orchidj5

We have an AMA Prague to Budapest trip booked for December-thinking seriously about moving my deposit to a 22  trip.  I think the Markets will not be the same this year and not sure i want to spend 10 hours on a Denver to Munich flight this year.  And despite the appearance that things are calming down the history of pandemic virus's doesnt make me comfortable that we willl be done with this thing for a bit yet.

We did the Rhine in December of 2018. We traveled the week after the drought broke and it rained a good deal . We are from Colorado and did not find it to be particularly cold even in Amsterdam where is snowed lightly. other than one day, which was actually the sunniest day we had but was quiet windy.  I was very glad for my waterproof shoes because of the all the rain we saw.  We wore layers under rain slickers the entire week-usually a long sleeve Microfiber T with a sweater over-pretty much what we would wear to the mountains on a winter day. We took silk underdrawers but never wore them. We are faPirly outdoor people and with just a few exceptions opted for out door tours inspite of the rain.  I hope you have a marvelous time! We are actually booked for a December Prague to Budapest cruise but i have xcel for any reason insurance and have only paid the deposit. Giving serious consideration to moving my deposit to a Dec 22 trip as I think international travel will still be problematic, at least for us due to professional restrictions, this year and I'm not sure the Markets will be quiet the same. We already have a family trip planned in the fall of 21.

Not smells but noise-we had an "aquarium level" room for our Rhine Christmas cruise in 2018.   It was the first week that traffic was flowing after the river being mostly closed for 12 weeks of drought.  We experienced a significant amount of noise from oncoming river traffic. Didn't damage our experience but the next cruise is booked in a room a level up.

My husband and both of my sons are quiet tall-6'3", 6'6" and 6'7" respectively. All were quiet comfortable on our AMA cruise.  International flights are another issue altogether......

We did the Rhine from Basel to Amsterdam last year on AMA. Had a amazing time and really enjoyed the Markets. We did have one deviation due to the shooting in Strasbourg . We had just docked when that took place.  Woke up the next morning docked on the other side of the river and our day excursion went to Baden-Baden which we really liked.  We enjoyed it so much we are booking the Danube from Nuremburg to Budapest for 2020 ( we would go this year but 1st grandbaby is due on Thanksgiving).  We are from Colorado and did not find the weather to be bad at all, in fact the swiss were wear boots and down jackets in weather that we consider to be shirt sleeve weather in December.-its damper than Colorado and I did purchase an awesome wool hat in Heidelberg because of the wind- something I rarely wear at home except in very cold weather. It was drizzly some days but we generally found a sweater and fleece jacket to be adequate with a light weight rain slicker over when it was raining.

We stayed at Hotel Basel in the historic old town.  Nice, quiet and an amazing breakfast.  Easy walking to see the Old Town and the Christmas Markets ( we were there in December). We also had an amazing meal at the historic Resturant Schanbel which was about a blocks walk from the Hotel.

 Don't know what kind of a machine your husband has but I have one of the new ResMed machines with the removable water chamber. I didn't take my water chamber with me when I went on the Rhine this past winter and was quiet comfortable-and I did not need distilled water.

I can't speak to Avalon but we found AMA to be a far more luxury experience, even in the lowest class of cabin, than any ocean cruise we had been on.  We opted out of the balcony because we were traveling in winter-a balcony in Germany in December seemed unneeded.  Food was outstanding, especially the included Chefs table, there was a choice of included excursions each day, service was impeccable, cabin was small but very well appointed and bed super comfy.

We did the AMA Basel to Amsterdam this year. Had a marvelous time and are looking forward to booking the Danube for 2020. We did pre and post cruise on our own. I have a dear friend who is a travel agent and she found us awesome hotels that were nicer-and less expensive than the cruiseline's package hotels.  I always like to plan for early arrival -late departure on international trips to allow for flight delays especially with winter travel so it worked out well for us and we were able to see the things that were important to us and seek out food and wine experiences as well. Things are more expensive in Switzerland than in Germany for sure but we did not find them to be outrageous.

