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2014 Danube Christmas Market Cruise
In reading past posts re this cruise I noticed several comments about how river conditions can affect the cruise. For example if the river is too high or low then alternate methods of transportation may be used. I am wondering if a anyone has experienced this, and what are some of those other methods?
Second, where can we get information about river conditions before leaving home?
Lastly, one of our party of four has what I would call severe issues with motion sickness. Has anyone else been in that situation, and if so, what measures did you take to help?
We are so looking forward to the trip. We are on the 12/6 departure from Vienna to Nuremburg. Looks like an incredible trip.
John
Second, where can we get information about river conditions before leaving home?
Lastly, one of our party of four has what I would call severe issues with motion sickness. Has anyone else been in that situation, and if so, what measures did you take to help?
We are so looking forward to the trip. We are on the 12/6 departure from Vienna to Nuremburg. Looks like an incredible trip.
John
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"A couple of things can be done: In the case of low water levels, guests (and even crew) can be taken off the ship to reduce the weight. If this is successful, the ship sails on to the next available port, and guests can typically re-board the ship.
In the case of high water levels, the options are somewhat more limited. After increasing ballast to the available load limit, there is little that can be done. In the past, several river cruise lines have had success in offloading guests from one ship and bussing them to the next available ship that the company has along the waterway (remember: There are likely people stuck on the other side of the bridge or lock you’re waiting to traverse).
In some cases, the cruise line will spring for hotels and operate the rest of the tour as a land-based bus tour."
Like I said, this may not be what Tauck does, I would call to ask them. It also says that conditions on the rivers change quickly, so it is unlikely that checking conditions before you go would necessarily be accurate. From reading on the posts on other parts of the forum, remember that many sites are not on the river, so it would probably include some bussing anyway. I hope that 's Ok for your severely motion sick friend. I have never been on a Tauck river cruise, I'm saving those for when I get too tired or frail for the more exotic locations or get fed up of moving to different hotels. So I do not know if this tour has all the sites by the river, hopefully someone will post info for you, or call Tauck---did you check the itinerary to see what it says about location of sites --- does it say something like---today, a short bus ride to such and such a market----these are all clues for you.
Maybe your friend should see a Dr about the best thing to do or take for motion sickness, it may depend on any other drugs she routinely takes, good luck!
Riverboat cruising is very gentle, unlike ocean cruising. No one in our party of 10 was bothered by motion sickness, and I do not personally know of anyone on the boat who was. Despite the fact that melting snow caused the flooding to begin with, that winter was a very cold one, so the proper clothing for cold weather is a must! Have fun on your cruise! We dearly love the riverboat tours.
I did a river trip a few years ago. I didn't need any medication, over-the-counter or prescription. I never felt the slightest bit uncomfortable, let alone unwell. I am prone to car sickness, but never if I'm actually driving. The back of the bus on a winding road with an uneven surface can be torture and catastrophic. (Like the road into Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Pray for a kind and thoughtful TD, rather than the one I had.) I had no problem on the Isabella in the Galapagos, or on the old, Alaskan Inside Passage trip. It is a very individual thing. But to me, the riverboat didn't seem to have any motion at all, bar the wind on the top deck. The earth just seemed to move magically, from place to place … like a hotel with a different view each morning. I have 2 more river trips booked. While I do have some trepidation about riverboat trips per se, it has nothing to do with motion sickness.
Unless you suffer from an underlying complaint that would affect you anywhere, I really doubt you'd need more than your regular medication.
Qualification: I am not medically qualified.
I hope you have a fabulous trip.
Cheers,
Jan