Rebel54

I do believe Avalon also allows children 9 and up. Also, Viva allows children with no age restriction.

Doing some googling to try to find out more on the actual ship and found this. More info on the cruise but can't find anything on the draft of her. She's a beautiful boat. https://www.teemingrivercruises.com/ships/ms-swiss-ruby/

They literally just posted today. It's such a small boat I didn't want to wait. Only have to put down 20% and the remainder is due 30 days prior to departure. 2024 was booked up pretty fast. No coaches. We will meet them in Berlin and end in Prague. I am very excited.

I'm excited, booked Berlin to Prague for Nov 2025. I know it's a ways out but I don't care. I can't wait. 🙂

If you are the sort of person that likes to use your room to sleep and shower, save yourself the money and book the cheaper room. For me, I need to be able to open up the room and get the fresh air and I enjoy my space and peace while I see the scenery go by. I need my quiet time and love the panoramic suites for that reason. Another cruise line you might consider is Viva-Cruises. They are a newer line, their prices are more reasonable and their boats are nice. They are also all inclusive from drinks to tours. Search them on YouTube for some reviews.

I will be on Avalon Envision Aug 2024 and will update and let you know what we have. I have the bluetooth transmitters for our flights so hopefully I can test drive it. 🙂

That's it. Planning on going with a friend and my daughter and her family. I'm looking forward to it.

Just put out on the pier and told to figure it out? Seriously? What company were you with? Want to make sure I never sail with them.

I suppose anything is possible. I've known Navy people that got seasick standing on the pier so .... there's that. However, I tend to get a little sick on small boats (snorkle or catamaran) and not a single issue with river boats. I think it's rather unlikely. Might be good to have some non-drowsy motion sickness meds or even an anti nausea stick to smell when feeling a bit off. For me mint gum and the anti nausea sticks are awesome.

Thank you. I was starting to rethink doing a Christmas cruise with all the flooding happening.

Looking to do a cruise with Viva from Berlin to Prague for Christmas. How are the levels, on average, in the winter?

Prague is very easy to get around on foot but there are a lot of cobblestones so not sure how they would be with a wheel chair. There is public transportation ... not sure how well they handle wheelchairs. I am pretty sure some of the underground metro's are not accessible. Check out this link: https://wheelchairtravel.org/prague/public-transportation/ There is Bolt (there's an app for that) which is similar to Uber which is very affordable and might be a good option for getting to places a bit farther way (the Castle complex, etc). More than likely the hotel that Viking provides will be near the Old Town Square so that will be nice for seeing the that, the Astronomical clock, some of the churches on the square. There is a nice pathway along the Vltava which would be nice to stroll along for a great view. The Charles bridge is a must see too. My biggest recommendation would be to go out as early as possible to enjoy the sites without the crowds which would make navigating a wheelchair easier as well. I don't know Viking but I know that Avalon includes a good tour at each stop which is included in the cost of the cruise. As far as optional tours I look at Viator. Viator is a little more expensive than direct with the vendor but it's just a nice easy way to schedule if budget isn't your main concern. You can schedule tours in advance and pay for them closer to arrival and cancel for free at a certain point. You can probably also book while you are on the cruise...the day before or so which would be better in case you have a change in route or schedule due to water levels. For example, I have booked a TukTuk tour in Budapest for when we arrive. It will get us around to see some of the sights that I can't easily walk to and it will pick us up right at the ship and return us there as well. I can cancel it up to a couple days before with no penalty. I hope you have an amazing trip.

I didn't realize until I was part way through, I had already watched it. So sad but very well done. I used to live in Munich and have been to many of the camps and memorials. I can't understand how anyone supported any of that. Hurts my heart. I agree with you on the lard. YUCK. Makes me cringe just thinking about it. Back in my Navy days I may or may not have eaten a vaseline and chocolate syrup sandwich as part of an "event" I was going through. I survived but the thought makes me ill. Smelling fish does as well, for the same reasons. 🙂

Ah thank you so much 🙂 We (my daughter and I) are going with Avalon. I lived in Germany for 3 years when she was a young girl so I'm excited to share this with her as an adult. I am new to the Messianic faith and learning to follow the principles. Giving up unclean foods was easy but traveling and eating out has posed a challenge. I know that Avalon is great about addressing food concerns so I have some relief there. The last time I was in Europe I was eating pork so no challenge, I ate everything. So excited about this trip. Spending a week in Prague ahead of the cruise on our own. My 8th time there. 8 months to go!

Thank you for this. Watching it right now.

I really enjoyed your report. Thank you so much. I'm going with another company and doing Germany (Starting in Prague and embarking in Vilshofen) to Bucharest. It was nice to see some of the places we will stop and your report really made me excited to be seeing these places. Bless you.

As someone that does not consume unclean food...that is a difficult menu. Glad to see they had something that wasn't pork or shell fish. This is my fear on my upcoming trip, trying to find foods that are ok to eat.

Avalon appears to be doing free prepaid gratuities on select cruises for Black Friday.

I love that I can open the cabin up all the way on Avalon and enjoy the fresh air in the room and sit right in front of the open space. I also love that the space in the cabin that would have been used for the balcony is not lost to me if I don't want to be out there. I would compare the size of the staterooms on the ships with balconies and with french style. If you don't mind losing the internal floor space then go for a ship that gives you a full actual balcony. Also remember that many times you will be rafted to other boats while in port and that space will be useless to you unless you want to chat with your neighbor so why not have that extra sf in your cabin.

Suzanne, it should show on your daily itinerary on your documents.

Viva does have a US Marketed page so I think it would be nice to have more info on them. I am actually looking at one of their cruises for 2025 Christmas markets.

Just a suggestion....look at Viva cruises as well. Great prices, a little less provided as far as tours but if you can manage things somewhat independently it might be a good option for you. I'm actually looking at them for a 2025 Christmas cruise.

That's why I will never book with Viking. Too many other options that don't want your money so far in advance.

There are some adults that could learn from my grandson.

On both of my river cruises there were tween/teens and they were very good, respectful and delightful to talk to. They were with their grandparents both times and really seemed to enjoy the history aspect of the tours.