Flamencacha

I have tried that option with the cruises that I have booked in recent years and the option doesn't work for me. I am a veteran, elite, Senior, it just doesn't happen on those cruises. What we find is that Repo or TransAtlantic cruises were not bundled and we got some good prices.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, checking TransAtlantics for the future, prices have really gone up. Celebrity is becoming non-competitive.

Celebrity is not the only cruise-line that has raised their prices. They all have. I am not loyal to any cruise-line, I go for itinerary and price point. I usually cruise SOLO and I like Celebrity. But... I am in my mid fifties and retired and have a lot catching up to do. So I need to watch my bottom line.

For what it’s worth, those of you that have reached Elite and higher... you deserve every perk you can get. You have payed for it.

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Sometimes when we travel it turns to a bit of an adventure. Enjoy it whatever happens. The sherry is a good idea!

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] I can deal with adventure. I am arranging a Plan B just in case the option to cancel comes through. Some how Danube for wine lovers doesn’t seem too exciting if it will be done mostly by bus. I will keep the rain dance going for those that have more imminent sail dates!

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Please do not be a wreck as you could be a hinderess to other boats.

 

 

 

Get out your best local sherry to calm your nerves.

 

 

 

Have a great cruise.

Good idea!

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The Danube river levels are rising, but are predicted to to fall slowly after 36 hours. Will have to wait and see what the rain in the Alps will send the Danube via it's tributaries.

 

 

 

 

 

Hope the boats are on the starting line in case the levels rise enough for the to pass the critical areas.

I am going to be a wreck, until the end of the month! Any good news, is reassuring!

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I probably already posted the link but here are some of our pictures.

 

https://rivercruiseonthedanube.shutterfly.com/pictures

If you did i didn’t see them. They are just beautiful thank you!

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I just checked the Danube river levels between Passau and Regensburg, all the mearusing stations are show 5.0 meters (500 cm).

 

 

 

 

 

BEFORE anyone gets excites about the levels rising, they are NOT, it looks like that the two Bavarian website for high and low water (HND and NIS) are not working correct. Looks like a software problem, don't know how long it will take to fix he problem.

Oh brother[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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Personally we like travelling without doing the driving. Doing this without a cruise would have been a fair amount of driving. We like waking up in a different place every day and having tours included. Prior to this we had been on four European ocean cruises and enjoyed them. On this cruise I had enough time in Vienna to go exploring on my own (was the only place I wanted to do this).

 

 

 

Bottom line is that we like using the boat as a moving hotel/restaurant.

That’s why I enjoy Ocean cruising so much also. I am so hoping the water levels rise by the end of October. The idea of packing up everyday and not being on the water saddens me. I hate driving , that’s probably because I was forced to drive everywhere, prior to my move to Europe.

It sounds like you had a wonderful time, thank you for sharing.

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thank you, Malekin. I truly don’t care where we go. I’m having such a great time on board, I could live here. The captain told us today that a barge ran aground in the main - Danube canal, shutting down river traffic.

Please clarify, you could live on the ship or in the area. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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We cruised in the first week of May 2017. It was unseasonably cold outside with some rain. Temps were mostly in the 50s with one day in the 40s. We needed jackets and sweaters when we were outside. When we were inside the ship it was comfortable without a sweater or jacket. We just wore our regular inside clothes and we were fine. Have a great cruise!

 

 

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Thank you! I hope I am cruising. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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The weather in Europe, this year, is completely out of whack. I live in Southern Spain close to the coast. It’s hotter now than it was in mid July.

Another point, I previously lived in Florida then Puerto Rico. I find the rain here to better defined as a drizzle. It is a colder rain but much lighter.

No one can predict the weather, but I did a Mediterranean cruise,late October early November 2014, it was beautiful weather all except Rome, overcast with a drizzle.

Good luck

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Your cruise from Deggendorf (upstream from Passau) to Vienna or Bratislava will have enough water under the keel, the last stretch to Buidapest could encounter low water levels which may involve bus journey.

