Nov 3 - Thanks T-Mobile

Just before we left for this trip,  T-Mobile announced their Simple Plan, which includes free international data and free phone calls if using wifi.  I switched to that plan, and am glad I did.  The data has been very useful for email,  maps and Yelp, as well as posting to this blog.

Nov 2-Charming Bamberg

Today's town is Bamberg,  which I had never heard of before.   It was a nice surprise.   One of it's 3 districts is a farming area whose products are sold in the town square.  It wasn't ever bombed, so it has quaint cobblestone streets and historic buildings. The city hall has outside walls covered with colorful murals and is in the middle of the river that flows through town.  Kayakers navigate a race course on the river next to city hall.  There are over 10 beer  breweries in this small town.  It is known for a beer with a smoky flavor.

City hall on the river

City hall murals

Brewery (middle building)- most of the people in front are drinking beer because the brewery is so crowded

Thoughts about Viking River Cruise

I have enjoyed our cruise.   Marge was had a bad cough for several days, missing some great scenery and food, so she might not agree with me. 

The food has been good,  on par with Princess food,  but not as good as a Crystal cruise. I do like the fact that beer and wine, which have been good, are complimentary at meals and that food portions are not large. 

Our fellow guests have all been very friendly.  I think the average age is a little older than us.  We haven't met any complainers,  and people are punctual.

The ship is only a year or so old and is well planned.  The staff have all been very friendly and helpful.  

I think some areas, like the German rivers, are meant to be seen from the river and Viking would be a good choice.

It would be great if the ship had bikes that the passengers could use,  but that probably wouldn't be attractive to many passengers.

Nov 1-cruising on the Main River

We left the Rhine and are now on the smaller Main River.  We again slide by picturesque old villages within a stone's throw of the ship.  

Marge has had a bad cough for the last couple of days,  and lost her breakfast right after she ate this am, so we went to a doctor at the next town,  Wurzburg. Fortunately the doc said her lungs are clear, and prescribed a cough med w codine. Marge thinks ships are not good for her health- in the middle of our first cruise,  9-11 happened, and she broke her leg on another, in Patagonia. 

Scene along the Main River