Macworld_logo

MacMania 14 Itinerary

Rhine River • April 12–20, 2012

DAY PORT ARRIVE DEPART CONFERENCE SESSIONS
THURSDAY, APRIL 12 AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS 1pm (Boarding) Overnight 6pm, WELCOME ABOARD COCKTAIL PARTY!
FRIDAY, APRIL 13 AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS 8am 8:30am – Noon & 1:30pm – 5pm
SATURDAY, APRIL 14 COLOGNE, GERMANY 7:30am 12:30pm 1:30pm – 7pm
KOBLENZ 8:30pm Overnight
SUNDAY, APRIL 15 KOBLENZ, GERMANY 8am 8:30am – Noon
RÜDESHEIM, GERMANY 2pm 9:30pm
MONDAY, APRIL 16 MANNHEIM, GERMANY 7:30am 1:30pm 2pm – 7pm
TUESDAY, APRIL 17 STRASBOURG, FRANCE 4:30am Overnight
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 STRASBOURG, FRANCE 4am 8:30am – Noon
BREISACH, GERMANY 1pm 9pm
THURSDAY, APRIL 19 BASEL, SWITZERLAND 3:30am (9am bus to Geneva)
FRI. – SUN., APRIL 20 – 22 PARIS or GENEVA Various tours/options available starting on the 20th (details)
map of our trip

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 — BREISACH: 1pm – 9pm

Maps

»» Breisach »»

Local Tourism Websites

»» Official Town Site of Breisach am Rhein »»

Wikipedia

»» Breisach »»

Cultural Stuff

»» Wine Cultivation »»

»» Rhine Geology »»

a view of Breisach
a castle with the Swiss apls in the background, near Geneva

On the water-edge of Lake Geneva, near Montreux this 12th century castle is one the most important touristic attractions of Switzerland. Build both as a fortress controlling the ancient passage from France to Italy and an princely residence it consists of 25 building units, oldest of them dating back to the first millennium.

Local Tourism Websites

»» Official Geneva Tourism & Conventions Site »»

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 — GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
9am – 4pm

CERN

From the tiniest constituents of matter to the immensity of the cosmos, discover the wonders of science and technology at CERN. Join Bright Horizons for a private pre-cruise, custom, full-day tour of this iconic facility.

Whether you lean toward concept or application there’s much to pique your curiousity. Discover the excitement of fundamental research and get a behind-the-scenes, insider’s look of the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.

Our full day will be led by a CERN official and physicist. We’ll have an orientation; visit an accelerator and experiment; get a sense of the mechanics of the large hadron collider (LHC); make a refueling stop for lunch in the Globe of Science and Innovation; and have time to peruse exhibits and media on the history of CERN and the nature of its work.

To take advantage of this unrivaled insider access to CERN, rendezvous with Bright Horizons on April 20, 2012 in Geneva, Switzerland. For evolving details, please give us a call at (650) 787-5667.

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Experiments

The six experiments at the LHC are all run by international collaborations, bringing together scientists from institutes all over the world. Each experiment is distinct, characterised by its unique particle detector.

The two large experiments, ATLAS and CMS, are based on general-purpose detectors to analyse the myriad of particles produced by the collisions in the accelerator. They are designed to investigate the largest range of physics possible. Having two independently designed detectors is vital for cross-confirmation of any new discoveries made.

Two medium-size experiments, ALICE and LHCb, have specialised detectors for analysing the LHC collisions in relation to specific phenomena.

Two experiments, TOTEM and LHCf, are much smaller in size. They are designed to focus on ‘forward particles’ (protons or heavy ions). These are particles that just brush past each other as the beams collide, rather than meeting head-on.

The ATLAS, CMS, ALICE and LHCb detectors are installed in four huge underground caverns located around the ring of the LHC. The detectors used by the TOTEM experiment are positioned near the CMS detector, whereas those used by LHCf are near the ATLAS detector.

(From CERN’s website.)

From Wikipedia:

The European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory, situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco-Swiss border, established in 1954. The organization has twenty European member states, and is currently the workplace of approximately 2,600 full-time employees, as well as some 7,931 scientists and engineers (representing 580 universities and research facilities and 80 nationalities).

CERN’s main function is to provide the particle accelerators and other infrastructure needed for high-energy physics research. Numerous experiments have been constructed at CERN by international collaborations to make use of them. It is also noted for being the birthplace of the World Wide Web.

As an international facility, CERN is officially under neither Swiss nor French jurisdiction. Member states’ contributions to CERN for the year 2008 totalled approximately € 700 million.

