gannyvan

I am so not looking forward to this upgrade. The last "upgrade" was a friggin' disaster and it wasn't that long ago. Took them months to get everything working correctly and even now things are glitchy. I expect we are going to go through the same disaster all over again and deal with the same unresponsive tech department. :eek::loudcry::(

We are thinking about China river cruise Undiscovered with Hong Kong post for 2020. The CC website is not like it used to be when I found everything easily. Can you direct me to China reviews before the new disaster awaits ? Also if you have a review, I know you were there before this itinerary, I would love to read it. Any other sites to look at ? Best time of year to go ? Visa nightmares ? Anything you think would be useful. We just returned from Egypt on the first Ra sailing. I know this will be different than Rhine and Danube standards after being in Egypt - even though it was a brand new ship- the requirement for 95% Egyptian crew makes the standards completely different. Is it true Viking still leases ships in Asia rather than builds for the river ? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Gotta get a couple more big trips on the bucket list completed before more body parts fail !!

JC

Sorry to be the bearer of this news but there are right now 120 ships stuck on the Danube in Romania. Below is the headline from a online article from Romania.

There hasn't been as much talk about the lower Danube but there are some real difficulties.

Bruce

 

120 vessels blocked on the Danube. The river’s water levels, monitored by satellite. Orange Code for heat extended until Friday for 5 counties

http://www.romaniajournal.ro/120-vessels-blocked-on-the-danube-the-rivers-water-levels-monitored-by-satellite-orange-code-for-heat-extended-until-friday-for-5-counties/

Not exactly the news I wanted to hear. But, thank you so much for the informative link. Weather, Wunderground, and others haven't been really helpfull in knowing the true extent of the problems . I am hoping for rain so that our cruise can go on as planned. I cannot do a bus/land trip and disappointment would be an understatement if we can't do this cruise. If you have any more updates, please post them. Thanks again so much for the information.

Dear gannyvan,

 

We appreciate your concern. While September 27 is still several weeks away, we are not currently experiencing low water conditions on the portion of the Danube River on which you are scheduled to travel: Budapest to Bucharest. Should you have additional questions, you are welcome to contact us at tellus@vikingcruises.com. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

 

Best regards,

Viking Cruises

Thank you for the encouraging update. My concern is based on my recent health. In 27 days I had two major neuro surgeries on my spine. A river cruise is the kind of travel I can do. Long hours in a bus between towns with a river ship docked is physically not possible. I have shaken my rain stick ( now we have rain predicted next week in Atlanta !) and hopefully the drought in Eastern Europe will let up. I know trips of a lifetime have been drastically changed for many cruisers because of the drought. We booked this 18 months ago. We loved our Treasures of the Rhine cruise so much. Nothing like 15 days on a Viking Ship. I hope our dream is realized to be on a Viking Longship and revisit Budapest and new countries. Rain, please !

Is anyone else getting worried that the Sept 27 Budapest to Bucharest cruise might be cancelled for low river levels ? I couldn't believe the temp in Budapest was 100 yesterday and 107 in Bucharest today with no chance of rain. I was thinking of doing a rain dance with my rain stick from Costa Rica . Sure hope it helps. I really don't want to go on a bus tour if Viking doesn't cancel and the ships aren't able to navigate the Danube . Anyone have any "inside" information from Viking ?

We did the Dicta Tour of Communism - this is the link.

 

http://cityrama.hu/budapest-sightseeing-tours/item/318-dictatour-of-communism.html

 

If you scroll down, you will see where you can book a private tour - which is what we did. This was a birthday present for my husband - and he loved it.

 

Yes - Cafe Kor takes cash only. But, ATMs are easy to find, so not a big issue. They are closed on Sundays - and you should make reservations, as the place is quite small - and books up quickly. We usually contact the hotel we are staying at and ask them to make the reservations for us. My husband likes their schnitzel - I think that I had a chicken shish-ka-bob (if memory serves me...).

 

We did eat at another restaurant on a side street on the Pest side - I'll have to see if I can find the name and will post it here.

