Denise,

I went to a charity event on Tuesday and met the CEO of Viking River Cruises. I asked him about Deilman(he is friends with Marc Conroy and Mrs. Conroy who works for Silversea too).

He said it was a very nice way to go, but, for Americans most of the service is in German as the primary language so you might want a German/English dictionary. Of course he was trying to sell me on his cruiseline.

Congrats, Denise! Getting confirmations all the way around leaves you free to anticipate without anxiety. Joanna, I'll try to keep John's ego in check .... he wouldn't want to have to give up your John the Divine label!

Kathy,

Despite what you've been told, I've been in contact with several people who just sailed with Deilmann. There were no language issues whatsoever on their sailings. I would expect and it comes as no surprise that the competition would make a statement like that.

Regardless of whether we won this Deilmann cruise or not, we've been drawn to this line for some time now and for various reasons; one of which was sailing with Europeans. After all, we're in Europe! I think we'll pass on bringing along a German dictionary.

Priscilla, You know the way I obsess. If it won't be confirmations to get anxious about, I'll find something else! ;)

Actually, I told you one of Frank's clients has been on three of them and liked it better than RSSC.

I've done my research on this over the past several years and gotten great feedback. The competition would be the LAST person I would listen to.

We'll get firsthand experience in just a few weeks!

Denise: I think your trip will be WOW and I will be anxious to hear about Paris too! I feel your excitement - I am very happy for you and Alan - look forward to your reports - how many days will you be away??? Joanna

Thanks, Joanna! We are leaving on May 28 and will be returning June 10. Not long enough but better than nothing!

Sounds good to me (other than fact you'll be sorely missed here) - new experience and that's what makes life interesting

We're always looking for new experiences. I'm buying a jounal to make sure I get those experiences down on paper to share when we return.

I have done terrible job about keeping a journal - and keeping guides and retaurants in files - we had some great ones and I forget their names .. so I am not much help to anyone when they ask questions - wish I had done it differently - someone just gave me all the emails I had sent to them from WC 2005 - I loved it - much I had forgotten - Joanna

I've never kept a travel journal and admire those who are so inclined.

This time around I want to take notes, as there have been so many who have expressed an interest in river cruising.

I have complete faith that Denise is going to be just fine, and have an incredible trip! I do agree about not paying any attention to the competition, btw.

(Joanna, didn't you used to have a longer list of cruises under your name? Or am I hallucinating?)

Pam: Yes I removed all but this year and Fjords- I really don't know why I posted them back to 2003 - I think I thought people would read them and say "oh she was on that cruise and can answer questions" - NO ONE has ever asked me about those cruises (nor would I have been helpful) and the real reason I removed them??? - Tony was looking over my shoulder one night and said "you have to be kidding who cares where you went in 2003/4 or 5 it looks obnoxious - so I deleted - Joanna

Denise, I bought a pretty little journal in Cape Town (my Joanna and I searched and searched for just the right one), and it came home empty! We were too busy! I think I am going to print out some of the ROAR threads during and after the trip to fold up and put inside.

I doubt you can send us seamail, so you must jot down a few memories as they happen to share on your return. I know you will have a wonderful time, you always do!

Olivia -

My travel journal always came home empty too, so I stopped taking it! (lol).

I am sure Denise and Alan will have the time of their lives - how can you not love a new adventure - isn't it what it's all about?

Thanks, Pam and Olivia! We really won't have convenient access to a computer (I hate the thought of that!), so writing our experiences and impressions will come in handy.

I've always thought about starting a journal on other trips. In fact, on one of our cruises I began to write in a book I brought along. My so-called journal consisted of a full page! We were so busy that I said to hell with it. I'll leave it to memory - failing memory, at that! I'm hoping this time around I can do better.

Olivia, I like your idea of placing the ROAR threads in the journal as a keepsake. So many excellent reports!

There truly were, I only post this to remind others, as we really were "scheduled," for a lot of the time (who can post about 2 drives each day that last for 3 hours that have been enjoyed by 3 different jeeps?) and those posts from everyone seemed to bring it all to life.

Denise, we are counting on you, because you are the only lct person aboard!

The presssure! Hence, the need for serious scrutinizing and copious notes! I accept the mission. I'm all over it!

Denise,

I have heard that the best journals are those written with a glass of wine in your (non-writing) hand.

Denise have a great time. I'm sure it will be everything and more and like you, I wouldn't listen to the competition.

As for journals? I can't even keep a shopping list.

