We made it to Prague! We took a shuttle bus to the President Hotel in town. I chose the Hotel because it was where the AMA group going on our cruise will be picking up the bus at 8 am to the boat in Nurnburg. Tried to check in when I was told that the Hotel (President) was over booked (AMA maybe??)! They explained they had made a reservation next door at the Intercontinental. So we went over with our luggage and some of the President Hotel staff assisting us to check in. I think this actually might be nicer than the President and we were upgraded to a room overlooking the river. Took a nap and we're off to do some sightseeing. Will report in later.

Well that sure was a nice outcome to what could have been a real problem. We leave today Todd, cannot wait to see you again. Ken and I have decided first night in your honor - a cosmo. Of course it wont be like your cosmos. Ken wanted to bring some "makings" for you. I told him he was crazy. For 10 days - 5 cold weather days in Europe and then 5 really hot days in Africa, we are living out of two 20" carry ons with the small bags on the top being 90% camera gear.Yes, we can fit in all those "makings" for cosmos and also get them through security in tiny bottles. After all who needs toothpaste and deodorant!

We leave today at around 2.00 pm, coach class to Heathrow, change to Lufthansa fly to Frankfurt then Nuremburg, and will see you on the 9th - we will be getting to the ship around 4.00 pm.

Aweeee Ngaire, haven't you a small corner in your bag for a short blonde Canuck? Have cards....will play pooch.

Have a great time.

WOW!

Two carry ons for 10 days thats amazing, wish I could do that, and I do not even have camera equipment. Did you ship other luggage ahead for Samba?

I always seem to think I pack light and then see what other people can do and remember I still need lessons.

Todd: Glad to hear things worked out at the hotel:

Have fun:

FV

Thanks for reporting in Todd.
Did you book your own flights
or go through the cruise company?

So happy you're off to a good start Todd ! Ngaire, are your 2 carry on's for GAME and SAMBA as well as the river boat? I'm so impressed (or depressed) that you and Ken can pack this light! WOW!

I am glad everyone is on their way! Have a great time!

Yes, we shipped a cruise bag weighing 40lbs to Birkenhead House. Hope it gets there never done that before.

Lets see at the end of the 10 days how this all went. It was NOT easy particularly considering how cold it may be in Europe. I am hoping the AMA ship will be so heated I wont freeze with my lighter clothes.

Never travelled this long this light. Going through Heathrow and changing carriers on separate tickets meant exiting the UK to collect the checked bag. Then either taking the bag with us or storing it. All the different terminals involved, those Heathrow buses. Just did not have the time to go through all of that.

Just a real mess, it was not my first choice to go so light. Now we PRAY they dont take our carry on. A normal 22" carry on wont work in Heathrow as these bags with their wheels wont fit in the their metal container. So you have to go down to a 19" really to be safe. This is a new soft sided duffle bag is about 20" and with wheels ever so slightly over 22". I have not got it packed full either so we maybe can squeeze it in the container if asked. Not tried this one yet.

They eyeball the bags and I swear get joy out of saying "sorry you must check that". I saw one man who must have been literally 1/4 inch off but he managed to almost get it fully in the container. They made him check it. Terminal five is the worst. A very attractive young lady is the worst of all. She seem to take her job very seriously.

All this light packing talk is driving me to the "staging" area in a guest room. The queen size bed is covered, doesn't look good. Goal? Half of it back in closet!

oops forgot, Ngaire and Todd, can't wait to get details on this trip.

Booked air using my frequent flier miles - we flew Delta. Did some sightseeing today, had a nice early dinner now back at the hotel. Off to meet the AMA people in the morning at 8:00 am to take the bus to meet the ship.

I am also packed lighter than a Siversea or Regent cruise. No tux, suits and all that goes with them....so one medium sizedSwiss Army Suitcase and a small tote bag.

Well, all this talk about carryons - Lufthansa made me check my carryon a couple weeks ago, and we were flying biz class. That's a first for us - have never had to check a carryon even in economy. She wanted to check Greg's carryon too! - horror! :eek: - but he very nicely asked, "PLEASE NO - my laptop is in there, and I have nowhere else to put it." She let him get by, but probably because we each only had one checked bag (well, technically I then had TWO :( ) apiece. Times have certainly changed.

