LIVE Tauck: Amsterdam to Budapest 6/29/19-7/15/19

[HBCcruiser]

The Melk Abby had marvelous views. We were not permitted to take photos inside, but the chapel was beautiful. All of that gold, glamour and paintings! 

 

[HBCcruiser]

Sailing the Wachau Valley. So many castles! It was chilly outside so we watched from the lounge. 

 

[notamermaid]

21 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

Tauck hosted s fruit party in the afternoon. We also got to see the NEW yet unfinished Tauck ship pass us. It’s just a hull. Weird!

 

 

Exciting! Is this the MS Andorinha, their first ship for the Douro? She has been built at Vahali shipyard in Serbia in cooperation with Scylla in Switzerland. If it is her then she is being transferred to the Netherlands to get her interior fitted out.

 

notamermaid

 

[Lotusgirl22]

HBC -  thank you for your ongoing review.  It is very helpful.  I have noticed that the dinner menu often includes an Indian entree.  While I see that you and your Mother have not chosen it, I am wondering whether you have heard any feedback from other passengers on those entrees.  

Also, one of your posts addressed a concern that I have.  Are you satisfied with the pace of the tours or do find them too slow and or sedentary?  Thank you for your input.

[laverendrye]

9 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

Ok so the waiter- he told he was still drunk because he celebrated a birthday with friends the night before 😳. He also forgot to bring soup to someone in our group then got upset when we asked him to remove it from our tab. He said he’d rather just bring the soup. We told him that we had to leave. He then started complaining about other wait staff who were supposed to bring the soup and said he’d have to pay for it. We wound up leaving him a large tip which more than covered for it. Just an odd experience.

 

The bakery was in town. You will walk right by it! So yummy! 

 

Interesting indeed!  He was not, thankfully, representative of restaurant service in Germany, at least as I have experienced it over the years.

[OnTheJourney]

9 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

The Melk Abby had marvelous views. We were not permitted to take photos inside, but the chapel was beautiful. All of that gold, glamour and paintings! 

 

'But did they tell you WHY no photos inside??? Used to be able to ...until a few idiots decided to take selfies of themselves posing stupidly and even irreverently in front of some of the religious articles, statues, etc. There are signs that mention this as you come out of the library. So instances like that ruined it for everyone. Insensitivity and disrespect. Worst ever, though, are these fearless (more like clueless) people who decide to take a selfie REALLY close to the edge of a cliff in the National Parks.....ooops!!!  Oh well...

Edited July 10, 2019 by gretschwhtfalcon

[OnTheJourney]

6 hours ago, laverendrye said:

 

Interesting indeed!  He was not, thankfully, representative of restaurant service in Germany, at least as I have experienced it over the years.

I probably wouldn't have left any tip....though in his inebriated state he may have come after you....

[OnTheJourney]

On 7/8/2019 at 2:28 AM, HBCcruiser said:

We did the walking tour of Nurnberg which was ok. Our tour guide walked way too slow for us but it was nice to see the town. She did a nice job of showing us all of the damage done to the town during WWII and the rebuilding that occurred after the war. All of the shops were closed so no shopping for us. Boo!

 

 

I totally applaud these towns in Europe who close shops on Sundays. It was like that when I was growing up - no gas stations on Sundays either. Nothing is sacred anymore in our 24/7 society the way it seems!  

[Host Jazzbeau]

27 minutes ago, gretschwhtfalcon said:

Worst ever, though, are these fearless (more like clueless) people who decide to take a selfie REALLY close to the edge of a cliff in the National Parks.....ooops!!!  Oh well...

 

The Darwin Awards were started for people like that. 

[HBCcruiser]

What a spectacular night at the Palais Pallavicini! So wonderful! The musicians and dancers were top notch!

 

[HBCcruiser]

Dinner was 10 out of 10 forks!

 

[HBCcruiser]

I need to go on a diet! Soooo much food!

oh well- Day 12 Vienna. 

[HBCcruiser]

Today we toured the Hofburg complex and got to view the Lipizzaner mares and foals! So adorable!!

[HBCcruiser]

More..

[HBCcruiser]

Last night they held a barbecue on the sun deck. Great food and fun!

 

[HBCcruiser]

Our fearless leaders! Such a fun staff. Our tour guides and Hotel Manger are great people.

[HBCcruiser]

Best Margarita! 

[HBCcruiser]

I couldn’t get on CC yesterday so I’ll catch you up. Not much happened in Bratislava. We walked around the town a bit.

 

[HBCcruiser]

[HBCcruiser]

Back onboard they held the disembarkation meeting. Always a bummer.

[HBCcruiser]

Dinner onboard was yummy as usual!

 

[HBCcruiser]

Fun in the lounge!

 

[HBCcruiser]

Last day - Day 14 Budapest 

[tonto524]

Aww, I can't believe it's over - I have hurried to my computer every morning to read and enjoy your posts.  THANK YOU for taking the time to share your trip again !!  Very much appreciated.  Safe trip home !

Linda

 

[boblerm]

It goes by so fast!

Thank you for this most enjoyable report, and safe travels home.

Bob