Trip Report: Dec 3 - 13 Gate 1's MS Viktoria

[DeniceRG]

Hi all!

 

Here's the start of my trip report (the first two days). I will add to it in this thread as I write it. The next part won't be posted til late tomorrow hopefully as I have Christmas parties to attend tomorrow. Hope you enjoy it!

 

Denice

 

Day One:

 

Well, it’s finally here. I’ve been so looking forward to this trip. My traveling companion, RD, is flying in from Vegas; he arrives at 10am, and I’ll meet him at LAX, so we will fly together to Prague. We made our own air arrangements, but informed Gate 1 of them for the transfers. First flight is LAX to Denver. Easy flight, only a couple of hours. Not much time in Denver before our flight to Frankfurt. We flew United out of LAX and Lufthansa from there on. Thank goodness for miles … we’re flying Business Class the whole trip. Lufthansa’s Business class is great .. it’s a new plane, and the seats go down almost parallel, so sleep is easy.

 

Day Two:

 

With less than an hour in Frankfurt to change planes, we headed straight to the next gate. Our arrival and departure gates weren’t too far from eachother, so we made it in good time. Now our final leg of our outbound flights. Prague here we come. It’s only an hour or so flight into Prague; we go through customs/immigration, get our luggage, and right outside of baggage claim is the Gate 1 rep. There’s 6 others that arrived on our plane, so we are all transferred together in a mini-coach.

 

It takes about 30-45 minutes to get to the Prague Hilton. The hotel is on the river. Modern looking from the outside, all glass, and very nice inside. No Gate 1 person at the hotel to meet us, but our rooms are ready so no problem. Our room is a “handicapped” room … we didn’t request that, nor needed it, but that is what we are given. After dropping off our luggage, we go back down to the lobby. There we finally see the Gate 1 tour director. She points out her desk and flip chart in the lobby, and tells us there is a 6pm reception tonight as the formal introduction. We decide to hang around the hotel until then. RD goes to the gym, and I head to the hotel’s store to purchase a hair brush and toothbrush, which I forgot to pack. I also stop by the concierge’s desk, and ask about restaurants for dinner that night. He told us the hotel has a very good Czech restaurant (The Czech House), but we wanted to go to town. So he showed me a book with menus and made some recommendations. I settled on a restaurant called Parnas, and the concierge made the reservations.

 

After freshening up, we head down to the hotel’s bar to see what is going on. There’s a lot of American’s around. There’s a group from Avalon cruises that are at the end of their vacation, besides the other Gate 1’ers. At 6pm we go for the orientation meeting. There we learn that the river water is low, due to lack of rain this winter, so we will not be boarding the Viktoria in Regensburg, but in Passau. Seems there is a sand bar between the two cities, and the river boat cannot pass it due to the low water level. Adrienn, the tour director, said that Gate 1 is offering a walking tour of Passau on the day we get there to make up for the missed Regensburg. I wanted to see Regensburg, but there’s not much that can be done. Mother Nature has her own way, and that’s all there is to it. She tells us our tour of Prague will begin at 9 the next morning. There’s 34 on the pre-cruise Prague extension; probably 24 or so showed up for this orientation.

 

We leave the orientation, as our dinner reservation is for 7pm. The doorman tells the taxi where we want to go. Parnas is a very nice restaurant; I would recommend it. There are lovely views of the river and of the Castle from its windows. There are only a few tables taken when we arrive. We begin our dining experience with a typical Czech aperitif … called Bercholova, or something like that. Our waiter told us it tasted like Jagermeister, but it’s a bit sharper. We order a Czech red wine (very nice) and RD has goulash and I have a venison dish. They are both very good. Dinner was nice and leisurely.

