Peter Deilman music theme cruise on the Mozart

[Judith02]

Hello everyone. I am going from being "Ms. know it all on Crystal" to "Ms. Know Nothing" on river cruises. We have just booked our very first river cruise on the Peter Deilmann Mozart for their classical music themed cruise. Please, anyone who has been on this line or done one of their themed cruises, please post and tell me everything you can about it. I need to know if the shore excursions they list day by day are booked immediately or on the ship; what the formal and casual attire are; if there are any workout facilities; and anything else a first timer would need to know. Also, we are doing a post cruise in Sulzberg. The boat ends the cruise in Passau and I am not sure if we return there to fly home or from Sulzberg. Sorry to sound so stupid, but we just decided on this yesterday, and I don't have any details yet. Thanks.

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

Are you talking about Salzburg as post cruise or really Sulzberg?? Being on a Mozart Theme cruise I assume it´s Salzburg :) . Salzburg has an international airport but I´ve just checked the website and there are no nonstop flights to the US (you have to connect via Frankfurt, Zurich or Amsterdam). Closest airport to Passau is Munich airport which has a lot of US flights (JFK, Atlanta, Newark, Chicago, Washington, Charlotte, San Francisco, Philadelphia). It´s an easy trainride to Munich (about 1 1/2 hours). Salzburg is a wonderful town and I´m sure you´ll enjoy a post cruise stay there!

steamboats

[Judith02]

My typing is as bad as my spelling. Yes, we are doing a post cruise there. It is one city that my husband has always wanted to see -- he is a lover of Mozart. Never having been on a river cruise, I am not sure what to expect. We are used to cruising on Crystal which is considered a "luxury" cruise line. The Mozart is a five star boat and I'm not sure how that compares; I only know that it holds 100 passengers as opposed to Crystal's 900. I would love to hear from anyone who has been on the Peter Deilman line. Thanks.

[steamboats]

Judith02,

Thought it must be Salzburg :D ! Deilmann is the most luxurious river cruise company. As it is a German company you will find a mixture of German, US and passengers from other countries. 100 passenger is on the lower end of the river cruise ship capacity (app. 240 pax. is one of the largest ones). Use the search (must be logged in) and previous threads about Deilmann will appear!

steamboats

[aagra]

Judith02,

We are going on the Dielmann Mozart in April, 2006 and it is also our first river cruise. I will tell you what I know. We are flying direct to Munich and have a driver with a Van reserved to drive the four of us to Passau. The drive approximately 100 miles and should take about 1.5 hours. However, we are stopping at Altotting to visit the Shrine so it will take us a little longer. The Mozart carries 200 passengers and is one of the largest and spacious river boats. It has a small indoor pool and exercise facility and spa. The food is very european from the sample menus I have seen (but it really sounds good). The rooms have 200sq. feet which is very large for a river boat.

As for Salzburg, we have been there previosly and it is a must see for Mozart and sound of Music fans. however, I was not that impressed with the city itself or the sites. The surrounding country side is lovely and an electric boat ride on the nearby Konigssee with a beer stop by the chuch was great. The
Konigssee is near Berchtesgaden in Germay.

I hope you have a great trip.

[steamboats]

... although it´s a bit off topic: the Koenigssee is totally frozen and currently it´s allowed to walk over. This only happens every ten years or so. For Koenigssee check

http://www.seenschifffahrt.de/01_ks_e/ks_start_e/ksfraset.html

Salzburg has a lot to do and see. The birthplace of Mozart, the Dome, the castle (and for those who love gambling: the casino)... Don´t forget to try the "Mozartkugel" which is a chocolat ball filled with marzipan and more. In Salzburg you still can find a little chocolate shop which sells them homemade.

It´s also easy using the train between Munich and Passau. Check:

http://www.bahn.de/-S:PtVORd:dKjqJdNNgOgAItNNNPVM/p/view/international/englisch/international_guests.shtml

There´s a bus going to Freising from the airport where you can catch the train. Or take the suburban train (S1 20 min or S8 40 min) to Munich central station and change there for the train to Passau.

steamboats

[Judith02]

I can't wait until you return and do a report on your cruise. Ours is the identical one in October. Did you make your own flight reseervations or are you using the cruise line's? Could I have an email address for your driver, please. Where did you get the menus? Have you been contacted about shore excursions? I was told that the ones listed in the music theme itinerary are within the scope of the cruise payment, but are there other excursions also? What is the dress code for the cruise? Have you gotten any precruise information or documents from the cruise line? We are on the Tamino deck. Other than that and what is written about the music themed cruise, I know nothing yet! Judith

[aagra]

Judith02,

We made our own reservation because we prefer direct flights and are willing to pay extra, but in this case the tickets were a bit less buying it ourselves. The driver we are using is George and you can see his weeb page at this address, www.muenchen-flughafentransfer.com. There are many limo companies in Munich and some were less expensive but George is also a tour guide, speaks english, and his site has a great deal of good information. I don't mind paying alittle extra for service. Have to go will reply with more information later.

[aagra]

Judith02,

I looked at the menus in stern's guide to cruise vacations, you might be able to find them in your local library like I did. I have a copy of the 2003 edition; For a sample here is the chef's suggestion menu from the Mozart;

Smoked Salmon with cream cheese

Bean Soup Serbian Style

Salad Plate with carrots and Walnut Oil Dressing

Deep-Fried Prawns with Gribiche and Chives Potatoes

Roast Saddle of Lamb 'Povencale' with Rosemary Gravy
French Beans.Tomato, and Grantinated Potatoes 'Dauphinoise

Warm Apple Pie with Cinnamon Ice Cream

While I'm not a big lamb fan it does sound good. The other alternative main dish was a Braised Cuttlet of Beef 'Esterhazy' with garden vegetables and buttered Noodles.

We are also on the tamino deck which is the middle deck with a single large window. We have not received anything yet from Deilmann but I have looked at their on line cruise book. In it it does list several shore excursions at an extra cost. The list includes the following;
Durnstein City Walk and Collegiate Church
Vienna City Tour
Schonbrunn Palace
Sothern Viennese Forest
Danube Bend
Budapest Opera and visit to a Tanya
An evening in Pustza
Budapest City Tour
Bratislava City Walk
Melk Benedictine Abbey

You may want to look on line to read more, the Deilmann English weeb site is very well organized.

The dress code calls for casual during the day and smart casual during evenings with two formal nights when suggested dress includes shirt and jackets for the gentlemen, however remember that europeans do tend to dress up for dinner a bit more than Americans do.

I hope this helps you get started with your plans, I do believe there are several Mozart cuises during 2006 and I would love to go on one but our schedule is very limited.

[jgnova]

When are you all going? We're leaving here on 3/29, spending 3 nights pre-cruise in Munich, then going to Passau for the 4/2 classical music cruise, then spending 2 nights post-cruise in Salzburg. We did our own air reservations -- nonstop from Dulles to Munich, return from Salzburg to Frankfurt and back to Dulles. There are 4 of us -- 2 on the upper passenger cabin deck and 2 on the lower cabin deck. I've posted a roll call for the 4/2 Mozart on the roll call page.
S

[aagra]

jgnova,

We are going on the April 16, 2006 sailing from Passau. I noticed the classical music cruise and would love to go, but our schedule is limited. DW is a high School teacher and has to go during spring break. We are flying direct from Philadelphia on the 15th and returning on the 23rd.

[nyfeds]

aagra,

The menu looks very good. I hope Deilmann's other vessels have equally nice menus.

Thanks for posting this.

[Judith02]

We will be on the Mozart for the music themed cruise October 8th. I can't wait to read what all of you have to say about your earlier cruises on this line. We were already booked on a fantastic Crystal cruise from Buenos Aires (with a pre-cruise there) back to Miami (16 days) and had never heard of the music themed cruise or Deilmann river cruises until recently. When I saw they also did it in October, I immediately made reservations for the cruise and the post cruise days in Salzburg. Yes, I saw the shore excursion list. I just don't know how to book them and the Vienna and Budapest opera excursions pre-cruise. In Salzburg, we have dinner and a Mozart concert in a medieval fortress. That sounds marvelous. Do I call customer relations to book the excursions? I read that there are about 25% English speaking people on the Deilmann cruises, and when we board we should make our dinner reservations with the maitre d. Supposedly, he tries to seat all the English speaking passengers together (US, Canada, and UK). Since we do not speak German, it is a good idea for us.

[OhioDogLover]

Does anyone know of a less expensive way to get from Munich to Passau than the transfer offered through Peter Deilmann? We have a rather large group ( about 12) and need to set it up. Thanks for the help.

[steamboats]

OhioDogLover,

The cheapest way to get to Passau is using the public transportation system. There´s a bus (No. 635) going to Freising (train station) where you can take the train to Passau (about 2 hours). You can also take the suburban train (20 min, train S1) to Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) and change to the train there. There´s an information booth of the German Railway (Deutsche Bahn or DB) at the airport where you can get tickets. It´s located in the central area of Terminal 1 (if you´re arriving at Terminal 2, leave it at the main entrance and cross the Munich Airport Center to Terminal 1). There are group tickets available and a ticket called Bayern Ticket which allows up to 5 people. If you´re not in a hurry you can ask at the information booth for your tickets and connections (but insist on the cheapest ticket, ask for group tickets or Bayern Ticket, sometimes they don´t really know the cheapest tickets themselves). You can also check the connections online and even order the train tickets online. Here are two links for further information:

http://www.mvv-muenchen.de/ (for suburban trains)
http://www.bahn.de/-S:PtVORd:dKjqJdN...l_guests.shtml (http://www.bahn.de/-S:PtVORd:dKjqJdNNgOgAItNNNPVM/p/view/international/englisch/international_guests.shtml) (for Deutsche Bahn)

As suburban trains are operated by Deutsche Bahn it might be cheaper to go to Munich and change there. Train tickets are valid on suburban trains (you need a ticket from Munich Airport to Passau). For the bus ride to Freising you need an extra ticket.

steamboats

[Judith02]

Our Passau to Passau Deilmann river cruise has an add on which we are doing in Salzburg. Should we fly out of Salzburg to come home or do Munich round trip? Also, could you recommend some sightseeing in Munich and in Salzburg? Thanks. Judith

[steamboats]

Judith02,

I´m not really neutral :D as I´m living in Munich. Regarding the flights I´d suggest to fly into Munich so you might be able to do it with one stop in the US. As there are no flights between Salzburg and Munich (too short distance) you only can take the train to Munich. All flights to the US out of Salzburg connect via Frankfurt (Amsterdam or Zurich). So you will have at least two stops (one in Europe, one in the US).

