The water on the Rhine river is too high to get boats through, so we are thinking about leaving the cruise. SO I need quick advice on what to do for five nights between Strasbourg France and Amsterdam Netherlands. I think I would prefer just one move before going to Amsterdam to use as a base and then maybe short day trips from that base. One thought is Brussels?

I did see you probably want only one stop. But you could consider two.

1. Luxembourg, 2 nights [not too far from Strasbourg] and then

2. Brussels, 3 nights. [A few easy day trips from Brussels] [Antwerp] and [ Gent]

We just got back from a river cruise, part of which was on the Rhine. The water was too high for us to connect with the Moselle, so we continued up the Rhine to Cologne. We were with Viking & they were very accommodating under the circumstances. Cologne was not on our schedule, but we docked right "in town" and Viking arranged for all to have a morning tour. The rest of the day we could be on our own. Your cruise company would probably arrange for tours also. I would stick with the "cruise" as I'm sure there will probably be a "Plan B." Luxembourg & Trier, Germany were interesting & lovely cities. The only problem for us was it was kind of cold & raining. I'd like to go back to those 2 places.

Luxembourg has had some flooding, too, and there could be more flooding in the next couple of days if the rain continues at the same levels.

Unless the cruise company doesn't come up with a Plan B, I'd stick with the cruise. But don't just rely on the cruise company's reporting on conditions. Do your own search for news before making your decision to stay or go (and where to go).

Thanks for the info. Suggestions on what to see in Brussels and Luxembourg?

The plan B for the cruise is to turn it into a bus tour. Already today we could be bussed the two hrs to Heidelberg, just over an hour in Heidelberg, and then a two hour bus ride back. I get "car" sick in a bus so I have NO interest in long bus rides. One reason I chose the cruise, another is I do not like packing and unpacking.

@ehc Did the cruise line give you an offer at the end of the cruise because of your problems i.e. half off next cruise, etc.?

Thanks for the help

I think you mentioned before only having two days in Amsterdam? You could easily spend more time there and also take some day trips from there. Brussels would work well for 2 days or so and the rest of the time could well be spent added to using Amsterdam. Good luck!

Sorry, poorly worded above. I meant to say you can easily spend another day or so in Amsterdam and then use it as a base to visit other nearby areas.

I think you need to read that cruise contract. It's in the back of that little book with the cruise itinerary in it. I know because I have one for the same cruise this coming July.

You can FORGET about getting anything for "the next cruise" especially if they offer alternative transportation which they are already doing.

Where are you based right now? Sorry if I missed it.

If you are not renting a car, I would recommend going from Strasbourg to Metz to Brussels to Amsterdam.

If you are renting a car, I would recommend going from Strasbourg to Metz to the Ardennes to Brussels...

Thanks. We are in Strasbourg. Still evaluating options car vs trains. Pretty much have decided to leave. Anyone know a nice inexpensive hotel in a good location in Brussels; maybe $150-$200/night?

I guess next week I will fall into Plan B!!!
Going from Amsterdam to Viennna.
Grrrr!!!

I don't know Brussels hotels as we camped when we were there many years ago but you can certainly check the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com and plug in your dates to get approximate prices and availability. Hopefully, you can get a good last minute deal. Perhaps if you post a new thread with something like "Good, Inexpensive Hotel in Brussels" you can quickly catch someone's attention and get some good advice.

www.hotelwelcome.com Location is a bit off the old center, but easy walking.

Ok got hotel 3 nights in Brussels. What should we do? We are definitely taking the train to Bruges

We did a bus tour to Antwerp.

Bruges is well worth the day trip.

Chocolate and beer, I would be a happy camper. Delirium Cafe!

Viking cruise lines did not offer any "deal" for another cruise. They did do a very nice job in cruising to Cologne and setting us up with a morning tour of that city which was not scheduled originally since we weren't even going there. We were supposed to be headed from the Rhine in Koblenz down the Moselle to Trier. Are you forfeiting all the $$$$ you spent to take the cruise or are just "jumping ship" for a few days? It doesn't sound like the waters are going to recede enough anytime soon.

Going to Vienna should not be at all a hardship. It's often the starting point for Danube cruises and is a wonderful city.

Love the "idea" of these river cruises, but it seems like there are often issues with water levels: either too much or too little, and you end up on a bus either way. Nothing the cruise line can control, but it would be a bit letdown if I were looking forward to a peaceful river cruise. Makes me hesitate to book that sort of trip. Maybe if the fares were really, really excellent.