hbr777 Posted December 3, 2018 #1801 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Great news! We are on the AmaStella Basel to Amsterdam. The levels have risen enough that we are not deviating vía Belgium and Amsterdam! We are staying on the Stella until Friday and we’ll do a ship swap from Rudesheim that involves a two huir bus transfer. It is still unknown if we will go through the gorge, it I doubt it. I am so, so, so, so, happy! 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchidj5 Posted December 3, 2018 #1802 Share Posted December 3, 2018 1 minute ago, hbr777 said: Great news! We are on the AmaStella Basel to Amsterdam. The levels have risen enough that we are not deviating vía Belgium and Amsterdam! We are staying on the Stella until Friday and we’ll do a ship swap from Rudesheim that involves a two huir bus transfer. It is still unknown if we will go through the gorge, it I doubt it. I am so, so, so, so, happy! Me too-I wondered if this is what would happen-If the gorge is passable next week this ship swap will allow both Stella and Kristina to resume normal schedules with next weeks departure and even if the do the ship swap we will get the ports we booked not the Belgian ones! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masonpips Posted December 3, 2018 #1803 Share Posted December 3, 2018 8 hours ago, notamermaid said: Hello sachasmum, You are right, with this five-day Cologne round-trip itinerary you have no real alternative and just need to wait and see what the ship can do. But with the levels rising I am confident the Robert Burns can stick to the original itinerary. One good thing about the relatively short distance the ship travels is that all the towns are doable by coach or train. Riviera Travel could organise an excursion boat perhaps to give you sailing through the Rhine gorge. With the figures of today she would at least get to Lahnstein at the beginning of the gorge, but probably even to Boppard which is an interesting small town in the gorge. Ships have done this and then returned to Koblenz. But for now the situation looks promising for sailing all the way. notamermaid 4 hours ago, notamermaid said: Thank you Mark. And while I am here, I will squeeze in a short update in-between household jobs. Maxau has now got its guaranteed navigation channel depth of 210cm again. Several other gauging station indicate that the respective stretches of river have also gained quite a bit of depth. Kaub is well on the way to reaching its depth of 190cm, perhaps in the early hours of the morning, being currently at a depth of 180cm. The gauge is running ahead of its forecast currently showing a few centimetres more than was forecast for late afternoon. Managed to have a quick look at Niehl harbour and did not see the SS Antoinette on marinetraffic. I tracked her then and found out that she has "sneaked out" while I haven't been watching and is already past Bonn, well on her way to reaching Koblenz during the night. Will she continue into the gorge or rest overnight in Koblenz? I am getting excited about this! You lot on the other side of the big pond can follow her on her journey during the night. I shall rest and hope to read more good news over breakfast. Byeee for now. notamermaid Best news ever! On our flight to AMS then Zurich! Thanks so much notamermaid and all! I will update as we go re: the Antoinette!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivera Posted December 3, 2018 #1804 Share Posted December 3, 2018 12 hours ago, Philandher said: Hi Olivera, We had the generic email from Scenic over the weekend stating the itinerary may be amended due to low water levels...…..etc. The Opal is currently on its way to Amsterdam for the 5th Dec sailing to Basel, so it will be interesting to see if it can navigate the gorge. Hopefully we should know tomorrow if our cruise will go-ahead without any amendments. https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:3415229/zoom:14 Philandher Thank you. Same here just received the generic email from Scenic. Reading through some of the comments it seems there has been some rainfall so fingers crossed. Thanks again for the link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsarva Posted December 3, 2018 #1805 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Hello from the Viking Eir at Koblenz! We sailed on Viking Idi from Basel on Friday, stopping at Breisach and then Strasbourg, where the rain began ... (we still enjoyed the Christmas markets). This morning we left Strasbourg and Idi, travelling by bus to Heidelberg, where we were drenched by seemingly constant rain. (Made the gluhwein taste all the better, and souvenir mug is the nicest we’ve seen so far). Then bus on to Braubach and our ship swap. We were briefly