a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. 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 so much for this detailed account. We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023. Frequently Asked Questions | Viking River Cruises . In-room irons are a huge no-no for the fire hazard they present. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! There youll find a countdown to departure, background on each port of call, the entire list of excursions available (some are complimentary; others cost extra) that you can book online, a calendar showing your itinerary for each day, and other helpful information about the cruise. We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. We are doing the Grand European Tours B-A with extensions in Prague and Amsterdam, and have booked a full schedule. Laundry and pressing services areavailable on Avalon Waterways for a fee. We sent some clothing to be laundered, and we were happy with that choice. Viking We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. Youll be able to find out about the length of bus trips to/from excursions and other related information. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. She was well attired for 14 days! Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. Weve found there are a lot of commonalities as well as interesting folks to meet. What are the charges for individual cocktails, apertifs or premium beers/wines by glass? Im sorry I cant give you a more definitive answer, but so much depends on conditions at the time you board and what the staff recommends. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! Enjoy your cruise this fall! Thank you for the excellent summary of each important category. Another option, if the river levels are too low overall, would be for passengers to be bussed from destination to destination, staying in hotels, throughout the cruise. On our cruise, this was done in the Lounge just after the evening port talk by the program director. Disclaimer: My husband and I paid forour Viking river cruise ourselves. The price list is located in each stateroom. Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. And about general seating at meals in the dining room, theres a choice of large and small tables and theres no assigned seating, so if youre one of the early ones at meal time, youll have a great chance of finding a setting that suits you best. Viking Octantis Viking spent days tracking it in the luggage chaos of last summer. Have a wonderful cruise! Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise! We love most of the optional excursions versus the included excursions but about how much do the optional ones cost? Any comments on safety in cities? 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. Heres our story. I didnt read through all the comments, so I hope Im not being repetitive. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. If you request hangers, things like shirts and jeans come back on hangers instead of folded. Viking River Cruises laundry - River Cruising - Cruise Critic Also, you can get Euros from bank ATMs after you land; there are probably some ATMS near your cruise embarkation site. 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. In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. 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. 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. Great post. We haven't used Viking's laundry service so can't comment on that but in the FAQ they do have the price list so at least you'll have an idea of wha Our next Viking cruise is coming up soon, and I cant wait. We chose a French Balcony room. 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. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! The sun deck does not have enclosed spaces. I bet youre planning your next cruise already. Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary. Enjoy! The coffee station is always available, although the baked goods tend to be gobbled up in the late afternoon. 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. 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. 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? The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Becki One thing we learned is that although some excursions will guide you through a large city, if it is inland a bit, you may be spending a significant amount of time traveling from the ship to the city and comparatively modest amounts of time actually in the city itself. (Another idea is to get Euros at one of the airport currency exchange kiosks, but the exchange rates will probably not be favorable.). In the morning we would stuff the bag with dirty clothes, fill out the form and leave for the cabin attendant. 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. The Viking Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest was such a great experience one well never forget. They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. The river cruises have open seating, so that means you arent assigned any table mates. 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. You answered my questions about docking locations (though understand they are subject to change) and the Hungarian currency. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. After that point, guests still on board could use the common areas (Lounge or sun deck) until their transfer to the airport or other destination. Thats where you might find biking or hiking options, or as you mentioned, the Top of Cologne optional tour. Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise from Prague to Paris last summer. The Complete Guide to a Viking River Cruise - Travel with U River Cruises by Uniworld offers week-long cruises for young adults along Europes riverways. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. Hi Anne, booking an independent excursion shouldnt be a problem. Pieces were back in a few hours. If you have dietary restrictions, let Viking know when you book. Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. Guests can use their own laptops or one of the public computes available onboard each ship. Is there any laundry facility available on the Viking Mars? Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. WebSigrun - A Valkyrie. On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. 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. Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. Just inside is the Lounge where we ate one rainy lunchtime. Have a fabulous cruise! Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. WebReviews. Im looking forward to ours next year! Wishing you good luck and a fantastic cruise! Wondering how much american cash we should bring and do we need to get euros prior to arrival (if so how much). You make an excellent point, Julia. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. 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. Located off the main corridor, the library has books you may borrow while aboard as well as abridged newspapers that are prepared for Viking guests daily. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! Lolly just finished the Grand European tour a week ago (Budapest-Amsterdam). Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). 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. Have a great cruise! We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you dont forget your valuables. Frequently Asked Questions | Viking Ocean Cruises In some destinations,laundry can be sent out for cleaning fee while the boat is docked. There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. Re renting a car to go to a specific place Viking tours dont include: Is Uber possible in the cities Viking goes to? What are the chances of excursions still being available when we are on board? Once onboard, youll be given more specific times, so youll be able to fine-tune your plans. Id suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. Hi. What Kind of Laundry Service is Offered on a River Cruise? When this happens, the cruise ship parks parallel to another cruise ship. Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? Hope your sister finds her Viking river cruise everything she hopes it to be. The cruise is great for adults of any age. 