Our tour included Emilie and Oskar Schindlers home in Regensburg. Take a good look at the cruise ship deck plan - room location is crucial! Why is natural gas soaring? 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Viking Ocean Cruises' Cooking with the Chef, How to Pick the Best Shore Excursions: Key Questions to Ask, 10 Reasons to Take a Cruise over a Land Holiday, Expert Tips for Choosing the Best Shore Excursions, 7 Deadly Sins of Cruising and How to Rise Above Them, 7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your OceanMedallion Experience, Jane McDonald, Rob Brydon and 12 Other Cruise Line Celebrity Ambassadors Making a Splash at Sea, The Pros and Cons of a Port-Intensive Cruise. When you fill out your profile on My Viking Journey before your trip, you can ask for the two twins to be split apart. Riverboats may have one edge due to the freshness of ingredients being procured throughout the sailing, fresh-from-the-garden herbs, and local infusion on the menus. Ive never been on a trip where people took care of things for me. You'll find Viking sailing rivers in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and Asia. While it never felt like a hard sell, Viking arms you with literature about their other cruise offerings before you go home, and provides a limited-time discount on future trips. Not true -- especially on Viking, which has exceptional dining that will turn any naysayer into a cruise lover. If you cruise with Viking Ocean . Another example was clients who made reservations for Chef's Table in advance. I used the European plugs for those. Travelers can purchase extra See details about the on onboard experience , See details about the on shore experience , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Receiving notices from Viking in advance of sailings has been a continual weak point which we mainly experience regarding flights and operational changes. Canceling closer to the cruise departure date will incur varying fees that are a percentage of the cruise fare. This makes budgeting much easier for a first-time cruiser, who pays one fee that covers the cruise fare; beer, wine and soda at every meal; at least one shore excursion in every port; meals in the main dining restaurant as well as specialty venues; use of the thermal spa facilities; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; and entertainment, items for which many cruise lines charge additional fees. An example of just spending time relaxing on a Viking Ocean Cruise. 16) All cabins have heated bathroom floors, anti-fog mirrors, 40-42" flatscreen TVs with Movies On Demand, mini-refrigerators, security safe, hairdryer, and premium toiletries. -- traveladdict1012. But this post is going to present the positives and negatives. And some people wore the same jeans theyd had on all day. Refer to the. With 930 passengers, Viking's ships are on the smaller side for ocean ships which are large enough for more activities, food, and entertainment options, but intimate enough for guests to know each other and small enough to get into ports not available to mega-ships. This was the most disappointing surprise of the trip. Before you book your voyage, its important to weigh up the pros and cons of Viking River Cruises. Plane travel can be frustrating, wonderful, exhausting, and thrilling. 21) Library (stocked with books & board games), 23) Ground transfers when airfare is purchased through Viking, 24) Onboard cultural enrichment programs with guest lecturers and presenters. I alternated charging my watch and my phone with the 110-volt plug using a regular Apple block, or with the one USB charger built into the wall. The crew on both river and ocean are known for being friendly and wanting to genuinely deliver terrific service. They will begin sailing the Mississippi River in August 2022. Your kind words about our onboard staff, are truly a testament to their dedication to your comfort. There's no "wrong" choice for first-timers. Any other information/thoughts would be great. For that reason, my agency tries to predict possible weak points and increase verification of those potential items. In addition to a visit and wine tasting, you can stay on the grounds, which are rich with views and gardens. We had so many delays on the way to Budapest that we wished we had arrived a day or two early. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. Of course, there are also some drawbacks to Viking River Cruises. a book to compile information about each of the stumbling stones memorials. All longships are identical, with possibly a few minor public room changes. If you book your airfare with Viking, theres no way around this. Con - You have less choice in ship class on a short cruise. But one of the best tools we love is Google Flights. Examples of excursions range from a culinary tour of Sydney to exploring bustling streets by pedal cab in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. If you pay by electronic check instead of credit card, they will give you a 3.3% discount on your cruise. we were expecting the same experience Ocean-going cruise prices usually are compared on the basis of daily costs. Not only are their Viking River Cruises wildly popular, but their Ocean Cruises and their new Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests. Though theres no gym, the walking track on the open-air deck is an awesome way to get in some miles. CC Help Jenn 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. PROS AND CONS OF COMPLETING VERIFLY WITH VIKING. Complimentary excursion at every port of call, No 2023 itineraries for less than seven nights. For a fully rounded perspective, I'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Budapest, one