 This is a lovely blog. I am thoroughly enjoying the difference in perspective of the same experiences and you are an entertaining and informative writer-thank you.                                                                                                                                                                                       I would say that I am learning that the experience one has can be greatly influenced by the level of experience and knowledge of the cruise manager-We were on the AmaStella which departed Basel on Monday. Our CD was experienced and calm in a crisis and it made a huge impact.  The shooting in Strasbourg occurred while we were having dinner after we docked at Strausbourg. Sonja managed to keep the Tree decorating happy and upbeat while she dealt with the implications of that shooting for her guests and made an alternate plan. We woke up dock on the other side of the river at Kehl and did an alternate excursion to Baden-Baden. While I was very sad to miss Strasbourg Baden-Baden was lovely and she handled it very well. Also originally we had made the decision to forgo Gegenbach in order to have additional time in Strasbourg. With the change in circumstances we did that trip and it was a fun and unique experience we thoroughly enjoyed.                                                                               Looking forward to the rest of your blog!  I was also interested in your cold weather gear and might take some of it to heart. Being from Colorado we did not purchase additional cold weather gear-we went with thermal underwear, microfiber tees over layered with cotton sweaters and lighter weight fleece lined jackets with heavy rain slickers for the days we had serious rain.  I did purchase a wool hat with a fleece band at the Market in Heidelberg-I commonly go bared headed in much colder weather but we do not have the damp here and I needed the hat unexpectedly.

3 hours ago, phabric said:

Thanks for your review.

 

I am thinking on doing AMA Christmas Market for Dec 2020.

 

How is the weather?

 

Can you post on Cruise Critic again when you post on your blog as I might miss your blog?

  Are you looking at the Rhine or the Danube-I am looking at the Danube for 2020. We were on an AMA cruise that departed Basel two days after Valley Girl-the weather was cool and damp.  I live in Colorado and thus do not consider 30s to mid 40s cold but it rained a good deal and was cloudy and misty most of the days it did not rain. We saw the sun for part of our Freiberg excursion, the Heidelberg day and one of the days we were independent in Amsterdam. It poured rain most of the two days we spent pre-cruise ( on our own) in Basel. We dressed appropriately and still enjoyed ourselves but plan ahead for that.

We did Basel to Amsterdam in December and did two days pre in Basel and two days post in 
Amsterdam. Enjoyed both but I think we liked Basel better although the Riksmuseum was quiet interesting.  Had a really amazing meal in Amsterdam though and some friend of mine who were there for the world dog show in August had recommended many more things to do than we had time for.

On ‎12‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 3:17 AM, Valley Girl of VA said:

I just returned from the Rhine Christmas market cruise this past weekend on AMA.  We all felt like our time at the markets were rushed.  We took the city tours because the markets do not open until 11: 00 AM and it would almost always seem that we had to report back to our meeting spot at 12:30-12:45 to get the bus back to our ship to leave.  I only got to see Strasbourg lit up because I chose not to do the 4 PM tour of Gengenbach.  Although those who took that tour enjoyed it, they also wished they could have seen the markets at night.  I enjoyed the cruise but was also disappointed by it.  Several visits within cities were cancelled because at the last minute we were able to go through the gorge - we never got the cathedral tour in Cologne, didn't do the Jordaan tour in Amsterdam and other smaller destinations were cancelled as well.  That is more a function of the lateness of change.

I find this very interesting since we were either on the same cruise or cruising at the same time from the other end of the itinerary and had a very very different experience.  I am guessing you started in Amsterdam since the cruise starting in Basel was docked at Strasbourg when the shooting occurred and the cruise line opted to have us go to Baden-Baden, which was lovely, instead due to risk and most everything in Strasbourg being closed while French anti-terror police pursued the shooter.. All of our other  tours went as scheduled, and you had the option to drop off if you wanted more time in the markets. The cruise through the gorge was not last minute-it went as planned and was awesome.  We were the first cruise in 12 weeks to not have a ship swap and follow the scheduled itinerary.  We were very satisfied and are considering taking the Danube itenarary in 2020.