Cern Underground
 
Cern Tunnel
 
Cern recorded event computer image
 
Cern recorded event computer image

GENERAL INFORMATION AND DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS
A Passport (valid through July 22, 2012 or 90 days after your return from this trip) is required. Non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States will need valid Alien Registration (green) cards as well. All others must have valid passports and any required visas when boarding the vessel. All travel documents such as passports, visas, proof of citizenship, etc., that are required for embarkation, disembarkation at the ports of call, and re-entry into the United States are the responsibility of the passenger. American citizens should visit the U.S. Department of State for information on entry requirements for a specific country. Please go to the Entry/Exit Requirements section in the Country Specific Information for the country you are interested in. You may also contact the U.S. embassy or consulate of that country for further information. In general, if you are a U.S. citizen, you are not required to obtain a visa to enter France, Germany, the Netherlands, or Switzerland for the short duration of this conference cruise.

Non-U.S. citizens are asked to check with their government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine documentary requirements. You may be denied boarding without proper proof of citizenship. All travel documents such as passports, visas, proof of citizenship, etc., that are required for embarkation, disembarkation at the ports of call, and re-entry into one’s country of residence are the responsibility of the passenger. Canadian or British? Information for similar to that on this page directed at United States citizens may be found at the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada site. For citizens of the United Kingdom, such information may be found at The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Travel & Living Abroad site.

The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of State’s single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4-USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778); TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793. Passport information is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. You may speak with a representative Monday–Friday, 8am–10pm, Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland are parties to the Schengen agreement which eliminates all internal border controls between them. Once you enter one Schengen country you may travel continuously for up to 90 days between the member countries. Within the Schengen area, you do not show your passport when crossing country borders.

Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passports upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If you want to be sure your entry is properly documented, you must ask for a stamp at an official point of entry. Without the stamp, you may be questioned and asked to prove how long you have been staying in Schengen countries when you leave.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as both sides of your driver’s license. Leave one set of copies in the safe in your cabin while traveling and leave one set behind with your emergency contact in your country of residence who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.


U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT’S COUNTRY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR U.S. CITIZENS

FRANCE

U.S. Department Of State Backgrounder on: France

Important details on entry and exit requirements for U.S. citizens, information on safety and security, crime, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION, and more are located here. France is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter France for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. Obtain information on ENTRY/EXIT Document REQUIREMENTS for France for U.S. Citizens here. Non-U.S. citizens are asked to check with government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine documentary requirements related to the Schengen agreement. You may be denied boarding without proper proof of citizenship. For further information concerning entry requirements for France, contact the Embassy of France at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel. (202) 944 6000, or online Embassy of France in Washington ; or the French Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, or San Francisco.

GERMANY

U.S. Department Of State Backgrounder on: Germany

Important details on entry and exit requirements for U.S. citizens, information on safety and security, crime, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION, and more are located here. Germany is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Germany for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. Obtain information on ENTRY/EXIT Document REQUIREMENTS for Germany for U.S. Citizens here. Non-U.S. citizens are asked to check with government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine documentary requirements related to the Schengen agreement. You may be denied boarding without proper proof of citizenship. For further information concerning entry requirements for Germany, contact the German Embassy in Washington at 4645 Reservoir Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 2007, telephone (202) 298-4000, or the German consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco for the most current visa information.

THE NETHERLANDS

U.S. Department Of State Backgrounder on: The Netherlands

Important details on entry and exit requirements for U.S. citizens, information on safety and security, crime, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION, and more are located here. The Netherlands is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter The Netherlands for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. Obtain information on ENTRY/EXIT Document REQUIREMENTS for The Netherlands for U.S. Citizens here. Non-U.S. citizens are asked to check with government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine documentary requirements related to the Schengen agreement. You may be denied boarding without proper proof of citizenship. For further information concerning entry requirements for The Netherlands, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, +1-877-DUTCHHELP +1-877-388-2443, or one of the Dutch consulates in Chicago, New York, Miami or San Francisco

SWITZERLAND

U.S. Department Of State Backgrounder on: Switzerland

Important details on entry and exit requirements for U.S. citizens, information on safety and security, crime, MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION, and more are located here. Switzerland is a party to the Schengen agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Switzerland for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. Obtain information on ENTRY/EXIT Document REQUIREMENTS for Switzerland for U.S. Citizens here. Non-U.S. citizens are asked to check with government agencies, embassies or consulates to determine documentary requirements related to the Schengen agreement. You may be denied boarding without proper proof of citizenship. For more information on entry requirements, travelers may contact the Embassy of Switzerland at 2900 Cathedral Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 745-7900, or a Swiss Consulate General in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco.

