robinlynn

I was planning a trip for 2016 to the British Isles on the fairly new

Royal Princess for a special anniversary until I just read that Princess is moving the Caribbean Princess for these sailings. I looked up this ship, which was built in 2004. There is no way I am taking this very special trip on a 13 year old ship, as I have been very spoiled with my new Celebrity Solstice class sailings of Europe in the past. I am so disappointed. The pictures of the Caribbean Princess look like a tired old ship that could use a major retrofitting.

Even though the Princess sailing was the perfect itinerary that fit our needs, I know I would not be happy on such a tired looking ship.

Very disappointed

Robin

Since we have decided on this cruise to finally get to visit the British Isles, I realized the only sensible thing is to take the cruise that will offer the best port experiences and itinerary that is closest to my desired stops. The Royal Princess fits the bill. I am hopeful the ship experience is close to Solstice class

standards, even if they still use shower curtains!

Thanks for all of the.advice. Seems that Princess cruisers are really friendly and helpful!!

Robin

I am thinking about booking for next May for the British Isles Cruise on the Royal Princess based mainly on the itinerary which sounds exactly what I am looking for. However my past two cruises on Celebrity Solstice class ships to the Med were amazing and I loved everything about the ships. Unfortunately their itinerary for the British Isles missed some stops I was hoping to make and begins and ends in Amsterdam instead of Southhampton making a pre or post few days on our own in England more difficult.

But after reading many reviews and cruise comparisons, it seems Princess does not compare in several categories of service, cabins and overall design to Celebrity.

I know I should go strictly by the itinerary, but I am concerned that I will not be as pleased overall with the ship. Anyone who has done both ships or lines out there that might give me their thoughts? Are the Celebrity ships service, food and design that much better?

I would appreciare any insights from those who have travelled on both the newer Princess and Celebrity ships.

Thanks!

Robin

So judging by the posted sign, nice clean unfrayed or untorn dark jeans are acceptable with a nice collared shirt for dinner on all but formal nights? I would appreciate a quick reply, as we are getting ready to book and this could be a deal breaker for my hubby.

Thanks!

Robin

First things first when I get home from a trip abroad, whether cruise or independent travel. Laundry, taking care of bills and errands that arose while we were gone and getting over jet lag. That's pretty much the better part of the first week.

Now downloading and organizing pictures to put together for a new shutterfly

album, and then checking these boards each day. Starting to write some Trip Advisor reviews about places we stayed and restaurants from pre and post cruise.

I sometimes just like to sit for a few minutes and mentally relive some special moments from the trip, especially after this one, my first Viking experience, which I just loved.

Also enjoying the comforts of being home.

Robin

Robin,

Harold and I are not really WWII history buffs so I am not sure how much the Colmar WWII excursion would interest us but I am looking at the optional Colmar without the WWII tour as Colmar sounds like a lovely town. Did you speak to anyone that just did Colmar without the WWII portion? Did you have independent time in Colmar on your excursion and would you agree that it is worthwhile to go even if we don't do the WWII tour? Looks like Viking offer optional to Colmar with or without WWII.

Betty, I believe I heard some people saying they enjoyed the Colmar excursion.

I was there years ago when my husband and I visited the Alsace on a trip on our own, and it is a pretty, if unremarkable, town . I can just tell you that everyone on our tour were unanimous that it was the best excursion of the cruise. It was a fascinating story, not the usual war tour, and the passion and knowledge of Malcolm, the guide, was amazing and inspiring..

Remember, unlike the large cruise ships,you have time to book the optionals

while on board. You could wait and then make sure Malcolm is still doing the tour a year from now. He was what made the tour so special.

Hi Robin. Glad you had a great cruise! We will be doing the same itinerary on the Viking Ingvi on July 25....2 months to go!

 

Can I ask what were the favorite things you did in the various ports with any free time you had? Any "do not miss" suggestions?

Thanks

Jerry

My favorites were the Colmar Pass WWIi afternoon and the Alsatian Wine Tasting....both optional tours

.IMHO and those who went with our group all said these were favorites. I also loved my quiet walk in the Black Forest

To be honest, there was very little free time.

We had such a wonderful time on the entire cruise!!

