To set the scene this was a short 3 day familiarisation trip on AMADante, which was doing a 14 day trip which started in Budapest and ended in Amsterdam on 1st May. My colleague Faz and I were doing 3 nights of this trip from Nuremberg to Wertheim, then flights back from Frankfurt.
Day 1 - Sunday 24th April (Easter Sunday)
Long day today, early start for me in Redditch at 6.30am to drive to Heathrow picking up Faz on the way to get a Lufthansa flight to Munich.
Once in Munich, a private transfer to Nuremberg to the ship. My first experience of the German Autobann, unlimited speed limits in places, the 7 series BMW made light work of the 180 kilometres - could I add this car to list of ones I'm looking at - sorry don't think the bank manager would allow!
Nuremberg
There we joined the end of an excursion around Nuremberg before a transfer to the ship by coach.
Reception
First time on a River cruise, so we took a quick tour of the ship given by our host Neil. Now the ships are not the prettyest externally, but they are limited by size of bridges and locks but internally its a bit different. A boutique hotel would be a good description, and as a bonus there are also some single cabins.
Treatment room
Gym
There is only 1 sitting for dining, so at 7 everyone headed to the dining room were the meal came came with complementary wine or beer. We then headed to the bar and eventually to our cabins.
Day 2 - Monday 25th April
The ship had travelled over night to Bamberg, Germany going through a number of locks on the way. Be careful when looking out in a lock or you could bang your head!
View down the lock!
All the excursions are included and on some days there is a choice, but not today, so a guided tour of Bamberg and our first change to use the Vox boxes, so everyone in that group can hear the guide and not have to strain. Thought that was excellent.
'The gruesome twosome' with Faz modelling the Vox Box
In the afternoon, we had a day sailing the river, first chance to see the locks and bridges. The bridge moves up and down depending on the clearence, now this next picture is interesting - nice if its fine but otherwise the captain may get wet!
The Captain looking out from the bridge!
Day 3 - Tuesday 26th April
Again the ship has travelled overnight and we are now berthed in Kitzingen for a morning tour, before returning to the ship for lunch and then an afternoon stop and excursions further down the river.
Kitzingen
Now, we have all heard about traffic jams on the M6 well that's what happend to us, the ship was stuck in a queue for a lock and we could not get back for lunch. So the Cruise Director organised coaches to Wurtzburg for lunch and then follow the afternoon excursion, which could have been Wurtzburg or Rothenberg, we chose Rothenberg in the mountains.
Rothenberg
Back to the ship and then thye evening entertainment. Now if you were expecting big shows like Cunard, Royal et al, forget it the ships are not big enough, but tonight we had a glass blower on board, what a laugh and relevant because tomorrow the ship will be in Wertheim, a large glass blowing area. (Found his picture on the web)
Glass blower
Last night, back to travelling in the morning so an early night.
Day 4 - Wednesday 27th April
Up early for breakfast, the usual, excellent omlette made by the chef in front of me. But there is a wide variety of other choices for breakfast.
Transfer back to the airport, Frankfurt this time, for a flight back to blighty. Walking through arrivals at about midday back to my family.
So it was a long trip for a few days but it certainly gave me an insight into River cruising. If you are looking to be entartained with a Broadway or London show or want to have relaxing days at sea, then this is not for you, but if you want to take a leisurely trip down one of the main rivers of Europe seeing churches, cathederals and castles on the way this may well be for you.
Have done many river cruises all with Viking, would thoroughly recommend them.
ReplyDeletehave just this weekend got back from a trip called Passage to Eastern Europe very enjoyable but not one that everybody would enjoy owing to the nature of some of the countries (being still slightly communist).