remydiva

I just used my iPhone, but had to take multiples of some pictures as they turn out blurry sometimes, especially in low-lighting. I haven't carried a "real" camera in a while as it's another thing to lug around and possibly have stolen.

 

I use the Auto Backup feature in Google+ on my iPhone to wirelessly sync all my pictures to Google+ and just post from there. They have an auto-enhance feature that I use on some of them, which usually just lightens the picture a bit. Hope that helps!

Not to sound like beating a dead horse or hijacking your thread, but what steps are needed to upload from google + to CC?

When i click on the paperclip and " upload" pics whether from my hard drive of PC ( yes , gasp , not a mac) or from shutterfly, they only come across as those tiny thumbnails seen at the bottom of so many peoples posts.

Thanks!

It sure seems that way. Love your pictures.

Terri

agree with your thoughts about these threads becoming one topic only...enough!

And Attilathe fun, i may have asked you this already on your Grand Med review but what is your camera and what do you post your pics here on CC with to make them so big?

I did the Danube in Dec/ Jan and tour pics are WAY clearer than mine or maybe they just look better on my ipad screen.

My camera is a Canon Powershot A720 IS with imagine stabilizer but yours of the cathedral in Passau just look so much better!

I am in a suite, not a mini- suite. How is that different from a full suite? I know I receive a comp. mini-bar...so I cannot exhange it for the coffee card unless I am in a full suite? I didn't realize full suite was a separate cat.. We are not elite cruisers however.

I think when people say FULL suite it is just to distinguish from a MINI suite..so yes FULL suite= suite.

David is back and not a happy camper. check out this thread

Viking Cruises: Update on Central Europe Flood Impact

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=39012209&posted=1#post39012209

Today, 05:47 AM

DavidF1940

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 15

Viking offer for no-cruise cruise on Elbe

I said (above) that I would report on any Viking offer of recompense. They have now offered a 50% of paid fare discount on any further cruise booked before end of 2015.

I am not happy with this. I am not at all sure I want to go with Viking again, and want a cash rebate. If they can afford to sponsor so much ITV "drama", they can afford something better than "buy one, and if it is not good, get second at half price".

I said (above) that I would report on any Viking offer of recompense. They have now offered a 50% of paid fare discount on any further cruise booked before end of 2015. :(

 

I am not happy with this. I am not at all sure I want to go with Viking again, and want a cash rebate. If they can afford to sponsor so much ITV "drama", they can afford something better than "buy one, and if it is not good, get second at half price".

David you seem to be the only cruiser posting about problems on the Elbe. I will bet future cruisers aren't even thinking on looking here on CC about Elbe cruises since there is nothing on the news about problems so thank you for posting your story here as a heads up.

I LOVE your suggestion for a new ad slogan for Viking...straight and to the point!

I hope you continue discussions with Viking to arrive at a better resolution for your dissatisfaction. Keep us posted.

Just returned from Avalon Seine cruise

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1873212

Today, 04:53 PM

hcross888

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: South Carolina, USA

Posts: 216

Just returned from Avalon Seine cruise

Viking Budapest to Copenhagen July 3

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1872381

Be sure to subscribe to the linked thread if you want to follow updates from Rockwall99

one more copy and paste from another thread. Not much action on this thread so maybe no news is good news and this can finally all be wrapped up. I will troll the threads for another day or so.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1860217&page=2

Amsterdam to Budapest

Negma

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: May 2007

Posts: 32

Live from Viking Tor Amsterdam to Budapest JUne 23

Bamberg

Off the ship at 1. 1/2 hour bus ride to city. This was not the highlight of the trip. Bamberg is a nice city, but very few highlights other than smokey beer and a town hall in the river (even a Tom Cruise story). We were there until 6:45 (they told us in advance) due to some river delays. It was way too long with not a lot to do. Many folks just hung out at the cafes for two hours. There were also other ships in port so it was a little crowded. First time other ship was tied up next to ours so they had to walk through our lobby area.

I know that sounds great for some, hanging in a cafe, but for us still too long. Many stayed on the ship for the day. We figured we would rather roam around Bamberg.

Rack of lamb for dinner and everyone LOVED it.

I made a husband mistake and thought we would be doing some of the WW2 sites in the regular included walking tour for Nuremberg. OOPS. Well Karina out CD is great. She squeezed us in and I am very happy. Also may be a day without rain. There are 4 other ships here, a fifth if you include the Mississippi queen..really...

Hard to believe one week to go. We have talked to many folks that have cruised everywhere, and the vast majority are really enjoying the trip.

