We would either meet in Bamburg or Wurzburg. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. Every cabin type is listed as having. Throw your clothes in a washer when you leave for dinner, then in the dryer afterward. We opted to book through our travel agent with whom we could meet face-to-face, ask questions, and learn from her knowledge of cruising and different cruise companies. My question is about size of our luggage (or size limitation due room size). Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. You know is it a venus and mars question. No, Tamara, I dont have direct experience replacing SIM cards. 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). Just inside is the Lounge where we ate one rainy lunchtime. Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience. This happens when bridges are too low to safely pass under with guests on the sun deck. We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. The dress code on Viking Ocean Cruises is very relaxed. Usually there is an electrical outlet by the "desk" or vanity. Staterooms also include shampoo and conditioner. There was a broken lock near Regensburg, about halfway between the two big cities. Best, Irene, Hi Glenise, Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise! Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Your room key is your ID. 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. Viking assigns different colored luggage tags to guests depending on what their next travel destination is (a post-excursion through Viking, a trip independent of Viking, or a flight home). 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. Royal Princess desk with power sockets. Super post, Irene. PROHIBITED ITEMS All firearms (working, nonfiring, replicas, imitations & air/pellet guns) . Yes, there have been changes to address public health safety, but Im betting they wont interfere with your overall enjoyment. We are really looking forward to this cruise and its wonderful itinerary. Many of the newer ships within the fleet also have USB sockets available ranging from 2-3 per cabin. One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week and that includes river levels. Viking is very efficient with their timing. I wasnt sure whether or not to bring my usual cruise lanyard and hole punch? Its a great one! Thanks to her guidance, we learn how to honor our dead, and integrate their love and . Designed and crafted to safely navigate the Lower Mekong River in Viking style, Saigon will carry a maximum of 80 passengers between My Tho and Kampong Cham as part of the . Yes. Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. Going from A to B with two extra days in Amsterdam and Budapest. Instead, the dress code is elegant casual, which can mean anything from a sundress in the Caribbeanto slacks and a blouse for women cruising in colder climates. Even the sharpest dressed had their athletic shoes or keen sandals on during the day. 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. Good luck! Stairs connect all the decks plus theres an elevator to service the upper and middle decks. 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. We were on the Idun (Longship). 12.5 laps = 1 mile. I will miss the free on board laundromat from ocean cruising though! That way, youll have current informationand be able to talk to people in the know to see if your plans will work. and one US 110V socket on each side of the bed; there are no UK 3 pin sockets. Once unpacked, you can put your backpacks in your empty luggage and slide it all under the bed(s) and not think about them until its time to leave. Try to think through where youll be, and what youll be doing, and make lists as reminders to guide your packing. Any further suggestions about picking up the excursion cards each morning? Now to your questions. Power is supplied at 110 volts. Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. Maybe we will run into each other. Since you need the refrigerator for your medicine, I would call the cruise line just to make sure it will be large enough to meet your needs or to see if a larger one can be placed in your cabin. Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. Perhaps, youll leave your sunglasses or swimsuit at home, or will forget to bring a sweater for chilly evenings. We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! . Doing the Grand European Trip for our 50th in May of 2023. Great service sounds like Viking! Hope that helps! Regarding local currency in Hungary, you can head to an ATM once youre there to get the amount of local cash you want. Also trying to decide what to wear. The total cost varies according to the length of the ocean cruise. Glad you enjoyed the post~ Also located off the main corridor are a couple of desktop computers that are always available for guest use. The 110V electrical outlets (North American style) are located above the desk and on each side of the bed. So it comes down to how much and what kind of beverages youre likely to consume each day. Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece. 3. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Irene is a regular contributor to Forbes Travel/ Read her most recent stories by clicking the links. 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? . . As for shore excursions, my husband and I enjoyed the walking tour (through Viking) that included the funicular up to Castle Hill. Take a USB charging hub if you have multiple devices that require USB charging points. 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. The number indicates which ship youre on. 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 we were sailing during the day, the program director narrated scenic highlights along the river as we continued our journey. This particular power strip is suited to someone wanting both regular 110 power and the option to plug in USB ready items as well. Thanks again! Definitely needed that in the humidity. I definitely overpackedshoes and clothes. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. Hoping you will enjoy your voyage and have good hair days, too! Lots of good options, just not sure how fast everything could charge if it needed to be all at the same time! Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. Owned and operated by Viking, Viking Osiris is a brand new vessel, the most upscale ship in Egypt, and the sister ship to Viking Aton. It makes me happy when I can help others get more comfortable with and enjoy their travels. 10.1 BazTechElectroS European Travel Adapter Plug, 11.99 Amazon. Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. There was one set of outlets on either side of the bed and another set at the desk near the TV. What a great experience she has ahead of her! Thanks, Jazzbeau. And our experience was that we were usually parked next to other Viking ships, so we walked through familiar spaces. bealls online outlet. Started June 21, 2021, By They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. Weve chosen a mix of the included tours and the custom days, avoided any places to which weve already travelled and have added in the extensions to both ends, hoping to see friends in Amsterdam. Heavy bags are tricky to manage, too. 