 

Afterwards we decided to walk around a bit. It’s just after 9pm. We walk down the river front to the Charles Bridge, and then turn into town, not really knowing where we are going, but just wandering around. There are not a lot of people around. The weather is cool, but very tolerable for us. Being from Southern Cal and Nevada, we came prepared for winter cold, but we learn that it’s about 20 degrees warmer than usual. Christmas lights are up adorning a lot of the buildings as we wander through the small streets. There is a charm about the city. Turning a corner, we see ahead of us a lot of lights so we head that direction, and end up at the Christmas Market. Most of the booths are closed for the night, but the lights are still on. There’s a huge Christmas tree in front of the City Hall. Quite a contrast, the modern tree, full of ornaments and lights against the older architecture of the City Hall. Even with the booths closed, there are a lot of people milling around. We find an Irish pub, with Beatle songs being sung, so we stop there for a beer. Our energy level is dropping, so we decide to walk on. There’s a Harley bar we come across, with a shop, which is closed. We make note to come back tomorrow for some shopping. We are thinking that it’s time to get back to the hotel, but are anxious about flagging down a taxi, due to all that I read prior about the taxi’s in Prague. So we stop in another bar, one connected with an Indian restaurant, have another beer, and have them call us a cab.

 

Once we arrive back at the Hilton, we thought we’d just check out the casino there. We only planned to look around, but we stopped at a table, and played there for about an hour. Funny thing: there’s a desk you need to check in with before entering the casino. RD needed to show his passport or ID (his driver’s license was okay), but I didn’t. They said only the men needed to show ID. Around 1am we said enough is enough … we needed sleep. And I had doubled my stake! So off to bed after our first (half) day in Prague.

[lobsterlover]

Hi Denise,

 

Very interesting review. Bringing back memories....was there in Oct. on a Grand Circle Tour "Eastern Europe to the Black Sea" and really enjoyed the city. Found it to be tourist friendly. My friend and I wandered and got lost and a young college student on her way to class led us back to where we wanted to be. Thought the food was delicious and reasonably priced except for our lunch on the terrace at the top of the U Prince Hotel. Portion was sparce and pricey, but the view was worth it. Lucky for us we had no problem with water levels heading to the Black Sea. Will be watching for the rest of your review.

L.L.

[Bohemian]

We begin our dining experience with a typical Czech aperitif … called Bercholova, or something like that. Our waiter told us it tasted like Jagermeister, but it’s a bit sharper...

That's Becherovka but I prefer Jagermeister myself. :eek:

 

I'm really enjoying reading your review, Denice, it's so well written it's like being there too. I'm interested in your opinion regarding the Czech capital after your tour, it's one of my favorite places to visit. I'll be looking forward to your next instalment.

[DeniceRG]

P.S. to Day Two:

When we got back to our room, it smelled like a sewer. They are doing renovations on the hotel, but they only work (and make noise) from 10am to 5pm. The noise we could handle since we wouldn’t be in the room much during that time period, but the smell was hard to overcome. We called down to the desk and they moved us immediately to the 6th floor.

 

Day Three:

 

We are up bright and early today. The Hilton has a nice buffet breakfast (included). Our tour leaves at 9am. We have a local guide today, Carl. Nice guy, very informative and knowledgeable; in his late 20’s/early 30’s I would guess. We drive through town a bit, past Wenceslas Square, and head to the Castle. He tells us most of the tour will be walking. There are quite a few tour groups around. It is gorgeous up here … the day is clear and bright. Not too cold at all. Karl tells us its 20 degrees warmer than usual at that time of year. We walk around the squares, and into the church. Karl is really good … he talks about education in the CR: it’s free to all ….even the University, but there are a limited number of spots at the University level, so students are chosen by grades/tests; religion: most of the young people are not religious basically due to communism. Religion was not allowed to be taught, so it has fallen from the wayside. The CR has only been free since 1989. He points out many spots that Mission Impossible was filmed, and also Casino Royale (that I’m not positive on … being from “Hollywood” I kinda gloss over the movie references … get enough of it at home). They have a Christmas tree in the little square by the church, and we are right on time for the changing of the guard. It was a very serious change-over; the guards are as stoic as the Beefeaters in London.

 

We walk down from the castle towards the Charles Bridge, stopping at St. Nicklaus Church on the way. A group of us decide that we are thirsty, so as others use the facilities, we tell Karl to pick us up on the way down at the first pub he sees.  After being refreshed (by the Czech beer), we head down to the Charles Bridge. Artists and photographers have stalls opened the whole length, as well as some street musicians. A few of us lag behind for some shopping. From here it’s on to the Astronomical Clock and the town square with it’s Christmas Market (the same one that RD and I found last night, only this time all the stalls are open and brimming with business). Some of us opt to leave the tour at this point and stay to shop while the rest of the group walk to Wenceslas Square, and then bus it back to the hotel via a from the bus window view of the Jewish Quarter. I stay shopping while RD walks on with the rest of the group. We made plans to meet up at the Irish Pub (right next door to last night’s English Pub) in about an hour.

