ohmuriel

My husband and I did this trip (A to B) in early August. A week before we left Australia our TA let us know that a ship swap would occur about midway. We started on the AmaVenita and finished on the AmaReina. Same cabin, same everything really. Minimal hassle. We missed Regensburg (some still went - 2.5 hours each way) but we thoroughly enjoyed an unscheduled spot, Engelszell  - a real find with an outstanding Trappist Abbey. Our cruise was amazing - the ships were very, very similar. The biggest downside was leaving the crew after a week, but we soon got to know the new crew. The cruise director was brilliant - she stayed with us throughout. Even then the Rhine gorge was tricky to traverse but we got there!

The ship swap was the only change to itinerary and we felt it was flagged in plenty of time.

Good luck to all - I'm sure APT will ensure you have a fabulous trip, regardless of any necessary changes.

We have just completed our APT river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Apart from a ship swap (from AmaVenita to AmaReina) at the halfway point (we were told while still in Australia) everything has been amazing and to itinerary. The night cruise through the lights of Budapest is a brilliant way to finish. We disembarked half an hour early this morning as I think the Amareina has to leave Budapest. It was going to be there for new cruisers tonight. I don't have more details. We are feeling VERY fortunate.

I sure did! We were all given a little bottle of Scnapps at the end of the tour - and my husband bought one of the beers. He enjoyed it! The Abbey was such a lovely bonus - gorgeous village, wonderful history, beautiful grounds and three river replica - and Harry the giant sturgeon as a true welcome! The Abbey itself was very special. Without low water levels we wouldn't have visited - swings and roundabouts, as they say!

We are currently in Vienna, so nearing the end of our Amsterdam to Budapest cruise. It has been amazing and we feel very fortunate, especially keeping in mind the current conditions. A week before we left Australia we were told we would change ships at Nuremberg, from AmaVenita to AmaReina. On our changeover day every passenger received 25 euros for lunch. Everything else has been according to timetable - with a drive to and from Regensburg offered - or a Passau tour and a tour of Trappist Abbey at Engelhartszell, where we were moored. I cannot fault APT in any way.

I am currently sailing an APT river cruise that left Amsterdam Aug 4 and due in Budapest Aug 18..

Our ship wasn't able to get through/to Regensburg so we swapped from AmaVenita to AmaReina while touring Nuremberg.

This caused very minimal disruption.

Today we were in Salzburg and this evening met our ship at Linz.

Everything seems to be on track.

Having a fabulous holiday!

We finish on the AmaVenita today at Nuremberg and join the AmaReina this afternoon to complete our river cruise to Budapest. We were told a week before flying here that we would be changing mid cruise. The only other alteration so far is missing Regensburg - more added to Passau to compensate. We also have 25 euros each for lunch in Nuremberg today. So far it's been a fantastic trip. The staff on AmaVenita are all amazing- we'll miss them. Our Tour Director (she's great) is the only one changing ships with us. Loving it all!

No rain to speak of - a few drops this afternoon. Yes we leave the AmaVenita at Nuremberg on Saturday. Tomorrow is forecast to hit 25 degrees Celsius in Bamberg - other days have been 10 degrees warmer. Everything has been handled well so far. We are getting 25euris per passenger for lunch on Saturday as we will be on the move - expecting a 3 hour coach trip to Engelhatszell to meet AmaReina. We'll see what happens after that!

Update on current APT Amsterdam to Budapest.

Today we were in Wurzburg. Now sailing to Bamburg.

On Saturday we change ships - AmaVenita and join AmaReina. Excursions go ahead as planned.

Originally we were to stay at Regensburg Sunday night. If river conditions don't improve we will stay in Engelhartszell instead - with excursions to Passau (half hour by coach) or Regensburg (2.5 hours by coach each way so very full day) on offer. After that - who knows?

If anyone knows more please share! Understandably our tour director is sharing information on a day by day basis.

On the upside - the trip has been fantastic so far!

Appreciate that info! We're about to leave Rudesheim after a fabulous day sailing and wandering - let's see what the next few days bring. As we'll leave the Rhine soon I'll continue to post elsewhere with any updates. Thanks all!

Please let me know if I'm hogging this thread!

Tomorrow - leaving Andenach at 3.45am.Passing Koblenz at 6.00am. From there to Rudesheim we've been told to have earpieces in and cameras ready - Rhine gorge. Loreley rock about 9.00am. 4.30pm on way to Main River.

Sounds to me like everything is on track.

Yes - no real adjustments as yet. Currently sailing towards our night at Andernach and visit to Namedy Castle. Loving every second!

Thanks for your updates and suggestions - much appreciated.

We had a lovely morning in Cologne before rejoining the ship at Bonn. Currently we're sailing past some very picturesque scenery. Our little VOX machines/earpieces are loaded with great info as we pass certain landmarks and settings - complete with sound effects! Currently hearing about a political map redrawing in the early 1800s. Fascinating stuff eg reference to Thackeray's Vanity Fair and a Rhine connection. Heading towards Namedy Castle tonight.

We've arrived in Cologne without concern. Heading to Bonn this afternoon. Apparently a lock we passed through was closed to traffic after we passed - meant ships had to go via Rotterdam, an extra 10 hours. Not sure how long such situations last.

Changing on Saturday - head out of Nuremberg on excursions, return to new ship AmaReina at Regensburg at about 4.30pm. So far everything else as normal - although excursions starting an hour later tomorrow due to Captain needing to go slower due to water level. Anything can still happen but looking good at the moment. Loving our sailing along the Rhine today.

Happy to keep all posted if I get a chance. Gosh this river is stunning! Just had update from cruise director. Only change to set itinerary I see is slight delay starting excursions tomorrow in Cologne, due to captain having to take things slowly due to low river level. Today we started at 8.30am - tomorrow the plan is 9.30am. All other plans appear to be as normal at this stage. We will change ship on Saturday 11th - we leave for our Nuremberg or Schwarzach Valley excursions and arrive back at about 4.30 (via coach) to our new rooms on the AmaReina.

I am currently enjoying sailing towards Cologne from Amsterdam - APT AmaVenita - 4th Aug-18th Aug. We know we will be changing to the AmaReina at the weekend but no other changes have been announced at this stage.

I'm currently sailing on an APT river cruise (4th-18th August) from Amsterdam to Budapest - sailing today from `Utrecht to Cologne. We know we will be changing from the AmaVenita to the AmaReina at the weekend but so far no other indications of itinerary changes. Of course, anything can happen but so far all is fabulous!

SO many rivers are very low. How is the Duouro in Portugal. I have not heard any thing . Friends traveling on the Danube have been cancelled.:mad:

So their whole river cruise was cancelled? Which company, please. I wonder if that is beginning to happen for more cruises at the moment.

Thank you - in the current conditions I completely understand that there is no choice. The email stated that currently there is no change to itinerary - the changeover will happen while we are on excursion - we just return to a different ship! Same cabin number etc.

With luck the rivers will rise before your cruise commences! :D

I've noticed there are very few threads for APT river cruises - I've been checking fairly often.

If we receive additional info, I'll post. We fly from Brisbane early Thursday morning, via a night in Dubai and a pre-night in Amsterdam - looking forward to it all!

We've just been informed that we have to change ship half way through our APT cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, due to low water. Commencing on the AmaVenita and finishing on the AmaReina. Our river cruise commences August 4.