I haven´t been to Salzburg for quite a while (but I will this summer). There´s the castle up the hill, a casino, the Mozart birthplace, the dome, the opera house (great music and opera). Here is a link for Salzburg

http://www.salzburg.at/en.html

You can also make a trip to Berchtesgadener Land in Germany. If you´re interested in WWII topics there´s the brand new documentation center at Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden:

http://www.obersalzberg.de/cms_e/content/home/index.html

There are lots of things to see and do in Munich and you can spend days there (if not weeks). Here´s the official website of Munich:

http://www.muenchen.de/home/60093/Homepage.html

We have lots of beautiful museums (including three leading galleries), the Hofbraeuhaus, the Oktoberfest (end of September til first weekend of October, be fast to book your hotel at this time of the year), a several castles and palaces in town (and you can make a daytrip to King Ludwig II castles Neuschwanstein or Herrenchiemsee), great historic and modern architecture, shopping, opera houses and concert halls, two (!) townhalls, beautiful churches with breathtaking artifacts, the technical museum Deutsches Museum (German Museum http://www.deutsches-museum.de/), the king´s residence with the treasure hall (copy of Palazzo Pitti of Florence) and and and.... Browse the Munich website and I´ll be happy to answer your questions!

So maybe the best thing to do is a pre cruise stay in Munich (flying into Munich) and the already booked post cruise stay in Salzburg (flying out of Salzburg via Frankfurt/Amsterdam/Zurich). If you want to add Munich to your post cruise stay you have to take the train from Salzburg to Munich (great scenic train ride at the foot of the Alps). The train ride is app. 1 hour 30 min.

Enjoy planning your cruise!

steamboats

[steamboats]

... some more links:

Castles and palaces in Bavaria:

http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/index.htm

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site:

http://www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de/englisch/content/index.htm

(easy to reach via the Munich public transportation system)

Munich public transportation system:

http://www.mvv-muenchen.de/en/index.html

(safe and clean!)

Munich Welcome Card:

http://www.muenchen.de/Tourismus/tourist_office/88293/muenchen_welcomecard.html

(free use of the Munich public transportation system and discounts on numerous attractions)

steamboats

[jgnova]

Ohio:
When are you going??

aagra:
Oh well. I was hoping to meet someone else going with us! But this way you'll hear what we thought before you leave.

Judith:
We booked the 3 nights pre-cruise in Munich and 2 nights post-cruise in Salzburg through Deilmann -- and that way, they do the transfer to or from Passau. (Probably would be a LOT more economical on our own, we do know that.) But we booked our own air through Lufthansa's website, so we're on our own to get from airport to hotel and hotel to airport. We're flying nonstop from Dulles to Munich, return is Salzburg to Frankfurt and then nonstop to Dulles. We'll be cruising with some friends who may be going out of BWI, which doesn't work nearly as well for connections as Dulles, from what I can tell. Since I figure you'll be returning to FL, I suspect Steamboats is right about one extra stop and probably a change in the US. The classical music cruise includes a package for the music-related excursions (which should include transportation and tickets) -- call Deilmann to confirm that you want it and they'll add that cost on (which is what we did). Since we don't have a large group and probably won't be using public transit since we're not staying that long in Munich, we decided against the welcome card there. We do plan on a day trip, probably Saturday, to Neuschwanstein, and we have to figure out how to arrange that.

And yes, we'll post as soon as we get back so you can continue planning your trip!

Steamboats:
I've printed the info you posted earlier (and thank you again for doing that) so I know where to go looking at yarn. Grandchild is due March 8 and they already have all the things I bought for a baby shower (via UPS in early December) and all the things I knit between August and mid January (which they opened when we went to visit). By the time we're there, I'll know the gender and can plan on making things that are more boy or girl styles.
Did you ever get the knitting looms you were looking at for your daughter?

S

[aagra]

jgnova,

Looking forward to hearing about your trip especially since we will be leaving on ours just a few days latter. Please post things we should do and any hidden river boat secrets that we should know.
Munich and the castles to the south Neuschwanstein and Linderhof are great places to visit.
Steamboats, I did not realize you lived in Munich, now I know why you are so knowledgable about southern Germany. It is beautiful part of the world and I am drawn back to it and the wonderful memories of our visit. A frozen Koenigssee must be something to see. Thanks for all the great links.

[Judith02]

Enjoy your cruise and tell us all about it. We are originally from Montgomery County, Maryland and know BWI, Reagan National, and Dulles well. Has the construction finally ended at each of them?

I read that Deilmann also does a music theme cruise on the Cezanne but I couldn't find any details about it. Does that one go through France?

[steamboats]

Hi all,

aagra, I´m still living in Munich (I am German) :) !

jgnova, yes, my friend bought it and sent it to us. But of course my little one lost all interest in knitting and I was trying out what can be done with that knitting looms (I never was a great knitter but those looms are really great :) ). Finally DD interest came back and she took her loom with her to the kindergarten yesterday to show it around :D . She told me that even some of the boys tried knitting!

You´re right about the welcome card. It´s only paying back the price when you purchase a three days welcome card and use it extensively on the attractions. The day partner ticket (or the 3-day partner ticket) for the public transportation system is quite helpful when you want to explore the town as you don´t have to care for any tickets and can hop on and off the busses/trams/subway/suburban train wherever you want. There´s a information center at Marienplatz where you can also get maps of all lines.

As the Munich airport is located about 35 km out of Munich cabs are quite expensive. There are two suburban trains running every 20 min (S8 is going east, S1 is going west). I can give you further directions to your hotel. Let me know where you´re staying. The partner day ticket (all zones, for the city of Munich itself it´s EUR 8 per day) from the airport downtown is EUR 16 and valid for up to 5 adults. And you can use it for the rest of the day exploring the town. There´s also an airport bus offered by Lufthansa/Autobus Oberbayern:

http://www.autobusoberbayern.de/linienverkehr/airportbus/img/airportbus.pdf

This bus is EUR 9.50 per person and it´s going directly to the central station with one stop in northern Munich.

Here´s another link listing all city sightseeing tours:

http://www.muenchen.de/Rathaus/tourist_office/stadtfuehrungen/88140/uebersicht_stadtfuehrungen.html

Autobus Oberbayern is offering day trips to Neuschwanstein (as well as other locations in Upper Bavaria and Munich):

http://www.autobusoberbayern.de/eng/panorama/panorama.html

The trip to Neuschwanstein is 10 1/2 hours, EUR 47 adults / EUR 27 kids plus EUR 14.50 each entrance fee for the castle. I think that´s the best way to do it. And you don´t have to face the waiting lines with an organized bus tour.

For sightseeing tours in Munich there are a couple of companies making bus round trips with double decker busses all starting at Hauptbahnhof (central station). They usually leave on the hour every hour (don´t know when they start). But just drop by and choose one of the busses. They all offer tours in English.

Judith02,

the MV Cezanne is located on the Seine River in France.

With your cruise starting on Oct 8 you maybe won´t "hit" the Octoberfest on a pre cruise stay in Munich (depending on how long you want to stay). This is ending on Oct 3 this year. But anyway hotel prices raise during that time of the year and you have to prebook at least a year in advance.

steamboats

[jgnova]

Steamboats:

J wonders if you could address a couple more Munich questions for us, please. (I know. You have a life and it's not really tourist advice. :rolleyes: )

What's the best way to get from Munich airport to Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski? (Deilmann has booked us there, at a bit higher cost of course, since they said the usual hotel, whichever that is, was not available.) We know we can do a taxi for about 55 Euros - and the bus for 9.50 each - and the train for a little less. We'll probably have two suitcases and the two carry-on bags each (one carry on and one personal item) (and I can't lift or carry anything over 15-20 pounds, so it's all on J to do that -- I can pull them but not lift them). We figure we can make it to the airport exit. But where does the bus stop at the airport? Are there luggage carts? And how easily can we get a taxi from wherever the bus stops in town to the hotel? Or is it so close that they would laugh at us? (Except for the luggage issue -- we can't walk too far pulling the suitcases, I would think.) And approximately how much might a taxi from bus to hotel cost? (While there will be 4 of us eventually, we probably will arrive at different times so will go into Munich on our own, two by two. ;) )

We are considering taking the Gray Line tour to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof on Saturday, April 1. The US web site offers a discount to AAA members, for which we are eligible, but we have to book the tour here and the fee is non-refundable. The web site says that tour will not run if there are fewer than 20 customers. We really want to take this day trip and don't want to lose the money or the opportunity to see those destinations. How can we find out if the tour will probably run? Is that date so much before season that they're likely to cancel it? (J e-mailed them several days ago -- using the e-mail address on the website you mentioned for the bus tour -- and they have not responded.) Or would you recommend another provider for this tour, given the date? (All 4 of us would be going.)

We do appreciate your help on this!! :)

S

[steamboats]

Hi jgnova,

O.k., here we are: You´re staying in one of the top notch hotels of Munich :) . I´ve added a link to the hotel website showing you how to get there:

http://www.kempinski-vierjahreszeiten.de/en/hotel/index.htm?id=705

Obviously "Schauspielhaus" is the closest stop of any public transportation (in this case it´s a tram No. 19). The hotel website is saying that´s about a 5 min walk from Marienplatz where the suburban trains coming from the airport are stopping (either S1 or S8). But I really won´t suggest that with all your bags. I think the better way is to take the aiport bus. This bus is running every 20 min and according to the map (see the link I gave you already) the bus stop is to the right side of the main entrance of Terminal 2 (as you´re travelling with Lufthansa you´ll arrive at Terminal 2). There are free luggage carts close to the baggage claim and as far as I remember there should be signs showing you the direction to the bus. But you can´t miss the main entrance / exit anyway, there´s only one way you can get out :D . The airport bus stops at the north side of the central station (Arnulfstraße). Anyway there are cabs waiting at each exit/entrance of the central station and it should be no problem to get one. It´s less than 4 km to the hotel and it shouldn´t be more than 10 EUR (taking the highest possible fare I came up with 7.80 EUR plus 0.50 EUR for each piece of luggage).

