AnhaltER1960

If I remember correctly, Viking used the Regent Hotel on Gendarmenmarkt Square for last years' Christmas along the Elbe cruises.

As an alternative to the bus there are ferries crossing the Kiel Förde to Laboe. Nearest ferry stop from the cruise terminal (assuming you will be berthed there) is "Seegarten" within short walking distance. Ferries depart once an hour and take approximately one hour to Laboe. In Laboe it is a 15 min walk from the ferry to the marine memorial and the U-boat (main sights). The walking is along the beach promenade, which has got a laid-back atmosphere with shops, cafes, restaurants. Ferry timetable here (German): https://www.sfk-kiel.de/F1_Frhjahr2022_DRUCK.pdf

Bus is also possible, but will probably require changing at Kiel central staion, which is the bus hub, too, so it will in the end not much quicker, maybe more departures though.

19 hours ago, sharkster77 said:

 

Maybe someday a Baltic cruise will be possible again.  Being a fan of NOT broiling in the heat/sun, that would appeal to me.

Baltic cruises will take place. They just will not be calling at St. Petersburg. Yesterday there was news in Germany that Aida, TUI, MSC, NCL and some more German tour operators will skip StP. Others are likely to follow.

Article in German: https://www.spiegel.de/reise/ukraine-krieg-abgesagte-russland-reisen-und-kreuzfahrten-nach-sankt-petersburg-a-07bed8af-0d98-48a6-abd9-64cc653c6c0a

New year, new luck. Viking have changed their itinerary in 2022 again and offer "Elegant Elbe" cruises (which are real cruises between Wittenberg and Decin) and "Christmas along the Elbe" later in the year. Their programme "Cities on the Elbe", which is a bus trip with some overnights on the ship is not on offer in 2022. To avoid the low-water season, Viking does not cruise the Elbe between beginning of July and mid-September at all. Let us see, if they are correct - in 2020 and 21 there was not much of a low-water season at all. Ships did not sail for well known different reasons.

On 12/9/2021 at 5:58 PM, sbjornda said:

even if you don't join the scheduled land excursion you still need to be back on board before she sails, though of course boarding takes next to no time at all compared to an ocean cruise ship). 

 

 

You are absolutely correct with everything you wrote. Just to add one more aspect: Even if you miss sailing of your river cruise ship, the next port of call usually will be no more than a, say, two hours train ride away, plus maybe some taxi, no more than a 50$-affair. No comparison with the hassle of getting a flight to the next island/country/continent with all your travel documents in the cabin of the ocean cruiser.

8 hours ago, cruisinlawn said:

We have a small amount of flexibility so any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks for any input. Enjoy.

Absolutely doable, your plan. Distances in Switzerland are short and train connections are excellent, as others have pointed out already. So it is basically up to your interests, if you want to have more nature (=Alps) or more culture:  Basel does have splendid museums. Fondation Beyeler with its collection of modern art and changing exibitions in the suburb of Riehen (easy tramride from Basel city centre) alone is worth half a day.

Dont overdo your pre-cruise programme - the eastbound jetlag (America to Europe) is much worse than the westbound jetlag. You will be tired.

The deviation of Vikings Christmas markets cruises downriver to Dessau and Magdeburg has made it now into the local press in Dessau. Article (in Gerrman) here: https://www.mz.de/lokal/dessau-rosslau/warum-eine-gruppe-amerikaner-mit-einem-flusskreuzfahrtschiff-in-dessau-gestrandet-ist-3284867

Thank you @notamermaid for the update on the river conditions here at the Elbe. Indeed the water table is rather on the low side, but no concern for sailing.

The concern is, as often in the last two years, Covid. Saxony show high exposure with figures well beyond 1.000 (cases per 100.000 inhabitants over a week) and the Saxon government has reacted in form of shutting down parts of the country (since the new upcoming federal government outlawed widespread lockdowns, you may use "L-word" instead). Anyway, in Saxony all Christmas markets are closed, hotels may not welcome guests for private or touristy reasons (business travel is still allowed), no bus tours, all museums closed. 

Viking had to react and they changed the itinerary, They are now sailing between Magdeburg and Wittenberg with some stops underway (like Dessau) for visiting Christmas markets in Saxony-Anhalt, where they are still open so far, bussing passengers even as far as Hanover. Then the ships sail nonstop through Saxony an a 20-hrs-ride to Decin in the Czech republic to continue (or start) the standard programme to (or from) Prague. It really is a day-to-day situation, as cannot be taken for granted that the Christmas markets in Saxony-Anhalt will be open until Christmas. In Saxony-Anhalt the decision is left to the local level and some cities, like Halle and many small communities, have closed already, since incidence figures are rising there too. As well as the cross-border-thing, the Czech Republic showing even worse figures than Saxony. 