in the shadow of Marksburg Castle, and tonight are docked in Koblenz before tomorrow’s lunch cruise on the Rhein Star, a visit to Marksburg Castle, and a little time at Koblenz Christmas Markets before heading on to Cologne overnight. Until yesterday, we understood it would be a Strasbourg-Cologne ship swap, and then became hopeful when our Cruise director told us that Koblenz was becoming more and more likely. So it turned out to be! Viking have done an excellent job sticking as close as they were able to their original itinary, although we’ve had to miss Rudesheim, sadly. At least we regained Koblenz! it’s beginning to look very promising for future cruises ... The pictures are Heidelberg, this afternoon. Very wet! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Queen Posted December 3, 2018 #1806 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Hello to all. We are sailing this coming Saturday, December 7th from Amsterdam to Basel, on the Avalon Tranquility II. Our travel agent has been calling Avalon every day for the past week to inquire about any changes in our itinerary. Last week, we were told that we would have an answer by Friday. When Friday came, we were told that we would now have to wait until Monday. I know that it has been raining in the area and that Avalon needed to see what happens with the water levels. I am sure Avalon wants to give us the most accurate information so we were fine with that answer. It just made it a bit more difficult to make arrangements for our backup plan. We were told late this afternoon that our trip is a go and that it looks good as far staying with the original itinerary, but nothing is 100% certain. I totally understand that water levels can change quickly. We wanted to unpack just once and enjoy our time on the ship. We didn't want to end up a bus trip for a good portion of the time and spend nights at various hotels. We have never done a river cruise before or any Christmas Markets so we are very excited! This is a dream vacation for us, and we would have definitely canceled if we weren't going to get the itinerary that we had planned on for the past ten months. I guess we don't have to use our Plan "B" after all, which included going to the Caribbean instead. After reading all of the comments, visiting websites that others have included links to, such as marine traffic, rainfall charts, etc., I now know more than I care to admit on this subject! Haha. Keeping my fingers crossed that everything moves forward and we are able stick with our original itinerary (or at least as close as possible). Thank you to everyone who has posted, especially to notamermaid. We have all benefited from the posts. You have given us the knowledge and information needed (along with a little humor) to make us feel comfortable in our decision to continue to move forward on our trip. I will do my best to post while on our trip so others can possibly benefit from our experience. Happy sailing! Let it rain!! I got my raincoat packed! Chili Queen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Kelly Posted December 3, 2018 #1807 Share Posted December 3, 2018 2 hours ago, Prolly said: It will be the Idi. We just swopped to it today. Extra day in Strasbourg. Looks like we missed getting through the Gorge by a day. Still, the day boat was fine. We get to Basel on Friday. THANKS ... looking forward to it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickbevoz Posted December 4, 2018 #1808 Share Posted December 4, 2018 (edited) 11 hours ago, notamermaid said: Thank you Mark. And while I am here, I will squeeze in a short update in-between household jobs. Maxau has now got its guaranteed navigation channel depth of 210cm again. Several other gauging station indicate that the respective stretches of river have also gained quite a bit of depth. Kaub is well on the way to reaching its depth of 190cm, perhaps in the early hours of the morning, being currently at a depth of 180cm. The gauge is running ahead of its forecast currently showing a few centimetres more than was forecast for late afternoon. Managed to have a quick look at Niehl harbour and did not see the SS Antoinette on marinetraffic. I tracked her then and found out that she has "sneaked out" while I haven't been watching and is already past Bonn, well on her way to reaching Koblenz during the night. Will she continue into the gorge or rest overnight in Koblenz? I am getting excited about this! You lot on the other side of the big pond can follow her on her journey during the night. I shall rest and hope to read more good news over breakfast. Byeee for now. notamermaid Did this screen cap at 2:36 pm in Australia which is 5:46 am in Germany. The SS Antoinette is at Boppard and that seems an encouraging site. The AmaPrima