dogsarepeopletoo

53 minutes ago, Hanoj said:

.I remember sailing in a ferry from Victoria, BC to Port Angeles, WA nearly 36 years ago where the current and winds traversing the Strait of Juan de Fuca on a beautifully clear day in the middle of August were so strong that the ship got to rolling so you could no longer see the tops of the Olympic mountains on one side, and where the sky met the water on the other side. I don’t recall what, if any, announcements were made, but the conditions got everyone’s attention and we all took seats inside. After safely across the strait, the Master had to go back west on the other shore for 20 minutes before reaching the terminal.

Oh boy, that crossing is etched in my memory --- similar story from long ago.  Blue bird skies, calm day, and huge rolling waves that resulted in an alarming number of passengers being seasick.  Myself included.  

1 hour ago, just_dont said:

I worked with fire prevention folks and that concept is a smart one in hotels, cruise cabins, etc.   Before bed, put your essentials together in the same relative spot (wallet, room key, eyeglasses, etc.).   For example, aways on the bedside table; or always on the table closest to the door.  

And put a pair of shoes by the bed.   

In an emergency, put on your shoes and take your room/cabin key with you. 

 

 

 

... maybe in a dry bag.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

 

Edit: Hah! This was post #1200! I think I was #1100, too.

I wear a rain hat with a stampede strap if it looks like the rain will be serious. I dislike umbrellas, particularly in groups or crowds. They drip on other people; people tend to not be aware of where the poky ends are (look out!); they block views for other people; they are a nuisance to store when they are wet.

I thought they laid it on a bit thick about how strenuous the Marksburg trip is. To get from the bus to the castle you have a choice --- switchback steps or an uphilll paved road. My husband RUSHED me up the steps (huff-puff!) and then we lolled around on top for a good 20 minutes before our group departed. We easily could have taken our time.

The entrance is uneven but not as bad as they described. I'm 5'2" and he described the steps as being 2' tall -- they weren't. Our guide stopped to talk in that area - my advice is to not stand on the sloped side like I did; stay in the center of the uneven parts.

There are stairways on the tour but nothing abnormal. There is one narrow, twisty stairway that one rotund fellow on our tour couldn't navigate so he went around but the rest of us were fine (and I carry a big camera bag).

I recommend the tour; it is more strenouous than any other excursions but unless you have mobility issues or health limitations, you should be fine.

My wife and I will be in our first River cruise with Viking —— Grand European tour. Sept 3 to 17 , 2019. From Budapest to Amsterdam. How far out does Viking open the site for excursions,whether the included ones or optional excursions? I went to my account with Viking and it’s says not available. Do they open it up a year before? Thanks for any reply. Any places that we should not miss on this cruise?

My personal fave of the optional excursions was the trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber (aka: Rothenburg). There is a bus ride involved (maybe 40 minutes?); a walking tour; a restaurant lunch; then time to roam around on your own. It is a well-preserved medieval town; easily walkable with interesting architecture as well as shopping for those so inclined. I gather it is a popular tourist spot for locals so it is busy but not crazy busy.

In hindsight, I would probably blow off the lunch and grabbed something quick in order to spend more time roaming around.

A big part of the excursion is the guide -- our guide that morning was terrific -- informative, humorous but not silly, entertaining and knowledgeable.

The first time I went to Europe was with a group of 6-7 other Americans -- we traveled around England and Wales. On about day 3 we were in a museum/abbey and I was separated from the group by some disance. I had such an a-ha moment as I listened to my group talk, laugh, chatter from some disance away: Americans are loud!

Later, my husband and I traveled alone. We were in a restaurant in a small town and I was in the rest room. A lady and I laughed as we tried to negotiate the tiny rest room and she said "so, how does this part of England compare to America? I laughed and said "how did you know I'm American?" She said "good question" and thought for a moment. She said I walked across the room with confidence; I had beautiful teeth; I smiled really big; and wore nice clothes [and my clothes were nothing special].

So, I think even when we try to blend in, we look American.

It is indeed possible to find people who give you a hard time because you are from the US, but IME much less xenophobia than in the US. Parisians, like big cities anywhere in the world, tend to be less forgiving that people from the country side but I have OFTEN encountered very helpful people even in Paris.