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 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). Thanks for your article it was very informative. For instance, how much is the Top of Cologne in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? If you want wine at that time is there a charge? Theres also no guest laundry on board, and this is also true of other Laundry Services or Facilities: Which River Cruise Companies Viking (Im trying to save you room in your luggage!) In addition, there are quite a few optional excursions available at an extra cost. We travel light with one roll aboard and one backpack. Your email address will not be published. We had no problems or complaints. 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. Id much rather take an Uber than rent a car!!! 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. One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. 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. Viking ships are specially designed to navigate the worlds great rivers and provide convenient daily access to a plethora of destinations and experiences. Have a wonderful cruise in September! Laundry Facility Included in Fare: On the Queen of the Mississippi, there are wash and dryer units are available. Europe Laundry List; China Laundry List; Russia Laundry List; Vietnam Laundry List I agree with a previous comment about this being the most informative, most inclusive article Ive seen as well. Thanks for any thoughts! I suggest signing on to My Viking Journey and using the Live Chat feature to get your answer. Youll receive an excursion card with a number and a letter. On both boats we used the laundry We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. There are no laundry services or facilities offered onboard any of CroisiEuropes ships. 3. Thank you for great information and insights! Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! Is this allowed? We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) GREAT INFO. Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. (Youll also receive Viking tags for your luggage.) Hi Pat, Theres a good chance that some optional excursions will be available once you board the ship even if theyre listed on MyVikingJourney as being sold out. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously. Hi David, it sounds like youre gearing up for a great adventure! Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? That way, youll have current informationand be able to talk to people in the know to see if your plans will work. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. As you leave the ship, you are handed a bottle of water. and special treats made nice surprises. We will definitely be using it in the years to come. Im glad you found the article helpful. About the stateroom, that really comes down to personal preference. On both boats we used the laundry service. 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). 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. Thanks. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? We kept our itinerary full, which might have been an error trust me, you want to take a breather every few days! Tauck offers a paid laundry service on all of its ships. Interesting information! This should allow you to finalize your plans to disembark and go meet your friends. We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. This publication outlines the schedule for the next day, with all included and optional excursions as well as suggestions on where to visit and eat during your free time the next day. Just thinking of the best options for meeting friends for a short visit. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! 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). Hi Daisy, you have the choice of going on the included or an optional excursion or exploring on your own. But thats not to say younger cruisers will feel out of place. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? Viking is only offering us a morning excursion the second day in Prague so we are looking to do some exploring on our own. Hope this info helps you a bit! in your closet upon arrival; if you need more, just ask, and they will be delivered promptly. It sounds like you have a wonderful journey coming up this summer, Rosetta! This will be first river cruise for us. Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently. This is the place to find a variety of coffee and tea plus baked goods to accompany your beverage. O. met interesting people; visited fascinating places; sampled new foods, wines, and beer; and appreciated the convenience and gracious hospitality offered by Viking. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. 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. At other times, like when gathered in the lounge before dinner, youll charge your wine, beer, or cocktails to your stateroom. Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then were bussed to the new ship in the late afternoon. 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). To conserve resources, you could easily fill a reusable water bottle from home with water in the rooms. Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place. Prior to dinner, the chef usually introduces the options including his/her recommendations. Only 190 guests. (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) That worked well as we enjoyed some nice non-touristy lunches and other walks and tours on our own. What are your thoughts on the Silver Spirits package? About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. Have a wonderful time! 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. Theres always iced tea often with different flavors every day. in the safe the day before you check out. The excursions provide guests with an array of experiences including peeks into how locals live, how and where they work, and also some privileged access options just for Viking guests. Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week and that includes river levels. 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. Enjoy! Much better idea of what were sailing into now! The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. When you return to your room, you will notice the dinner menus for that evening. My husband had been to a number of these cities on business and wanted me to visit them too, and this makes it sound easy. By (OK, the wifi in the rooms REALLY sucksbut if thats your #1 problem, you arent doing badly). One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. We did not receive any compensation or discounts fromViking or any otherorganization. Herding 169 tourists onto separate buses all going separate places at separate timeswow, thats a job! We enjoyed relaxing there and enjoying the sights and sounds of being on the ship. So for 200 dollars, we got a 400 value good for tickets, flights, an excursion, or even the beverage package. Thanks. I borrowed some books from the ships library and left them on a table in our room. 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. Did you use local guides? Thanks again! Good question, John, but its not an easy one to answer! (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). Your email address will not be published. Thank you! Viking does offer access to desktop computers in Russia and laptops in Europe. We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) The crew communicates with each other quite well. During lunch and dinner, guests are served complimentary soft drinks, beer, or wine. There is a fee for this service. Thanks. Its certainly a relaxing way to travel. Have fun! Deciding on cash is a personal choice, of course. Do you travel overnight for most of the time or is there day travel as well? One tip we learned is to put a shoe (just one!) Laundry on Viking I hope you have a wonderful time! (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) Thank you! For handwashed garments, there is a clothesline in the shower. Thank you! Youll see all your options on the online My Viking Journey portal when the tours open up prior to your trip. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. Im with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. 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. had some shirts done same day return no complaints During lunch, prior to and after dinner, theres usually live music in the Lounge. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. 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. Knowing you can do your laundry onboard allows you to A tie and jacket are optional.. Low river levels today might be just fine for cruising in a few days. Remember to notify your bank of your travel dates and destinations before leaving home! Hi Kathy, Great question! Plenty of covered space protects guests from the harsh summer sun.
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