U.S. EMBASSIES & CONSULATES ALONG OUR ITINERARY

FRANCE

U.S. Consulate General Strasbourg
15, Avenue d'Alsace
67082 Strasbourg
Telephone: 03 88 35 31 04
Telephone from the United States: (011 33) 3 88 35 31 04
Fax: 03 88 24 06 95
Emergency after-hours telephone: 01 43 12 22 22
Emergency after-hours telephone from the United States: (011 33) 1 43 12 22 22
 
U.S. Embassy Paris
4, avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris
Telephone: 01 43 12 22 22
Telephone from the United States: (011 33) 1 43 12 22 22
Emergency after-hours telephone: 01 43 12 22 22
Emergency after-hours telephone from the United States: (011 33) 1 43 12 22 22
Fax Passport Services: 01 42 96 28 39
Fax Passport Services from the United States: (011 33) 1 42 96 28 39
Fax Special Consular Services: 01 42 61 61 40
Fax Special Consular Services from the United States: (011 33) 1 42 61 61 40

GERMANY

U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt
Giessener Str. 30, 60435 Frankfurt am Main
Tel. (49) (69) 7535-0 (emergency services only)
Tel.(49) (69) 7535-2102 (routine calls and information requests, 2pm–4pm Monday–Friday)
Fax: (49) (69) 7535-2252
American citizen services email: GermanyACS@state.gov
Passport inquiries email: FrankfurtPassports@state.gov

THE NETHERLANDS

Consulate General of the United States, Amsterdam
Museumplein 19
1071 DJ Amsterdam
Telephone: (31) (20) 575-5309
Emergency after-hours telephone: (31) (70) 310-2209
Facsimile: (31) (20) 679-0321

SWITZERLAND

United States Embassy Bern
Sulgeneckstrasse 19, 3007 Bern
Telephone: (41) (31) 357-7011 (2pm–5pm) Emergency phone: after-hours/weekends — (41) (31) 357-7777
Facsimile: (41) (31) 357-7280
 
United States Consular Agency, Geneva
rue Versonnex 7, 1207 Geneva
Telephone: (41) (22) 840-5160 (10am–1pm)
Facsimile: (41) (22) 840-5162

RELEVANT FOREIGN EMBASSIES

FRANCE

For further information concerning entry requirements for France, contact the Embassy of France at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel. (202) 944 6000, or online Embassy of France in Washington; or the French Consulates General in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, or San Francisco.

GERMANY

For further information concerning entry requirements for Fermany contact the German Embassy in Washington at 4645 Reservoir Road N.W., Washington, D.C. 2007, telephone (202) 298-4000, or the German Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or San Francisco for the most current visa information.

THE NETHERLANDS

For further information, contact the Embassy of the Netherlands at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20008, +1-877-DUTCHHELP or +1-877-388-2443or one of the Dutch Consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, or Miami, in addition to various honorary Dutch consulates throughout the United States.

SWITZERLAND

For more information on entry requirements contact the Embassy of Switzerland at 2900 Cathedral Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 745-7900, or a Swiss Consulate General in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, or San Francisco.

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS TO READ

SPECIAL DIETS

Please advise Insight Cruises of any special dietary requests at the time of booking. AmaWaterways will make every effort to accommodate your request, but please note that local conditions and seasonality can affect AmaWaterways’ ability to comply. In some locations, it is more difficult to accommodate dietary needs than in others.

CDC TRAVELERS’ HEALTH WEBSITE

Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) and a website give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. The CDC publication Health Information for International Travel is worth looking over.

Your doctor or health-care provider will determine what if any vaccinations you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the continent you will be visiting, and planned activities. Be sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. There are no specific vaccinations required for the countries on our itinerary.

U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC): Health information, with Recommendations or Requirements for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases for travelers to France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

CDC Travel Health Kit

ELECTRICITY

The electrical current in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland is 220-240 volts AC. Wall outlets in France, Germany, and the Netherlands take plugs with two rounded prongs. Wall outlets in Switzerland may take plugs with two rounded prongs or a Swiss Type J converter with three rounded prongs. If you plan to use U.S. electrical appliances you will need to bring a converter and Type C Europlug, Type E/F European Schuko, and Type J Swiss adapters. However, many appliances and laptops can take 220 volts; if yours can, you only need the two-prong adapter.

WEATHER

Here was the weather for the corresponding days of our cruise, during the year indicated. Historical averages are from the mid ’90s to current day.

Amsterdam   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

Strasbourg   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

Basel   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

Geneva   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

Paris   2008   2009   2010
Historical Averages

HEALTH CARE

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you buy trip insurance that provides appropriate coverage.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible.

There is no doctor onboard the AMAcello. The ship sails close to shore, and in the event of an emergency, medical services can be requested at once. The AMAcello can easily dock to receive a doctor or ambulance staff.

