Viking doesnt allow children on board. Ocean Cruises. Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. Europe Laundry List; China Laundry List; Russia Laundry List; Vietnam Laundry List Price lists are available in each stateroom. If you send your clothes away to be professionally cleaned, the fees range from $1 for small items to be washed and pressed up to $20 or more for a three-piece suit to be dry cleaned. Just in front of the Lounge to the bow of the ship is the Aquavit Terrace. (Youll also receive Viking tags for your luggage.) Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? On our ships, there were separate newspaper versions for Australia, Canada, and the U.S. had some shirts done same day return no complaints. Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. 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. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. . They will let you know on board. That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. Enjoy! Hope your sister finds her Viking river cruise everything she hopes it to be. This happens when bridges are too low to safely pass under with guests on the sun deck. The 190-passenger Viking Egil My husband and I are booked on the Grand European cruise with an extension in Prague at the end of June. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. This should allow you to finalize your plans to disembark and go meet your friends. (OK, the wifi in the rooms REALLY sucksbut if thats your #1 problem, you arent doing badly). Having the veranda offers you another personal space plus a nice perch (with chairs) from which to view the passing scenery during the time that the ship is sailing in daylight hours. Her bag was delivered on the last day of the cruise! Im with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. Laundry services are wash and iron, or just iron. We sent some clothing to be laundered, and we were happy with that choice. We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. 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. When you return to the ship, you scan it again. 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 water levels are extremely low right now. WebThere is no charge for the laundry facilities and laundry soap is included in all washers. You either choose it for your cruise, or you dont no daily option. Disclaimer: My husband and I paid forour Viking river cruise ourselves. Some areas also have other popular ride-share companies like Bolt in Europe. Most the times we always take the NCL cruise, but this is the first time on Viking Cruise River The Grand European Tour from Budapest to Amsterdam (for our 22nd anniversary).Im so glad I found a lot of information from the article thats very helpful for us for excursions, maybe transferring ships, parallel parked ships and other information. There are several things you wont find on a Viking river cruise, and they are often some of the prime reasons so many people choose Viking. I liked the posted copy of the daily news and we had already decided from our ocean experiences to take the drinks package. WebYou also can do your laundry for free in the ship's self-service laundry rooms (detergent is even provided for you). There was a broken lock near Regensburg, about halfway between the two big cities. Also, you can get Euros from bank ATMs after you land; there are probably some ATMS near your cruise embarkation site. How will payments on board be handled? Good Job!! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! 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. Follow up with a conversation with the Viking staff when youre onboard to learn the expected times and exact location of the ship while docked. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. We leave Saturday for Prague followed by the Budapest to Amsterdam Viking river cruise. 3. There are no laundry services or facilities offered onboard any of CroisiEuropes ships. We found the onboard communication to be excellent. There is no self-service laundry. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! Members of VantagesPresidents Club (achieved after three Vantage Vacations trips not necessarily river cruises) also receive a 20 laundry credit. Having said that, I know that Salzburg is lovely and many people enjoy that excursion. Tauck offers a paid laundry service on all of its ships. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? That way, youll learn exactly how things will work with getting to and from that specific hotel. Of all the stops on the Grand European Tour, these are the cities in which our ship had prime docking spots (making it very easy to go out and explore on our own): Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Wurzburg, Cologne, and Amsterdam. For a walking tour (directly from the ship), some passengers go on the tour to learn about the destination and then spend the rest of the day shopping, enjoying a meal, or just wandering around. Have a wonderful cruise in September! . Especially your tips on dinner were helpful I will pack his blazer. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. Powered by Invision Community. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? Did you use local guides? Hi Daisy, you have the choice of going on the included or an optional excursion or exploring on your own. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. On both boats we used the laundry Heres our story. Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. Paid laundry services are available on all Viking River Cruises ships. Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. Just found your sitelots of great info! The river cruises have open seating, so that means you arent assigned any table mates. And I think remembering that delays can arise on any type of travel (e.g., flights, cruises, trains) helps us all manage our expectations. Ive hand washed some things in the sink and hung them up to dry on the line, and it worked fine. How will payments on board be handled? Any comments on safety in cities? Bon voyage! We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. 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. The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Thanks for the great information. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September 23.our first river cruise (for our 20th). You mentioned laundry, and although theres no laundromat on Vikings European river cruise ships, there is a laundry service that you can use. Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. We are heading out on our first river cruise, the Kara from Basel to Amsterdam in late September this year. I will miss the free on board laundromat from ocean cruising though! 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. Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. 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. Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. Every once in a while, you may be treated to a little extra like a refreshing drink served on the sun deck while sailing one day. She was well attired for 14 days! We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. Thank you!! :D. We've had excellent experiences with Viking's laundry service. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. Walking could be on unpaved or uneven surfaces and may involve many steps or steep inclines. When I returned, I noticed two Viking bookmarks resting on top of the books. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. My husband and I are doing the Grand Tour B > A in early October 2023. Viking River Cruises All Viking ships in Europe, Russia and Ukraine feature free WiFi. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. Sounds like youve got a great anniversary trip planned, Gary! 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. As much as Viking tries to stick to its anticipated docking times, some things like other ships waiting in line to go through locks, weather issues, and river levels are beyond its control. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. The sun deck does not have enclosed spaces. For example, the guests in the Explorer Suites can book optional excursions before guests in the Veranda Suites. Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? Trying to navigate changing pandemic restrictions is a challenge Id rather not have to deal with, but well give it a try. We also took along some thank you cards and put in some extra cash to give to those we felt went above and beyond during our cruise. Is the ship nonsmoking? Public restrooms are available in European towns, and many charge a nominal fee (.50-1 Euro). That way, youll have current informationand be able to talk to people in the know to see if your plans will work. The crew communicates with each other quite well. Your email address will not be published. Its a nice place to relax on warm days and enjoy a lunch buffet while taking in the views. Three meals are included each day at the following times: Soda, beer, and house wine are available at lunch and dinner at no charge. You can sign up for excursions from your account on MyVikingJourney.com prior to your trip. Viking spent days tracking it in the luggage chaos of last summer. We depart in 9 days on the Grand European tour, and this is the best account I have seen weve done a dozen ocean cruises on several lines, but never a river cruise. and special treats made nice surprises. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? Very informative. There are also bright red full-size Viking umbrellas to take along on excursions if its raining. Some procedures and protocols on cruise ships have changed to address public health concerns since the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, short answer: There is a free laundry room (4 washers/4 dryers) on every VIking Ocean ship roughly midships on Port Side of decks 3, 4, 5, 6. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. I didnt read through all the comments, so I hope Im not being repetitive. My husband and I took the Top of Cologne excursion, and it was one of the best. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. 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. Good question, John, but its not an easy one to answer! Hi Carol, Although ride-share companies, like Uber, are in many cities worldwide, theyre not everywhere, so it depends on what cities youre considering. To conserve resources, you could easily fill a reusable water bottle from home with water in the rooms. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. Im looking forward to ours next year! Question please, how fast, how good, how expensive? Thanks for your kind words, Triana. Since it will be winter with colder temps, I am wondering about the indoor lounging space/common areas on the longboats. Is there a retractable clothes line in the shower to accommodate hanging clothes. private bathrooms that are separate from the living 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. 1. We have quite a bit of Viking on board credits and wanted to purchase optional shore excursions with that credit. If you are doing a post-cruise stay, I found the prices on Viking to be less than the prices using the hotel laundry, so if you need something cleaned, I would suggest using the laundry services on the ship. Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? 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. Please hare your opinion with me. Price lists are available on the Viking website in the FAQ. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your Viking cruise next year! Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. If you want to obtain Euros before departure, check with your bank or AAA office to see if they can help you. On our trip, we met interesting people; visited fascinating places; sampled new foods, wines, and beer; and appreciated the convenience and gracious hospitality offered by Viking. a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. This is the place to find a variety of coffee and tea plus baked goods to accompany your beverage. Although we have some other trips planned (that we organize ourselves, as we often do), we are contemplating which Viking cruise river or ocean we will be booking next. I am going on a Christmas Market cruise with Viking in 2024. Sometimes optional excursions sell out, although there are usually some available once youre on the ship. Leave your dressier clothes at home; there are no formal nights on a Viking river cruise. WebThe modern and award winning river cruise ships are deployed among the most beautiful rivers in With Viking Cruises you will get a job that takes you places! Now to your questions. Do they charge for use? We have taken two Viking River Cruises, Bucharest to Amsterdam (21 days in 2019) and Basel to Amsterdam (7 days in 2021). As for shore excursions, my husband and I enjoyed the walking tour (through Viking) that included the funicular up to Castle Hill. For a complete list of action steps. In the morning we would stuff the bag with dirty clothes, fill out the form and leave for the cabin attendant. When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). 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. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. She was also given complimentary express laundry service. Wash and press services are available on all ships for American Cruise Lines. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known. Then itll be the first photo on your camera roll before the next days activities. The crew communicates with each other quite well. A tie and jacket are optional.. We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. Wishing you good luck and a fantastic cruise! Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. 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. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Becki Thanks again. We werent near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) During lunch, prior to and after dinner, theres usually live music in the Lounge. Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece. You make an excellent point, Julia. No, Tamara, I dont have direct experience replacing SIM cards. http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/frequently-asked-questions.html#LIFEABOARD-FAQ-LIST/55787, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. Since it will be November, and Im also afraid of open heights weve opted for the French balcony room. 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). Enjoy your cruise this fall! The guests on the other ship, the Modi, got off the ship at Regensburg, on the other side of the damaged lock. Ive not taken a Viking optional tour that I didnt like, but I will say that there are passengers who also book tours independent of Viking due to a keen interest in something and the personal or small-group experience that is available with independent tour guides. 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. We celebrated a big anniversary on our cruise and were delighted with champagne and a special dessert awaiting us in our room after dinner one night. Guests can use their own laptops or one of the public computes available onboard each ship. Its important to note that when the ship docks somewhere in the morning and you go on an excursion, you sometimes will be brought back to the ship in a different location like another city further down the river. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). Do you travel overnight for most of the time or is there day travel as well? 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.). Without the Silver Spirits package, Id plan on $6-10 for most cocktails, aperitifs, or premium wine by the glass. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. She dies from sadness after her lover Helgi is slain by her brother Dagr, and is later reborn as a Valkyrie herself. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! At other times, like when gathered in the lounge before dinner, youll charge your wine, beer, or cocktails to your stateroom. Thanks for the great details! Thank you for your informative article! These devices are attached to lanyards with earpieces. The Silver Spirits package offers unlimited drinks including cocktails, premium wine, and beer. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. She was able to shop the Viking clothes closet, stocked with items left by previous passengers. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. Knowing you can do your laundry onboard allows you to The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours. What are your thoughts on the Silver Spirits package? Hi Kathy, Great question! Just don't forget to include everything you need cleaned, don't forget anything from your pre-cruise stay that you left in your suitcase under the bed in your cabin. Going from A to B with two extra days in Amsterdam and Budapest. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? Re renting a car to go to a specific place Viking tours dont include: Is Uber possible in the cities Viking goes to? We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. 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. 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. 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. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. Is there a fee associated with the alternative restaurants? Viking keeps track of your expenses during the cruise, including bar items, laundry, phone calls, and purchases from the Viking shop (logo wear and souvenirs). The bar is on one end of the lounge; theres wait service in the Lounge during lunch and in the late afternoon and evening. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. Sound like you have a great cruise coming up! We did not receive any compensation or discounts fromViking or any otherorganization. 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. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. Pieces were back in a few hours. That way, if they reach a low point in the river, they can have passengers disembark, go on bussed excursions, and afterwards be taken to the sister ship that completes the journey. A good idea if youre a runner is to check with the reception desk to map out when there will be time in the morning to leave the ship for a jog or run before excursions begin. 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). And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. Is this allowed? Were planning on a dinner in a town, tour of some beer gardens and lunch in Heidelberg, and just walking around. 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. Also, for individualized tours try Tours by Locals (weve had EXCELLENT tours in many, many cities including Europe, India, Malaysia, Thailand), or AirBnBs tours. Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! Your email address will not be published. The good thing is there are always tomorrows treats to look forward to! The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours. We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. Using ATMs machines? Sinks are usually large enough to hand-wash items and 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. Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place. When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. Laundry Provide clean linen to support operations, cleans crew uniforms and guest clothes to Viking Standards. Im glad you found the article helpful, Thomas! Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. On our cruise, this was done in the Lounge just after the evening port talk by the program director. Youll be able to find out about the length of bus trips to/from excursions and other related information. 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. Servers take your drink orders (sodas, beer, wine) and freshen up your glass when it is empty. A few guests scheduled independent sightseeing tours, and it seemed to work out well for them. Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride. Plus you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destinations special features. Thats because some people end up canceling their reservations for optional excursions. Were planning a Viking river cruise May 2022. One tip we learned is to put a shoe (just one!) Theres always iced tea often with different flavors every day. Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you dont forget your valuables. Its been a seamless process for us, and it functions well although we do incur additional international charges. has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. The number indicates which ship youre on. Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise! 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. For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. Not everyone needs to go on excursions. You set the code, so its a cinch to remember.