Danube River Cruise Meets Thread

[jeneric997]

Hello Jeneric997

How will you manage to fit everything you need into a case that will meet the required weight limits ?

Are you allowed 2 or more cases in overhead bins ?

Well the last trip we actually fit into carry-ons- one for each of us. That's one of the reasons I was kicking myself, we didn't have to check our luggage! We did have sunblock that was over the limit and we had a tight connection in JFK and I didn't want the kids dragging suitcases through terminals. I have 2 girls and we pack efficiently and like to dress for dinner, but we will also do laundry. We have 20 days in Europe traveling by trains, everyone gets one suitcase carry on size and one backpack/purse size. I don't want to struggle with large cases on a train. Shoes are typically our problem, they are hard to squeeze in, but after living without our luggage for 23 days, you learn that you don't need half the things you think you needed!

 

[carpenta]

Well the last trip we actually fit into carry-ons- one for each of us. That's one of the reasons I was kicking myself, we didn't have to check our luggage! We did have sunblock that was over the limit and we had a tight connection in JFK and I didn't want the kids dragging suitcases through terminals. I have 2 girls and we pack efficiently and like to dress for dinner, but we will also do laundry. We have 20 days in Europe traveling by trains, everyone gets one suitcase carry on size and one backpack/purse size. I don't want to struggle with large cases on a train. Shoes are typically our problem, they are hard to squeeze in, but after living without our luggage for 23 days, you learn that you don't need half the things you think you needed!

YOU are my new HERO!!!!!! I agree with you that we Americans tend to over pack.

 

[Woodview]

Just had an "e " mail from Avoya Travel that AMA Waterways are offering Free Airfares from USA in 2016

This is for the Danube River Cruise ....... The same co that Disney is using

 

[sayhello]

Whoohoo!! I was just talking to my Vacationista at ABD about some stuff and asked her when was a good time to think about booking airfare for July, since I normally don't travel in July (I like the shoulder seasons). She transferred me to their airfare specialist, who started playing around with fares, and came up with a ticket for $1298!!!! Everything I'd been looking at was around $400 more than that. So of course I snatched it! One more detail down! The only downside to this ticket is going through CDG airport, but for $400, I guess I'll deal!

Sayhello

 

[carpenta]

......................if you go through Paris definitely pack plenty of socks and underwear in your carry-on for bags tend to "disappear" in Paris for some reason.

 

[sayhello]

......................if you go through Paris definitely pack plenty of socks and underwear in your carry-on for bags tend to "disappear" in Paris for some reason.

It was either that or Amsterdam (but the times were worse) and I've heard the same thing about Amsterdam airport, too.

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

It was either that or Amsterdam (but the times were worse) and I've heard the same thing about Amsterdam airport, too.

Sayhello

I've flown through Amsterdam several times in the last few years and it was a breeze. Maybe I was just lucky. Aesthetically it is far from my favorite airport, but as long as I get where I need to be I'm okay with that.

 

[carpenta]

I've flown through Amsterdam several times in the last few years and it was a breeze. Maybe I was just lucky. Aesthetically it is far from my favorite airport, but as long as I get where I need to be I'm okay with that.

I too have flown through Amsterdam a few times in the last few years and not too bad a hassle. One early Sunday morning a few years ago there was only ONE passport booth open on our return trip and WOW! what a cattle stampede to get through. Holiday / Union "thing"....

 

[Raya]

Good morning! As of right now my DH & I are officially booked on the 12/22 cruise. Has anyone figured out the best way to get there? We were thinking about a round-trip ticket to Munich, so we can see Neuschwanstein with a train or quick flight to the start of the cruise in Budapest. We've also considered a flight into Paris, a day at Disney Paris, and then the trip to the start of the cruise. Another option is to fly Iceland air and take some time in Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights. But we can't decide!

 

[acndis]

Good morning! As of right now my DH & I are officially booked on the 12/22 cruise. Has anyone figured out the best way to get there? We were thinking about a round-trip ticket to Munich, so we can see Neuschwanstein with a train or quick flight to the start of the cruise in Budapest. We've also considered a flight into Paris, a day at Disney Paris, and then the trip to the start of the cruise. Another option is to fly Iceland air and take some time in Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights. But we can't decide!

We are going to London for a few days before. We have British Airways direct from Austin and then the connectors to Budapest and then from Prague were well priced in 2015. I hope the same will be true this year! We are avoiding the East Coast and Canada after getting stranded in Montreal coming back from Paris last year. Only warm weather connections or direct for us!

