As has happened once before, I have fallen way behind in keeping this blog up-to-date. Life sometimes has a habit of getting in the way of life! I have just started a new travel adventure, but realize that I never actually posted about a slightly earlier one. So here's to catching up, so that I can start anew.
In the late spring, I received an email from Viking cruises about some discounts on some river cruises. Obviously, just a way to fill those last few cabins before sailing. I have talked about Viking before - I love their cruises. No kids (I love kids but not necessarily on a cruise), no casinos (yes, I have spent my fair share of time in casinos, but not on cruises), enrichment activities, beautiful ships, no inside cabins, and a lot of other great stuff. My only real complaint is that for single travelers, they are expensive! Many travel experiences charge a supplement for going as a single; Viking's is 100% of the per person double occupancy price. So a cruise that is, say, $4,299 pp costs me $8,598. That's just a lot.
In this case however, they had really dropped the pp/do price significantly, dropped the 100% single supplement somewhat, and included round-trip international airfare at no cost. It was just too good a deal to pass up. I ended up booking a river cruise in France (along the Rhone).
This was a great opportunity for me. I have been to France multiple times, but always around the Paris area or the Mediterranean. Here was a chance to see some on the interior of the country. So off I went!
I flew overnight from Boston to Marseilles. Through Paris/CDG. By the way, I hate CDG. It is huge, and the arriving flight almost always ends up parking on the tarmac and we have to descend the stairs to buses that drive us around. I have never been in the airport when it wasn't packed with people. This time, between having to wait on the plane for the stairs/buses for over 30 minutes, and then it taking over 90 minutes to get through the screening inside the airport. my 3 1/4 hour layover ended up being barely enough time. But I made it!
Once arriving in Marseilles, the Viking passengers arriving in that part of the day met up with the Viking representatives, and eventually we boarded our bus to take the approximately 45 minute drive to where we met, about mid-afternoon, the Viking Hemrod in Avignon, France.
I unpacked, attended the required safety drill (with lifevest), then the evening briefing including introductions ... and then dinner. The food on Viking is really spectacular. Since I was traveling alone, I just found some people and asked to join their table, setting the pattern for much of the cruise. I like to meet as many people as possible. I also attended the 'Classical Evening in Avignon' entertainment, a trio of very talented singers (Enigma Trio) accompanied by our onboard piano player/singer.
It's important, when one doesn't sleep on planes, to stay up as long as possible that first day and then to sleep until one wakes up naturally - the best way I have found to avoid (or at least minimize) jetlag. In this case, I had been up for almost 40 hours by the time I went to sleep on Sunday evening, so I slept pretty well.
Check for the next post for the beginning of ports and pictures!
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