 

 

 

With regards to temperatures, the secret is too layer. Or TOOPO, Take Off Or Put On.

Thank you for your reply! I am not much of a layer person, but alas luggage restrictions call for desperate measures.

But in the actual ship itself, do they try to keep an ambient temperature on the cool side or the warm side?

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I am a newbie to RIVER cruising. This question is more directed to the ladies. I am ( fingers crossed) doing the Danube Deggendorf to Budapest.

Currently I have observed temperatures are approximately 20 degrees lower F and 12-15 in C than where I currently reside. I am assuming in a months time they will be even lower.

My question is aboard Ship, is it somewhat cool, somewhat warm, or just a nice midrange temperature? On average of course.

I will be packing for 12 days pre and post cruise, and want to ensure I take the appropriate type of clothing.

Thank you in advance.

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Our current Avalon Panorama cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg just received an update. We will not be able to continue on to Nuremberg. The furthest the ship can travel is Vilshofen due to low water levels.

 

They are now offering free excursions to Cesky Krumlov or Salzburg as compensation. We will be able to stay on board each night.

 

Passengers not doing the following stay in Prague are being given a free night's stay in Nuremberg prior to their flights.

 

I am quite impressed with the way they are handling this difficult situation. We are having a wonderful cruise.

 

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Glad your enjoying your cruise!

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You might not have the rafting problem on that cruise as there aren't that many boats doing a similar cruise. On the European rivers, when the boats dock at ports, they often are side by side and you have to walk through several boats to get to dry land.

[emoji33][emoji33][emoji33][emoji33], after reading this thread I see how unprepared I am. Don’t get me wrong, I can deal with anything. I opted for a RC because my Aunt raved how great they were. I keep repeating OPEN MIND OPEN MIND.

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Watching this thread with interest. We enjoyed a Rhine cruise in October 2016 with Avalon. We liked being able to ‘do our own thing’ and wander independently rather than just go on organised excursions. I think we only did 3 half day organised excursions in the week long cruise which suited us.

 

 

 

We are booked on Avalon Expression Budapest to Prague leaving 17 October. I know that is 3 weeks away but the forecast looks sunny in Central Europe for the next week at least.

 

 

 

I am worried that if the Danube isn’t navigable that we will end up in hotels & long bus journeys and forced to do the organised tours.

 

I was looking forward to a relatively relaxing time on board ship as life has been stressful lately (caring for elderly parent) & I don’t want to be packing & moving every day. In fact one of my happiest memories of our last cruise was being on board ship when most other passengers were away. My friend & I relaxed in the hot tub & felt like we were millionaires on our own private yacht!

 

 

 

If rain doesn’t arrive will we be allowed to cancel or rebook for a different date? I would be disappointed but would prefer that to an exhausting bus tour.

Good question. From what I have read in the threads Avalon has been generous and accommodating. Many have been offered full refunds or compensation for the disruption.

On the downside, it may not come until the last minute.

For myself I am looking at a Plan B, an on my own trip. I have been stressed for a few weeks now, and have decided to go with the flow. On their site they advise to contact your TA or them directly.

So no one knows.

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These are a few things I wish someone would have mentioned before I choose to do a river cruise. I read many reviews and they were so very positive. I am NOT saying don't river cruise, I'm just giving folks things to think about, or maybe just confusing them. PLEASE don't fly in my face folks. I've cruised a lot, I know a cruise is in the eye of the beholder, again it's just things I didn't know. And, maybe if I had read these things I would have done the same anyway. Just an FYI.

 

 

 

1. If you are on the first floor of a river cruise boat it can be very noisy. Propeller noises from passing ships are passed through the hull, but not too bad. However, propellers turning off and on, the ships thrusters racket, as well as the planks bumping the lock walls, water gushing in and out of the locks is real loud and all night long for almost the whole trip. I was lucky and found earplugs in my luggage that allowed me to sleep. Now granted I am a light sleeper, but it bothered the husband too.