By the way, the hotel is really close to the Hofbraeuhaus and also to Marienplatz. There´s a nice restaurant next door (go inside the courtyard of the building) called "Brenner". It´s a bit upscale but not too much. Here´s a link to the English Menue:

http://www.brennergrill.de/pdf/speisekarten/brenner_speisekarte_en.pdf

Another nice restaurant (also for breakfast) is Cafe Eisbach

http://www.bar-kueche.de/ (sorry, German only, go to "Kontakt" and you´ll see a map)

Next to the Cafe Eisbach you´ll find the Residence and the Hofgarten (residence garden) with some more restaurants (Tambosi and Schuhmann´s). All restaurants and cafes in this area are a bit more pricey. You´ll find some cheaper and more Bavarian food in the Marienplatz area (facing the new town hall to the left there´s Donisl, inexpensive and typical Bavarian; in the pedestrian zone walkig to Karlsplatz there´s Augustiner, also good Bavarian cooking and reasonable prices).

Don´t worry about the bus trip. Autobus Oberbayern is a highly recommended company. I called them and they told me it´s very unlikely that this tour will be cancelled. If Autobus Oberbayern really is cancelling the tour she told that you will get your money refunded. The busses depart from the central station opposite the main entrance (at the department store "Hertie", not the same place where the airport bus stops!). Be there at least 20 min prior to departure! If you want to get sure ask the concierge at the hotel to call them on Friday. Also be aware that according to the website of Autobus Oberbayern the entrance fees are EUR 14.50 (which is about USD 17.40 and not USD 12 like the grayline.com site is stating). According to Autobus Oberbayern the tour is EUR 47 (app. USD 56.40). So check your AAA discount with grayline (regular price is USD 58.75 at greyline.com).

Your AAA card is valid over here too. There aren´t so many locations accepting the card over here but if you see an "AA" sign similar to your "AAA" or a sign "ADAC" (name of the German automobile club) ask for discounts. I know Burger King is participating :D . We can use our´s in the US too getting all AAA discounts.

By the way, you got us! We have an hold on an outside triple on Deilmann´s Donauprinzessin (Danube Princess) for the first cruise of the season on March 25 (returning to Passau April 1). We have to decide within a week if we´ll do it or not (unfortunately the Mozart has only inside triples).

steamboats

[jgnova]

Steamboat,

Thank you SO much for answering our questions and even calling the bus company. The bus/taxi combination sounds perfect and much more affordable than a taxi from the airport - and the bus windows will give us a better view of the surrounding area than from a taxi. :D

Yes, I know the Kempinski is pricey - the hotel that Deilmann usually uses was booked so they put us there (at a slightly higher rate :(). They have us in the Sheraton in Salzburg for the post-cruise stay.

We (I) thought about taking the train from Salzburg back to Munich for the return flight, but the flight times would have had us waking up too early, so we'll hop from Salzburg to Frankfurt and then home.

Now to start thinking about what clothing to bring. Late March/early April are so iffy - and we don't want to look like typical American tourists with jeans and T-shirts (not that the dangling cameras and binoculars and tour books won't make us stand out :)), so the challenge of preparing for early spring weather while trying to look respectable while staying warm and dry is interesting.

I hope you enjoy your cruise - I'd love to take the Deilmann Danube cruise that continues past Budapest to the Black Sea.

j

[Judith02]

Thanks for reminding me about "weather". In mid October, what is the weather like in that area? Remember: we are south Floridians who turn the heat on when the temperature goes down into the 60's!! Judith

[steamboats]

jgnova and judith02,

get all of your warm clothing you got! I checked with weather.com and they say the average temperature for Munich is 55 high/37 low in April and 56 high/40 low in October. We had a very warm October last year (70-80ies) so Judith02 might be lucky. In early April the chances of 70ies plus are not really high. My best advice is dress in layers, take some rain gear with you and check weather.com for the 10 day forecast before you finish packing.

Currently we have heavy winds and snowfall. Some counties in Lower Bavaria (close to Passau in the Bavarian Forest area) declared disaster alarm as snow is piling up on the roofs 6 ft and more. They are trying to get the snow off the roofs and prevent them from collapsing (a couple of them have collapsed already). We hadn´t so much snow for the last 20 years and the main problem is that it started in November with only very short melting periods and the snow never totally melted away. Fortunately the city of Munich is warmer than the surrounding counties and all snow is melting away very fast. There´s a big concern about floods when all this white stuff is melting and gathering in the rivers. Passau is quite "used" to be flooded with three rivers (Danube, Inn and Ilz) coming together. I hope this will be all gone by early March otherwise we and jgnova will have a problem. Don´t worry, we still have a lot of time!

steamboats

[OhioDogLover]

Steamboats, thanks for the information. We are looking into it.

jgnova,
We are going in July. I will look forward to hearing how your trip went.

[Judith02]

A few questions popped into my mind on the subject of money. Can anyone answer these (some specific to Deilmann and others are by region):

Deilmann specific:
1. Can gratuities be charged to one's stateroom?
2. Who on river cruises gets gratuities (on ocean cruises it has included the stewardess, waiter, asst. waiter, head waiter, and maitre d.)
3. On Deilmann cruises, what isn't included in what we have paid (fare, general excursions, port charges, and insurance)? For instance, I would expect that wine or mixed drinks are not included, but are sodas, juices, coffees, etc. included in the price or charged separately?
4. Do they have staff photographers for formal nights and informal dock pictures that would also be an extra (but necessary!) cost?
5.. We have added on the two night tour of Salzburg. Does the company provide a list of shore excursions there or are we on our own except for the dinner and concert at the fortress -- and is that included in the fee for the add on or is it separate?

Area specific:
1. In Germany, Austria, and Hungary -- what currencies do they accept (euros, $$$, Visa or Amex or MC, etc.)?
2. If I want to just buy something small -- like postcards -- will they take $$$ or do I need another currency?

[jgnova]

Judith:
Well, unless someone else has the answers for us all before late March (which would be helpful, of course), we should have some of them for you when we get back -- late on April 11.
My understanding is that we'll be needing Euros for everything. We're planning on using our bank ATM cards (which we have checked with the bank -- if they're debit cards, they should work in ATMs there) to get Euros as we arrive and wherever we need more funds. I don't plan to use U$S there.
S

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

I did research both the US and the German website of Deilmann during the last few days. We´ve added the three Deilmann boats plying the Danube river to our website rivers-rails.com. Here´s the Mozart:

http://www.rivers-rails.com/boats-mozart.shtml

And here´s a review from cruisecritic.com:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=353 (no date mentioned)

Trying to answer your questions:

Deilmann specific:
1. nothing on the website
2. according to the website the serving staff is to be tipped (USD 10-12 per passenger per night, I wonder why this is the only part they put on "prices" in USD instead of EUR). The website doesn´t say how many people to be tipped (waiter, bus person, maitre d?). From cruisecritic:
"As a guideline in their catalog, Peter Deilmann suggests a per-person, per-day gratuity of $4 for the cabin steward and $8 for the wait staff. Onboard, the recommendation was slightly less, 6.50 to 7.50 Euros (about $8 to $9.50) for both. Tips can be charged if you wish. Guests can either tip bar staff directly after service or add a gratuity to their beverage bill. For the remainder of the staff, the company suggests placing a tip into a box at the reception desk." Obviously this critic is some years old as tips went up according to the Deilmann website.
3. alcoholic beverages are definitely not included, but soda´s for meals??? I read that it´s not allowed to bring your own alcoholic beverages aboard and consume them in your cabin.
From cruisecritic: "Tea, coffee and water are offered with meals; bottled water is extra. A red and white wine is suggested with each meal; prices ranged from $22 to $32 per bottle, and an unfinished bottle can be saved for the next evening. Wine by the glass was also an option at dinner." "Wines are offered by the glass at lunch, priced at around $6."
4. no onboard photographer mentioned and I don´t think they have one, too less space on those riverboats. On the Delta Queen it´s possible to bring your own camera for the Captain´s Champagne Reception and they´re making a photo with your camera (the Mississippi Queen and the American Queen have an onboard photographer).
5. no idea

Area specific:
1. Germany/Austria Euros, Hungary Forint, Slovakia (Bratislava) Slovenská koruna (but I assume you can pay with Euros also in most shops but might get Forint as change); all major credit cards are accepted in Europe. You´ll be definitely fine with Visa or MC (Amex is not that popular). Noone will accept USD, sorry! Deilmann says that they accept USD for clearing your onboard account.
2. For small items you definitely need the local currency. Deilmann is offering an currency exchange service according to their websites.

As you sure will need Euros for your post cruise stay I´d suggest to get some Euros (ATM will work fine but you´ll need a 4 digits pin). Amex is offering a new Travellers Cheque card in Euro where you can upload a certain amount and cash it back at an ATM or pay directly in a store. We got one in USD but haven´t had a chance to try it (it´s really hard to cash Amex Travellers Cheques in the US, every bank asks me if I have an account with them!). Deilmann is also cashing Travellers Cheques.

I don´t think you need much Forint or Slovenská koruna. If you´re going on a ship´s shore tour all should be included. You´ll only need it if you´re exploring Budapest or Bratislava on your own.

If we decide to make that cruise in March I´ll let you know about our experiences (sorry, it´ll be too late for jgnova). As done before I will write an extensive review.

steamboats

[Judith02]

You mean I am on my own to take pictures? I've always counted on the ship's photographers on Crystal who come on the various excursions to take pictures. I tend to chop off heads or feet or building tops. My most famous photographic essay was in Alaska when we took a whale watching boat. I was always a couple of second late. My pictures of the water are titled "Where the Whales Where". We always bought the formal night pictures and the port gangplank pictures because I was in them. Otherwise, people look at my pictures and think only my husband (when I get his head in the shot) was on the cruise.

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

I´m sure the staff will be happy to take a photo of you and DH at a formal night :) . And believe me during the last 3 years I´ve been on boats with onboard photographer and with an 4 - (now) 6 year old DD this is no fun anymore :D and I could have spend zillions on those (really good) photos. DD couldn´t get away from a camera.

Reading these boards for quite a while I don´t think I´ve ever read something about an onboard photographer on any of the European riverboats. Even with those digital cameras you still need a small room with a computer and a photo printer and someone who´s able not only to take pictures but also to cope with that equipment. It´s a question of space, knowledge and money.

I´m no good photographer at all (still refusing to use the digital techologie). I did get some whales and seals last year in Alaska but with my camera all pix are like "search the whale/seal/bear on this pic" :D . DH did take some great pix with his digital and the zoom.

DD started taking photos at the age of 2 y when she saw us taking photos. We bought her a disposable camera and at least 2 of those 27 pix turned out well (the others were knees, feet, fences...). Now she got an old digital camera where it´s easier to erase the ones which can´t be used.

Don´t worry, have fun and enjoy your cruise! Jgnova and I will be able to tell you more before you are leaving.

steamboats

[steamboats]

Hi all,

I did some extra work :D and compiled some links for you. If you want to get some free brochures of the cities your visting unfortunately you have to email most of the towns as only a few of them have an online order form.

