Just make sure you are aware of the times the ship will leave the port so you dont miss its departure. All guests are 18 years old or more. As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. 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. Paying upfront might offer peace of mind if you like knowing that its already paid for and you dont have to think about an upcoming beverage bill. Is there any laundry facility available on the Viking Mars? WebFree Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Laundry service. Thank you so much for this detailed account. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. Youll be glad you did! We werent near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) Here are some examples from our cruise: Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. Laundry services are wash and iron, or just iron. I will miss the free on board laundromat from ocean cruising though! Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? 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? To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and. Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. Thank you!! Do you have any experience about this? Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. That way, youll learn exactly how things will work with getting to and from that specific hotel. So for 200 dollars, we got a 400 value good for tickets, flights, an excursion, or even the beverage package. ? Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldnt have the opportunity again. Trying to navigate changing pandemic restrictions is a challenge Id rather not have to deal with, but well give it a try. (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) On one side of the menu are the classics or options that are always available. 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. We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. 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. Hi Cynthia, I bet youre so excited about your upcoming trip! You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! Do you travel overnight for most of the time or is there day travel as well? Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! Once everyone was accounted for, we were able to leave, return our life vests to our stateroom, and resume what we were doing. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) Laundry services may be arranged through your Suite Attendant or your Butler. Laundry Facility Included in Fare: On the Queen of the Mississippi, there are wash and dryer units are available. who made the move with us. Since it will be winter with colder temps, I am wondering about the indoor lounging space/common areas on the longboats. Viking Just wondering if there is a regular daily schedule and of course we understand the change caused by water level, weather, etc. WebFrom Veranda Staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in our spacious Explorer Suites, there is no finer way to travel. 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. The Complete Guide to a Viking River Cruise - Travel with Hi Linda, youre facing a big decision: to go with Silver Spirits or not! Europe Laundry List; China Laundry List; Russia Laundry List; Vietnam Laundry List If you want wine at that time is there a charge? pontac, June 28, 2016 in River Cruising. I bet youre planning your next cruise already. Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently. I dont want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. Hope this info helps you a bit! 2. Much better idea of what were sailing into now! There are costs associated with the optional tours and they vary, and I suppose that correlates with the costs Viking incurs. Have fun! 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 on Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic Community 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. 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. We love most of the optional excursions versus the included excursions but about how much do the optional ones cost? Also, we had booked an English-speaking tour of the Hungarian Parliament which ended up being fascinating; if you plan to do this, make sure to make reservations online ahead of your visit. When we cruised, the classics included Caesar salad as a starter; steak, salmon, and chicken as entrees, and Creme Brle, a selection of cheeses, a fruit plate, and ice cream for dessert. We have taken two Viking River Cruises, Bucharest to Amsterdam (21 days in 2019) and Basel to Amsterdam (7 days in 2021). Thank you! I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! Have fun! As you leave the ship, youll scan your room key to indicate your departure and rescan it upon returning. Our luggage awaited us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. Enjoy! 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. means the walking will be on mostly smooth (not cobbled) surfaces, there are few steps, and the tours will be 1.5 hours or less. However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the level of the stateroom. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. My husband and I are booked on the Grand European cruise with an extension in Prague at the end of June. Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise! If you are doing a post-cruise stay, I found the prices on Viking to be less than the prices using the hotel laundry, so if you need something cleaned, I would suggest using the laundry services on the ship. 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. Members of VantagesPresidents Club (achieved after three Vantage Vacations trips not necessarily river cruises) also receive a 20 laundry credit. We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. Enjoy! On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. Laundry is folded and returned on the same day if you have it ready in the morning. It would be more like smart casual (so no worn jeans and flip-flops, for example). Id much rather take an Uber than rent a car!!! 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. Since it will be November, and Im also afraid of open heights weve opted for the French balcony room. Sigrun is the leader of a band of nine Valkyries, the horse-riding women who descend upon battles to decide which soldiers die and which live. 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? 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 Viking Egil Cruise: Expert Review (2023) - Cruise Critic Attire on a river cruise is casual. 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. We are doing the Grand European Tours B-A with extensions in Prague and Amsterdam, and have booked a full schedule. 12.5 laps = 1 mile. On both boats we used the laundry service. Hi Pat, Im so glad you found my article helpful! 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. River Cruise Basics: Laundry Onboard 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. Hi Kathy, Great question! 