Robin

Thanks, Robin. We're looking forward to our Rhine Getaway Cruise and extension in Montreux. Did you like the Chocolate/Gruyere train tour? Can you recommend any restaurants in Montreux or Vevey?

The chocolate train was a lot of fun. We went in a Belle Epoque carriage car with panoramic windows to maximize enjoying the spectacular views . It took us first to a cheese factory where they explain and demonstrate how the famous Gruyere cheese is made. Then on to the beautiful walled medieval village of Gruyere, by bus,where we spent about 3 hours. There is a very large castle you can visit and lots of cafes for lunch.We then were taken to the Calliere chocolate factory where they explain the history of chocolate and show the process of making it into milk chocolate. You then go to a large tasting room where you get to sample as many types of chocolate as you like.

Then you go back on the bus to the train for a spectacular scenic two hour ride back to the Montreux train station. It is a fun, but long day, about 8 hours and costs 98 cf per person.

We had a great fondue dinner one evening at a restaurant called Le Museum a short walk from our hotel. Very nice place frequented by locals as well as tourists.

I remember it as having a very nice menu and ambiance.

Robin

Great to hear as we are doing this cruise in reverse at the end of June.

 

How was the Black Forest trip? While the ride through the Black Forest itself sounds wonderful, the kitchy cookoo clock shop visit sounds rather tacky. What was your experience?

We went for a walk through a part of the Black Forest which had a beautiful walking path (about a half hour). It was so peaceful and lovely.We got some great photos! Followed it by having a cup of hot chocolate and some really good Black Forest cake. It was a lovely morning.

That afternoon, we went on the optional Colmar World War II memorial tour.

It was the best excursion of the entire cruise. Malcolm, the tour guide, was so knowledgeable and passionate about this extremely important and

fascinating battle, which was instumental in finally bringing the war to a speedier end. Everyone else on that tour were unanimous that it was the best excursion offered on the cruise. This was our last day of the cruise....so glad it ended on such a high note.

Robin

What did you think of Montreux?

Montreux is a lovely resort town located right on beautiful Lake Geneva.

We stayed at the GORGEOUS Fairmont LePalace. We had an amazing room facing the lake with the mountains in the background. The lake has a beautiful promenade with wonderful flower gardens and statuary surrounding it. It is all very relaxing and idyllic.

There are old fashioned steamer boats that go around the lake to other towns. Vevey is one particularly lovely town we visited. We got a round trip ticket which took us first to the beautiful Chillon Castle, which has a very interesting history and we really enjoyed self-touring (we rented headphones) Then we picked up the boat and went on to Vevey for lunch and a look around, and then it took us back to Montreux. It was a wonderful day. When you stay at a hotel in the area, you get a Riviera card, which gives you half-fare rates on the otherwise rather expensive boat rides., and I believe half-fare for the admission to the Castle. It also provides free rides on the very convenient buses.

The train station is very centrally located, a five minute walk from our hotel, where you can make arrangements for all kinds of train rides to Mont Blanc, Lausanne, Geneva, the Golden Express, and the Chocolate Train to Gruyere(that's what we did). There are all kinds of day trips available from Montreux.

Just Google Swiss Trains,and all of the possibilities will be offered.

We spent one day doing nothing, which was a wonderful day,just enjoying the gorgeous hotel and its beautiful grounds. We needed a day like this after the fast pace of the river cruise (we had done most of the optional excursions).

I was really happy with our choice of this lovely town

Robin

Thanks for reporting back Robin! We are looking forward to our first European River cruise on the Viking Rhine Getaway in 2015. A long time to wait but some categories were already selling out for end of August/early September. Did any of the included excursions or ports really stand out for you? Did you do any of the optional excursions and if so, would you recommend any of them? We will be on Idi which has not been launched yet but I understand it will be identical to the other longships.

All of the Rhine Getaway excursions were excellent. My favorites were the optional Colmar WWII excursion (best tour we have ever taken and unanimously agreed so by all who took it) and the Alsace wine tasting, which was a lot of fun .

We enjoyed the Rudensheim optional dinner, but not sure if it was worth the hefty price. We had only one choice for dinner, and it was not something I wanted, while everyone else in the restaurant got a menu to choose from, probably for a lot less. And the cute, rather kitschy oompa entertainment was enjoyed by all. Those were the only optionals we took, except in Cologne, where for a very reasonable amount, there was a fascinating museum of Roman artifacts found in Cologne, which came with a guide. It was under 10 EURO

as I remember and about an hour long. It followed the regular tour and I found it more interesting. Markberg Castle was great and Heidelburg was a

lovely day.