CHECKED LUGGAGE

Check with your airline to determine the current fees, baggage allowances, and size restrictions for your luggage. Regardless of what your airline permits, you have to factor in the ground portion of your trip. Space constraints on trains and buses make it impractical to accommodate extra luggage. Experience leads to our request that you pack light, and limit your checked luggage to one average sized suitcase per person.

Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc rather than wheeled carry-on luggage or backpacks.

INTERNET ACCESS

Every AmaCello stateroom is equipped with a monitor and a keyboard, and offers complimentary Internet access through the ship’s unique Infotainment System. Wireless internet is also available in the Aft Lounge free of charge. Since the internet system functions via satellite, there may be times, depending on location, when service is unavailable.

The Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam offers complimentary wired and WiFi access.

Le Meridien Etoile in Paris offers wird and WiFi access in rooms for 19 Euro per day, and WiFi in public areas at 20 Euro per day.

CURRENCY

The Euro is the official currency of France, Germany, and The Netherlands. The Swiss Franc (CHF or SFr.) is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland. Oanda.com is a reliable site at which to check the current exchange rate.

ACTIVITY LEVEL, MOBILITY, AND WALKING

The international community does not adhere to the same accessibility standards that hotels, restaurants and public buildings do in the United States. Facilities and services for passengers with disabilities may vary by destination, and in some cases, are limited or nonexistent. Handicapped facilities on board riverboats are limited. River cruise vessels are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, and hallways and doors may not be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs or scooters.

If you require individual assistance for walking, mobility assistance, dining or other personal needs you must be accompanied by an able companion who is responsible for and physically able to provide such assistance.

The MS Amacello has an elevator that operates between the Violin and Cello decks, but does not go to the Piano deck, where Category "D" and "E" cabins are located. The elevator does not reach the Sun Deck.

European motor coaches and minibuses used for transfers and shore excursions may not be equipped with wheelchair ramps, or specialized access.

To get the most out of this cruise and optional excursions, you should be in good health and able to walk/move considerable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces such as stone block or cobblestone surfaces, in hilly terrain, and able to climb stairways. Whether you walk vigorously, with assistance, or use an assistive device for mobility, the amount of walking/rolling you do is at your discretion. For guests who attend the optional CERN post-cruise excursion, one must be able to stand and walk for more than four hours.

During the cruise, to accommodate passengers who prefer a more relaxed, gentle walking pace, AMAWaterways allocates one guide to lead a “gentle walkers” group wherever possible. For guests who would like more time to explore on their own or see more during the tour, we have an “active walker” group in certain locations that provide a faster-paced tour to either see more landmarks or, to offer more free time by condensing the duration of the tour.

AMAWaterways notes that transfers and shore excursions adhere to a predetermined timetable and participants in these activities should have no physical impairments that would affect the time schedules or interfere with the rights of other passengers on vacation. Without limitation, AmaWaterways, Insight Cruises and their affiliates are not responsible for any denial of services by airline carriers, cruise vessels, hotels, lodges, coaches, local guides or operators or other independent suppliers.

Please advise Insight Cruises of AmaWaterways of any special needs or other conditions at the time of booking.

CALLING INTERNATIONALLY
  • France:
    To call France from the United States, dial the international prefix, 011; then France’s country code, 33; and then the nine-digit phone number. To make an international call from France, you must dial 00, followed by the country code, the area code, and the telephone number. For example, to call InSight Cruises from France, you would dial 00-1-650-787-5665.
  • Germany:
    To call Germany from the United States, dial the international prefix, 011; then Germany’s country code, 49; and then the area code and phone number. To make an international call from Germany, you must dial 00, followed by the country code, the area code, and the telephone number. For example, to call InSight Cruises from Germany, you would dial 00-1-650-787-5665.
  • The Netherlands:
    To call The Netherlands from the United States, dial the international prefix, 011; then The Netherlands’s country code, 31; and then the area code and phone number. To make an international call from The Netherlands, you must dial 00, followed by the country code, the area code, and the telephone number. For example, to call InSight Cruises from The Netherlands, you would dial 00-1-650-787-5665.
  • Switzerland:
    To call Switzerland from the United States, dial the international prefix, 011; then Switzerland’s country code, 41; and then the area code and phone number. To make an international call from Switzerland, you must dial 00, followed by the country code, the area code, and the telephone number. For example, to call InSight Cruises from Switzerland, you would dial 00-1-650-787-5665.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS ABROAD

U.S. Department of State Emergency Assistance to American Citizens Abroad: American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS).

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

For information on airport and port-related declaration of goods, immigration issues, and more.

264 S. Meridith Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106 • 650-787-5665 • Copyright 2011 © InSight Cruises