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. Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. Thanks. Your email address will not be published. To burn off some of the calories ingested by the delicious food onboard, I walked in the morning around the sun deck track. The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours. That worked well as we enjoyed some nice non-touristy lunches and other walks and tours on our own. Is there any laundry facility available on the Viking Mars? Hi Karen, A few things could happen when river levels are too low for cruise ships. We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. Laundry and pressing services areavailable on Avalon Waterways for a fee. Laundry is folded and returned on the same day if you have it ready in the morning. 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. Low river levels today might be just fine for cruising in a few days. Rosetta. Hi Daisy, you have the choice of going on the included or an optional excursion or exploring on your own. 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. We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. Hi Danny, Im not sure which cruise youre referring to, but you asked an excellent question about renting a car to make day trips while on the cruise. Great post. What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. We've had excellent experiences with Viking's laundry service. If you request hangers, things like shirts and jeans come back on hangers instead of Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. You either choose it for your cruise, or you dont no daily option. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? If you request hangers, things like shirts and jeans come back on hangers instead of folded. We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. She was well attired for 14 days! We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. You mentioned laundry, and although theres no laundromat on Vikings European river cruise ships, there is a laundry service that you can use. Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. Just make sure you notify your bank before traveling, so they dont flag your ATM transaction in another country as suspicious! We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. However, the information in this article is from our Grand European Tour cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest aboard the Skirnir and Modi (more on the two ships later). My husband and I had planned to go on the Salzburg excursion, but when we learned we would be spending so much time on the bus to travel there and back (for a total of 9.5 hours), we decided to spend our time in Passau instead. We didnt regret our decision. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! As for shore excursions, my husband and I enjoyed the walking tour (through Viking) that included the funicular up to Castle Hill. (Depending on the category of your stateroom, the laundry service may be complimentary.) Have fun! If you arrive before your guaranteed time of 3:00 pm, you can spend time in the Lounge or leave your luggage on the ship and begin to explore the city on your own. Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. The Silver Spirits package offers unlimited drinks including cocktails, premium wine, and beer. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. 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). Especially your tips on dinner were helpful I will pack his blazer. So for 200 dollars, we got a 400 value good for tickets, flights, an excursion, or even the beverage package. Crew: 53. U River Cruises by Uniworld offers week-long cruises for young adults along Europes riverways. WOW, what a complete piece of well written and informative information we have come across. Viking collected the luggage (with different colored tags for the three different floors of the ship) and trucked it to where the Modi, our new ship, was docked. How will payments on board be handled? Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. Thank you for your informative article! The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. Hi Linda, youre facing a big decision: to go with Silver Spirits or not! Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? 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 are doing the Grand European Tours B-A with extensions in Prague and Amsterdam, and have booked a full schedule. That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. But, what else would we spend money on? We were never disappointed with our meal selections. 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. . us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. Youll see all your options on the online My Viking Journey portal when the tours open up prior to your trip. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Thank you!! Aside from the new safety protocols Viking has put in place your Complete Guide to a Viking River cruise was thoroughly informative, enjoyed the photos and took many notes while reading. Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride. 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. There are costs associated with the optional tours and they vary, and I suppose that correlates with the costs Viking incurs. WebFree Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Laundry service. But it looks like pre purchasing using on board credit isnt possible. Its best to check availability online or ask Viking for the cities youll be visiting. We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. I do my own underwear in the sink, but jeans, shirts and heavy socks go to the laundry. I agree with a previous comment about this being the most informative, most inclusive article Ive seen as well. 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. Weve chosen a mix of the included tours and the custom days, avoided any places to which weve already travelled and have added in the extensions to both ends, hoping to see friends in Amsterdam. Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? Knowing you can do your laundry onboard allows you to Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. There is precise timing to docking and excursions. (Im trying to save you room in your luggage!) I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. I didnt read through all the comments, so I hope Im not being repetitive. Guests can use their own laptops or one of the public computes available onboard each ship. As you leave the ship, youll scan your room key to indicate your departure and rescan it upon returning. Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? There is paid laundry service but no dry cleaning. We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023. The crew communicates with each other quite well. The crew actually collapses the awnings, chairs, and tables and the ships bridge recedes into the ship all to reduce the ships height. The dining room has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. Learn how your comment data is processed. With a higher proportion of full balcony cabins than most river cruise lines, Viking Egil is one of the many ships in the Viking "Longship" fleet. Just found your sitelots of great info! Her bag was delivered on the last day of the cruise! Theres a mix of traveling overnight (almost all of the time) and during the morning/afternoon/evening (some of the time). 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. Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. on your bed. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. They will let you know on board. This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldnt have the opportunity again. This is the place to find a variety of coffee and tea plus baked goods to accompany your beverage. As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. Thank you for great information and insights! After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then were bussed to the new ship in the late afternoon. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. 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? 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. WebThe modern and award winning river cruise ships are deployed among the most beautiful rivers in With Viking Cruises you will get a job that takes you places! Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? On our cruise, some guests had to put their luggage outside their staterooms as early as 2:45 am and leave the ship at 3:30 am to go to the airport. Thank you for the excellent summary of each important category. Yes, there have been changes to address public health safety, but Im betting they wont interfere with your overall enjoyment. Viking doesnt allow children on board. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) Prior to dinner, the chef usually introduces the options including his/her recommendations. Is there a restaurant seating option for introverts? These devices are attached to lanyards with earpieces. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. We haven't used Viking's laundry service so can't comment on that but in the FAQ they do have the price list so at least you'll have an idea of wha My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. We are also thinking of taking an old smart phone and purchasing a SIM card that works in Europe for language translation, directions, and apps to enhance our experience. For a complete list of action steps. If you send your clothes away to be professionally cleaned, the fees range from $1 for small items to be washed and pressed up to $20 or more for a three-piece suit to be dry cleaned. Hi Victoria, Im so glad you found the article helpful! Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. 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. Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. You should also alert the Maitre d once on board. At other times, like when gathered in the lounge before dinner, youll charge your wine, beer, or cocktails to your stateroom. There are several things you wont find on a Viking river cruise, and they are often some of the prime reasons so many people choose Viking. ? It was led by an art historian who took us up to the very top of the cathedral (above the ceiling) where the craftspeople worked. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. Having said that, I know that Salzburg is lovely and many people enjoy that excursion. Housekeeping Provide friendly and twice daily housekeeping services to all guests staterooms, and cleans public and crew areas. The cruise is great for adults of any age. Hi Theo, you shouldnt have any problems meeting up with your friends in either Bamburg or Wurzburg while on the cruise. Oh, Im so happy youre able to enjoy traveling safely during the pandemic. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. NOTE: This article was completely updated in January 2023 from the original article, written in 2019. We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. We did not receive any compensation or discounts fromViking or any otherorganization. Weve had no regrets. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? Attire on a river cruise is casual. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. 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. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? No, Tamara, I dont have direct experience replacing SIM cards. Many people were. There is a fee for this service. Is that possible? 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. Travelers who purchase the Silver Spirits beverage package (price varies depending on the length of your cruise) can get whatever alcoholic beverage they want during lunch, dinner, and whenever else the bar is staffed (afternoons and evenings) at no additional charge. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. On our ships, there were separate newspaper versions for Australia, Canada, and the U.S. What is the availability of restroom facilities in these small towns? On all river cruises, guests are offered one complimentary shore excursion at every destination. Hi Ricardo, It sounds like you have a great trip ahead! Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. There are other excursions that day that we could do. I will miss the free on board laundromat from ocean cruising though! Is the ship nonsmoking? had some shirts done same day return no complaints. We have taken two Viking River Cruises, Bucharest to Amsterdam (21 days in 2019) and Basel to Amsterdam (7 days in 2021). Hi Deb, youre just a few days away from your journey. These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. Weve found there are a lot of commonalities as well as interesting folks to meet. The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. WebViking River Cruises boasts the most extensive fleet of river cruises vessels, and we are proud to offer you the best ships in each region where we travel. After morning housekeeping, we had some fresh fruit and baked treats waiting for us in our room. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! 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. Is the ship nonsmoking? Some river cruise companies do have those facilities, but Viking Longships dont have those. Enjoy! Plus you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destinations special features. Thanks, Tom! 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. In my experience, the laundry service on Viking has been excellent. Was our first Viking cruise, so we used your article as a guide. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. pontac, June 28, 2016 in River Cruising. 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). About the stateroom, that really comes down to personal preference. