PrettyParrot
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Posts posted by PrettyParrot
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7 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:
Sorry you had a bad experience on Viking Mississippi, but I don't think it reflects on their European river cruise product which is probably still as you experienced it. Viking has faced a steep learning curve in the US, starting with their design (as you experienced with the landing stage issue), their expectation to be able to use non-US built and -owned ships, and continuing with the difficulties of staffing with only US citizens – this is the only place in the world that they come under the PVSA with these strict requirements. If you liked Viking in Europe before, you will probably still like it how.
OTOH if you are determined to explore other European river cruise lines, there are many other good choices at a variety of price points. Determine, based on your river cruising history, what is important to you and look for river cruise lines that excel in those areas. Happy sailing!
Thank you Host Jazzbeau for your response and recommendations/considerations for planning future European river cruises. We are planning a Uniworld cruise for 2025 on the Rhine and then traveling on our own through Belgium and France to visit First World War sites. I think it will be fun to try something new for cruising! Thank you again. 🌞
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We took the Mississippi River cruise last May. The cruise wasn't the best: Loads of busing, to include a 3 hour bus ride to Memphis from the launching ramp (Really, a large launching ramp!) in Mississippi. Some of the local tour guides were terrible. Our guide in Vicksburg was unable to identify local landmarks. In Memphis we were placed in a Hilton that was in poor condition and under renovation. The floor for our room had scaffolding and paint with plastic everywhere and a very strong paint odor.
The on-board service was good, and the dining options were tasty. The view from the water was excellent, and the stateroom was very comfortable. We rented a car in Memphis to drive to Shiloh on our own after the cruise. I am glad that I made our own reservations and accommodations in New Orleans, along with all of our activities and dining there.
We have cruised with Viking on the Danube in 2017 and again in 2019. We plan to travel on a different cruise line for our next river cruise in Europe.
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My husband and I were on the Viking Mississippi at the end of April, from New Orleans to Memphis. Unlike @planada's experience, we had excellent service in the Veranda café and the main dining room, the ship was very clean and the staterooms were serviced each day. The food was also delicious with a nice variety in the main dining room. The staff was amazing and we loved our on-board experience!
However, I cannot say that the all of the excursions were good I agree that the Vicksburg National Military park was a fabulous excursion, as was the Port Hudson battlefield and nature hike paid excursion. The Frogmore and Longwood paid excursion was also excellent. We had some guides on tours who were not well-versed in the history of the area and were unable to give much information, or even correct information. An exception to this was Rusty, who was our guide on the Frogmore and Longwood excursion.
I can also say that the fact that we did NOT dock in Memphis was a BIG bummer. Approximately one month before the sailing we were informed that we would end the cruise in Rosedale MS, and then be bused to Memphis, which is approximately 2 hrs and 40 minutes away. The docking facility in Rosedale was a launching ramp for pleasure craft. The last-minute options for excursions were Graceland, The Civil Rights museum in Memphis, or get to Memphis early after a stop in Clarksdale. The buses were contracted from a separate company, and one bus broke down, and another had no A/C. The Hotel where many passengers were lodged, including ourselves, at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown. It is adjoining the Convention Center but about 1 mile from Downton and the restaurants, bars and Beale street. It was fine to walk during the day but not great at night, so if you are there definitely use Uber at night. The other passengers stayed at The Peabody, a beautiful hotel in walking distance to all of the downtown restaurants and attractions! I can honestly say that Viking should have put all of us up at The Peabody, or possibly the Westin which is in the same general area. The Sheraton is also under renovation (our room was pretty dumpy and in need of a lot of TLC), so I do not believe we received a good value. We did not do a pre or post add-on, but did our own thing in New Orleans prior to the cruise as well as in Memphis after the cruise. Hopefully Viking will change back to the Memphis docking and save everyone the bus ride to Memphis, with the mediocre (in our case) hotel stay. Definitely try Flight and/or Itta Bena for dinners. Both have amazing food!
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Dear @notamermaid I am glad that you are safe. I hope that the rain and flooding subside soon.
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3 hours ago, notamermaid said:
...dann drei...
Tonight I have lit the third candle on my Advent wreath.
I returned mine as the colour was not to my liking and now I have got similar ones in a more rustic finish in a typical Christmas red. Lovely to read you have your immediate environs all bright and festive.
The last two days of shopping will be a mad rush in Rhineland-Palatinate, I am sure. Then the valley and life in it will go really quiet.
I have still not been anywhere in the dark where there are nice lights, other than my streets nearby. So have I decided to show you my most humble display:
I know it is not much. I reclaimed a tinplate lantern in a worn white finish without glass from a scrap pile nearby, just could not stand this being thrown away. And just added a string of lights to it. It is standing on old sandstone slabs next to the plant table in my yard, next to the dustbin. It lights up my path when I go to the bins and cheers me up every time I see it. As I said, it is not much, but means much to me.
Have a nice evening and a good week.
🕯️ 🕯️ 🕯️
notamermaid
It is beautiful and welcoming. What a beautiful way to warm the cold nights.
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11 hours ago, travel1104 said:
As noted about Scenic/Emerald and refunds. We were scheduled to do a Douro cruise on May 1, 2020 that was cancelled due to COVID-19. Emerald offered a refund or credit, we chose the refund as the pandemic status is unknown. It has been over four months and have yet to receive our refund only that the check is in the mail. This is frustrating both us and our Tavel Agent. We have sailed on Scenic, their parent company, and very pleased overall. We were sailing with Viking in early March and received credits and refunds almost immediately when they cancelled. Something is rotten with this company.