is on its way as well heading toward Basel and is now at Neuweid, just before Koblenz. Edited December 4, 2018 by nstarrenburg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philandher Posted December 4, 2018 #1809 Share Posted December 4, 2018 10 hours ago, Olivera said: Thank you. Same here just received the generic email from Scenic. Reading through some of the comments it seems there has been some rainfall so fingers crossed. Thanks again for the link. Just an update, the Scenic Opal is now in Koblenz, so everything is looking good, fingers crossed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbr777 Posted December 4, 2018 #1810 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Update: on AmaStella, B to A. we ARE cruising through the Rhine gorge! Yay! 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted December 4, 2018 Author #1811 Share Posted December 4, 2018 25 minutes ago, hbr777 said: Update: on AmaStella, B to A. we ARE cruising through the Rhine gorge! Yay! It is like an early Christmas present, isn't it? I am so pleased to read this. Have a great time. notamermaid 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbr777 Posted December 4, 2018 #1812 Share Posted December 4, 2018 1 hour ago, notamermaid said: It is like an early Christmas present, isn't it? I am so pleased to read this. Have a great time. notamermaid Thank YOU for all of your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickbevoz Posted December 4, 2018 #1813 Share Posted December 4, 2018 (edited) 5 minutes ago, hbr777 said: Thank YOU for all of your help! To notamermaid. Amen to the above. You have been a true help to all of us - both for your detail and updates but also for the personal care in your posts and local knowledge. Thank you! Edited December 4, 2018 by nstarrenburg 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peasmith Posted December 4, 2018 #1814 Share Posted December 4, 2018 1 hour ago, nstarrenburg said: To notamermaid. Amen to the above. You have been a true help to all of us - both for your detail and updates but also for the personal care in your posts and local knowledge. Thank you! Ditto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyas96 Posted December 4, 2018 #1815 Share Posted December 4, 2018 4 hours ago, hbr777 said: Update: on AmaStella, B to A. we ARE cruising through the Rhine gorge! Yay! Lucky you! So bummed that I missed it by just a week. I’ll have to come back someday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted December 4, 2018 Author #1816 Share Posted December 4, 2018 hbr777, nstarrenburg, peasmith, Thank you for your kind words. You are really lifting my spirits today. Sniff. Moist eyes. notamermaid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare notamermaid Posted December 4, 2018 Author #1817 Share Posted December 4, 2018 It has been an eventful 48 hours on the river. I have not seen so many ships move about in weeks. What a pleasure it is. Read the news headline over breakfast: Ende des Niedrigwassers in Ludwigshafen. End of low water in Ludwigshafen. The article referred to the harbour there and the shipping industry. But also ferries are running again. It is all looking much better. Better than had been forecast three days ago, in fact. We have had more rain than the weathermen said we would have. It caused a few flash floods along the Moselle, but nothing major to report. With the Moselle also contributing more water (I expect them to retain some of it in the locks, though) the Lower Rhine will soon benefit as well. As of this afternoon, all gauges up to and including Cologne are off the low water status. Hardly any orange dots on the map left in the Rhine valley. And Kaub is on triple digits! Here are the figures: Maxau 463cm, Kaub 133cm, Koblenz 177cm. Emmerich is still low, but even there the level is at 42cm and due to rise fast. With the level at Kaub forecast to rise further to potentially over 200cm, my "job" of daily reports is done, and this weary head is having a rest from all those figures. But I will continue to "lurk in the background" and give you some info during this happy time of year. The sun has set over the valley so I will say goodbye for today and put the Christmas lights on. If you are sailing enjoy food, drink and good cheer on the Christmas markets and on the ships. If you are at home equally, in what can often be a stressful time of year, find calm and joy by putting on the lights or light up your life through having loved ones around you. See ya. notamermaid 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philandher Posted December 4, 2018 #1818 Share Posted December 4, 2018 23 minutes ago, notamermaid said: It has been an eventful 48 hours on the river. I have not seen so many ships move about