RainyDay1

I have a Tauck Danube river cruise April 2016 and right after that will be on O for Adriatic in early May. I have already paid for my Business class airfare and am considering canceling both and will contact British Airways to see if I can use the tickets for 2017. I have traveled most of the world and do not like to go on vacation feeling uneasy and uncomfortable.

Maybe we can join Jazzbeau in FL. ;-))...This is really bothersome and sad.

We were due to sail with Viking on Nov22 but with the low water issues and especially The terrorists attacks in Paris we cancelled. Our travel agent was able to get travel vouchers for the entire cost of the cruise. We did forfeit our airfare but it was a bargain so not as painful as Business class would be to forfeit. We will sail in Europe again but waiting until 2017. Good luck with your decision.

For all of those who compared the safety of a small river cruise to an ocean going cruise with thousands of passengers please be advised there is no comparison. Security is totally non-existent on the river cruise. People get on and off at will and no one checks bags or anything else...no photo I.D. etc.

 

It also has been mentioned on various news sites that terrorists now seem to believe they are more effective attacking the smaller venues. I think the Russian plane was an exception due to Putin's bombing over Syria.

 

I don't mean this as a scare tactic...travel is your choice. However, you do need to know you shouldn't compare the 2 types of boat travel.

I agree that is impossible to compare a river cruise with an ocean cruise. But I will say that on the Ocean Cruises we have taken security was very secure. We had to show our room key to exit and re-enter the ship. Photo ID was required to board before the room key was issued. But, I don't know if bags were checked. Excellent point.

Welcome to Cruise Critic. There is a forum here for River Cruising, which is what I assume you are planning. Otherwise, there is also a forum here for Viking Ocean regarding their new larger ships. EM

Sorry I did not make my post clear; we are planning a river cruise and inquiring about the standard rooms.

We are on the Viking Embla in Vienna and are busing to Budapest this morning (Nov 21) at 08:30 GMT+1

Have you had the opportunity to take in any Christmas markets?

We are going to book a cruise with Viking for next May. The standard room is so much cheaper than the french balcony rooms.

It is our understanding the standard rooms have a long narrow window at the top of the wall which is at water level.

Has anyone used those rooms? What was your opinion? Would you book that room again?

Thanks.

I have been reading lots of negative experiences about the Viking Romantic Danube trips on Facebook. Many are saying the actual time in towns is limited because of all the time spent on buses. We really wanted to experience the Christmas Markets, but are concerned that these will be greatly impacted too. We are departing from Budapest in a few weeks. For those of you who have just gone, can you share your experiences? Thank you!

Where on Facebook did you read these comments. I can't find them but am concerned about that very fact.

Many, many ships can't sail further east than Linz/Vienna. They are busing their guests to or from Budapest. The then said as far West as possible which appears to be just one night, they are then bused to the next ship which can go further. Not sure if another ship swap or bus will be required to make it to Amsterdam.

 

It just seems to me that the shipping companies should cancel the remainder of the season and issue refunds or vouchers for further trips. But it is all about the money for them so they are trying to accommodate guests in a variety of ways.

The above post was written before I truly thought it through. I know nothing about Uniworld and shouldn't have posted at all. Our cruise is scheduled with Viking.

Roz

While in Linz did you happen to see Uniworld's SS Maria Theresa? It looks like it has been there for a couple of days and I'm guessing it can't make its way all the way to Amsterdam. I'm hoping it can make its way back to Budapest where we will board on Dec 1. I'm wondering if they cancelled the cruise to Amsterdam and will just turn around and head back to Budapest. Any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Brian

Many, many ships can't sail further east than Linz/Vienna. They are busing their guests to or from Budapest. The then said as far West as possible which appears to be just one night, they are then bused to the next ship which can go further. Not sure if another ship swap or bus will be required to make it to Amsterdam.

It just seems to me that the shipping companies should cancel the remainder of the season and issue refunds or vouchers for further trips. But it is all about the money for them so they are trying to accommodate guests in a variety of ways.