 

We have eaten at the market a couple of times. We usually try to keep room for the strudel there --> it is AMAZING! I had an apricot/cheese strudel - and my DH had apple (no sense of adventure... lol)

 

The Hospital in the Rock does have some special rates - but you do need ID to get them. For example, they offer reduced rates for doctors, nurses and members of the military as well as for seniors. I don't carry any extra ID with me - so couldn't prove I am a nurse - so paid full price. But it isn't expensive

 

We also visited the Church in the Cave the last time we were there. The first 2 times we tried to visit there was a service on - and we couldn't get in (it is still a working church). You now have to pay an admission - but you get a recorded commentary so felt it was worth it. It does help with the upkeep (never mind paying if they use the money to keep the building open).

 

I'll try to think of any other tidbits I can offer.

 

Fran

Thanks so much for all the useful information. I hope we have time to do the new things this time. Our flight gets in late the first day this time. Might skip the Viking tour in the morning to do some other things, but I do love Fistherman's Bastion and the Market. Trying to work the timing out now with hours things are open and available time. I love Budapest and want to see more ! Thanks again Linda

We were in Le Meridian in Budapest - and it is quite central. A fairly quick walk to our favourite restaurant (Cafe Kor) - and the walk across the Chain Bridge to the funicular was easily manageable. It is easy to get to the House of Terror from there as well - if that interests you. Of course, we have found almost everything (except Statue Park) walkable.

 

There is a bus that goes to Statue park - and it boards quite close to Le Meridian. The cost includes the return bus ride and entry into the park. The park is *not* big - so the 2 hrs or so they give you should be plenty of time. We actually booked a private tour --> the guide picked us up at the hotel in a Trabant (my husband was very excited....) - drove us to the park - went in with us (we had to pay our own admission) and explained the history behind the statues. My husband then got to drive the car ( VERY excited now... lol) and we went to Gellert Hill. We hadn't been there before - and it was an amazing view. Instead of returning to the hotel, we asked him to drop us at the market - and we went in for lunch and some shopping.

 

Enjoy your planning!!

 

 

Fran

Would love to know your guide's name for Statue park and Gellert Hill if you would share it. Actually we went to House of Terror last trip, as well as St Stephen's Basilica, found a few sculptures like the Princess(elf) down by the river as well as the shoes on the Danube promenade, toured the The Great Synagogue and cemetery with tree memorial. We found a little cafe :the First Strudel House of Pest that we walked to from the Sofitel. If you like veal it was very good. Is it true that Cafe Kor takes cash only ? What is your favorite food there. We ate at the Market for lunch one day. Thanks for the suggestions.

Linda, my email address is in my signature. Drop me a line and we can talk about China privately.

Thank you I will do that. Trying to juggle 5 bookings right now. Most important was to rebook a cancelled TA on Princess from Barcelona Oct 2016. Found a Celebrity Spain and Portgual ( No TA ) with liqour pkg and OBC, so after disappointment, very happy. Back to Eastern Passage now. I just received a very nice brochure from Romania tourism (fast) Since we are doing the post trip to Transylvania I'm interested in looking at this information that I just received.

Perhaps you should look into booking the one on the Emerald that leaves 10/3/15? It's only 3 months away and there's still decent pricing and airfare.

Unfortunately that is not an option. We leave the end of September for a Viking River Cruise on the Danube from Budapest to Bucharest and land trip in Transylvania. Thank you for the suggestion. That would have been an option if we hadn't booked this April 2014.

As little as that is, it is an improvement over what has happened in the past.

 

Last year when some spring trans-Atlantics for this year were moved and other itineraries changed, the OBC to those whose plans were cancelled was $0.

 

However, based on what has happened now for at least two years, those booking cruises at the start and end of the European season over a year in advance should keep in the back of their minds that the cruise might not actually happen.

When I talked to the Future Cruise Consultant and we found this TA, we both said , "Too good to be true " We were right. It wasn't true. And from the sounds of other people on this thread, there are a lot of cancellations of TA cruises. I've never been on one and hoped this would be the dream one. Anyone looking for Spain, and not caring about the transatlantic part, Celebrity has a pretty good itinerary next September from Barcelona and has Go Big, Go Better , Go Best offers. no translatlantic , but nice ship, good itinerary, and good service.