Here are the links:

Passau http://www.passau.de/
Duernstein http://www.duernstein.at/
Vienna http://www.wien.info/ brochures via www.austria.info (http://www.austria.info)
Budapest http://www.budapestinfo.hu/
Bratislava http://www.bratislava.sk/
Melk http://www.stiftmelk.at/
Grein http://www.oberoesterreich.at/grein/ (German only)

And here are some webcams:

Passau http://www.kmz.de/webcam/webcam_rathausplatz.htm (that´s where the cruise ships dock!)
Grein http://www.oberoesterreich.at/webcams/grein/ (http://www.oberoesterreich.at/webcams/grein/) (3 cams)
Budapest www.budapestinfo.hu/de/webcam (http://www.budapestinfo.hu/de/webcam)
Budapest http://www.irisz.hu/large.html
Budapest http://www.raiffeisen.hu/rai/raiportal/ep/programView.do?pageTypeId=8649&programPage=/ep/program/editorial.jsp&programId=8704&channelId=-8365
Vienna http://www.wieshofer.at/christoph/wetter_webcam01.shtml (huge collection of webcams, some showing the Danube River)

Enjoy the links!

steamboats

[Judith02]

Thank you for all your help. Since we have only taken medium and large cruise ships on ocean cruises, we think that this river cruise on the Mozart will be a new and exciting experience for us.

[steamboats]

Judith02,

I´m sure that this river cruise will be an exciting experience for you!! If you´re not the party type who needs action all around the day I´m sure you will enjoy it very much.

BTW I just got my Deilmann brochures (yes, I didn´t have one so far) and you´re right, the brochure mentions the Cezanne for a music themed cruise. This brochure is referring to the special brochure for the theme cruise and there´s only the Mozart. The Deilmann cruise ship MS Deutschland is also featuring a music themed cruise. Also in the itineraries of the Cezanne there is no mentioning of a music themed cruise (golf, hiking, garden but no music).

steamboats

[aagra]

Hi Steamboats and Judith02,

Just got back from a long weekend in california and am just catching up, while I was gone we got 12 inches of snow on the east coast, great time to be in California.
Steamboats, once again thanks for the links and information, If you go on the Danube Princes in March I hope you have good weather, it looks like this weeks weather is all snow and rain for Munich. Please write all about the trip and the cities you visit.
Juduth02 it looks like you have a great trip planned, I truely enjoyed Munich and southern Germay, and I hope you have a great time.

[steamboats]

aagra,

The forecast for today is rain and more rain. So I guess the snow over here will be gone very soon :) . And I hope that spring floods will be gone by late March!!

I will write a very extensive review for sure (have a look on my reviews linked in my signature). I already worked on the fact sheets of all Deilmann boats (I have 5 finished out of 9). I worked on the "Dresden"/Elbe river yesterday and that itinerary is really great (Hamburg - Dresden up to Decin/CZ or vice versa - which I would prefer -, shore tours are available for Prague and Berlin, anyway starting in Dresden a pre-cruise stay at Prague is a good idea).

steamboats

[Judith02]

On its website, Deilman posted the Cezanne's music themed cruise through France yesterday. It is Sept 2-9.

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

Being on the Deilmann website daily right now I just found the music cruise on the Cezanne today and wanted to let you know about it but you were faster than me :D . For all others here´s the link

http://www.deilmann-************/theme/music_september.pdf

There´s an opera cruise on the Frederic Chopin organized by Tom Taffel too. Here´s a link to modernagent.com with more information:

http://www.modernagent.com/x/modernagent/visitor/resources/editorial.cds?n=9646

It´s not on the Deilmann website but obviously a charter by Tom Taffel Group Cruises.

steamboats

[Judith02]

Thank you steamboats. That one looks really interesting, but we will be in Buenos Aires and then a Crystal cruises South American cruise for the entire month of April. This one is two weeks later. We are doing another Crystal cruise in September in the Mediterranean and then the October Deilmann cruise and I don't think my husband would do two back to back type (only two weeks apart) cruises twice in the same year!! It would be nice!!

[steamboats]

Hi all,

O.k., we´ve finally booked and received our confirmation today :) . We´re on Deilmann´s Danube Princess out of Passau on Mar 25 - Apr 1. I will write an extensive review of this cruise. Hope that spring floods won´t spoil anything. For all who want to watch the water levels:

http://www.hnd.bayern.de/

Unfortunately the website is German only but you can see the green dots (all o.k., no flooding). Those dots can change their colors starting with yellow, orange to red and purple. These are the flood stages 1 to 4. That´s when it will get critical for us cruisers.

steamboats

[aagra]

Steamboats,

Have a great trip, cannot wait to read your report. I been watching trhe weather and you still have some rain and snow in your forecast for Munich.
I have'nt been watching the water levels but I know they can get very high water in the Danube in the early spring. Hopefully the rain and snow melt off will be over by the end of March.

[Judith02]

Those of you who have been on the Deilmann line previously or are knowledgeable about it -- How do men and women dress on the evenings that are not captain's party evenings. My book says casual but I have read that European are far dressier than Americans. What should I pack for my husband and myseslf, please.

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a driver service to go from Munich to where the dock is in Passau and then return after the cruise to the Munich airport. We are not using the Deilmann air.

Thanks. Judith

[steamboats]

Judith02,

The Deilmann website is giving the following dress codes:

* casual / comfortable during the day
* semi-formal in the evening (shirt & tie for men, casual elegance for ladies)
* two formal nights (Captain´s Welcome and Captain´s Farewell Reception, dark suits & cocktail dresses)

Don´t believe we´re dressier for dinners than you are. O.k. shorts and shirts aren´t really welcome in a restaurant. Depending on the kind of restaurant jeans and a nice t-shirt or polo usually is o.k.. For a more upscale dinner (with several courses) a sports jacket, shirt and tie are appropriate. Usually you do not need a three/two piece suit as a man. Ladies dress up nicely. I guess I´ll take with me my office attire (which is much more casual than yours), two or three skirts and matching long sleeve shirts. I have some easy to pack velvet cocktail dresses which I pack for formal nights.

I´ll let you know after we return what people wore. I remember reading in another thread that on the Seine river cruises one German man did wear his jeans for most of the time :) .

steamboats

[Judith02]

Do you know of a car and driver service in the Munich/Passau area?

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

As I usually do not need a car and driver service I can´t say I recommend Mr. X or Y. I just can give you a link listing services:

http://www.munich-airport.de/EN/Area..._ab/index.html

Autobus Oberbayern is also offering a limousine service:

http://www.autobus-oberbayern.de/eng/limousinenservice/limousinenservice.html

This is a very reliable company but I don´t know their prices (on request only).

steamboats

[Judith02]

When we have done ocean cruises, the line has always had an advance sales representative on board to take reservations for future cruises. Do they do that on Deilmann? Anyone know?

[nyfeds]

steamboats, Would you happen to have a review on the Cezanne?

Does anyone know if Deilmann has a frequent guest program, similar to some of the ocean cruiselines?

[cmthomas]

nyfeds, please reply to me privately at ClarenceThomas3@hotmail.com for some info about the Cezanne. Clarence:)

[steamboats]

Nyfeds,

I´m sorry, if I had a review of the Cezanne you´d find it on my website :) . But unfortunately this upcoming cruise on the Danube Princess is our first cruise with Deilmann. I´d intensivly read all brochures, German and US website to research all Deilmann boats. I just finished a fact sheet and the itinerary of the Cezanne today and now I´m waiting on DH to upload all the new stuff. I haven´t seen anything about a frequent guest program in the brochures or on the websites. I can tell you in April when we return from our Danbue river cruise.

steamboats

[jgnova]

Haven't posted here the past few days. My grandchild of previously unknown gender, whose due date was March 8, decided that February 20 would be much better. Max was born at about 11:27 -- weighed 7 lbs, 4 oz, and was 20" long. They're home now (in Miami Beach) and look tired but happy. Max, of course, is totally adorable! :D
Well, now we can go see him and still have time to pack for our March 29 departure!
S

[nyfeds]

Thanks for your reply, steamboats. I look forward to hearing of your trip upon your return.

sgnova, Congratulations on the birth of your sweet new grandchild! The very best to you and your family!

[steamboats]

jgnova,

I add my congratulations on the birth of your new grandson Max (one of the top ten names for boys in Germany :D )!

steamboats

[steamboats]

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you know that our docs arrived today :D . Next to the boat tickets, the luggage tags, the package included a small tourist brochure of Passau including a city map showing the docking places for the river boats (tickets says at which number the boat will dock). The packacke also included two books:

a pocket size travel guide about the Danube river including serveral maps + city maps of Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest + a fold out map of the whole Danube river. This one is really pocket sized and will fit in any purse!

a boat customed travel guide decribing the whole journey. It´s some kind of a river log naming all places along the river you will see including the river kilometers you can find them. This one is a little larger but can be quite useful aboard.

O.K., both books are in German as we´ve booked in Germany. I hope you all will receive an English copy of those books. Maybe jgnova lets us know when she receives her docs.

Some general travel informations were included. Boarding starts at 3 pm, cabins are ready at 4 pm. Luggage can be dropped off at noon. Deilmann is offering a free pick up and luggage service from the train station to the boat but only for two trains (ICE 91 and ICE 29). I looked up these trains and none of them is directly connected to Munich (I think both were Hamburg - Vienna via Frankfurt and Nuremberg). As our cruise includes a free train ride or two extra pre/post cruise nights I checked the trains. It´s possible to arrive with these trains from Munich if you change trains at Plattling. As the time frame for changing the trains was less than 10 min each we dropped that idea (you arrive with a regional train which often is late). The direct connections from Munich to Passau (regional trains) arrive about an hour prior to those where a pick up is offered (so you can simply wait for an hour, anyway the docks are within a walking distance). As we´re living in the north of Munich we opted to go by car.

Shore tours: the brochures haven´t been printed yet but will be sent out asap (that´s what an extra paper said). Anyway, there´s a shore tour talk at about 5:30 pm on the arrival day. Shore tours can be booked until 11 pm the same day!!

Disembarkation: between 8 and 10 am on arrival day. Deilmann is also offering a free transportation to the train station at Passau connecting with the trains IC 2026 and ICE 28. I haven´t looked up those trains. But if anyone is interested I can check and tell you more.

steamboats

[OhioDogLover]

jgnova, congratulations on your grandchild.

