ea6b5

So how did you get them pictures in you quote field?

To give you a idea of what it looked like then.

I found that earbuds from my iphone worked in the Quietvox audio receiver.

"don’t quite get the socks, but I guess if your feet get cold."

Did you ever get your answer about the socks?

I saw folks in the Business class of United put them on when they took there shoes off and would walk around the cabin in them. Then discard them when it was time to get off. I figured mine would come in handy when I got home to wear around the house.

If everybody has an iPhone, your messaging will automatically be iMessage which works through Wifi. If the message bubbles are green, you are on iMessage -- if they are blue, you are on text message (which is phone data only).

You have that backwards all iMessage's on a iPhone shall be in blue and text message in green!

I read this on Rick Steve's facebook page concerning the Elbe in Hamburg

"After being in Germany as it suffered through an unprecedented 30 days in a row of temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees, and now in the midst of several days of torrential thunder storms, I’m clued into climate change as it affects Europe. Here in Hamburg, in anticipation of storm surges that could push the Elbe River into people's living rooms, you’ll find all-new riverside construction basically on stilts. The city's 60-mile-long embankment is also beefed up. In an effort to make beer out of lemons, the city has gone to great lengths to make the new embankment not an eyesore, but an elevated, park like people zone."

Thank you all for the info. I have looked at the Thaly's and Eurostar's website. No matter what I do it looks like I shall catch a Thaly's in Amsterdam and change to a Eurostar in Brussels. Was wanting to know if 58 minutes between arrival and departure is sufficient at Brussel's Midi? The DW and myself are mobile! I believe the only issue we might have is the DW and her procrastination

How difficult is it to take a train from Amsterdam to London? I have read where a train change is required at Brussels Midi. Is this a train station easy to navigate?

Would it be better to buy tickets at the station or buy them on-line. I know that if you buy them on-line you still have to have the tickets validated.

Any information would be appreciated.

Jim

It was probably all the complaints to the BBB! :D

 

Try to use the voucher in the spring when river levels are not likely to be low. Of course if there's a lot of spring rain, the levels could be too high. :rolleyes:

Agree with this during the spring time. After living in Germany on the Rhine this was always the perfect time of year :p But what ever happened to that review about the BBB? Deleted of course!

I've booked Viking's Romantic Danube 8 day Budapest - Nuremberg cruise for this November. Viking uses an insurance product called Trip Mate (a Viking product?) and for this eight day [coach class air included] cruise Trip Mate's premium is $758.00 a couple :eek:. That's about 10% of the cruise fare which to me seems excessively high. Can I request that Viking remove Trip Mate? I can self insure this trip using a well known company that I've used for other cruises that is much more price friendly. I've already pre paid for the cruise. Am I to late to drop Trip Mate? I ask because I'm about to make a flight modification that Viking is willing to allow (for a fee ;)). That implies to me that the cruise document isn't completely set in stone (moving our flight accommodations up a class or two and adding a two day pre cruise hotel package would certainly alter the insurance premium).

You do not have to use Trip Mate, just ask them to remove! Use can go to the airline website and see your reservation and change what class you want as long as you have your confirmation number for the airline!

remember that AIS is a VHF-FM system which makes it relatively short range so low density areas can have few or no participating stations ... (and also explains why you don't see results for vessels "on the high seas" ...) the reporting stations are on land and typically 'see' about 20 miles, plus or minus depending on antenna height

 

both sites FAQ provide additional info about their service and AIS in general.

As an avionics tech I will tell you that VHF system have a line of sight distance of no more than 25 nautical miles.

I just double-checked, and it came right up.

It did not come up on my computer either. It all depends on what type of security measures you have installed. Have to go back to the other board and pick it from there.

You apparently did not read the many "Deleted" posts on Viking FB wall from posters either stuck on a boat or just returned. QUOTE]

 

Was just wanting to know how to read "Deleted" post?

Have you ever used this website www.seatguru.com ? You can browse airlines there and also find out what there baggage restrictions are! You can always look at the different aircraft configuration.

Glad you had a good time. I have been on three other cruises with Viking and there always has been a hiccup here and there!

Will be doing the Rhine again next year, just going the opposite way!

