Geosez

24 minutes ago, indiscreet said:

Either way, it's a nice sail away on the River Thames!

 

First post. How did I do?

You did great!  
Perfect time to ask what I’ve been wanting to know:  Where  is the Thames Barrier in relation to the Greenwich or Tilbury docking?  Andy? Jim?

Agree on location of the hotel.  But if you’re doing independent tours, there’s no problem getting picked up there.  In downtown you may have to go to another location to meet the tour.  If you need a meal and are travel weary there’s a cafeteria type restaurant nearby.  The kind  « where locals eat ».  There was a table full of local police when we were there.  Go out the front of the Nordica, turn right then turn right at the next corner.  Go up the hill, crossing to the other side when you can.  IIRC, the place is a couple of blocks, close to the top but a little hard to identify.  Food was basic comfort food but good and reasonably priced.  Sorry, can’t remember the name.

Sometimes you just have to accept the “Nope”.  And beware of those who make promises they can’t (or won’t) keep.

4 hours ago, KBs mum said:

Things you roll your tide up in

 Mrs. Mum, you win the prize!

C’mon, Jim, give the nice lady a « Huzzah! »

Heavens no!  Unless you have timed tickets to go up the Eiffel Tower and people waiting for you to meet them there.  I speak from experience ! 😉😂

You have only three days.  Since Clay mentioned Rick Steves, I would highly recommend you get his Pocket Paris guidebook. It’s very portable and very practical - even where to find restrooms.  Includes lots of maps.  Tours based on how much time you have.  You don’t want to waste time figuring out how to get where you want to go.   For your next trip, get one of the more in depth books.  Re Batobus:  it’s less expensive than Bateau Mouche, you can get multi-trip tickets, it’s lovely traveling down the river BUT it is very slow!

We have done the entire Mississippi in two voyages on the iconic American Queen.  We are also Viking fans so we understand the difference in the two lines and their ships.  The Viking ship is beautiful but there’s just something about being on that river with that big red wheel churning along.  Re the lower Mississippi :  I would certainly recommend to Cruislvr04 that since like us you live in that part of the country,  travel on your own and preferably by car.  There’s just not much to see from the water in that section.  But plenty of history.

Twitchly:  Was it The Bristol?  That’s where Viking put us for our pre-extension.  If so, “Agatha Christie” nails it.  Gorgeous woodwork, fabulous breakfast buffet.  Only marred by street construction out front.

The Batobus is a very relaxing way to get from point to point. We enjoyed it very much.  But translate “relaxing” into “very slow”!  If you use it, be sure to allow plenty of time to get back to the pick up point.  I’d recommend you get Rick Steve’s Pocket Paris primarily for the maps, ideas for short walks and practical advice like finding the nearest toilette!

« we just don't have any interest in going on the fake old paddle boats full of kiddies. « 

Jim:  We’ve been on the American Queen twice.  She’s a legit paddle wheeler as opposed to some of the younger boats.  No kiddies.  But by no means « Viking style « .  

For those of you with a particular interest in the Tower, you might enjoy The Ravenmaster.  It’s an autobiography of one of the Yeoman Warders whose job was to take care of the ravens.  Great story.  Available on Kindle.

We were advised to wait until we reach our Viking destination airport  before putting on the “paper” tags.  If the river cruise is the second cruise and you need to put luggage out the night before you get off the ocean ship, put them on that last night.  They really are sturdier than they look though.  
(Pontiac:  B2B is shorthand for back-to-back)

I have that tote - or its identical twin.  Think I may have gotten it from Magellan’s.  I put a small purse in it for airport use then the tote qualifies as a personal item.  I highly recommend it.

4 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

Very nice!

Oh good.  I was so hoping for a  positive comment from you.  Keep ‘em coming!

Another +1 for AMA.  Instead of their pre-cruise in Lisbon, we did our own exploring but were able to join that group for transfer to the boat in Porto.  It was a round trip with a day long excursion to Salamanca in the middle.  We loved the daytime cruising - such wonderful scenery.  We’d repeat this one in a heartbeat!

Just fyi:  we boarded a Viking river boat on Sunday having flown out of Atlanta on Saturday evening.  So far, no one has asked for our pre-trip PCR test results.  Not at Atlanta airport, not at Munich passport control, not upon boarding our boat.  We were, however, immediately upon boarding, asked to give a saliva sample for Covid testing.  Frustrating after having first figured out the « when »  (initial flight from airport in a different time zone from ours)and the « how » (we live in a small town without testing sites on every corner) and then nobody asks for the results.

it is what it is. Just don’t be disappointed if nobody’s interested in the results.

I do believe the name of this itinerary is “In Search of the Northern Lights”.

(Sorry.  Just been bugging me.  Maybe another cruise line chases them.)

Thanks, Steamboats.  That certainly explains the discrepancy in travel time.  Yep, layers are always good for travel. Problem is determining how many and which ones!  😉

We are booked with Viking on the Danube ending in Budapest April 10.  I wasn’t overly concerned until Putin played the nuke card.  Usual consensus is to let Viking cancel.   We’re just watching and waiting right now but might be relieved if our trip is cancelled. At this point, what do any of us really know?

Our trip last year was Budapest to Bucharest.  It was an enlightening voyage, especially in regard to present circumstances. Not what I would call “fun” but so very glad we went.

We also swear by the second method.  Check in if possible, shower then get outside, on our feet and try to stay out of bed until 9:00.  As for sleeping on a plane, we also swear by (hmm, lots of swearing here) noise cancelling equipment.  Not the big ear phones but the ear bud type.  The big store in the sky that starts with an “A” sells several types.  Best part is they cut out that background plane roar.  Even on short hauls we arrive more rested.

Thank you for all your helpful information.  And the mini-trip reports.  I have two questions for you.  We’re on a trip with Viking from Regensberg to Budapest the first week in April.  I know weather is an “iffy” subject but … I’ve been told by someone who has lived there that it can get chilly in April in Germany.  I’m watching Munich’s conditions just to get an idea.  Which brings me to my second question:  we fly into Munich and will be bussed to Regensberg.  I’ve found two estimations of the length of that journey - 1 to 1 1/2 hour and 2 to 21/2 hours.  I understand it all depends on “conditions” - like the weather!  Just looking for a general idea.  Thanks again.

CC:  re calling the WC a “buffet”.  In the same way I call our Viking voyages a “trip on a ship” instead of a cruise because that conjures up wet t-shirt contests and umbrella drinks.  😉

For those with eating issues here’s another vote for the World Cafe - aka WC - no, not the other WC. 😁

Dishes on offer in the Restaurant are also served there.  You can compare menus on your cabin TV ahead of time.  So there’s your chance to try new things in a suitable amount for you without having to explain to a waiter.  You’ll also appreciate that the food is presented in smaller dishes -  smaller than your 13X9 lasagne casserole - consequently are changed out frequently - much fresher than standard buffets.

Like others on this board, the WC is our restaurant of choice.  We like the broad choice of options and the informality. 

We were privileged to visit the Lipenski  Vir site on our Viking “Passage to Eastern Europe” trip last August.  It is an amazing reconstruction of the layout of one of the villages plus a small but interesting museum.  I highly recommend this excursion and this particular itinerary at this particular time in history.