Sturmin

On 4/29/2021 at 11:15 AM, NavyCruiser said:

We'll also be doing the Viking Grand European (Amsterdam to Budapest) Nov 14 - 28.

Is that too early for the Christmas Markets season? 

Or does anyone know when/how early they open...?

Thanks,

An easy rule of thumb for us in the US, the markets will open up generally the Friday after Thanksgiving. I don't know if this is for every market but it hasn't failed me yet. 

First of all thank you Notamermaid for info about Germany and the vaccines.

This is a link to the dashboard for North Dakota's covid numbers.  There are also links on the page to the vaccinations and to the school numbers both college and K-12. This is very simple and easy to use.  One of the most important numbers I see are the extremely low numbers in our schools.  Our schools have been open all year with some caveats. To me,  this looks like school age children have already reached herd immunity with our any vaccinations. That's just what the numbers show me. 

https://www.health.nd.gov/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/north-dakota-coronavirus-cases

I wish other government sites had a simple and user friendly dashboards.

On 4/10/2021 at 9:36 AM, notamermaid said:

 

We have had reports here of strokes and heart problems after the Pfizer vaccine of course. They have been partly explained by the higher number of that vaccine used especially in older people, but all events are taken seriously and investigated.

 

It was interesting to read that the EMA quickly reacted to the FDA reporting about the syndrome occurring in connection with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

 

Canal archive wrote (quote function not working):

"Capillary leak syndrome is a symptom of Clarksons Disease and Sepsis. CA"

 

I saw that mentioned in the literature. I am not too convinced yet that the authorities are unto something there, but I am glad they are vigilant. I hope they are wrong, I fear they are not.

 

I have had a look at the report by the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute and my head is spinning a bit with statistical data. What I can quickly say though is that some columns in the list are striking - strikingly full of incident numbers with the AstraZeneca vaccine and strikingly void of incidence numbers with both the Pfizer/BioNTech and the Moderna vaccine. I am referring to what is called in German "Venöse Thrombosen +Embolien mit Thrombozytopenie", i.e. what became a safety signal and has led to countries reacting with the age restrictions. The bars showing the percentages of incidence rate men against women is also revealing, the greatest difference being in the group 20 to 29 where almost no men are affected and women the most affected of all age groups (they looked at under 30 to 69).

 

I just hope that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not plagued by the same problem. Then we have a problem in the Western world (leading to problems elsewhere, I know). If the same problem does not happen with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine I think some scientists will scratch their heads as the vector technology of both vaccines is the same and give them another puzzle to solve.

 

Time to replenish brain power with tea and some biscuits...

 

notamermaid

 

Regarding Johnson and Johnson.

https://www.health.nd.gov/news/cdc-and-fda-recommend-pause-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine

Do you have any quick links to the Pfizer problems. How serious and incident rate.  Have heard almost nothing here about higher stroke risks or heart problems.  Thanks

3 minutes ago, ljandgb said:

Just going to chime in for deec and say that an RV is not the best way to see Glacier.  The only road across the park is narrow, twisty, height limited in some places, and turn out parking can be limited.  Either tow a camper with your vehicle or tow a run around car with your RV.

 

Belton bridge over the Flathead?  We rafted under it 2 summers ago.

You're close enough for me.  Middle Fork of the Flathead River and yes Belton Bridge.

Thanks for chiming in on Glacier. I was going to mention and forgot about a roads. 

Your turn.

2 hours ago, deec said:

I had forgotten all about that series of books!!!

When we can we hope to take a road trip to see Glacier!  Debating about renting an RV!!!

We take our 5th wheel camper and then explore the park in our pickup. Got a little tight with 4 kids, but now two are out of the house. 

Best campground is the West Glacier KOA but books up early. Last year it was the end of October, this year we called early Oct and they were already booked up except the last week of Sept 2021 before they close.  Park campgrounds are great, but no hookups and only a few take reservations. 

1 hour ago, notamermaid said:

Not too worry. Thanks for all the info. After all, we do not just want to reminisce, we also want to plan future trips and we need lots to know beforehand. Apart from having tons of time to "beat to death", as we say in German, or kill as you would say, till we can fly, driver sail to our heart's content.

 

Okay, so does anybody know the fork and I think we still need the name of the bridge for you to declare the winner?

