Winedogs

Currently on Viking Beyla...embarked yesterday (November 5) at Bad Schandau as opposed to Decin as the water levels are too low for sailing between those areas. Everything else should be to schedule.

On 10/7/2019 at 6:12 AM, cleoswalkr said:

Won The Lottery!!!  The rains came at just the right time.

 

By way of introduction, I am on my first river cruise with my family after having had our Elegant Elbe itinerary cancelled in 2018.  That was a big surprise, so this year I have been lurking on this forum to gauge how the river levels are likely to be -- and have greatly appreciated the information from notamermaid and others.  We weren't especially thrilled about boatels and buses but had two couples who had taken this itinerary before each highly recommend that we proceed, saying Viking takes great care of you and does a superb job with the logistics.

 

So... we are on the October 3 - 13 Elegant Elbe trip from Berlin to Prague on the Viking Astrild and WE ARE SAILING!!!  The Astrild pulled out from port in Wittenburg earlier today for the first time after being parked there for 110 days.  Passengers and crew are all doing the happy dance!  No guarantee yet that we will make it all the way to Decin, but chances are good.

 

I'll try to post more later.

 

cleoswalkr

 

 

AWESOME!  Keep us posted.  We are on the Beyla, November 5th sailing from Decin

Thank you!

Notamermaid-

I have been looking at the bfg (https://www.bafg.de/EN/06_Info_Service/01_WaterLevels/waterlevels_node.html

website over the last few weeks. I see that the Elbe route has gone from orange to green (low to mean water levels). I am happy because our Viking Elegant Elbe trip starts on November 5th. I'm hoping this will mean cruising and not a boatel, though we have made to decision to continue our trip even if no sailing.

would the increase in water level be all due to recent rain and do you know what minimum cm levels need to be?

thank you for your help.

debbie

I also recommend booking early, especially if you want to book Premium economy or seats with extra legroom. 

Yes, been to Terezin. Viking hosts arranged the tour for us. There were 8 of us. It is somber but excellent. We went to a local restaurant for a beer sampling after. You kind on needed that after what you see in Terezin. Do go there .

Yes will do this. Guess we will stay with Viking, even though we could probably do it cheaper with another company. Thank you

Yes, been to Terezin. Viking hosts arranged the tour for us. There were 8 of us. It is somber but excellent. We went to a local restaurant for a beer sampling after. You kind on needed that after what you see in Terezin. Do go there .

Thank you. We are going to do this! Looking forward to it, though i know it will be heartbreaking. Guess we will go with Viking...could get a better deal on a private tour with another company, but since this is our first river cruise, I think we will stay with Viking trips.

Thank you all very much for the advice/ information. Really looking forward to our trip. Has anyone been to Terezin? Trying to decide between that and Kunta Hora.

Thank you HydroKitty for the information

we are traveling from Passau-Budapest. We will be extending our trip in Prague and Budapest.

Hello-

DH and I will be taking our first river cruise on Viking in April 2017. We have been on several ocean cruises and 99% of the time we research and book tours/excursions independent of the cruise line as it saves us $$$ and we don't care for the "cattle car" feel. We are active and have no mobility issues.

My Questions:

1-On a river cruise, will we know what times we will be at each city when we receive our documents?

2- Do most passengers do the complimentary excursions?

3- Are the complimentary excursions just the basics?

4- Are there independent tour guides at each stop when you arrive?

Thank you in advance. Just trying to take advantage of our time in each stop on our trip.

hi pam

How were your meals? Did they serve escargot and French Onion soup?

Thanks

Debbie

Hi pam

DH and I are sailing a 5 night on the Star a week from tomorrow. If you get a chance would love to hear about the MDR menus.

Have a great trip

Debbie

Hi pam

DH and I are sailing a 5 night on the Star a week from tomorrow. If you get a chance would love to hear about the MDR menus.

Have a great trip

Debbie

Great pics. Loved the food porn:D

Sailing in November

If you have good weather try a helicopter tour with Temsco. It was the highlight of our cruise.

Debbie.....how long have you known him? I know A Renante from the

Philippines going all the way back to Mercury Days......I wonder if

he is the same person:D.....wonderful waiter!

Lois- yes...same Renante. Our first cruise with him was on the Mercury to Alaska in 2004. Love him! Third cruise with him...had to eat in Silk Harvest at his table, awesome....he selected items for us from the menu....so good and so much food! We wish he was in the MDR so we could see him every night. We did see him though most days at breakfast or lunch in the OceanView Cafe.

Kevin-

Loving the review!

Debbie

Our favorite waiter Renante is working at Silk Harvest on the Equinox

We are planning to fly from LAX to YVR on same day of our cruise. Flight is non-stop from LAX and is scheduled to land at 12:30. We are planning to take the Canada Line to Canada Place. Our cruise departs at 4:30. How long to get through customs? Will this give us enough time? I would really like to save $$$ on hotel and one less night away from home.

Thanks for any advice