 

I wander through the Christmas Market. There’s a lot of souvenir type items, like reproductions of the Astronomical Clock, beer mugs with a bottle of Czech beer, magnets, snow globes, etc. etc. I bought a couple of pashminas, and just thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. Keeping track of the time, I headed toward the Irish pub, with just one more stop at a crystal shop that had a sign in the window – 50% off! I decided to wait on my glass purchase, and met up with M & A, and RD. M & A are on our tour; we originally met them on the transfer from the airport to the hotel. After a typical Irish lunch, we head out to the glass shops. We spend the rest of the afternoon browsing through the stores. I ended up buying a beautiful Bohemian Glass Vase for about $62.00 US. I was going to have it shipped home, but the mailing would have cost three times more than the vase, so I decided to carry it (and it made it home in one piece!).

 

There’s a celebration taking place this afternoon at the Christmas Market … it’s the eve of St. Nicklaus day. Older kids are dressed as either an angel, a devil, or St. Nicklaus. The younger ones go up to them and tell them if they had been naughty or nice during the year. They are rewarded with candy for being nice.

 

The afternoon is wearing on, and we are wearing out, so the four of us decide to walk back to the hotel, with one more stop at the Harley store we found last night for a t-shirt. The Hilton is about a 20 minute or so walk from town (longer if your feet hurt). We only had to ask directions twice! We walked along the river to our hotel. It gets dark in Prague in December around 4:30. We made dinner plans with M & A before going to our rooms to relax a bit.

 

Dinner tonight is Chinese. The concierge recommended a place to us in a little strip mall. It was very authentic, though I don’t remember the name. After dinner, the four of us wandered around town a bit, but not for long, as the long day has taken its toll on us. We check out the metro, but opt for a cab. Once back at the hotel, we stop again at the casino, give back my winnings from the night before and call it a night.

[letsgo39]

Your trip report is wonderful. Can't wait for the next edition. Thanks!

[DeniceRG]

(Sorry all for the delay in keeping the trip report going, got caught up in getting ready for the holidays. Hope you all had a great one!)

 

Day Four

 

This morning after breakfast, we board the bus for Passau, Germany and our home for the next 4 nights, the MS Viktoria. Most of this morning’s journey is through the countryside of the Czech Republic. Right outside of Prague is a racetrack, called Velka Chulche. We drive through forest areas, small, picturesque towns and alongside rivers. About two hours or so into our transfer, we stop at a gas station/mini-mart, just like the ones back home. Adrienn passes out Bercholava to everyone. R passes it, knowing what it tastes like, but I give it another go. I must say, it does warm you up from the inside out. Adrienn tells us as we near the border to have our passports ready to show. She says it’s a hit or miss type thing; with any luck we will sail through the border crossing, which we do. The countryside doesn’t change too much now that we’re in Germany, just subtle differences. We are about an hour out of Passau; we should reach there by 1:30ish. Since Gate 1 had to cancel Regensburg due to the water level of the Danube, they are substituting a walking tour of Passau at 3pm.

 

We cross a bridge as we enter Passau, and catch the first glimpse of the Viktoria. The town looks charming, and R, L, I, and me are excited to get settled on the boat then go exploring. We met L & I on the Prague city tour; they are from Chicago and have been friends from school days. The bus stops a little ways away from the boat. All the crew members are there to help with the luggage. As we walk towards the gangway, towing our carry-ons, a young man named Matus from Slovakia, offers to take my carry-on for me. As it’s on wheels, and really not to difficult to maneuver, I try to turn him down, but he is insistent. As he rolls my bag for me, he is being ribbed by his fellow crew members who are carrying the heavier pieces of luggage. He definitely knew what he was doing and laughed at the others as they struggled with the heavy baggage. Our cabin, 242, is on the same level as the reception desk/gangway. The staff who are not carrying luggage are there to greet us, and show us to our cabins. The small reception area is adorned with Christmas decorations, including a tree.