 

If one insists on being the American who knows it all and thinks that any and everyone can understand English if I shout it loud then you will encounter rudeness in return. Many years ago (perhaps when as very naive college student when I arrived in Paris in the middle of the 1968 student riots to oust de Gaule and didn’t understand anything of the background) I was told that words of primary importance rather than being Merci and S.V. P. are “bon jour”. When you enter any establishment you should acknowledge people there; to not do that is considered rude and things rapidly go south from there.

 

French is a very precisely structured language (unlike English that can be put together any numbers of ways). Many French are so worried about not getting English correctly structured they are scared to talk. My philosophy is to talk in my very poor French and they are comforted knowing that their English couldn’t possibly be that bad and we stumble along from there.

 

Relax, smile a lot, look flustered if necessary and give polite non- argumentative answers. In Argentina in early 1983 I was asked what I thought about the Malvinas [Falklands] - perhaps not my complete opinion but I honestly said it was terrible for both sides. That was an accurate polite answer that allowed all of us to go on to the next question.

 

I was last in France June 2017 and in Nice had ordered an omelet at a sidewalk cafe. Rather to my surprise a bottle of ketchup appeared on the table. I smiled and asked the waiter if everyone got ketchup or just the Americans. He in turn smiled and said just the Americans - I also have Tabasco, would you also like that and out came a 12 oz (large) bottle of genuine Tabasco.

 

Lots of wonderful caring people around to world mixed in with a few others. Deflect the nasties and enjoy the rest.

 

Thom

I love the ketchup story. Many years ago we were at a B&B in rural England and at breakfast, the host kept bringing us toast -- slice after slice. He beamed and said "I know you Americans love toast!"

We did that trip in May -- my first river cruise.

Entertainment varied and was low-key: it varied from talks about Austrian history or the locks system; trivia nights; a few musical groups; and always a piano player/singer duo.

Breakfast was either a buffet or order off the menu (both were awesome). Lunch was either in the dining room or a small buffet on a different level. Dinner was in the dining room (there may have been the buffet option though we never tried it). I found the food well-prepared; presented well; nice variety. They really aim to please. Beer and wine are plentiful.

I likely would not have selected a river cruise as a way to travel but friends were going and asked us and so we tagged along. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I am used to more independent travel so I chafed a bit at the idea of the walking tours, but, i was impressed with 90% of the guides -- who were knowledgeable, personable, interesting, and often humorous.

My advice? Take a jacket with a hood and leave the umbrellas on the boat. They are pokey, block views of others, tie up one of your hands, and are a general nuisance.

We did the Grand European in May 2017 and I was curious about locals and their views about American politics. The guides on the tours were very careful to not discuss it. My husband and I hired a private guide for several hours in Budapest (photography related); he was young-ish. I asked what HE thought about American politics and Trump. He said "not much -- we have our own crazy politicians to worry about."

I never once felt any hostility because we are from the US. We explored a lot on our own; we try to fit in but our guide said "ohhh, we know you are American!" When I asked how, he said because I smile at strangers. He suggested I not do that (we werent in the best neighborhoods).

You can buy tickets online up to two months in advance (I purchased four tickets). They are timed tickets -- you pick a time on the day you want to go. My advice for August? Go EARLY in the day. It was soooo hot in there the day we went (early June) and incredibly crowded. I think our timed ticket was for 2:30 pm.

You might call and see what arrangements can be made for a large group.

Is there any way to use onboard credit to book optional excursions in advance of the cruise?

We went on the Grand European in May and at that time, no, you could not use those credits to pay for optional tours in advance.

My understanding is you have two options for adding on time. My advice is to extend longer than one day; you can see more; adjust to the time difference.

1. Pay for Viking's pre or post stays; generally two nights. They provide and make arrangements for everything: transfer from airport to hotel; hotel accommodations; transfer from hotel to boat; assistance by a rep in the lobby; maybe a walking tour. Pros: easy -- you just have to show up. Cons: no flexibility in length; expensive.

Or

2. You make and pay for all arrangements on your own; find your own hotel, transfers. Pros: Total flexibility on how long you want to "pre" or "post"; likely less expensive. Cons: More research; you are on your own.

I did think it would drop us off at Hero's Square though. If it doesn't really stop anywhere we may just skip it and do entirely on our own. I've been to Budapest before and hired a guide for a few days so I am familiar with the city but some companions are not. Did Viking also offer an optional more detailed tour of Budapest, I read one poster did that.

