QueenofEverything

11 hours ago, kr1sta1ynn said:

We are cruising into Rotterdam in April and need lodging for April 27, 2024. We will come from the port and on the 28th will travel to Amsterdam using best available transportation. Need suggestions 

Kings Day is like Mardi Gras - kind of wild and crazy.  Hotel prices are really high so get your reservation in as soon as possible

We are on the Feb. 4th sailing in Club Orange.  Our boarding passes do show priority boarding and have since they first showed up.  Final passes are not available yet.  You may want to check your reservation confirmation to make sure it says Club Orange.  It is listed under special services right after the cancellation information

Go into your booking and click the "itinerary" link.  Your excursions and any other reservations (dining, etc) will be listed by the day,

We did a similar cruise a few years ago in January.  We were very surprised at how cold it was during the crossing.  We too live in Florida and did not realize how cold the Pacific is.  Although the weather was nice, too cold for us to be on deck.  In Hawaii it was lovely.  We didn't need seasick meds, it was pretty calm.

Nevermind  Found it!

I am not seeing this cruise.  I only see it in August.  What am I missing?

2 hours ago, abbiep said:

Thanks for your replies.   I have decided to go with Jayleen’s In Juneau.  Since this is a short stop we are just going walk around the port and enjoy the scenery.

We went with Jayleen a couple of years ago.  She is great

The February cruise will definitely have fewer kids.  After we took a 5 day cruise in March one year (didn't know any better at the time) that was completely full of drunk college kids, we heard a rule of thumb.  Never take a cruise in March out of Florida that is 7 days or less.  

We were on the Rotterdam last spring on the Transatlantic in 6145.  We were also attracted by the bigger balcony.  We heard every conversation in the room next door and they were pretty loud talkers.  The other thing we noticed was noise from the TVs.  They are recessed somewhat into the wall back to back.  That means not much wall between them.  We also heard everything on their TV.  I will never book a connecting cabin on the Rotterdam again.

We were on 6 for the transatlantic crossing last spring.  The deck is great.  My only advice for any deck is to stay away from connecting cabins.  Our next door neighbors were so loud and the sound really travels under those doors.

I don't see the point of starting a thread only to solicit negative responses.  And I also don't know why you feel a need to state that 9 of your last 10 cruises were in suites.  🤨

Having 3 ships in that day makes a big difference and not for the better.  It will be very crowded and most likely unorganized.  I have found the lack of signage surprising.  Pack your patience! 

We had to cancel at the last minute due to a medical problem that arose suddenly.  I just assumed we would have to claim it on our outside insurance.  Much to my surprise they allowed us to transfer funds to an already booked cruise 6 months later and refunded prepaid shore excursions.  I don't know the rules on this but I was happy with that  

2 hours ago, cruisegal415 said:

Great tips! Thank you.  My husband doesn't understand why we are building a cruise around Christmas markets, but it just seems so magical! Especially for the holidays.  I think we will do the one that goes to Nuremburg, as hubby is a WWII history buff.  I definitely want to skip Passau for Salzburg.  I know it's a long ride there and back, did you feel that you had enough time there?

The Christmas markets are indeed magicl!  It was a long ride, but well worth it and we had plenty of time.  It had snowed so the countryside was beautiful.  They also took us to the chapel where Silent Night was written and to a small church nearby where it was first performed.  Two gentlemen with guitars sang it in German and then had everyone join in in English.  They had hot apple strudel and hot beverages for us as well.  There was a school next door and the children came outside and sang to us.  It was wonderful!  This was on Avalon.  Our other Danube Christmas market cruise was on Viking.  Both were great!  

FYI - in Budapest be sure to hit both Christmas Markets, and try a chimney cake and hot chocolate.  The hot chocolate is so thick you have to eat it with a spoon 😋  We also did a Tuk-tuk ride.  Cold but so much fun.  Great way to see the city

Tough choices!  We have been on 3 Christmas market river cruises, 2 on the Danube.  Both were Nuremburg to Budapest (or reverse). Vienna is wonderful.  Two days would be great.  Many markets in town, we only went to the big one by the town hall, but with 2 days you could go to multiple markets. Have not been to Bratislava or Linz, both would be appealing to us.  However, Regensburg has the most wonderful Christmas market.  It is called the Romantic Christmas Market and it is at the Thurn and Taxis palace (on the grounds).  You do have to pay to get in this one, but I think it was only about 4 euros each.  It is absolutely beautiful, fresh evergreen branches cover the booths and everything with white lights.  Also, lots of fire pots burning lovely smelling wood.  The items at this market seemed a little nicer and a little more unique than some of the other markets.  Just a lovely experience.  If you are interested in WW2 history, you definitely want to go to Nuremburg and take a WW2 history tour.  The rally grounds are there as well as the courthouse.  There is a Documentation Center there that teaches about the rise of fascism, absolutely incredible.  We went back to Nuremberg for a second time just to spend more time in this museum.  Passau is a very pretty town with a decent market, but our second time thru we opted for a day trip to Salzburg.  One of our best optional tours anywhere.  I would be happy to answer any questions you have if I can.  I don't think you can go wrong with either itinerary.  

