Ritabob

Our cruise begins in April, so my guess is we are not going to have the fun of bidding for an upgrade. Maybe Uniworld is saving a suite as a surprise for us when we embark. 😉

mozfoz, was the $610 per person and for a one or two week cruise?

€50 toward laundry makes it easier to travel with carry on only. Good move Scenic!

My pandemic brain is not as sharp as it used to be and some details are getting fuzzy, but I do remember our Uniworld cruises . On one particular Jewish holy day a group of 8 passengers were able to have their meal in private. The hotel manager set them up in the Captain's Lounge and they were pleased with the set up. RB

I'm also interested in reading someone's impression of the mystery cruise.

This is a new itinerary for Uniworld. Two weeks mostly on the Main and canal.

A spring time two week cruise, Grand Central Europe, Basel to Vienna. This is replacing a cancelled cruise in 2020. RB

Roz, what made the trip a 'yuletide ' cruise, other than the time of year and a few Christmas markets? RB

Thank you for taking us along on your adventure.

Usually every evening before dinner there is a port talk in the lounge. That is when the cruise director goes over the schedule for the next day and other changes that may come up. At that time you will have an idea when the all aboard time is. Sometimes you are sailing away during dinner, other times it might be 11pm, or later depending on distance to the next port, how many locks there are, water levels, etc. River cruising is very fluid. 😉

Have you started the grandkids' Christmas ornament collection? A new one every year, so when they eventually move into their first apartment they will have their own decorations. There are hundreds of ornaments available at the markets, from delicate glass to wooden ones. RB

Vessi is another American shoe brand that claims to be waterproof and lightweight.

Thank you for the report. Now you are home it feels like you need another vacation, doesn't it? Someplace where you can park yourself and not move for a week (except to plan your next river cruise)

Hopefully you will do a review here when you get back so we can learn more about APT. Have a great time. RB

It's hard to believe the Christmas markets are getting ready to open soon when the weather forecast for today is 22°C here in Ontario, Canada. My suggestion for the shopper is to leave space in your suitcase for your treasures, and fill that space with as much bubble wrap as you can. Let the suitcase bulge! Pack a roll of tape. After you get back on board from your first Christmas market show-and-tell about your purchases, share some of that bubble wrap. You will have new best friends 😄 Bring mittens, not gloves if your hands are always cold. Earmuffs. If your coat is waterproof, that's a bonus, then you don't need an umbrella which can be a nuisance to carry in a crowd. Wear a mask. It will keep your chin and nose warm...and help protect you, too. Have a great time! RB

Once you are on the river you will realize all this cr*p is the price you pay for a fabulous week of cruising. 😁

Ready to live vicariously....

On past Uniworld cruises we have spent our credits on special excursions, jewellery from the gift shop, and a massage the day after a long bicycle ride. We have always signed up for special events when on board after the cruise director gives his first introduction . That way we have all our questions answered before signing up. RB

Having travelled with Uniworld pre all inclusive and up to just before pandemic times, I agree it appears to be in poor taste to claim to be all inclusive except for a few € here and there. I understood the added cost for a special experience such as a helicopter ride, but not for tipping a guide or driver. We used to book our cruises with Uniworld directly and with the same person. She was able to get cabin upgrades every time because we never traveled during peak season. The discounts were better as well in the before times. On our last cruise a number of Heritage Club members were discussing how they felt there was something missing. Nothing specific, just 'off'. We have a small credit left from a cancelled 2020 cruise and are wondering if we will use it. RB

So many people are now sharing stories about meeting the Queen. I saw her motorcade when I was 4 years old here in Canada. Not a big deal, but many years late I met and spoke with Princess Anne and her then husband Mark. I was laying on a bed at a blood donor clinic. What an informal meeting . RB

Worksheet, welcome to the river cruise forums. I have cruised on the River Queen three times and each time in a 'deluxe ' cabin. These are the ones down one level from the top with the french balconies. I don't think the windows open at all, but hopefully someone will confirm if they do or not. She is our favourite in the fleet, but any Uniworld ship is a pleasure to be on. RB

Notamermaid, Sorry to hear plans for your trip to England have taken a detour. Perhaps something magical now has the opportunity to take place. Meanwhile, do you remember the posts about a television program 'Worlds Most Scenic River Journeys' specifically one about the Moselle. Narrator Bill Nighy. Many rivers have been featured in the series. All lovely. The newer series 'Worlds Most Scenic Railway Journeys ', also narrated by Bill Nighy is spectacular. Perhaps you can access these and take a number of trips in your imagination. RB

From my experience some times yes, sometimes no. It has been a few years since our last cruise, but In the past I did my own research and knew all the flight #s, of the airlines I wanted to fly with, the listed fares in CAD as well as USD and any other information . Then chatted with the Uniworld agent to see what was available to her at that particular moment. The next day she could have something completely different. Once it was a better deal for me to book flights myself, another time paying for everything in USD through them worked in my favour. Enjoy your trip. RB

I was thinking the large jars of sweets by the entrance to the lounge. Not the jars of chocolates in your cabin. However it is good to know they still indulge those of us who need a sugar fix. Does anybody remember when they used to have the marshmallow Smurfs among other goodies in the big jars? And the fantastic nougats from South Africa. They stopped supplying those about 4 or 5 years ago. So disappointing. RB

loved the candy jars in the past, but with covid and coughing the jars are not too appealing ...if they still have them. RB