ural guy

Just throwing this out there, a bus runs from Keukenhof directly to Central Train Station, dropping you off on the water side, so a 15 ish minute walk to the cruise port docking spot. This may help if a shuttle doesn't line up with what you want to do. If you're really into plants, stop in Leiden and visit the botanical gardens, established in 1590's! Leiden is an easy spot to do a precruise on your own. Less than 20 minutes from Schipol by train, same distance to Keukenhof by direct bus so you can get your leisurely visit in. There are combo bus/garden entrance tickets.

We disembarked the Alruna Monday. Crew said they were getting that day to do a deep clean and setup, then Tues/Wed off, and a new group of cruisers boarding Thursday. We asked our server if they were volunteers to work over the Holidays. Instead the ship had crew on it from several other boats, and they had all started their contract (10 month?), later in the season then typical. They seemed like a very happy crew, and willing to do whatever they could for you. Our cabin guy seemed disappointed as I told him not to bother with service about 40% of the time, just swap out the water bottles. He came from a huge ocean ship, and was so cheerful and happy to be on the river now.

Notamermaid- Sure you weren't a hydrology major in another lifetime? Great data and reporting. Thanks.

Remembered I sent this to spouse/daughter, our Winterhaven route to freedom, lucky we were only 4 ships deep. I don't think Viking ever put out cones to show the route out of port if you wanted to walk. Spouse provided guidance to some lost souls, I alerted the front desk that there was an elderly couple coming along and there was no way they were going to make it up that gang plank that was at about a 30° angle. They may have wanted to have posted a sailor there, or at least the ship's phone number and a note to call for assistance. The dock area was empty at that time, there was no way that couple was getting up without help. Viking had guides at Heathrow airport to make sure we got from one jetway to another. That was unexpected and very nice. They could have done better in Winter Haven.

We had been comparatively lucky with temperatures in the high 40's, lights were still up, we found a few Winter markets running so got our gluhwein fix in. It looked pretty for winter. At one point, I was walking behind some people during a tour, and heard the comment, 'I guess all the lights come down in a bit...wow, this could be really grey in February'. Having lived in Germany for 4 winters, I couldn't agree more. For people who have cruised in the past, and have seen the castles and town squares in their glory, I would say to go and have fun, especially if you find a good deal. For any first timer, I would say to wait until spring. Having cold rain or snow all day, it being a Sunday with shops closed, and you're in port until 2300? That would get old, and the cobblestones would be so slick.

Pushka- Understand your frustrations. We had minor hiccups, and sailing a day earlier may have given us bigger problems. Still frustrated about information flow. In Breisach, we were scheduled to leave at 2400, that was moved up to 2300. An announcement was made roughly 2100 or so?, I heard it in cabin, daughter/bf/wife were in lounge, announcement came in garbled there. I go out for walk around 2100, super nice front desk lady (fdl)calls out to make sure I know about earlier departure, thumbs up. Daughter/bf leave for walk about an hour later, and fdl is helping another cruiser, and daughter wanders off. Fdl calls my wife around 2230 asking if daughter is back on board. Nope. Luckily bf has a data plan, wife calls using ships wifi, and they return, crisis averted. My point, is a 25 Euro white erase board would solve this information flow issue. Several times we had to stick our head into the hallway from as our cabin system wasn't working. (Volume knob doesn't have positive stop, so it spins and spins...I think if it went completely around sometimes it would quit working. Daughters cabin had same issue, system would reset after a bit.) Lastly: I did text the moved up return time to the group, they thought it meant the tour tomorrow was moved somehow? No idea, they were playing UNO in their own happy little world. On Riviera for the wife's retirement cruise in October 24, nice to have another comparison point.

Have fun in Rotterdam, we visited the food hall and did a harbor boat tour. It was an easy train ride from The Hague, our pre-cruise location. Good to hear that you are having an enjoyable time, and getting to see some things that appeal to you.

I agree with you, except that no way in Koln Viking Winter Haven is 10 minutes away from our planned docking. We were over an hour from the Dom, 30 minutes to the zoo. Understand why this had to happen. We were supposed to dock at 1230, tour to begin at 1400. Instead, we arrive at 0800. This was 'unexpected'? How? we were sailing against the flood level currents. And Viking wasn't using their own buses. No shuttle buses were made available. They were 'working' on it. So we walked. Shuttle buses never happened. No idea why we weren't on Viking buses from start...unless it being Christmas changed something? And later saw that the #18 tram had a stop about 10 minutes from our docking location. This info was never shared. A simple dry erase board in the guest service area would be a big help with information flow when it's a changeable situation. Viking has done a lot right, but this wasn't good.

