Christmas on steroi_s 🧑‍🎄🎅🎄🦌🛷

[Pushka]

The weather went from bright and sunny, but very chilly, to overcast and dark around 4pm as we exited the boat. We knew we had a three hour bus trip to go. We had hand luggage, which meant back packs and carry on rollers that we'd had to take onboard the smaller ship and our main luggage was on the road somewhere in a truck. It was all a bit coughbersome but there you go.

That bus trip, we had the CD on board ours, there were four bus loads and they were absolutely full, of people and luggage. The trip was fine for about two hours then the last hour was just difficult. It was raining heavily. Peak hour traffic. Autobahns. So many semi trailers. Very dark. So we got to Strassbourg and the CD showed us the usual berthing place for Viking and which was now flooded. So we continued on. We were the third bus. We could hear the CD trying to make all the arrangements for the next couple of days, on his phone. So many jigsaw pieces. Anyway, this bus is going down very narrow streets, he hit one pothole and thought he'd ruptured something like a tyre but that seemed ok. We headed down one dark - well lane actually, and came to a stop. Left or right. The driver didn't know. He was lost. . He got out the bus and went over to another driver to ask where to go. Meanwhile we hear tooting and yelling from the cars backed up behind as only the French can do, then two drivers emerged and started to remonstrate. On the other side of the bus our friends were watching just how close the bus was coming to take out concrete bollards. I've said this a few times this trip 'you just can't make this stuff up'.

Finally hes on the phone to the ships captain who gave him directions in German. Off we go. We arrived at the Viking berth. But. There were so many Viking ships, all identical from the outside, rafted together (so one is invisible from the road) and we couldn't find ours. We drove around and around looking for Tialfi. Finally we saw the first bus that had left and he told us where to find it. It was in a different berth.

Got to Tialfi around 7.30pm. Our rooms were identical to the last boat, that's how ship swaps work. Now, we were here for a night. On a FB group I'm one I'd been following the cruise before us that left two days earlier. So I knew at the start this was going to happen. We have ended our days cruising unless the water levels drop. And likely here for four nights. Stuck up against another boat and four days of buses. But Viking CD would not tell people that and they seemed, in the main, to be completely oblivious to it. That's how Viking likes it. They control the information flow, drip by drip.

Our view. I can touch the next boat.



Now rafting like this is not uncommon. I'd expected it for a night. That's normal. But four nights is not. Not without moving ports in between.

We had to have dinner, Weiner Schnitzel which was the way it is supposed to be. Delicious and tender and - Veal! How unique. Sorry, I realise I'm not taking food pictures but to be honest it's just food and I can't be bothered. Besides our new friends are entertaining us so much each night I forget to take them.

Anyways at 9.30pm we were called to another ship meeting. I'd say about 3/4 of the information they could have provided us with was withheld. And I don't think the CD is in any wiser position. So we had missed another port, Mannheim, which was a simple walk of the boat and explore in the morning kind of port. And Speyer at night time, again another walk off the boat and explore the night Christmas markets. Gone. But wait. We will offer a four hour drive round trip to see Speyer in the afternoon. Sigh. It misses the point. This is not a bus trip. I looked at MrP and said forget it. We will explore Strassburg ourselves despite Viking.

We do have a nice view from the restaurant here. Something I guess. Well, I mean, the swans add a nice touch to the silos that are next to them and which I'm looking at now while typing.

 

[Pushka]

So next morning we were ready for a hot shower and the usual things like bathroom stuff, brushing teeth yada yada. We were all a bit deflated from the day before, changing boats, unpacking again, bus trip. Hmmm. MrP asks if he's doing something wrong turning on the shower. Ummm. Nope. Turn on the sink tap. No water. Flush the toilet. Nope. Great. We had no water. Try to ring reception and it's not answering. By this stage I was beyond caring what I looked like so grab the robe intending to go down the stairs to reception. But lets just say it was bedlam outside, which probably suits the way I was currently looking. No water on our floor. I Called down to the manager who was just beneath and she said I know I Know. And as on her way to the Engineer to fix. Later we were told that the ship next door was pumping out the bilge and they'd turned off the wrong pump.

Ok. Showers done and off to breakfast. And so quiet as it seems everyone almost had done the four hour drive to Speyer. So after about an hour reception called our room as we hadn't keyed out and we were technically missing. . I explained that a four hour bus trip wasn't on our agenda and we would spend the day in Strasbourg. Which we did. And it was fab.