12 hours ago, hbr777 said:

It is interesting that we are still doing a ship swap even with high water levels. I am assuming AMA needs to position ships, just in case. I need to ask about this. How I would love to not swap ships!

  I would imagine this is a logistical decision-if you do not do a ship swap then both the Stella and the Kristina will be at the wrong end of the run to being their sailings next Monday ( we are scheduled on Stella out of Basil on the 10th).  Assuming the river does not go low again they will then be 'out of synch ' for all future sailings until they reposition.  I am sure it makes the most sense to to a ship swap this week and get everyone back on track so to speak.

1 minute ago, hbr777 said:

Great news! We are on the AmaStella Basel to Amsterdam. The levels have risen enough that we are not deviating vía Belgium and Amsterdam! We are staying on the Stella until Friday and we’ll do a ship swap from Rudesheim that involves a two huir bus transfer. It is still unknown if we will go through the gorge,  it I doubt it.

 

I am so, so, so, so, happy!

   Me too-I wondered if this is what would happen-If the gorge is passable next week this ship swap will allow both Stella and Kristina to resume normal schedules with next weeks departure and even if the do the ship swap we will get the ports we booked not the Belgian ones!

AMA removed the notice about the possibility of altered itineraries for low water from their website this morning. I will be interest to see what hbr777's experience is as she is embarking today . We are booked B to A embarking next Monday and had never received communication about the possibility of alterations, although it may have gone to my travel agent who has been out of the office since mid last week.  The long range weather forcasts for central Europe on my favorite forcast site ( www.wunderground.com ) have us adding rain slickers to our packing lists.  We are getting excited for whatever may be in store for us!

12 hours ago, AuntMarv said:

hbr777 when is your departure?  We’re on the AmaStella departing December 10th and haven’t heard anything from Ama yet. Our biggest concern is we have an independent trip to Lucerne for four days prior to our departure so that won’t leave us any option other than to take the cruise if they only give us 4 days notice of any significant changes.  

  I am booked on this as well. Based on when hbr777 got her notifications we probably will not see ours til early next week and mine may go to my TA-which is fine.  We are arriving independently in Switzerland on Friday 7th but have already decided we will take the deviation and go with the flow.  Taking this much time from work requires long notice and we don't want to cancel, and if we end up in Belgium my husband can ring his cousins to come and have lunch or something.   I wont be thrilled-this is our 35th anniversary trip and we had to cancel one completely for our 30th but we will make the best of it-take what ever credit we get and plan another trip.

24 minutes ago, Tedescokid1 said:

I got a canned response from them about our Dec cruise that they are taking it day by day. I haven't seen or heard from any AMA cruisers that we are being offered a choice. i did see that those on board have been told after the cruise they will receive some type of offer of compensation. 

  We are on the 10 December Amastella-i inquired of my Travel agent when she sent my documents ( they were emailed to her-she printed them as well as vouchers and information for other aspects of our trip since we have independently booked air and hotels before and after). She said she had not as of yet received any notice of deviation or anything else but that AMA would do the best they could make it a positive experience.  About 5 days ago I got an email about downloading the AMA app which shows itinerary  and excursions and what not-that is still showing us having the booked itinerary -we have not received any information from AMA on deviation at this time.