Todd, Ngaire and Ken, have a fabulous time - we look forward to hearing more from you!

You've just made me realize I have no staging area any more, since we downsized to a condo! I think I'm going to have to use the dining room! Hope you make it through all right, Ngaire!

The dining room table would be perfect Wendy! We are half way there, safari bag is packed, cruise stuff is "piled", awaiting the suitcase. Like Kristin said, times have changed. I can recall 2 week cruises where I took 13 pair of shoes. Maybe these changes are somewhat of a good thing?

This probably should be on another thread but I'm here and ya'll are talking about packing.

I tried, I really, really tried to pack light. So why did I end up with more than I thought? Alan and I each will check a bag weighing in at 40 lbs (which gives us 8 lbs of room in case we need to shift stuff from our carry-ons for the Johannesburg to Cape Town flight. Alan's rolling duffle carry-on weighs 17 lbs and mine is at 23 lbs. I could probably go back and re-configure or leave stuff out but it's too late now. I'm finished!

I am in awe of you and Marcie, Donna - Marcie just told me they are at 44 lbs each, too - I think Cindy and I are fighting losing battles with our husbands who LOVE clothes - we have decided we'll look like bag women and Tony and David will be right out of GQ - THAT will annoy me!!!!!

LOL, Joanna. Alan's not bad about clothes but you should see the toiletries. Now, why in the world would we need a large bottle of witch hazel? My man likes to be prepared for anything. The witch hazel plus several other large items are staying at home or the luggage would have weighed a ton. I had to remind Alan that they do actually have stores in Cape Town.

Be glad you aren't packing for safari plus cruise.

Well, I'm laughing out loud really. They are something. So glad he doesn't read this on his own. Yes, Joanna and I will be borrowing a really cute outfit from our room steward, and be so proud. David and Tony will arrive to dinner (after cleaning the room) crisp and dapper. We will send them to your room Donna for toiletries.

Tony never visits LCT either - thank goodness, as I have been told NOT to discuss him after he was nominated for Rowenta Iron Man - and I always follow orders from my boss- :rolleyes: ;)

well Rowenta man, and the "mega pickles" ....which still brings me to laughing tears. We just did the "camera" thing. I'm calling it Christmas gift, but not sure what "we" are calling it. Africa was a good excuse I guess!
Congrats Joanna, over 9,000 posts!

She's a talker, isn't she, Cindy? :p Can't wait to join Tony and Joanna and all the others on SAMBA! I'm even packing early, as Joanna and I are on same flight and I have some extra baggage allowance for Tony to toss stuff into my bag when we switch from Delta to SAA in JNB. Hmmm, maybe I'd better give that poundage to Joanna instead? Don't want any bag ladies on the cruise!

OMG, I can't believe I just posted all that nonsense about packing for a completely different trip! I just go to "today's active topics" and pick up last post!

Todd, Ngaire, please give us an update in the morning! I realize you surely are asleep now, but all of us here are so excited to hear about the cruise! Some of us are just a little distracted with knowing we meet you soon!

I blame myself for hijacking this post. i guess the packing thing throws me into a bad place. Sorry! Yes Todd and Ngaire...we would love an update and again sorry!

Yesterday we left Prague on the bus with 19 other AMA passengers on the way to Nuremburg. We toured the old city (Nuremberg) and toured the courthouse where the Nuremberg Trials were held.

We arrived at the ship at about 4:15 pm where we ran into Ngaire and Ken checking in at reception. We chatted briefly then went to our rooms to unpack etc. Met up with Ngaire and Ken for the Safety meeting, Cruise Director Update and Ship info. Mike and I demonstrated the proper use of the life vests for the group.

Rooms are nice – small – about 170 – think Paul Gauguin but a bit smaller – no little couch and not a large desk. The bathroom is efficient, attractive, but smaller than the PG – slightly – no Tub/Shower combo – just a Shower. The floor in the bathroom and shower is marble – the surrounding walls are ceramic marbleish. The Shower has a shower wand and an impressive shower system with buttons that turn on different body sprays and changes the overhead water spray. Soaps and Lotions are nice. Our room has a French Balcony. The ship is quite nice – the pictures are accurate on the website and the AMA brochures. All public rooms are beautiful with wood, marble etc. I like the Aft Lounge on Dec 3 is my favorite. Not too crowded and great views.