Steamboats, thanks for the info. I hope we get the same paperwork. We will be Ok even if it is not in English as DH and DS both speak German. I cannot wait to hear about your trip.:)

[steamboats]

OhioDogLover,

I´m sure they won´t sent out the German booklets to US customers. If you don´t get a translated version I´d ask aboard for the German ones. I´m sure they have a couple of extras aboard for those who left them back home.

steamboats

[jgnova]

Steamboats:
No tix or booklets here yet. If you just got yours, I guess ours should be here in a week or so.
So you'll be returning the day before we leave Munich for Passau? We're probably doing a day trip (castles and such) on Saturday. I don't know what time Deilmann arranges the Sunday transfer from Munich to Passau but maybe it'll be in the ticket packet. Hmm.
S

[Judith02]

jgnova, congratulations on your new grandchild.

When I spoke to the Deilmann customer service person, she told me not to book a flight before noon. She said it is a 1 1/2 to 2 hour transfer. I would guess then that they leave the boat around 8 a.m.

[steamboats]

jgnova,

Yes, we´re returning on Saturday Apr 1. I guess we´ll be back home by noon. Definitely go for the castle trip you will love it!

Judith02,

What an advice! US flights usually arrive somewhat between 7:30 - 10 am at Munich airport and leave for the US somewhat between 11 am - 1 pm (depending on the airline and destination). But that´s the time frame for you to arrive (if you don´t have a stop-over somewhere in Europe) or leave at Munich airport. The LH flight from Newark arrives at 6 am!!! You should be at the airport for US flights at least 2 or 2.5 hours prior to departure time. Lines usually aren´t long but you have to pass two security checks and one passport check. Disembarkation according to my docs is somewhat between 8 and 10 am (I´m sure the boat docks during the night and you´d be able to leave earlier).

I just had a look on the Deilmann website. The Danube Princess and the Mozart both leave Passau at 7 pm. Luggage drop off can be done starting at noon. Embarkation starts at 3 pm, rooms are ready by 4 pm. The trains Deilmann is offering a free pick up service arrive at 2:37 pm (ICE 91) and 4:37 pm (ICE 29). The trains post cruise from Passau are IC 2026 (departure at Passau 9:21 am) and ICE (departure at Passau 11:23 am).

steamboats

[Judith02]

The quotes I got for a transfer from a car and driver service were several times what Deilmann charges for a transfer. The only problem with Deilmann is that instead of just getting in a car and going to Passau, we have to wait for their motor coach and its passengers. I was told by customer service that their scheduled transfer is at 1:30 p.m. getting to the Mozart by 3:30 p.m. If we get into Munich early, we'll leave our luggage with their people and go sight seeing. Going home, I would imagine we would leave early enough to get our flight home. I only have Crystal cruises experience with transfers. They leave for the airport early enough so that you have at least two hours at the airport after your arrival there.

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

Here are all flights to the US out of Munich (skipping those to LAX and SFO):

Delta -> ATL 10 am
LH -> CLT 11:10 am
LH -> ORD 11:05 am
UA -> ORD 3 pm (??? we have a ticket saying 12:20 pm for July)
LT -> RSW 8:55 am (LTU)
LT -> MIA 8:55 am (LTU)
LH -> JFK 15:15 pm
LH -> EWR 9:15 am
US -> PHL 12:30 pm
UA -> IAD 11:30 am
LH -> IAD 15:10 pm

There aren´t many past noon. You might be able to change at Frankfurt. But usually that´s the time frame for all US flights out of Europe.

If you come in early and want to do some sightseeing buy a day ticket for the public transportation system (available at the DB desk in Terminal 1, also at the ticket machines next to the tracks) and take the suburban train to downtown Munich/Marienplatz (S1 or S8, look for the signs with an green "S" on white). It´s a ride of about 45 min. Cabs are quite expensive as it´s about 35 km to Munich.

steamboats

[aagra]

The Car and Driver services from Munich are expensive, but for 4 people it works out to be less than the Deilmann transfer service, and with no waiting. We are scheduled to arrive at 10am and we would like a few hours in Passau to tour the town before the scheduled departure. The private car service makes this possible.
We are returning on the 12:30pm USAIR flight out of Munich and I scheduled our driver to meet us at 8:15am at the dock. That should get us to the airport around 10am.
I hope Deilmann's transfer service will also leave early so that passangers can make early flights. There are several flights between 11:00 and 11:30am which will be very tight even if you leave at 8am. I would not book anything earlier than 11:00am and even then I would be concerned.

[steamboats]

aagra,

I second your posting about flight times and transport. It can be really close with leaving at 8 am or even later.

By the way, I just found this website:

http://www.mozart2006.net/eng/index.html

steamboats

[jgnova]

We are doing the doc dance today!!! :D :) :D

Here's what we got (for each of us):

China-made embossed fake leather ticket wallet -- good size to carry these things

Ticket packet
2 luggage tags
maps of Budapest (free map from Hungarian tourist office), Vienna (free map from www.vienna.info), Munich (free map from Dept of Labor & Economic Development tourist office)
shore excursion list (stapled full-size pages)
insurance brochure
gift order form (can order wine and such to be waiting in our room or dining room) (Do we give this to our families? :rolleyes: )
No book with fold-out maps or trip journal such as what steamboats described they received -- but then, we have a reasonable supply of travel books and maps that we've been collecting since we booked.

We'll probably call Monday to ask about what else might be in here and isn't -- confirmation tickets for some of the special music cruise shore excursions and the opera in Budapest, for example -- and maybe request a couple more luggage tags.

We certainly are doing our doc dance today! :D

S

[nyfeds]

Congrats on receiving your docs! I am certain that you will enjoy your doc dance as much as you'll enjoy your wonderful cruise!

Looking forward to hearing about it upon your return.

[steamboats]

jgnova,

Great to hear you´ve received your docs!

Hey, we only got a map of Passau (but I got the other ones emailing the tourist offices :) ). Seems like they haven´t translated the two booklets. Ohiodoglover has to ask for them aboard.

I´m not really sure what I´m doing over here. Seems more like doing the snow dance! I´ve never seen so much snow during my last 28 years in Munich and especially not in March! We had more than 12 in last night and it´s still snowing (forecast is at least until noon). Trees and bushes are loaded with snow and lots of them might break.

Here´s a webcam showing Marienplatz and the new town hall

http://www.muenchen.de/Stadtleben/Kultur_Unterhaltung/Sehenswuerdigkeiten/Webcam/87727/index.html

And some more

http://www.esg.de/webcam/
http://www.cafecam.de/

It´s really unbelievable! DH has to search for his car today and get it free :D .

steamboats

[Judith02]

We may stay over an extra night after the cruise in Munich. Deilmann could not book us into their hotel in Salzburg -- sold out -- and the flights to Miami we want are at 10 a.m. so we'd never make them getting in at 8 to Passau. Steamboats, are there particular sights we should see in Munich with our one day there? Could you please recommend a restaurant for dinner.

jgnova, you said they sent two luggage tags. Is that each? Four in all. Do they have a maximum luggage allowment? I'm planning on two suitcases and possibly, one small one for shoes and stuff. I once packed only one large suitcase for a 9-day cruise on Crystal but that was when international flights allowed 70 pounds per bag and I packed really tight. Now that it is 50 pounds per bag, I'll pack lighter but take a second suitcase. Not having to pack my husband's tux will save some room also. On the five non-Captain party nights, do men wear jackets and slacks (without ties) or should I pack him ties?

[jgnova]

Yes, it was 2 luggage tags each -- the list was for what each person received. So we got two sets of that list, one set for each of us. I don't think there was a luggage limit, and we figure one large suitcase might be a bit tight since we'll be spending 3 nights before, 2 nights after. We'll sort everything out and see how it packs up, but we have 2 sets of 29" and 25" suitcases and a carryon for each of us as well -- I'll let you know how that works. I'm sure we're all planning to wear things more than once and to change off tops for the same bottoms (slacks or skirt)!

I'm figuring J will take ties -- casual slacks and either sport shirts or prior night's shirt and, if needed, sweater for days (expecting chilly weather while we are out walking around), nicer slacks and shirt and tie and sport jacket for the non-formal nights, and dark suit and shirt and tie for the formal nights. (Ties really don't take much space!) I will probably have slacks and some kind of top and sweater for days, maybe dressier tops with slacks or skirts or dresses for non-formal nights, and cocktail style dresses for the formal nights.

S

[Judith02]

We have two 30" suitcases that I'll take plus a 25" for shoes and stuff. I used to pack our suitcases separately, but now I intermingle our clothing. On a flight from Atlanta to Gatwick, my DH's suitcase was lost. He had nothing but the shorts and shirt he had on. Luckily, we were in port for 12 hours after our flight got in, and just before dinner (8:30 p.m.), his suitcase got to the pier. On Crystal, men may not wear shorts in the dining room in the evening -- for any reason. Now, I put a bit of both of our clothing in each suitcase. I plan to take two dressy pantsuits, and four or five nice (not casual) pantsuits for the other evenings. For my DH, I'll pack a suit for the two evenings, and two sports jackets, slacks, shirts and ties for the five evenings. Probably sweaters and slacks for both of us during the day. Since we are used to south Florida weather, we'll probably be chilly there (I turn on the heat when the temperature goes under 70 degrees).

My husband runs 5-9 miles every day no matter in the world we are and has for many, many years. On Crystal they have a complete wrap around deck which he will sorely miss. I read they have a treadmill on the Mozart, but not a running deck. I wonder if it would be allowable or safe for him to run outside in the towns where we port very early in the mornings? Anyone know? Judith

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

I´d suggest to take on of those sightseeing double decker busses at the central station. There are several companies doing multilingual sightseeing tours which last about 1 hour. Price listed at www.autobus-oberbayern.de (http://www.autobus-oberbayern.de) (one of the companies) is 11 EUR per person. The buses start at 10 am every 30 min.

You can add a walk between Karlsplatz/Stachus and Marienplatz (pedestrian zone) which is the main shopping area. Take a side step to the dome (our lady´s church). Take Theatinerstrasse to Odeonsplatz (residence and court yard) and walk back to Marienplatz.

Munich has lots of churches, museums, art galleries. Depending on what you´re interested in I can suggest some more things to do.

Here´s a nice website:

http://www.best-of-munich.com/

And also check

http://www.muenchen.de/Tourismus/6942/index.html

for more informations about Munich.

Restaurants, depends on what you like to eat. Would you like typical Bavarian cuisine, then try one of these

http://www.augustiner-restaurant.com/
http://www.augustiner-am-platzl.de/
http://www.weisses-brauhaus.de/
http://www.donisl-muenchen.de/

All are located downtown. Anything else? Let me know and I´ll name you something.