I leave in the AM for my Danube cruise. Our flight connects through Paris. I have no intention of changing any of my plans. As long as the airport remains open.

Hopefully all flights are landing there. Admire your sense of adventure.

I personally know of three families canceling trips to Europe right now..........

 

Glad I saw it when it was nice ---- this scourge has actually been descending on the region since the 1970's -- and at the invitation of European govts. For shame!

Are you friends canceling trips in other parts of Europe than Paris?

Hi everyone,

 

We're monitoring the attacks in Paris and any cruise/travel effects it might have, along with you. If you are on a cruise that's been affected, or have anything to share, please contribute a post if you can.

 

Our thoughts are with everyone in Paris right now.

 

~Brittany Chrusciel, Associate Editor, Cruise Critic

Thank you for seeking information. We shall all be watching. I wouldn't travel to Paris right away but would in a year or two.

We set out on the 25th on the Rhine. So far, AMA is not bussing or ship swapping or cancelling cruises on the Rhine. Their vessels are designed with very low draughts for this reason.

AMA is busing and/or ship swapping on the Danube. This has been a tough year for river cruise companies and their passengers.

FYI, I just received an email from Viking about our Nuremberg to Budapest Danube cruise which starts this Sunday (11/15). We are scheduled to do a ship swap at Passau and the river is too low to sail from Vienna to Budapest. We will be bussed to Budapest and spend the last two nights at a hotel. I am satisfied with the timeliness of Viking's communication and am confident they will everything possible to make our trip enjoyable.

Did Viking offer any options if the alternate plans won't work for you? Refunds? Vouchers for a different trip! Thanks.

It's called marine traffic.com then search "Viking Atla" it's made as far as Melk since I checked again I. My personal email is melissasue79@hotmail.com if you want to email me privately. I paid for an upgrade within the website so I can see updates etc but I can let you know as I find out info on where our boat is.

 

 

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Did you receive my email?

JP & Caviargal

 

Thanks for the encouragement and ideas. Like so many still hoping for rain and smooth sailing. But not the end of the world if it turns into a DIY trip. Think If cancelled can do the land trip at about half the cost and will take any future cruise credit offered and apply to my Venice lagoon cruise next year. So it's a win win for me.

We are due to sail with Viking Nov 22 2015 and they have not said anything about canceling. Busing is their solution. Have you heard anything from your company?

The Atla is on the move finally I just got a notification from marine traffic app. On the way to Linz from Vienna (sat there since the 6th) I was getting worried let's see if can get any closer to Nuremburg then Linz over the next couple days[emoji120][emoji572]️

 

 

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I noticed that it just say for days. Good news to hear that it is moving again. Would you give us that link again to watch its movement please. :)

Surely you have your docs by now, right? Your itinerary is spelled out in those and it should say which stops will include Christmas markets. It looks like your cruise was billed as a Thanksgiving cruise, not Christmas. A little internet research will tell you that the markets in Regensberg open on 11/23 and 11/25, Passau 11/26, Vienna (lots of them) between 11/13 and 11/21 and Budapest 11/13. Looks like you will hit most of them.

We do indeed have our docs by now. But it doesn't mention the Christmas Markets at all. Thank you for the internet research and the dates. I appreciate it.

We aren't worried but just trying to plan ahead. Viking promised Christmas Markets and we want to know in which locations we will attend them.

The ambiance of a Christmas Market will so much different than a regular market.

Thanks for the heads-up about the square markets. We will be in Nuremberg a few days early so may just wander through one.

The Market in Nuremberg doesn't open until the 27th of November but we sail from there the 22nd. The catalog we used to book our cruise said we would experience Christmas Markets on this cruise.

Will we do that in Passau, Vienna, or Budapest? Will they be day or evening visits?

Thanks,

Just talked to my travel agent and we are covered totally except for the insurance. So I am waiting till the 20th to decide. We fly out to Prague on the 25th

I don't think the cruise won't be cancelled. Doubtful the entire cruise will become a bus tour; just busing in certain spots.