We're on the Uniworld tour that began in Belgrade a week ago (June 23) and arrived in Vienna this morning. Uniworld has at all times kept us apprised of current river developments, which really haven't changed much since we left Belgrade.

 

We spent the first six nights on the River Empress, a change from the River Ambassador which was the original planned ship. This morning we moved to the Ambassador so that the Empress could return to Budapest where it will begin another tour. A minor inconvenience, yet Uniworld is giving us a $500 credit on any future tour through 2015. Big-time customer service, in my opinion.

 

Our tour is over tomorrow morning, but we're staying on in Vienna till Wednesday and then on to Prague. Couldn't be happier with our experience on Uniworld.

Thanks for taking the time to post. Good news all around and thumbs up for Uniworld's customer service..you sound like a satisfied client.

Things not so good for DavidF

Viking Cruises: Update on Central Europe Flood Impact

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=38953881#post38953881

#123

Today, 11:54 AM

DavidF1940

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 14

Vikijg Elbe up date:

We arrived in Prague. Journey was approx 1hr in coach with local guide who never stopped talking, 1hr strolling in picturesque area, marred only by the same non-stop talking (and repeating himself) guide, followed by 2 hr lunch, followed by another 2 1/2 hr coach trip, thankfully without aforesaid guide. Much of the last part was along by the Elbe in scenic valley, which made us realise how different it would have been sitting on the boat, sipping tea, reading or whatever, rather than imprisoned in the coach. Hey-ho!

We understand that the next batch of passengers, for the return Prague to Berlin trip, is out here, and that Viking is cleared to sail all the way, lucky so-and-so's; at least OK for the present.

No news yet about compensation offer. I'll lket you know how this goes when it happemns.

Cheers

David

CAnt confirm this...can anyone?

Viking Cruises: Update on Central Europe Flood Impact

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=38943553#post38943553

#122

Today, 01:14 PM

DavidF1940

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 13

We have just heard that the Viking Schumann, recently ' stranded' at Dresden (Elbe), is due to transfer on Saturday without passengers to near Prague, presumably to pick up passengers starting out from Prague on Sunday. A good if small improvement, and no guarantee that they will be able to cruise all the way to Magdeburg/Berlin.

DavidF

Thanks live4cruises and Cobbie48 for the LIVE and encouraging posts. Sunds like you are having a great time nd things are settling down on the danube anyways.

Enjoy!

Thank you remydiva for all your hard work sharing the bits of live reports that are coming in.

 

Julie

Thanks Julie. I find it interesting that some of the many CCers who were posting on the 'Grave situation on the Danube' and wondered about their upcoming cruises haven't posted back here somewhere about their trip.

Guess they are all having a good time? and are too busy to write us here back home!

Sort of...cruiser Phoebecat is back home from june 22 Viking njord cruise with report to follow...they say this so far

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1869996

Viking Njord Romantic Danube June 22

On board Viking Njord: taster of review to come

I'm on the penultimate day of Vikings Romantic Danube between Nuremberg and Budapest, sailed 22 June, following three day package in Prague. I have been on these boards before, as I like to think, a reasonable voice, cautioning against snap judgements on the cruise companies following the floods.

I have also sailed with Viking before in July 2012 on the Sun, down the Rhine. That was an excellent cruise, and on this board, I praised Vikings offering.

I shall shortly be writing a long review, which I will post on here, with regards this past weeks trip. There are some positives, but many negatives. I shall endeavour to be as objective as I can, but feel it only fair to say that I will never sail with Viking agsin. Other river cruise companies? Maybe, but the Viking offering has dramatically declined in quality and its staff in integrity over the last year, and is, quite frankly, not worth a quarter of the £6,900 we paid for this vacation.

Therefore, when I have out together a review, I shall post it on here, and look forward to hearing your thoughts. As for Vikings, well, they will be interesting to hear too.

__________________

QM2 Norway June 2007, QM2 Western Med June 2008, QM2 North American Adventure July 2009, QV Canaries May 2010, QV Round Great Britain July 2010, QV Canaries April 2011, QV Adriatic Discovery August 2011, QE Canaries November 2011, QE New Year Getaway January 2012, QV Baltics May 2012, Viking Sun Rhine Discovery July 2012

Still to come:

Celebrity Constellation September 2012

Viking Njord Romantic Danube June 2013

Update posted tonite LIVE from this cruise:

Amsterdam to Budapest

Live from Viking Tor June 23 embarkation

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1860217&page=2

Today, 12:38 PM

Negma

Cool Cruiser

We left the ship at 2:30 for Mitenberg. It was a nice stop, maybe a little long. This might be compounded by the fact that it has rained everyday. They showed us pictures of the area we were standing that was underwater only two weeks ago. Pretty amazing, you never would have known. We also started going through the locks last night and it is pretty amazing to watch, until you have done it 20 times, only 44 to go.