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. 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). Its something to worry about losing, and fanciful costume jewelry is just as much fun! We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. I have been told by friends who sail on other lines that I will need a lanyard and pouch to carry ID and room keys, we did not on Viking River Cruises, do we on the ocean cruise? As standard in Viking Longships there are both USA type flat pin 110 sockets and European round holed 220V sockets, as well as USB sockets. Can you please provide the docking location? Good luck! Also, regarding a curling ironI had one and used it and had no problem. In fact, there are few hard-fast rules for evening dress except to limit shorts and workout attire to daytime use only. 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. Just returned from a Viking Longship and there was 3-110 outlets and one in the bathroom for a shaver. 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. And I think remembering that delays can arise on any type of travel (e.g., flights, cruises, trains) helps us all manage our expectations. For example, the guests in the Explorer Suites can book optional excursions before guests in the Veranda Suites. By Thanks. 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. Thank you for these suggestions and actual experiences! On the ship, you only need the ID, which you can tuck into a pocket. That is, you sleep and eat on the ship and are transported to your destinations along a river. Its relaxed and has an abundant food buffet with soup, a variety of salads, meats, warm sandwiches (like paninis and Cuban sandwiches), fruit, and dessert. We are planning to do 12 days in a carry-on bag only, so no way could I do it without downloading all the info. 2. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. Was our first Viking cruise, so we used your article as a guide. means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. Hi Linda, youre facing a big decision: to go with Silver Spirits or not! Thank you for your thoughtfulness. 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. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. The only exception to the no-adapter rule below: Make sure you bring European-style adapters for the plugs, and that the hair tools can run on 220V current (for use near the makeup table in your cabin). The river cruises have open seating, so that means you arent assigned any table mates. Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to fetch my coffee? . I have the original which is 1 amp and am looking into getting the 2.1 amp since I have a tablet now. That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. We're staying at hotels also so bring ours. Have a wonderful cruise next year! I would suggest that you call Viking. We're on the the Kara in a few weeks and just went through this research. 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. Needless to say, its handy to have small change for tipping. Keep in mind that though it may be tropical outside it can get chilly in the a/c. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. All longships include both 110V and 220V electrical outlets, as well as hair dryers. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link Many people were. Plus, Viking offers several excursions each day that the ship is in port. The down comforter is lovely but too heavy. About the stateroom, that really comes down to personal preference. Everything was as you said food, service, boat, amenities, all topnotch. I had a wonderful trip with Viking Cruises' Sun cruise ship, there was good food and with a balcony cabin I enjoyed the view of the sea, good speed Wi-Fi and enjoyed all the Viking offers on board and shore excursions included. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? We were never disappointed with our meal selections. It would be more like smart casual (so no worn jeans and flip-flops, for example). I am also taking that cruise. Should. . I know the hair dryer is in the bathroom, so that is not an issue. 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). They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. 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. Other European ships have 220V electricity, and have the German Schuko safety plug, which has two pins. Mifaso 7-in-1 Desktop Power Strip. Many cruise lines have banned bringing power strips on cruise ships due to the chance that the surge protector will overload the circuit and cause potential electrical damage or fires. Using ATMs machines? free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). Regsrding snacks you forgot to mention that you do not need room service as each room comes with a bar fridge and that snacks like the delicious home baked cookies are readily available ftim the World Cafe. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. 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. Hi Danny, Im not sure which cruise youre referring to, but you asked an excellent question about renting a car to make day trips while on the cruise. Thanks!! On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. and special treats made nice surprises. On our cruise, some guests had to put their luggage outside their staterooms as early as 2:45 am and leave the ship at 3:30 am to go to the airport. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? 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. This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially in heavyweights like Vienna and Budapest. Hlin is deeply compassionate in an unsentimental way, and a wise teacher. 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. I was delighted to spend seven days along the Rhne River on the Provence and Lyon itinerary. The tips cover all onboard staff. 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. They will let you know on board. The upscale cruise brand has carved out a niche since its founding in 1997, catering specifically to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler who is looking to explore the world and learn a thing or two along the way. Id be surprised if they couldnt tell you the answer; my experience is that they are great on the phone! More information on menu choices is below under Meals. We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. To burn off some of the calories ingested by the delicious food onboard, I walked in the morning around the sun deck track. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. As with Regal Princess, there are no charging points next to the bed on Royal Princess. River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. There are costs associated with the optional tours and they vary, and I suppose that correlates with the costs Viking incurs. Fayetteville, GA, USA. 