WebUse down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link There was a, . Enjoy your cruise! (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). Furthermore, this means that you may have to walk through another ship to get to shore or people are walking through your ship to get to and from theirs. Hope you have been able to enjoy more Viking cruises since your original one. Your comments are really appreciated. Guests can use their own laptops or one of the public computes available onboard each ship. These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. I dont want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. Thank you for great information and insights! 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. For instance, how much is the Top of Cologne in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? 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. She was able to shop the Viking clothes closet, stocked with items left by previous passengers. 1. . We do indeed have new travel hiccups and challenges these days. Have a wonderful cruise in September! Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. in the safe the day before you check out. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. Have a wonderful cruise next year! Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the level of the stateroom. Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). I bet youre planning your next cruise already. If you have taken a Viking river cruise and want to share your experiences, please do so in the comment area below. 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. They will let you know on board. Theres also no guest laundry on board, and this is also true of other Especially your tips on dinner were helpful I will pack his blazer. Viking is happy to celebrate your birthdays and anniversaries while onboard. The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours. Thanks. There are also bright red full-size Viking umbrellas to take along on excursions if its raining. No kids. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. 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. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Having said that, I know that Salzburg is lovely and many people enjoy that excursion. Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise! in your closet upon arrival; if you need more, just ask, and they will be delivered promptly. Is the ship nonsmoking? And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. 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. Here are a few things to think about when considering Vikings Silver Spirits package. Have fun! with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. My husband and I like to have about 100-200 Euros on us before leaving home. Laundry charges will be billed to your shipboard account. Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience. We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. Viking is very efficient with their timing. We are on the Aug Rhine cruise and our 1st river cruise. As for shore excursions, my husband and I enjoyed the walking tour (through Viking) that included the funicular up to Castle Hill. I hope you have a wonderful time! Hi Deb, youre just a few days away from your journey. Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. Emerald Cruises offers onboard laundry services and charges a fee per piece of laundry. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. But, what else would we spend money on? Examples were creamy potato soup, Wiener Schnitzel, and Sacher cake when in Vienna; while in Budapest, the menu featured Hungarian Farmer Salad, Fogas Karpathy (perch and shrimp in white wine sauce), and Zserbo (a layered walnut and chocolate cake). The sun deck does not have enclosed spaces. All Viking river cruise ship staterooms have: The different types of staterooms range in size, available outdoor space, the time for guaranteed stateroom access, and amenities. Europe Laundry List; China Laundry List; Russia Laundry List; Vietnam Laundry List I borrowed some books from the ships library and left them on a table in our room. My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. Viking River Cruises All Viking ships in Europe, Russia and Ukraine feature free WiFi. Oh, Im so happy youre able to enjoy traveling safely during the pandemic. Since it will be November, and Im also afraid of open heights weve opted for the French balcony room. Once everyone was accounted for, we were able to leave, return our life vests to our stateroom, and resume what we were doing. Do we just work with Viking program director on the day of or the day before? Viking River Cruises: Laundry service is available on board; unfortunately clothes cannot be dry cleaned. 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. Its certainly a relaxing way to travel. We would either meet in Bamburg or Wurzburg. Great service sounds like Viking! Youll be glad you did! If you decide on the stateroom with a french balcony, you will still be able to enjoy some time outside in the common areas while the ship is sailing. At other times, like when gathered in the lounge before dinner, youll charge your wine, beer, or cocktails to your stateroom. 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. 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. 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? One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. Trying to guess the weather so we can narrow down what to pack. We kept our itinerary full, which might have been an error trust me, you want to take a breather every few days! Plus you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destinations special features. had some shirts done same day return no complaints. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. Thank you for making me less anxious! Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride. My husband and I took the Top of Cologne excursion, and it was one of the best. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/frequently-asked-questions.html#LIFEABOARD-FAQ-LIST/55787, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. When you return to your room, you will notice the dinner menus for that evening. Stairs connect all the decks plus theres an elevator to service the upper and middle decks. 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. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. Not used it before (indeed didn't think there were onboard facilities) but its mentioned in the info for our upcoming GET. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. 