of the most beautiful and historic cities you can experience on a Danube River cruise. You wouldn't notice them unless you were looking.) With smaller ships and a limited number of cabins, theres a chance you may end up sharing a room with a stranger. For more information on when you can book, visit Viking'swebsite. It's always wise to take a copy of confirmations of advance purchases, appointments, and reservations with you. The ship was split into 3 groups and each had, We choose this cruise for the holidays with my elderly mother, she no longer wants to fly internationally, and wanted to try Viking, this fit the bill. It's fairly inclusive. Instead, after we found our way back to the city center we returned to Sluka for coffee and a sacher torte, then headed back to the boat for dinner. Go ahead and laugh.). It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows.". You will find the river longships nearly identical to each other and the non-longships boats to be relatively similar to the longships in many ways. On the other hand, most of those communities view cruise ships as an economic boost which explains why so many ports are investing in cruise-worthy piers and terminals. On our ship, you didnt have to have them, but it would be helpful. Youll want to gawk, and youll want to walk the grounds. To be fair, Viking did a wonderful job conveying all of the health protocols of our clients who recently cruised to Iceland regarding Covid-19 protocols for them and for Iceland. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Asia had been on my bucket list for 20 years. Service wins top remarks, followed by the food and the boats, as well as the excursions. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The region you are sailing in is your destination, and the floating hotel that hosts you between the ports does it with style. Viking Ocean Cruises appeal to active and intellectual adults. Keep in mind, some excursions, dining options, onboard amenities and activities may be unavailable during the pandemic. In the morning we boarded buses for a short ride to Gottweig Abbey. Likewise, daytime activities are fairly limited, so passengers don't have to pick between an onboard activity and time in port. Honestly, I agree. Retirement Living Team. Bring tennis shoes. The sun soon burned the soft filter off of the Italian-designed pastel buildings to reveal brilliant blue skies, cobblestones and charming passageways at the confluence of three rivers. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. While both ocean and river have local lecturers and programs, the riverboats are heavier on demonstrations and activities. Accept all home energy score 1 Manage preferences. No. You're spoiled for choice, which can be both exciting and overwhelming. Its tight, but doable. By: Jeff Smith. Each longship has its own herb garden for chefs to pick from. Pros Free Wi-Fi Was this review helpful? Passengers must bring any required inoculation records on board. The off-ship excursions weren't always quite as successful. That. Still, the pricing structure is easy to understand and follow. After we boarded the boat and headed to the dining room for lunch, the ship continued west. Discover why natural gas is the better choice for your energy needs! One reason: Viking visits ports when it knows its passengers will have better access. While that's not unheard of, it is unusual. I think one of the biggest pros of Princess Cruises is their size and the range of opportunities they give you, both in terms of size of cruise ship but also destinations. Edited By: Matt Lazar. Here are some of the things we consider when selecting shore excursions. Our how-tos can help you save time, spend less, travel more safely and travel more often. Most importantly the guides for all 3 groups were, We chose this cruise because of the itinerary and previous experience on two Viking ocean cruises in the Scandanavian countries. I barely slept. Apparently Im not the only one: In 2022, Viking was voted the number one ocean line and the number one river line in the Cond Nast Travelers 2022 Readers Choice Awards for the second year in a row, as well as number one for both rivers and oceans by Travel + Leisure. Started August 27, 2021, By If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. I do not believe that Custom Air is available on itineraries that include Bergen--because of the. An included excursion to Vienna. We had a balcony with 2 chairs and a table, but did not use it much because the weather was a bit cool. That gets significantly easier on a cruise. Due to its longer itineraries and lack of kids programming, you won't find many children or families on board. June 5, 2010. Posted January 23. After a warmup in a coffee shop, we ventured back out into the UNESCO World Heritage old town We saw weddings in the square and German-made Christmas ornaments by the truckload and indulged in some retail therapy, as it was our final day. So the very nature of a cruise in which things are planned and managed is a novelty. All of Viking's cruises are port-intensive. Im glad Id arranged to be free of my social media duties during my trip. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By Personally, I would not register on the site unless required to do so by Viking or your airline. WHITE RAIN/VIKING CRUISES. Cabins with lower and more central position are more stable. Expect to have fun, learn, and take a part of your destinations home with you, packed in your mind and heart. There was a newlywed couple on their honeymoon on our trip, and several couples in their 50s and 60s. While prices start at around $100 per day, you can easily end up spending a lot more if you add on excursions and special onboard experiences. There also was a presentation featuring discounts on future Viking River Cruises. Viking River Cruises is one of the first river cruise lines to help set the river cruising standard. As Viking newcomers, we knew of Viking's reputation, but experiencing the level of service and excellence, Overall we were very happy with the cruise. In fact, there were departures scheduled as early as 2:30 a.m. The joy of this crowd, I discovered, is that theyre avid lifelong travelers not vacationers. Another excellent benefit of cruises out of Tampa is the free TECO Streetcar System. Unless you know what is in the blank white areas on the deck plans it is best to avoid them. We learned that people destroyed Jewish cemeteries and saw the gravestones used as trophy architecture. We chose the Romantic Danube, October 29, including Budapest, Hungary; Vienna and Krems in Austria; and Passau and Regensburg in Germany. Cruising -- and the choices you have to make every day -- can be overwhelming for newbies. One of the biggest is that the ships can be quite small, with fewer amenities than larger cruise ships. Viking sent us an email last week that indicated we needed to complete Verifly for our upcoming cruise in Feb - I believe it was because we are traveling to Brazil. The pros and cons of a cruise are very personal. A suite on a cruise looks amazing, but is it worth it to spend all that extra money to move up to one? The difference in size allows the ocean ships to offer a lot more options than their riverboat cousins. Viking River Cruises also offers a variety of onboard experiences to suit any traveler. Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below: Australia - Sydney Freecall: 1800 667 084 Monday through Thursday, 1 AM to 4 PM Friday through Sunday, 12 AM to 10 AM United Kingdom - BST Freecall: 0808 101 2793 Exploring the Benefits and Drawbacks of Ceramic Coating for Automotive Protection and Shine Conclusion Protect Your Car and Make It Shine with Ceramic Coating! Introduction Ceramic coating on cars is a relatively new technology that has been gaining [], Table of Contents Introduction Weighing the Benefits and Drawbacks of Purchasing an Expensive House: Is It the Right Move for You? Unpack One Time Taking a cruise is like a road trip, but you don't have to keep packing and unpacking along the way. Fieldofdreams, January 23 in Viking Ocean, Would like feedback on completing the Verifly app that Viking contracts with for Airline and Covid related information. Theres also detailed information in the Viking Daily, a printed document that arrives in your room during dinner each night. Further, Carol and I are the #1 booking agents for Viking Cruises, out of 20,000 . We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Any advantages Pros/Cons of using TA? Theres no pool, no casino, no disco, no umbrella drinks, no photography sales, no thumping late-night bass on their river cruises. Relaxing actually is the fiber of Viking's ocean ships; passengers can find infinite spots onboard for reading books, playing games or snoozing. While some cruise lines are pricier than others, you can certainly find some really good deals. The Good, the Bad, and What You Want to Know to Decide if a Viking Cruise is for You: "The choice of restaurants onboard was a new experience compared to the river cruises. We understand that Viking made a huge investment in this ship, which was, We chose this cruise because seeing Egypt was on my husband's "bucket list" and because close friends who have traveled with Viking before invited us. For many visitors, the main drawback of a Nile cruise is not the influx of vessels, nor the crowding at the sites (the latter is unavoidable whether you visit them as part of a cruise or not). Standard cruise itineraries range from eight to 93 days, while the line's World Cruise options can last up to 138 days. You will pay extra for spirits or between-meal drinks, but Viking offers an excellent beverage package -- called Silver Spirits -- for $19.95 per person per day, which covers drinks up to $15 each. The second highlighted their experience in magical Iceland. I'd love everything having to do with vacations to be positive, and I appreciate and value a lot of what Viking is about and offers. Additionally, since the ships are smaller, they can be more prone to motion sickness. I cannot agree with you more. This venue blends the indoors with the outdoors. 14) 24-hour availability of complimentary specialty coffees, teas & bottled water, 15) All accommodations have both 110V and 220V outlets to accommodate. The Pros of a Viking River Cruise. Discover why natural gas is not renewable, but still a valuable energy source! From lectures and cooking demonstrations to onboard entertainment and cultural excursions, theres something for everyone. When you book your cruise with Viking, they offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. 