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Thanks. Generally one can get to MOST initial splash screens, it's the ones that require an additional exchange to complete authentication that will be a problem. If that doesn't work out there are 2 alternatives. This is AK so he can use a wifi hot spot while in port assuming there is Verizon coverage plus I have a travel router I can lend him that he can connect and authenticate using his personal computer then connect his work computer to the travel router. I just used the latter method on Celebrity, I didn't even fool with trying to connect directly so I don't have that experience to pull from plus it's a different company. I was hoping someone had experience with AnyConnect on Princess to help him decide how to proceed.

I have a coworker who is going to AK on the Majestic Princess in May. Our work computers use a VPN with no ability to get past an initial splash screen to authenticate. Does anyone have experience using Cisco Anyconnect on Princess with system that's almost completely locked down. We are not allowed to access the system any other way.

Thanks, leaning toward passing on it. Blu would be the main reason for Aquaclass and at $250 PP X 2 I'm not seeing it worth the extra but wanted to get others thoughts as I realize you don't know what you don't know. This is our fist time on Celebrity but Elite due to status matching.

While I'm sure the question has been asked many times, I couldn't find a thread that gave me enough information. We're currently booked in an E2 Cabin on the Beyond leaving in a few months. Midship on deck 8 opposite the magic carpet suites. For the MoveUP, I don't believe any of the suites are of sufficient value to justify even the lowest bid. What I was considering was bidding the minimum on Concierge and/or Aquaclass. I realize the chance of being successful is relatively low and I also know that the cabin location or view might be inferior. The Spa access is not something we're particularly interested in but the rest of the amenities and options associated with each do add some value for us though not enough to go above the minimum. I'm looking for thoughts about this situation. Is it worth the location & view risk for the modest other options?

If not they will supply an approved extension as well as distilled water.

We were on a Viking River Ship for 2 weeks this summer. IMO, breakfast was the best meal overall. The only slight complaint one might have was there was limited variability though this would be less of an issue on a shorter cruise. Eggs to order, omelets, potatoes, meats, oatmeal, fruit, cheese, salmon, breads/pastry, etc.

Our Grande European trip in Sept was our first time to Europe and our first River Cruise so I felt more comfortable limiting uncertainties and booked everything through Viking. I ended up booking this trip the same as well or at least that's where we'll be tomorrow or Tuesday once the TA gets it booked (waiting on a replacement CC). But the reasons are different. I now plan to book the air and pre extension with Viking to lock in costs. Then I'm going to keep an eye on discounts and specials as we go along. Then once I can book air myself, I plan to reevaluate my options. If I end up booking air separately, there's a good chance I'll alter my pre/post choices as well.

I think we've decided on Passau to Budapest we may forego the extra time in Vienna for now. We'll do the pre extension for Munich and Salzburg but none post since we're in Budapest for 2 nights on the ship and we feel we've seen Budapest from a non Christmas standpoint. It was a difficult decision and the main reasons we made this choice was our investigation suggested Vienna and Budapest were 2 of the highest rated markets and there are 2 stops we did not see on our Grande European Cruise. I'm sure all 3 choices (alternates Regensburg-Budapest or Amsterdam to Basel) would have been great. Now I have to decide whether to take the train back to Vienna and do flights on our own or put Vienna off for another trip. I'm going to add the Viking Air for now so lock in the price and review as we get closer and can compare booking independently.

In the US one can use a Debit card AS a CC and have the same protections and risk. Is this not true in Europe?

Thanks. I do realize there are other variables but I would think it likely a shorter ship with less decks is lighter and would have a more shallow draft. I expected that was the entire reason to make them smaller though I suppose it could be bridge issues as well. This itinerary is intriguing to me but even without the possibility of river issues, I'd decided against it due to the bus and land portion plus I was looking at the post trip options that are another 2 days of busses. I'm going to try to find out more about specifics on the timing of itineraries. That was a good point to make sure one would actually be able to see the Christmas markets during an appropriate time.

I'm not questioning but I am confused. The Viking ships on the Elbe are only 2 decks instead of 3 in addition to being shorter. I assumed that meant they'd have a more shallow draft.

After reviewing Vikings options for the Danube, there are 2. One is Regensburg to Budapest (Pre/Post option for Prague or Nuremberg/Prague) and the other Passau to Budapest (Pre/Post Munich/Salzburg). The latter adds Linz and Bratislava but drops Regensburg. Since we did not see Linz or Bratislava on our previous trip and didn't enjoy Regensburg (partly due to water level issues), that is where I am leaning (skipping Regensburg). The other question is which direction to go but inclined to go South ending in Budapest. We'd love to get a couple of extra days in Vienna which might make going North a better option..

Thanks, great to know that the Christmas Markets on the Rhine trip will be "younger". I'd read good things about Strasbourg but that's why I wanted to get input from the group. We were thinking starting a few days into Dec timing weekends to minimize days off, that should avoid any issues with markets not being open. I'll be nearing retirement but likely not be quite there by then. I am more concerned with seeing the best markets which is why I wanted a reality check from those with knowledge and experience. I truly appreciate the input. To be honest, the 2 of you were ones that came to mind when I said "There are many others as well". You were both so helpful when planning our Sept Grand European Cruise.

I've just read through the thread by https://boards.cruisecritic.com/profile/1037642-notamermaid/ and found it helpful but did not address my main question. What a resource notamermaid is. So knowledgeable and always willing to share. There are many others as well, really too many to mention by name. I've explored other thread's as well. We are planning a Christmas Market Cruise for 2 years from now and trying to decide what route is best. While we are seasoned cruisers, we only have one river cruise under our belt, the Grand European by Viking this past summer. As a result of some issues then we have a substantial amount of cruise credit to use toward another cruise ($1300). I think this will "force" me to chose viking again which we're fine with. Thinking around a week to week and a half. Our main choices are whether to do the Rhine, Danube or Elbe. Leaning to the Rhine (Amsterdam to Basel) since it covers areas we didn't see before even though there is some overlap and it seems that Strasbourg is one of the better locations for Christmas markets. I realize we don't know what we don't know and this is a completely different trip from a September Cruise Amsterdam to Budapest so all opinions are welcome. On our previous cruise Vienna was our Favorite stop with Bamburg and Passau also places we wouldn't mind revisiting. The Elbe sounds very intriguing but the land and bus rides don't sound very appealing. Last time we did a pre and post trip with Viking and Viking Air. Now that we have more experience, thinking of doing the air and any pre or post on our own likely with one extra night before and after, possibly 2 or even 3 days post depending on whether it's somewhere we haven't explored on our previous Viking cruise. So my questions are what locations do people feel have the best Christmas markets (I know opinions vary) and with the above info in mind, what recommendations would the group have for route choices? And if we do chose the Rhine ending in Basel, what are opinions on the amount of time to spend and where? Thanks in Advance.

I'm no expert but I've been told in he past that the Tauck ships have a more shallow draft than the viking ships, around 1.2 Meters. Still good news though.