Sturmin

Did you know that there really is no fish called a Chilean Sea Bass? It is actually called the Pategonian Toothfish and is not fished in sustainable ways.

Your info is faulty. Check link below. If making such statements please provide supporting data.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonian_toothfish

Thanks for the review. We did this last year and really enjoyed it. I like reading other people reviews as it helps keep the memories fresh and reminds of things already forgotten.

Awesome! Glad to hear that you could leave your luggage and that they did a walking tour. I was kind of hoping for a train - we're train people, but we're good with a bus.

 

Thanks for the tips about the restaurants. I was hoping for some good places to eat. I would love to do the cheese fondue, but my husband isn't into melted cheese :( Will definitely check out the Rathouse - sounds great.

 

How was the Hotel Flora? Sounds like this is where we'll be.

Hotel Flora was great. Best thing was the location. Just down the block is the river w/Chapel Bridge. Opposite corner is the crosswalk to train station or walk under the street where there is a sort of shopping mall. Grocery store under there is probably cheapest spot to buy Swiss chocolates and snacks.

When I researched the hotel, found three common complaints. One, a bar/night club emptied into the streets at about 2 in the morning and was loud, in Nov never heard a thing. 2nd was small rooms. We thought they were fine. We were not expecting a suite and were only in the room to sleep anyway. Who wants to spend time inside when you're in Switzerland. 3rd was poor A/C. Can't help you on that one, never needed it, but noticed a lot of hotels had the same complaint. My only disappointment (not really, just trying to find something to balance the review) was an average breakfast. It was free and I may have been spoiled from all the great food we had on the trip. Breakfast was not bad, just not great but it filled up you and there was plenty of it. Service was good, almost never used and rooms spotless. Comfortable mattresses.

We booked the same trip last year in mid-Nov including Lucerne. You will have a great time with no worries.

We will be doing a post cruise stay in Lucerne that we booked through Viking for the end of our Rhine Getaway. I'd love to hear from people who've done this how it works.

 

When do you have to leave the River cruise ship?

We left the ship around 9:00, with a bus tour of Basel as we left. We had a great guide with commentary throughout the bus ride. Ride was less then an hour. Only disappointment - not a lot of good views from the road of the country side.

How do they get you from Basel to Lucerne?

How long does it take for that trip?

How do they get you from Lucerne to Zurich for the flight home (our air is booked through Viking as well)

What time did you have to leave the hotel - our flight is at 11:40am?

And how long did the trip take?

For the ride back, there was ourselves and one other couple. We had a private Mercedes van drive us back. It took a little over an hour. I think we left around 7:45 for a 11:45 departure. Lot of extra time at Zurich airport.

I'm an obsessed researcher. I like to know what to be prepared for so I can set my expectations at a reasonable level. I'm a high hopes person who likes to keep my expectations on the low side :cool:

 

Thanks for any info you can provide! I haven't seem much about this end of a Rhine cruise done through Viking.

When we arrived at Lucerne, we stopped for a short time to see the Lion of Lucerne. Next we went on to the hotel, stayed at hotel Flora about a block from the covered bridge. Dropped bags off in a secured room before beginning a walking tour of Lucerne with the guide. Same tour guide that was on the bus. He did an amazing job. Tour ended after about 3 hours, we were starting to get very hungry and ready to be done. The rest of the time was on our own. Tried Cheese fondue for dinner - excellent. Went to the Rathouse for supper, right next to the river and between covered bridge and walking bridge. Was recommended by the Viking Rep. It was wonderful and not terribly expensive. I had vienna sausage with sauerkraut, did not know what real sauerkraut should taste like until we ate there. Definite recommend. We rarely eat at same place twice, but was going to have a late snack Sunday(our last day) only to find out it closed early on Sunday. Tried a second restaurant right past the walking bridge and found it lacking. Disappointments - Towers along wall are closed after Nov. 1st, no problem for you. Also not enough time, but a week wouldn't have been enough. Any questions please ask.

I would adbise you to get on each companies mailing lists. Viking often offers free air and other specials either with mailings or e-mails. Just be prepared for a lot of mail.

