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15 hours ago, Ladyshopper23 said:

Thanks to everyone that answered about dinner, definitely helps.

 

Unfortunately we're one of those awkward couples, where we've both coeliac (gluten free) and I'm also vegetarian. We tend to like tables for 2 if possible - not because we don't want to speak to people, but just because it can feel a bit awkward having to talk about dietary restrictions when ordering food etc (I'm a lot more bothered about this than my husband is to be fair).

 

I know there is a meeting on the first day for those with special dietary requirements, so I will be making sure we attend that and find out what we need to do about food (on ocean cruises it's a pre-order the night before).

I also have celiac disease plus, I also can not eat oats.  That is why we decided to take the river cruise to experience the Christmas markets.  If we did a land-based trip, it would be very difficult to eat in the smaller towns. 

I am really glad to hear that I will meet with the chef before sailing.  

Thanks, everyone.  We will be doing the Christmas markets cruise.  Will we be able to go to the markets in the evening?  Or will it be available in the daytime, or both?  

All of the answers you gave are exactly what I was thinking.  The friends we are going with are asking these questions, and I wanted to make sure I had the correct answers.  

We are planning our 1st river cruise on Ama Waterways.  What is there to do in the evenings?  Will we need to make our own fun?

We had friends on The Edge last year, and they said that the Magic Carpet never moved from deck 14.  they did not lower it for tendering.  They were told there is an engineering problem with it.  Has anyone been on the Edge recently who can let me know if it is working?

Next question:  Ama Waterways says we can have 1 bag of luggage each.  Is that one in total?  or is that 1 that they bring to your cabin and we can bring a carry on our selves as well?

I think if you as a couple enjoy the same things out of a cabin veranda, then and IV would work for you. You can leave the divider door open and open and close the window when you want to.  Then just put down the shade at night.   And hopefully, the afternoon sun doesn't cook  you in your cabin.  😃

If however; one of you is an early riser and likes to enjoy time on the balcony while your partner is sleeping, then that is where the problem is.  The noise from shade being opened and the window going down makes it impossible for people who sleep in.  

We don't think about IV cabins as having a balcony.  We look at it as a cabin with added space and a window that opens.  😃  

Alaska

Rhine River Cruise

question for previous travelers about wine we bring onboard.  Are we allowed to open and pour in our cabin and walk around the ship or sit in the lounge, with a glass without being charged a fee?

7 hours ago, franski said:

I have friends who won't book Aquarium Class as they want a full sized window/sliding door.  Doesn't matter what the itinerary is.  

 

The cost to upgrade to a balcony (French or otherwise) can be quite significant...  If I have that money to spend, I would sooner pay for Premium Economy air fare.  Or - an extra night or two on land before or after the cruise.  But - that is just me!!

 

Fran

that is exactly what we decided to do.

On 2/11/2024 at 12:41 PM, wnycruisefam said:

We just booked a below the waterline cabin on a 2025 AMA Waterways Christmas Market cruise last week, so I'm glad to see all the above responses!  We figured the same as other posters:  not in our room much, cold weather & dark early.  We saved a good amount by not choosing a French balcony cabin & will use that savings towards another trip next year.

 

We booked the last below the waterline cabin on that cruise, so others have the same thoughts as us!

What week are you sailing, and what river?  

We had water and a light lunch food menu included with the Alcove.    We had fruit plates, cookies, and sandwiches. 

Sadly, the service was so poor, it was almost easier to go to the buffet and get food for ourselves.  A few times, no one answered our phone calls from the alcove even though we could see them standing around the corner doing nothing.  We often went to the sunset bar and got our own beverages.  

I hope if you do reserve an Alcove, that you get far better service than we did.  

On 2/9/2024 at 2:44 PM, franski said:

Good decision!!  We almost always travel aquarium class as we prefer to save money for the next trip.  When we did our Christmas market cruise a number of years ago, some people we met wanted to come and see what an Aquarium Class cabin looked like...  All of them wished they had booked lower category as they realized they didn't get any use out of their balcony (freezing cold the year we went) - and the view wasn't as hoped  due to the early sunset.  I am sure traveling in warmer weather with longer days may make some change their decision.

 

As mentioned above, you have extra storage space with the higher window.  We also will use it as a drying rack (if we hand wash some "smalls" on the cruise...).

 

Enjoy!!  Who did you end up booking with?

 

Fran

 

P.S.  Louisville is a favourite place of mine...  many good friends there!!

We ended up sailing with Ama Waterways.  We are originally from Michigan, but we have lived in KY for 29 years.  We really like it as well.  

On 2/9/2024 at 7:11 PM, PaulS said:

We took a Viking Christmas Markets cruise this past December and had a room in the “basement”. No other rooms were available when we booked, but it really was fine. The major downside was the room temperature. It was very cool all the time, but the weather was very cold and the river water was very cold. Be sure to ask for an extra blanket!

 

Last year we went to Lucerne on our own after a river cruise and loved it. We stayed at the Hotel Schweizerhof. It wasn’t cheap, but it is a wonderful hotel in a great location on the lake.

We will be staying at the Hotel Schweizerhof as well.  I'm really excited about Lucerne and Zurich!

On 2/9/2024 at 8:11 PM, ural guy said:

Look into Premium Economy, a nice spot between layflat in Business and regular economy.  In premium, seats are wider, the food is a bit better, and alcoholic drinks are usually included.  Regular economy may have a 3-4-3 seat layout, and Premium and 2-4-2 layout.  A recent flight, Montreal to Barcelona, went something like $800 for economy, $2100 for premium, and $5k for business.

 

 

We will either fly Comfort + or Premium Select.  Lay flat would be nice, but it is so expensive that we just can't justify it.  =(