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. Wondering how much american cash we should bring and do we need to get euros prior to arrival (if so how much). Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. All guests are 18 years old or more. Follow up with a conversation with the Viking staff when youre onboard to learn the expected times and exact location of the ship while docked. (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.). More information on menu choices is below under Meals. AmaWaterways haslaundry services available onboard for a fee. 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. Thanks!! Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. My husband and I like to have about 100-200 Euros on us before leaving home. This publication outlines the schedule for the next day, with all included and optional excursions as well as suggestions on where to visit and eat during your free time the next day. Thats because some people end up canceling their reservations for optional excursions. in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. 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. I am going on a Christmas Market cruise with Viking in 2024. 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. which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. Also, having cash is great for souvenirs, incidentals, snacks, or a quick lunch while exploring a city. Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. You know is it a venus and mars question. Im glad you found the article helpful, Thomas! Have a wonderful cruise in September! Check-in time for the hotel is 3:00 PM. Deciding on cash is a personal choice, of course. 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? In-room irons are a huge no-no for the fire hazard they present. http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/frequently-asked-questions.html#LIFEABOARD-FAQ-LIST/55787. 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. Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! 1. Enjoy your cruise this fall! You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip. The price list is located in each stateroom. 12.5 laps = 1 mile. Interesting information! There are three activity levels for excursions: About 15 minutes before each excursion, there is an announcement to remind guests that it is almost time to leave and to remember the listening devices. We sent some clothing to be laundered, and we were happy with that choice. Is there plenty of space for passengers indoors in the common areas, if the outdoors are too cold or rainy? For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. Good luck! I bet youre planning your next cruise already. 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. Everything was as you said food, service, boat, amenities, all topnotch. With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. I suggest signing on to My Viking Journey and using the Live Chat feature to get your answer. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. Just make sure you are aware of the times the ship will leave the port so you dont miss its departure. We opted to book through our travel agent with whom we could meet face-to-face, ask questions, and learn from her knowledge of cruising and different cruise companies. As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. 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). 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. The tips cover all onboard staff. 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. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. Hi Robin, you pose a great question, but it isnt easy to answer! They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. 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. The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Cheers! 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. We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. We depart in 9 days on the Grand European tour, and this is the best account I have seen weve done a dozen ocean cruises on several lines, but never a river cruise. Id much rather take an Uber than rent a car!!! Thats where you might find biking or hiking options, or as you mentioned, the Top of Cologne optional tour. Enjoy your cruise! Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. Viking is happy to celebrate your birthdays and anniversaries while onboard. Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. There are lots of smiles and offers of help. 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. Very informative. had some shirts done same day return no complaints Regarding local currency in Hungary, you can head to an ATM once youre there to get the amount of local cash you want. Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. On our cruise, this was done in the Lounge just after the evening port talk by the program director. who made the move with us. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the worlds great rivers and provide convenient daily access to a plethora of destinations and experiences. Are there computers, or Then itll be the first photo on your camera roll before the next days activities. Located off the main corridor, the library has books you may borrow while aboard as well as abridged newspapers that are prepared for Viking guests daily. means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). (Youll also receive Viking tags for your luggage.) Thank you for your thoughtfulness. We enjoyed sitting with different people; it gave us a chance to learn about their travel experiences and lives a bit. Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! 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. This will be first river cruise for us. (Another idea is to get Euros at one of the airport currency exchange kiosks, but the exchange rates will probably not be favorable.). Its a great one! Thank you for making me less anxious! with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. They will text you with any security issues you should be aware of while youre away. Soap is provided and the machines are free to use. Hi Anne, booking an independent excursion shouldnt be a problem. Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. Since it will be winter with colder temps, I am wondering about the indoor lounging space/common areas on the longboats. Were celebrating our 50th! Do you know if the outdoor areas on the sun deck can be enclosed for added warmth on these cooler weather trips? In addition, there are quite a few optional excursions available at an extra cost. Thank you for all the information. Is there On both boats we used the laundry We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise! Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. 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. However, some guests do wear nice jeans (not torn or ripped) in the evening.
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