Enjoying Ken's great pictures as usual. They're keeping you pretty busy, Ken. I hope to share the "burden" when we're in S. America. I'm waiting for my new Panasonic G1 Micro 4/3 to be delivered. I need to practice some.

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Eugene

I am posting this picture of Ken and his Heidi's that Kathy took in Paris:

Thanks, Karen! Actually Al took the picture so I could be in it ;)

Ken, your photos are spectacular, as always. And your Heidis are a good-looking group, to say the least! Truly this looks like a magical trip, something so different to do the holiday markets, and with such a great group too. Everyone, thanks for letting us travel vicariously with you.

The Heidis! The Heidis!

no matter how careful you are when you drink the gluhwein it always sicks to your fingers and the cups! But is taste so good when it's cold at night...

Hi from Amsterdam airport. Us and the Mondaes are waiting to catch our flight to Atlanta. We had a fun time yesterday in Amsterdam. We took a city tour and a canal boat all around the city. Also walked around the red light district (we had been there before but several hadn't)...

We've had such a good time. The group has been lots of fun and met some non-LCTers who were a hoot too. It's been great seeing land all the time, so different than on a cruise ship. Time sure flew, but time to get home and think about getting ready for Christmas. All good things much come to an end!

It's over :(

We are on the train back to Brussels (champagne and beer at 186mph). It was so great seeing so many friends both old and new. It was great to see a bit of Europe from the boat, and we enjoyed the Christmas Markets (one more suitcase going home), but it wasn't a Regent experience.

We might take another river cruise but it would be for the group and the excursions; not for the boat.

I love all the photos - every stop looks so charming all decked out for Christmas.

I'm looking forward to hearing about the excursions you all took.

So glad you all had a nice experience. Loved all the rivermail and photos. Have a safe trip home everone. Marc & Arlene, how easy for you all to take the train. Bet you will be the first ones home!!!

Great trip!! We loved being on PARIS with old friends and new ones. It is not ocean cruising but a very nice change of pace. We would love to plan another river cruise in the future. The Christmas markets were very intresting, the most supprising thing were the crowds of people at the markets in the evenings. It was a great time but glad to be home to get things ready for Christmas.

Had a few close connections on our flights. We just made the flight from Dallas to Austin. Our bags did not make it but were waiting for me when I opened the front door at 4:30 am. It will take me a few days to get back to our time zone.

Hope all of our PARIS cruisers have great travels home and a wonderful Christmas season.

Carolyn and Don

Sure would like to hear more from the river cruise folks as far as the suites on the boat, service, the food and so forth. We are very interested in this type of cruise and the pics of the area you were in look so beautiful.

Sue we really enjoyed this trip! I have only cruised on Regent so needed to remind myself this was a boat cruise not a big ship - reg cabins small but adequate with comfy beds - I thought food was good Tony thought very good - service very good - of course no room service and they want you to eat at 7 PM! B'fast 7-9 am - I could not do more than 7 nights in cabin or on boat as there is nothing to do during the day (except look at gorgeous scenery) - tours were very good and you returned happy and tired - have no pixs of cabins etc - ports were wonderful - I do recommend!!!!!! Marcie/Carolyn had suites and if you can swing it $$$$ nice to have large bathroom and more cabin space - the LCT group was icing on the cake - I think we had 80 plus on trip and boat holds 148?

We're waiting to get a taxi to Schiphol Airport for our flight back to warm weather. Amsterdam has been sunny most of the time (yesterday was overcast but dry) and our hotel put us in walking distance of all the sights we wanted to see. We got to spend some time with Jim & Jan (Jim B) since their hotel was a half block away. For us, Amsterdam was one of the highlights of the entire trip although the whole trip was great. River cruising is a different experience from ocean cruising but it's a great alternative.
Jim

Sue,
We did have one of the large rooms. There were only four on the ship. The bath room has a very nice large tub with a separate shower and lots of storage space. The food was good, you have a selection of a meat, fish or vegeterian dish for lunch and dinner. I was very satisified with the food and on AMA you get wine or beer with dinner so that was nice. We would do another river cruise, we had a great time. Sorry I did not take any pictures of the room.
Carolyn

http://ngaire.smugmug.com/River-Cru...eus-Cabins/5712861_Rznoh#352523161_Rj2tR

This link is to pictures of the cabins on AMA.