The only reason I mention anything here is; where are the Viking bashers? They are so quick to jump on a thread and give their point of view, but when someone has a good time they seem to go into hiding!

Great review. We were on the Kara during Thanksgiving, had a great time. And if I am correct we had Rene on the Helvetia several years ago. Ciao for now!

When we did this same cruise back in 2009, Rene was on the Helvetia then ran into him again in 2013 on the Odin!

Doing a pre cruise trip to Lucerne prior to a Uniworld River cruise in August. I have did my research and know that the train runs two times a hour from Zurich to Lucerne. I was just going to purchase my first class train tickets upon arrival in Zurich. Should I purchase them in advance? Are the trains really crowded and is there a chance of not getting on a train? Did not want to purchase in advance just in case of a flight delay. Also, approx. how long to get through customs. We will be traveling from the US. Thanks for your help.

I asked that same question early this month and got this answers from overrun and SwissDave:

There is a direct train every hour (at 47 mins past the hour) from the airport to Lucerne. It takes an hour and the fare is CHF 27. And being Swiss, it runs on time

Check sbb.ch/en for the timetables. It will list all the options for you including direct/change required

Immigration is very quick (compared to Heathrow). If you wait 30 minutes it would be a long time.

Customs is usually walk straight through, if you get stopped it only takes a few minutes.

There is a direct train every hour (at 47 mins past the hour) from the airport to Lucerne. It takes an hour and the fare is CHF 27. And being Swiss, it runs on time.

Can you tell me how long it takes to clear customs/immigration at Zurich airport?

Thank you for supplying the info. I believe that a train ride will be far more cheaper, faster and more comfortable than purchasing a transfer from the river cruise company and having to ride a bus!

Has anyone taken the train from Zurich airport to Lucerne? I have read that the station is below the airport and that there is two options one direct and the other goes to Zurich Bahnhof where you have to transfer. How long of a ride is it and do you put your luggage in a rack at the rear/front of the car or at your seat? Thinking this would be cheaper than buying a transfer!

Would like to thank everyone for their different takes and experience on this. I think flying to London would be better for us and at least I could take in a couple days there also.

Hello ea6b5,

 

I am a train enthusiast, so love the idea of seeing the landscape. However, it does whizz by on the high speed trains! :D

 

As you need to change in Brussels, perhaps you can get a short stop in to see the famous architecture of the town and stock up on chocolate. You need to allow for about an hour in Brussels station any way because of customs and check-in. The Eurostar is comfortable, First Class is best, of course. You can book three months in advance. Arriving at St. Pancras is great, I love the concourse and the sandwich place there. If you like impressive architecture, this is just wow!

 

For seeing London and going to Southampton it might be an idea to check out overseas rail passes and similar offers. They can only be bought outside of the UK (special tourist offers). Simple rail tickets and offers available to all train users you can look up here:

 

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

By the way, if you are not so bothered about going to Amsterdam you can shorten the trip by a day by booking one of the few cruises that stop in Cologne.

 

Have fun planning.

 

notamermaid

Might have to look into Cologne vrs Amsterdam. Been to Amsterdam a few times and I think I have seen enough there. Thanks for the info about overseas rail passes.

There are no trains from Amsterdam to London, you need to change trains at least 1 x, most likely in Brussels Midi. In London you arrive in St. Pancras station, to get to Southampton you need to go to a different station.

Are you aware there are 1 or 2 direct flights Amsterdam- Southampton at the end of the afternoon? Or maybe check cruises to Norway from either Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

I have checked trains and yes I would have to change in Brussels. I am aware of flights but thought I would like to try something a little different. Thought the train ride would be a experience not to forget!

As for arriving in London, thought I would spend a couple days there then travel down to Southampton.

Thanks for the info.

I was thinking about doing a Rhine River cruise from Basel to Amsterdam, catch a train from Amsterdam to London, then take a Ocean cruise to Norway from Southhampton.

Has anyone every done this? Looking for some ideas.

I was thinking about doing a Rhine River cruise from Basel to Amsterdam then catch a train from Amsterdam to London, then take a Ocean cruise to Norway.

Has anyone every done this? Looking for some ideas.