Very relaxing! 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. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. 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? Thats because some people end up canceling their reservations for optional excursions. Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. By The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. It makes me happy when I can help others get more comfortable with and enjoy their travels. Do they charge for use? That saved precious counter space. http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/frequently-asked-questions.html#LIFEABOARD-FAQ-LIST/55787, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. Veranda Stateroom (V) Stateroom size: 268 sq ft (includes private veranda) My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. Just wondering if there is a regular daily schedule and of course we understand the change caused by water level, weather, etc. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. On both boats we used the laundry 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. When I returned, I noticed two Viking bookmarks resting on top of the books. One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) Have a wonderful time! 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. Just in front of the Lounge to the bow of the ship is the Aquavit Terrace. What does Viking do with our luggage once we check out of the hotel? You set the code, so its a cinch to remember. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. 11 AM Embarkation 11 AM priority stateroom access 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. If you have dietary restrictions, let Viking know when you book. We are traveling with 8 other people. 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. But thats not to say younger cruisers will feel out of place. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. But, what else would we spend money on? A few guests scheduled independent sightseeing tours, and it seemed to work out well for them. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of desktop computers that are always available for guest use. On the other side of the menu are regional specialties or options that are focused on our destinations. During lunch and dinner, guests are served complimentary soft drinks, beer, or wine. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. So it comes down to how much and what kind of beverages youre likely to consume each day. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. The ships are designed for this to have travelers walk through the common spaces. NOTE: This article was completely updated in January 2023 from the original article, written in 2019. Interesting information! There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). Our luggage awaited us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. . We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. WebCrew members typically work a 6-weeks-on, 2-weeks-off rotation, with up to 13 weeks off annually. Herding 169 tourists onto separate buses all going separate places at separate timeswow, thats a job! GREAT INFO. Ive hand washed some things in the sink and hung them up to dry on the line, and it worked fine. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to fetch my coffee? We would either meet in Bamburg or Wurzburg. Hi Robin, you pose a great question, but it isnt easy to answer! 3. 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. What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. Wishing you good luck and a fantastic cruise! Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. 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. Going from A to B with two extra days in Amsterdam and Budapest. The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. 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). So glad that you had a great cruise! us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. Many folks do tend to change from the clothes they wore for daily excursions to something a little dressier for dinner, but I wouldnt call dinner attire dressy. with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. We were very happy with laundry service on Viking and prices were reasonable. Pieces were back in a few hours. 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. means the walking could be a little more strenuous or have more stairs or inclines. Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? Were celebrating our 50th! 1. And our experience was that we were usually parked next to other Viking ships, so we walked through familiar spaces. Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. Do you travel overnight for most of the time or is there day travel as well? . will visit your room in the morning to clean it. Laundry and pressing services areavailable on Avalon Waterways for a fee. For a complete list of action steps. Prior to dinner, the chef usually introduces the options including his/her recommendations. After clearing customs and immigration and getting our luggage, how do we find Viking to take us to our hotel or how does Viking find us? Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. That worked well as we enjoyed some nice non-touristy lunches and other walks and tours on our own. Stairs connect all the decks plus theres an elevator to service the upper and middle decks. Everything was as you said food, service, boat, amenities, all topnotch. (Another idea is to get Euros at one of the airport currency exchange kiosks, but the exchange rates will probably not be favorable.). We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. Europe Laundry List; China Laundry List; Russia Laundry List; Vietnam Laundry List Thanks. We found the onboard communication to be excellent. Many thanks ! Thank you for great information and insights! WebSigrun - A Valkyrie. Is there We are doing the Grand European Tours B-A with extensions in Prague and Amsterdam, and have booked a full schedule. Attire on a river cruise is casual. The number indicates which ship youre on. Is the ship nonsmoking? I bet youre planning your next cruise already. 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. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. The coffee station is always available, although the baked goods tend to be gobbled up in the late afternoon. The price list is located in each stateroom. On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. who made the move with us. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. Also, the onboard staff and the local guides speak English well. Hi Cynthia, I bet youre so excited about your upcoming trip! We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. Thanks. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. You make an excellent point, Julia. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. All guests left the ship for excursions (the times of the excursions were modified that day so they would all be timed for the same number of hours). 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 Were doing the Rhine Getaway, Amsterdam to Basel in early Oct, but havent actually booked yet! I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). Soap is provided and the machines are free to use. 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. Rosetta. We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. If you have taken a Viking river cruise and want to share your experiences, please do so in the comment area below. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider.
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