I think DH will only take one or two ties. I assume that no one will care about it if he´s wearing the same one all evenings.

steamboats

[Judith02]

Our plans have changed. We could not book the Hotel Sheraton in Salzburg because it was full so we weren't planning on the add on. We were just notified that we will be staying at the Salzburg Sacher Hotel instead. jgnova, I think you said you were doing the add on also. How are you getting from your hotel to the airport in Munich? Steamboats, can you tell me anything about the Sacher Hotel. Is it comparable to the Sheraton? Thanks. Judith

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

I don´t know any hotel in Salzburg but the Sacher is one of the most famous hotels in Vienna and the hotel in Salzburg is belonging to the one in Vienna. You have to try the world famous Sacher Torte (cake)! Deilmann is using only top notch hotels and you can´t go wrong with Sacher! See

http://www.sacher.com/sacher/HotelSacherPortal/index_en.jsp

From Salzburg I wouldn´t fly via Munich but via Frankfurt. There are flights from Salzburg to Frankfurt. If you want to fly out of Munich I´d suggest to stay a night there because it´s about a 1.5 - 2 hour ride by car from Salzburg to Munich airport. As you have to be at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your departure (better 3 hours) you have to get up quite early. And the interstate Salzburg-Munich is "famous" for its traffic jams. Next to a taxi service or private driver the other option is to take the train from Salzburg to Munich. There are direct trains and you only have to change to the suburban train to the airport. But anyway I won´t do that the same day your flight is leaving.

steamboats

[jgnova]

Judith:

We're flying back on the route Steamboats suggested -- Salzburg airport to Frankfurt to Washington/Dulles. (Our friends are flying from BWI to Charlotte to Munich and returning from Salzburg to Frankfurt and I think then Charlotte and BWI -- because they live much closer to that airport.) J wanted to take the train back to Munich and I said NO. :) We had no problem making the reservations on the Lufthansa website, by the way.

Also, Deilmann couldn't get their usual hotel for our pre-cruise stay in Munich and put us in a different hotel (at our own somewhat increased cost, of course) -- it's a slightly higher level hotel. But I think they use only high quality hotels anyhow. So far as I know, we have the Sheraton for Salzburg. I think it just depends what's going on in each city at the time. Wish we could be there for the World Cup -- what great soccer/futbol it will be! -- but the Munich hotel will be charging at least 4 times what we're paying, I think. :eek:

S

[Judith02]

jgnova -- have a great trip -- and tell us all about it when you get home. After much changing and switching around, our river boat cruise is now booked. We fly from Ft. Lauderdale to Atlanta to Munich. We get in at 8 a.m. I think their transfer is at 1:30. Hopefully we can leave our luggage at the airport and do some sightseeing during the morning. Then we have our cruise and all the tours plus the add on in Salzburg. Coming home, we fly from Salzburg to Paris to the US.

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

Sounds great! I´m not sure if you have much time for sightseeing in the morning. The suburban train to Marienplatz (downtown center) is app. a 40 min ride (doesn´t matter which line S8 or S1, one is going east the other west). After getting your bags and going through customs (which is really easy) it might be 9 am. Go to area Z in terminal 1. There´s a DB (Deutsche Bahn = German railway) counter where you can get a partner day ticket (ask for Gesamtnetz which covers the whole stretch from the airport to downtown). The ticket is currently 16 EUR but prices will go up a bit by April 1. So I assume the earliest you can be downtown is by 10 am. You have about 2 - 2.5 hours for sightseeing before you need to catch the train back to the airport. A taxi is no alternative as this might take longer and is much more expensive. I forgot, there´s a Service Center in area Z level 03 where you can deposit your bags. I´m not sure if it´s worth doing or if you´d better spend your time at the airport having a nice lunch and doing some (window) shopping.

We had some changes yesterday. Deilmann called us that the Danube Princess has some technical problems and our cruise is cancelled. We were offered to rebook on the Mozart leaving on day later (Mar 26) or the following cruise of the Danube Princess (Apr 1). We opted for the Mozart. By the way this was handled very professional. We had booked an outside triple on the Danube Princess and will get 2 outsides on the Mozart now (which has only inside triples). Of course it´s the same price.

steamboats

[Judith02]

Hi Steamboats. My husband said he rather opt for a nice leisurely breakfast and read until it is time to go. How wonderful that you'll be on the Mozart also. Please write "everything" about it. Judith

[nyfeds]

steamboats,

It's very reassuring to hear that Deilmann resolved your issue in a professional manner.

sjnova,

Wishing you a great cruise. Please let us know all about it upon your return.

We sail Paris to Paris June 3 and can hardly wait!

[jgnova]

Thanks, nyfeds! We're looking forward to our cruise -- and our before and after visits to Munich and Salzburg. Looks as if Steamboats will have a review posted on Mozart before we do! First, however, we're going to see our new grandson for the first time (one month old on Monday). Leave for Miami Beach Sunday morning, back Tuesday evening, w**k 3 days next week, 2 the following week, then leave again Wednesday, 3/29 and back 4/11, recover 4/12 before going back to w**k on 4/13. I like all these short weeks :D!
S

[Judith02]

Steamboats, take notes on everything about the itinerary and the Mozart. You are our eyes for our cruises since we are both doing that itinerary after you. I think the only thing different on our cruises will be the chamber music group on board and the operas.

jgnova, we're doing Salzburg also so please let me know about the dinner concert and the tour. I think they are both the second day of the add on. Please let me know what else is available the first day. By the way, it is in the low 80's here in south Florida. Enjoy seeing your new grandchild.

NYFeds, we hope to do the Paris to Paris on Cezanne in 2007. This is great. I'll have three sets of eyes to fill me in before we ever set foot on the river boat! I couldn't ask for anything better. Judith

[nyfeds]

Great to know we'll all report back to each other. We may possibly be interested in Mozart cruise in 2008 (2007 is all ready booked for a Regent cruise).

Looking forward to everyone's honest and candid experiences.

sjnova - Have a great time with your sweet grandchild!
Wishing you a wonderful cruise (Enjoy your prize - We will, as well!).

[aagra]

Steamboats and sjnova

Enjoy your trips on the Mozart and your pre and post stays, Since I'm going on the April, 16 sailing I am looking forward to your reviews and comments. I have not received my cruise docs. yet but should be soon.
Since this is our first river cruise please include anything a first time river cruiser should know.

[steamboats]

Hi Jag and all,

I hope to release my (extended) review soon after we return as I´m writing while cruising (you will find examples of my previous reviews on our website, see links in my signature). I hope to answer all your questions. I´ll check this thread again and note all questions which have been already asked. But if you have some more please post them. There´s still one week until we´re leaving. Any suggestions are welcome!

steamboats

[aagra]

Hi steamboats,

Thank you for offering to answer questions we have about the Deilmann cruise, it is very kind of you. The things I would like to know about a river cruise are small things like what drinks are included with dinner for no additional charge (coke, ice tea, bottled water, wine, etc. ), what types of spa services are offered (any specials), Are taxis available dock side in Vienna, Budapest, Melk, and Bratslava or do you have call for one. Also, any additional services that you can request such as shoe shines and room service.
Any special meals or treats we should request that are not standard on the menu. If ship store items or services are put on sale later in the trip, I would like to know so we know to wait for the sale.
I have read some of your reviews on your excellent weeb page and they are very good and cover all the major areas of interest, entertainment, meals, shore excursion and ship and room layout and comfort.
I have never cruised the western US rivers, I may have to look into it.
Have a great trip and enjoy yourself.

[steamboats]

Hi Jag,

Thanks a lot for listing your questions. I´ll put them into my prepared review file so I won´t forget to research any of them. I think I can answer some already. As far as I´ve seen and read drinks of any kind aren´t included for dinner except tea/coffee. We have a different system over here and especially restaurants do earn more money by selling drinks than by selling food. So we´re not used to free refills (it´s only KFC who´s offering free refills but not in all restaurants). But I have that on my list already.

Taxis waiting at the landing: You might only have a problem in Vienna where the landing seems to be at the Danube River which is a bit away from downtown. There are subway stops so this might be a good option to get downtown. Bratislava, Budapest, Melk, Duernstein and Grein: the landing should be in the middle of downtown. So I think there´s no need for a taxi. Melk, Duernstein and Grein are small villages and it´ll be easy to explore them on your own by walking around.

steamboats

[Judith02]

Hi Steamboats. I'm really happy you are doing the same itinerary. I have three questions that are rather trivial but I would love to know. First, my husband runs everyday. Does the ship have anyplace he can run (if it is a treadmill, how many are there) and/or can he run nearby where the ship docks when we are in port. The second is the availability of postcard vendors (I told you it was trivial) for postcards showing the various places we will visit (e.g., in Budapest, the city sights and the Opera House) and what currencies I'll need to bring -- if they do not take US dollars or Visa. I am a rotten photographer and I like to buy postcards to put in my trip scrapbooks to show what it is I've taken a picture of. I am famous for cutting off peoples' heads and building tops! My pages of a whale watching cruise in Alaska are the ones entitled "Where the whales were". By the time I got the picture, they were underwater!! The third question concerns shore excursions. We bought their excursion package. What other ones do they have that were not part of the package. Thanks and have a great time. Judith

[nyfeds]

Steamboats,

Would you happen to know if Deilmann charges a corkage fee if you picked up a bottle of wine at port and wanted to drink it at dinner time?

Thanks!

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

The exercise room is already on my list :) . But I think it won´t be a problem for DH to run at every landing. There´s a bicycle path running from Passau to Vienna along the Danube river and nearly everywhere he should be able to run along the river. It might be a slight problem in Budapest or Bratislava as the boat docks in the middle of downtown. But I´ll have a look for that.

You should find kiosks or souvenir shops in all three big cities very easily. Melk/Grein/Duernstein are small villages but at least at melk abbey there should be a gift shop. For Bratislava and Budapest it might be necessary to change a couple of Euros to Slovakia Koruna or Hungarian Forint as I don´t think a kiosk we accept a credit card for just a few cents. These are cash items. You will need some Euros anyway for your post cruise stay in Salzburg. No need to change Euros in advance, use the ATM machines at Munich airport. Make sure you have a 4 digit pin and it´s always a good advice for US citizens to let your bank / CC company know about your trip to Europe so they won´t block your cards. I don´t think you will find anyone accepting USD (and if so the exchange rate will be quite bad).