Great trip so far, now if we can get better weather

You should also put some of your clothes into each others checked bags..odds are at least ONE of your bags will show up.

 

We do that now whenever we fly and whenever we board ships direct from the airport. Fortunately our next cruise leaves from our 'home' port. I do so LOVE this. None of the worries about luggage.:D Only trouble is I have received so many good tips about cool things to take on a cruise, I am getting worried I might not have any room for clothes:o

 

I LOVE home port cruises too. Just got off a repro last month and we walked off the ship, hopped on the rapid transit train and were back at our car in 25 mins :)

While Uniworld, Tauck and Avalon have updated the threads on CC that they all started called something like: High Water Updates" (see below), Viking has NOT yet updated their own thread that Viking started called:

Viking Cruises: Update on Central Europe Flood Impact

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1856202&page=6

It would be consistent if Viking would update here on CC as well as their website (like the other companies)

Viking have at least updated their website. It is interesting to note that Viking is the only company to mention the second non operational chamber that won't be repaired until sometime in Sept. Points to them for providing ALL the info!

This is what it says:

CENTRAL EUROPE WEATHER UPDATE - JUNE 27, 2013

Dear Viking Guests,

Water levels on the Rhine, Main and Danube have receded and sailing schedules have returned to normal. However, we would like to inform guests scheduled to sail on the Danube River that the Austrian authorities have provided an updated schedule for repairs to the Altenwörth Lock.

The Altenwörth Lock Closure: Danube River, Austria

The Altenwörth Lock, which is located on the Danube River between the Austrian cities of Vienna and Melk, was damaged during the recent flood. Beginning on June 27, 2013, the lock re-opened one chamber after being fully closed for 2 weeks. Repairs on the second chamber are scheduled for completion in September. With the use of only one chamber for river traffic heading in both directions we anticipate that there may occasionally be some delays based on traffic conditions when a ship arrives to go through the lock—but these delays should not impact itineraries in any significant way.

****************

TAUCK: Update on Flooding in Central Europe

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1858232

Today, 10:47 AM

Tauck

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Jun 2013

Location: Norwalk, CT

Posts: 10

TRAVEL ALERT: DANUBE RIVER TRAFFIC - Updated June 27, 2013

Water levels have decreased across areas of Central Europe that were subjected to recent flooding. The Altenwörth lock on the Danube River between Krems and Vienna reopened early this morning local time, and we anticipate that all current and upcoming Tauck river cruises will operate normally.

****************

Uniworld: Update on High Water Levels in Europe

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1856046

Updated message on June 27, 12:00 p.m. PDT

Dear Valued Uniworld Guests,

We are pleased to announce that the left chamber of the Altenwörth Lock has opened earlier than expected, and ships are slowly beginning to make their way through.

There is a considerable backlog of vessels to get through, so we expect delays in the near term; however, this is a very positive turn-of-events. Given that the lock is now open and water levels on the Rhine, Main and Danube continue to be at normal to near normal levels, we are confident to be back to regular operation very soon.

As always, we continue to keep a close eye on the rivers, and we will update this page as needed.

With our appreciation,

The Uniworld Team

- See more at: http://www.uniworld.com/important-notice#sthash.Hv3O9Kj1.dpuf

*************

High Water Levels: Avalon Announcement

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1854817&page=3

Today, 09:43 AM

Avalon Waterways

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Oct 2008

Posts: 50

Final Europe Flooding Update - June 27, 2013

Final Europe Flooding Update - June 27, 2013:

To our travelers and travel agent partners,

Great news! Our European Operations team has advised us that the Altenwörth Lock in Austria will be back in working order by the weekend. This means our future European cruise itineraries will operate normally (and will NOT require ship swaps).

Once again, we would like to thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation throughout this unprecedented flooding situation.

Sincerely,

Avalon Waterways

And so I will continue doing the copy and paste thing when I see any LIVE updated info from those actually ON the river cruises NOW.

Here is more from David on the Elbe right now...actuallly he is NOT on the Elbe he is in a 5* hotel instead.