 

[sayhello]

Good morning! As of right now my DH & I are officially booked on the 12/22 cruise. Has anyone figured out the best way to get there? We were thinking about a round-trip ticket to Munich, so we can see Neuschwanstein with a train or quick flight to the start of the cruise in Budapest. We've also considered a flight into Paris, a day at Disney Paris, and then the trip to the start of the cruise. Another option is to fly Iceland air and take some time in Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights. But we can't decide!

OMG, do Iceland!! I did the stopover in Reykjavik in September, and LOVED it!! It will be cold, but for a chance to see the Northern Lights... What an opportunity!! And I liked Icelandair.

There are several tours you can take to see the Northern Lights, plus I saw one that had you floating in a hot springs, looking up at the sky to see them. I'll see if I can find the link later. But I say GO FOR IT!! I know I would!

Sayhello

 

[aggiedog]

Do NOT do Iceland. You will become addicted and keep wanting to go back.

That happened to me. A two day stop over on the way to our Baltic cruise with family this summer led to a week trip planned for March with a friend. Iceland is ah-mazing, and totally worth the trip.

 

[Woodview]

First of all Forget Disneyland Paris ( One Disney is more or less like the others ) . just do Paris.

But Go to Iceland & have stop over.

Real choice would be to Munich & then River Cruise. ..... AND next trip a Return trip to Munich & Hire a Car.

Yes it is easy driving & easy to get to the places You wish to see & do at your own pace .

We have flown from Ireland to Munich for the last 3 years and love it . And hiring a car & booking hotels is easy

( Best Western & Ring Hotels are some of the Chains )

 

[calypso726]

Good morning! As of right now my DH & I are officially booked on the 12/22 cruise. Has anyone figured out the best way to get there? We were thinking about a round-trip ticket to Munich, so we can see Neuschwanstein with a train or quick flight to the start of the cruise in Budapest. We've also considered a flight into Paris, a day at Disney Paris, and then the trip to the start of the cruise. Another option is to fly Iceland air and take some time in Reykjavik to see the Northern Lights. But we can't decide!

We are flying into Ireland first as a pre-trip to our river cruise and then from Dublin to Budapest. We just visited Iceland over the summer on the Norway, Iceland, Scotland Disney cruise. Go to Iceland! It is beautiful!!! I can't wait to go back again just to go see the Northern Lights, do some glacier walking and explore ice caves. While I was planning our excursions for our days in Iceland the only thing I knew for certain before booking anything was that I'd be going back one day. Our river cruise is in July but if we were doing the winter one I would have gone back to Iceland. So there's my vote

 

[Woodview]

If you are staying a few days in & around Dublin I would book a Day tour with a tour Co. called " Paddywagon "

Take the trip to New Grange about an hours drive North of Dublin.

www.paddywagontours.com

 

[aggiedog]

Merry Christmas to some lucky travelers on the wait list. We just transferred our deposit from the river cruise to Costa Rica next December, opening up 8 spots. The timing was not going to work out for us this summer, or next. I'll be watching to see how the trip goes, though, for future planning.

 

[carpenta]

Merry Christmas to some lucky travelers on the wait list. We just transferred our deposit from the river cruise to Costa Rica next December, opening up 8 spots. The timing was not going to work out for us this summer, or next. I'll be watching to see how the trip goes, though, for future planning.

Merry Christmas Aggiedog. Hope you report back on your Costa Rica trip. We are looking at that trip also. We had a Rhine river boat cruise with Tauck Bridges booked for this coming summer but also cancelled for a trip to a National Park in the U.S.. It is the 100 year anniversary of the National Park system this coming year.

 

[Woodview]

Are there , all year long , special events at all National Parks & how would one find out about them ?

We are thinking of flying to Seattle or Vancouver . & then driving through the North Cascades Mountains to Spokane

& back via The Grand Coulee Dam ...... ( Or Vancouver .....Osoyoos .... Grand Forks ... To Spokane )

 

[acndis]

We decided to switch to the Peru trip at Christmas. We just got back from SE Asia (AMAZING TRIP!) and thought this would be too much shopping/touring for us. I can't wait to hear how the trips go this summer. We may go some other time in the future.

 

[darjohn]

My wife and I were waitlisted since May 2015, but were recently confirmed for the DVC Cruise July 7-14. We are also doing 2 days on our in Budapest before the cruise, and the Post-Cruise Addon to Prague. We were lucky enough to get direct flights for under $1200 Canadian each and have our hotel already booked in Budapest (Starlight Suiten). We look forward to the Cruise and meeting everyone.