Monday December 15, 2014
From Vantage:
Linz
Depart 1:00am
Melk
Arrive 8:00am · Depart 2:00pm
After breakfast, enjoy a guided visit of Melk Abbey. Then, relax on board as you sail along the Wachau Valley — a UNESCO World Heritage landscape — with commentary from the ship's Bridge. Cultural Connection: Savor the sweet aroma of apples and cinnamon at an apple strudel making demonstration.
Actually:
20141215 Melk & Krems Monday ..Link To Photos ..
We woke in Melk. The tour to the famous Melk Abbey was to start at 0830 & we were tired, so we rose about 0830 and went to a quiet breakfast. Then we sat around and did nothing, which was very enjoyable. It was peaceful with all the troops ashore. Caught up on a little reading.
Then there was the Bavarian Lunch Buffet, and we loaded up on all kinds of Bavarian goodies.
Just before 1400, the ship got underway to cruise the Wachau Valley, where the river cut a path through a rocky chain of hills. The scenery was impressive. Many houses and little towns along the edge of the river, with a rock cliff behind them.
We got out some of our complimentary wine and sat in the Captain's Cabin little dining room at the stern of the ship and took pictures from there.
About 1630 we arrived in Krems and tied up, because the harbormaster at Vienna said there was no room for us. Krems is small and the city is a goodly ways from the ship. I know this because Glenn & I walked toward it; when we passed the supermarket and saw no lights ahead of us for a long way, we returned to the gift & coffee shop on the shore near the boat. There, we grabbed a bottle each of a local wine to drink tomorrow.
Then the President's Club met. This includes all who have traveled with Vantage three or more times. Free drinks & chatting in part of the lounge. The Gibson was good, as was the white wine. There was a short talk of appreciation by the cruise director. The port talk for Vienna followed immediately.
Then came the Christmas Dinner, which we elected to pass over and to eat instead in the Captain's Cabin. We'd eaten a bunch at lunch, so we went easy in the evening.
Then came the River Splendor Crew Show. One deck gang person did some songs on violin that were quite good. Some comedy skits followed, then the Cinderella story we'd seen this spring on River Navigator – still funny.
After all that, we could hardly wait to get to bed.