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). Thanks for responding, Robyn. Whichever side of the menu you order from, the meals for the entire table are served at the same time. Thank you! Glad the tips were helpful. See the chart for more details and pictures of the plugs. anyone doing the Viking njord nov 22 Budapest to Nuremberg. I bet youre planning your next cruise already. Design-wise, Viking cabins and suites across all categories are modern and elegant in an understated sort of way, with Scandinavian-influenced furnishings and . While all Viking Longships are non-smoking on the interior, in staterooms and verandas, for those of you who are cigarette smokers, each ship has an outdoor smoking area, typically on the sun deck. All outlets are European style (2 pin) with . I hope you have a fabulous anniversary 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. Just in front of the Lounge to the bow of the ship is the Aquavit Terrace. In Southeast Asia the ships use a 2-pin Euro plug. 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. In the afternoon, we followed up on some of the suggestions the local guide from the morning had regarding how to spend the remainder of the day. Started August 27, 2021, By The best description and information about Viking River Cruise, thank you for taking the time to write this information, were very appreciate. The bar is on one end of the lounge; theres wait service in the Lounge during lunch and in the late afternoon and evening. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. Accommodating just 82 guests, she offers the ultimate in comfort. Cheers! I think it would be a tight schedule if the ship is docked for just a day. Every ocean (or river ship) weve ever been on has had a hairdryer tucked in a drawer or closet (although you often have to search for them). We noticed that the crew was cleaning the common areas early in the morning, as soon as we left for excursions, and in our rooms while guests were enjoying dinner. Trying to guess the weather so we can narrow down what to pack. I thought formal/dressy was the norm on all cruise ships! We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. I liked the hair and cleansing products on the ship, but the hotel had one cleanser for hair and body only. That makes it handy for your husband to fetch your morning cup! There is precise timing to docking and excursions. Thanks. Do you travel overnight for most of the time or is there day travel as well? We travel light with one roll aboard and one backpack. There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. I had mental pictures of all my photos of me enjoying Europe but my hair looking like it did in junior high. I would suggest he bring one pair of khakis. A few weeks prior to your departure, Viking will send stickers for you to wear at the airport when you land, so they can identify you as a Viking guest. on your bed. There they may board another ship. The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours. Hi Catherine, Im glad the article was helpful. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. Radgrid's name translates into "truce of counsel," suggesting her great power in determining . 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? There are 110V and 220V electrical outlets in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. It was impossible to find one to my liking in the department store in Marseillealthough I tried. Thanks Francis M, I am re-thinking the amps on the power strip for that very reason, we will be in an apartment in Amsterdam for a few days precruise, so we definitely will need one. That way, youll learn exactly how things will work with getting to and from that specific hotel. There are so many choices of destinations and lengths of the trip. First timer on river cruise. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Answer (1 of 4): Most cruise ships sailing for lines that predominantly serve the US market (regardless of the itinerary) have North American-style 3 prong plugs (Type B) in their cabins; typically placed on the vanity/desk located next to the TV. They are clearly marked. Thanks. 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). 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports. Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently. You will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. Your comments are really appreciated. I cant find any info on Fteyja that gives me that info. June 12, 2022 . The water levels are extremely low right now. 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. Jan Lee, I would definitely bring yours, I didnt on our last Viking cruise and as great as their stuff is, it stripped the color.enjoy your trip. JOOMFEEN Universal Travel Adapter. . We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. Im going on a Viking River Cruise (Paris-Normandy). As for the specifics about checking in to hotels and then embarkation timing, Id suggest you contact Viking directly (or your travel agent if you used one to book the trip). Only a few bucks anyway. Our preferred day at a town where we were docked included a morning walking tour (an included excursion) to get the lay of the land. I have been or 2 VRCs and leave for my 1st VOC in a week (Baltic Sea yay!) Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. The coffee station is always available, although the baked goods tend to be gobbled up in the late afternoon. The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldnt have the opportunity again. The Viking Bar on Deck 1 has sweets and savories available through midnight. Beverage gratuities are included in the package. It has served my family well. (European river cruise ships are limited in size due to the rivers they cruise on, so they have the same overall dimensions. Many people prefer to bring their own reliable shampoos/conditioners/toiletries, etc. 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. 1. Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) 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. Three meals are included each day at the following times: Soda, beer, and house wine are available at lunch and dinner at no charge. And, yes, there is a nice vanity area where you can sit and do your hair and makeup, across from the bed. Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. Do viking ocean cruise lines have a hairdresser on board? Overview. Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. Please hare your opinion with me. Poweradd 3-Outlet Power Strip 5-foot Heavy Duty Extension Cord with 3 USB Charging Ports. An easy way to begin a conversation is to ask where people are from, about their past travel experiences, and what excursions interest them the most. We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. 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. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. 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. Some companies may take space from common areas to put into spas and fitness centers; others, like Viking, use all that available space for staterooms and common areas.).