Ritabob

You will love. the SS Antoinette... She is a beautiful ship and your rooms are a cat 4 which I think are French balconies... We had a large picture window which was fine. Don't listen to people's comments the itinerary is awesome, staff, cuisine accommodations are superb. You will love it.. Have a great trip. We will be on an older ship the River Queen leaving Aug 23 and being an older ship is not bothersome to us we just love Uniworld...:)

The Queen is my favourite Uniworld ship. Have been on it twice.

Cabins are not large...I think they are 'cozy'. The beds are wonderful.

Enjoy your cruise

RB

Rebel, good to know you are going to travel again. I thought you moved to the PNW and you were lost in the mountains or in the smoke.

RB

I agree Uniworld will bend over backwards for their guests. Having travelled with them many times I know you will be well taken care of.

However, there are times it can be a bit of a tight squeeze with one bag per person, so if there are more bags there could be a bigger problem. Example....being met at the airport by a Uniworld designated rep. They have a list of passengers to meet, so they order a vehicle to take that number to the ship. If it is a bus, no problem, but we've been met by an 8 passenger van where we sat with our carry on bags on our laps because there was very limited space for suitcases. Can't imagine how that would have worked out with extra suitcases. That's why I suggest Uniworld be notified. Every situation is different....

RB

I suggest the OP check with Uniworld directly. The Cruise Companion does state passengers are to limit luguage to one suitcase and one carryon per person. On their website look under 'already booked' for the cruise companion for your specific cruise.

How cold did it get? Also, do you feel you missed anything due to the short amount of daylight during that time of year?

Each time the weather was different. During the day hovering around freezing or a degree or two warmer, but if it was damp it felt colder...and some nights when it was was windy the wind chill made it feel much colder.

Day light hours are the same here at home so it did not feel any different. Am not a photographer so it did not matter.

Wear layers and keep your extremities covered and dry and you'll be fine.

And for those wondering about what to do on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. We were in Regensburg for Christmas Eve and many went to the cathedral for mass. Yes, it is in German, but that particular church has a boy's choir on par with the Vienna's boys choir so that was magnificent. Get to that church early if you expect to get a seat and bring a blanket. I kid you not. It was cold, really cold inside.

Christmas morning we visited the Lutheran church - they heat their space, and went for a bike ride. Everything was closed and the market was pretty much torn down and gone.

RB

Please check with Uniworld , I'm thinking they do limit the amount of suitcases you can bring aboard. Storage space is at a premium.

RB

Repeat sailings -- that's quite an endorsement! Now we're even more excited about going, even though it's a year and a half away!

 

Questions: how should one dress for the New Years party? Jacket and tie for the men? Otherwise, layers for the shore excursions, I'm sure. We're from Southern California so don't want to buy heavy clothes if we can avoid it. What were the weather and water levels when you sailed? (I do realize this varies from year to year). Did you do any pre- or post-cruise stays? We're planning to fly in a day early to hit the Munich and Munich airport Christmas markets.

And we'd do it again!

We spent a few days in Nuremberg prior to boarding the ship. Getting over jet lag and seeing a few more sites on our own.

New year's eve was in a palace in Vienna. The bus could not drop us off at the door, so had to walk a few blocks on cobblestones and through crowds of people...so wear sturdy boots or shoes and bring your fancy shoes with you. Men were wearing everything from tuxedos to jeans and a sweater, but mostly jackets and ties, suits. The ladies were in everything from floor length gowns to jeans, sweatshirt and hiking boots, but mostly something with a bit of bling or sparkle.

In Vienna the parties are in the streets, so there were bands and entertainment just outside where we were. Having seen all that out the window the first time we were there, the second time, right after dinner we put on our coats to go out to the street to party until the fireworks at midnight...then rushed back indoors to dance a waltz to 'the blue danube' and watch the fireworks off in the distance through the windows.

Weather was damp. And cold. And sunny. And pleasant. Check long range forecasts prior to your trip to get an idea of what to expect. I suggest you get a down filled water resistant coat with hood. Light and warm. Hat, earmuffs, scarf, gloves and water proof or water resistant shoes or boots. Whatever you think will work for you. We are from winters that easily get to -20°C, so no worries for us.

Water levels were okay both times when we were there in the winter.

Have fun dreaming ...it'll be cruise time becore you know it.

RB

Uniworld's Legendary Rhine and Mosel also left from Basel. Don't remember any tour, but do remember taking their bicycles and riding over to France for a lark. :D

RB

We are booked for Uniworld's 2018 Christmas to New Year cruise so are interested in any comments, as well.

We did the Uniworld Grand Christmas and New years cruise in 2011 and enjoyed it so much, did it again in 2013.

Feel free to ask questions.

RB

It also depends on where you live and what you are used to. If you are from a warm climate, then you'll need extra layers because you are really going to feel those temperatures.

I've always packed a zip front hoodie...like a sweatshirt . Sometimes putting up the hood blocks that cool breeze or drizzle that can seep down your neck. Also works well worn backwards on the plane if you want to sleep and feel cozy.

