Viking Cruises: What to Eat and Drink on Board - Food & Wine 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. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Have a marvelous time! who made the move with us. (2:15 p.m. EDT) -- The Rhine River is a busy summer destination for river cruises in Europe, with multiple lines . 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. 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. When you return to your room, you will notice the dinner menus for that evening. Listed prices may have blackout dates, qualifications or restrictions. Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How exciting! Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. Taxes, fees and port expenses not included. The line offers included-in-the-fare tours in every port, allowing every passenger on board to get a guided experience during stops without having to pay extra. Vikings bigger ocean ships also have poolside grills that serve made-to-order gourmet hamburgers and other grill items. We need twin beds; is this possible? Designwise, Viking cabins and suites across all categories are modern and elegant in an understated sort of way, with Scandinavian-influenced furnishings and decor that tie to the Norwegian heritage of the companys founder. Note that Viking does charge extra for two key things that many luxury lines such as Silversea, Seabourn and Regent do not: alcoholic drinks at bars and gratuities. Enjoy your cruise this fall! I now have more experience with Viking Air to speak of [emoji16] Accidentally hit send before I was done. 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. (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.). There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. The lines ocean ships can be found in nearly every ocean and sea around the world, from North America to Europe and Asia. (A fun game is to try the Armagnac from your birth year. Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. There youll find a countdown to departure, background on each port of call, the entire list of excursions available (some are complimentary; others cost extra) that you can book online, a calendar showing your itinerary for each day, and other helpful information about the cruise. We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours. In addition, most Viking vessels offer laundry and pressing services. The tips cover all onboard staff. Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe at least among lines that cater to English speakers. (As recently as 2012, the line operated just 29 river ships.). Viking River Cruises emphasizes comfort over formality, with most people donning pullovers or button-up shirts, khakis, and blouse and pant or suit pairings. When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. 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. Some Viking ships, including all of the lines ocean vessels (including its one expedition vessel), have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted by an errant finger . On your trip, you'll get at least one shore excursion per port included in the fare, as well as bottled water, all meals plus wine and beer at lunch and dinner, as well as onboard programming and entertainment. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the world's great rivers and provide convenient daily access to a plethora of destinations and experiences. As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. Hi Carol, Although ride-share companies, like Uber, are in many cities worldwide, theyre not everywhere, so it depends on what cities youre considering. I guess the bottom line is to remember that disruptions can happen whenever we travel, so plan to get the most out of each experience and cherish the time that you get to explore new places and meet new people. free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). One great thing about Viking is that many times their ships dock right in the towns, so its easy to get off and be on your way to make your own discoveries. Room service is limited -- it's breakfast only and only available to passengers in the Explorer Suites. 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. If you reserve within two years, you receive a $100 credit. Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place. We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards, which are in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. (European river cruise ships are limited in size due to the rivers they cruise on, so they have the same overall dimensions. Viking then allowed us to purchase a no-expiry date voucher towards another cruise an amount they matched. 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. Thanks for your article it was very informative. Coffee stations and some snacks are usually available during the day. Id much rather take an Uber than rent a car!!! We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. By building modern European river ships at scale, Viking has been credited with revitalizing river cruising due to their deck plans, cabins and dining spaces. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Your descriptions of the change of ship due to the broken lock and of docking side by side with other ships were reassuring. It could be done in reverse as well. Largest -- and best-known -- river cruise line in the world, Pricing includes a guided shore excursion in each port of call, Ships are new, casual but refined, and comfortable. Who Goes on River Cruises and Why is it so Appealing? - Cruise Maven The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. Ditto for the lines river vessels. Thank you! They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! A den of serenity, its one of our favorite places on these vessels. 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. Some Silversea ships, in turn, have lounge areas named after Hagen. Viking fares do include port taxes and fees, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per sailing. The ships on the Douro even have a pool. Required fields are marked *. That's because when water levels are either too high or too low for ships to sail on a particular river, Viking (and other lines) can move passengers from one vessel to another easily. 2-5 Cruises Age 50s . While Viking doesnt market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Any comments on safety in cities? 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. Hope your sister finds her Viking river cruise everything she hopes it to be. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. With New Winter Itineraries, Viking Now Offers Year-Round River Cruises in Europe. I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. 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. Part dining area, part sunny hangout, the Aquavit Terrace sits at the front of the ship and provides a perfect vantage point for scenic sailing. Do you have any experience with that destination? Hi Cynthia, I bet youre so excited about your upcoming trip! Once you travel with the brand for the first time, you will automatically be enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society. Viking said on Thursday that the ship, which will debut in 2024, will sail more of the company's 12-day Pharaohs . Hi Daisy, you have the choice of going on the included or an optional excursion or exploring on your own. There is precise timing to docking and excursions. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! Was our first Viking cruise, so we used your article as a guide. The ships also offer some traditional entertainment, including production shows with singers and dancers. One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. Hope you have been able to enjoy more Viking cruises since your original one. Some of the lines more exotic sailings such as its expedition trips to Antarctica cost even more. Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. However, it does offer a few basic perks for past guests. 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. What are Viking Rivers most popular activities? One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week and that includes river levels. We went on the Viking excursions (with local guides) and did not book any local guides directly. Hi Theo, you shouldnt have any problems meeting up with your friends in either Bamburg or Wurzburg while on the cruise. Youll see all your options on the online My Viking Journey portal when the tours open up prior to your trip. As for money, we used a credit card (with no foreign transaction fees) and Euros (very handy for tipping tour guides and purchasing small incidentals). On one side of the menu are the classics or options that are always available. Viking cruise destination guide: The best itineraries at the line - The The companys core market is people who range in age from 55 to 75 years, although it does draw some passengers who are younger or older. Plus, Viking offers several excursions each day that the ship is in port. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! Each passenger is only allowed to make one to three reservations per cruise at the eateries, depending on which category of cabin they have booked. Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. People are relaxed aboard Viking river cruises (no dressy occasions), and thats one thing people tend to enjoy about the experience. ? We have booked all the included excursions, but have held off booking the optional ones as we love to do our own thing when in port, and perhaps covering more ground than the optional excursions. Viking River Cruises - The Cruise Web 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). Hi Barb, Excursion options vary and are often driven by local tour operators and their schedules. We are heading out on our first river cruise, the Kara from Basel to Amsterdam in late September this year. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. 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. As you leave the ship, youll scan your room key to indicate your departure and rescan it upon returning. Regarding local currency in Hungary, you can head to an ATM once youre there to get the amount of local cash you want. On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. Per Viking: There are no formal nights in the evening; recommended evening dress is elegant casual. For ladies, this may include a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; and for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. River cruising is all about the destinations visited, and excursion are, by far, the most popular Viking River activity. Although weve done probably 25 or so cruises on the big ships this is our first river cruise. Even at the captain's welcome and farewell dinners, you won't see many men in suits (or even jackets for that matter) or women in fancy dresses. But the stars of the ships are the two Explorer Suites, both located on the upper deck at the back of the ship. Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! We will definitely be using it in the years to come. Thanks for any thoughts! Despite its generally casual feel, jeans and shorts are not permitted at dinner. As noted above, Viking doesnt allow passengers under the age of 18 on its ships a key differentiator for the brand as compared to other cruise lines. Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. Rivers; Oceans; . Inclusions are: 8-day cruise in Veranda (category B) stateroom. If you think you might do that, you may want to take along a few blank thank you cards to enclose your extra tips, so you can explain why you valued their service so much. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. Is there plenty of space for passengers indoors in the common areas, if the outdoors are too cold or rainy? Im sorry I cant give you a more definitive answer, but so much depends on conditions at the time you board and what the staff recommends. 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. Having to dock the ship next to another cruise ship also means that the view from your stateroom could be blocked and your cabin could be a bit dark. RIVER - Nautic - Second Capitaine France in | Nautical at Viking Cruises Servers take your drink orders (sodas, beer, wine) and freshen up your glass when it is empty. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. 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. Cruises in Russia give you the chance to take in the colorful sights of Red Square, the royal retreats of St. Petersburg and quaint Golden Ring towns like Yaroslavl and Uglich. Have a wonderful cruise next year! We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! So accept the transaction amount without conversion, as you want to use the local currency option. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. Citing High Demand, Viking Cruises Adds More Sailings on Nile River Another 22 cabins have the more traditional French balconies, where you can open the doors for fresh air, but can't actually go outside. Happily, your article has answered many of our questions!! More information on menu choices is below under Meals. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. Seriously though, river cruises do tend to attract all sorts of travelers. Good luck! About Euros, Vikings guest services desk will break Euros into smaller denominations, but they dont handle currency exchanges. We are on the Aug Rhine cruise and our 1st river cruise. Thats because some people end up canceling their reservations for optional excursions. The balcony cabins are 205 square feet, while the French balcony cabins are significantly smaller at 135 square feet. Yay! 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). Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! Perks for passengers staying in the Explorer Suites include priority embarkation, private arrival and departure transfers, a welcome bottle of Champagne, mini-bar replenished daily, complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, in-room breakfast service and free laundry. We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023. Great post. One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. Evening music (typically a piano player) may or may not be popular depending on the crowd onboard. Travel Protection Plan | Viking Ocean Cruises It also has both ocean ships and river ships something that is unusual among major lines.
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