Grandparents Sherpa

[cinders87]

Hi!

In June I will be assisting my elderly grandparents (83 and 87) on their long awaited APT European river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. I am 23 is it likely there will be anyone my age on board? (I don’t like my chances but I thought I would ask!) Do you have any suggestions on what to pack/ bring? The last time I went to Europe I backpacked for 10 week, I think river cruising will be a different experience so does anyone have any tips for either myself or my grandparents?

 

Thanks!

[Paulinda]

Cinders - More than likely the only ones your age will be some of the staff. That could be fun if you can connect. On our cruise last summer, most of the staff was eastern european, spoke better english than we did and looked like they may have been in their 20s. (then again when your in your 60s everybody looks younger):) ALL of them were extremely polite, friendly and helpful. I don't know if ship policy would prohibit fratenizing with you but I do hope you can make friends! It would be interesting to explore ports with them.

 

As far as what to bring, I would suggest casual attire, pants,skirt(?),polos, button downs, a water repellant jacket for rain, it can be cool in early june so maybe things that can layered like a sweater, a good pair of walking shoes and perhaps sandals. You may want to consider bringing your laptop/netbook/notebook/ipad for emailing your friends and family back home. Most ships have wifi although it may be very slow.

 

Don't overpack as you can always have the staff do laundry for you even though it may be more expensive than if having it done at home. It's worth it!

 

Good luck with the grandparents. I hope they are active enough to enjoy the daily excursions, wonderful dining and awesome experiences.

[cinders87]

Thanks Paulinda, from looking at the photos all the passengers seemed to be older (no offense intended :)). It is good that the crew seems to be younger- not that I have any trouble conversing with older people! It will all be part of the river cruise experience. My Grandparents and I did a ‘practice cruise’ last year on a paddle steamer in the Murrary and it seemed to be pretty much the same idea- older passengers and younger crew.

 

I have done a bit more googling and found out we are on the ms Amadagio which seems to be run by AMA. Are passengers expected to change for dinner? Our boat sails on the 26th of June- what is the weather generally like (I am from sunny Sydney, Australia)?

 

As for their mobility- Grandma uses a walker but is looking forward to seeing the sights from a comfy chair in the lounge. Grandad is much more mobile (and forgetful!).

 

Thanks for your advice!!!

[Paulinda]

Cinders - I don't know about changing for dinner on AMA as we did an Avalon trip. On Avalon, dinner was fairly casual (button down/polo shirts, khaki's/skirts --- no shorts or t-shirts). The only more dress up affairs was the captain's dinner where some of the cruisers wore dresses/coats and nicer wear. There really weren't that many that dressed up. We had one couple who were in their mid-forties that were on a honeymoon and they and their friends did dress very nice. Most others wore khaki's/skirts etc. Mayber others who have been on AMA can comment better.

 

Your grandmother may have a difficult time navigating with a walker (cobblestones, hills etc) but I'm sure there will be others with canes and walkers too. Usually they have a group for 'slow' walkers. They usually do a shorter walk for them. If not ....just do some of the tour and return back to ship. As far as viewing the sights from the lounge, I don't think she will see too much. But...usually the ships dock fairly close to a town square. She should at least attempt to make it to the square.

 

You must be a special granddaughter to have such a good repoire with your grandparents. Have a wonderful time with them!

[genmasjoy]

Cinders, It is nice you are able to accompany your grandparents on the river cruise. They would probably never attempt it on their own. On our Uniworld cruise in April there were two young women on the trip: one was with her grandmother and the other was a tour escort for a group of seniors that had booked through an agency. They both seemed to be having a good time. As mentioned above, the staff will be in your age group. I would suggest you just look on this vacation as a chance to spend quality time with your grandparents as you aren't likely to have young people traveling on the ship. Your grandparents can join the "slow walkers" group, which I would recommend. On our last trip, I was definitely one of the younger passengers, and I am 57. I really enjoyed the fellow passengers as they were all well traveled, polite, and interesting to talk to. There were two evenings, the welcome and farewell dinners, where people did dress up somewhat. A pretty blouse over black slacks would be fine.

[cinders87]

Thanks genmasjoy and Paulinda for your very helpful advice! I am looking forward to summer weather again :). Our aim is to take each day as it comes and just enjoy the whole experience.

It is good to hear that there is a slow walkers group, it also seems the cruise provides an audio system so you can hear the guide even if you are not next to them.

My Grandma is counting down the days until we go!