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acwmom

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    River Cruising Water Cooler

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, dogs4fun said:

    @acwmom - I received a reply from the Verona TI! 

    Here is what they said:

    "The stele is of Roman origin and represent a commemorative plaque.

    In the most ancient and famous graphic representation of the city "Civitas Veronensis Depicta" or "Raterian Iconography" that was drawn in the X century, you can see that the bridge was adorned by several of them.

    The map was destroyed during the French Revolution but, in 1739, Scipione Maffei, man of learning, had done a copy of it which is now conserved in the Verona's Capitolare library.

    https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Iconografia_rateriana.jpg

    http://www.veronaneisecoli.it/index.html

    To Scipione Maffei is dedicated the "Museo Lapidario Maffeiano" an important public collection of ancient tombstones and commemorative plaques of different dimensions and origins.

    In Verona center there are several Roma steles and inscriptions and some books were written about them."

    I can see the stele on the bridge in the copy of the tenth century map - very cool!! I will make it a point to visit the Museo Lapidario Maffeiano when I am next in Verona - lots of very interesting artifacts!

    https://verona.com/en/verona/museo-lapidario-maffeiano/#_=_

     

    Thank you so much for sharing! We loved Verona, and wished we could have stayed longer. If we get a chance to return, I too will visit the Museo.

    Robin

    The while-we-wait-for-river-cruises photo quiz

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    21 minutes ago, dogs4fun said:

     

    I am very interested in the photo of the stele (?) on Verona's  Ponte Pietra bridge but @acwmom hasn't answered my query & I don't recall the bridge from our visit. I have contacted Venona's TI asking about the stele - since the bridge has been rebuilt many times, who knows from whence the artifact came?

    I haven't forgotten you, and have been researching like crazy, but have yet to find anything! I'm sure our Uniworld Tour Guide told us about it,  but that was in 2013. I'll keep searching, but would be interested to hear if Verona's TI gets back to you.

    Robin

    • Like 1

    River cruise equivalent to Azamara

    in Azamara

    Posted

    We have cruised on Avalon once and Uniworld four times. Most of the river cruise lines will include at least once excursion at each stop. Some offer choices, some offer a morning and afternoon one, on some lines they are all included in the price, on others there is a fee. We have done a mix. The QuietVox system does reach quite far, and I am one who wanders and takes photos. Most walking tours only last a couple of hours, so there is time to "do your own thing."  If you want a river cruise without included excursions, look at Amadeus or Teeming.

    Unlike ocean cruises, river cruise itineraries can change quickly, depending on water levels, lock schedules, etc, which makes it more difficult to schedule independent excursions. 

    I recommend heading over to the river cruising forum, read the stickies, and ask questions. 

    Knowing how companies are handling refunds/FCC etc with regard to low water, Covid, etc is also important.

    I have yet to sail on Azamara (2020 and 2021 canceled, 2022 pending) 

    Comparing Uniworld to Avalon, we much prefer Uniworld. The level of service and attention to detail was much higher. 

    Robin

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    Tauck Danube, Category 5 or 6, June or September

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    1 hour ago, RNCheryl said:

    Our Tauck cruise is The Blue Danube, 12 days.

    Two overnights in Budapest

    Bratislavia

    Overnight in Vienna

    Durnstein and Wachau Valley

    Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov

    Engelhartszell

    Two nights in Prague

     

    My inclination is for mid September booking.

     

    As far as choosing a 5 or 6, really just the square footage.  I looked long and hard at Cat 3.  This is a split level type cabin, with an elevated sitting area.  Wondering how it compares to the Avalon experience; we loved relaxing on the bed and seeing the scenery as we cruised.  Not sure you could see out of the window on Cat 3 while in bed.  Anyone with experience with this type cabin?  By the way, the charge for this cabin is $8340, so around a 2K savings....

    I am fascinated by the split level cabin. RiverCruiseAdvisor sailed in that cabin and posted a lot of pics. It doesn't look possible to see out the window while in bed, but the seating area next to the window is very nice.

    Robin

    River Cruisers: How Are Things Where YOU Are?

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    On 2/13/2021 at 8:22 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

    I'm sure Pfizer would like nothing better but there must be a reason that their vaccine, alone, requires this.  If they can't fix the storage issue, this will be a one-year product for them.  After J&J and other one-shot easy-to-store vaccines become available, nobody will want the hassle of this finicky [although very effective] version.  But since it is the most effective, I'm hoping that's the one I'm signed up for...

    Vaccines are often studied in the lab at crazy conditions, and over a more "normal" investigative period, do additional trials under more standard storage conditions. There simply hasn't been time to do this. But, I agree about the hassle. When I completed my application to be a vaccinating site, I told them I didn't have the capacity (nor did I plan to purchase an ultra cold unit) for the Pfizer product.