Yes we are on the Alruna. Weather and river conditions always can have an impact. We're 4 out of 5 cruises that have had some water level issues. BUT: yesterday was 53f in Breisach, and gorgeous. From a visitor to swan class, To a nice wander up to the cathedral, and a nice sunset, from the vineyards above town.

We sailed the middle Rhine yesterday, very lucky with no rain and 45-48f, definitely colder at the end. We were wrapped up nicely on the top deck for over 3 hours. Boppard and a few other spots to show the water level. Thanks for all the updates. I kept my mouth shut for a few weeks about the water levels, not wanting to needlessly worry them. My travel party is from Syracuse, Rochester and Watertown NY. Thanks to Lake Ontario, this weather hasn't gotten us down.

Notamermaid, very good news, thanks. Sun is breaking out over the zoo. They have lots of animals set up for their light show.

And now, the backside of a 1/10 km river distance marker, no kayak to see the number. And a Viking tug.

Thanks, very helpful. Viking Cruises Winterhaven, someone has dropped a pin and named it on Google map version that pops up for me

Did someone mention where the Viking winter ship parking area is in Koln? The regular spot is flooded, so we're in the alternate location with 40 or so sleeping ships. Thanks

Merry Christmas all. This picture is not good, trees shouldn't be in water. But it isn't raining and the town of Emmerich is taking full advantage of the promenade along the river. Nice to see everyone out.

On Viking Alruna, just departed Amsterdam. Notified that water levels are to high to dock in Arnhem, but will be heading further to Emmerich Germany to dock. Still the same excursion to Palais Het Loo, just longer drive. We had hoped to visit the Burgers Zoo in pm, so that's canceled. We'll be very happy if this is the only change. Very nice on board experience so far. Weather has been interesting. Warm to us (50f), just 30 mph wind and lashing rain.

Yes Speyer.

Phoenixjewel is traveling with her friends. She doesn't want to change lines.

Did you get to do any sailing?

Roz- Sounds like a great adventure, enjoy.

We were stuck in Basel for 5 days due to low water in 2018, you have my full sympathy...although you have traveled much further and it sounds like, are in a not great area. We did the bus rides there and back to the planned tour stops, each ride getting longer. I wound up packing an overnight bag, and staying in Strausburg when the bus left, touring longer there and getting some great night pictures, and catching a train to meet the ship in Koblenz, where everyone embarked after bussing to the Mainz tour (I think it was Mainz). This gave me time to check out a museum in Koblenz I wouldn't have had time for, and saved me about 9 hours on a bus (it got caught in traffic jam, passengers didn't make it to the ship until 2100, scheduled to be 1800). I share this just to remind you that this is still your vacation, roll with the punches, and to try and make the most of it. We board in Amsterdam in 9 days, which will be our 5th cruise. We've had missed ports on 3 of the 4 due to low water. We're a jinx.

So sorry to hear this. I've been reading these boards since 2014. I can't remember a cruise ending and passengers being told to figure it out. Not a good look.

This sounds like the start of a comedy bit, but the last time I was in Rome, our car was broken into, and I wound up sleeping inside it as the window was now missing. The next day was soooo long, I sat parked in an alley while my wife and mom visited the Vatican, while I again guarded the car. It was a long drive back to Wurzburg. Also push starting it as we were waiting for a starter to be shipped over from the states. So I've seen a bit of Rome, Trevi Fountain was beautiful at 2 am. 🙂

Route is called Italy, the Adriatic and Greece: Rome (Civitavecchia) to Athens (Piraeus). It's listed under Quiet Season Mediterranean. This is Day One "Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. For centuries, Rome ruled much of Europe, building a vast empire from the power of emperors. More than 2,500 years of history live in the city’s streets. Ancient structures recall those heady days when the cheers of 80,000 spectators roared from the Colosseum, citizens mingled in the Forum and senators asked the gods for guidance at the Pantheon. Along with the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica, this rich pocket of Italy is one of the world’s greatest repositories of history and civilization." You never see any of that, unless you booked the precruise. The very next morning you are in Naples. https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/western-mediterranean/italy-adriatic-greece/index.html?return=true

True, and the first tour is in Naples, the last in Katakolon. My point is that if you want to see Rome or Athens, two pretty big attractions, you have to go on the pre or post cruise, and spend more money. .