RB

We are over 60 and have done a number of river cruises, and we really do enjoy them. However in our hearts we are 35 and find U by Uniworld very appealing. More active, less meals on board giving you the option to take in the local scene, that sort of stuff.

I wonder if they would let us book a cruise ?

RB

Melk Abbey was spectacular, and if I were to do it again I would skip the guided tour through the building and just go into the library, church and tour the gardens. We had very limited time and it felt as if there was too much time spent going through the museum - y part where we were herded through. Each interconecting room had a tour group, so as soon as the next room was vacated were were shuffled in to it with no time to dawdle because the next group was right on our heels.

Either choice you make will be a good one.

RB

Postcruise is usually easier to do on your own...no jet lag !

Sorry, this might be too late...

We have taken the Uniworld pre cruise in Prague twice. Yes, I know it is cheaper to do it on your own, but sometimes the convenience factor is worth it. Especially after an overnight flight.

Their hotel was well situated with a great breakfast buffet and a guide who was very helpful. The included tour gave a good introduction to the city as well as the castle hill. Also lots of free time to do our own thing.

I did post a trip review a year ago.

No matter what you've chosen, have a great time in Prague.

RB

Yes, Uniworld has had a wellness coach / massage therapist on every cruise we have been on. Every morning there is stretching or yoga or some sort of activity at 7 am. It depended on the expertise of the individual wellness coach as to what was offered.

Every cruise is different, but we have gone on bike rides, Nordic walking jaunts, done afternoon chair exercises with them.... and each time it was just us. A wonderful way to get to know about the person as an individual who just happen to work on a cruise ship...and speak a multitude of languages fluently. I am always in awe.

RB

We have been on 8 cruises with Uniworld and can only remember once hearing someone promote booking the next cruise before leaving that one. No aggressive hard sell at all.

That being said, there is paperwork in the cabin as well as the brochure for next year's cruises.

I usually deal directly with Uniworld and they have matched the advertised price of a discount TA. We have been lucky with a half price deal and then gambling on a free cabin class upgrade on top (successfully). Plus the heritage club discount. And sometimes their air fare is a better deal and sometimes I can do better. Research, research, research.

RB

We have travelled with Uniworld on their Christmas-new years cruise, so experienced colder darker days. Loved it.

Gloves, hats, scarves, waterproof shoes / boots, knee socks, and layers are a must. A water resistant coat is helpful if it gets a bit drizzly or the snow is wet.

And now that the OP has travelled with Uniworld she gets a bag of laundry done for free if she chooses to travel with them again.

As for riding bikes in the winter...we rode a bit almost every day....Christmas morning in Regensberg and new years day in Vienna...it can be done :D

RB

Just an added note...always have your passport and 'tickets' ready to go through security. Some airports are now setting up mobile security stations after you've already gone through the main security , only closer to your gate. Brussels comes to mind. Give yourself extra time. :D

RB

One of the perks of being a repeat customer on Uniworld is they will do a bag of laundry for you for free. One bag per week per person ! Makes packing easier knowing you don't need to bring as much.

And I don't notice if you wear the same thing as long as you don't notice that I wear something more than once as well :)

RB

Mrs. Tollman's baked Alaska.....OMG! You just brought back a wonderful memory of the best kind of sugar rush. :D

RB

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Sometimes we need to upsize one of the bags' date=' if we're on Silversea and need formal wear. But even then, I've sometimes been able to add a tux and an evening gown into the small bags without upsizing.

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Nice to know JP can pack his tux and his evening gown into a small bag 😄

Welcome to the 'club'!

Start planning your next cruise 😉

RB

I think a lot depends on where you are from and what sort of temperatures you are used to as to what to bring. A warm jacket for cool mornings and rain coat for sure. That way you are guaranteed it won't rain. 😄 Uniworld does provide umbrellas, but having to carry one is such a pain.. bring a pashmina type of shawl...good for on the plane as well as an extra layer, if required while sitting on the top deck looking at all those lovely castles.

Check some weather websites that have long term forecasts...say 10 to 14 days and every day go back and see how accurate they were / are. And do that for a few locations ie amsterdam and Lucerne. That should give the best idea of what to expect.

Bring a hat .

You are going to walk a lot, so whatever footwear is comfortable and supportive...and well worn in.

Laundry service is available on board, and depending on which ship you will be on, there may be self serve washers and dryers. And they provide the washing powder!

Have a wonderful trip

RB

Conchyjoe,

What a wonderful plan for a vacation !

The order in which you've chosen your cruise lines is a good one (in my opinion). The two lines are quite different and according to most, and the sticky above, you will experience a nice cruise first and then build up to a nicer one.

The dinning room has enough tables and chairs to accommodate everyone at one time assuming the ship is full to capacity. So if it is not full, then by default, there should be more empty tables available and you should be able to get your desired table for two.

RB

Check out ontariowaterwayscruises.com

RB