austinetc

I plan to ask the cruise director about this once I'm on my cruise (and he/she's not being bombarded by complainers).  I suppose there is a rhyme and reason to the difference and we just don't understand the nuance.

3 hours ago, jeb_bud said:

Rain is in the forecast, ten days from now(per the Weather Channel app).  Of course it's been ten days from "now" for the last couple of weeks at least.  It'll be nice when the model starts showing rain a little more imminent.

All the forecasts I've seen preface "rain" with "a little" or "a bit of".  The Danube needs a lot more than that before Regensburg becomes accessible.

7 minutes ago, G.M.T. said:

Notamermaid, here is an interesting article:

https://www.spektrum.de/news/trockenheit-in-deutschland-will-nicht-weichen/1602790

Thanks to the marvels of translation apps, I could read this.  Sort of wished I hadn't.  The soil is dry nearly 2 matters down?  That's very bad.  

Serves the Oceans right for hoarding all the water.

Off topic, but to squeeze signatures down to something reasonable, use bullets.  I despise empty white space.  Clearly I'm in the minority though.

Yesterday I joined a Viking Facebook page.  The lack of knowledge about river conditions is unsettling.  At least three referenced rivercruiseinfo.com to dispute the low-water-level contingent.  I sent a message to Cruise Critic asking if their tech guys knew of a way to take the site down.  Among other pages, the Contact Us link is broken on that site.

Viking's advisory is admitting that things are not ideal, but still saying rain is in the forecast.  I think they're drinking too much beer.

Some OBC is only valid once you're on board. Excursions reserved on line can't use this kind of OBC. Your OBC might be a combination of two kinds. Check with your TA.

Dear God, the days are hot, the nights are dry

The river levels make us cry.

The captain says that our hull may slide

Along the bottom, so we all stand by.

But buses are seen parked on the pier.

To repack or not is left unclear.

Our crew (which stays) have become very dear.

So land transport is viewed with fear.

Our wish may seem a bit insane,

When we’d normally seek no hurricane.

Our desire is a cruise to entertain.

So please, oh Lord, please let it Rain!

The Van Gogh Museum is .8 miles away. Anne Frank House is a mile.

In two weeks we're doing it on our own (four of us for four nights, Airbnb, $1,300). We're visiting Utrecht by train one day, then buying the I amsterdam City Card for two days to just walk around and visit museums. The Card includes free bus usage and one canal ride. Got reservations for the Anne Frank House. It was all fairly easy to figure out. Amsterdam is what I call a "compression city", in that everything is close together.

We have companions who opted for the Viking thing. They just want someone to take care of everything for them. It's expensive, but worry free. To each their own.

This thread and the one for water levels on the Danube is full of current information, as recent as yesterday. Just read backwards. It's good news in that Viking has been doing better than others, bad news in that water levels are low. Have been for months.

I suppose I'm the rare exception to be rejoicing no app. Apps clutter my screen and are in reality only an additional overlay of the true underlying program. But I share concerns for a poor transition. They seem to be under-staffed and under-tested, so glitches abound and continue too long.

We were scheduled on Scenic Amber, Nurenburg to Budapest starting oct 5. They have put us on the Jasper, 30 minutes south of Passeau. We will remain here until Sat and then continue to Budapest as regular schedule. Nurenburg tours being done from here on 4 hr bus up and 4 hr back. . Going to do Regensburg tomorrow on 2hr bus trip up and 2hr back. Hopefully will be able to get into Budapest in a week or so.

8 hours on a bus?! Are they giving out credits for future cruises? Can't ships get into Passau now, or is the port simply too crowded?

A non-water level question. We will be in Koblenz for only five hours (fingers crossed!). Viking offers a free three hour tour of Marksburg Castle. But I notice that the cable car to Festung Ehrenbreitstein is very near to where Viking (usually) docks. It doesn't appear that we can do both (Yes/no?). For anyone who has been to both, which do you recommend? I love history, but my SO enjoys views. Thank you in advance for your advice.

In my opinion, that is an excellent and accurate message. I think they've covered all the bases. Well done to Viking.

Additional information in case you are new. Viking has about 50 identical longships, mostly sailing on or near the Rhine and Danube. Swaps this year have been common. When a swap is done, the Cruise Director goes with the passengers. The crew stays with the ship. Tips are collected at the end of the entire cruise, though you do have to settle your bar bill etc. with each ship. So far the possible low water points where buses are used are Budapest to somewhere west (Hotels might be used in Budapest), Passau or Regensburg to Nuremberg (a swap), the Rhine Gorge (Castle Alley), and Cologne to Amsterdam (boat traffic more than low water). This is emphatically the worse case scenario. The most likely swap will be at Nuremberg. If the Gorge is impassible, Viking will likely arrange a cruise in a smaller local boat. For substantial changes, Viking has been giving credits for future cruises. Of all cruise lines, Viking seems to be the least disruptive, primarily due to the number of available ships.

Viking will very likely not give you much advanced notice. In some cases, the decision is literally made by the captain the day before. Though there have been some negative posts, overall it seems that a positive attitude will result in a positive cruise.

Notice from Captain: "Due to low water levels it may become necessary to lighten the ship. Be advised that pessimists will be thrown overboard first."