Two points here -

 

1> It's obvious this was leaked before Princess was ready to make an official announcement. Joy of the internet... While they still should have a plan in place for stuff like this, its not surprising that information got garbled.

 

2> Yes, it's annoying. But it's 562 days out, as noted. No one has booked airfare, I doubt very many people have locked in unchangeable vacation plans, and while some people may have started on land tours, the operators all know how unpredictable things are more than a year out. In short, the actual impact was completely minimal. Hence the minimal OBC. Some people might consider it low, but realistically, not much actually changed and no significant effort will be needed to adapt.

not much actually changed and no significant effort will be needed to adapt.

????????????? At 511 days out we had our hotel and all tour guides booked for all ports. We also had our cruise calendar arranged for 2016 with 4 cruises. Now our travelling companions who did the emailing for and arranging of tours will have a lot to adapt to !!! and a lot of people to email,

The hotel is cancelled, no problem. No air was purchased thank goodness. But a trip that was eagerly anticipated enough to research and book tours is now history. I would say signifigant effort will be needed to adapt and a lot changed ! My opinion of Princess business acumen is severely damaged. This was handled so poorly that it is difficult to consider trusting them for crusies in the future. If you read some posts you will see that lots of cruises have been cancelled for dry dock. I think someone in management needs to look at who is in charge and making decisions.

I agree that the $15 is an insult and slap in the face....salt in the wound.

 

This itinerary was so nice..especially coupled with two previous cruises....perfect...and the best group of friends. I hope that tomorrow finds something that will work out to book for next year. Keep the $15 and give us back our itinerary.

It was a wonderful itinerary. We had never been to Spain and never done a TransAtlantic. It is really a disappointment. But, after the disappointment , ill feelings, research, and many calls to my TA, Princess has given me the opportunity to go back to my favorite cruise line (with a liquor package thrown in ) for basically the same amount - and see Spain. I didn't wait for the Sip and Sail tomorrow because Spain wouldn't be there and $30 certainly wasn't an incentive. It's a shame to see Princess do such a poor job handling this cancellation with what seemed like knee jerk reactions, secrecy, and panic -- and not trying to make loyal cruisers feel appreciated.......because they have a good product and fabulous itineraries.

What does your loyalty have to do with anything? Princess made a business decision and they let you know. The cruise was over a year away. Don't want the obc then don't use it. Sounds to me like you now want something for nothing. Good luck finding another cruise line that hasn't or will not do the same thing in the future.

Princess made a very unbusinesslike decision. It is very disconcerting that people found out on cruise critic, and emails from fellow cruisers . When Travel Agents were called they did not have the information. When the TA's called Princess , their agents knew nothing. The supervisor my TA talked to said this info was not to be disclosed until Friday !! Really, is this the way to do business? Then we received our cancellation email before our TA did! And yes, the $15 per person obc is an insult to elite and platinum members and others that were booking this cruise 562 days in advance with B2B2B cruises and land tours to coincide with the cruise. Everyone knows that there is fine print in their contract. All of us have probably experienced missed ports. Some may have experienced mechanical problems or illness that caused cruises to be cancelled. But this was poor management . The obc to disrupt people's plan is an insult. Did anyone think to offer the same cruise in 2017 and transfer bookings? It seems as if everyone was just making snap decisions, not knowing what to do or how to handle it professionally with little thought to how loyal cruisers or travel agents would feel. Let's not forget the travel agents who are having to deal with irate, disappointed, panicky clients. They aren't making commissions on all the problems with deposits, insurance, obc etc that they are having to deal with. With reference to the $15 obc : NCL had mechanical issues the LAST day of a cruise gave 75% discounts on that cruise as well as 50 % off on a future cruise to let cruisers know they value their business. Carnival gave us a $100 obc on our cruise because of a horrendous tender problem in Cozumel when 13 ships were in port, free drinks, and a $100 per person credit toward another cruise. $15 per person to cancel a cruise of lifetime for some people - poor business decision. The OCT 8 cruise that has been leaked ,but not told to those who were booked , isn't even out of Barcelona or similar. I will be in Spain next Sept on a premium line .