9 hours ago, Native Floridian 26 said:

I'm assuming these come by email. What is the subject of the email?

First name, A Free Stateroom for your Summer Adventures

5 hours ago, cruisegal415 said:

I have been trying to decide between the Danube and the Rhine for the Christmas market river cruise and was looking at one that sails Dec 22-29, but I read that some of the markets close right after Christmas. Also, being from south Florida, I wonder if it will be too cold for us?

Most of the Christmas markets close on the 23rd.  You can check individual markets for their dates as most have websites.  Of the 3 Christmas market cruises we have been on, 1 was very moderate, 1 was really cold and one was in-between.  Luck of the draw.  The biggest problem for us Floridians is we don't have the right clothes and are not inclined to spend a lot on clothes we will wear for a week.  Best advice is to layer.  If you have gloves and a hat (I didn't wear one much) and layer you will be fine.  You can warm up with some delicious gluwein!

8 hours ago, TMLAalum said:

Avalon Amsterdam Docking Locations- 

We are arriving at Amsterdam Centraal from Paris on the Thalys

 

There are SIX possible Amsterdam docks with the most out-of-the-way being Coenhaven Westerhofd SB (AMCO), which seems to be reachable only by taxi. Has anyone sailed from there and if so, how did you get there?

 

Two are on De Ruijterkade and are just 4 minutes walk from Amsterdam Centraal- fingers X'd. Veemkade, Javakade, and Westerdoksdijk seem doable by tram and a walk, but perhaps a taxi would be better? Any thoughts on these locations?

 

Thanks!

You should be able to see where your ship will dock on the port website:

https://river.cruiseportamsterdam.com/

Although subject to change, ours in May was right where it said it would be.  

It is definitely still out there.  We just came back from an Avalon Tulip Time cruise (no vaccination required, or at least not checked).  All three of us came back with covid.

I have a pic of the list from our December cruise.  The prices listed by Greysandy were correct as of December.  Don't know if they went up this season or not.  Anything you want to know that isn't listed?  I thought the prices were very high but not much room on a river cruise.

26 minutes ago, bubbulz said:

And bring some bubble wrap with you. 😉

Yes! and tape!  I totally forgot that!  People on our last cruise thought I was brilliant and I had some to share.  And whatever space it takes up on the way over can be filled with beautiful Christmas market purchases on the way back!  Take some small scissors too

We have done two Danube Christmas Market cruises (One Avalon, One Viking), and one Rhine Christmas Market cruise (Viking).  We loved them all but I think I would recommend the Danube for this itinerary.  I would definitely recommend one that includes Budapest, a fascinating city with great Christmas markets.  If you are interested in WW2, definitely include Nuremberg on your agenda.  Visit the documentation center and rally grounds.  Also, Nuremberg has one of the biggest Christmas markets!  Both of our Danube cruises were Nuremberg to Budapest, or the reverse.  If  you can, definitely add a couple of days on each end.  As someone else mentioned, be sure your departure date is actually after the markets open.  They vary from place to place.  The larger cities seem to open earlier with the smaller towns closer to the traditional first Sunday in Advent.  You can easily google the towns you will be visiting to check.  We like to travel right after Thanksgiving (Friday or Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend worked well, just avoid Sunday!)  Those early December departure dates also seem to be the most popular, so keep that in mind.  Be sure to pack light so you have room for all the treasures!  Happy to answer any questions if I can.

What happens if you have to change cabins?

12 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

I booked a cruise for August through a TA who had a promotion that was better with the fly free offer that Avalon is offering on their website, so I did not get my flights from Avalon. I booked my own flight over using AA miles, but need a flight back. Delta has a non-stop that I want to book (the only non-stop PRG-JFK). Will Avalon book me just one way, and can I call them myself (as I do with Celebrity and HAL) or do I have to go through my TA? Is the price likely to be any cheaper than buying it myself? In theory, if they book it I would get a free transfer from the hotel (which is part of the cruise) to the airport, so that could be advantageous. 

Avalon told us they only book round trip tickets

5 hours ago, Daisi said:

@QueenofEverythingyou didn't say where you are cruising. On the European ships, there usually is an electrical outlet on the side of the bed against the wall. I know this, because I make sure I get my side of the bed on the wall because I tend to be on my tablet longer than DH, and don't want to disturb him plugging it in to charge. If you know your cabin #, and do the virtual tour of the ship on Avalon's site, you can check out which side of the bed will have the outlet. You never know, you may be lucky and not need the extension cord.

 

That's a good idea, thanks!