    Robin

    • Like 1

    River Cruisers: How Are Things Where YOU Are?

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    9 minutes ago, KathyK13 said:

    Congratulations!  My second shot is on Tuesday, a day when major snow is forecasted.  I'll get there no matter the weather is like!

    We were afraid ours might be canceled due to the snow we have gotten this week, but roads were clear by yesterday morning. A little achy and foggy this morning, but none of the side effects that some have reported after the 2nd dose, thankfully.

    Good luck with yours!

    Robin

    • Like 1

    vaccination against Covid-19 required when river cruising - news, policies, companies

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    On 2/6/2021 at 4:16 PM, gnome12 said:

    That will be fine when they get to vaccines that don't require special storage. The Pfizer vaccine in particular require extreme cold, and the Moderna is also a frozen vaccine although not as extreme. I believe that the Astrazeneca vaccine can be stored in a refrigerator. I'm not sure about the other ones still in the pipeline.

     

    Also, when quantities are still very limited it is important not to waste doses, which come in multi-dose vials.

    While doctors' offices don't have the ultra-cold storage, any office who gives routine vaccines has a freezer capable of storing the Moderna. Primary care practices have been BEGGING to be sent vaccine. We are the medical homes, we know how to manage vaccines. But, our pleas are falling on deaf ears.

    Robin

    • Like 2

    Do you purchase trip insurance?

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    16 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

     

    I have looked into them several times but never found one.

     

     

    I think we were referred to her from the AmaWaterways website, but I don't see anythng on their website now that does this.  We had previously used a TA that we got from the Oceania website, but she wasn't a good match.  This one works closely with AMA, especially on their Beer itineraries, and really knows river cruising as well as ocean cruising and land tours – her advice is always valuable.

    AMA has beer itineraries? I've seen Avalon's, but can't find any on AMA.....are these charters?

    River Cruisers: How Are Things Where YOU Are?

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    3 hours ago, notamermaid said:

     

    Here is some information for the doctors. I read this a couple of weeks ago, not sure if this has been followed up in the media: small children can present skin rashes, similar to allergic reactions, when they have Covid-19. A nurse in the UK collected data from other families privately. Makes sense when you think of children's diseases and the many skin reactions there. I wonder how this is monitored in other countries. I have not read any such reports in German. Probably just have not seen them in the laymen's realm.

     

    notamermaid

     

    Kids can present in a number of ways. Hives, as you have noted. "Covid toes," diarrhea. And often something as innocent as "loss of appetite" (Because they've lost their sense of smell) 

    Robin

    • Like 1

    River Cruisers: How Are Things Where YOU Are?

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, Lois R said:

    Hi Robin, haven't seen you in a long time....hope you doing well. I know CAL looks just horrific

    with cases☹️.........hope you staying safe and well.

    I am in Northern KY, and while cases here are high, we have been sheltering for the most part. Saving money by not eating out, doing grocery pick up. It is having an adverse effect on my youngest son though, he’s in college and suffering with virtual learning. He has some special needs, and the lack of in person instruction, as well as collegiality, are both taking a toll on him. He ended up dropping 2/3 classes this semester, and is happier now, as a result. I think the effects of Covid, both physical and mental, are going to be with us for a very long time.

    I hope all is well with you! It’s good to see you posting again.

    Robin

    Azamara cancels through April 2021

    in Azamara

    Posted · Edited by acwmom

    On 1/15/2021 at 5:22 AM, HalifaxYorksCruiser said:

    Azamara within hours of my online request did a lift and shift of my cancelled Azamara Journey cruise of 24th April 2021 to the Quest cruise on 23rd April 2022 which is an 8 days cruise instead of the original 7 days cruise. Price ( less flight/transfer charges) , cabin grade and OBC remain the same as originally. The only downside is that Azamara take off the flight and transfer charges so that I am now booked cruise only and will have to book flights and transfers when flights are released by the airlines in June this year. 

    We lifted and shifted (the day prior to the cancellation) from the 7 day cruise departing on the 17th to the same 8 day cruise you have booked. Since our 2021 cruise was booked with our 125% FCC from our canceled 2020 cruise, we were able to book a suite. Lift and shift has served us well! Hoping the 3rd time is the charm! We’re looking forward to our first cruise on Azamara. We’ve now had bookings on each of the 3 ships😁 looking forward to meeting you and Mrs. Miggins

    Robin

    Lucerne Post Nights

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Lucerne is easy to get to on your own (by train) and easy to navigate on your own. We did Lucerne pre-cruise on our own and had no problems. It lists the hotels they use on their website, if you look at the particular cruise you're interested in. It looks like tours are extra.

     

    Robin

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