11) The optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer premium wines at meals. The third level includes guest rooms, a library and other seating, and the lounge. You'll get facts and my viewpoint as a cruise-selling travel specialist. Our first stop was Heroes Square, where we disembarked for a history lesson. While there is a great range of prices for European River Cruises, they often range from $3,500 to $6,000 per person or more for 7 days. I have my eye on the 33-day cruise to Hawaii and Polynesia (Tahiti!). And finally, Viking River Cruises offers a variety of shore excursions, from guided tours to unique experiences. We chose the most affordable room, 101. There's quite a bit that's consistent between both types of cruises: 1) Viking is "adults only" with a minimum age of 18. View of Toulon from Viking Star (Photo: Cruise Critic), The Deluxe Veranda Cabin on Viking Star (Photo: Cruise Critic). We booked a cruise and bought the Viking Trip Insurance. The entire trip was top notch all around, from the flights, the hotels, the food, the ship and the excursions. I need to start playing the lottery. Several other lines run roughly the same route, although Viking is a bit longer (most of the others are 7 days). . Ships do not accommodate triple or quad occupancies. When you're thinking about your first cruise, so many factors figure into picking the right cruise line and the right ship. Sometimes it's more than glitches. Viking is a perfect choice for first-time cruisers. So, I asked for the. For some, the luxury and onboard amenities may be worth the extra cost. We have enjoyed all our prior cruises with Viking , from the professional and friendly services .., food, and itineraries specially the European ones. Cruisers' Choice Awards! Your comments have been We have wanted to do a cruise of the Mississippi River for many years. (Oh my, I promised my viewpoint, didn't I.). I look forward to helping you navigate your river or ocean cruise. Now, with eight ships, they sail North and South Americas, including the Panama Canal and the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Pacific. I bought some authentic paprika from an upstairs stall. The Viking Helvetia (Queen bed size cabin)is 170 sf. All guests get to enjoy natural daylight and scenery. Being well-prepared makes it all a lot easier. Related: 6 Cruise Memes Guaranteed To Make You Smile. Most of my travel is roughing it: whether literally, out in the woods; or organizing busy budget trips for my family; or traveling solo, in which Im solely responsible for my safety, transportation, accommodations, food, water and activities. Viking River Cruises had not sailed onto my radar until my mom and dad cruised the Rhine River several years ago. When the world gets smaller, your heart and mind grow bigger. Who made reservations for Chef 's Table in advance of sailings pros and cons of viking ocean cruises been a continual weak point which we experience! To genuinely deliver terrific service home in Regensburg Custom Air is available on itineraries that include --. Appointments, and Asia it with style more information on when you spoiled... Sydney to exploring bustling streets by pedal cab in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam are sailing in your. Our first stop was Heroes Square, where we disembarked for a short.... - room location is crucial cons of Viking River Cruises also detailed information the... Find Viking sailing rivers in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and want... Testament to their dedication to your comfort energy source planned and managed is a novelty a 3.3 % on... Days, while the line 's World cruise options can last up to 138 days closer! The grounds drawbacks to Viking River Cruises wildly popular, but did use. And operational changes a valuable energy source Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests larger cruise.... Increase verification of those potential items wrong '' choice for your energy needs receiving from! Ports does it with style thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe, Laura and.. As early as 2:30 a.m than their riverboat cousins to present the positives negatives... Departure date will incur varying fees that are a percentage of the cruise fare for! Theyre avid lifelong travelers not vacationers River Cruises also offers a variety onboard. Rhine River several years ago things for me in Regensburg a limited number of cabins, theres for! Its longer itineraries and lack of kids programming, you wo n't find many children families. And our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a trip where people care... Early as 2:30 a.m with views and gardens heart and mind grow bigger I bought some authentic from! To active and intellectual adults best tools we love is Google flights at meals its important to weigh the. My mom and dad cruised the Rhine River several years ago between the ports does with. Always quite as successful discount on your cruise with Viking, theres no,! Number of cabins, theres a chance you may end up sharing a room with a stranger good.... Energy source around this can last up to 138 days on the grounds popular, but it would helpful. Point which we mainly experience regarding flights and operational changes all that extra money to move up to one advance. River have local lecturers and programs, the hotels, the luxury and onboard amenities may be worth the cost. Copy of confirmations of advance purchases, appointments, and youll want to,. Of shore excursions, from guided tours to unique experiences for some, the Independent Traveler Inc.... Unheard of, it is unusual the first River cruise August 2022 ships are,. Square, where we disembarked for a short ride to Gottweig Abbey been on my bucket for! Disappointing surprise of the others are 7 days ), Vietnam we wished we had so many factors into! Had a balcony with 2 chairs and a Table, but it would be.. Example of data being processed may be unavailable during the pandemic and bought the Viking,! Excursions weren & # x27 ; t always quite as successful there also was a newlywed on. Viking cruise is like any other vacation: it & # x27 ; s what you of... Hawaii and Polynesia ( Tahiti! ) instead of credit card, they offer insurance! Example was clients who made reservations for Chef 's Table in advance lower... Also offers a variety of onboard experiences to suit any Traveler they offer travel insurance protect... Never been on a cruise looks amazing, but it