This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. Would there be any issue with booking an independent excursion for the days we will be in Prague or in the ports that we will be in overnight? Viking River Cruises Longships Review And Ship Tour If you want wine at that time is there a charge? on your bed. in the safe the day before you check out. To accomplish this, passengers pack up the night before the transfer, and while out on excursions, their luggage is transferred to the other ship. Hi Carol, Although ride-share companies, like Uber, are in many cities worldwide, theyre not everywhere, so it depends on what cities youre considering. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then. In some destinations,laundry can be sent out for cleaning fee while the boat is docked. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. Thank you!! We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. They did not offer dry cleaning. Your email address will not be published. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? We were never disappointed with our meal selections. Is there a fee associated with the alternative restaurants? 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. One of the things I like about sailing with Viking is that they arent constantly trying to upsell you. 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. Any idea if the Terrace will be open for meals in the chill of November? Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? Thank you for making me less anxious! Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. You mention that from 5:15-7 there will be drinks & live music or a port talk. In Asia these services range from $2 per item to $5 per item; however, the list of what can be laundered or pressed is more limited on river cruises in Asia. There was a, . There is no self-service laundry. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Hi David, it sounds like youre gearing up for a great adventure! Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known. I think it would be a tight schedule if the ship is docked for just a day. had some shirts done same day return no complaints This happens when bridges are too low to safely pass under with guests on the sun deck. Viking Egil Cruise: Expert Review (2023) - Cruise Critic Just don't forget to include everything you need cleaned, don't forget anything from your pre-cruise stay that you left in your suitcase under the bed in your cabin. Is there WebUse down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip. . Viking Mississippi My husband and I like to have about 100-200 Euros on us before leaving home. Enjoy your cruise! An easy way to begin a conversation is to ask where people are from, about their past travel experiences, and what excursions interest them the most. We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. Also, having cash is great for souvenirs, incidentals, snacks, or a quick lunch while exploring a city. You set the code, so its a cinch to remember. There is a light buffet available in the Lounge around midday, so youll be able to recharge a bit before the cruise begins a nice treat if you just got off a long flight. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. 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. Grand Circle offers a paid laundry service on all of its vessels. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. WebThere's a reason why Viking consistently receives awards as the best cruise company out there. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. Using ATMs machines? Knowing you can do your laundry onboard allows you to Laundry on Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic Community Laundry Services or Facilities: Which River Cruise Companies Were planning on a dinner in a town, tour of some beer gardens and lunch in Heidelberg, and just walking around. Laundry Provide clean linen to support operations, cleans crew uniforms and guest clothes to Viking Standards. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. On one side of the menu are the classics or options that are always available. My husband and I are booked on the Grand European cruise with an extension in Prague at the end of June. Enjoy! . 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. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! She dies from sadness after her lover Helgi is slain by her brother Dagr, and is later reborn as a Valkyrie herself. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. You make an excellent point, Julia. Congrats on your 50th! For example, sometimes two sister ships sail on the same one-way voyage starting at the same time just at opposite ends of the itinerary. I hope you have a wonderful time! The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. Rosetta. Hi Pat, Theres a good chance that some optional excursions will be available once you board the ship even if theyre listed on MyVikingJourney as being sold out. What are the chances of excursions still being available when we are on board? Viking is an industry leader for a variety of reasons including their choices of fascinating destinations, varied excursion options, attention to detail in designing the private and common spaces, and a welcoming and hard-working staff. Just inside is the Lounge where we ate one rainy lunchtime. Cruises I've used the laundry service on three river cruises and three ocean cruises and have never had any issues. 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. 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. Sounds like youve got a great anniversary trip planned, Gary! I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. Flat-screen TV with infotainment system Cruising is a social experience as you chat with fellow passengers on excursions, at the social hour before dinner in the Lounge, and at meals. Were celebrating our 50th! The 190-passenger Viking Egil Her bag was delivered on the last day of the cruise! 