Unfortunately, Kinderjuik was a disaster due to a rainy, blustery day.

All in all, wonderful itinerary and excursions.

Robin

Hi Betty,

Just off this cruise 1 day and had a fabulous time.

I can tell you that the Middle Rhine cruise day was a fabulous day. Actually, the entire cruise was fabulous.

IMHO most of us seemed to just enjoy "castle spotting" while drinking, eating, and socializing, relaxing and having a grand time, relaxing after a few days of often frenetic and early rising excursions. It was one of the best afternoons of the cruise.

You might want to keep in mind that many of these castles were of little historic importance, just owned by"robber barons" looking to collect tolls from people trying to transport goods on the Rhine. Great fun to spot and admire. The cruise director pointed out the ones that had significance.

As a former big ship cruiser ,I was so thrilled with this Viking cruise on the Guilveig. It is a totally different and incredible experience .( You actually helped me get my sea legs on CC over 2 years ago while I was tentatively learning how to plan my own excursions for our Celebrity Adriatic cruise and were a big help to me).

This was such a different experience, much more friendly. relaxing, and fun.

This was my 4 th European cruise and probably my best. I know you will have an amazing time!!

Have a wonderful time!!

Robin

Just starting our post cruise in Montreux, Switzerland and just wanted to report that my Viking Guilveig May 9-16 Amsterdam to Basel cruise was first class and flawless. Everything was run perfectly, the new longship was gorgeous, and the staff and crew were so professional, friendly, and did everything they could to make us feel special every day. From the captain and tour director down to the cabin stewards and wait staff in the dining room, everyone was so enthusiastic and accommodating. Food was excellent. Shore excursions were wonderful. I honestly cannot find anything with which to find fault.

I am now hooked on river cruises and Viking!!!

Robin

Or wait another year or two and take him on a Disney Cruise or, even better Disneyworld!

Robin

Just finished my packing for my 2 week trip to Amsterdam, 7 day Viking Rhine Cruise and 4 days on Lake Geneva.

This is the first time I have ever been able to get everything into a 20 inch suitcase and a 18" rolling tote. Neither of us wanted to have to schlep a back pack, when we have these great rolling totes.

Over the years, we have downsized from 30" to 26" to 24" to 20" for each of us.

The weather is forecast to range from high 40's to low 70's, causing a bit of a challenge.

Bringing 2 pair of dress slacks, 3 pair of jeans for daytime,1 pair of black knit pants (plane), 6 shirts for day time (long and short sleeve) 1 cardigan that goes with everything. 3 cashmere lightweight crew neck sweaters for dinner in the evening, 1 very light quilted thin short jacket/blazer(plane) one lacey sweater set for Captain's dinner, etc and for a high end dinner or two on Lake Geneva, one pair of sneakers for castle climbing, one pair of travel walking shoes(plane), and one pair of ballet type flats for dinner.

Stuck to navy, black, with a touch of coral and white.

And, of course, raincoat and umbrella. Add two nightgowns (one warm for those 40 degree evenings, undergarments, sox (packed in the shoes),

a few scarves, a few pieces of my favorite costume jewelry, and some of my personal care items. (Anyone with hair issues knows the ship and hotel shampoos and conditioner just won't cut it.) Oh, and a ziploc full of prescription meds in their original bottles, one for each of us. Also a pretty large Ziploc full of over the counter" what if "meds. We always get a script from our doc for Cipro, and the usual cold, stomach, etc meds. We learned the hard way the cold meds in Europe really made us sicker This is non-negotiable. Also a small clothes line, a rubber piece that fits in the sink and Woolite, and a few dry cleaner type small clothes pins for laundry.

Add ship papers, airline and hotel confirmations, a few maps, some brochures for Switzerland, a kindle, chargers, travel wallet, a small cross body purse for sightseeing, (the big one goes on the plane with me of course).

We are splitting up our clothes between our two cases and checking them in and am putting a pair of my jeans, some undergarments and one of my shirts in my carry-on in case of a possible luggage problem.

