MadcityTravelers Posted February 21, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Hello - First-time river cruisers here! We're sailing Viking Kara, Amsterdam to Basel, March 26-April 2. I know Viking distributes the daily newsletter with daily schedules, however, I would like to know our approximate daily timetable. For example, what are our daily port arrival and departure times. We've booked our shore excursions, but those are only shown as "morning, afternoon, evening." We're interested in getting the most out of every port, thus would like to have an idea of how much time we'll have to explore on our own outside of scheduled excursions. Much Thanks for any info you can provide!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevdog71 Posted February 21, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Hello MadcityTravelers, We're doing the same cruise on the Kara in June, and here's what I've managed to put together from various posts and reviews. Keep in mind that things can change based on weather, water levels and other considerations, so these should not be taken as gospel. Day 1 Board Viking Kara 11:00am-3:00pm: Embarkation buffet 1:30pm-3:00pm: Amsterdam walking tour 6:15pm: Welcome briefing 7:00pm: Dinner 11:30pm: Viking Kara departs for Kinderdijk Day 2 7:00-9:30am: Breakfast 8:00am: Viking Kara arrives in Kinderdijk 9:00am-11:00am: Kinderdijk windmills tour (10-15 minute walk from ship) ??? Viking Kara departs for Cologne 11:45am: Safety drill 12:30pm: Lunch 7:00pm: Captain’sWelcome Dinner Day 3 7:30-10:00am: Breakfast 10:30am: Viking Kara arrives in Cologne 10:30am-12:30pm: Cologne walking tour (15-20 min walk to Cologne Cathedral) 12:30pm: Lunch 6:45pm: Chef’s dinner 8:45-10:45: Cologne’s beer culture walking tour (optional excursion) 11:00pm: Viking Kara departs Cologne for Koblenz Day 4 7:00-9:30am: Breakfast 8:00am: Viking Kara arrives in Koblenz 9:00-11:30am: Marksburg fortress excursion (bus ride followed by short walk) 10:00am: Viking Kara departs Koblenz for Braubach (Marksburg tour participants rejoin the ship here) 11:30am: Viking Kara departs Brabach for Rudesheim 12:30: Lunch 12:30-2:30pm: Cruising Middle Rhine and castle sightseeing with commentary from program director 5:00pm: Viking Kara arrives in Rudesheim 5:00pm: Rudesheim orientation walk 6:30-9:30pm: Rudesheim mini-train & dinner (optional excursion) 7:00pm: International dinner 12:30am: Viking Kara departs for Mannheim Day 5 7:00-9:30am: Breakfast 9:30am: Viking Kara arrives in Mannheim 10:00am-3:45pm: Heidelburg castle and walking tour 10:30am: Viking Kara departs for Speyer 12:00pm: Lunch for those remaining on board 1:00pm: Viking Kara arrives in Speyer (Heidelburg tour rejoins ship here) 3:45pm: Welcome back afternoon buffet 5:00pm: Orientation walk through Speyer (10-15 min walk from ship into town) 7:00pm: Taste of Germany dinner 7:00pm: Viking Kara departs for Strasbourg Day 6 7:00-9:30am: Breakfast 8:00am: Viking Kara arrives in Strasbourg 8:30am-12:30pm: Strasbourg city tour 12:30pm: Lunch 1:45-6:15: Alsace wine tasting and walking tour (optional excursion) 7:00pm: Dinner 10:30pm: Viking Kara departs for Breisach Day 7 7:00-9:30: Breakfast 8:00am: Viking Kara arrives in Breisach 8:30am-12:30pm: Black Forest tour (bus trip to Schwartzwald & cuckoo clock demonstration) 12:30pm: Lunch 1:45-6:40pm: Colmar City tour (optional excursion) 1:45-6:30pm: Colmar Pocket museum & WWII tour (optional excursion) 1:45pm: Viking Kara departs for Basel 6:30pm: Viking Kara arrives in Kembs (Participants in optional tours rejoin ship here) 7:00pm: Captains Cocktail Party 7:30pm: Farewell Dinner 9:00pm: Viking Kara arrives in Basel Day 8 6:00-9:00am: Breakfast 9:00am: All guests must settle accounts and depart I highly recommend reading the 2014 Rhine Cruise review from CruisinSkiier - it's very informative. I hope that's helpful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoralReef Posted February 23, 2017 #3 Share Posted February 23, 2017 This thread, posts 2302-2308, has 2016 Amsterdam to Basel dailies. Same ship as yours, too! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=51425520#post51425520 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadcityTravelers Posted February 23, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Thanks so much for the info; this is incredibly helpful :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadcityTravelers Posted February 23, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted February 23, 2017 This is exactly what I was looking for:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare gnome12 Posted February 23, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Just remember that times can change by time of year, by water levels, by shipping traffic, etc. There is a reason that these aren't published in advance; you get them onboard only the day before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadcityTravelers Posted February 23, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Yes, was researching for the friend with whom I'm traveling; he's a little OCD about planning and having just a general idea has put him at ease ;p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mskaufman Posted February 24, 2017 #8 Share Posted February 24, 2017 When the boat makes one of the 90 minute stops can you get off and look around? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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