Viking Cruises: Update on Central Europe Flood Impact

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=38931907#post38931907

Today, 01:42 PM

DavidF1940

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 10

Thursday Evening update on Elbe Cruise

Well, there's good news and there's bad news!

Today's coach trip to Meissen (3 hours including 'comfort' break), then tour round the town and then porcelain factory, and then on to 5-star Kempinski hotel in Dresden went well enough; it must be said the coach trips are grating somewhat. Meissen was a pretty little town and the factory was reasonably interesting In the town we saw the first real signs of the dasmage done by the floods. A number of shops had taken in 1 to 1 1/2 metres of water and although clearing up has gone apace, several are still closed; it must have been awful.

The bad news is that the Schummann (the Viking boat we were intended to board eventually) is sitting in the river at Dresden, moored to the 'bank', but not accessible because the bank is partly submerged, nor will it be OK for at least 2 days. The good news is that we are staying in this excellent hotel for 2 nights, and then we will go direct to Prague (by coach of course) and spend 2 nights there instaed of one. This is an excellent solution to a very difficult situation, mainly as it avoids any unnecessary tedious pack-unpack cycles as well as too many tedious cross-country coach trips. I don't know if Viking chose the Kempinski to impress or delight us (it does both) or because it was the only reasonable one that could suply 50+ rooms at short notice. Tomorrow we will have a full day in Dresden, with a morning tour included and free time thereafter. After that, 2 nights in Prague will be nice.

I have several times referred to the valiant work being done by Viking staff here at the sharp end. I should make special mention of Radim, our Czech Cruise Director, who remains cheerful and helpful at all times, and on whom the burden of these severe and sudden changes of plan must mainly fall. He is a young man who I believe has earned the respect of us all.

Hopefully, the holiday will end on a positive note, although we would all have MUCH preferred to have cruised rather than gone on wheels.

Salad Muncher: As you can see, the river situation is not good. I am surprised that your cruise operator can feel confident in going ahead, but of course I do not have access to all the facts. It appears (and I cannot vouch for the details) that some time at the end of last week, the Czech river authorities allowed shipping to resume, and shortly afterwards there was a collision between a vessel and a submerged shipping container, aalthough no one was hurt. Thereafter, it was decided to undertake extensive surveying and dredging. I hope that anyone better in the know than I, will correct this info if needs be. SM, please feel free to pass on anything I have written to your cruise operator.

Cheers

thank you David for the live posts about the situation on the Elbe...the forgotten river in all this disaster.

I am reposting it to another thread :eek: that I started about LIVE posts from cruisers currently cruising as there are several on going threads and posts about the horror stories from the past weeks and compensations yet to be resolved.

Please keep on posting as I'm sure there are many more people like Salad Muncher' (bet we know what you were doing when you joined CC and box came up for screen name and your first, second and third choices weren't available!) who are relying on your front line reporting.

Thanks newfirsttimer for the update...i found this post as well:

The Danube is Open again

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1869846

Today, 12:47 AM

davidrw

Cool Cruiser

The Danube is Open again

After almost a month of closures the Danube is open again.

The Austrian lock partially reopened at 07:00 today, it is anticipated that it will be fully open in September. This will mean that it may take extra time to use the locks, however they will be passable and the crew are expert at this.

The lock status page now shows Green for each lock in Austria (Update - I now see that Melk is shut for a couple of hours (until midday CET) , however I guess that is normal !!)

http://www.doris.bmvit.gv.at/en/services/locks/

I hope that everything is smooth for the rest of the year (well at least for my cruise next week from Budapest to Amsterdam !!)

More information on the notices posted yesterday is in the thread:-

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1865479

CENTRAL EUROPE WEATHER UPDATE - JUNE 26, 2013

Dear Viking Guests,

Water levels on the Rhine, Main and Danube have receded and sailing schedules have returned to normal. However, we would like to inform guests scheduled to sail on the Danube River that the Austrian authorities have provided an updated schedule for repairs to the Altenwörth Lock.

The Altenwörth Lock Closure: Danube River, Austria

The Altenwörth Lock, which is located on the Danube River between the Austrian cities of Vienna and Melk, was damaged during the recent flood and remains closed for repairs until June 29, 2013. [it is expected that one chamber will then re-open, with the second chamber scheduled for completion in September.We anticipate that use of only one chamber for river traffic heading in both directions will cause some delays based on traffic conditions when a ship arrives to go through the lock—but these delays should not impact itineraries in any significant way.