Bizarre that you have been told the “check is in the mail” when we have been told “wait until after June 30 2023 for a refund”. I would agree that something is rotten with the company. They probably do not have sufficient cash on hand for all refunds.
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On 5/28/2020 at 7:58 PM, linolive said:
Can you try disputing the charges with your credit card company since the service you paid for was not provided? I would include a copy of the contract that states they will refund the monies, and also any correspondence from Scenic when disputing the charges. I believe there is a time limit for disputing, so don't wait for Scenic and have the window of opportunity close.
That is exactly what I am doing. Scenic has never bothered to respond to my emails, and the customer service representatives simply repeat the party line of no refunds until after June 30, 2023.
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Scenic cancelled our cruise scheduled for August 2020. Credit only is offered, and money will not be refunded if there is no re-booking until after June 30, 2023. Thank goodness we only paid the deposit, since the final amount due wasn't to be paid until May 20, 2020. I'm continuing to discuss this with Scenic, as we'd love to get the deposit back.
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1 hour ago, Jcat2010 said:
Hello Everyone: Been watching and waiting, but it now seems that Viking has cancelled us out for June. Having been in the later months when levels are low, we're working to reschedule for next year. Questions are, May or June, early or late ? I realize, especially now, that no prediction is absolute, but historically, I'm sure there is a preference.
Thoughts.
Scenic has also cancelled cruises through June. We have an August cruise scheduled for after our eldest DD's wedding in the Netherlands, which also may or may not go forth due to COVID-19.
DH and I have done Viking Danube cruises in May and June. Both were beautiful and no water issues but the June cruise was much warmer weather than the May cruise.
all the best,
Pretty Parrot
🦜🌹
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Dear @notamermaid thank you for sharing the beautiful daffodils. Our garden is starting to bloom. Here are some of our roses. Stay safe and well everyone. 🌹
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Dear @notamermaid you are awesome for all you do for us here on Cruise Critic. Your invaluable Insights and information are incredibly helpful and a wonderful look at culture. Stay safe and know that we appreciate you! 🤗
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So glad your DH I’d doing better and on the mend! 🤗🤗
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Scenic’s Rhine and Moselle for 2020. A treat for us after DD’s wedding in the Netherlands! For 2021: not sure yet but either Uniworld’s Grande France or ....😊
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On 7/18/2019 at 3:31 AM, pontac said:
Thoughts on Viking Sineus cruise Odessa to Kiev.
Note: From 2020 Sineus will cruise between Tulcea and Kiev (with all day bussing between Tulcea and Bucharest with lunch in Constanta)...
Programme Director: We were extremely lucky to have the fantastic Oliver Groszer. He is a bundle of energy and has talents that include juggling, amazing magic tricks, funny stories, singing and dancing. Not to mention serving tacos at the buffet. When the Cossacks need a volunteer to hold a reed to be broken by a Cossack with a bull whip, Oliver was there. I could say much more about him but I don’t want to spoil the surprises to those lucky enough to have him. The crew are tight-lipped about his background because he will reveal all on the last day....
I cannot concur more with @pontac on program director Oliver Groszer! Before moving to the Sineus, he was our program director on the Viking Sigyn (Passsage to Eastern Europe, 12 May 2019) and on the night of the big reveal mentioned he was transferring to the Viking Sineus at the beginning of June. He is all that Pontiac mentions above, as well as being positive, cheery, and kind, all day and every day. Viking is lucky to have him on staff!
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Bob, Thank you so much for taking the time to give such a detailed review and upload so many gorgeous photos! I have enjoyed all of your posts and valuable comments, both pros and cons. We too are looking forward to our cruise; just booked for 2020! 😄
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20 hours ago, G.M.T. said:
Great article! thank you G.M.T. for posting it
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So happy that Jeannie is on the mend! What kindness and consideration from the Catherine's staff to help you! They really went the extra mile to make sure that Jeannie received the treatment she needed.
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32 minutes ago, boblerm said:
Me too! But in truth, the JdV isn't all that bad.
I think the decor is part of the fun too!
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Bob, what a great day in Maçon and Beaun! Thank you again for posting all of your wonderful photos and commentary. Your postings have continued to pique our interest in this cruise (I've just emailed Uniworld on availability for next year) 😃 However, I must say that my husband much prefers the decor on the Catherine to the Joie de Vivre! 😂
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Hi Bob! Thank you for your very report and gorgeous photos!! I know that this takes a lot of time and effort to post these detailed posts, and it is most appreciated!! My husband and I are now planning to take a Uniworld cruise next year, and your information is giving us serious thoughts to take the Grand France cruise! 😀🇫🇷
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Euros and zloty always come home with us for our next trip! 😀❤️🇵🇱🇫🇷🇪🇸
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Just awful! Thank goodness no one was injured.
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28 minutes ago, I like vacation said:
We experienced a change of aircraft at Schipol once and were denied boarding on a KLM flight. They had to put us up for the night in Amsterdam with dinner and compensate us for the denied boarding under the EU rules.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm
@I like vacation thank you for sharing the link. This is very good information to know. Thank goodness my experience was lucky!
Viking Mississippi Delta 2024 Questions
in River Cruising
Posted
To be honest, there is nothing near the launching ramp. It is a rural and agricultural area. Vicksburg is beautiful ! Have a great trip!