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. There are also bright red full-size Viking umbrellas to take along on excursions if its raining. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) Haha. Ocean Cruises. Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. 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). 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. That saved precious counter space. 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). Its relatively easy to dress up a pair of jeans a bit, so the overall look is elegant casual. Enjoy your cruise! They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. We chose a French Balcony room. Prior to dinner, the chef usually introduces the options including his/her recommendations. Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you dont forget your valuables. Have a wonderful time! First timer on river cruise. They will let you know on board. River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. 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). I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. We found the onboard communication to be excellent. Frequently Asked Questions | Viking Ocean Cruises (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. Very relaxing! which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. Just sayin'. Any idea if the Terrace will be open for meals in the chill of November? Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. 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. Rosetta. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. Per Viking: There are no formal nights in the evening; recommended evening dress is elegant casual. For ladies, this may include a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; and for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. Viking Egil Cruise: Expert Review (2023) - Cruise Critic We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. Hope you have been able to enjoy more Viking cruises since your original one. Theres always iced tea often with different flavors every day. Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. WebSigrun - A Valkyrie. Just make sure you notify your bank before traveling, so they dont flag your ATM transaction in another country as suspicious! Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. Public restrooms are available in European towns, and many charge a nominal fee (.50-1 Euro). Sinks are usually large enough to hand-wash items and Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. For a complete list of action steps. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? Your email address will not be published. Youll receive an excursion card with a number and a letter. The best description and information about Viking River Cruise, thank you for taking the time to write this information, were very appreciate. The Laundry Facility Included in Fare: On the Queen of the Mississippi, there are wash and dryer units are available. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Viking Bragi - Viking River Cruises Youll be able to find out about the length of bus trips to/from excursions and other related information. Thank you so much for this detailed account. How can we arrange individual tours or make dinner reservations if we dont know the times or the port arrangements? As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. I merely want to share our experience on a river cruise with my readers. See. had some shirts done same day return no complaints The cruise is great for adults of any age. Youll see all your options on the online My Viking Journey portal when the tours open up prior to your trip. Please hare your opinion with me. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. Viking is only offering us a morning excursion the second day in Prague so we are looking to do some exploring on our own. 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. River Cruise Basics: Laundry Onboard Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. Pieces were back in a few hours. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience. 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. There is no fitness center or spa on Viking river cruise ships; the space that could be a fitness center is instead put to use in the common areas and staterooms. If you want wine at that time is there a charge? 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. The bar is on one end of the lounge; theres wait service in the Lounge during lunch and in the late afternoon and evening. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! In addition, there are quite a few optional excursions available at an extra cost. That way, youll learn exactly how things will work with getting to and from that specific hotel. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. 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. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the worlds great rivers and provide convenient daily access to a plethora of destinations and experiences. About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. 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. Tauck offers a paid laundry service on all of its ships. On both boats we used the laundry Hi Robin, you pose a great question, but it isnt easy to answer! We were very happy with laundry service on Viking and prices were reasonable. The crew actually collapses the awnings, chairs, and tables and the ships bridge recedes into the ship all to reduce the ships height. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? I agree with a previous comment about this being the most informative, most inclusive article Ive seen as well. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. . Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! Viking then allowed us to purchase a no-expiry date voucher towards another cruise an amount they matched. We had no problems or complaints. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your Viking cruise next year! We could not have chosen any better than the Skirnir and Viking. These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? 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. Grand Circle offers a paid laundry service on all of its vessels. This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially in heavyweights like Vienna and Budapest. Viking River Cruises All Viking ships in Europe, Russia and Ukraine feature free WiFi. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. 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. Enjoy your cruise this fall! The ships' specialty dining venues, Manfredi's (Italian) and The Chef's Table also are included in your cruise fare, and you just need to make a reservation to pick a time to dine in either of these places during your cruise. That way, youll have current informationand be able to talk to people in the know to see if your plans will work. Great article. Viking Id much rather take an Uber than rent a car!!! Viking doesnt allow children on board. There is a fee for this service. I think it would be a tight schedule if the ship is docked for just a day. Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. Passengers could disembark and be bussed on an excursion and then afterwards, be bussed to a different location on the river where the water levels are higher. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. If you have taken a Viking river cruise and want to share your experiences, please do so in the comment area below. Do they charge for use? Once everyone was accounted for, we were able to leave, return our life vests to our stateroom, and resume what we were doing. We are doing the Salzburg Highlights but just read its a 2 hour bus ride each way. Also, you can get Euros from bank ATMs after you land; there are probably some ATMS near your cruise embarkation site. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. 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. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. Learn how your comment data is processed. Have a wonderful cruise next year! WOW, what a complete piece of well written and informative information we have come across. Powered by Invision Community. 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. You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip. This is a great venue for enjoying the passing landscape on travel days and relaxed dining every day. It makes me happy when I can help others get more comfortable with and enjoy their travels. Have a wonderful cruise! 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). They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Becki There is a fee for this service. These devices are attached to lanyards with earpieces. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. I will miss the free on board laundromat from ocean cruising though! This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. Laundry is folded and returned on the same day if you have it ready in the morning. Have fun! Great post. Viking River Cruises laundry In some destinations,laundry can be sent out for cleaning fee while the boat is docked. Complimentary self-service Guest Laundry, including washing machines, detergent, fabric softener, dryers, irons and ironing boards are provided on Deck 1 on Crystal Bach, Crystal Mahler, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel. It would be more like smart casual (so no worn jeans and flip-flops, for example). Going from A to B with two extra days in Amsterdam and Budapest. 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. Leave your dressier clothes at home; there are no formal nights on a Viking river cruise. After morning housekeeping, we had some fresh fruit and baked treats waiting for us in our room. Your email address will not be published. She was able to shop the Viking clothes closet, stocked with items left by previous passengers. Only 190 guests. As for Tours by Locals, Ive used them, as well, and was pleased. However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. In the morning we would stuff the bag with dirty clothes, fill out the form and leave for the cabin attendant. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! Viking does offer access to desktop computers in Russia and laptops in Europe. Thanks. There are so many choices of destinations and lengths of the trip. Wishing you good luck and a fantastic cruise! Youll be glad you did! Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. There is no self-service laundry. Have a wonderful cruise! 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. pontac, June 28, 2016 in River Cruising. Attire on a river cruise is casual. 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. This should allow you to finalize your plans to disembark and go meet your friends. Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise! 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). I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. Is this allowed? 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. I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. This is the place to find a variety of coffee and tea plus baked goods to accompany your beverage. Thats because some people end up canceling their reservations for optional excursions. 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? There are lots of smiles and offers of help. My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Its been a seamless process for us, and it functions well although we do incur additional international charges. If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package. That gives my husband and me plenty of money for tipping the local guides and bus drivers as well as Viking staff before we leave. There is paid laundry service but no dry cleaning. Have a wonderful cruise in September! Laundry services may be arranged through your Suite Attendant or your Butler. We celebrated a big anniversary on our cruise and were delighted with champagne and a special dessert awaiting us in our room after dinner one night. You answered my questions about docking locations (though understand they are subject to change) and the Hungarian currency. Is that possible? There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. There are other excursions that day that we could do. Re renting a car to go to a specific place Viking tours dont include: Is Uber possible in the cities Viking goes to? All Viking river cruise ship staterooms have: river views. We are planning to take the Grand European Tour in July of 2023. The number indicates which ship youre on. Have a great cruise! How will payments on board be handled? WebCrew members typically work a 6-weeks-on, 2-weeks-off rotation, with up to 13 weeks off annually. (Youll also receive Viking tags for your luggage.) The water levels are extremely low right now. The recommended tipping (for each guest) on excursions is 2 Euros for local guides and 1 Euro for bus drivers. Great service sounds like Viking! So glad I discovered your very informative account of the Viking River Cruise! Once onboard, youll be given more specific times, so youll be able to fine-tune your plans. Good question, John, but its not an easy one to answer! I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. I will add one note that we experienced. And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known. who made the move with us. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. 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. The Silver Spirits package offers unlimited drinks including cocktails, premium wine, and beer. No kids. What are the charges for individual cocktails, apertifs or premium beers/wines by glass? WebFrom Veranda Staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in our spacious Explorer Suites, there is no finer way to travel. Wash and press services are available on all ships for American Cruise Lines. You can sign up for excursions from your account on MyVikingJourney.com prior to your trip. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. 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. We enjoyed relaxing there and enjoying the sights and sounds of being on the ship. Frequently Asked Questions | Viking River Cruises . Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. Weve found there are a lot of commonalities as well as interesting folks to meet. We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. Without the Silver Spirits package, Id plan on $6-10 for most cocktails, aperitifs, or premium wine by the glass. The Viking onboard staff from the captain, hotel manager, and program director to the housekeeping and wait staff were all positive, upbeat folks: smiling, accommodating, and helpful. 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. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. Viking Sigrun We have quite a bit of Viking on board credits and wanted to purchase optional shore excursions with that credit. Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. As for shore excursions, my husband and I enjoyed the walking tour (through Viking) that included the funicular up to Castle Hill. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Have a wonderful cruise! WebFree Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Laundry service. with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? 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. 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. Just found your sitelots of great info! We will definitely be using it in the years to come.
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