How A River Cruise Helped My Mom And Me Become Closer You can ask Viking or your travel agent for specifics for the cruise that interests you. Early word by email or regular mail on new Viking Cruises itineraries and new ships, as well as special limited-time offers. Photo credit: Melissa Curtin For The Love Of France. Do you travel overnight for most of the time or is there day travel as well? We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. About Euros, Vikings guest services desk will break Euros into smaller denominations, but they dont handle currency exchanges. Does Viking's Travel Protection Plan cover COVID-19 costs (e.g., medical treatment, quarantine, repatriation, etc.)? However, it does offer a few basic perks for past guests. Throughout our decades of sailing the worlds great rivers, Viking has repeatedly reinvented the European river cruise vessel. Trying to guess the weather so we can narrow down what to pack. My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. Viking "Game of Skills: Win A Viking River Cruise" Promotion By the way, Viking does build in a set amount of gratuities for ship staff (or you can arrange for this on your account before sailing), but you may also want to give a personal cash tip to staff members who are particularly helpful. Some of the lines more exotic sailings such as its expedition trips to Antarctica cost even more. Thanks for the great details! WOW, what a complete piece of well written and informative information we have come across. As noted above, almost all of Vikings river ships are of the same basic design and are known as the Longships a reference to the historic vessels used by Vikings in the Middle Ages. Such access almost always comes with an extra charge on cruise vessels. Have a great cruise! Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? You'll always be able to find staples such as prime rib, chicken and salmon. Each of the lines ocean ships has a theater at its front that is home to production shows, movie showings (with fresh popcorn available) and enrichment lecturers. The same vessel this past summer launched the lines first voyages in the Great Lakes a destination that only a handful of cruise operators visit. If you choose to eat on the Aquavit Terrace, dinner begins at 7:15 pm with all of the same options as in the dining room. Find out more about award-winning Viking Longships. We have 2 upcoming cruises with Viking, and the one we did last year, that I spoke of in my previous post. Using ATMs machines? Guests can travel around Europe on the brand's latest voyage, Treasures of the Rhine, giving guests first access to explore Europe in the winter season! Have a wonderful cruise next year! Soothing, minimalist colors think creams, grays and lighter blues are the order of the day. Rosetta. Weve never had a problem finding an ATM in Europe, and Viking can surely help direct you to one. Have fun! On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? We are planning to take the Grand European Tour in July of 2023. Just inside is the Lounge where we ate one rainy lunchtime. It's a nice choice if you've had a long day touring and only need a small nosh. What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. Is a balcony something you cant live without when staying in a cabin on a cruise ship? Im glad you found the article helpful. Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary. The number of restaurants and other dining options that youll find on Viking ships will vary greatly depending on whether you are sailing on an ocean or a river ship. The Best of River Cruises . In addition to the theater, a secondary lounge space on the ships called Torshavn is home to musical entertainment at night. We did a Viking Rhine cruise Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. The line puts out loungers, some in the sun and some under cover, so you can enjoy drinks and river views. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. (When we were in Europe a few years ago, we received texts of some demonstrations in town and were given their locations and advised to stay away. One more of the vessels is scheduled to debut later this year, with three more ships in the series coming in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Hi Barb, Excursion options vary and are often driven by local tour operators and their schedules. Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience. For this subset of travelers, Viking offers a wide range of both ocean and river cruise itineraries that have a heavy focus on the destinations visited. Named after Viking founder Torstein Hagens mother (Ragnhild Mamsen Hagen), it offers authentic tastes of Norway such as traditional heart-shaped waffles, specialty cakes and the brown goat cheese that is found around the country. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. You'll have to pay for gratuities, as well as transfers if you did not book your flight through Viking. Did you bring euros or use credit card? If you have taken a Viking river cruise and want to share your experiences, please do so in the comment area below. Viking also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, and it recently began trips on the Mississippi River. We are traveling with 8 other people. Viking Cruises Announces New River Voyage To Europe Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! Its been a seamless process for us, and it functions well although we do incur additional international charges. First timer on river cruise. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board. (2:15 p.m. EDT) -- The Rhine River is a busy summer destination for river cruises in Europe, with multiple lines . We leave on our trip tomorrow, Antwerp to Amsterdam for ten days. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. Included excursion in every port and free Wi-Fi. A den of serenity, its one of our favorite places on these vessels. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. 12.5 laps = 1 mile. Enjoy! The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. On all river cruises, guests are offered one complimentary shore excursion at every destination. Viking river cruises - Rick Steves Travel Forum You said you enjoy a few drinks before dinner, and if you add in some premium wine at dinner, the total you spend each day might add up pretty quickly. The upscale cruise brand has carved out a niche since its founding in 1997, catering specifically to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler who is looking to explore the world and learn a thing or two along the way. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Viking keeps track of your expenses during the cruise, including bar items, laundry, phone calls, and purchases from the Viking shop (logo wear and souvenirs). Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. On all ships, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? Great article. When I returned, I noticed two Viking bookmarks resting on top of the books. If youre looking for a big open room on an ocean cruise (and are willing to pay for it), Viking offers you plenty of options. What is the electrical voltage in the staterooms? We are on the Aug Rhine cruise and our 1st river cruise. Have a great cruise! Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? The line also doesnt charge a corkage fee. Air Fare Booked with your Viking River Cruise - Cruise Critic Its also known for an extensive collection of Armagnacs, with one from almost every year of the past eight decades. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. Thanks. Congrats on your 50th! Despite its generally casual feel, jeans and shorts are not permitted at dinner. Have a wonderful cruise! Page River Cruises - European, Asian, Mississippi & Nile Cruises | Viking Journey with the world's #1 river cruise line. They will text you with any security issues you should be aware of while youre away. Looking at the Viking Daily it appears that included tours are in the morning and optional ones are in the afternoon. (Viking asks that luggage not be placed outside the staterooms when going to bed the previous night due to safety concerns should there be an emergency, having bags in the narrow corridors would pose a safety risk.). Learn how your comment data is processed. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. We enjoyed sitting with different people; it gave us a chance to learn about their travel experiences and lives a bit. In addition, some people research other (non-Viking) tour options in advance of their cruise and book a personal or small-group tour to suit their specific interests on their own. Ive not taken a Viking optional tour that I didnt like, but I will say that there are passengers who also book tours independent of Viking due to a keen interest in something and the personal or small-group experience that is available with independent tour guides. That makes it handy for your husband to fetch your morning cup! The tips cover all onboard staff. In fact, the line doesnt even allow children under the age of 18 on its ships. There werent separate morning and afternoon excursions for an upcoming ocean cruise my husband and I are taking, and thatll work out just fine. Some guests preferred to stay in the Lounge and simply relax, read a book, or enjoy the view beyond the big plate glass window or take in the views from the sun deck. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously, this is an efficient way to find which tour guide to meet as you disembark the ship. (As recently as 2012, the line operated just 29 river ships.). Good question, John, but its not an easy one to answer! There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This is because some guests may have canceled their planned optional excursions prior to the cruise; so its a good practice to check on this and any other concerns once youre on board. Unfortunately, theres no easy answer. (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) On a Viking ship, you will sail into the heart of your destination, so you can explore up close and in depth. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. Hi Carol, Although ride-share companies, like Uber, are in many cities worldwide, theyre not everywhere, so it depends on what cities youre considering. Viking Adds Arctic Expeditions and Winter Rhine River Cruise Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. Have a wonderful cruise in September! Thanks for the great information. Attire on a river cruise is casual. If youve seen one, youve seen them all. Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. These cabins come in at 445 square feet -- some of the largest on the rivers -- and not only have a separate bedroom and living areas, but a wraparound balcony. Elizabeth Rhodes Updated on February 23, 2023 Fact checked by Kevin Ford Photo: Rottet Studio/Courtesy of Viking River cruises are a great way to see the world you can visit several. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the Ukraine war.). How frequently do you sanitize my stateroom? Its relatively easy to dress up a pair of jeans a bit, so the overall look is elegant casual. Enjoy your cruise! The 10 Best River Cruise Lines - Travel + Leisure 1. Its forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. Thats because some people end up canceling their reservations for optional excursions. I have a quick question that I wouldnt seem to find the answer online: We are thinking about renting a car at Koblenz and go to Nurburgring for a few hours and also at Speyer to go to Stuttgart for the day. Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. Leave your dressier clothes at home; there are no formal nights on a Viking river cruise. An elevator runs between the ship's Main Deck and upper deck only; passengers with mobility issues should avoid cabins on the lower deck and may miss out on activities up on the Sun Deck. The recommended tipping (for each guest) on excursions is 2 Euros for local guides and 1 Euro for bus drivers. Find the right card for you. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and that things work out for your planned day trips! We enjoyed it very much, They sell out months in advance so act quickly. Paying upfront might offer peace of mind if you like knowing that its already paid for and you dont have to think about an upcoming beverage bill. This new, state-of-the-art vessel was inspired by our award-winning Viking Longships and features the clean Scandinavian design for which Viking is known, as well as public spaces that are familiar to our river and ocean cruise guests but have been reimagined for Mississippi River voyages. Incidentally, we had to change ships midway through a river cruise because of a broken lock on the river, and Viking handled it professionally and without too much inconvenience. The Church of Our Lady, Haussman Tower, Catholic Court Church, Semperoper and Elbe River in Saxony, Germany. Needless to say, its handy to have small change for tipping. Viking will be the first line to operate year-round European river cruises. On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! Designed to navigate the Mekong River, hosting just 80 guests, Viking Saigon offers understated elegance and has been built to reflect the clean, Scandinavian design principles for which Viking is known. The ships on the Douro even have a pool. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Rhine River Cruises | Viking River Cruises 25 TH ANNIVERSARY SALE Up to FREE Airfare & Special Fares $25 Deposit Last day to book Rhine River Cruises Raise a glass of Riesling to our acclaimed Rhine River cruises through Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. A Viking Ocean ship sails in Croatia. Yes, there have been changes to address public health safety, but Im betting they wont interfere with your overall enjoyment. with a German Schuko 2-pin plug that matches the 2-prong outlet in the bathroom. If youre sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary and about a dozen other things you can head over to Viking.com and book directly. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continent's rivers far more than any other river line catering to North . The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? THE 25 BEST Viking River River Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic Its also a big player in the Mediterranean. Viking currently operates 10 ocean ships, eight of which are nearly identical. Passengers will also find finger sandwiches, scones and teas in the afternoon at the glass-topped Wintergarden lounge at the top of every vessel. (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) There are other excursions that day that we could do. Your comments are really appreciated. Viking Cruises is heading to Europe and will operate year-round with a new winter river voyage! Enjoy! You will need to pay extra for tips, laundry and additional shore excursion offerings. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Elbe. The centerpiece of the top deck of each of Vikings ocean ships is the main pool area, which is home to a pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, as well as comfortable seating areas. We do indeed have new travel hiccups and challenges these days. Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. As for keeping the itinerary full, its hard not to when you have so many great places to explore, but I agree that scheduling downtime is important, too. Have a fabulous cruise! Additionally, TIME magazine featured both Giza and Saqqara on its "World's . I hate when that happens! One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. and special treats made pleasant surprises. What a great experience she has ahead of her! I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. When it debuted in 2017, it originally catered to the North American market and was called Viking Sun. What are the charges for individual cocktails, apertifs or premium beers/wines by glass? On vessels with hair or spa services, or any retail offerings, you'll need to pay extra for these as well. The 410-foot-long versions of the vessels, for instance, were specifically built to be able to sail into the heart of Paris on the Seine River. To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and create a photo book of your journey when you return home. We also took along some thank you cards and added some extra cash to give to those we felt went above and beyond during our cruise. Most Viking customers are approaching their retirement years or are already there and theyre eager to finally see all the places they didnt have time to visit when they were raising kids and establishing careers in their younger years. Taxes, fees and port expenses not included. Viking sailings arent inexpensive. River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. As you leave the ship, you are handed a bottle of water. (On a Seine River voyage, you might have a tasting of local French cheeses or French wines, for instance). We werent near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) In addition to your stateroom, there are several key public areas on the longships including an expansive, relaxing lounge and bar, the Aquavit Terrace at the ships bow for al fresco dining and soaking in river views, a dining room, a coffee/tea station, a small library, and an area with two desktop computers for guest use. Having the veranda offers you another personal space plus a nice perch (with chairs) from which to view the passing scenery during the time that the ship is sailing in daylight hours. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. There are costs associated with the optional tours and they vary, and I suppose that correlates with the costs Viking incurs. Our preferred day at a town where we were docked included a morning walking tour (an included excursion) to get the lay of the land. When you return to your room, you will notice the dinner menus for that evening. My husband and I will be sailing with Viking on a Rhine River cruise (Netherlands to Lucerne) this month and our very first river cruise (during a pandemic). Every one of the lines 930-passenger ocean ships has a main restaurant (called, simply, The Restaurant) with rotating menus that include dishes that tie to the destination where the vessel is sailing. Viking has long argued that few of its customers use fitness centers and the space that would be devoted to one is better used for other things. Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. Inclusions are: 8-day cruise in Veranda (category B) stateroom. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees. How can we arrange individual tours or make dinner reservations if we dont know the times or the port arrangements? There is no fitness center or spa on Viking river cruise ships; the space that could be a fitness center is instead put to use in the common areas and staterooms. Best for: People taking their first river cruise who want a choice of cabins, itineraries and availability, Not for: Families or travelers looking for luxurious, all-inclusive river cruises, Viking Rhine Cruise on the Rolf - Great Experience. You want someone who knows all of the lines many itineraries in detail and, preferably, has sailed on or at least inspected some of the lines vessels, too, to understand the various cabin types and onboard amenities. Our partners who list cruise pricing on Cruise Critic are required to provide prices for cruise only or cruise packages, per person, double occupancy, and are based on specific cabin types and sailing dates, and may not be available for all cabin types/sailings. Well do the Grand European from B to A in October this year. Some companies may take space from common areas to put into spas and fitness centers; others, like Viking, use all that available space for staterooms and common areas.). Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line, mostly due to the fact that it operates both ocean cruises and river cruises. Passengers on Viking River Cruises are generally English-speaking, well-traveled cruise veterans in the 55-plus bracket, although China and Southeast Asia attracts some younger travelers (think 40-plus). First, it is adding a new winter river cruise itinerary along the Rhine. On Viking river cruises, wines are included at lunch and dinner and are poured liberally. Viking River Cruises: 9 Tips For Enjoying The Best Food - TravelAwaits We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. I hope you have a wonderful time! Related: The ultimate guide to Viking's cruise loyalty program. We celebrated a big anniversary on our cruise and were delighted with champagne and a special dessert awaiting us in our room after dinner one night. This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. At 47,800 tons, these ocean ships are less than a fourth the size of the giant megaships being built by the likes of Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, in keeping with Vikings focus on intimate, upscale voyages. Interesting information! To Viking, that means a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women, and trousers and a collared shirt for men. Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. As for Tours by Locals, Ive used them, as well, and was pleased. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Also, we had booked an English-speaking tour of the Hungarian Parliament which ended up being fascinating; if you plan to do this, make sure to make reservations online ahead of your visit. We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023. One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. Viking River Cruises - Cruise Critic Ditto for the lines river vessels. My first question is, without using the laundry service on board , do you have suggestions on washing items in your cabin? Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. Ive hand washed some things in the sink and hung them up to dry on the line, and it worked fine. The Grand Prize is a Viking "Rhine Getaway" cruise for two people, leaving Basel 17 November 2023 and travelling to Amsterdam for 8 days and 7 nights. However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. Good Job!! Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. Just make sure you notify your bank before traveling, so they dont flag your ATM transaction in another country as suspicious! When we cruised, the classics included Caesar salad as a starter; steak, salmon, and chicken as entrees, and Creme Brle, a selection of cheeses, a fruit plate, and ice cream for dessert. Remember to notify your bank of your travel dates and destinations before leaving home! While these "baby Longships," as the company calls them, may be smaller, they have similar amenities, restaurants and cabin choices.
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