Just now. Dont The silos frame this beautiful bird brilliantly?

 

[Pushka]

So Strasbourg. On the original itinerary we only had one day here and as we'd booked a Mercedes Benz tour in the afternoon, this meant a very tiny window to see Strasbourg which I was a bit disappointed with. But this forced change benefited me hugely. Yes. Off to Strasbourg. Now, we are a long way out and although the ship is offering shuttles, the timing is not conducive to - anyone. So in the lobby I was speaking to two other guys who likewise rejected the speyer deal. They were trying to get an Uber but it wasn't working. So we both asked reception to call us a taxi and get there that way. We asked to be dropped off in Petit France which was perfect. We thought we might take the Viking shuttle back at 4.30pm. Still too early but what do you do, no lights for this market.

This was the next move ever. Once we passed the heavily armed military presence - we know that Amsterdam and Berlin were under threat or actual- we then worked our way through this magical place. It wasn't windy, it was a bit drizzly but otherwise good weather. Strasbourg is obviously a beautiful place anyway but at Christmas its magic.


Isnt it stunning!




Tres chic at 11am!

 

[Pushka]

And then there are markets. We kept finding them. They are all beautiful with exquisite but expensive, crafts for sale. Using my French I ordered two hot chocolates. The vendor then continued in French at which time my blank face told her I'd given her all I had.

This sign was of interest.



They adore teddy bears here.



These were stunning. I was so tempted.







This shop was absolutely glorious. I was in heaven. I didn't buy anything. I simply have no space.

 

[Pushka]

We walked and walked and walked. And the military presence was impressive. Even when we were at the pub drinking. I'll wait until we leave France before posting.





That shop again.

 

[Pushka]

So much cheeeeese.

 

[Pushka]

We spent an hour or so in a pub, we wanted to wait until the 4.30pm shuttle, the only earlier one at 2.30pm was nonsense. And 4.30pm the latest. So no one will see the markets at night even though we are stuck here for four nights. Such is Viking.

We strolled back through the French streets knowing where we had to meet. It was darkening by now even though just after 3.30pm. At four pm we were surprised and delighted to find it was dark enough for the lights to start coming on. And one of the best places was the square we had to meet, just by the Cathedral. And boy was it busy already.





These angel lights leading to the Cathedral were stunning.

 

[Pushka]

Their display at Villeroy was so damn delicious I wanted to buy the whole dinner set.

 

[Pushka]

Last couple. It was quite a walk from the meeting point to the shuttle bus. But I didn't care, we are fit and we passed by some fabulous sights.



We got back to the boat, along with three other buses, because of all the Viking ships here, at 5.30pm. Perfect for a quick freshen up and hit the bar. Yeah. Champagne. So as on Kara I asked for champagne. They said no, we have run out of champagne, someone drank it all last night. wTF? We can offer you Prosecco. Ah no, I drink Prosecco at home, I'm on holiday. Well, we have none she said. Ok. G&T. As I took my drink, I heard the champagne pop. I turned around and saw her opening a bottle of Veuve. I turned back and said you do have champagne. She said yes, but you have to pay for this. I told her we didn't on Kara. She said, well on this boat we do. I shook my head in disbelief and walked off. At which point in time another lady who was also drinking champagne on Kara also said it was a nonsense what this ship was doing.

At dinner that night I saw the sommelier with three bottles of champagne, that we knew we could have, but the woman upstairs told us there was none onboard.

And so that question a couple of pages back. Four of us were chatting around the bar. We had our drinks served by the male bartender, but there was a female bar tender preparing a drink for someone else In front of us. We were discussing why we couldnt go to Rudesheim. Because the hire boat we were on did. At which point she looked up at us and started telling us the Viking line. So Clearly listening in to our private conversations (although we were at the bar) and felt it ok to add her Viking Rah Rah into the mix and then started arguing with us. Someone in our group was responding to one of her comments, she picked up the drinks she was preparing, turned her back and walked away. WT?

I am expecting some interesting news tonight. It won't please us at all if it's correct. So I hope I'm being a drama queen. It kept me awake last night worrying because I'd seen something weird in our itinerary in the app last night.

 

[Seat0B]

Oh my @Pushka this is quite the debacle. I really hope things improve for you from here.