in weeks. What a pleasure it is. Read the news headline over breakfast: Ende des Niedrigwassers in Ludwigshafen. End of low water in Ludwigshafen. The article referred to the harbour there and the shipping industry. But also ferries are running again. It is all looking much better. Better than had been forecast three days ago, in fact. We have had more rain than the weathermen said we would have. It caused a few flash floods along the Moselle, but nothing major to report. With the Moselle also contributing more water (I expect them to retain some of it in the locks, though) the Lower Rhine will soon benefit as well. As of this afternoon, all gauges up to and including Cologne are off the low water status. Hardly any orange dots on the map left in the Rhine valley. And Kaub is on triple digits! Here are the figures: Maxau 463cm, Kaub 133cm, Koblenz 177cm. Emmerich is still low, but even there the level is at 42cm and due to rise fast. With the level at Kaub forecast to rise further to potentially over 200cm, my "job" of daily reports is done, and this weary head is having a rest from all those figures. But I will continue to "lurk in the background" and give you some info during this happy time of year. The sun has set over the valley so I will say goodbye for today and put the Christmas lights on. If you are sailing enjoy food, drink and good cheer on the Christmas markets and on the ships. If you are at home equally, in what can often be a stressful time of year, find calm and joy by putting on the lights or light up your life through having loved ones around you. See ya. notamermaid Notamermaid, just to echo the thoughts of all the posters above and we'll raise a glass to you when we set sail from Basel next Wednesday! Happy Christmas to you and yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusin Kelly Posted December 4, 2018 #1819 Share Posted December 4, 2018 I will add my thanks and well wishes to ms. Mermaid for a Blessed Christmas and Bountiful New Year. and we must all offer up a prayer of Thanksgiving to St. Nicholas for his gentle hand in making our sailings safe and worry-free. "May St. Nicholas hold the tiller." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickbevoz Posted December 4, 2018 #1820 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Worth sharing... http://starrenburgholiday2018again.blogspot.com/2018/12/rain-on-rhine.html? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourmiler Posted December 4, 2018 #1821 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Oh, I thought notamermaid was female, if you’re referring to her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickbevoz Posted December 4, 2018 #1822 Share Posted December 4, 2018 5 minutes ago, Fourmiler said: Oh, I thought notamermaid was female, if you’re referring to her! I think I saw reference to him being a man - hope I was correct. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fourmiler Posted December 4, 2018 #1823 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Nonetheless we know he/she will find it amusing 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ural guy Posted December 4, 2018 #1824 Share Posted December 4, 2018 (edited) 11 hours ago, hbr777 said: Update: on AmaStella, B to A. we ARE cruising through the Rhine gorge! Yay! I'm really happy to hear that the cruise is going well for you. You had other people traveling with you (if I remember correctly), and I know that really amped up the pressure. This is one thread that can hopefully drift off into the ether. What a rollercoaster it is has been. Thanks to all the posters who shared their experience, and especially to our German friends on the scene. You've educated a ton of people on the region's hydrology along with sharing a laugh and other tidbits of knowledge about your part of the world. Prost! Edited December 4, 2018 by ural guy clarity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbr777 Posted December 4, 2018 #1825 Share Posted December 4, 2018 1 hour ago, ural guy said: I'm really happy to hear that the cruise is going well for you. You had other people traveling with you (if I remember correctly), and I know that really amped up the pressure. This is one thread that can hopefully drift off into the ether. What a rollercoaster it is has been. Thanks to all the posters who shared their experience, and especially to our German friends on the scene. You've educated a ton of people on the region's hydrology along with sharing a laugh and other tidbits of knowledge about your part of the world. Prost! Yes, we are a group of 12. Everyone is having a wonderful time and thrilled we will stay on the Rhine 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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