ONBOARD QUEEN VICTORIA_(Tuesday, January 14): It’s been eight days since we flew from Philadelphia and six days since we sailed from Hamburg. By now you are likely finding our writeups boring. Do we do the same stuff over and over, day after day while the ship is at sea? Good question. The Queen Victoria is a little city that travels about 25 miles an hour, 24 hours a day. It’s like living in a walkable town. You decide …
ONBOARD QUEEN VICTORIA_(Monday, January 13): On Monday, the seas acted up again. Monday is another sea day. It starts with the usual good night’s sleep followed by the 7:00 AM knock on the door with rolls, juice and coffee. The seas are a little rough. Not enough to cause stomach upset, but we have moments where a wall of water hits our window. We are on Deck One, after all. The voyage is similar to an accelerated …
ONBOARD QUEEN VICTORIA_(Sunday, January 12): On Sunday the seas were smoother. Sunday started with the knock on the door as the steward brought in our rolls, juice and coffee. The sea was considerably calmer. After getting ourselves together, we headed up to the Lido Restaurant on Deck 9 for our second breakfast. The in-room breakfast gets the engine started. At 10:00 AM the ship’s captain conducted the interdenominational church service. Lots of singing. I met up with …
ONBOARD QUEEN VICTORIA_(Friday, January 10): The day started with rougher seas. The Beaufort Scale, which measures sea conditions, was Force 8. The scale goes up to 12. At Jane’s suggestion, I went to the onboard medical center to “Get the tablets.” This was a good move. They really work, although I napped more than usual. I am thrilled, absolutely thrilled we chose a cabin on Deck One, Midships. That’s where the ship’s motion is minimized. Midmorning, we headed …
ONBOARD QUEEN VICTORIA_(Friday, January 10): Friday was a big day. The best way to describe it is to say “The voyage officially started.” The day before, we get a note under the door: “Collect your passports and go through onboard immigration at 7:00 AM.” We both grew up in New York. “There will be a line. We must get up early and get on at the front.” We meet a couple from Denmark, further ahead in line. They …
ABOARD QUEEN VICTORIA_(Thursday, January 9): Thursday is our first full day at sea. It’s the last vacation day for people who signed on for the four night Southampton to Hamburg getaway. It’s our first formal night and their last formal night. The seas are calm. Here’s how experience has taught us to wake up. Instead of setting an alarm or getting a wake up call, we place an order for rolls, juice and coffee to be delivered …
ABOARD QUEEN VICTORIA_(Wednesday, January 8): We had breakfast in the Executive Lounge at the Hamburg Marriott. Then we explored the area around the hotel for a couple of hours. It’s the part of town with flagship boutique stores and an elegant department store which had a food themed floor. There was a Veuve Clicquot boutique. Yes, you can buy a VC logoed ski jacket. Caviar House had its shop/restaurant adjacent to the shop selling actual truffles along …
The day of your cruise has finally arrived. Unlike boarding a plane, ships let you on hours before departure. Here are a dozen things you should do: Arrive ASAP. You are paying for a vacation. It starts at embarkation. Get on as early as they will allow. Let’s assume that’s about noon. Why? You are paying for your time on the ship. Maximize it. Dropoff your luggage. This is pretty obvious. You have tagged your bags. The …
Read moreThe Top Dozen Things To Do After Boarding Your Ship
If you are traveling on a big ship, it’s likely you will be asked to choose a dinner seating. Traditionally this has been the first seating at 6:00 PM or the second seating at 8:30 PM. Let’s look at the pros and cons. The Early Seating: 6 Pros, 3 Cons The first seating starts at 6:00 PM and you are out of the dining room before 8:30 PM when the second seating starts. Pros: Early risers. Back …
Read moreEarly or Late? Which Dinner Seating Should I Choose? Over 12 Pros and Cons to Consider
Who travels to cold places in the winter? Lots of people, specifically those seeking out Christmas markets for an infusion of holiday cheer. Many river cruises stop at the right European towns. Major port cities often have them too. Should this be on your 2020 vacation agenda? Where to Go The Europeans approach the weeks before Christmas differently. Maybe they do less shopping and more celebrating. Some Internet research will let you know virtually every European country …
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