We did not buy cancellation insurance - just travel insurance. So we are going and intending to have a good time no matter the method of transportation.

whining never helps, hoping and praying things ships get through..

I think we have all the same prayer; that all the ships get through. It has to be so hard on the crews trying to make all this ship swapping work. By the way travel insurance doesn't cover cancellation unless you also purchased cancellation insurance.

It would have been so much more pleasant however if Viking was being straightforward when folks call for information.

We understand flexibility is the key when traveling; treat others with respect and enjoy.

I have been reading about the water levels, ship swaps & bus tours all summer long in anticipation for our Vantage Christmas Market cruise on the Danube. I have seen mentioned some of the major cruise lines not being able to get through on the Danube but no mention of problems with Vantage. Was there anyone on Vantage on the Danube that did ship swaps or not being able to get through? Did anyone on other ships notice Vantages ships or speak to those passengers? Just wondering.....

We are due to go with Viking on Nov. 22nd. We hope to take in at least one Christmas Market but they don't open until the last week of November. When is your cruise?

Snorklefan, we cruised the same week as you and swapped from the Jarl to the Atla! Thank you for keeping the seats warm in the dining room and lounge. We love, love, loved the staff on the Jarl. The crew on the Atla was excellent, too, but we had less time to get to know them. We liked the musician on the Atla - he was excellent.

 

Here's my original post (#151) about our ship swap:

 

 

We rafted with several other Viking ships (the Freya at one point) - usually only 2 ships at a time. We got lucky. Most of the time our veranda was unblocked.

 

We were able to sail through to Budapest, but we disembarked at Eztergom and were bused about 30/40 minutes into Budapest. We rejoined the ship after our city tour and did the gorgeous, nighttime scenic sail with all the lit up buildings. I dubbed it the full "Downtown Abbey Experience." All in all, I was very pleased with our trip. I wish we had more leisure time - especially in Vienna (a city I could live in).

 

We stayed on for 2 days in Budapest and visited the Gellert Spa (which was both a SCENE and relaxing at the same time - Hubby's towel was stolen - adds to the local flavor). We also did a grand tour of the Jewish Quarter, which was fantastic (and over 3 hours long). We recommend the Pierrot Restaurant on Buda hill for a fine dining experience. It's a romantic restaurant in a 13th century townhouse.

 

I do think Viking handled the low water and ship swap fairly well - considering how many obstacles and hoops there were to jump through.(giving us options to choose from, comping excursions, and ensuring that we were able to experience most of what was originally mandated in our itinerary).

 

However, my husband was pretty pissed off that we were not able to sail all of the way through. He felt (and rightly so) that Viking knew enough about the low water levels (since the drought has been summer long and of epic proportions) to let people know well in advance that there was a strong PROBABILITY of needing a ship swap. He feels that Viking needs to inform people of this in advance of their planned trips. He also feels that there should be some form of compensation offered above and beyond what the company offered on the ship itself.

 

That said, we both feel that our cruise program director, Terry, was a "rock-star." He truly did his best to ensure that everyone was as happy as possible in a difficult situation.

 

I had a great time. Still processing the trip and all of the incredible experiences. Slogging through the over 800 photos I took, and trying to catch up on sleep, the time change, and the new friends we made.

I truly enjoyed and appreciate your positive spin on the cruise. Were you able to enjoy any of the Christmas markets?

Hi notamermaid

 

Sadly, you are correct. We started on the Viking Freya in Nueremberg and cruised to Regensburg. The ship sat in Regensburg for 2 days. They bussed us to and from Passau one day the following day from Regensburg to Melk. We got on the Njord in Melk and cruised to Vienna. We got off the ship in Vienna on Friday and were bussed to Budapest where we spent the night in the Marriott before returning home on Saturday. So, in essence we only sailed from Nueremberg to Regensburg and from Melk to Vienna. Needless to say, there were many upset travelers.

Did Viking offer any compensation for the problems occurred? In the past they have given vouchers towards future cruises. I haven't heard anything like that with the low water problem and busing.

I think Mary is very honest and just simply passed on what she was told. We will be talking on Monday.