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). Is the ship nonsmoking? Another option, if the river levels are too low overall, would be for passengers to be bussed from destination to destination, staying in hotels, throughout the cruise. Viking River Cruises All Viking ships in Europe, Russia and Ukraine feature free WiFi. 12.5 laps = 1 mile. We didnt regret our decision. We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. Enjoy! (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) (Another idea is to get Euros at one of the airport currency exchange kiosks, but the exchange rates will probably not be favorable.). I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. So for 200 dollars, we got a 400 value good for tickets, flights, an excursion, or even the beverage package. My husband and I are doing the Grand Tour B > A in early October 2023. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. Hi Linda, youre facing a big decision: to go with Silver Spirits or not! My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. Were planning a Viking river cruise May 2022. We were never disappointed with our meal selections. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. There they may board another ship. Viking does offer access to desktop computers in Russia and laptops in Europe. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Some other Viking guests enjoyed their visits to the thermal baths, but we opted to do our own thing with the parliament tour and walks to areas recommended by our local tour guide (from the walking tour). And our experience was that we were usually parked next to other Viking ships, so we walked through familiar spaces. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) Your email address will not be published. Would an excursion like that feel to rushed to enjoy, or do you know if Salzberg is a not to be missed kind of place? Thats where you might find biking or hiking options, or as you mentioned, the Top of Cologne optional tour. Your comments are really appreciated. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. Wondering how much american cash we should bring and do we need to get euros prior to arrival (if so how much). Its a great one! But it looks like pre purchasing using on board credit isnt possible. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise from Prague to Paris last summer. The fees for European river cruises range in price from $1 per item to $6 per item. . Did you use local guides? private bathrooms that are separate from the living space. WebLaundry is completely free on Viking Ocean cruises, including soap, wash, and dr Viking Ocean Ships Ultimate Dining Guide 2022 - Relevant to ALL Viking Ocean Ships Visit With We found the car rentals and made reservations, but we cant find any daily schedule of when the ship docks and departs at each port. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. The crew communicates with each other quite well. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? Its been a seamless process for us, and it functions well although we do incur additional international charges. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. Passengers could disembark and be bussed on an excursion and then afterwards, be bussed to a different location on the river where the water levels are higher. Learn how your comment data is processed. The excursions provide guests with an array of experiences including peeks into how locals live, how and where they work, and also some privileged access options just for Viking guests. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. All the best. in the safe the day before you check out. We travel light, as well, but the ship will take care of delivering your luggage to your room; we just kept our small carry ons (the ones that fit under the airplane seats) with us. Another consideration, of course, is how often you might order specialty drinks from the bar: at lunch, throughout the day, before and/or after dinner? Viking then allowed us to purchase a no-expiry date voucher towards another cruise an amount they matched. Its important to note that when the ship docks somewhere in the morning and you go on an excursion, you sometimes will be brought back to the ship in a different location like another city further down the river. How will payments on board be handled? Theres an elevator onboard so its easy to travel from floor to floor if you dont want to use the stairs. More information on menu choices is below under Meals. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. Enjoy! Our next Viking cruise is coming up soon, and I cant wait. However, short answer: There is a free laundry room (4 washers/4 dryers) on every VIking Ocean ship roughly midships on Port Side of decks 3, 4, 5, 6. Very relaxing! We have taken two Viking River Cruises, Bucharest to Amsterdam (21 days in 2019) and Basel to Amsterdam (7 days in 2021). Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. Please note that Viking requires at least 48 hours cancellation notice if you are on the ship and decide not to go on an optional excursion. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. Good luck! We were very happy with laundry service on Viking and prices were reasonable. Pieces were back in a few hours. Once unpacked, you can put your backpacks in your empty luggage and slide it all under the bed(s) and not think about them until its time to leave. 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. These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. Regarding local currency in Hungary, you can head to an ATM once youre there to get the amount of local cash you want. Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. Youll see all your options on the online My Viking Journey portal when the tours open up prior to your trip. That is, you sleep and eat on the ship and are transported to your destinations along a river. I will add one note that we experienced. After that, we went to an assigned group on the upper deck (groups are determined by what floor the staterooms are on), and we had to give our stateroom number to the staff at the assigned location (for roll call). Having said that, I know that Salzburg is lovely and many people enjoy that excursion. Great service sounds like Viking! The sizes of the ships are designed specifically for the rivers they ply (e.g., they need to navigate the sometimes narrow waterways and any locks along the way). When you return to the ship, you scan it again. I liked the posted copy of the daily news and we had already decided from our ocean experiences to take the drinks package. Do you have any experience with that destination? You answered my questions about docking locations (though understand they are subject to change) and the Hungarian currency. means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. It is a quick way to catch up on national and international news as well as to get financial market and sports updates. 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. After that point, guests still on board could use the common areas (Lounge or sun deck) until their transfer to the airport or other destination. Laundry services are wash and iron, or just iron. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. If you have taken a Viking river cruise and want to share your experiences, please do so in the comment area below. They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. I know other travelers who just get cash out of ATMs while traveling (and Ive done that, too, of course), but I just like beginning the trip with some local cash. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/frequently-asked-questions.html#LIFEABOARD-FAQ-LIST/55787, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. All guests are 18 years old or more. If you have dietary restrictions, let Viking know when you book. Its certainly a relaxing way to travel. on your bed. The sun deck does not have enclosed spaces. We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. And about general seating at meals in the dining room, theres a choice of large and small tables and theres no assigned seating, so if youre one of the early ones at meal time, youll have a great chance of finding a setting that suits you best. Just before the drill, we were all asked to return to our staterooms and don our life vests. The maitre-d I am convinced is in league with the devil, as she tempted diners again and again with just try this ONE little pastry. For a walking tour (directly from the ship), some passengers go on the tour to learn about the destination and then spend the rest of the day shopping, enjoying a meal, or just wandering around. Im looking forward to ours next year! What are the chances of excursions still being available when we are on board? The best description and information about Viking River Cruise, thank you for taking the time to write this information, were very appreciate. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! Have a wonderful cruise in September! They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. If you want to obtain Euros before departure, check with your bank or AAA office to see if they can help you. On our ships, there were separate newspaper versions for Australia, Canada, and the U.S. had some shirts done same day return no complaints. Hi Tanya, Sounds like you have a great cruise coming up! We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. Hi Victoria, Im so glad you found the article helpful! Thank you for your article and your help! Re renting a car to go to a specific place Viking tours dont include: Is Uber possible in the cities Viking goes to? One tip we learned is to put a shoe (just one!) There are also daily announcements with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options. and special treats made nice surprises. Did you bring euros or use credit card? My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. Disclaimer: My husband and I paid forour Viking river cruise ourselves. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. Just inside is the Lounge where we ate one rainy lunchtime. Thank you for your informative article! Hi Anne, booking an independent excursion shouldnt be a problem. Haha. Ocean Cruises. Powered by Invision Community. My first question is, without using the laundry service on board , do you have suggestions on washing items in your cabin? Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. Id suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. We leave Saturday for Prague followed by the Budapest to Amsterdam Viking river cruise. The number indicates which ship youre on. I dont want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. On our cruise, this was done in the Lounge just after the evening port talk by the program director. We took our first Viking River cruise in 2018 (Rhine Amsterdam to Basel) and leave in a month for the Danube (Budapest to Regensburg) with the pre and post cruise stays. Hi Karen, A few things could happen when river levels are too low for cruise ships. And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. (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. In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. Her bag was delivered on the last day of the cruise! Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. Of all the stops on the Grand European Tour, these are the cities in which our ship had prime docking spots (making it very easy to go out and explore on our own): Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Wurzburg, Cologne, and Amsterdam. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. The tips cover all onboard staff. Doing the Grand European Trip for our 50th in May of 2023. Is that possible? WebFrom Veranda Staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in our spacious Explorer Suites, there is no finer way to travel. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. They will let you know on board. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. Sound like you have a great cruise coming up! We kept our itinerary full, which might have been an error trust me, you want to take a breather every few days! There are costs associated with the optional tours and they vary, and I suppose that correlates with the costs Viking incurs. NOTE: This article was completely updated in January 2023 from the original article, written in 2019. Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. You mention that from 5:15-7 there will be drinks & live music or a port talk. Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you dont forget your valuables. This will be first river cruise for us. After logging on to My Viking Journey, go to the Shore Excursions section and initiate a conversation with a Viking Cruise rep. You should see a red Live Chat box along the margin of the screen. If youre interested in figuring out the details, you may want to ask Viking for a bar menu with pricing before making up your mind. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? If you are doing a post-cruise stay, I found the prices on Viking to be less than the prices using the hotel laundry, so if you need something cleaned, I would suggest using the laundry services on the ship. Is there a retractable clothes line in the shower to accommodate hanging clothes. The ships' specialty dining venues, Manfredi's (Italian) and The Chef's Table also are included in your cruise fare, and you just need to make a reservation to pick a time to dine in either of these places during your cruise. One question though How can we tell how much bus travel time is involved in each excursion? As you leave the ship, you are handed a bottle of water. Id suggest you reference your online itinerary on Vikings site before departure to get a rough idea of when youll be docked in each city. had some shirts done same day return no complaints Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece. Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. For example, once the crew knows that everyone is accounted for after excursions, the ship is sailing within minutes of the anticipated departure (as noted in the Viking Daily). Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? private bathrooms that are separate from the living Hi. Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. We are doing the Salzburg Highlights but just read its a 2 hour bus ride each way. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! Herding 169 tourists onto separate buses all going separate places at separate timeswow, thats a job! Laundry and pressing services areavailable on Avalon Waterways for a fee. Hi Ricardo, It sounds like you have a great trip ahead! We sent some clothing to be laundered, and we were happy with that choice. Are there computers, or For example, once the crew knows that everyone is accounted for after excursions, the ship is sailing within minutes of the anticipated departure (as noted in the. As you probably know, the package includes unlimited beverages when the bars are open. Its just the nature of this type of travel. The Viking Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest was such a great experience one well never forget. Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to fetch my coffee? Deciding on cash is a personal choice, of course. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. Have a wonderful cruise! The ships are very clean. Thank you!! Hi Catherine, Im glad the article was helpful. She was well attired for 14 days! Thanks!! Its relaxed and has an abundant food buffet with soup, a variety of salads, meats, warm sandwiches (like paninis and Cuban sandwiches), fruit, and dessert. Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. I merely want to share our experience on a river cruise with my readers. Here are some examples from our cruise: Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Most of the time youll find a bit of an older crowd. The Silver Spirits package offers unlimited drinks including cocktails, premium wine, and beer. 3. Hi Kathy, Great question! Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. Its best to check availability online or ask Viking for the cities youll be visiting. Plenty of covered space protects guests from the harsh summer sun. Thank you for making me less anxious! Keep in mind, though, that things are not 100% the same from cruise to cruise due, in part, to other ship traffic at the time. who made the move with us. Have fun whatever you decide to do! Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. Weve had no regrets. GREAT INFO. Thank you for all the information. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. Housekeeping Provide friendly and twice daily housekeeping services to all guests staterooms, and cleans public and crew areas. Required fields are marked *. This should allow you to finalize your plans to disembark and go meet your friends. Guests can use their own laptops or one of the public computes available onboard each ship. The Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer) or there is another issue (like a broken lock) necessitating the change. Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer), What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. Laundry Provide clean linen to support operations, cleans crew uniforms and guest clothes to Viking Standards. The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Have a great cruise! which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. 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. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously. What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. Thank you so much for this detailed account. WebSigrun - A Valkyrie. Although we have some other trips planned (that we organize ourselves, as we often do), we are contemplating which Viking cruise river or ocean we will be booking next. There are so many choices of destinations and lengths of the trip. I hope you have a wonderful time! Thank you. Public restrooms are available in European towns, and many charge a nominal fee (.50-1 Euro). Hope this info helps you a bit! Have a fabulous cruise! We could not have chosen any better than the Skirnir and Viking. One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. Your descriptions of the change of ship due to the broken lock and of docking side by side with other ships were reassuring. But thats not to say younger cruisers will feel out of place. The crew communicates with each other quite well. Your husband doesnt need to pack a blazer if he wouldnt normally wear one for dinner. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your Viking cruise next year! means the walking could be a little more strenuous or have more stairs or inclines. We walked from where the ship was docked to the Parliament building for the tour and enjoyed a stroll back to the ship along the river. Please hare your opinion with me. We are scheduled to take the Viking Danube cruise in early June 2022. Then itll be the first photo on your camera roll before the next days activities. Thank you for your time. Once everyone was accounted for, we were able to leave, return our life vests to our stateroom, and resume what we were doing. Good luck! excursion card with a number and a letter. You either choose it for your cruise, or you dont no daily option. Its a nice place to relax on warm days and enjoy a lunch buffet while taking in the views. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! 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. Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. In my experience, the laundry service on Viking has been excellent. Laundry is folded and returned on the same day if you have it ready in the morn Also, you can get Euros from bank ATMs after you land; there are probably some ATMS near your cruise embarkation site. Viking spent days tracking it in the luggage chaos of last summer. 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. Hope your sister finds her Viking river cruise everything she hopes it to be. The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. The best thing to do is to talk with a Viking staff member as soon as you board to find out details for your specific cruise. Theres also no guest laundry on board, and this is also true of other There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. We noticed that the crew was cleaning the common areas early in the morning, as soon as we left for excursions, and in our rooms while guests were enjoying dinner. The crew actually collapses the awnings, chairs, and tables and the ships bridge recedes into the ship all to reduce the ships height. But, what else would we spend money on? That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of desktop computers that are always available for guest use. Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. I bet youre planning your next cruise already. in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? Attire on a river cruise is casual. What is the availability of restroom facilities in these small towns? There are other excursions that day that we could do. 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.). Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! We are traveling with 8 other people. Quite a few cruisers actually do that. The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. Thanks, Tom! Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. Although we have some other trips planned (that we organize ourselves, as we often do), we are contemplating which Viking cruise river or ocean we will be booking next.
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