Id suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. I am going on a Christmas Market cruise with Viking in 2024. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. We leave Saturday for Prague followed by the Budapest to Amsterdam Viking river cruise. Hi Karen, A few things could happen when river levels are too low for cruise ships. 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. We enjoyed sitting with different people; it gave us a chance to learn about their travel experiences and lives a bit. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? 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. which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. 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. Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. We went on the Viking excursions (with local guides) and did not book any local guides directly. There is precise timing to docking and excursions. 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. I hope you have a wonderful time! Public restrooms are available in European towns, and many charge a nominal fee (.50-1 Euro). private bathrooms that are separate from the living space. There are also bright red full-size Viking umbrellas to take along on excursions if its raining. Many people were. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! (Viking asks that luggage not be placed outside the staterooms when going to bed the previous night due to safety concerns should there be an emergency, having bags in the narrow corridors would pose a safety risk.). Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. U River Cruises by Uniworld offers week-long cruises for young adults along Europes riverways. It was led by an art historian who took us up to the very top of the cathedral (above the ceiling) where the craftspeople worked. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! Just wondering if there is a regular daily schedule and of course we understand the change caused by water level, weather, etc. Sinks are usually large enough to hand-wash items and Leave your dressier clothes at home; there are no formal nights on a Viking river cruise. So glad that you had a great cruise! free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). I dont want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. Ocean Cruises. We were never disappointed with our meal selections. TIP: Take a picture of The Viking Daily each evening before heading to bed. Did you use local guides? Theres also no guest laundry on board, and this is also true of other River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. Haha. 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). We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. The price list is located in each stateroom. The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Did some underwear, jeans and a golf shirt. All came back same day. No complaints. If you want to obtain Euros before departure, check with your bank or AAA office to see if they can help you. 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. Have a wonderful cruise next year! Viking River Cruises: Laundry service is available on board; unfortunately clothes cannot be dry cleaned. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. Required fields are marked *. Some river cruise companies do have those facilities, but Viking Longships dont have those. 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. 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. Servers take your drink orders (sodas, beer, wine) and freshen up your glass when it is empty. They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. WebFree Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Laundry service. Soap is provided and the machines are free to use. All guests are 18 years old or more. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously. Hi Theo, you shouldnt have any problems meeting up with your friends in either Bamburg or Wurzburg while on the cruise. 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. In-room irons are a huge no-no for the fire hazard they present. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! Sound like you have a great cruise coming up! In addition, some people research other (non-Viking) tour options in advance of their cruise and book a personal or small-group tour to suit their specific interests on their own. Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. Good luck! Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. Enjoy! Hi Anne, booking an independent excursion shouldnt be a problem. Laundry and pressing services areavailable on Avalon Waterways for a fee. Check-in time for the hotel is 3:00 PM. We have taken two Viking River Cruises, Bucharest to Amsterdam (21 days in 2019) and Basel to Amsterdam (7 days in 2021). What are the charges for individual cocktails, apertifs or premium beers/wines by glass? Enjoy your cruise! Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. Veranda Stateroom (V) Stateroom size: 268 sq ft (includes private veranda) 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. Then itll be the first photo on your camera roll before the next days activities. Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. 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. 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. There is a fee for this service. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. Viking is only offering us a morning excursion the second day in Prague so we are looking to do some exploring on our own. Hi David, it sounds like youre gearing up for a great adventure! When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September 23.our first river cruise (for our 20th). You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! Hi Cynthia, I bet youre so excited about your upcoming trip! 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. 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. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! Viking doesnt allow children on board. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. Pieces were back in a few hours. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. Walking could be on unpaved or uneven surfaces and may involve many steps or steep inclines. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. 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). By the way, the excursions included in the trip are typically large group experiences, while the optional excursions (available at an extra cost) are usually much smaller groups as they are more focused on specific areas of interest. Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride. 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. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. Question please, how fast, how good, how expensive? . Hi Victoria, Im so glad you found the article helpful! Any idea if the Terrace will be open for meals in the chill of November? What does Viking do with our luggage once we check out of the hotel? If youre interested in figuring out the details, you may want to ask Viking for a bar menu with pricing before making up your mind. Is there The Emerald Cruises offers onboard laundry services and charges a fee per piece of laundry. Plus you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destinations special features. (Another idea is to get Euros at one of the airport currency exchange kiosks, but the exchange rates will probably not be favorable.). Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. To accomplish this, passengers pack up the night before the transfer, and while out on excursions, their luggage is transferred to the other ship. Thanks again! After logging on to My Viking Journey, go to the Shore Excursions section and initiate a conversation with a Viking Cruise rep. You should see a red Live Chat box along the margin of the screen. Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? Thats where you might find biking or hiking options, or as you mentioned, the Top of Cologne optional tour. Just sayin'. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. 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. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and that things work out for your planned day trips! Hi Catherine, Im glad the article was helpful. Viking then allowed us to purchase a no-expiry date voucher towards another cruise an amount they matched. (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) Check with your Viking agent or your travelagent (or your MyVikingJourney online portal if youre already booked on a cruise) to learn the latest protocols aboard the ship and in the countries that youll be visiting. The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. The water levels are extremely low right now. 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. 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. The best thing to do is to talk with a Viking staff member as soon as you board to find out details for your specific cruise. Also, you can get Euros from bank ATMs after you land; there are probably some ATMS near your cruise embarkation site. I liked the posted copy of the daily news and we had already decided from our ocean experiences to take the drinks package. We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. 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. GREAT INFO. Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. Viking is very efficient with their timing. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. If you dont live in the U.S., Im sure other governments have similar programs for travelers. And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known. 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). You must be at least 18 to book a cruise. On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. Quite a few cruisers actually do that. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of, Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. Its just the nature of this type of travel. Thanks for your article it was very informative. The maitre-d I am convinced is in league with the devil, as she tempted diners again and again with just try this ONE little pastry. Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. AmaWaterways haslaundry services available onboard for a fee. 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. Everyone should read this as every question seems to be answered well and clearly!
Chi E La Moglie Di Max Mariola,
What Does Burnewt Evolve Into In Prodigy,
St Thomas Church Bulletin,
Articles A
are there laundry facilities on viking river cruises