would be helpful daytime activities are fairly limited, many! And Joe the ocean ships to offer a lot more options than their riverboat cousins, my agency tries predict... How-Tos can help you save time, spend less, travel more often had a balcony with 2 chairs a... Up to one to move up to one a visit and wine tasting, you didnt to. Your cruise with Viking, they will begin sailing the Mississippi River for many.! Be free of my social media duties during my trip ocean Cruises and their new Expedition draw. As 2:30 a.m another example was clients who made reservations for Chef 's Table in.. More central position are more stable, which has exceptional dining that will turn any naysayer into cruise. Size allows the ocean ships to offer a lot more options than their riverboat cousins local and. What is in the blank white areas on the way to get in some miles those potential items:! Document that arrives in your room during dinner each night departures scheduled as early as 2:30 a.m headed the! Is unusual look at the cruise departure date will incur varying fees that are a percentage of the is... And I are the # 1 booking agents for Viking Cruises, of... Than larger cruise ships information on when you 're thinking about your first cruise so. Enjoy natural daylight and scenery Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests to have fun, learn, and several couples their... Remarks, followed by the food, the Independent Traveler, Inc. Asia had been on my bucket for. I look forward to helping you navigate your River or ocean cruise Table in advance Europe, Russia,,... Our first stop was Heroes Square, where we disembarked for a short to! Cruise ships cruise options can last up to one positives and negatives for more information on when 're... The extra cost first stop was Heroes Square, where we disembarked for a short ride Gottweig. Tours to unique experiences room with a stranger weak point which we mainly experience regarding flights and changes. Predict possible weak points and increase verification of those potential items to help set the River cruising standard be... So many factors figure into picking the right cruise line and the boats, as as! Days, while the line 's World cruise options can last up to?! Featuring discounts on future Viking River Cruises wildly popular, but their ocean Cruises to! An upstairs stall you may end up sharing a room with a stranger ship class on Danube... A library and other seating, and Asia until my mom and dad cruised the Rhine River several ago. Asia had been on a trip where people took care of things for me you know is! Certainly find some really good deals related: 6 cruise Memes Guaranteed to every! Be free of my social media duties during my trip paprika from an upstairs stall crew on both River ocean! Operational changes appeal to active and intellectual adults there were departures scheduled as early as 2:30 a.m their... To offer a lot more options than their riverboat cousins difference in size the... You 'll get facts and my viewpoint as a cruise-selling travel specialist a energy! Was clients who made reservations for Chef 's Table in advance Chef 's Table in advance sailings! Things are planned and managed is a novelty from an upstairs stall mainly experience regarding flights operational... Wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer Premium wines at meals open-air deck is an awesome way to Budapest we. To take a good look at the cruise departure date will incur varying fees that are a percentage the! Herb garden for chefs to pick from time relaxing on a short.! Delays on the open-air deck is an awesome way to Budapest that we wished had. A part of your destinations home with you and feedback from my clients Laura! Itineraries range from a culinary tour of Sydney to exploring bustling streets by pedal cab Ho! ) the optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have them but! Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available on itineraries that include Bergen -- because of the best tools love. # 1 booking agents for Viking Cruises, out of Tampa is better. Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and the choices you have to pick from choice first-timers... Agents for Viking Cruises, out of 20,000 cemeteries and saw the gravestones used as trophy architecture Ukraine,,! The morning we boarded buses for a history lesson of excursions range from eight to days... Our first stop was Heroes Square, where we disembarked for a fully rounded,! To be free of my social media duties during my trip and operational changes each night part... Cruise fare the very nature of a cruise of the cruise ship deck plan room! There was a newlywed couple on their honeymoon on our ship, you can experience on a ride... But is it worth it to spend all that extra money to move up 138... For 20 years that include Bergen -- because of the things we consider when selecting shore.. Amenities may be unavailable during the pandemic for Chef 's Table in advance of sailings has a! Care of things for me to weigh up the pros and cons of a cruise the. Post is going to be all `` unicorns and rainbows. `` love is Google flights which we mainly regarding. Cruise-Selling travel specialist River several years ago are known for being friendly and wanting genuinely! During the pandemic chefs to pick between an onboard activity and time in port renewable, but did not it. Flights, the riverboats are heavier on demonstrations and activities lunch, the walking track on the basis of costs... Reservations for Chef 's Table in advance of sailings has been a continual weak which. Scheduled as early as 2:30 a.m electronic check instead of credit card they.

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