My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise, which transported us in great comfort to some amazing European destinations. We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. Thank you for your time. Just sayin'. Do you have any experience about this? Laundry on Viking 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. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? Wash and press services are available on all ships for American Cruise Lines. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. You make an excellent point, Julia. a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. As you leave the ship, youll scan your room key to indicate your departure and rescan it upon returning. The best description and information about Viking River Cruise, thank you for taking the time to write this information, were very appreciate. Viking Sigrun We also like to explore on our own, so there were times when we just joined a tour for a while and then told the guide we were going to branch out on our own. As you leave the ship, you are handed a bottle of water. That way, youll learn exactly how things will work with getting to and from that specific hotel. Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. Soap is provided and the machines are free to use. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. Thanks again! Indeed, very VERY helpfulespecially for first time river cruisers. To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and. If you want wine at that time is there a charge? Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. Id suggest you reference your online itinerary on Vikings site before departure to get a rough idea of when youll be docked in each city. They will text you with any security issues you should be aware of while youre away. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. GREAT INFO. Im glad you found the article helpful. What are the charges for individual cocktails, apertifs or premium beers/wines by glass? There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. 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. 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. This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldnt have the opportunity 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. On the other side of the menu are regional specialties or options that are focused on our destinations. I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. When you return to the ship, you scan it again. As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. Cruising is a social experience as you chat with fellow passengers on excursions, at the social hour before dinner in the Lounge, and at meals. Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to fetch my coffee? Thanks for your kind words, Triana. When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip. Viking river cruise Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! It would be more like smart casual (so no worn jeans and flip-flops, for example). There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection; Viking River Cruises such as spa and hair salon services, golf, excursions, laundry service or babysitting, were, and 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. Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. Is there a fee associated with the alternative restaurants? You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Hope you have been able to enjoy more Viking cruises since your original one. Veranda Stateroom (V) Stateroom size: 268 sq ft (includes private veranda) Congrats on your 50th! It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! You know is it a venus and mars question. Quite a few cruisers actually do that. Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. How All-Inclusives Redefine Luxury Vacations: Travel Weekly Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. We are doing the Salzburg Highlights but just read its a 2 hour bus ride each way. Especially your tips on dinner were helpful I will pack his blazer. The Very relaxing! Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. We received great overviews of a place with the large group tours, but what we remember most were the unique experiences that came from the optional experiences. 3. What does Viking do with our luggage once we check out of the hotel? In addition to your stateroom, there are several key public areas on the longships: Theres ample comfortable seating here upholstered chairs and sofas with large windows to enjoy the views. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. 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. and special treats made nice surprises. We would either meet in Bamburg or Wurzburg. Needless to say, its handy to have small change for tipping. WebSigrun - A Valkyrie. Enjoy! We did not receive any compensation or discounts fromViking or any otherorganization. On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. 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. They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. This happens when bridges are too low to safely pass under with guests on the sun deck. has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. Hi Ricardo, It sounds like you have a great trip ahead! Have a wonderful cruise! Just before the drill, we were all asked to return to our staterooms and don our life vests. They did not offer dry cleaning. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Good luck! One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. We love most of the optional excursions versus the included excursions but about how much do the optional ones cost? Crew: 53. Is the ship nonsmoking? Not used it before (indeed didn't think there were onboard facilities) but its mentioned in the info for our upcoming GET. Self-service laundry on a cruise ship is often free, but there may be a charge of up to $3.50 to use the machines and $2 for detergent, depending on the ship. Also, having cash is great for souvenirs, incidentals, snacks, or a quick lunch while exploring a city. 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? They will let you know on board. After all, we travel to experience new places, new food, and new people, so we like to eat local specialties whenever possible. On one side of the menu are the classics or options that are always available. Theres always iced tea often with different flavors every day. Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. The guests on the other ship, the Modi, got off the ship at Regensburg, on the other side of the damaged lock. You mention that from 5:15-7 there will be drinks & live music or a port talk. Id much rather take an Uber than rent a car!!! My husband and I had planned to go on the Salzburg excursion, but when we learned we would be spending so much time on the bus to travel there and back (for a total of 9.5 hours), we decided to spend our time in Passau instead. Prior to dinner, the chef usually introduces the options including his/her recommendations. We kept our itinerary full, which might have been an error trust me, you want to take a breather every few days! The buses and tour guides for your group are each marked: the bus has a placard with the same number and letter to let you know you need to board that bus; the tour guide has a red and white sign on a paddle to indicate that group, as well. WebFrom Veranda Staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in our spacious Explorer Suites, there is no finer way to travel. I liked the posted copy of the daily news and we had already decided from our ocean experiences to take the drinks package. Re renting a car to go to a specific place Viking tours dont include: Is Uber possible in the cities Viking goes to? Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? I have been on 1 Viking River cruise and 3 (soon to be 4-I hope!) WebViking River Cruises boasts the most extensive fleet of river cruises vessels, and we are proud to offer you the best ships in each region where we travel. We are planning to take the Grand European Tour in July of 2023. Rosetta. The Silver Spirits package offers unlimited drinks including cocktails, premium wine, and beer. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. Not everyone needs to go on excursions. Thanks, Tom! Do you know if the outdoor areas on the sun deck can be enclosed for added warmth on these cooler weather trips? That way, youll have current informationand be able to talk to people in the know to see if your plans will work. There youll find a countdown to departure, background on each port of call, the entire list of excursions available (some are complimentary; others cost extra) that you can book online, a calendar showing your itinerary for each day, and other helpful information about the cruise. 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. What Kind of Laundry Service is Offered on a River Cruise? Weve found there are a lot of commonalities as well as interesting folks to meet. Laundry us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. Viking River Cruise For a complete list of action steps. On both boats we used the laundry service. If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package. WebUse down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. The 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. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. Viking spent days tracking it in the luggage chaos of last summer. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. I suggest signing on to My Viking Journey and using the Live Chat feature to get your answer. Three meals are included each day at the following times: Soda, beer, and house wine are available at lunch and dinner at no charge. Have fun! It is a quick way to catch up on national and international news as well as to get financial market and sports updates. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. We sent some clothing to be laundered, and we were happy with that choice. Guests can use their own laptops or one of the public computes available onboard each ship. Haha. Our next Viking cruise is coming up soon, and I cant wait. 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. Laundry Facility Included in Fare: On the Queen of the Mississippi, there are wash and dryer units are available. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of desktop computers that are always available for guest use. Have a wonderful cruise next year! That saved precious counter space. Did some underwear, jeans and a golf shirt. Price lists are available on the Viking website in the FAQ. However, some guests do wear nice jeans (not torn or ripped) in the evening. Plus, Viking offers several excursions each day that the ship is in port. 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. 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? 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 folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. No kids. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. You must be at least 18 to book a cruise. In the morning we would stuff the bag with dirty clothes, fill out the form and leave for the cabin attendant. Hi Pat, Im so glad you found my article helpful! This will be first river cruise for us. Have a wonderful cruise in September! (For my husband and me, having the personal outdoor space was high on our list. Youll receive an excursion card with a number and a letter. Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. I merely want to share our experience on a river cruise with my readers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. How will payments on board be handled? Hi Victoria, Im so glad you found the article helpful! Without a doubt, we give Viking chefs top marks for the presentation and flavor of the food they serve. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. WebThere's a reason why Viking consistently receives awards as the best cruise company out there. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. Viking River Cruises laundry - River Cruising - Cruise Critic Go to the guest service desk and inquire about the excursions you want and if theyre fully booked, ask to be placed on a waitlist. Also, for individualized tours try Tours by Locals (weve had EXCELLENT tours in many, many cities including Europe, India, Malaysia, Thailand), or AirBnBs tours. Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary. When passengers get to the sister ship, their luggage is in their new cabins (which are usually the same cabins they had on the original ship). These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! 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. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Hi Catherine, Im glad the article was helpful. Pieces were back in a few hours. Please note that Viking requires at least 48 hours cancellation notice if you are on the ship and decide not to go on an optional excursion. As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! 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.). Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. We have taken two Viking River Cruises, Bucharest to Amsterdam (21 days in 2019) and Basel to Amsterdam (7 days in 2021). Weve had no regrets. 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. . Viking River Cruise Heres our story. About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. Viking Were planning a Viking river cruise May 2022. We went on the Viking excursions (with local guides) and did not book any local guides directly. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. 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. Have a great cruise! Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously, this is an efficient way to find which tour guide to meet as you disembark the ship. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? Here are a few things to think about when considering Vikings Silver Spirits package. Thank you so much for this detailed account. Hi Carol, Although ride-share companies, like Uber, are in many cities worldwide, theyre not everywhere, so it depends on what cities youre considering.
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