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 what to expect. Since it will be winter with colder temps, I am wondering about the indoor lounging space/common areas on the longboats. Any comments on safety in cities? 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. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. Attire on a river cruise is casual. The crew communicates with each other quite well. Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. AmaWaterways haslaundry services available onboard for a fee. I've used the laundry service on three river cruises and three ocean cruises and have never had any issues. We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. The bar is on one end of the lounge; theres wait service in the Lounge during lunch and in the late afternoon and evening. Thank you! During lunch, prior to and after dinner, theres usually live music in the Lounge. We will definitely be using it in the years to come. will visit your room in the morning to clean it. Thanks for the great details! That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. 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. Enjoy your cruise! Haha. 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. Deciding on cash is a personal choice, of course. 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. Youll be able to find out about the length of bus trips to/from excursions and other related information. . As much as Viking tries to stick to its anticipated docking times, some things like other ships waiting in line to go through locks, weather issues, and river levels are beyond its control. Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you dont forget your valuables. They did not offer dry cleaning. Im glad you found the article helpful. 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. As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. Viking spent days tracking it in the luggage chaos of last summer. Thanks for your article it was very informative. If you want wine at that time is there a charge? which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. TIP: Take a picture of The Viking Daily each evening before heading to bed. This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldnt have the opportunity again. Most of the time youll find a bit of an older crowd. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. We are doing the Salzburg Highlights but just read its a 2 hour bus ride each way. 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. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. The buses and tour guides for your group are each marked: the bus has a placard with the same number and letter to let you know you need to board that bus; the tour guide has a red and white sign on a paddle to indicate that group, as well. Id suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. Hi David, it sounds like youre gearing up for a great adventure! She was also given complimentary express laundry service. on your bed. During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. 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? My husband and I are booked on the Grand European cruise with an extension in Prague at the end of June. As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. On the other side of the menu are regional specialties or options that are focused on our destinations. Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! We were very happy with laundry service on Viking and prices were reasonable. Pieces were back in a few hours. On our walk, we passed the Shoes Along the Danube (very moving) and other interesting sights. Just make sure you are aware of the times the ship will leave the port so you dont miss its departure. We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023. Everyone should read this as every question seems to be answered well and clearly! 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. And our experience was that we were usually parked next to other Viking ships, so we walked through familiar spaces. Hi. http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/frequently-asked-questions.html#LIFEABOARD-FAQ-LIST/55787. Your descriptions of the change of ship due to the broken lock and of docking side by side with other ships were reassuring. We travel light with one roll aboard and one backpack. Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? (European river cruise ships are limited in size due to the rivers they cruise on, so they have the same overall dimensions. Just before the drill, we were all asked to return to our staterooms and don our life vests. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. 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. Viking doesnt allow children on board. It is very helpful to reduce wandering around looking like a tourist while trying to figure out the procedures. expansive 445 square foot living space (separate living room and bedroom) with wraparound balcony at the stern of the ship plus a French balcony in the bedroom. Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. That way, youll have current informationand be able to talk to people in the know to see if your plans will work. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your Viking cruise next year! I merely want to share our experience on a river cruise with my readers. I hope you have a wonderful time! How will payments on board be handled? Were planning a Viking river cruise May 2022. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. It is a quick way to catch up on national and international news as well as to get financial market and sports updates. Theres an elevator onboard so its easy to travel from floor to floor if you dont want to use the stairs. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise, which transported us in great comfort to some amazing European destinations. WebYou also can do your laundry for free in the ship's self-service laundry rooms (detergent is even provided for you). Go to the guest service desk and inquire about the excursions you want and if theyre fully booked, ask to be placed on a waitlist. 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. Incidentally, we had to change ships midway through a river cruise because of a broken lock on the river, and Viking handled it professionally and without too much inconvenience. We leave Saturday for Prague followed by the Budapest to Amsterdam Viking river cruise. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. If you request hangers, things like shirts and jeans come back on hangers instead of folded. Laundry Facility Included in Fare: On the Queen of the Mississippi, there are wash and dryer units are available. Staterooms are guaranteed to be ready at 3:00 pm. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. I am going on a Christmas Market cruise with Viking in 2024. 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. You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip. 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. Pieces were back in a few hours. I have seem videos of rooms but cannot perceive where we can place our 2 luggages + backpacks and not having to hop over them inside our room. Thank you so much for this detailed account. Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Becki In-room irons are a huge no-no for the fire hazard they present. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September 23.our first river cruise (for our 20th). We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. To accomplish this, passengers pack up the night before the transfer, and while out on excursions, their luggage is transferred to the other ship. Congrats on your 50th! On our trip, we met interesting people; visited fascinating places; sampled new foods, wines, and beer; and appreciated the convenience and gracious hospitality offered by Viking. 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. 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. When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. First timer on river cruise. 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. Have a wonderful cruise! If you choose not to prepay the gratuity, Viking adds a discretionary service charge (which was 15 Euros per guest per day when we traveled) to your shipboard account. Using ATMs machines? In addition, some people research other (non-Viking) tour options in advance of their cruise and book a personal or small-group tour to suit their specific interests on their own. Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! 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. Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece. who made the move with us. In my experience, the laundry service on Viking has been excellent. Hi Pat, Im so glad you found my article helpful! The sun deck is a relaxing space with tables and chairs as well as chaise lounges. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? Also, you can get Euros from bank ATMs after you land; there are probably some ATMS near your cruise embarkation site. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. 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. Very relaxing! Hi Victoria, Im so glad you found the article helpful! Theres a mix of traveling overnight (almost all of the time) and during the morning/afternoon/evening (some of the time). How early are they available to avoid the rush? (Im trying to save you room in your luggage!) Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours. We are planning to take the Grand European Tour in July of 2023. It sounds like you are all set. Their itineraries are made specifically for a younger audience and include fun theme nights in stylish lounges, active day excursions like hiking and biking, and nightly pub crawls in Europes hottest bars. The fees for European river cruises range in price from $1 per item to $6 per item. 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. We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. There are also daily announcements with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. As for keeping the itinerary full, its hard not to when you have so many great places to explore, but I agree that scheduling downtime is important, too. with a German Schuko 2-pin plug that matches the 2-prong outlet in the bathroom. To conserve resources, you could easily fill a reusable water bottle from home with water in the rooms. Every once in a while, you may be treated to a little extra like a refreshing drink served on the sun deck while sailing one day. Thanks. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. In my experience, the laundry service on Viking has been excellent. 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? What is the availability of restroom facilities in these small towns? Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? Viking does offer access to desktop computers in Russia and laptops in Europe. Question please, how fast, how good, how expensive? WebStateroom size: 548 sq ft (includes Nordic balcony) Ocean-view two-room suite, 80% larger than junior suites, with private Nordic Balcony, private veranda, separate dining area for 4, additional storage and seating features, plus private access to Explorer Suites Garden. (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) We werent near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) U River Cruises by Uniworld offers week-long cruises for young adults along Europes riverways. There is a fee for this service. 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. Thank you. when we traveled) to your shipboard account. A few guests scheduled independent sightseeing tours, and it seemed to work out well for them. 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). How exciting! 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. 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). 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. 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. Then itll be the first photo on your camera roll before the next days activities. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? The cruise is great for adults of any age. Is there any laundry facility available on the Viking Mars? Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) 11 AM Embarkation 11 AM priority stateroom access Our luggage awaited us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. Also can you remember if those two cities is where the boat docked. Im with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. Thank you for the excellent summary of each important category. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. Yes - best answer is to do your homework first and read the FAQ's about Viking Ocean ships. Were celebrating our 50th! Laundry and pressing services areavailable on Avalon Waterways for a fee. 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. 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. Bon voyage! 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. This should allow you to finalize your plans to disembark and go meet your friends. You must be at least 18 to book a cruise. Public restrooms are available in European towns, and many charge a nominal fee (.50-1 Euro). This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options.

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