11 hours ago, sjde said:

Are hotels closed in some places? In the US, even during the worst of it, they were open.

As each federal state handles it differently, I do not have the full picture. But in many states (like Saxony right now) it it forbidden to offer overnights for touristy or private travellers, but not for business travellers. As also large events like seminars, congresses and alike are banned, it is often an individual decision by each hotel to close or to stay open.

2 hours ago, texasmomoftwo said:

Those markets along the Rhine are still open.  When you say markets are closed are you talking ALL markets?

No, I was talking about Saxony. There indeed all markets are closed, as well as in Bavaria.

7 hours ago, notamermaid said:

I certainly cannot see that working. I wonder if Viking has informed the passengers. From what I read tourist overnight stays are not even allowed in Saxony, so will the state allow a river cruise ship to dock? (.....)

 

I wonder what Viking will do. Would playing for time work? Not sure how long the lockdown is. Did the state government announce ten days?

 

notamermaid

 

Some things will depend on the exact wording of the directive. I have not read it thoroughly yet, but in legal terms I think there is a difference between a hotel and a ship. But: Museums are closed, markets are closed, Guided tours are outlawed, bussing people for touristy reasons is not allowed. So they wont have any chance but to transit without stopping - and much of an Elbe cruise is wasted. They might cruise the Elbe in Saxony-Anhalt, say Wittenberg to Dessau/Magdeburg/Tangermünde and/or transit through Saxony without stopping to Decin. But that is is an emergency programme, as the core of the christmas markets tour is Saxony with their histrorical markets and the core is torn out of the body.

Guess there is some steaming heads in Basel at the Viking river cruise European headquarters right now..

On 11/20/2021 at 10:04 AM, steamboats said:

 

First question: They have to close by law...

 

Second question: Saxony has the Elbe river with Dresden as major city with second famous Christmas markets after Nuremberg. But I don´t think there are Christmas market cruises offered on the Elbe river.

 

steamboats

Viking have Christmas markets cruises scheduled on the Elbe in December. From what I ve heard, they are fully booked.

But without the markets in Saxony, and further restrictions in Saxony (like touristy bus trips are outlawed as well as guided tours) I am not sure how they can get a programme started.

On 10/17/2021 at 10:33 PM, notamermaid said:

How may the river react in the next few days?

 

notamermaid

 

 

Not much difference. At this time of year evaporation is low and the plants do not need much water, thus there is hardly any losses of water towards the air. And the "dry" spell is only shorttimed, there is rain forecast towards the end of the week.

A higher water table would make it more comfortable, but ships can sail the Elbe without real difficulties these days. And Viking as well as Croisieurope do so with guests enjoying small groups @ shore ecxursions, partly due to Covid-restrictions, partly due to the not fully booked ships.

Welcome back Viking on the Elbe. The Viking Astrild and Viking Beyla are sailing again, from now until the end of the year. October sailings were the originally scheduled Elegant Elbe cruises, sailings in Nov & Dec are marketed as Christmas market cruises. And indeed, there are some pretty market towns along the Elbe with nice and traditional Christmas markets, not only in Dresden, but also in Wittenberg, Torgau or Meissen.

Water table is not an issue that time of year and not in this, rather wet, year anyway.

Hello pacmom, from what I read, plannings for Christmas markets in eastern Germany go ahead as in any normal year. This is unlike last year, when many markets had already been called off by that time of year. Of course Covid is not over, though the figures are relatively low in Germany an especially in the eastern part at the moment. On many sites you read that some hygiene concepts are being developed and will be put in place depending on the figures. So be prepared that anything can happen from wearing masks (no fun to drink mulled wine through masks) to limited access by number or vaccinated/recovered guests only up to cancellation altogether on short notice, if the situation requires.

Actual figures seem to suggest that the fourth wave is running dead, maybe against the rising number of vaccinated people. So I dare to place a bet, that at least some markets will take place.

Please be aware that no market will start before Nov 21st - most will start in the week before first advent. Also take a look at medium sized or smaller places, which often have more romantic settings markets than the big cities. Meissen, Annaberg, Seiffen, just to name a few in the vicinity of Dresden.