I am curious as to what those of you doing B to A over the next weeks would consider an optimum solution given that a) the river is impassable through the Rhine gorge and unlikely to rise. B) Any transportation and lodging options not utilizing the ships where they are will be expensive for the cruise companies and likely involve significant bus and train travel . The greater the expense of the option the less compensation there is likely to be.If the options are not acceptable you can of course cancel but if you have not been offered that option  by your cruise company there will be no compensation so unless you have cancel for any reason insurance you will be taking the loss.  And if you have lead up or follow on plans in Europe or you booked your own air those plans are equally impacted or dollars lost if you cancel.  So what do any of you see as the optimum-what uniworld is doing and just saying sorry cruise is canceled, here's your fare sorry about your other plans, a 100 percent bus trip that takes you to the booked destinations, option to cancel and make the best of it if you don't?  After all this could be like a US air line being impacted by weather.  Rerouted and not only not compensated but 10 extra hours traveling and charged for the difference in fare.

I did indeed say above and below. Stella is on the Basel or upriver side  and Kristina and Prima are on Amsterdam or downriver side.  AMA Will not know exactly where you are cruising until the river authority tells them where they can go.

1 hour ago, hbr777 said:

I am confused by your post. Your cruise from your previous posts was supposed to be Amsterdam to Basel. You started and ENDED in Amsterdam?  And now have to fly to Zurich? You are a very nice person indeed. That is not a modified cruise, it is a totally different cruise if you never left Benelux. I hope the compensation makes it worth it. Have fun in Switzerland!

  AMA has three ships scheduled for running the Rhine Christmas Markets route.  AmaPrima and AmaKristina are stuck below the Rhine Gorge and Amastella above it.  Prima,s embarkation schedule is different than the other two making ship swaps unrealistic. It sounds like they are trying very hard to give everyone a great experience and we are approaching out 10 December B to A cruise with an open mind.  I do hope the situation resolves soon.  At some point any compensation in the form of future cruise credit will become worthless as having to continually provide every passenger with alternative arrangements, transportation and compensation will become financially devastating.  This is not something the cruise companies can control and the river authority does not give them clearance or not until close to sailing.   The posters you are quoting seemed to be booked on Prima so their altered itinerary is not going to be the same as Kristina and Stella which can do ship swaps.

57 minutes ago, hbr777 said:

Based on my possible revised itinerary, we are to leave Basel on the Amastella on Dec 3. On marinetraffic.com, I am watching the Amastella now head from Basel toward Strasbourg, but I think it HAS TURNED AROUND at Breisach and is heading to Basel. Can someone look at that and confirm that is what I am seeing? If it is, it is bad news. That means we will going from Strasbourg to Antwerp, bypassing all of Germany. 

Look at the date/time group of the position update-the last time I looked at Marine traffic it had not updated Amastella's position since 13 November-at which time it was headed back to Basel.  unless you have an account I do not believe you get the most current information. Also, even if it has turned around there may be extenuating circumstances. the Most recent update on cruisetracker which was early this morning showed it enroute from Basel to Breisach. 

Delta and Us air also check bags for free for military personnel. Delta did not allow us to check for free returning from Europe-but we were not on orders. Also-we have discovered we are allowed to bypass pat downs and body scanners if hubby shows his ID card even when not in uniform.

Brian your info is great-we are looking at an Oasis/allure Cruise in the fall of 11 (just off a Navigator B2B in the med -i havent even written my reviews yet)

Im curious tho-what was the surcharge for chefs table-this menu-down to the wines-is the one we had for the Chops wine pairing dinner on Navigator-i had thought that Chefs Table would be a must do-but i will spend the money else where if its going to be a repeat experience. The food and wine were quiet good-the company was excellent and we very much enjoyed it-i just like NEW things not repeats.

Brian your info is great-we are looking at an Oasis/allure Cruise in the fall of 11 (just off a Navigator B2B in the med -i havent even written my reviews yet)

Im curious tho-what was the surcharge for chefs table-this menu-down to the wines-is the one we had for the Chops wine pairing dinner on Navigator-i had thought that Chefs Table would be a must do-but i will spend the money else where if its going to be a repeat experience. The food and wine were quiet good-the company was excellent and we very much enjoyed it-i just like NEW things not repeats.