Thanks everyone!

Just posting for first time, as I was on PARIS....I had one of the two single cabins on this ship, and it was tiny! But NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT! There was space taken away between hall and outside window for a utility/linen closet from the hall. Only enough room for one bed, even the chair hit the window wall. But it was fine for me, such a short cruise. Maybe 120 Sq. ft? But I didn't have another to share the (tight) space with, especially in the bathroom! Shower was fine, plenty of space (at least for me!)

It was a wonderful group, I don't think there could ever be an unpleasant BK escorted cruise, and for that I am eternally grateful to Ngaire and her "crew" in Dallas. I am a fair weather cruiser, I have decided, so thank goodness for great cruise companions! We met up with some wonderful new friends in Paris and Trier as well who were not part of the BK group. I would go again, definitely, in warmer weather, with a similar BK crowd, and for 7 days only. We started off with food first night that would beat out Regent in my memory, but from then on, I would say "hit or miss" depending on what you ordered. That did not take away from every meal time (lunch or dinner) being fun, I am not about food at all. The Italian M guys, Tony and Tom were happy. I loved the desserts, but it was some of the breakfast pastries that Ken introduced me to that were just the best! I think they did a white chocolate frosting over the pastries rather than the normal sugar thing. I gained about 3 lbs, which is out of the norm for me, must have been those pastries.

Ken did a great job of posting pictures of the Christmas Markets. OMG, Arlene came home with bags full, I am sure! Those German ornaments are beautiful, but expensive, and I didn't risk the breakage. I saw not one cuckoo clock in the markets, nor even a beer stein, but gluewine (sp?) cups were definitely being collected! The food stalls were surely the busiest.

If you are a smoker, it is cold out there when the ship is moving, and there is nowhere else to go. Other times, even some of our cohorts came out there at night when we were in port to join the bad girls, Joanna and me!

Sounds like a fun trip. The Christmas Markets have a definite spot on my bucket list. where did everyone stay in Amsterdam? we will be there (first time for me) in July and looking at the Hotel Pulitzer, anyone stayed there?
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Helen

I agree with everything Olivia said.

I would definitely get a suite if you can swing it $$, more square footage, more storage and a very nice bathroom like Voyager's with separate shower and tub and lots of storage. We also seemed to have better internet connectivity than other cabins. I think 7 days is the perfect time for the ship.

I wouldn't recommend riverboat trips for people with mobility issues. The towns are all cobblestone roads and there are many stairs in the European cities. Europe is so old and they sure didn't have things like elevators or escalators in those days. Unike a cruise ship where the ship itself is a destination, river boats are all about getting off the boat and experiencing the sites.

As far as riverboat companies go, I think AMA is fantastic. I heard from many who have experienced other companies that it is the Mercedes!

Excellent reviews - the stairs into some inner city areas were daunting - and those cobblestone streets watch out! But if you are "relatively fit" it all works out - had friend here ask me about trip and she has knee issues I suggested she rethink....no fun if you can't tour stress free - Helen I think Frank and Carla stayed at Pulitzer after this trip .. they may chime in -

Welcome home! It's wonderful to read the reviews. We want to do a Danube cruise...maybe next year, thanks for the information and reactions.

Helen we stayed at the Pulitzer Hotel years ago using Starwood points. It is built in one of the old canal homes and our room overlooked the canal. I remember our room being a bit dark, I guess that would be my only negative memory. The location was good for walking around the old part of town. We enjoyed the hotel very much and would stay there again. Frank and Carla may chime in with more updated info.

Hello all:

We got into Boston around 4pm yesterday, pretty easy flight and quick cab ride home. What a blast we all had.. Very cold in AMS on the 15th and pretty mild in Boston, now freezing in Boston go figure....

We really enjoyed the Pulitzer hotel, wonderful location on the canals and Cash and Points are a fantastic deal. We got upgraded to a canal view executive room and it was well worth it. We did not eat at the hotel but everyone was very friendly and being able to stay in one of the older renovated canal type properties was a real treat as well... I would use points to guarantee an upgrade at this property, seeing that the regular classic rooms and traditional rooms can be quite small.....

emails and bills and phone calls all day for us today...

Welcome back everyone....