A 7 pm we went to the Cocktail Reception where they served champagne - don't know if I could order anything else as part of the Fee Reception. The Bar and Lounge were it was held was quite nice.

From there we went to Dinner with Ngaire and Ken. Table for 4 – had a wonderful Surf and Turf – like a New York strip with Shrimp. Mine was a little too rare – sent it back – no problem – came back medium – just what I wanted. The service was quite good. Wine was poured – a selection of local White and Red wines.

Oh and while I have an internet connection - this is is amazing cruising down the rivers going through locks and watching all te scenery going by. We are in the Aft lounge with a group of about 10 and just went through a lock.

Oh and we get FREE internet!!!!

Sounds great so far. Looking forward to your updates.

----------

Eugene

Hi everyone,

Sitting in the aft lounge on the Amadagio with Ken, Todd, and Mike as we sail along the river. Very peaceful as we cruise along the river, and negotiate the locks.

Uneventful trip over and all went well, Dallas to London Heathrow to Munich to Nuremburg. Amazingly we arrived at the ship at the same exact time as Todd and Mike. It was so nice to see Todd again it has been four years since we last saw Todd on Mint. Mike is a great guy and we are really enjoying him. Need to get Todd and Mike on a LCT trip. Mike is very like Todd, very personable and easy going.

I remembered the snacks from our Budapest trip the first night before dinner and was looking forward to trying them again. Unfortunately they ran out before we were served. We sat at the very front of the lounge and I think there were some hungry people that gobbled them all up before they got to our area. I hope they serve them again tonight because they were really good.

We lingered after the welcome cocktail part and most of the dining room was full when we arrived. There were some tables for four to chose from and we had no problem. Our waiter had a name tag with 007 and he was good and had a sense of humor. When I asked for extra meat he said he would “ try” then he came back with a huge platter of this wonderful sliced sirloin strip.

Just as well they ran out of snacks because I really enjoyed dinner and instead of eating those fattening snacks I had extra meat at dinner. Our first meal we all took the Chef’s suggestion menu. This started with a pretty normal green salad with a few blueberries included and then a really good cauliflower soup. The main course was a sirloin strip with shrimp, vegetables and a twice baked potato in the foil swan. Very similar to my meal on the Amadante on my original trip except on the Amadante the meat was tenderloin. The strip was really tender. Todd and I were just talking and he thought it was tenderloin. I like medium rare meat so mine was perfect, Todd sent his back to get it cooked a little more and it came back really quickly. The sauce was a cross between Béarnaise and Hollandaise, it was really good. It was followed by a warm chocolate baked pudding with ice cream. I passed on the pudding but ate a little of the ice cream.

I don’t eat breakfast but Todd had the Eggs Benedict and said they were good. I think I will try that tomorrow morning. I normally do not eat breakfast but I have a responsibility to try them – at least that is my excuse. Lunch was fine. I had pork with a nice sauce with peas and carrots and a nice salad from the salad bar. They had a fantastic sorbet – black currant. I was in heaven with that, so far so good. We will see what the rest of the week brings.

Our first small town was Bamberg, Germany. Cute place, little cobblestone streets full of cute shops and restaurants, great architecture, baroque for the most part. Lots of cathedrals, a really pretty town. We started with a ten minute bus trip taking us into town and did an hour or so walking tour of the highlights and then had about 1 ½ hours free time. They had a “pink” tour for those who could not walk as much which was really nice because there were a lot of steps in places so to provide something less strenuous for those who could not handle that I think is a nice offering.


Weather is good. Not too cold, and a little sun came out this afternoon.

POOCH – this aft lounge is PERFECT for pooch. There are four areas with tables that can comfortably seat 6 people. It will be great for our pooch games for sure.

We are going to leave shortly for afternoon tea so going to get Ken to post this before we go “indulge” again.

Have a great time and bring us along on your trip...