 

Our cabin is nice. We ask for the beds to be pulled apart which is done within 5 minutes of asking. Our luggage shows up immediately too, not like the delivery on larger cruise ships. R takes off for a quick tour of the boat, and I stay in the cabin to unpack. There is plenty of drawer and closet space to store everything. We have a French balcony which is nice. The bathroom is small, and the shower is the smallest I have ever seen. It has a detachable shower head which makes things a little bit easier, and there is a bottle of soap mounted in the shower, and one by the sink, which you need to squeeze (hard) to dispense the soap. R comes back, saying that the gym (that description is loosely used) has 2 pieces of equipment … the lounge and dining room are one flight up. He unpacks and we stow the empty luggage underneath the beds.

 

We go down to pick up I and L, decide to forgo the sandwiches the boat has provided, and the afternoon tour, and head out to “downtown” Passau. It’s only a 5 minute walk or so along the river, then up some stairs. We know to head to the church and it’s square to find the Christmas Market. Once at the Christmas Market, I, L and myself strolled through looking at all the booths. We stopped to get warm at the Gluhwein stand, and got our first mug. You pay a deposit of 2 Euros for the mug; if you return it, you get your money back, and if you don’t return it, you have a souvenir. Each Christmas Market had their own mug with the name on it. R disappeared on us, but we soon found him at a stand, chatting up some gentlemen from Bavaria, drinking soup. It was a most delicious soup. The lady had 4 choices, split pea, a stew, and the others I don’t remember. All I know it was some of the best tasting soup I have had.

 

From here, we split up for a bit. I was going back to the boat to get some more batteries for my camera; and the others were going to wander. R had noticed a restaurant just past the Market that we were to meet up at in about an hour. When we met up a little time later, we sat on the outside patio and had another Gluhwein. L & R couldn’t wait to get some more shopping done, so off they went. I and I stayed at the patio restaurant a little while longer. A German lady came up to us, asking in faltering English if we were Americans. When we told her we were, she was so excited. She wanted to practice her English that she had learned during WWII! We got through the days of the week, and the months names; learned eachother’s birthdays, but never learned her name. She was a sweet lady, and when we said our goodbyes, she gave us each a chestnut.

 

We headed into town to shop some more. It was so picturesque … small streets, all lit with Christmas lights. The shops were great. We caught up with R & L, and walked up some stairs to slip into a church. I don’t know the name of it. It was in town, not the church off the square. Anyways, it was beautiful inside, but we also found a choir singing while we were there, which was even better. A nice little respite from shopping.

 

We were trying to decide whether to head back to the boat for dinner, or stay in town. We went into a couple of restaurants to check out their menu, and although the food looked great, the restaurants were very smoky, and R couldn’t take that. So off we headed back to the boat.

 

We headed up to the lounge first for a pre-dinner cocktail, meeting up with M & A. They had taken the boat provided walking tour that afternoon and said they enjoyed it. At 6, the doors opened for dinner. There was no assigned sitting. Since there was 6 of us, we got the round table towards the back of the dining room. Wine and beer was included with dinner. We had a choice in the soups/salad course, and also the entrees. Each night, there was 3 entrees, usually a fish, a meat, and a vegetarian meal. Service was attentive, and dinner was good. After dinner, we went back into the lounge to chat with our fellow cruisers. There was quite an age range on board. The ship was about 2/3s full, with 120 passengers. Ages ranged from mid 20’s on up. The lounge had a good crowd that night. There was a woman who played the piano who provided the entertainment. People dancing, laughing, and just overall enjoying themselves. The drinks were flowing freely. I suppose every trip has one late night, and this was it for us.

[DeniceRG]

I knew I should have written this all out right after I got home ... my time line gets mixed up the more time passes. But it did dawn on me last night that on Night Four, and our first night on the Viktoria, they had a Sound of Music Night. There were 5 singers (from Salzburg) that sung most of the songs from SoM. They were very good, nice voices. There was a contingency of us at the back of the lounge who sang along with them. They seemed to enjoy that, as after their performance, they came and sat with us for a bit before they headed back to Salzburg. I did ask them if they got bored singing SoM all the time, and the response was an overwhelming YES!

 

Okies, now I'll go work on Day Five ... will post soon