It was a challenge, but am proud that I did it!.

A few years ago I never would have believed I could do it!!:cool:

6 days to go!!!

Robin

Robin...we are also doing the reverse trip a week or two before you (April 25).

I was in Amsterdam and Germany many years ago during this week (my birthday week) so I remember the weather very well. Cruising the Rhine area was quite chilly and blustery (but not freezing). Amsterdam and Cologne were similar to what normal late April temps would be at home (Philadelphia area for me). You're going a little later so you should be even warmer. I like a light-mid-weight vest and a scarf that can double as a wrap.

I'm so glad to hear that I am not the only one traveling light ....with a 22"carryon each. (Plus shoulder tote for me and backpack for DH.) My mantra is Simplify. I know I will be miserable if I have to lug anything larger, not to mention lost luggage! I'll be sure to report on my trip before you leave.

Thanks for the weather info. I am from Florida, so any temps in the sixties is long sleeves or a sweater!! Have a wonderful voyage!!!

Robin

Tipping is, for better or worse, the way staff and crew gets compensated. Whether any poster agrees with this compensation method, whether one thinks crew should be paid a decent wage by the cruise line, tipping is the way on most lines.

 

I wouldn't spend time on arithmetic trying to figure out how much anyone makes. Not everyone on the ship is tipped, and for those who are tipped there may well be differentials based on position. Save the arithmetic for determining how much to put in the envelope.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

I just picked up my euros from my bank today, and didn't order too much extra to cover tipping as the Viking web site said it could be added to our bill.

DH didn't want to be travelling with more cash than we need to.

First time on a river cruise for us. Do most people put the entire gratuity in an envelope at the end, or is it customary to put the suggested amount on our bill and just give a bit extra to anyone who provided extra service such as our cabin steward, a special waiter etc.? this is how we have done it in the past on our ocean cruises.

Thanks, Robin

robinlynn, Hope you enjoy your upcoming cruise.

 

We were only docked next to another ship one evening, and they left earlier than we did.

 

Our trip was 3/23-30. I had checked the weather report for several weeks ahead of time. Our original forecast was fairly dismal. However, as we got closer, the weather improved greatly and our actual weather was wonderful. We only needed our coats on the snowy day in the Black Forest and on the morning in Strasbourg. Otherwise, a scarf and sweater were all we needed. We had beautiful sunny days in the mid to upper 50's. Hope yours is as wonderful.

 

We did not speak with anyone who had been to Lake Geneva.

 

Our Alsace wine tasting was canceled because not enough people signed up for it.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we will be as lucky and only get one night docked next to another boat.

The weather is always a gamble. The long term forecasts show much cooler

weather than the real time daily temps, and we still have a month to go, which, of course makes it difficult to figure out what to bring. We are taking a train to Lake Geneva after the cruise, which means we have to REALLY pack light, a 20 inch rolling tote and large rolling carry-on for each of us.

But hopefully, we'll be up to the challanege.

I sure hope our Alsace wine tour does not get cancelled as well.

Thanks for your most helpful response.

Robin

Your report was very informative and interesting.

We are doing this same itinerary in reverse on one of the new Viking longships next month. I have just a few questions.

How many of the evenings were you docked right next to another ship....I am not very happy about this, since we paid so much extra for a balcony. We used to really enjoy sitting outside before dinner and in the early morning. That won't be the case with another ship a few feet away.

What month were you there? I can't get a fix on the weather for next month.

The actual temps I keep getting on my phone app for April are considerably warmer than the long term climate temps shown in all of the internet

Did you speak to anyone who went to Lake Geneva before the cruise?(one of the ship extensions)

Did you speak to anyone who did the Alsace wine tasting? We think we are going to do that optional tour.

Thanks again for the great reporting!

Best regards,

Robin

Got an e mail yesterday from Azamara that Ukraine cruise was cancelled.

In closing on this conversation, I guess I disagree with milling73's context. Having previously lived in Europe for four years, I learned the best lesson is : When in Rome, do as the Romans. If I ever do a river cruise in SoCal or Florida, I will keep in mind what the above posters from those locales define as evening casual. However, since Viking is a European flagged and owned cruise line, and I'm primarily cruising those waters, I typically look at how the Europeans, particularily those in my age bracket, in those countries visited, dress when they go out to a very nice upscale restaurant. I never ask myself "How would someone from LA dress when attending any event in Europe.

