Thanks again.

Have a terrific time! I will be interested to hear how your Covid test verification goes. 

7 hours ago, kent4489 said:

Savethepandas, you're welcome. Yes, I pointed out to the agent that called that we didn't even know our departure time from Quito and told her it was 72 hours, not 3 days. Otherwise, I'm not sure they would have been so specific in the update. Hopefully, we will all be able to enjoy this beautiful place as planned. We're getting excited! 

 

DrKoob, thank you for this post and your blog. You posted so much helpful information. (I apologize that it got a little off topic yesterday.) 

Thanks so much for taking the lead on this. I agree that your email helped get a specific boarding time. I had made a 10 am appointment, which wouldn’t have worked. 

Here’s the latest, just received. I think we are being heard. 
we don’t sail for three weeks. Those of you going this week, if you can, please let us know how it goes. 

Yes, that was the situation, but Celebrity has changed the requirements beginning September 1. They say you need to get your pcr test the day before you leave the states. They are no longer providing it at the hotel. It’s taking 48 to 72 hrs to get results here. I’d be afraid to chance waiting until Quito since we arrive late on the 24th and board the Flora on the 26th. I talked to them 3 times today, but the last person said it doesn’t have to be exactly 72hrs and I can get the test anytime on the 23rd. Fingers crossed the results get emailed by the 26th. 

Now that we are required to get our own pcr test before we leave the states, could someone tell me what time you were taken to the airport to board the plane to Balta? The test has to be within 72 hrs of arrival in Balta. 

4 minutes ago, shipster60 said:

With all the documents to carry, this worked well for us. It holds your passport and vacc. Card. I just folded and tucked my barcode paper and later my neg Covid test behind the vacc card. No digging in a folder or pocket to retrieve everything. 
 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0973XP2Q6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I see my link doesn’t work. I’ll try again. 

With all the documents to carry, this worked well for us. It holds your passport and vacc. Card. I just folded and tucked my barcode paper and later my neg Covid test behind the vacc card. No digging in a folder or pocket to retrieve everything. 
 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0973XP2Q6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

31 minutes ago, susanlik said:

How do I book spa time...can I do it before cruise?

do I need to book exercise time?

I was on Jupiter and booked two Spa times soon after I boarded which was about 1:30. They said they were filling up and we only had 488 pax. They only take 6 at a time for 45 min sessions. 

9 minutes ago, bardstowntraveller said:

We are on same cruise. The Wildlife of Heimaey tour now has openings for almost all time slots. I cancelled the Beluga Whales tour and switched

I was on the 7/13 Jupiter. The wildlife boat was available when we boarded, however it was cancelled the night before the tour because of “mechanical reasons”. We tried to go to the Beluga whale center on our own but it was as closed that day. I don’t know if it was open to those that booked the tour. During the shore excursion talk the day before they said the Beluga whale boat would also not be running.  If you’re trying to find puffins, besides Vigur Island, we saw them on the Skalanes bus tour. They were nestled in the cliffs at the end of the walk. Our guide said she never tells people they will see them because they aren’t always there. It was VERY windy both at Vigur island and on this tour. Puffin sighting is better on those days because they don’t like to fly in the wind. Uncomfortable for tourists, but great for puffin viewing!

I’m on July 13. We got there at 10. 

1 hour ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

If you'd settle for just seeing a captive or a rescued puffin, there may be a couple options for seeing a rescued/not in the wild puffin on Heimaey.  But one option is a non-Viking excursion (Eyja Tours), so it may not be possible to do that excursion.  And the other may be the Beluga excursion arranged by Viking.  But I haven't really seen any recent comments/details on either excursion, so I don't know for sure if you would see a puffin or not.   

Fortunately the trips later in the day are going! They spread out group out among the other two. We have just boarded the boat for the trip back. It was amazing. Cold and windy here however!  

Vigur  Island tour cancelled today because of high winds!😩im so disappointed. What’s my next best chance of seeing puffins?

1 hour ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

Sorry for multiple images!  

1 hour ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

Here's our view of Jupiter, from the port's webcam today!  Welcome, Jupiter!  I'm coming.....

Looks like the weather forecast is holding🤪

5 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Greetings from aboard Viking Sky!  Nice to see Jupiter anchored within site. 
 

No reservations required for The Restaurant this week. Menus seem to be a repeat of what I believe were the ones on the 1st cruise. 
 

Lots of folks at the excursion desk-some are canceling or changing from what I overheard. 
 

I didn’t have any issue with getting to the 2mm line on the test tube (4 good spits) but Mike wasn’t as successful. 
 

From the number of folks walking around  and saying “oh look there Ethel, isn’t that pretty”, I think there are a fair number of Viking Virgins aboard. 
 

If there is something specific you want me to check out.  Let me know. 

We have a driver meeting us at 8:30 for 9 o’clock entry into Blue lagoon. Our plane is supposed to arrive at 7. I know you did something similar. Does this sound workable. They said I had until 10 to actually arrive. Thanks for all your help. I was holding my breath you’d make it. Fingers crossed for us. 

Yes roll call for 10-17. Original post is # 898