Sturmin - Time your trip. The drawbridge opens on the hour and half hour as requested.

Thank you Bill and Capriccio for the info.

Thanks for the great live review. Quick question on Pier 66. What's the best way to get to the port?

Thanks for taking the time to do this review. When I have time and waiting for this one, I'll have to check out tour previous ones.

Prices are up. Couple of different reasons for this.

1) Whatever the government says, inflation is alive and well. The dollar does not go very causing prices on a lot of inputs to rise and cruise prices must go up.

2) Carnival marketing is getting better. With their early savers and price guarantee, more people book earlier hoping they'll get a price drop. If enough cabins are booked, Carnival will make more money with empty cabins or casino give aways then dropping the price and giving credit. They are also marketing early savers more competivly with the hope of not having to drop tbe price further.

3) I think Carnival is getting more marketshare. They are offering either an equal product or better in some cases. Look at HMC, Punchliners and other products while other lines are cutting or cheapening their cruises or nickle and diming passengers.

4) I believe more people are cruising because it is still a good value. Deals are still out there. If you don't mind lower inside, cruises offer room and board cheaper then almost anywhere at certain times.

Thanks for the great review. Have read them all if not commented on all, but each is greatly appreciated.

This year we booked airfare first due to a great price and figured we would find a cruise later with Carnival, either Glory or Breeze. Ended up with Princess, which I am sure will be great as well. DW wanted Eastern Carib. for something new. Now new line and new itinerary:)

Looking at sailing on the Glory in Nov, but Eastern Carribean instead of Western. Waiting for the rest of your review.

Loved the Star in 2006, but I see they moved the main lounge from the upper deck and put in more rooms. Liked sitting up there watching inside passage go by when not outside.

We went last year towards the middle of Nov. Temps were in the low 50's for highs and mid 40's for lows. Very consistent. We had light drizzle off and on most of the trip, but still had a great time. Others a week ahead of us on grand tour had almost all sunshine the whole trip. Others on here suggest going from Basel to Amsterdam so you move through the weather instead of along with, as weather moves from west to east. Only complaint about Nov. cruising up north is that the sun goes down early. As first time in Europe were not as adventurous as we should have been about exploring after dark.

We are planning a Blue Danube River Cruise for October 2016 and want to catch any promotions/discounts available?

 

Any thoughts on optimal timing?

First of all, how flexible is your timing and cabin choice? My experience is only with Viking River Cruises, but deals can be had by waiting if you are not locked into a particular schedule. While cabin prices remain the same, VRC has offered up to free airfare and other minimal incentives when trying to fill ships for late Oct, mid to late Nov. Two years ago, free air was offered after June 1st for about 3 weeks, last year it was offered about mid July until 1st of August appx. We had not planned on going until next fall, but after watching for three years, didn't want to wait any longer. It all depends on flexibility, if you wait you may not get cabin or pricing, but Europe economy is down and dollar is up. Possibly some good deals to come.

We were on the Viking Tor mid November and had no problems bringing wine to the lounge. They provided glasses and offered to open it. Great ship and great crew.

Hi Sturmin. Easy answer....Colmar. Do it. It is like visiting a piece of Venice with the ambiance of France. Very scenic, great food and great shopping. We enjoyed wandering around for few hours, lots to see! There is a choice of a train ride our a walking tour. Take the train ride which is included in the optional tour so you see the entire town and then wander back to the places that looked interesting.

 

There is also an option to combine the Colmar trip with a WW1 site visit which I heard great things about. We did not do this as we had spent 3 days touring WW1 sites in Belgium prior to the cruise.

 

Enjoy! Jerry

Thanks. After reading reviews and other research looked like we should tour Colmar, just wanted a second opinion. Would like to do more touring of WWI or WWII sites but may have to wait for next time on our own. I've been visiting with my last great uncle, he crossed the Rhine by Remagen. May have to get up in the middle of the night to take pictures for him. Too much to see and not enough time to enjoy.

Of the optional tours you took, is there a favorite or a make sure you do. Was not planning on doing any optional tours but don't want to miss something fantastic. Thanks.

Thanks for pics, commentary and info. Looking forward to ours in mid Nov. Safe travels.