rcaruso

Wow, anything would be better than Mc Donalds. We travel to Germany to enjoy different foods/experiences not Mc Donalds. Except for the espresso, which we don't have in US, it was very much American. I don't eat at Mc Donalds at home and I certainly don't want to eat there in Germany.

Yup we did the exact same thing in July. Half way through they got the air working, we were in the middle of the bus and not bothered by it. The McDonalds! What do I say, yes we had the same 80 lady pile up, but the espresso was good and the lady making the espresso drinks was fast. I did mention to our Program Director that it would be nice to be in a more German place. She said they all charged to use the bathroom, so they picked McDonalds----oh well......

I forgot to add the Silvaner is one of my favorites as we visit Wurzburg quite frequently (Karlstadt am Main too). I have had it on the ship too. I copied the info on the french wines. Since we are in France I really want to try what France has to offer. I really liked when they had the Veuve Clicquot in the Silver Spirits package. Now I have to drink the Jacquesart (not sure on the spelling) and it is ok. Thank you for the recommendations and I will certainly try them and report back.

Pontac, we will be on the Delling, South of France early November. I saw the wine list and saw many French wines. We will have the Silver Spirit Package. When I drink wine I gravitate to Sauvingnon Blanc from New Zealand (Ilove the citrus tasts), however I am always open to new horizons. What wines do you recommend I try while on the ship? Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks,

Do you remember Holler Grill and Parfumerie Kramer in KIarlstadt?

Oh yes I was warned by my friends in Karlstadt to be careful of the federweisser and zwieble kuchen!

We flew into Munich a few years back during Oktoberfest and immediately tood the train to Augsburg. The train was standing room only, the toilet broken and sick folks from too much beer. Loved Augsburg.

We were docked in Racklau too. Viking did run a shuttle to Passau, this was due to low water in July. Also they use Lindau too, both out of town. Could be too many ships docked in old town. If high water an issue they will move the ship to Lindau or Old town. Usually they board at old town and then disembark at Lindau or so.

I sure hope the water levels do not go high, both high and low can cause some trouble. Since we in Texas are having a long run of 100+ I would be happy to be back in Germany!

I find this discussion of the Main river sun deck closing has been talked about many times on the CC forums. Also our Program Director was very upfront about it on the first day. With the low bridges on the Main it is pretty obvious why it is closed. Also the locks in my opinion are the fun part of the cruise. Every time the ship slows down or bumps, I say "Lock"! No Noro on the Gefjon or the Ve, we just got back today. Had some rainy weather but all par for the course, better than the weather in Texas! I think we all have different expectations and one brand or cruise fits some people like a good shoe and some not at all. Sorry to hear about the illnesses on the other ships. Thanks Notamermaid for all your monitoring.

Big thank you to Notamermaid for monitoring river levels. We just got back from our wonderful Grand European from Budapest to Amsterdam. Yes, we had to change ships, and a day later the river had recovered and now is fine. No norovirus on the Gefjon or the Ve. By end of cruise there were a few people with colds, nothing major. We did have an ambulance show up one day, due to a passenger passing out, but all was good and no one went to hospital. The ride from Passau to Nuremberg was very uneventful--three hours or less with one stop to use the facilities (although bus had emergency toilet). I did not like going to McDonalds (which was our stop), they did have a McCafe so could get espresso drinks (three bathroom stalls only for women). I later spoke to program director and McDonalds had free toilets versus another place that charged .70. We then had lunch on new ship and our rooms were ready. Easy transition. We also went from hot in Budapest to rainy and almost coolish for some folks by the end. Since we live in hot as ____. Texas we enjoyed the cooler weather. In all we had a great trip and by transferring to the Ve met members of the staff that were on last years cruise, so for us we really felt at home. The Gefjon had a lovely crew too and Heiner, the hotel manager was delightful.

We are sailing now from Zeil to Würzburg. Had a huge thunderstorm with a little hail in Bamberg, but all good. Sitting on my balcony enjoying the river now. Thank you Notamermsid for all your reporting.

Well right after we made swap ships started sailing all the way through. Timing is everything.

Well woke up this morning on the Biking Gefjon now docked in Racklau. Too early for official word, but unofficially we will be switching tommorowvtocthe Viking Ve in Nürnberg.

On the Gefjon, we docked this morning in Lindau outside of Passau Bussed in in the morning. We departed Passau at 2pm. Docked in Vilshofen to pick up optional tour folks. Our Program Director and Captain told us tonite we would stay in Vilshofen till 3am to decide if a little wave hits so we can sail to Regensburg. However an hour later during dinner the ship sailed to Heining and stopped (closer to Passau). So we do not know what will happen tomorrow. Will keep everyone posted.

Yes the Edgir is the sister ship to the Gymir, so it makes sense that if one goes the other one does too. There are two Viking ships at Regensburg and the Viking Var made it close to Regensburg but turned around and is in Vilshofen now. Watching Cruise Mapper is like watching the Real Housewives Bravo shows, LOL. We leave for Budapest in a few hours.

On another site, a person on the Gymir said they were given the go ahead to sail to Nurnberg from Passau as the water was a bit higher, but that the ships before and possibly after would be swapping as the level was decreasing.

You are not wrong, two Viking ships have made it to Regensburg. We will see if the one makes it to Nurnberg. Also the bottle neck in Budapest cleared up. Three Viking ships had to stay in Bratislava. I think there was bridge or lock work.

I've been watching on Cruise Mapper and for the last two weeks this has been happening. I wish Viking would send an e-mail to passengers letting them know about the low water. I understand it could be a day by day thing, but at this point?

Last November on the Viking Ve we were ported their during our visit to Cologne.

This will be our 13th river cruise on Viking, and we know the drill with low water. Just by chance we were on the Ve in November and our cousin was on the VE in early June before the low water and most of the management is the same. Your chef Dennis is wonderful. So even if we have to swap we would look forward to Chef Dennis for sure. Thanks I appreciate you checking on room 237!

Hi Tom, We have room 237 on the Gefjon starting the 18th. I fully believe you will be swapping from the VE to the Gefjon when you get to Nuremberg. I am now getting a bit worried about the room we upgraded to as it is right across the hall from 236. Thanks for the input.

I just saw today one of the Scenic ships, Scenic Jewell just squeak by and make it to Vilshofen. Viking has been in Passau and up to Vilshofen for an hour or so and then back to Passau. Passau is really hopping. Ships in the winterhafen, Racklau, along the old town and also Lindau. We have not received a letter yet from Viking regarding of July 18 Grand European, however, I expect to get an e-mail next week.

We have had some of the best times just skipping the excursions and sailing to the next pick up point. If we had gone again to Heidelburg we would have missed the sailing on the Main past Aschaffenburg past the Schloss and the Pompeijanum, what sights to behold. We have since been to Aschaffenburg to see these sights. For us the river is the trip (although we have gone and seen most of the cities). We do get off mostly when the cities are right there at the dock and wander. Same when we did not get off at Miltenburg but did at Fruedenburg while waiting for guests to get back. We wandered around, found the Rewe grocery and spied the crew buying more provisions.

Oh no, Komarno. Been there, done that. That's river cruising, be flexible.