You will receive a shore tour brochure with your docs. I can´t tell you right know about the shore tours as I haven´t received my new docs yet. In my old docs I saw that some shore tours are seasonal. I will list all shore tours which are offered on our cruise in my review. I know that the themed cruises do have some extra tours. I won´t be able to tell you anything about how the shore tours are as I won´t book one. Most of them are city tours, some are walking and with a 6 year old girl this ain´t no fun for the girl and her parents :D . We will explore the towns on our own. By the way I read in my docs that shore tours can only be booked on the arrival day up to 11 pm. There´s a shore tour talk on the arrival day explaining all tours. Some tours have to be booked in advance (like the Fiaker and cafe Sacher / Deml tour in Vienna).

Nyfeds,

Check the Deilmann website. That´s what I found there:

"Please note that alcoholic beverages may not be brought on board for consumption."

http://www.deilmann-************/fleet/mozart/services.htm (see "Bar")

So I assume that they won´t allow you to bring a bottle and open it for a corkage fee at dinner. But I put that on my list too.

Thanks for all your questions! It´ll help me to make my review as accurate as possible and stuffed with all the informations future river cruisers are interested in. I do write my reviews just for fun and we do not earn any money with our website nor are we selling cruises (we´re not a TA). But reading these boards and lots of reviews on this and other websites I always thought that the reviews don´t answer all the questions especially a first timer wants to be answered.

steamboats

[nyfeds]

Thank you, Steamboats. I had not seen that on the Deilmann site before and I appreciate you bringing that to my attention. We've been very spoiled with unlimited/no charge wine served at dinner on our 4 Radisson (now Regent) cruises. This, along with tipping, are new for us, as RSSC has both included in their fares and it's not been an issue.

I very much appreciate the time you always take to share your information with us! Thank you!

[steamboats]

Hi all,

We´re in the middle of packing our bags (or in the middle of a chaos :D ). We´re leaving somewhen tomorrow morning and expect to arrive in Passau around noon.

"See" you all again after April 2!

steamboats

[nyfeds]

Wishing you a wonderful time, steamboats! Enjoy every moment of your much anticipated river cruise.

Looking forward to your report upon your return. Safe travels!

[Judith02]

Steamboats, have a wonderful cruise. We can't wait to read your reports. We hope your six year old has a great time.

[jgnova]

Well, Steamboats and her family are afloat now. We're packing. We have to go to w**k Monday and Tuesday, and we leave Wednesday for Munich. Our flight apparently is leaving about 15 minutes later than when we booked -- be sure to check yours for updates. So far we have the bed cleared for action. :rolleyes: Looks like a chilly and rainy arrival and much of our cruise week probably will be similar. :( So maybe we'll take a few more warmer things than previously planned (hoped?). Made a list, crossed off some things, added more, you know how that goes. In between, we get to watch basketball this afternoon -- very unusual for us, but also very unusual for where J works so it's pretty exciting on campus! (We had to decline an invitation to watch on a big screen TV -- don't think we can do that and pack today, but it certainly would be more fun.) So what are the odds I'll get the taxes filed before we go? :cool:
S

[nyfeds]

jgnova,

Wishing you a fantastic time. I know how long you've been planning and anticipating this trip. Don't let some inclement weather dampen your spirits. Enjoy each minute!

Can't wait to hear all about it upon your return! Take care and very safe travels!

[aagra]

Hi All,

Just received my Docs for our Mozart cruise in April. We also received Maps of Vienna, Budapest and Munich like jgnova, but no tour guide books like steamboats. The package also had a guide with all the shore tours and prices.

It always feels great to get the Docs cause you know the trip is just around the corner.

jgnova, I hope you have a great trip, can't wait to read all about your trip.

[nyfeds]

Wishing you a wonderful time, too, aagra! Please report back when you return. Really looking forward to hearing all about your fantastic river cruise!

Safe and fun travels!

[steamboats]

Hi all,

just a short note: We´re in Budapest in the Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal. Hotel? Yes, due to very fast rising water our cruise stopped in Vienna. We were bussed to Budapest yesterday (and were in Bratislava the day before). We´re not yet sure if we can disembark in Passau as up to now all landings are flodded. Anyway the situation was handled perfectly by Deilmann and you will see how in my review.

Ohiodoglover, unfortunately the German brochures aren´t available aboard. But I do have a second set, so if you like it email me (see our websites in the signature, you´ll find a contact email there).

Aagra, I don´t know how long it´ll take to finish my review. So maybe you´d like to email me too and I´ll send you the "rough" version which is not yet for online use :-).

steamboats

[nyfeds]

Thanks for posting, steamboats. Sorry to hear of your cruise disruption due to flooding. Good hearing that Peter Deilmann is taking care of their guests to your satisfaction.

I am very much looking forward to your review, when time allows. I hope the remainder of your journey goes without further incident.

[steamboats]

Hi all,

We returned from Vienna (via Passau) a couple of hours ago. Plans were on Friday to proceed to Linz and disembark there but at Krems a bridge was too low for us (40 cm). So we stayed in Vienna and were bussed today to Passau (first busses started at 4:30 am, we were on the 6:30 am bus) which is about 4.5 hours from Vienna by bus.

The (smaller) Danube Princess did stay in Linz and started the cruise there yesterday. All pax for the Mozart have to be brought to Vienna today (including jgnova!).

The Mozart is a wonderful boat and very spacy! It´s the widest and highest boat we saw throughout our cruise (which surely has caused the problems).

I hope to finish my review within a week but it´s already 11 pages long (word doc).

steamboats

[nyfeds]

Welcome home, steamboats!

Very eagerly awaiting your review, regardless of length.

I hope you had a lovely time, despite some challenges along the way. I am also hoping that jgnova is faring well.

[Judith02]

I'm looking forward to reading your review -- no matter how long it is. Does this sort of flooding and/or high water hampering river boat travel happen regularly? Is it mainly in the spring or might we run a chance of it also? Itinerary and excursion-wise, was your cruise (not including the problems of the flooding) the same as the one jgnova is on -- the music-themed Mozart cruise. I hope they will not also run into problems.

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

Although nothing was written in our docs this was a Classic Music themed cruise. We received a newsletter from Deilmann just two days before we left and there it was mentioned. We were offered two additional shore tours (one in Vienna, one in Budapest). But there weren´t any opera visits. We had five musicians who gave 4 concerts in the boats Panorama Lounge. One night a music professor of Vienna played piano during dinner. Two other groups performed throught the cruise.

The musicians haven´t been the ones advertized for the April 2 cruise. They came aboard with us and left the boat with us. So I guess jgnova will enjoy other musicians.

This is a more or less regular spring flood caused by snow melt. The main problem this year is the enormous amount of snow we had until mid March. And this was combined with heavy rains during the last two weeks. So although this is a regular spring flood it is unregular high this year. The other problem is that the MV Mozart is maybe the largest boat plying the Danube River. The Mozart is 75 feet wide and 396 feet long. With her width she just fits into the locks and can´t go upriver from Passau as the locks are smaller there. I don´t know her height. We saw Uniworld´s River Empress and River Countess in Vienna and both are 360 feet long and 37.5 feet wide. So the Mozart is twice as wide as the Uniworld ships. Just as a comparision.

jgnova will face similar problems as we had. At least they had to encounter a bus ride from Munich to Vienna (app. 6 hours). I assume the Mozart will stay in Vienna until Tuesday. If the river levels have gone down by that they will proceed there journey downriver.

The captain checked river levels and bridge clearances frequently and calculated if we can proceed. But anyway there was no chance. The river didn´t drop as forcasted and so the bridge near Krems was 40 cm (nearly 16 in) too low for us.

Deilmann really handled the situation perfectly. Sure we were all disappointed that we missed our cruise experience and got some unexpected bus experiences. But there was no bad word abord about the situtation. In fact everyone accepted the circumstances and made the best out of it. Regarding the port stops only Grein and Esztergom had to be skipped. Two tours didn´t take place. Two additional tours were offered for those who stayed in Vienna on the boat. We got a hotel night in a 5 star hotel in Budapest. Additional musical entertainment was organized on the boat. When we returned from Budapest we were greeted with a glas of Prosecco (Mimosa or orange juice). All passengers were offered a 25% discount on the price of the cruise or 50% off a future cruise (valid for 2006 or 2007). The kids (3 of them including mine) got a book as present from the boat (children´s book according to the age of each kid!). Of course all transfers were free of charge. All passengers were offered those transfers to Bratislava, Budapest and Melk even if they hadn´t booked a tour. All passengers who had booked a tour were allowed to change or cancel. The only "bad" thing was that we had to get up quite early on Sunday morning for our bus transfer back to Passau.

steamboats

[Judith02]

Steamboats, it sounds like PD is a first class company. Approximately how many English speaking people were on board? Our reservations were made through the Germany office since the one in Virginia was sold out for our trip so we think there may be several people from the US on board.

We hope to take the Cezanne next April Paris to Paris. That is why I asked if this is a common occurence. I didn't know if it were seasonal or only in certain countries. As for the Mozart, I can't wait until fall!! By the way, I expect the weather in mid-October to be chillier than what we are used to in south Florida (the 80's), but is it sunny enough to also need sunblock and/or a sun hat?

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

There were 6 Americans and 2 Swiss aboard on our cruise. All others were German. We heard that jgnova´s cruise is half American and half German. Obviously those original theme cruises were widely promoted in the US and therefore there are more Americans aboard. I think it´ll be similar on your cruise.

I´d take a small bottle of sunblock and a light hat. Temps can be in the 70ies in October, can be also 50ies. We had a wonderful and warm day in Duernstein (we walked up to the ruin in T-shirts). Vienna was mixed, some drops of rain, Bratislava was awful with rain coming from all sides / got soaked that day, Budapest was sunny and warm / the other day some single showers, back in Vienna it was warm and sunny, Passau a little cooler and mixed. Should be a bit better and warmer in October.

The boat is really great and I can´t say enough good things about the food. I don´t dare to stand on my scales but I surely gained weight.

As for your husband: Passau, Duernstein, Vienna, Bratislava it won´t be a problem to "run right off the boat". Budapest has some kind of promenade along the river but it was a big construction site right now. Can be gone in October. Margaret Island is a great place for running. Can´t say anything about Melk/Grein but as these are small towns I assume that it´s also possible to "run right off the boat". The Mozart does not have an exercise room!! There´s only the wellness & spa area with a small pool and a whirlpool. There is also a sauna. If you have a look on a photo of the Mozart you can see the high windows at the bow. That´s where the rest area of the pool is located. There are sunbeds and you can relax there and watch the river passing by (we were there when we went through one of the locks, great view!).

steamboats

[OhioDogLover]

Steamboats,
Thanks for the information. I will ask DH to email the line directly (in German) to see if we can get a set of the maps, etc. That way we should be able to avoid inconveniencing you. Thank you for the offer, however. If we can't get them from the line, we may have to ask you for them.
I am glad that you enjoyed your trip. Although it appears that Mother Nature did not cooperate fully, things seem to have worked out fairly well.