It also makes sure nobody inadvertently walks off with your luggage that happens to look the same as theirs. Not as easy to do today -with so much extra security etc. - but -particularly at domestic airports -it can happen (and did to me in 1995 at Heathrow-leaving me without my clothes for 3 days til the mistake was discovered and corrected - had to borrow DHs clothes to go shopping:o in the meantime). Now we always travel with a spare outfit in carry-on and checked luggage is always 'marked' to easily identify- so bight pink sounds good to me.;)

You should also put some of your clothes into each others checked bags..odds are at least ONE of your bags will show up.

Also I always put sandals, bathing suit or shorts, black slinky cruise wear pants and slinky top into carry on bag ...(can be used on formal nite in a pinch should bags not arrive. ) no need to wait for bags to arrive at cabin so soon as we hit our cabin, i can change and sit by the pool if applicable.

Bobalink...you are welcome. Since I seem to be reading these posts anyways, I thought it would be helpful to somehow consolidate the current posts so that it might prove helpful/comforting/informative for those leaving in the next week or so.

River cruisers do not tend to do LIVE reports like ocean cruisers do...maybe because there are no 'at sea' days or down time...you dock, you hit the ground running, you go to bed , REPEAT.

A couple of CCers posted they are leaving this weekend for cruises so maybe they will be kind enough to post a LIVE report.

Here are all the news/new posts of current info

TAUCK: Update on Flooding in Central Europe

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1858232

Travel Advisory: Danube River

Update for June 26:

Water levels have decreased in many areas of Central Europe that were subjected to recent flooding. However, the Altenwörth lock on the Danube River between Krems and Vienna remains closed due to damage sustained during the flooding. Earlier estimates from local authorities that the lock would reopen to traffic this week have proven to be inaccurate, and authorities currently estimate that the lock will now reopen on June 28th.

****************

Viking Cruises: Update on Central Europe Flood Impact

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1856202&page=6

Today, 10:46 AM

Viking Cruises

Viking Guest Relations ~~ Woodland Hills, CA

And yes, the Gabcikovo Lock has been repaired and is again functioning without interuption

********************

Amsterdam to Budapest

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1860217

June 23rd, 2013, 12:47 PM

Negma

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: May 2007

Posts: 29

Live from Viking Tor

We just boarded today. Embarkation was very easy. Early impressions, brand new ship and well thought out. The room looks small but all of our stuff fit in the drawers or shelves.

The staff so far was great. They ask to purchase a 299 euro drink as much as you want whatever you want package, that is not happening with us.

Most of the folks we have met are on their first river cruise.

Just finished dinner, food was OK. My wife was not that hungry and left food on her plate. Two servers asked her if she wanted something else, we were impressed. Wines offered were fine, and soda included as well.

The technology and interactive TV is pretty neat, everything from on demand movies to music, weather and maps. They have walking earphone peices that you bring on each tour that you keep in your room.

We asked for extra pillows and bathrobes and had them in 5 minutes.

Tomorrow is an 1:45 excusion to the windmills. As I have time I will try and update with things we have NOT seen on prior posts,

***************

We are sailing! - Viking Douro

read full review at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1869272

Today, 04:03 AM

TravelBugM

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Jan 2013

Location: Mississauga, Canada

Posts: 28

We are sailing! - Viking Douro

I am sitting in our French Balcony on the Viking Douro watching the gorgeous scenery. I had wanted to do a day by day log, but we've been so busy, it's now Day 6 and just getting the chance now.

We have never cruised before (ocean nor river) so had no expectations. We are very independent travellers, planning everything ourselves, so the idea of being in the hands of others was really quite strange.

All we can say about the experience thus far is fantastic.

*******************

Danube river closed in Austria til June 28th

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1865479

*************************

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1860217

starting at post 15, on the Viking Tor on the Rhine

thanks for posting the link. Sounds like everything is going according to plan and other than cooler temps than they expected, no problems...whoo hoo :)

I will not go into details since everyone's situation is different. I did call Viking when I got home and was not satisfied with the initial Viking compensation. I wrote a factual and polite email to Viking, stating my concerns. I received a phone call from Viking Customer Relations the next day. The Customer Relations Agent made an offer that I consider fair and appropriate. I am now a satisfied customer and have booked the same cruise with Viking for next year.

Your post title sums up things PERFECTLY....'DISAPPOINTED traveller ; SATISFIED Viking Customer'

It may be encouraging for others who were caught in your unfortunate situation to hear how your experience and methodology ( you wrote a factual and polite email) worked out successfully.

Kudos to you and Viking for 'negotiating' a satisfactory resolution.