I've been watching this and other threads since July. I've waiting for autumn rains, but accept that Mother Nature is unpredictable. I rejoice in the number of optimists on CC. As long as I have my health, I'm fine. Well, I need to food too. And wine. Mustn't forget the wine.

notamermaid: Excellent education! Thanks. The sea level factor is interesting. I'll share a fun story, though it's well off topic. Many years ago my family sailed their boat up a river in the Chesapeake Bay to a well-known though remote dockside restaurant. Because the boat's draft was greater than normal for the Bay (6 feet), we shouted to the spectators on the dock about the depth. "Sure!" "No problem" "Come on over!". Well, needless to say, we ran aground (soft sand) about 30 feet out. Suddenly the dock emptied itself of those "expert" spectators. To conclude the story, we just left the boat stuck in the sand and took a rowboat into the restaurant (we were hungry). After a great meal of crabs we shimmied the boat out of the sand and departed, never to return. And never to trust spectators again.

Notamermaid: Yes indeed, Viking has a notice in the Cruise Documents that visitors are not allowed on board. I suppose they are afraid of natives stealing the silverware. LOL.

Most important issue is to understand that river cruises are not like ocean ones. Do your research. There are a host of sites that compare the two. One topic that I haven't seen mentioned is that unlike ocean cruises, where you probably visit many different countries and cultures, river cruises stay within only a few countries. Subsequently, the food on board may have a sameness to them over time. Several people have mentioned that after two weeks they've essentially memorized the menu. The river boat's kitchen is much smaller than an ocean ship, so their ability to customize may also be limited. A lot depends on the cruise line of course.

I personally find the Viking River extensions insanely costly. But I am comfortable in foreign places, enjoy doing research and honestly find 5 star accommodations over-the-top exorbitant. I also theorize that after weeks on a structured river cruise, getting out on one's own would be a relief for many.

We are spending one full day in Budapest, then six of us are taking a tour van (mydaytrip.com) to Prague after Budapest. It offers you-pick-em stops along the way. We'll spend four nights in Prague. This is probably unfair to Budapest.

notamermaid: You are very right. Great news! Several Viking ships have made it down the Rhine Gorge, now docked at Koblenz. But my cruise is still a month away, so fingers crossed for more bad (good) weather. Need the Danube to follow suit.

You spoke of river bottoms. Are the shallower parts of the Rhine composed of bedrock? Is that why there is no dredging? Never mind cruising, I'd think it would make commercial sense to deepen the channels where possible. I'm curious, and you are a wealth of knowledge.

Many thanks for your continued and thorough updates, notamermaid.

 

I called Viking today because our guest information forms suddenly indicated that they were incomplete. The representative kindly fixed the issue which wasn't visible on my end.

 

While I had him on the phone, I asked if he had heard anything about potential ship-swaps or other modifications to our cruise. He indicated that there haven't been any modifications for Rhine cruises in the last couple of weeks and it is early, but so far so good. He said we should be glad we aren't on the Danube or Elbe as things aren't going so well for guests booked on those cruises.

 

Still hoping for rain for the Rhine!

I have defended Viking's credibility often, but this morning I saw this on their Updated Itineraries page:

"While the unseasonably hot and dry weather in Europe resulted in low water levels on several rivers earlier this summer, recent rains have improved conditions significantly.

As water levels continue to rise, most sections of the rivers are now stable, making sailing through possible. We expect most itineraries will resume regular operations in the coming weeks."

I realize Viking needs to be optimistic, but I take exception to the word "significantly". In any case, I consider this notice to be the work of one person. I'm not going to change my opinion of the entire organization. Viking is still a class act up close and personal, but the greater the distance from the actual customer, the less friendly they seem.

jbeuks: Very interesting! Thanks for the information and your upbeat attitude. You seem to be making a lot of lemonade out of lemons. I'm under the impression that the rain will help the Rhine but not the Danube. I hope your ship can reach Budapest.

@ azbirdmom,

 

We do have the "cancel for any reason" insurance through Viking, yet we're still undecided as to cancel or not. I'm still trying to get a true picture of what's really happening with ship swaps, bus trips, etc ~ and finding that to be very challenging. I always appreciate NotAMermaid's updates (I've been graphing the water levels for the past month!) ~ trying to make the most informed decision that we can. Sometimes I feel that it would be a "relief" to the whole system to have a few less tourists trying to navigate around the area during this crazy weather.

 

I'd love to hear others' thoughts and opinions........still deciding.

Thank you all ~ stay safe everyone!

When considering to go or not, the most subjective factor is cost versus fun. No one can help with that because we all have a different perspective. I personally enjoy disruptions in plans (excepting poor planning), so the bus possibility doesn't bother me that much. (Eternal bathroom breaks at bus stops being an exception.) I'm happy to just tag along with whatever happens and enjoy the moment. Unplanned events can often be the things I remember most. I've also invested a lot of time in research and planning. I don't want all that to go to waste. Lastly, I object to letting mother nature get the better of me. Rain or shine, I'm having fun!

I personally would not travel between 31 October and 25 November on the river. If you start mid-November and end on 26 November for example you might get to see one Christmas market. Otherwise you will miss them date-wise. Remember that they are closed on Sunday of the Dead, that is the last Sunday in November.

 

 

If you like it a bit more quiet and do not mind rainy, misty days then November can of course be a pleasant time.

 

 

notamermaid

As a tourist who doesn't enjoy tourists, I'm looking forward to our Rhine/Danube cruise in late October/early November. You've painted a pleasing picture of just what I'm looking forward to. Rain in October would be nice. Don't fancy buses.