In lieu of a journal, take a small notebook and jot down one-sentence facts or a few word "notes". That way, once you are home, you can write the journal if you want or at least you will have something to refer to when you are trying to identify all those photos!

Whatever you do, have fun first. Write later.

Donna, you got it!

I started a journal for the first time in my life after the locked "dear diary" territory of my "early years".

My first two days were well documented then...life happened. When I could, and it was basically on the way home to SF, I wrote down the catch phrases. If I got those I could maybe, maybe, recreate a conversation or a scene. They seem so, so very small at the time, but unfold in your memory big-time.

Keep the journal for yourself, certainly not for us, but we are waiting here, ready to hang on your every word...

Thanks! Excellent advice, Suzanne and Donna! Wine in hand and a small noteboook is the way to go! Many people begin journals with the best of intentions to be diligent. Donna's journals have worked to perfection! My attempts have fizzled.

Sentences and wine it is then!

Thanks for your good wishes, Arlene!

Denise -
Haven't been around much so I'm late to the party but I know you will have a magnificent time! I can't wait to hear any reports you choose to share - you may inspire many of us to take the plunge (into the river?)

Don't feel too bad about computer withdrawal, though I ahve to say you certainly will be missed around here!

Hi Sue! Never to late to join the party. I so very much welcome and appreciate your good wishes.

I'll miss my LCT friends. If the truth be told, Alan is forcing me to take this trip! (Yeah, right!) :D

Hey, Denise, you shouldn't be forced to do anything you don't want to do. I'll volunteer to go in you place <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> !

Donna! You're too funny!! How about you and Alan going with us???? Still lots of time to get it all together! We'd really enjoy that!

I wish! You'll just have to have fun without us. But, keep those notes so that you can report back :D

Actually, my MIL is leaving today on a trip with my SIL and her daughetr/son-in-law for a riverboat trip on Viking, Vienna to Amsterdam. I'll be anxious to compare your experience to theirs.

Please wish them a wonderful time from Alan and me, Donna! I'll be eager to hear of their experiences. I hope you'll post details of their trip after they return.

I'll do my best. I still owe the board a review on Mariner/PC cruise!

Looking forward to both reports, Donna!

Hi Denise, late to the thread...have a wonderful time! We keep getting brochures from Viking so I'm anxious to see your thoughts on this experience

Thanks so very much for your very welcome good wishes!

We, too, have been getting so many Viking, Uniworld, GTC brochures. All look great "on paper." I will give my honest impressions when we return. Of course, we're hoping for wonderful experiences on Deilmann. We've sailed exclusively on RSSC and can compare certain things, but not all. River cruising vs. ocean cruising is very different.

Two weeks from today and we're on our way!

Denise, Tom and I are so happy for you and Alan. I know this is going to be a really SPECIAL, much deserved trip!!

Thanks, Marcie.

There's a great article in the Travel section of the LA Times this morning about The Louvre. Oh, I can't wait to go there! We've arranged a private guide for a half day tour, to help navigate us through this magnificent museum.

Two weeks and counting, Denise! The excitement is building -- and not only for you, but for your vicarious stow-away here, too!

Denise, adding another message to say that, as usual, you have done your homework well. I think you are wise to have a guide for the Louvre. It is so large and has so many fantastic things to see and absorb. We had about a half-day there also, several years ago, and without our art historian guide I don't think we would have seen nearly as much in such a short time.

Thank you, my dear friend, Priscilla! You've been on the receiving end of my incessant trip preparations. I appreciate your good wishes more than you know! Sure wish you and John were actually going with us, rather than doing so vicariously!

Rather than wander in a zillion directions, we do feel a private guide is the way to go in the Louvre. Glad we made that decision.

We have also arranged a private guide to take us off-the-beaten path, to experience the far less touristy areas of Paris. We want to experience the authentic. The more touristy sites will be with Deilmann's tour of Paris as well as Versailles.

I really would like to express Alan's and my most sincere appreciation and thanks to everyone who has voiced their good wishes for us and shared in our anticipation and excitement. All of our cruises have been on RSSC with LCT friends. Group cruises have always created so much enthusiasm, preparations and discussion. Alan and I are solo sailors on this one and the fact that so many of you have offered your continued good wishes and input has really made us feel as if we are cruising with friends, at least, vicariously. It really means so much!

Hi Denise,

Just came on to post and make sure you saw today's LA Times - glad you did. Great article for anyone going to Paris soon.