I agree that you should dress according to those standards you have set forth for yourself, and likewise others will do the same, even if it differs with your views.

Okay, let's start here...the Viking Website FAQs include this:

 

What is the “dress code” aboard the ship?

 

Dress is casual and comfortable, both on board and ashore. Because the weather can be unpredictable, it is best to bring layers—have a sweater or light jacket for spring and summer, and a heavier jacket for chillier months. Rain can happen at any time, so a collapsible umbrella is a “must.” You are likely to do a good deal of walking during shore excursions, so you will definitely want sturdy, comfortable walking shoes; but, since our ships are much smaller than ocean cruising vessels, you do not have to worry about too much walking on board.

 

There are no “formal nights” on board, but there is usually a Captain’s Welcome Dinner and/or Farewell Dinner; on many itineraries, you will attend a concert, ballet performance or other dressier event. For these evenings, you might like to bring “dressy casual” wear.

 

A comprehensive list of Packing Tips is available in the On the Ship section.

 

The link provided there bring you to this:

 

CLOTHING SUGGESTIONS

 

Dress aboard and ashore is casual; we suggest you dress comfortably and bring sturdy walking shoes for sightseeing excursions. Dinner attire is “evening casual,” and the Captain’s Dinner is dressy, but not formal.

 

Now, here is the real problem with Viking ...and with many other cruise lines...

 

Dress codes are often called "suggestions"...

Terms such as "casual", "evening casual" and "dressy" are not really defined.

Everyone THINKS they know what these terms mean...BUT...they mean different things to different people. There are no objective standards.

 

At this point, I started googling "evening casual"...

Wikipedia's "dress codes" listing doesn't even include a definition for "evening casual" and really only goes into depth on Formal, informal, black tie...It has a link to casual in a side box...which leads to an incredibly vague definition.

 

A site called ehow.com had a definition of evening casual that seemed to describe something just short of formal...dress slacks, dress shirts, sports coats...

 

Another site called blogdresscodeable.com gave a definition for evening casual that included polo shirts and dark denims.

 

Zappos.com has a definition of "evening casual" which continually re-qualifies itself based on the exact setting and who the hosts are...but goes on to allow both sandals and designer jeans...

 

At this point I tired of reading. Everything just seemed to confirm exactly what I thought--That NOBODY completely agrees with what ANY of this means.

 

It is an entirely vague standard...

 

Remember also that one person might wear a coat and tie and look incredibly shabby and in poor taste...another person can wear cargo shorts and a golf shirt and look really classy...Some "jeans" look incredibly nice (and cost hundreds of dollars)...other jeans look like work pants or overalls (and I'm still too old to understand the "style" of purposely torn jeans...when I was a kid and we tore our jeans, my mom would iron on one of those iron-on patches!).

 

Also realize that standards of dress differ drastically region to region, city to city...I live in the Los Angeles area...and I regularly eat dinner in some very nice restaurants dressed in a manner that might be frowned upon in, say, New York or San Francisco...For example, I've dined at Spago in Beverly Hills wearing my cargo shorts and golf shirts...and not only haven't I felt out of place, I've seen some very notable people dressed the same...or even less formal...in LA, feeling comfortable enough to dress VERY casual us sort of a sign of status.

 

Bottom line is, absent any specific instructions as to what to wear, we all need to wear what WE, individually, feel is appropriate under the circumstances. You simply cannot enforce your own ideas as to appropriate dress on anyone else...you are only responsible for yourself. Unless the cruise line, at some point, wants to set forth some very specific regulations.

Hopefully your thoughtful and well researched information will at last put an end to this thread. Its been fun.....

Thank you again,

Robin

Join Cruise Critic Live! on a special date – Wednesday, March 19 – at 3 p.m. Eastern (which translates to 12 Noon on America’s West Coast, 8 p.m. in the UK, and very very early on Thursday in Sydney) – as we chat with Viking River Cruises’ Joost Ouendag.

The topic? Choosing the perfect river cruise.

As Viking’s vice president of product marketing, the Netherlands-born Joost (pronounced Yost) is responsible for planning new itineraries and creating ever more innovative shore outings for existing trips. He’s a great resource for all river cruising questions: The overall experience, ports of call or information about shipboard features and amenities while traveling in Europe, Russia and Asia.

