The cell phone plan changeover was easy, and from home. The sim cards came in the mail. DH was on the phone with both carriers for the changeover, and got instructions about having the phones off and how to go about it in short time increments. All went smoothly.
1 Like
Seems like all the carriers have made it easier for cell phone users when traveling. Lots more options than they were 4 years ago and lower price points too. All good for those who like to travel ( and their kids).
1 Like
We recently went hiking and stayed at an off-the-grid and very hard to get into lodge in the middle of a national park in the Canadian Rockies. We left and came down with Covid as did another member of our party. We were outdoors the whole time except for breakfasts and dinners at the lodge, where people were masked except for at their tables. Waitstaff were masked. People seemed to be following protocol pretty well. We flew home after leaving so didnāt test positive until we were in the US. But, had we stayed a couple more days, we would have had to isolate in Canada. Could have gotten fine medical care there, but it is not clear that we would have received antivirals.
My folks have done the Viking river cruises for years all over Europe - they absolutely love them as they are somewhat like traveling via a floating B&B - no casinos or flashy shops and big buffets - just lovely small decks, the library, history and educational talks to drop in on, and then all the small towns and the ability to explore nearly everyday.
4 Likes
I most definitely want to do one of those, and we get AMA Waterways and Avalon for a huge discount, though Viking sounds fantastic, I think theyāre similar. Funny, that was the very first thing I wanted to do after retirement. Didnāt happen!
2 Likes
We have a Viking river cruise scheduled for November. It was our big trip to celebrate retirement.
Unfortunately, right now Europe is in the midst of a drought and the Rhine, the river we are touring is impassable in spots.
We will see how conditions are later in the fall, but trips now are a combination of bussing to cities, some are reporting staying in hotels, switching ships and ships docked for several days in one spot.
The Rhine is in the worst shape but the other major rivers in Europe are also experiencing very low water levels.
1 Like
Friends of ours (62 and 66ish) said they were the youngest people on their Viking Cruise. They invited us to go, but when they came back they said it was probably better we didnāt go, because it wouldnāt have been active enough for us. Iām guessing some are more active than others, and you can do some activities that are more active, but I thought their comment was worth sharing.
4 Likes
FB friends (I met the wife long, long ago) did a Viking cruise in Europe maybe six weeks ago and had a really good time. They are probably late 60s and reasonably active.
3 Likes
I have several friends who have taken and loved the Viking cruises. These are people early to mid 60ās and active. A friend who is in her 40ās did one with family members a few years ago and she had a great time.
2 Likes
Everything you have mentioned is exactly why I refuse to go on an ocean cruise but cannot wait to do another river cruise!! Viking brochures have a feature called āWhat Viking is NOTā that captures this perfectly.
I would only consider an ocean cruise with Viking because their ocean cruises follow the same model as the river side of the business: an included excursion in every port, to upcharge for special dining room, beer and wine at lunch and dinner, no casino on board, etc.
We were 63 when we cruised the Rhine with Viking and were probably smack dab in the middle, age wise.
2 Likes
We did a Viking Ocean cruise and will never go back to the huge ships!
4 Likes
We have it in mind to splurge on a Viking cruise someday when older, more travel limitations. But definitely would be bummed if low water meant switching to bus / hotel along the way.
1 Like
My mil called me today to tell me I should cancel my river cruise. If I only could. I can postpone it but canāt cancel.
Iām going to wait and see and hope for rain. I do not want to go on a bus trip that is supposed to be a cruise.
We are what I would call very active. It just seemed so nice to have a vacation where itās all planned for you.
6 Likes
We river cruised in 2019 but I started reading the river cruise message boards 3 yrs prior. Anyone who does there homework is keenly aware that high water can be a problem in the spring and low water can occur in the summer. Itās a risk one takes when booking a river cruise.
We cruised in Octoberāthe water depth was OK and so was the weather.
3 Likes
I guess 2018 was a bad year for the rivers.
The Rhine is in the midst of a 500 year low water point.
My husband and I are very aware of the ebbs and flows of rivers. I didnāt expect a 500 year event and waited until November to recover from summer.
3 Likes
There are a couple of good sites that list average daily temps for things like a river cruise. September and October are very nice months esp in Europe. Not only fewer crowds but sunny and mild. November can be raw and rainy esp. in Germany (as some have mentioned cruising on the Rhine). In good weather, itās lovely with rain and damp not so much.
Again, you can have nice temps but it can be very damp not fun for cruising. Honestly, Iād cruise in Sept/Oct or May.
Iād like to take a Viking Cruise at some point. But maybe during a year when Iāve also taken another vacation. We looked into it once. Seemed very nice. Iād use it for a place like Russia or Finland. Iād want to do it with another couple so we knew someone else. More fun.
3 Likes
I thought that I was responding on the travel thread not the retirement one. Sorry.
Iāve always wanted to go to Russia. No tours going there now.
We can move this to the travel thread.
2 Likes
We had a ātalkā with our financial advisor today. It was him talking, telling us we were in good shape and that his firm was doing a great job. And the forecast was rosy for the rest of the year.
Same spiel we get every time.
When we first met with him, he asked us what we spent each month. Now apparently thatās the number we can spend into perpetuity. And weāll be fine, just fine. Have lots of money left over at the end of my life.
Husband wants to stay with this firm, our money is doing fine. I donāt really care but this guy gets on my nerves.
7 Likes
Shouldnāt the retirement thread also be the travel thread? If it was up to me, thatās just about all I would do in retirement!
7 Likes
Apparently Iām supposed to be saving a ton of money from not working. Because Iām supposed to spend the same amount FOREVER!
Only everything went up. And my husband traveled before covid and so we were subsidized for his vehicle and gas. And then he was home, chained to his desk.
Our expenses have not gone down.
3 Likes