 

 

 

2. I didn't realize that it is not infrequent for high and low water to be a problem for river cruises with both possibly happening in one season. And, face it weather patterns are changing and not conducive to proper river levels. I was told by locals that low snow levels in the mountains in the spring in causing part of the issue.

 

 

 

3. I didn't think that I would care, but after 2 weeks I did have problems with dinner menu choices. The menu is heavy on the fish almost every night (2 out of 7 options). One offering was vegan (pretty tasteless, come on chiefs) really. Two servings were the same roasted chicken and rib eye steak very night. No pasta, almost no other chick preparations and almost no beef, now this is dinner I'm talking about. Now again I didn't think this would be an issue for us, I always thought people were being picky when they grumbled about food, but it was disappointing towards the end.

 

 

 

4. They can totally change the itinerary, change your mode of travel, alter where you stay, and change where and how you eat.

 

 

 

5. In attempting to keep you moving not floating, things keep getting in the way of your relaxing voyage such as -

 

no help with luggage

 

buses that don't show up on time, 1 hour or more late

 

locked bathroom on buses

 

 

 

6. And, yes I did find packing and unpacking to change ships annoying

 

 

 

We sailed 8/24/18 on the Skadi(loved the staff especially Marik). And, I knew we would probably have to change ships and I tried to bee positive, but this and other things that occurred just muddied up the trip.

Havent done my first, but will soon. Wish I would of known about 1, 2, 5, and 6 before booking.

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I am staying a. Extra three nights at an aparthotel, for approx 150. They won’t have all of the amenities but some are 4 • properties.

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I apologize for changing the subject but wanted to give Avalon a thumbs up for taking good care of it’s passangers. My wife and I left Amsterdam last Saturday on Imagery II. Rhine River Cruise. When the ship arrived in Cologne the captain had a meeting with all passengers to let us know that the ship could not go past Koblenz due Tuesday low water in Rhine gorge. We did not miss a castle or excursion because of great customer service by Avalon. Each passenger was given a credit and free optional excursion in Strasbourg. We were transferred to Tranquility II for last three days of the cruise. Avalon did a fantastic job handling the situation.

 

 

 

Dennis

Thank you, still about 5 weeks out! , Being my first River cruise, post like yours are taking the edge off. I know I will be taken care of.

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I live in Spain receive pension in the US. I always use XE. It’s always within 1% when I withdraw cash or make a purchase.

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Thank you for posting.

I will be doing my first River Cruise in a little bit over a month from now on the Avalon Panorama Danube for Wine Lovers. Still hoping for rain!!

Will keep following your tips!

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[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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Sorry, now we have been told the boat is in Vienna. Hoping the communication gets better!

There is another thread discussing water levels on the Danube. May I share your posts?

I am really sorry, I will be cruising (?) in 5 and a half, and working on Plan B. My cruise line Avalon has been offering refunds and or compensations to current cruisers. I won’t know anything til last minute.

Wishing you the best!

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Thank you so much - we sail on 24 Oct, so I'll keep an eye on her.

And I on the 31 of October

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Been on half a dozen river cruises, Viking & Uniworld. I've never seen anything but single cruisers welcomed and "adopted" by fellow guests. You'll have a great time!

 

The only table reservations I've seen are what I'd call normal, when part of a party already seated is holding empty seats for friends. Never saw anyone come up to a table and ask anyone seated to move. Instead, what usually happens with us is if we're already seated folks come and ask if the seats are open and we meet new people.

 

If they don't enjoy our company, they simply don't ask to sit with us again. :D

I have been adopted on my ocean cruises also! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]. Thank you!

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Good morning, I always sail solo and found the dining experience on AMA very good. It was very easy to meet other people and I sat with others throughout the week. Hope you have a great cruise.:) I can only speak from my experience......tables were not reserved and I don't remember any issues like the above happening.

Thank you, if only the water levels on the Danube will cooperate. I will be on Avalon and it will be a wine lovers cruise, hoping for pleasant company.

My aunt raves about river cruises,so I am trying this out. I love my ocean cruises, we will see.

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