cruiser02

After 40+ ocean cruises I booked our 1st river cruise with Viking.

I went thinking "I am not going to like this - too small, not enough to do, I will be bored " Well - 14 days later I declared that I had not one negative thing to say. I had a great time ! Comparing river to ocean is an "Apple / Oranges" thing.

We did have a suite for we like space. Great bathroom and separate living / sleeping areas

The highlight was the socializing with fellow passengers who you know - unlike large ocean cruises

Go for It

Thank you for the update Appreciate

We're leaving next week to start in Basel so also interested in current report

I don't see many comments about Vantage. We are doing our 1st cruise with them in August.

We've only cruised on Viking so far.

Any thoughts or comments ???? Appreciated.

Keep us posted on the Rhine We are scheduled to begin in Basel 9 June.

Have concerns about the Rhine and Moselle Does anyone have a comment on the current status Leaving in 2 wks for Vantage Basel - Amsterdam cruise.

Can't advise on Basel, but for Amsterdam we like the Doubletree at Centraal Station – located close to the cruise port and the main train station (and central tram stop). It also has a rooftop bar with great views.

Agree Doubletree is perfect location. Their suites have a wonderful large garden patio on a high floor.

Last year we did the Douro river cruise with Vantage including a precruise trip to Madrid. We are seasoned river cruisers and this was our 7th river cruise. We felt isolated because there were so many groups and they stayed by themselves. If we went into the lounge and asked to sit down, they would say the seats were reserved. In the dining room, they chose tables at the start of the cruise and every meal that is where the were. We did find a few other couples to socialize with, but not many. We booked with Vantage because our preferred company, Avalon, does not do Douro cruises. This really turned me off to considering another Vantage trip.[/qu

Can't judge an entire line just because of the passengers on 1

It is a very nice airport ATM's are all over Easy to find ! Do remember to let your bank know that you will be using an out-of-country ATM

We were denied at the airport ATM until we made a back back to our bank. Not one of our finest moments for we needed cab fare stat.

I do love food, so I think I can comment on this, re: "Most Americans eat dinner between 5-7..." I have to respectfully disagree. When I was a child, maybe, we always at promptly at 5pm, as did my grandparents...and theirs. That was 40 years ago. Nowadays...

 

 

I barely know anyone that still works (as in Not Retired) that is even home before 6 or 7 during the week. At any restaurant requiring reservations (I've experienced this across the country), if you don't want to wait...go at 5. But do not go at 8.

 

 

 

While many Americans might cook and eat AT HOME at 5pm, very few dine out before 7pm. A Seabourn cruise is more of an "out for dinner every night" kind of experience, and so it will suit (I think) more folks than not. This isn't to say there aren't those who prefer fine dining at an earlier hour - clearly there are - but you are in the minority (as many Fine American restaurants will verify). Seabourn is stuck trying to please the most people with the least staff, and it also pleases a great majority of European diners, so it does make some sense.

Totally agree Dinner time at home and at sea is totally different. After a full Port day one needs time for R&R before getting dressed for dinner.

Social time before dinner is a must even for us "old" retired folk.

Here we are on our last day of this cruise. Well, not our last day, since we are staying on for the next cruise, but this 14-day Cruise is coming to an end tomorrow in Amsterdam. We were in Zeebrugge yesterday (for Bruges and Ghent, mostly) and the sail time was 5:30 this morning since we were about 47 feet from our next port. Today we are in Vlissingen (or something similar - I know it was originally Flushing and that is what the NY city is named after). And then tomorrow, we will move again slightly toward Amsterdam for disembarkation/embarkation.

 

We (and a total of 141 passengers who are continuing on) are thrilled not to have to pack up today. It is great to sit in Seabourn Square and sort through pictures, drink coffee, chat and read. This has been a great cruise and it seems that most agree. We are looking forward to this next leg and I hope the others who will be joining us will contribute to this thread and share their impressions.

In Amsterdam looking forward to joining you tomorrow !

Having a Spargel ( white asparagus) dinner tonight. It is a passion of ours. We wanted to be here for it's short lived season ending June 26th

We are celebrating our 50th anniversary on the June 9th cruise

Will also be joining in Amsterdam for 2 wks. Have done that potion of the Baltic several times.

Almost packed too. With 120 staying on there will not be that many of us getting on.

I have a faithful hood that I always take along. Wear on the plane because they are usually chilly. Then it works well for those cool days and under a lightweight rain coat on chilly days. I'm wearing it in about every travel photo over many years. I know: One day it will need to be replaced.

I always include scarves and "fun" jewelry which can dress up and / change the appearance of a simple outfit.

Simple black dress shoes. Really good walking shoes.

Workout wear for sure.

A shawl - only because as PaulaJK stated it can be chilly in the evenings.

Duck tape - you just never know !

Formal night: Would a dark suit coat be acceptable?

Isklaar, Thank you for complimenting Dallas. It IS a great city. We've lived here for 31 years now and it gets better every year. We are very well acclimated to high heat and humidity--also we live in central air-conditioning most of the time. Actually, I prefer dresses for casual wear in the summertime, but whenever I wear a dress in the daytime on a cruise, people ask me why I am so dressed up! So--I am taking some casual dresses (but maybe not as many as last time). Sometimes I think we should have a women only thread about clothing for the cruise---not about dress codes, but just about what we like to wear on cruises and why.

I agree. It is about "what to pack" not "THE code"

I'm thinking cotton pants and comfortable walking shoes for day time. It is evening wear that is always the question.

Here is the Pacific NW casual has become the norm for dress...even in the evenings. Have dress pants and tops in variety of colors and level of dressiness out at the present. May sort add a few lightweight dresses. Can't forget scarves Wish there was an easy way around luggage restrictions.

Our weather is similar to northern Europe Today hi 60's - lo 70's which is warm for us. I love Texas but melt and feel like a slug.

Thanks for the conversation

I can't really leave home without my favorite day time jeans. I'm 70-something

Thanks for the Head's-up on jeans. I will leave the blue denim at home ..... :o

Today I begin getting serious about the packing. Next week is busy but today is "Mine"

I will never be the lady who can pack for a month in a carry-on.

Have opened the Packing Room Leave in 10 days to join you in Amsterdam. How is the weather ? I'm thinking 60-70 degrees ?

A lot like the Pacific NW Any suggestions ?

We will be joining in Amsterdam so looking forward to your posts. Thanks

Thank you for the clarification

Sorry, I'm a little confused. If you suggest reservations in the Colonnade on theme nights, how do you know prior to boarding what are the theme nights??

Did not know you could reserve tha Colonnade online?

I thought as I get closer to 60 it was about time I got more responsible. Though I could say that I learnt from some of the best, hey Mr L.:D

 

Julie

Wait til you get to 70-something !