Scrunch down

On a May cruise in Europe aboard Viking River Cruises’ (877/668-4546) Viking Pride, the most exciting time of day or night was when the ship passed under a low bridge. Because the bridges were built centuries before river cruises were imagined, they are far too low for the low-to-the-water cruise ships to safely pass under without some preparation.

As we approached a low bridge, the sundeck was cleared and the reclining chairs flattened on the deck. In addition, the captain’s bridge, which is mounted on a hydraulic lift, was lowered so that the captain’s normally 48-inch-high windshield permitted only a 12-inch view of the river.

When the ship approached those bridges, the crew instructed all the passengers to withdraw to a lower deck. At other times, passengers remained on the sundeck and ducked to avoid a passing bridge.

CARROLL CHANDLER

Dallas, TX