FV

sounds like everyone is home safe and sound - Jim and Jan??? We did indeed have lots of fun!!! We are going to have cold snap for few days I think 37 one morning this weekend - I will think I am back in Germany

We are home as well....bills, mail AND work......but what great memories from a wonderful trip with a wonderful group. Just put up the tree....vacuuming up needles already.

had the most fun.....glad to be home, but will missing you all !
welcome home all......and thanks for such a great time.

We stayed at the Mariott....... it was near a square and had a lovely dinner with Frank and Carla very close by. We booked with AMEX points, not nearly the deal Frank got, but nice to have a "free" room. It was a nice location. Pulitzer had lots more character though.

oh, we had a nice bottle of Piper Hiedsick (sp) as a part of the AMEX rewards, and it did include breakfast.

We stayed at the Renaissance on Marriott rewards points. It was very close to the Dam Square and red light district and walking distance from all places we wanted to see. Monday in Amsterdam was overcast but dry. When we left for the airport on Tuesday there was bright sunshine, frost on the windows and ice film on the lakes. In warmer weather we'd stay longer in The Netherlands. After 3 weeks in Europe it was quite a change to be back to shorts, t shirts and air conditioning.
Jim

HI Cindy glad you and David made it home and are catching up.. The dogs must be very happy... I I think when it comes to hotels, cost is very important but FREE!!! is always the best..... near the Marriott where we me Cyndy & David we had one of the best pieces of fish we have ever had... and Carla finally found her perfect Fried Dough Stand.... Great night but very long day for everyone.....

Monday night we met Jim & Jan at the Grandolfsky Hotel, SC for a couple of drinks and some dinner at a nearby argentian place, very good food.. and was great company and conversations: They had a very early flight and a very long day of traveling...

FV

Welcome home everyone and thanks for the Pulitzer info.
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Helen

Jan and I made it home! :banana:
Amsterdam flight was delayed over 1.5 hours
because someone had bought a ticket but did not get on the plane so they had to find and pull the luggage!!
That made us miss our ATL to SLC connection but Delta had us already switched to ATL to MSP then on to Billings which worked great.
One piece of luggage did not make it but came in on the SLC to BIL flight next morning at 11:15. Since we stayed over it was not a big deal to go back to the airport and get it.

Thank you everyone for making "PARIS" a wonderful cruise. It was so nice to see everyone we have cruised with before, and really neat to meet new friends.
It is things like this that make a spectacular trip even better. :nw:
Sure hope Mark and Theresa sign up and join LCT.

Ditto about Mark and Theresa they were a wonderful addition to our "extroverted" group - glad everyone is home and getting settled - we leave Monday for Rome for Xmas for week with teen granddaughters - trying to get things done without strain or stress but getting too old for this type of turnaround - we have apt this time so excited to have nice place to chill after walking all day - can't wait for church bells ringing all day the 24th and 25th on terrace despite fact it will be chilly - Merry Christmas all!

Joanna, you are a road warrior! Or should I say flying warrior? You and Tony should have stayed in Europe, having a fun time making your way back to Rome. Tell camera boy to take photos of Christmas in Rome. Can't wait to see.

Jim, when I got to PHL early, they would not let me take an earlier flight continuing, because of that rule about being with your luggage. Ticked me off! I had 7 hours in PHL waiting to get home to my little airport.

Joanna will be right back into that traveling thing again in a few days, poor girl.

Donna T still complaining we did not take your suggestion - BUT these teens are nervous nellies no way they could fly to Europe alone - I have to fly them from Lauderdale on Sat for Monday JAX departure - :rolleyes: :rolleyes: I have rented what appears to be great apt "Residenza Giubbonari" (Rome) yellow penthouse apt - check it out - they still aren't convinced Rome will be better than their Carnival Mexico trip few yrs ago ;)

Joanna, they are beautiful. Have a wonderful XMAS.

Joanna, They are both beautiful. You will sure have your hands full with them! Have a great time!

Joanna, What gorgeous granddaughters you have! I know Rome at Christmas will be very special for all of you.

What a wonderful time you will have with those two beautiful young ladies. Rome must be all a glow at Christmas. Enjoy your week in my favorite city. Happy Holidays

Y'all have fun, this is something your grandaughters will remember forever. An yes it will be better than Carnival.

Carolyn