@notamermaid, definitely things in your region are much worse. Here in the Middle Elbe area we do have a much wetter summer than average, contrast to the dry summers in previous years. The Elbe has got healthy water levels, a bit higher than standard, but far from flood levels. And that disastrous low-pressure weather is moving finally. It left some floods, severe floods, in some side valleys of Saxon Switzerland and the Ore Mountains upriver, but not for the Elbe in general. It would be perfect cruising conditions here.

There is only one catastrophe county in my neighborhood: The county of Anhalt-Bitterfeld suffered from a ransomware-attack on their servers, which are down now. Administration forces to stay idle, no registration of cars, no payout of welfare, no construction permits, no nothing

1 hour ago, notamermaid said:

No problem. Actually, it is just a fun thing, saying "over to you" or your turn" or something.

 

Props? A nice idea to commemorate the important event, it really looks kind of official.

 

Sorry, my photo was not taken in Alsace.

 

notamermaid

 

To me it looks like some vine village at the Moselle. But no idea which one.

On 6/13/2021 at 8:58 PM, dogs4fun said:

I love Dresden's Elbe promenade. Do you mind sharing at which hotel you stayed?

 

The description sounds like the "Bellevue". Ran by different hotel chains over the years. It was Maritim earlier, Westin as well. Now it is Bilderberg. Look here https://www.bilderberg-bellevue-dresden.de/

3 hours ago, dogs4fun said:

I think these are merely German & English translations of the Russian inscription. 

I think youre right. After remembering the place I recall these inscripts were added in different languages. Next to a famous bridge, which survived the war, but not the post-unification construction boom.

4 hours ago, jpalbny said:

Hm. Nice one.

 

My first thought was the Dnieper but Chris says the text is Russian, not Ukrainian. So next I went to Crimea but I don't find this statue in my pix from either Yalta, Sebastopol, or Odessa.

 

The Russian text certainly doesn't rule out Ukraine and the Dnieper but I don't know where this statue is.

Yes, the text is Russian and talks about the eternal glory of the victorious Red Army in their fight against faschist Germany. Could be anywhere between Berlin and Wladivostok. I cannot read the writing on those dark stone plates though. Flat landscape in the background cannot narrow it down, too, as this is frequently met in eastern Europe.  No guess from my side yet.

On 4/12/2021 at 10:21 PM, gnome12 said:

Is it going to be another year of decent water levels but no sailing on the river due to Covid?

 

I tend to answer "yes". The water levels are still quite healthy and it keeps raining upriver. So no problems from this side.

The federal states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt lifted their ban on river cruises recently with the lover covid-infection figures, so at least in Germany Elbe cruises are possible again. But of course no one was able to plan in advance across two countries, Germany and Czech Republic, let alone international travel. I still do not see Elbe cruises announced by Viking or Croisieurope until September. Viking have planned the bus variation "Cities along the Elbe" anyway  until September and Croisi have announced a sailing in October.

6 minutes ago, notamermaid said:

 Try and get to Niederwald-Denkmal for the huge statue and amazing view. If you have the stamina, hike over and down to Assmannshausen, a more "sophisticated" village and quieter.

 

notamermaid

 

and enjoy a well deserved meal at "Die Krone" in Assmannshausen 🙂

I have never heard complaints of engine noise by Astrild clients, but complaints about scratching river bottom on on low water levels. But water levels are somewhat hard to predict.

Just be prepared to jump quickly, if a big one gets out of control:

On 5/26/2021 at 12:22 AM, ninaks said:

Thank you for the offer of help.  In Baden Baden, they have these choices: 

Choice of 

Festspielhaus guided visit

Caracalla Thermal Bath

Sea Salt Grotto

 

In Speyer

 

Choice of 

Speyer walking tour

Private Doktorenhof Vinegar Estate visit and tasting

 

in Boppard

 

Choice of 

Boppard village stroll

Let's Go" Rhine biking, 

"Let's Go" Rhine hiking

Rheinstein visit

Rüdesheim walk with local treats

Rheinweinwelten visit - The best Rhine Rieslings

I did not do any of those excursions, but know most of the destinations from land visits.

* Baden-Baden: If your tour allows a bit of time for the spa experience, then I would go for Caracalla Thermal Bath - they are great. If its just "looking at", then the Festspielhaus is more interesting.

* Speyer: I dont know the vinegar estate, but vinegar tasting does not sound appealing to me. Speyer is a lovely town and the cathedral is among the grandest church rooms you will ever see.

* Boppard. The place itself is not all too exciting, so I support hike or bike trip, esp., if you get to Vierseenblick.

* Rüdesheim: I support the idea to do a DIY with the gondola up to Niederwald-memorial and walking back though the vineyards. Rüdesheim itself is pretty, but veeeeery touristy.