I’ll be hosting the event (hope some of our community experts will swing by to share their insights, as well). Joost and I will be “chatting” from one of Viking River’s Longships while on the line’s maiden Bordeaux voyage.

Regardless of which river line you’ve cruised on (or are considering), do stop by and ask questions.

Can’t make the chat on Wednesday, March 19 at 3 p.m.? Please feel free to submit questions ahead of time and we’ll make sure to get your answers. The chat will be archived, and available, after it winds up.

The link (you can ask questions before, access via this link during the chat, and read the transcript after) is here: http://live.cruisecritic.com/Event/Choosing_the_perfect_river_cruise

Carolyn

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

Your posting says 3 pm, but when I click on the provided link, it says 4pm.

Which is it?

Robin

We were in Paris last July. I assure you very few people were wearing Dockers. Jeans are simply slacks made of denim material. In the year 2014 you can dress them up or dress them down. Jmo.

You got it right . Open any fashion magazine or go to any, even high end, store and more than half the featured outfits are jeans with a sharp or pretty top or sweater or jacket. This is not my opinion, it just is 2014.

This reply might make me seem "stuffy" or priggish but that is not my intention at all. As a young at heart and VERY active 64 year old, no one would ever consider me even remotely stuffy! Instead, I am trying to help the average Viking traveler better fit with their new surroundings by dressing with the respect that European and Asian destinations and their people absolutely deserve.

Why Americans feel that they can dress in such a casual manner when out in public has always bewildered really me. I lived in Europe for 6 years n the 1970's and have vacationed there untold times since then, including one Viking cruise and a booking on another to come in October. What I have found is that people in other parts of the world, and especially those in the Viking age groups, pride themselves on a neat and polished appearance. That does not include jeans at dinner or really at any time except the most casual. They are only commonly worn by teens and University students. Men wear nice pants (no shorts except at the beach), collared or polo shirts and sweaters. Women wear nice skirts, slacks (no capris or shorts except at the beach), blouses, sweaters and scarves as accessories. Often a blazer is casually tossed on as a jacket. Workout wear is for the gym or jogging ONLY.

In addition, jeans are the heaviest pants there are, and in these days of careful weighing of luggage and easily charged overage fees, why take heavy pants when Dockers type slacks are so much lighter and far more suitable? Jeans don't keep anyone warm when it is cold or cool when it is hot, either.

My final note concerns something that happened on my Viking cruise last year. Please, please, please don't come to the coffee/tea station in the morning or at any time without a shirt and wearing pants (in his case jeans) drooping below the belly. A man on our cruise in May did that EVERY morning, and it was so incredibly offensive. A Viking ship is not a place to wander about shirtless, unless you have abs like Matthew McConaghey!!

It is really all a matter of respect for yourselves and for your fellow man/woman. Dress with pride and respect, and you will be treated the same.

Thanks for reading, and if you are interested, I would be delighted to share my packing list. My husband and I were able to get everything needed for our cruise in a 21" rolling carry-on bag each. A large purse for me and a backpack for him completed our luggage. We looked neat and fashionable all week, too, with nary a pair of jeans in sight.

We have been on over a dozen 3 week vacations to Europe in the last several years, and NEVER have jeans been looked down upon, in fact, they are usually

worn by a large number of stylish Europeans.

Especially if one is on the younger-looking side, with a slim physique, jeans are the style preferred by many. With an attractive top or sweater, and maybe a pretty scarf (although I often prefer a stylish turtleneck with a pretty piece of costume jewelry for myself), it can be an attractive style statement.

I plan on wearing dressier slax for most of the dinners on board, but I would certainly never give it a thought if someone at my table wore jeans, and I may in fact wear them for a few nights, as I am only bringing 2 pair of slax due to luggage limitations.

Some people on this board need to lighten up a bit!This is a dream vacation for many, and worrying about what others on the ship are wearing should not diminish your enjoyment. I am assuming that given the price of these cruises,and,,hopefully, some level of sophistication of its cruisers, people won't show up in dirty ot tattered jeans or shirts. But even if they did, I would not let it ruin my night.

I do agree, however, that the shirtless man at the coffee station was a buffoon.

Robin