I hear you....our deal was 30 days in the Med and a transatlantic and that can't be done a few weeks later, nor do I want to go later. Oh well, it is what it is. We'll find a way. Just hate missing this itinerary and the group of friends.

I certainly hope someone at Princess is monitoring this thread. Did anyone else get an email on June 24 for a liquor package for this now Cancelled cruise ? 2 weeks before they cancel ? Who's in charge ??

Honestly, the $30 offer is the biggest insult. Better to offer nothing. That is so bad.

 

I'm waiting until this information is a bit more concrete and will decide what to do then. My biggest disappointment is that there was the most wonderful group of people on this cruise and the cruise was so diverse. Would have been wonderful.

 

Oh Ya......I get $30 OBC Woopie

I have never heard of a $30 OBC. Insulting. This cruise was in the computer when we were on New Zealand cruise March 19,2015. That's 562 days out. They didn't know it was going to dry dock? The future cruise consultant was as excited about the ship and it's itinerary as I was. At 511 days out , our travelling companions and we had our hotel and tours booked for this sailing. To say we are disappointed is an understatement. Someone at Princess really messed up and has angered seasoned cruisers who wanted this itinerary. The roll call was started Mar 23,2015- lots of interest!!! The new one starting in Rome isn't even remotely close to what people purchased. I wonder if this would have happened under Alan Buckelew's leadership ??? Looking at other cruise lines and hoping we can find something for Spain. I understand cancelling cruises for mechanical, weather, illness. But seriously , they didn't know they were going to do this when they posted a fantastic itinerary? Replacing it with the proposed one and expecting people to book is in my opinion wishful thinking. Princess has really disappointed me to say the least.

Linda, I haven't gotten to doing my blog yet (I've been so busy since I got home) but I have been posting a lot on the thread Everything Passage to Eastern Europe.

 

As for the money, we did not get any currency before we left home--too damned expensive with all the fees and the poor exchange rate. We hit the ATM when we got to Prague and again in Budapest. Some places along the way took our euros but not dollars (if you are in euro-land, consider hitting an ATM at the airport when you change planes--and with rates so low, now may be a good time to buy euros for future use even if you don't use them on this trip). We did not get any currency in Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria or Romania and used a credit card where we could --and went without if we couldn't.

 

We travel with CapOne credit cards and an ATM only card for our 'travel' account (which is not linked to any of our other bank accounts and contains just a couple of thousand dollars (to limit risk of loss) to be used when we travel). I don't own any debit cards.

 

Viking had us in the Budapest Hilton, right in the middle of the Fisherman's Bastion and with a view of the Parliament. WOW! In Bucharest, it was the Radisson (we were in the hotel for less than 24 hours). Both hotels were 5 star.

 

I can't really make comparisons about the Longships, because out first Viking journey was in China and our second was in Ukraine and in neither country does Viking own the ships (not permitted by law in either country). The Ukraine trip was never touted as having 'luxury' accommodations; we slept in Pullman beds and the bathroom was described as 'yacht-style'. In any case, the brand-new Longship accommodations were a distinct improvement over our previous experiences.

Thanks for the info ! We will take our expensive euros from last year ($1.42 ) : ( and our Cap One card and not get all the different currencies.

Our papers say we will be on the Pest side in the Meridian in Budapest and the Radisson in Bucharest 2 nights and Ramada in Transylvania. Hoping to do some new things in Budapest this trip - Hospital in the Rocks and Szechenyi Baths that we didn't have time to do last time , maybe Statue park. Just love Budapest and all the little cafes. I'll have to check with you on China before we book. Thanks again.

We did Viking's Budapest to Bucharest with a pre-cruise in Prague in April, 2015.