 

notamermaid

 

I was ready to declare Jazzbeau winner last night until I reread his post.  Who ever wants to post the next pic, just need the full name of the river that runs through West Glacier, MT. As for the bridge, the historic Amtrak depot has the same name. 

It's not the N fork. A pic of the N fork from Huckleberry Mtn overlook, looking W.

5 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Lovely landscape. It reminds me a bit of the Rhine Alpine region, I reckon this is above 600m, or do you just have much pine in the region? With the vast distances in the US, I have no clue as how close this is to a navigable river. How far would this be to one?

 

Flathead, I have never heard Neanderthals be called that. Nerd comment: did you know the Neanderthals are named after the valley near Düsseldorf in Germany where they were first found? You can visit the museum there. I think this should be an alternative excursion on a river cruise.

 

notamermaid

 

Good morning, or afternoon for many. 

I had to look up the elevation,  it's is 980m near the bridge.  Navigable depends on the boat😁. There are at least two companies that offer white water rafting excursions and many locals float the rivers in the area.  The Flathead River flows West to the Columbia River eventually. As the crow flies and Google maps, that is 434km, but I'm not sure how navigable the Columbia River is at this confluence. 

I knew the Neanderthals were named for the valley they were discovered but not about the museum or that it was near Düsseldorf. That would be a great excursion. 

Lastly, the book was Clan of the Cave Bear(actually the 2nd in the series, Valley of the Horses had the flathead term) which was made into a movie with Daryl Hannah. I'm sure, too much info and not enough to do with river cruising. 

Jpalbny and Jazzbeau have pretty much given it away but I had such good clues I'll give the last two. 1st part is between a spoon and knife.  The 2nd part is derogatory name for Neanderthals in Jean Auel books.

11 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Glacier is a stunning place. Hope to go back some time!

This is our normal family vacation with an occasional trip to Yellowstone or up to N Saskatchewan fishing. Glacier is a favorite for the hiking and rugged beauty. It keeps getting more crowded but the longer trails are still relatively peaceful.

Huckleberry mtn lookout.

9 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

The color of the water looks glacial.  Is this in Glacier National Park in Montana?

7 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Glacier is a stunning place. Hope to go back some time!

It is on the edge of the Glacier Park. I appear to have made this too easy, but didn't think this qualified as a true river cruise😉. The second picture has rafters that had just passed under us.

2 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Is it in your home state?

 

PS - beautiful picture. Looks idyllic, unless you were trying to navigate it in a kayak.

This is one of the states that borders ND. The previous photo was looking up stream. This one is looking down stream. 

PS, thank you Jpalbny for your travel reviews, photos and the info in them. 

And know for something completely different. The cruises on this river are a bit more rustic and can be a full or half day. 

Name what is in the photo. First guess the river. After that name the town/city/place/river. The person who first guesses correctly gets to post the next photo.

Just name the river and for extra credit the bridge the photo is taken from. 

To make this a bit quicker, I'll be adding hints fairly quickly.

23 hours ago, Sturmin said:

I see their are now no northern European cruises until April.

Looks like the cruises for N Europe 2021 on Venus are back again.  Unsure if this is just a web issue or if we'll be getting some new cancelation info soon. Hoping just web issues.

I see their are now no northern European cruises until April.

2 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Thanks, kentchris. They are indeed the new ones. Purpose-built so that they can dock in Paris (the 125m limit by the French authorities). I would definitely go for those. The prices are higher than for the other ships I believe.

 

Difficult to say what is better as regards the itineraries. Fran has outlined what you see on them. Just to add the Moselle: Luxembourg city and the American cemetery, Trier - amazing old Roman stuff (the "Rome of Germany" but do not expect the Colliseum). Half-timbered houses in Bernkastel-Kues. If in Cochem - the 19th century idea of a castle that is the Reichsburg. The landscape along the Moselle is lovely.

 

As regards joie-de-vivre and a kind of wow feeling difficult to describe, I would go for the all French back to back. For a variety of way of life and differing countries experience I would go for Paris to the Swiss Alps.

 

notamermaid

 

A quick correction, Viking doesn't do Luxembourg City anymore.  They go to Reims France instead but still stop at the American cemetery in Luxembourg. They changed it this year after we booked. According to one rep, it breaks up the drive more. Disappointed but now I'm more worried about the whole cruise season being canceled instead of just one stopped changed🙄

Thank you Jimbo for the review.  Between you and Jamman, it really helps the days go by between cruises😄. 

