Ritabob

Daisi, I will look up that link, but in the meantime we were taught the St Lawrence seaway is the collection of locks, channels, lakes and rivers that connects the great lakes to the Atlantic ocean all the way from Lake Superior.   I used to live about 15m from the St. Lawrence river, ( that is meters, not miles) and had the best view of traffic on the water. Also heard things that go bump in the night.  That part of the river was used for running contraband across the border and anyone who had a dock was encouraged to keep their blinds closed at night and not see or hear anything. 😉

RB 

I'm sure there must be many statues and images of the musicians.  This one is located in the Old Town in Riga, Latvia.  

Not sure why people want to touch parts of statues 'for good luck', but judging by the noses (beak) they climb up to do it. My head is below the donkey.  Now we have to bring our sanitizer wipes.

RB 

Are you referring to a stack with a donkey dog cat and chicken? I think hey are from the Town musicians of Bremen.

Here's to a healthier new year! 🍾🥂

 Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus  

Waiting for 2023, after that our FCC will expire. 😉

Thanks for the information.   Would love to read more details.   Did AMA  upgrade the passengers booked in the aquarium cabins to cabins above the water line?

RB 

May I start a new tangent here at the water cooler?

As we are now in the Christmas season and many of us are unpacking decorations,  show us a favourite ornament,  preferably one you purchased during your river cruises. 

These metal balls were made in Linz , and purchased during our Grand Christmas and New Years cruise with Uniworld. 

RB 

Here is another one to try

https://www.lcbo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/lcbo/recipe/mincemeat-tarts/201106089#.YaUCo42vCdk

We were fortunate when we rode the cable car in Koblenz to have the car to ourselves.  Both ways.!  Don't think I'd like to be in there with 35 people.

RB 

Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!

a1m1yr,

Your plan could work if you are able to coordinate the timing of your transfer points in Nuremberg and are willing to spend time waiting for each train, tram, or bus. We have stayed in Nuremberg for a few days pre cruise twice.  First time thought we could take local transit, but the person at the front desk of our hotel suggested a cab was the better option . 

A taxi to the ship was less than €20. The local drivers know exactly where to go and take you right to the dock. No need to walk from the bridge down and around to the dock.

Have a great trip,

RB 

Thank you for your in depth report.  There are so many of us itching to cruise again and this is giving us the 'fix' we crave. 😉

RB

Prost!

You'll get the twinkle  lights, mulled wine, bratwurst,  but don't expect the soft snowfalls.  More like rain or slush 😄

Foxland,  do you want to see a number of Christmas markets, or do you want to be on a cruise ship on Christmas day? We did the 2 week Uniworld Grand Christmas cruise which started two days before Christmas and ended in the new year.  The only actual market was in Nuremberg on the 23rd.  We enjoyed the cruise so much we did it again two years later.

RB 

JP,

What is the usual number of passengers on board,  and how many are there on this cruise?

RB 

Enjoy your cruise and keep us posted. So many of us are living vicariously through you!

RB 

PhDiva, not sure if I should thank you for posting the menus and pictures or send hate mail for making me salivate and yearn to be on a Uniworld cruise. (😊 just kidding about the mail).

You will enjoy the Rhine and Moselle cruise...it is longer so you have more days to be spoiled and the sights are wonderful.  We have done it late in the season as well as in the summer, and some day hope to do it in the spring. 

RB 

Not too sure sure why they are denying tourists the chance to visit when today at the F1 race there are thousands of fans cheek by jowl  cheering without masks.  Can we say superspreader in Dutch?

You did not miss anything by not having a schneeballen.   I find it quite dry with very little flavour.  Save your money for the chocolate shop. 

RB 

Thank you PhDiva,  great overview of your trip.  Really gets me itching to cruise again.  We will wait until next year to use our credit from our 2019 cancellation with Uniworld. 

RB 

Oh, notamermaid,  I am so glad you liked it.  We have been there twice. Once in early spring and once in the late fall. Shoulder seasons.  We decided to walk on the wall and found ourselves fumbling down the very dark steps in the tower at dusk. I hope it was a sunny day for you.

RB 

Looking forward to your review.  How many passengers on board,  and where are the majority from?  Any stories of really difficult travel hoops?

Enjoy your cruise!

RB 

Lindt has a shop in Kitchener that has some pretty good deals on holiday goods just after the the holiday...January is the best time to buy santas, etc.

My Lindt story took place in Achen Germany about 15 years ago.  We walk into their outlet store and just inside the entrance are full size grocery carts and hand held baskets. My husband picks up a basket and asks "do we need one?"  LoL! I grabbed  a cart and proceeded to fill it with goodies I had never seen before. €50 .  The best part was we boxed it up and shipped it back to Canada and it arrived the day after we got home.

RB