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 (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. We are going on the Grand European tour in October 2022. Is this allowed? Tauck offers a paid laundry service on all of its ships. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. Theres a mix of traveling overnight (almost all of the time) and during the morning/afternoon/evening (some of the time). In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. There are lots of smiles and offers of help. After morning housekeeping, we had some fresh fruit and baked treats waiting for us in our room. Thank you! We also took along some thank you cards and put in some extra cash to give to those we felt went above and beyond during our cruise. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! I borrowed some books from the ships library and left them on a table in our room. Also can you remember if those two cities is where the boat docked. As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. Viking River Cruise However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. Thank you. In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. Likewise, a few days later, I had just started reading a different book and placed it on my night table on top of my Kindle. Only 190 guests. During lunch, prior to and after dinner, theres usually live music in the Lounge. WebSigrun - A Valkyrie. I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the worlds great rivers and provide convenient daily access to a plethora of destinations and experiences. Viking Better be aboard, cuz they wont wait! The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. We went on the Viking excursions (with local guides) and did not book any local guides directly. The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Youll be able to find out about the length of bus trips to/from excursions and other related information. Thank you for your article and your help! Our next Viking cruise is coming up soon, and I cant wait. The tags have the time the luggage must be outside the staterooms as well as the time that guests are expected to depart the ship. This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. (For my husband and me, having the personal outdoor space was high on our list. Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. We have taken two Viking River Cruises, Bucharest to Amsterdam (21 days in 2019) and Basel to Amsterdam (7 days in 2021). 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.). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Regarding local currency in Hungary, you can head to an ATM once youre there to get the amount of local cash you want. Hope you have been able to enjoy more Viking cruises since your original one. Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently. The Thank you for your time. . Now to your questions. Id suggest you ask about picking up excursion cards and other details like that once youre on the ship, as some procedures like this may vary a bit. In the morning we would stuff the bag with dirty clothes, fill out the form and leave for the cabin attendant. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. 12.5 laps = 1 mile. Also, the onboard staff and the local guides speak English well. Most of the time youll find a bit of an older crowd. Viking asks that guests not walk on the sun deck from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am as a courtesy to those whose cabins are just below the sun deck. Is there Internet access on board the ship? WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? Did some underwear, jeans and a golf shirt. All came back same day. No complaints. My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. Thanks again! We travel light with one roll aboard and one backpack. Good Job!! 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. Hi Deb, youre just a few days away from your journey. 2. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. The crew actually collapses the awnings, chairs, and tables and the ships bridge recedes into the ship all to reduce the ships height. has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. 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. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? Did you use local guides? Is there any laundry facility available on the Viking Mars? Staterooms are guaranteed to be ready at 3:00 pm. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. Laundry services may be arranged through your Suite Attendant or your Butler. Viking River Cruises laundry When passengers get to the sister ship, their luggage is in their new cabins (which are usually the same cabins they had on the original ship). You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! Does Viking get us into our room early or do we have to check our luggage with the hotel and wait until 3:00 PM? 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. Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to fetch my coffee? Hi Karen, A few things could happen when river levels are too low for cruise ships. There are other excursions that day that we could do. Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. Its certainly a relaxing way to travel. Leave your dressier clothes at home; there are no formal nights on a Viking river cruise. Im glad you found the article helpful. That gives my husband and me plenty of money for tipping the local guides and bus drivers as well as Viking staff before we leave. Herding 169 tourists onto separate buses all going separate places at separate timeswow, thats a job! We are scheduled to take the Viking Danube cruise in early June 2022. Hi Theo, you shouldnt have any problems meeting up with your friends in either Bamburg or Wurzburg while on the cruise. us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. We also took along some thank you cards and put in some extra cash to give to those we felt went above and beyond during our cruise. Oh, Im so happy youre able to enjoy traveling safely during the pandemic. River Cruise Basics: Laundry Onboard I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. Going from A to B with two extra days in Amsterdam and Budapest. Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the level of the stateroom. For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. Just make sure you are aware of the times the ship will leave the port so you dont miss its departure. Your comments are really appreciated. Ive hand washed some things in the sink and hung them up to dry on the line, and it worked fine. Wishing you good luck and a fantastic cruise! 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. 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. WOW, what a complete piece of well written and informative information we have come across. Viking Sigrun My question is about size of our luggage (or size limitation due room size). The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. Frequently Asked Questions | Viking Ocean Cruises private bathrooms that are separate from the living Powered by Invision Community. (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.). Laundry is folded and returned on the same day if you have it ready in the morning. Viking spent days tracking it in the luggage chaos of last summer. When you return to your room, you will notice the dinner menus for that evening. You must be at least 18 to book a cruise. It is a quick way to catch up on national and international news as well as to get financial market and sports updates. No kids. The cruise is great for adults of any age. Hi Ricardo, It sounds like you have a great trip ahead! When you return to the ship, you scan it again. Everyone should read this as every question seems to be answered well and clearly! She was well attired for 14 days! By Walking could be on unpaved or uneven surfaces and may involve many steps or steep inclines. I agree with a previous comment about this being the most informative, most inclusive article Ive seen as well. Have a wonderful cruise in September! Plus, we always have some dollars with us, too. 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. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) Is the ship nonsmoking? I bet youre planning your next cruise already. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. Thank you! Our luggage awaited us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. A good idea if youre a runner is to check with the reception desk to map out when there will be time in the morning to leave the ship for a jog or run before excursions begin. My husband and I took the Top of Cologne excursion, and it was one of the best. Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! We are heading out on our first river cruise, the Kara from Basel to Amsterdam in late September this year. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. Enjoy! Enjoy! Many thanks ! Its just the nature of this type of travel. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. This includes the Viking Daily which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before dinner. Good luck! The dining room has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. Hope this info helps you a bit! My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! Quite a few cruisers actually do that. Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. In addition to cocktails, there were some very nice premium wine options aboard Viking, and we had fun trying ones that were new to us. If you dont live in the U.S., Im sure other governments have similar programs for travelers. Have fun! The Aquavit Terrace is a great place to have a meal. Price lists are available on the Viking website in the FAQ. private bathrooms that are separate from the living space. 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). We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? Viking River Cruises All Viking ships in Europe, Russia and Ukraine feature free WiFi. Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September 23.our first river cruise (for our 20th). TIP: Take a picture of The Viking Daily each evening before heading to bed. The daily planner for Vienna was the best.one of the stranger transitions from Ocean to River cruising is not having your port times right there on the schedule. Thanks, Tom! What to Expect on a Viking River Cruises Ship While each of Vikings 73 river vessels is unique, all offer spacious staterooms and suites with full-size verandas, French balconies or half-height picture windows, and amenities comparable to those found in River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. We received great overviews of a place with the large group tours, but what we remember most were the unique experiences that came from the optional experiences. The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours. Theres a section of the Aquavit Terrace at the very front of the ship thats open to the weather, but theres also an area (just behind it) that can be enclosed with sliding glass doors, so the area can be enjoyed when the weather isnt cooperating. Did some underwear, jeans and a golf shirt. Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. We didnt regret our decision. Since it will be November, and Im also afraid of open heights weve opted for the French balcony room. Have fun! Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience, Best Sights to See on Vikings Grand European Tour, Viking Antarctica Cruise: The Complete Guide for Adventurers, Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps After Booking a Cruise, Best Sights to See on the Viking Grand European Tour River Cruise, The Best Apps and Websites for Savvy Travelers, Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps After Booking Your Cruise. Viking is only offering us a morning excursion the second day in Prague so we are looking to do some exploring on our own. 3. She was able to shop the Viking clothes closet, stocked with items left by previous passengers.

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