Had wonderful meal last night with Ngaire and Ken. Had a pumpkin soup with sunflower seeds. For the main had chicken medallions wrapped in Bacon – quite tasty. Dessert was a delicious bread pudding. Wine poured freely - i had a white wine from the region of Germany we are in - it was described as sweet - but I thought it tasted more like a sauvignon blanc.

Am sitting right now in the Aft Lounge (with Ngaire and Ken) where they have wifi - this is my favorite place on the ship. Today we went to Wurzberg - did a palace tour and then had free time to see the city. I like the tour (included in the price) because they gave you enough information and then you can go explore on your own. This afternoon we have another tour of Rothenburg – then down the river to see castles from the ship.

Today Mike and I did a 20 mile bike ride along the Main River - bikes are provided by AMA free of charge - I think they have 20. We actually beat the ship into town where we were to meet the ship - Miltenburg. Had lunch in Miltenburg at a Thai food restaurant.

A few other notes - for all you who like gyms while on vacation - the gym is small - 1 bike, 1 treadmill, 1 eleiptical a few dumbells.....that's all folks. So the 20 mile bike ride today was a great workout.

Food was good last night as well - had a steak - not like a filet - more like a rump steak. We also had an usual foam, wine, white something in a Martini Glass - Ngaire said they served these on the Hanseatic. Dessert was a warm bluberries served over strawberry icecream.

Hello everyone.

In the Aft Lounge again, this is OUR lounge no one seems to use it, a delightful lounge with comfy chairs.

Had a nice couple of days, these little German villages are so quaint. The stone and wood houses are right off the pictures you see on cookie tins depicting Christmas scenes.
I will write a full review when I get back of each port.

This is a lot of fun. It is so neat to pull into a small town and just walk off the ship. We have only done a bus trip twice, once a short shuttle into town and then a one hour optional tour to Rothenburg that was well worth while. The walking tours are fine, you get a lot of information and they have these little VOX machines that hang around your neck with a very comfortable earpiece to listen through. So you can wander off and hear the guide if you wish. You can also just walk the towns on your own of course if you prefer.

Meals have ranged from excellent to average. All okay. Last night I had the simplicity menu with the steak but it did not compare to the choices of the day. The highlight has been the soups that I usually do not even eat but they have been sensational. They have an alternative option each day of a cheeseburger for lunch and it is good. I just discovered that today. Great pastas too – today I had spinach ravioli today with a cream basil tomato sauce that was fantastic.

Todd and Mike did a bike ride today. I am sure he will post about this, we stayed lazy and floated down the river and saw some castles and swans along the way. I do enjoy the sailing on a river cruise, it is very enjoyable.

I think this is just what I am looking for Ngaire, just "pulling into a small city" and ambling off the ship, with no big expectations of anything other than some nice sights. I guess I am at the point where I am "give me easy!" I'm getting the feeling that meals won't blow one away, like they "may" do on Regent. If either you or Todd have a different impression, please report! I got used to that on ICE, with the now "Minerva" formerly Explorer II that we took last year (okay, early this year). All was "okay", jut nothing I had that was outstanding, even though Regent had a chef aboard. I love the simplicity menu, as it is so easy for the staff, and it is hard to get wrong, but rump steak?

I love soups! That could make a dinner for me if they are really good!

LOL I wasn't sure what a rump steak was, either! Ngaire, is there a line to get into the restaurant when it opens?

What about other passengers? From Germany UK etc?

Rump steak is very common in New Zealand too Karen. It is like a sirloin steak. This steak I would compare to the minute steak that you get on the PG for instance.

Comparing the food to Explorer is really the perfect example to explain the food. Except the soups which have been incredible every day. Piping hot too will be great on the Christmas market cruise. These little towns are so picture perfect for Christmas although we will be in a different area I hope they look similar as it will be really beautiful.

About 50% Australians and 50% Americans on board. Have not seen or heard any Europeans on board at all.

The service has been excellent. One small slip getting tea one morning but other than that it has been great. I love the waiter we found too, 007, good at his job and I found out his real name is Plamen, he tried mine but now just calls me BOSS.