 

I don't function in hot weather --and my definition of hot is 75--so the last two weeks of April were pretty good for me. If it weren't for other commitments, I would have gone even earlier. However, the downside of traveling when we did this year was that after the harsh winter, Spring was slow to bloom and the countryside was still sporting some of the winter gloom. The water levels were fine and I can't remember if there were any low bridges that would have been an issue if the water levels had been higher. So much for my memory.

 

We traveled Budapest to Bucharest and really had no trouble with traveling back in time. IMHO, I wouldn't immediately eliminate half of the sail dates just because they are sailing the wrong direction.

 

I did however feel that one day and one night in Bucharest was not enough time. Had I known in advance how much we were going to like the city, I would have added a night somehow. We were there on a Sunday and the shops close early on Sunday. With an extra day, I think we would have taken in the Old Town and gone back to the Open Air Museum to spend more time exploring more of the buildings.

 

 

 

...

Hi Peregrina,

We are leaving Sept 27 for Passage to Eastern Europe . We are doing the post extension in Bucharest to do Transylvania.

Can you give me some current information on money - I really don't want to get 5 currencies. I have leftover euros ( which I will take a beating on ) from France land trip last year. That and Capital One Visa was what I was hoping to use. Is that reasonable? I might get some forints for Budapest, but we have been there before on the Ama Budapest to Prague which we did pre and post extensions, so I don't think I need to buy "souvenir" stuff in Budapest since we were there for 3 days and did a lot on our own. Hopefully will only need credit card for dinners in Romania for 3 days.

Also, how were the hotels that Viking put you in. We were in the Sofitel right at the Chain Bridge the last time we were in Budapest (Ama ). It was fantastic. We haven't been on a longship before. Treasures of the Rhine was on a regular Viking river ship. Aquavit Terrace will be new. Did you find the enhancements on the longship really nice ? Thanks for any info you can give. Did you do a blog or end review ?? Thanks, Linda V See you on the Viking Sea : Into the Midnight sun June 18,2016. Can't believe how active your roll call is.

We have sailed Viking river on Rhine and Danube. Have another Danube planned 2015 and Into the Midnight Sun ocean for 2016. Viking is a great product. If you are a FIRST time customer feel free to use my name and number as a referral to get $100 off the fare. Linda Van Houten 1104549363

Let me know if you were able to use it at : gannyvan@ gmail dot com.

Have a great cruise. Linda

We're working on finding an OWB now that we are booked on cruise. Thanks so much for the helpful information. I have been printing reviews and suggestions for private tour guides on all the islands. Ordered and have received our masks and snorkels and fins for the trip. Tkkiintahiti- thanks for all the critiques I have read about tour guides that you have given throughout the ports of call. Also the restaurant suggestions and pictures, I'm counting down to Tahiti. Thanks again everyone !

Linda

Planning a cruise in March 2014. 2 couples want to stay on Moorea for a couple of days post cruise in an over water bungalow. Any suggestions, information on locations, and reviews would be appreciated. We plan to take the ferry that has been suggested from Papeete to Moorea. We thought this would be a great way to end the trip in paradise.

Very nice video, Tony. Thank you!

I really appreciate the incorporation of history into your videos.

I used your SPB video last summer. Do you, perchance, have one of Istanbul?? :D

jill

I don't have a video, but we were there for 2 days on a Med cruise. We used the same guide ( and I have referred him to many ) for the 2 days as well as for Kusadasi port where we went to Ephasus and House of the Virgin Mary . Our guide flew to meet us in Kusadasi after a sea day. He asked for no payment until we finished with him - not even for all the entry fees . If you would like his name I will be glad to provide it. He was just terrific and we walked past lines everywhere and walked into places. At Topkapi he walked up and got us right in - the huge line looked very dismayed. There were 8 in our party travelling together. He was very reasonable and we tipped him generously for our fabulous time in Istanbul and Ephasus.

Hi Alexandra (and Jill :))

 

I was there for 3 days last April and made this

if it's any help or interest.

 

Lovely city, you'll have a great time,

Tony

We are going on AmaDolce in May to Prague. Thank you for your wonderful introduction to the city. We will be there for 3 days also. Any other helpful hints or suggestions would be appreciated.