Assuming a negative Covid-19 test 48 hours (PCR) or 24 hours (Antigen) before boarding KLM on Saturday night, I will be cruising October 4-14, 2021 on Crystal Debussy. On this page, you’ll find a feed of my Instagram posts, updated every day during my cruise. Be sure to also follow my live stories on @avidcruiser. Coverage begins today as I prepare for my trip to Amsterdam.
The itinerary is dreamy. I did a similar run on Crystal Bach two years ago. That cruise was so enjoyable that I came back home and asked Crystal if I could host a cruise, inviting River Cruise Advisor readers at a special rate. Nearly three dozen people signed up, but our group dwindled as Delta surged throughout the United States. Seven of us will be carrying the flat on this cruise.
Our cruise begins with an overnight in Amsterdam, followed by visits to Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Bernkastel, Trier, Cochem, Bonn, Arnhem before returning to the Dutch capital. While the Rhine is enjoyable, the Moselle is stunning, and about half of our 11 days on board will be on the Rhine.
Thanks for following along, and feel free to reach out to me in the comments section below or by messaging me on Instagram. Click on the round icon below to see my live Instagram stories.
Nice way to end the cruise #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy
Moonrise over Cochem Castle #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy #cochemcastle #cochem
Next time you’re on the Moselle, hike or bike or bike/hike up into the vineyards. This will be your reward. #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy #moselle #rivercruise #rivercruisegermany
Today from the top deck of Crystal Debussy. #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy #cochemcastle #cochem #cochemgermany #mosellerivercruise #moselleriver
Time-lapse into Cochem, Germany #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy #moselle
Last night’s dinner in the Vintage Room. As good as it gets. #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy #finedining #finewines
So pretty. My bed on #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy faces the window. #moselle #rivercruise #rivercruises #rivercruiseseurope #rivercruiseship #rivercruiser #arivercruise #rivercruisegermany #rivercruisetrip #rivercruiseurope
Just wow! #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy #bernkastelkues #mosel
Soufflé on Crystal Debussy #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy
Wonderful dinner in the Bistro on Crystal Debussy. Radu from Romania 🇷🇴 gets five stars as does the dining experience. #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy
Not a bad hotel to bunk down in before boarding Crystal Debussy this afternoon. Too short of a stay though. #luxuryhotels #amsterdam #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy #hiltonhotel
Off to a rocky start but a happy ending. The Covid test had challenges - mainly finding one and getting it back in time. And it was complicated by th fact that the pharmacy gave me the wrong test this morning, a PCR that would not yield results in time for me to board the flight. They said it was too late for me to get another test, the Rapid Diagnostic, which yields results within 24 hours. But, I said, that’s the one I signed up for and showed them my appointment info. Luckily, they relented and gave me another. A happy ending. America should not be so short on tests. I feel for those having to give the tests. Supplies are short, etc. We can do better. No wonder a September NY Times article asked, Where are the tests? It cited other countries being awash in tests. The U.S. not. #crystalrivercruises #crystaldebussy #netherlands #klmairlines #klmairlines✈️ #klmairlinesusa #covidtests
Assuming a negative Covid-19 test 48 hours (PCR) or 24 hours (Antigen) before boarding KLM on Saturday night, I will be cruising October 4-14, 2021 on Crystal Debussy. Coverage begins today as I prepare for my trip to Amsterdam. Pictured: Sister ship to Debussy, Crystal Bach on my last river cruise two years ago. #crystalcruises #crystaldebussy #crystalrivercruises
When ordering the BinaxNOW test kits BE SURE to select the correct one; there are two. One of them can be used for International Travel because it is monitored. The other cannot be used for International Travel.
I also had a problem initially with T.A.P. airlines at Newark airport refusing the test results. They told me to go to CVS! Persistently I provided them with information demonstrating that the US Government ok’ed the one I purchased it for re-entry into the US and the fact that United (Star Alliance) and American (One World) airlines accepted it. What a grueling hour!
My question is about the PCR. I am not sure how to get a PCR (not a Rapid test)48 hrs prior to arrival in Amsterdam. We live in the middle of the country where tests aren’t given. Not sure where to get a PCR and be within 48 hrs. Maybe I am worrying too much.
Yes, I had problems with that too. Even in a city (Asheville) the tests were hard to schedule. I am hoping to get my antigen (24 hours before boarding required) tomorrow morning before boarding at 10 p.m. You’re not worrying too much! Look at Ellume, which offers a solution if you order it online and have your test administered via video. https://www.ellumecovidtest.com/ Bionax has a similar product, https://www.abbott.com/BinaxNOW-Tests-NAVICA-App.html