I think the Viking tour normally stops at Hero's Square, however, the police advised Viking not to stop because of a demonstration that was scheduled. I assumed the demonstration was shortly after we were there; but, no -- it was the next day, so not sure why we couldn't stop.

This is the cruise that interests me, with additional time in Bucharest and the surrounding area.

Did you find the time you roamed around on your own enough time? Or were you itching to spend more time in old town?

The included tour doesn't go in any buildings -- it is all bus and a walk around Mathias Church, Fishermen's Bastion (you do go to an upper level there) and Castle Hill. It does not go to Gellert Hill (unless it is a zip by on the bus). Edit to add: there is also free time on Castle Hill.

The bus goes by Hero Square, the Synagogue, one of the bath houses but does not stop at any of those places.

A friend just returned from an ocean cruise. She and her friend spent time with a married couple who were recognized by the cruise line for the number of cruises on that line -- I think it was like their 124th ocean cruise. 124!

I am the flip of the OP -- l have next to zero interest in ocean cruises.

Good thing we have differences!

On my next cruise, it will be 75% included activities and 25% on our own. I don't like all the Viking activities so I'll use that time for something else.

I was impressed with most of the guides for the included walking tours -- I found most of them articulate, educated, interesting, engaging. I really learned a lot.

One thing we did in Budapest was hire a private guide for the two of us for something that I likely would not have managed on my own without an extensive stay (seeing/photographing abandoned buildings). It was awesome for many reasons but one main reason was spending one-on-one time for 4-5 hours with a local. We chatted about a litany of topics from silly to serious; by the time we were done, I really felt like he was a friend. I had never hired a private guide before -- I will definitely do it again if the need arises.

What an interesting thread. I somewhat agree about the "tour on a boat" regimented feeling of river cruises (or cruises in general). We went on our 15-day cruise because friends talked us into it. Our first cruise. At first I inwardly grumbled and rolled my eyes as we marched down the street with a guide with a "lollipop." That is not my travel style -- I like to explore odd places; linger when I want to; only give a glance with I am not interested in something. I don't like the idea of traveling in my American bubble.

On about day 3, I gave myself a mental shake and decided to enjoy it. We did the provided historic walking tours and explored on our own when we could. An attitude change turned it around -- I had a great time.

To my surprise, this turned out to be my husband's PERFCT trip. He is gaga about river cruising. Who knew?! So, in the spirit of compromise we will likely travel this way again with independent travel on either ends to make me happy; the cruise part to make him happy.

Question. On these various city walking tours that last 2-4 hours, are there breaks where you can stop and rest, or is it continuous walking the whole time. Asking for the sake of my stamina.

I happened to be in a AAA store yesterday and noticed they sell fold up, three-legged "seats" -- I did not investigate them for functionality or price, but a few passengers on our cruise used something similar during stops on the walking tours.

I remember watching a pickpocket on a tv talk show. He chatted with the two hosts (standing) and at the end of the segment, he showed what he had stolen from them while chitchatting. Then they ran slow motion video and showed the moments he stole their wallets, watches, phones, etc.

Wow. He was so slick.

We were stopped in Budapest and asked for help with directions -- by other tourists.:)

Me too, I look like a tourist when I´m in Hamburg... of course... I do carry my funny pack

I just read somewhere that fanny packs are getting trendy in Europe. You are just fashion-forward. ;) I decided recently to get a fanny pack for dogwalking for those days when I don't have pockets.

I think looking like a tourist can be less about clothing but more about demeanor. I wear my emotions on my face -- no doubt my excitement and awe shows on my face as I take in my surroundings. I smile at strangers. I'm likely going to be saying "look at THAT" or gesturing at something interesting.

My husband likely looks like a local -- very little outward emotion; a more sober expression. He likely looks like his is walking to work or the grocery store. Now, if he was to wear a baseball cap and a Green Bay Packer tshirt, it might be different.

One thing I do make an effort to do in Europe is speak more softly. One thing I notice about Americans is we speak at a louder volume; we laugh louder.

I am a hobby photograper so take my camera and a lens or two. I try not to think of the cumulative dollar value of what I carry: photo equipment, iPhone, camera bag, wallet. Add in all the distractions of beautiful buildings, new things, interesting people, crowds, public transportation, finding your way.

Holy cow, no wonder we are targets.

I try to take reasonable precautions, be alert, and look confident.