 

[latawiec]

Last couple. It was quite a walk from the meeting point to the shuttle bus. But I didn't care, we are fit and we passed by some fabulous sights.
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We got back to the boat, along with three other buses, because of all the Viking ships here, at 5.30pm. Perfect for a quick freshen up and hit the bar. Yeah. Champagne. So as on Kara I asked for champagne. They said no, we have run out of champagne, someone drank it all last night. wTF? We can offer you Prosecco. Ah no, I drink Prosecco at home, I'm on holiday. Well, we have none she said. Ok. G&T. As I took my drink, I heard the champagne pop. I turned around and saw her opening a bottle of Veuve. I turned back and said you do have champagne. She said yes, but you have to pay for this. I told her we didn't on Kara. She said, well on this boat we do. I shook my head in disbelief and walked off. At which point in time another lady who was also drinking champagne on Kara also said it was a nonsense what this ship was doing.

At dinner that night I saw the sommelier with three bottles of champagne, that we knew we could have, but the woman upstairs told us there was none onboard.

And so that question a couple of pages back. Four of us were chatting around the bar. We had our drinks served by the male bartender, but there was a female bar tender preparing a drink for someone else In front of us. We were discussing why we couldnt go to Rudesheim. Because the hire boat we were on did. At which point she looked up at us and started telling us the Viking line. So Clearly listening in to our private conversations (although we were at the bar) and felt it ok to add her Viking Rah Rah into the mix and then started arguing with us. Someone in our group was responding to one of her comments, she picked up the drinks she was preparing, turned her back and walked away. WT?

I am expecting some interesting news tonight. It won't please us at all if it's correct. So I hope I'm being a drama queen. It kept me awake last night worrying because I'd seen something weird in our itinerary in the app last night.

So it looks like a downgrade from the J to Y

..... prosecco instead of champagne
....or

Why or how?

 

[OZDUCK]

I am so disappointed for you. The worst thing is that this sort of situation is not something unexpected and is not a bolt from the blue. Twice a year they face similar problems - the rivers are too high or too low. I would expect a reputable company to have proper procedures in place rather than rush around like the proverbial headless chook.

I hope things turn in your favour soon.

 

[Pushka]

I am so disappointed for you. The worst thing is that this sort of situation is not something unexpected and is not a bolt from the blue. Twice a year they face similar problems - the rivers are too high or too low. I would expect a reputable company to have proper procedures in place rather than rush around like the proverbial headless chook.

I hope things turn in your favour soon.

Indeed. Reading on FB today Viking are sending out emails to those booked on a cruise in the area in 3 days time stating the markets are not going to be open. Which is wrong as all of them are open until at least Christmas Day.

 

[Pushka]

So. The news was probably as good as can be expected. Our excursion to Colmar and Riquehar is happening. Just very early. Supposed to actually sail at at 4.30 pm to Breisach. Where we will be told what time to disembark to our trip

 

[MARTINE]

So. The news was probably as good as can be expected. Our excursion to Colmar and Riquehar is happening. Just very early. Supposed to actually sail at at 4.30 pm to Breisach. Where we will be told what time to disembark to our trip

Wishing you all the best dear Pushka. This sounds likes a very stressful experience made worse by the customer (dis)service. Hopefully some good memories to be had in the days ahead.

 

[ellen10]

Wishing you all the best in a bad situation. So sorry many of your experiences you were looking forward to have been unraveled.
Enjoy your excursions to Riquehar and Colmar, we loved those towns.

 

[henleybeach]

They always say the true strength of a company is how the deal with situations that aren’t the norm and it looks like Viking are very poor
Keep being positive and enjoy the holiday Pushka. Markets look fantastic!

 

[Bindibuys]

Do we also blame Mercury?

 

[VPS]

So. The news was probably as good as can be expected. Our excursion to Colmar and Riquehar is happening. Just very early. Supposed to actually sail at at 4.30 pm to Breisach. Where we will be told what time to disembark to our trip

Well I loved Colmar and Riquewihr was the favourite of the 5 villages I visited

Enjoy

 

[latawiec]

So. The news was probably as good as can be expected. Our excursion to Colmar and Riquehar is happening. Just very early. Supposed to actually sail at at 4.30 pm to Breisach. Where we will be told what time to disembark to our trip

... and if you "sail" again that could be also positive news
....and you will be back on the river!