MSTraveler360
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Posts posted by MSTraveler360
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Thanks, Steve!
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Steve, your pictures are fabulous. Thank you for sharing them. To what cities did you go and what tours/free exploration did you do in each? I would love to see some of your same sights one day.
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Easyboy, what the date of your trip?
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Scubadoldo,
You've presented some excellent questions and it's so good to see how hard you're trying to work things out for you and your husband on your upcoming trip.
I've never been on your itinerary so I can't answer to the specifics of your questions, but Viking should be able to connect you with one of their concierges who could.
I did go on a Viking Danube cruise a few years ago so I can speak to my experience with that.
Our cruise did offer a "leisurely" excursion option to sign up for at many of the ports. We walked at a slightly slower pace, maybe a shorter route, and avoided many stairs and steep inclines when possible. When we visited the Abbey in Melk, which is high on a hill, we had a van that took us up to the top and brought us down from there. Viking could tell you what could be worked out for the specifics of your locations.
I have exactly the same difficulties as your husband and I learned one thing from my Viking trip-
I took advantage of the leisurely tours and always had one couple in their 90's, who were traveling with their son and daughter-in-law, in my group. The problem was that they were always far ahead of me. I had my cane, but they had rolling walkers! Yes, the pavement was bumpy, but they made it work. They were also able to put down their seat and sit a bit when the guide stopped to talk. That was an eye opener for me. I like to travel-and do it solo-so I did lots of investigating when I got home and purchased a sturdy, sleek one online. I've used it extensively on subsequent trips and it has been a godsend. Inclines are still tough but they are now doable. I can tote things in my basket, hold a drink of water, and sit to rest when needed. It has really helped me to continue enjoy traveling which otherwise would have been beyond my ability.
So, I'm sorry that I couldn't answer your specific questions, but I hope I gave you some good food for thought. Oh, I am taking a Viking Tulip cruise in April so I will be able to give you current feedback about visiting the windmills after that trip.
Enjoy your planning and dreaming!
Jean
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How did you enjoy this stretch? Did you go on any special tours in Bucharest?
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Welcome to Cruisecritic! I'm relatively new as well and tomorrow I will be putting my deposit on my first river cruise for December 2018, so I don't think it's too early to book for October 2018. Depending on the cabin level and cruise itinerary, they may sell out quickly. I'm doing a Danube Christmas market cruise on AMAwaterways and when I called last week to put a hold on a French balcony room, there were only a few left on the floor I wanted. I'm glad I decided to book sooner than later. :D
Have fun planning! This site has a wealth of information that I've found very helpful!
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Would a solo traveler get to use two certificates or still only one?
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If one person bought $500 worth of certificates, would they be worth $1,000 off a future cruise?
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What cruise line? Princess has no-punch brewed coffee and hot chocolate only on the cruise on which the card was first purchased. Brewed coffee and hot chocolate are provided for a hole punch for subsequent cruises.
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So true. Organized tours are marvelous for packing quite a few sights into a limited amount of time. They're a little bit like a tasting tea-you get to sample quite a bit, but learn where you'd like to come back and digest the sights more thoroughly.
Every once in a while, I remember to pull out my map and have the guide highlight the route we had taken. I'm not a good note taker so this (and the photos I've learned to take of entrance signs) have help me understand and remember more fully where I have been.
I think I will try to go on the little cruise near the flower auction house. I just need to communicate with a local person to determine the logistics of combi-ticket group tour vs. driving myself.
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Yes, I'll get my ticket ahead of time. I'll just have to figure out when (before or after my cruise) and from where (Amsterdam or a nearby rental). I'm anguishing over that part.
I use a rolling walker for sightseeing (same needs that you have) so I'm glad the web site says they have an elevator.
Did you go to the Historical Gardens or take the Westeinder Rondvaart boat tour when you were there?
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Oh, thanks for the confirmations. My walker has a seat so, if I come across the "logistical ballet", I should be able to take a seat for a bit and just watch the action!
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FuelScience, thank you for the links. I know it's relative, but how long would you say a good slow observation and reading of signage would take at Royal Floraholland?
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Everyone,
Thank you for all the helpful input!
ural guy and FuelScience - I now do plan to go to the Open Air Museum. I checked my cruise's general itinerary and it seems like it is offered as an optional tour in the afternoon, but using all of your suggestions, I think I'll go on a different optional tour on that day, then and come back on my own (I'm planning on renting a car and-going back to/visiting for the first time-sights of personal interest I didn't see on the cruise) and spend as much time there to slowly absorb everything as I want. This looks like just that sort of place and I never would have known it without your suggestions.
Hydrokitty - I didn't see the Aalsmeer Flower Auction listed for my cruise, but I had been considering going there as a personal day trip either pre or post cruise. I am NOT normally a morning person, but your endorsement has convinced me to make sure that I do make it a definite stop. I know I would enjoy it.
~ Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I go...
1. public transportation from Amsterdam to Alsmeer and then continue with public transport to Keukenhof (pre Cruise)
Pre Cruise allows me to see the gardens days ahead of the cruise stop (different flowers in bloom?) or
2. go to both via rental car post Cruise?
Is the public transport tricky or time consuming? I use a rollator for distance walking. I don't want to take a timed tour to these locations because once again, I'd like to feel unpressured in staying as long as I wish. I am planning on staying in the area both before and after my cruise so that I have the opportunity of three different time periods in which to see the gardens.
Thanks for all of your suggestions!
Jean
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FuelScience - Thanks for recommending the Open Air Museum, the link to their web site, and the info on how to get there. I really think I'm going to plan on going back there if I don't get to see it while on the cruise.
gnome12, good point. This would especially be true for me. I do like to spend extra time at a location that piques my interest and this looks like it could just be one of those.
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Dear All,
I'm so sorry that I've been away from this thread for a while. Everyone, thank you for the fantastic feedback.
Gnome12 - thank you for the info on the museum and steps. I was hoping to go into the museum and that it would be near where you could enter the structure. Good to know that I'll be able to make it up the steps if I divide them into three or four "bursts".
Dav - the pictures are great. It helps to see where I'd go and what my view could be. I am really looking forward to seeing it all.
Becki and bellemere - I really appreciate all of your detailed feedback. I know excursions and visited sights change from year to year, but your comments let me know what I should really try to see and what locations I should really try to come back and visit in more detail after the cruise.
It sounds like you all had great trips and I'm looking forward to using your feedback for planning my visit in 2018.
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This is something I'll definitely want to see. Is the climb up on steps or a ladder? As a guess, about how many steps up would you say?
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Thanks, Dav. You've been super helpful.
Canal archive and gnome12, thanks for sharing your thoughts. What part did you visit? Did you go into any areas other than the museum?
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Excursion Details on Viking Tulips and Windmills Cruises
in River Cruising
Posted
Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.
I am back home now as I took this trip in the early springtime. I loved the cruise and had a great time meeting new people, seeing the sights and experiencing the culture. The Netherlands were wonderful and I really hated to leave at the end of my trip.
I know I’ve posted these pictures a bit late but I just wanted to share a bit of what these magnificent gardens looked like as well as try to learn how to post pics on CC. I’m so glad you enjoyed them.
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