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. Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? Viking offers complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner. As you probably know, the package includes unlimited beverages when the bars are open. Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary. (Another idea is to get Euros at one of the airport currency exchange kiosks, but the exchange rates will probably not be favorable.). We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river 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. 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. Thank you for making me less anxious! There they may board another ship. Just sayin'. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). Flat-screen TV with infotainment system Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! We do indeed have new travel hiccups and challenges these days. AmaWaterways haslaundry services available onboard for a fee. private bathrooms that are separate from the living space. One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. Ive not taken a Viking optional tour that I didnt like, but I will say that there are passengers who also book tours independent of Viking due to a keen interest in something and the personal or small-group experience that is available with independent tour guides. The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours. There are lots of smiles and offers of help. 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. Your descriptions of the change of ship due to the broken lock and of docking side by side with other ships were reassuring. Another consideration, of course, is how often you might order specialty drinks from the bar: at lunch, throughout the day, before and/or after dinner? 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. In-room irons are a huge no-no for the fire hazard they present. a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. 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 Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. Any idea if the Terrace will be open for meals in the chill of November? Oh, Im so happy youre able to enjoy traveling safely during the pandemic. WebThere is no charge for the laundry facilities and laundry soap is included in all washers. Did you bring euros or use credit card? Viking Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. We were never disappointed with our meal selections. We sent some clothing to be laundered, and we were happy with that choice. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. I agree with a previous comment about this being the most informative, most inclusive article Ive seen as well. Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. They will let you know on board. As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride. When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. For a walking tour (directly from the ship), some passengers go on the tour to learn about the destination and then spend the rest of the day shopping, enjoying a meal, or just wandering around. Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? During lunch, prior to and after dinner, theres usually live music in the Lounge. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. Remember to notify your bank of your travel dates and destinations before leaving home! Your comments are really appreciated. All Viking river cruise ship staterooms have: river views. Is that possible? Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. We took a universal travel adaptor with 4 USB plugs and 4 outlets and used just one outlet for all of our electronics (smartphones, camera, tablet, and Apple Watch). It is a quick way to catch up on national and international news as well as to get financial market and sports updates. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. See. O. met interesting people; visited fascinating places; sampled new foods, wines, and beer; and appreciated the convenience and gracious hospitality offered by Viking. At other times, like when gathered in the lounge before dinner, youll charge your wine, beer, or cocktails to your stateroom. had some shirts done same day return no complaints. Great service sounds like Viking! They did not offer dry cleaning. Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. Theres an elevator onboard so its easy to travel from floor to floor if you dont want to use the stairs. Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? My husband and I will be sailing with Viking on a Rhine River cruise (Netherlands to Lucerne) this month and our very first river cruise (during a pandemic). Viking River Cruises 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. 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. 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. Just thinking of the best options for meeting friends for a short visit. By queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. Did you use local guides? I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. What does Viking do with our luggage once we check out of the hotel? I hope you have a wonderful time! One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. 11 AM Embarkation 11 AM priority stateroom access Laundry is folded and returned on the same day if you have it ready in the morning. Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. 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. Is there plenty of space for passengers indoors in the common areas, if the outdoors are too cold or rainy? Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to fetch my coffee? 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). Its best to check availability online or ask Viking for the cities youll be visiting. Thanks for the great information. The bar is on one end of the lounge; theres wait service in the Lounge during lunch and in the late afternoon and evening. Its a nice place to relax on warm days and enjoy a lunch buffet while taking in the views. We went on the Viking excursions (with local guides) and did not book any local guides directly. River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. I learned that I probably should have packed a small collapsable umbrella to stuff in my backpack; that way, I wont be carrying the big Viking umbrella around after the rain has stopped while were still sightseeing. Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. on your bed. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of, Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. Her bag was delivered on the last day of the cruise! Im so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! Enjoy your cruise! Many thanks ! Just found your sitelots of great info! The 190-passenger Viking Egil 150 square foot stateroom with picture window (no outdoor space), 135 square foot stateroom with French balcony (sliding glass door with no outdoor space), located on the Upper Deck and Middle Deck, 205 square foot room with full-size private veranda, 275 square foot suite with full-size private veranda, mini-bar with wine, beer, and soft drinks that are replenished daily, complimentary laundry & shoe shine services. In addition to your stateroom, there are several key public areas on the longships: Theres ample comfortable seating here upholstered chairs and sofas with large windows to enjoy the views. The Aquavit Terrace is a great place to have a meal. Without the Silver Spirits package, Id plan on $6-10 for most cocktails, aperitifs, or premium wine by the glass. River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. Viking River Cruise Do we just work with Viking program director on the day of or the day before? The dining room has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. What are the chances of excursions still being available when we are on board? As for money, we used a credit card (with no foreign transaction fees) and Euros (very handy for tipping tour guides and purchasing small incidentals). 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. That is, you sleep and eat on the ship and are transported to your destinations along a river. Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? Your husband doesnt need to pack a blazer if he wouldnt normally wear one for dinner. When I returned, I noticed two Viking bookmarks resting on top of the books. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. However, short answer: There is a free laundry room (4 washers/4 dryers) on every VIking Ocean ship roughly midships on Port Side of decks 3, 4, 5, 6. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the worlds great rivers and provide convenient daily access to a plethora of destinations and experiences. Its relatively easy to dress up a pair of jeans a bit, so the overall look is elegant casual. Enjoy your cruise! The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. (Youll also receive Viking tags for your luggage.) I am going on a Christmas Market cruise with Viking in 2024. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. 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 had no regrets. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. Enjoy! Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer) or there is another issue (like a broken lock) necessitating the change. She was also given complimentary express laundry service. After all, we travel to experience new places, new food, and new people, so we like to eat local specialties whenever possible. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! Thank you for the excellent summary of each important category. Id suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. 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. The Viking Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest was such a great experience one well never forget. Were planning on a dinner in a town, tour of some beer gardens and lunch in Heidelberg, and just walking around. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. There are also daily announcements with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. On the other side of the menu are regional specialties or options that are focused on our destinations. 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). 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. 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 text you with any security issues you should be aware of while youre away. 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). Now to your questions. This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. 1. I've used the laundry service on three river cruises and three ocean cruises and have never had any issues. Thank you for your article and your help! Your email address will not be published. Weve never had a problem finding an ATM in Europe, and Viking can surely help direct you to one. We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. Thanks again! Low river levels today might be just fine for cruising in a few days. 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. The good thing is there are always tomorrows treats to look forward to! They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. Is the ship nonsmoking? She dies from sadness after her lover Helgi is slain by her brother Dagr, and is later reborn as a Valkyrie herself. In my experience, the laundry service on Viking has been excellent. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. Thanks for your article it was very informative. I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. Viking River Cruise Thanks. Indeed, very VERY helpfulespecially for first time river cruisers. The 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 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. 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. This will be first river cruise for us. Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. . We have quite a bit of Viking on board credits and wanted to purchase optional shore excursions with that credit. 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. 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. I hope you have a wonderful time! How early are they available to avoid the rush? We enjoyed sitting with different people; it gave us a chance to learn about their travel experiences and lives a bit. Housekeeping Provide friendly and twice daily housekeeping services to all guests staterooms, and cleans public and crew areas. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. Self-service laundry on a cruise ship is often free, but there may be a charge of up to $3.50 to use the machines and $2 for detergent, depending on the ship. The crew communicates with each other quite well. That worked well as we enjoyed some nice non-touristy lunches and other walks and tours on our own. 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. Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. Is this allowed? The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. And I think remembering that delays can arise on any type of travel (e.g., flights, cruises, trains) helps us all manage our expectations. 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 are heading out on our first river cruise, the Kara from Basel to Amsterdam in late September this year. Wondering how much american cash we should bring and do we need to get euros prior to arrival (if so how much). The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Becki Were planning a Viking river cruise May 2022. Im looking forward to ours next year! Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! Just inside is the Lounge where we ate one rainy lunchtime. And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known.
- 571-09-66-99
- SHOOP.GE@GMAIL.COM