What is your one favorite thing on the ship or cruise and one thing Carnival really dropped the ball on or needs to improve on the ship. Thank you Dave.

15 hours ago, Kansas Gal said:

What would you say is the average age of river cruisers?  Does it vary somewhat by which company you use?(we're early 70's, but 30 year old son is interested in coming along.  I'm afraid he will be bored from looking at the brochures).

I apologize if I sound rude, but I mean this as constructive if blunt info. 

You're son is 30, if he hasn't learned to entertain himself by now, leave him.  If he is mature enough to enjoy some different culture,  history and great company on the river cruise, then encourage him to come.  The cruise itself plus being pampered is a great stress reliever,  but listening,  visiting and getting to know other cruisers is the other half of an enjoyable river cruise.  

This is your vacation in your twilight years.  If you're just going to worry about his happiness,  again, leave him.  If he wants to come with to spend time with you and enjoy your company encourage him to come along🙂.

Thank you Jeff and Patti for the review and pictures.  We have just over 200 days until our Hawaiian cruise.  You should just about be able to wrap up your review by then😁.  We get to sail from San Diego instead of LA. 

A Happy Anniversary almost on time, relative to the 25 years you've been married.  

Bon voyage on your Hawaiian cruise.  We don't leave until December.  Waiting patiently for your review or being as patient as I can be.  Now,  stop checking CC and enjoy your cruise😁.

Great pictures.  Thank you for the review.  This itinerary is on the bucket list.

Thank you for taking the time for the live review.  Visiting Hawaii on our next cruise. 

Absolutely agree with Jimbo. Take the ocean view.  We sailed with our 4 kids in connecting ocean view cabins on the Conquest.  We have a couple of great pictures of the kids sitting in the window watching the ocean go by.  They really enjoyed the views as well.  Taxes and fees are the same. It's worth the extra money for the light and view. 

On ‎3‎/‎21‎/‎2019 at 4:30 PM, Jchivers said:

So what do they do in ship's theater?  Is that just for lectures?

 

I appreciate your input, loge23.  I think my preferred entertainment mix lines up a bit more closely with what Viking is offering, so I may be less bored than you.  We'll see. 

 

(Nice to hear that the spa is (a) excellent and (b) included.  The first thing we do on any other cruise line is buy a spa pass.)

I don't know which itinerary you are going on, but most are very port intensive. We did the Empires of the Mediterranean. Most port days were from 9:00AM or earlier to 5:00PM, with dinner from 6 until 8(Viking provides house wines and beer with meals which go from 5 or 6 until 9), but most people visited until 9:00 when servers quit pouring with the last glass taken with you. Between the full days, good food and promptly filled glasses, its hard to stay awake much past 10. We were also usually up very early to watch sunrises and docking. For someone a bit past mid forty, this was a tiring cruise, but one of our best to date.

My two negatives, snow grotto and infinity pool both did not live up to the hype. The infinity pool was freezing cold and the glass on the back was dirty and hard to see through. The glass was too  high to look over unless you pulled yourself up, then it cut into the arms and circulation. I only saw one other person then myself in the infinity pool. The snow grotto was very slippery with no snow falling. More a hazard then anything.

The cutbacks, not in perks but in understaffing of the ships. Making fewer workers do more. The room stewards offer morning or evening service, and yes I know you can have both if requested. The pizza pirate only had one person working probably 90+% of the time with long lines and slowwwww service. The deli had more people working but still seemed understaff as well as the bar staff. Just seems like less people working with less customer handling skills. On the last carnival cruise, there were fewer smiling crew members and almost no one had time to visit and say where they were from. The MDR was the exception with wonderful staff that really made the dining experience.

The second thing are the cruisers themselves. Seemed like more entitled people who lack common courtesy and self control.

8 hours ago, eileenandherbie said:

I want to book a cabin on Holland- America MS Amsterdam. I don’t know whether to wait until after the final payment date or pay now. Do prices usually go down? It’s only a couple of weeks away...

This depends on how important it is to you to cruise on that ship on that date.  If your flexible,  wait and see.  If you are determined to go on this cruise, book now.  You can check some of the online booking companies and see how many cabins are still available in the category you want or are acceptable to you.  I've usually waited and book after final payment and watched for good deals, but I don't mind which cruise line I book or need exact dates. 

When booking with others, we usually book early since our choices become limited and we are less flexible.  

P.S. don't worry about this being Carnival page. Same parent company.