As to the lines for dinner. We have not rushed to dinner each night and always sat in the section we wanted at the back and it is quiet back there. Todd checked out going to dinner early and did encounter a line but we got there about 7.05 and walked right in the line had gone. I went early last night to check it out. There was a line of about thirty people. However the second the opened the door the line went away very quickly. This truly has not been an issue for us at all. The dining room has not been that loud but we found our little back corner and sat on the window in this section and really like that area.

The entertainment last night was good. Two really great violinists that played a great selection of classical and gypsy music. Got a standing ovation.

Ngaire, just to clarify, is the dinner meal completely set? That is, are there no choices for any of the courses?

--------------

Eugene

Is there any issue with smoking? In Europe it is so much more common and accepted.

For dinner there definitely are choices. Three choices for appetizers, two soups, two salads, three mains, two desserts. Also available are the simplicity items of salmon, chicken breast and steak. Salads are a bit uninspired, soups fantastic, mains range from excellent to average. They do a good job on their pastas and their cream sauces are often exceptional. Mike had some fish today and the sauce on the vegetables he was raving about. Desserts ranged from good to average. Some great ice creams they are home made and full of flavor. Regent it is not – but certainly you will not starve and always find something to order. Todd will post some pictures of the food when he gets back he took a few shots.

About the same for lunch. There is the salad bar, that also features sandwiches and miscellaneous items, a pasta station each day, desserts and ice cream. The menu offers two or three choices for mains, hamburger or cheeseburger with Cole slaw and fries. We are all trying to remember what was on the lunch menu today.

Smoking. I have seen one man smoking on this trip. You cannot smoke in your cabin or in the public rooms. There are tables and chairs at the front of the ship where you can smoke and of course on the sun deck. Basically the same rules as Regent but there is no smoking lounge onboard.

Today we were on the Rhine River stretch that has a lot of castles. It was cold but there was blue sky so that made it nice. They served hot chocolate with or without chocolate liquor on the sun deck.

My last night on the boat tonight, it has been so nice catching up with Todd and meeting Mike. We leave tomorrow for Cape Town, and on to the safari part of the trip.

Yesterday we did a 20 mile bike ride on the portable bikes they have on the ship - I think they have 20 per ship. They have smaller wheels than most bikes and thus requires more energy to go the same distance if you know what I mean. This was an unescorted trip - so I paid very close attention to the map and directions from the Cruise Director Sue. In fact when she said use the bridge to cross to the other side of the Main River, I had her circle it and write down "Bridge". Well - an hour into the ride I had Mike get out the map because I was suddenly concerned.....we had not gone over a bridge and we were still on the Wong side of the river....my concern is that I remembered that on the map, the bridge was not that far from our starting point...so if we had not crossed the bridge yet, and we had already gone an hour.....this would be a very long day! Well as it turns out, we missed the first bridge and we were on the wrong side of the River - so what did this mean for us? Not well marked paths - one time we ran out of path and found our selves on a road without a shoulder and fast cars and big trucks....so we had to pull off the road anytime a car or truck was coming behind us. Then we saw a sign for the Bike Path - which looked different from the asphalt path we had been on....this one, was grassy and had 2 indentations like from wheels of a vehicle...except they were mostly grown over with the grass. We proceeded down this path (and at one point had to get off our bikes because we could no longer ride on the grass path because the grass was so long and dense) about 1/2 mile only to find out this led us to the end of a peninsula! So back to the main road with the cars and trucks. Finally we made it to what appeared to be the second bridge identified by Sue - the one coming back over the river - so we knew where were on our map and the rest of the time we had a proper bike path. The problem with being on the wrong side of the river was that all the cute little German towns were on the other side...Oh well.

So we finally got to the town where we were to meet the ship and no ship.....we had actually beat the ship. We went to lunch at a Thai restaurant and had 1 liter of beer each.

The ship arrived while we were having lunch.

We talked with 2 other sets of people that did the bike ride - the other 2 had almost missed the first bridge. So I guess it was pretty easy to miss.

The 20 mile ride was not easy - mostly because of the equipment. I think these types of bikes would be best to ride around a small town - not for any real distance.

Also, we tried to use the Jacuzzi for our aches and pains….it was not quite hot enough – felt like 85 degrees instead of 104.