Ohiodoglover

[nyfeds]

Hi steamboats,

Thanks so much for posting so quickly. It's very reassuring to hear how well Deilmann handled your situation. I would have expected nothing less than stellar service, in light of the issues faced on your cruise. So sorry your cruise time was cut short. I does sound like you had a great time despite the change of plans.

We sail the Cezanne, Paris to Paris, June 3. I am hopeful that we will be unaffected by flooding problems.

I am really looking forward to reading your full review, once you are able to post it.

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to provide information and answer our questions. It's really appreciated. Welcome home!

[Judith02]

Hi Steamboats. I don't know if this was asked previously -- how did the people dress in the evenings (both men and women) for the two captain's party evenings and for dinner the other five evenings. On evenings when we go to the opera, do you think my husband should wear a suit and tie or would a sport jacket be okay?

[steamboats]

Hi Judith02,

I just finished my review (a bit more than 12 pages in Word) and now it´s up to DH to add photos and put it online (he already complained that I wrote too much and such a long text is not appropriate for an online version :) ).

Dress code, difficult question. The daily program is making a suggestion for the dress code for dinner. Unfortunately German dress codes aren´t comparable to yours and really hard to translate. I tried to explain what men and women wore for dinner. There were dress codes which can be translates as "casual or country club casual" meaning slacks, shirts / no tie or polos for men and slacks/skirts with blouse or pullover for women. Jeans / shorts / T-shirts are the only thing not welcome for dinner. Then there was a dress code "jacket and tie" where men wore sports jackets, shirts and tie and women nearly the same as "casual" (nice top, but no dresses). For the two formal nights men wore suits and tie (dark colors for suits) and women wore nice tops (glittering stuff mainly) and some wore dresses (no cocktail dresses or evening gowns required). The description was "elegant" or "festive".

I don´t now how "formal" an opera visit in Vienna or Budapest is. Here in Germany you can even wear your jeans in the opera but I wouldn´t advice that. My advice is dress in darker colors, for men this usually means a suit. But a jacket with slacks can be o.k. too.

steamboats

[steamboats]

Hi all,

And here it is my review:

http://www.rivers-rails.com/boats-mozart-review-1.shtml

And here are the photos by DH and DD (click on the word "pictures" below the photo):

http://www.rivers-rails.com/boats-mozart.shtml

Sorry, the links in the text are not yet linked. But it´s 10:30 pm over here and we´re too tired to fix it now. Will be done tomorrow.

steamboats

[Judith02]

What an excellent review. Now I know what to expect. Only one question. You mention tipping. I was under the impression that this could be added to our stateroom bill. If not, then we will bring euros with us. Thanks. Judith

[cmthomas]

Wonderful and informative review, Steamboats. Thank you very much!

Clarence:)

[nyfeds]

Really informative and excellent review, steamboats! I wish you also sailed on the Cezanne to give me further insight on this vessel, crew, cuisine and itinerary. We will have to wait several more weeks to find out for ourselves.

I am so pleased that we've chosen a class act when we chose Deilmann. You're experiences have validated that in a very big way. Thank you!

[nyfeds]

I do have a question, please. Are your dining room seat assignments for the duration of the sailing or can you change, if you wish?

[steamboats]

Thanks to all of you!

nyfeds,

I thought that only for dinner there´s an assigned seating, but no: you stay on the same table for all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) the whole cruise through. Restaurants are concipated to seat all passengers. So if the boat is full I doubt that can change your table assignments. But I do think it´s possible f.e. to join another couple if there are free seats left on their table.

Judith02,

I read here in the official cruisecritic review that tips can be charged to your cabin. As the German tipping recommendation was a bit confusing (neither me nor DH did understand it, it was a bit too much of German reserve) we did talk to the hotel manager and I asked him about charging the tips to the cabin account and he definitely said "no". I did tell him I´m writing a review for US passengers. So keep some 50 EUR bills and change them at the Reception Desk to smaller bills. We gave 15 EUR (per passenger, so it was 45 EUR for one tipped person for all three of us) to each of the to be tipped persons as we only have 10 and 5 EUR bills (there are no 1 EUR bills, just coins of 1 and 2 EUR).

By the way I´ve checked the webcams in Vienna and Budapest yesterday. Obviously the Mozart has left Vienna. I was able to identify 3 boats of A´Rosa (German company), 2 boats of Viking and one non identified boat.

Here´s a webcam showing the landing in Vienna (you can zoom in, the left bridge is Reichsbruecke and you can find the cruise ships to the left and right of this bridge):

http://live1.truelook.com/german/face/sqface.jsp?name=/srtgermany/truelook2&func=live&overlay=default&width=640&height=480

I´m not absolutely sure, but today it could be the Danube Princess left of the bridge. Still right of the bridge there´s on of the A´Rosa boats. The next one could be Uniworld (maybe Nicko´s Bolero, German company).

Budapest has much more water than last week when we´ve been there. Check

http://www.budapestinfo.hu/de/webcam

The boats to the left side are the one´s we made an excursion trip with (Legenda). You can clearly see that there´s no way to get aboard as all is flooded. Water came in the street very quickly when we left the boat after our trip. So I don´t think the cruise ships are able to go to Budapest anymore right now.

If any of you wants to share hers/his cruise experiences feel free to contact me (sure it musn´t be as long or detailed as my review :) ). And again a big thank you to all of you and all your questions which made it possible for me to write my review as detailed as possible.

steamboats

[cactuslady]

Thank you, Steamboats!

You provide so much information. We are looking forward to our September Casanova cruise, then Munich Oktoberfest.

--Ev and Bruce

[steamboats]

Hi cactuslady,

Thanks! And be prepared for the Oktoberfest with songs like "Hey Baby", "Living next door to Alice"... or better go there in the afternoon and you might hear some real Bavarian music :D :D . And sure you´re welcome for more questions!

Can´t believe it started snowing again! In April! Where is spring?

steamboats

[OhioDogLover]

Steamboats,
Wonderful review. Thanks for posting it. We are looking forward to our trip this summer.
Ohiodoglover

[amyr]

Steamboats,

Thanks for a great review and those webcams. I think the Uniworld boat in Vienna is the River Empress, which we're scheduled to take out of Budapest on April 29. I'm grateful to have those webcams, as they may turn out to be the most accurate source of information between now and then.

[aagra]

Great review, you have a great attitude, not complaining about the cruise changes, and making the best of it. I agree that Deilmann handled the situation well. Thanks for the tips on the stores and cafes and on the taxi situation.
We just got back from Las Vegas yesterday and I was impressed that you had already posted your review. It will be very helpful for our cruise in two weeks.

On the flight back I sat next to two young men from Munich who had spent a week in Vegas enjoying the warm dry weather after the cold wet spring in Germany. Hopefully the rain will end and the Mozart will be able to do the entire cruise.

[steamboats]

Hi all,

Thanks again for your nice comments!

Here are some more webcams:

http://www.passau.de/ Passau (you find the webcam pic on the right side, the pic is showing the town hall place, the boat you can see is a local excurison boat, there´s a bridge in the distance which can cause problems when the water is high, cruise ships dock to the left and the right of this location, the usual Deilmann docks 13 and 14 are to the left)

http://195.3.98.30/live/linzcam.htm Linz (this is a nice one, controllable / streaming video, if you move to the left you can see the sidewheel steamboat Schoenbrunn, the last remaining steamboat on the Danube river)

Seems like Passau is o.k. again, no water on the town hall place.

amyr,
we saw two Uniworld ships, the River Empress and the River Countess. Both are more or less twins.

Checking the Vienna cam today, I can see the Deilmann´s Danube Princess left of the bridge and to the right of the bridge: one of the Uniworld boats, one unidentified boat (Sofia??) and the Deilmann´s Mozart.

steamboats

[cactuslady]

Hi cactuslady,

Thanks! And be prepared for the Oktoberfest with songs like "Hey Baby", "Living next door to Alice"... or better go there in the afternoon and you might hear some real Bavarian music :D :D . And sure you´re welcome for more questions!

Can´t believe it started snowing again! In April! Where is spring?

steamboats
Oh no. And here I've been bouncing around the house practicing "Ja, das ist die Liechtensteiner Polka mein Schatz!" und "Die Heidige Marie." Hope they at least have big pretzels. ;)

[steamboats]

Hi cactuslady,

There´s nothing to worry about regarding beer and Brezn (pretzels) :D . Both will be plentiful, big and good as ever!

steamboats

[amyr]

Once again, Steamboats, thanks for those webcams. I see that all of the boats that were moored in Vienna moved out overnight, with one new one docking. I guess that part of the Danube is moving. :)

[steamboats]

aagra,

I don´t know when you´re leaving. Currently the river stages are looking good and I think you´d be able to make it to Budapest by boat.

Happy sailing!

steamboats

[aagra]

We are leaving on Saturday the 15. I have been watching the water levels at Passau and the weather in Munich, Vienna and Budapest. It looks like the water is still about 650cmm at passau which is still high but should not be a problem.
The weather forecast is calling for showers in Munich for Thursday, Sunday and Monday, I hope these are only occasional showers which come and go. The rest of the week looks very good weather wise so we are really looking forward to the trip. I hope you are correct and we will be able to do the entire cruise, but if not we will take your example and do the best we can to enjoy the trip.

[steamboats]

Hi all,

DD has a little book where I collect stamps of the various boats (especially steamboats of course) we´ve been on / cruised with. I forgot about it on our recent cruise on the Mozart until DD came back from one of her I-hate-7-courses-dinners-and-prefer-to-walk-around trips with a sheet of paper stamped with the MV Mozart´s boat stamp. So I asked her to go back to the reception desk and ask for one more stamp on a piece of paper for her little stamp collection.

So if you´re in scrapbooking (or need something for your photo album) don´t forget to ask for a stamp. Nearly all boats in Europe do have stamps, even the small local excursion boats. Make a nice souvenir.

steamboats

[jim02]

This is my first time on this - we are seriously contemplating the Oct 8 Music tour - We live in central Florida and would like to contact you and "pick your brain" on travel arrangements, etc. I hope you receive this and can get back with me as soon as possible. Thanks much.