The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Becki The Aquavit Terrace is a great place to have a meal. We have taken two Viking River Cruises, Bucharest to Amsterdam (21 days in 2019) and Basel to Amsterdam (7 days in 2021). All guests are 18 years old or more. Ocean Cruises. We have booked all the included excursions, but have held off booking the optional ones as we love to do our own thing when in port, and perhaps covering more ground than the optional excursions. Some areas also have other popular ride-share companies like Bolt in Europe. 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. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Self Service Laundry Room On Viking Ocean Cruise Ship Orion Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. Learn how your comment data is processed. (OK, the wifi in the rooms REALLY sucksbut if thats your #1 problem, you arent doing badly). Viking doesnt allow children on board. Great post. Thanks. The water levels are extremely low right now. Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours. One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. Plus you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destinations special features. As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. What does Viking do with our luggage once we check out of the hotel? Weve had no regrets. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. Even with that information, as you mentioned,dockings could be delayed to traffic on the river or there could be delays going through locks. 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. This is because some guests may have canceled their planned optional excursions prior to the cruise; so its a good practice to check on this and any other concerns once youre on board. Also, the onboard staff and the local guides speak English well. We enjoyed sitting with different people; it gave us a chance to learn about their travel experiences and lives a bit. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. As you probably know, the package includes unlimited beverages when the bars are open. Laundry and pressing services areavailable on Avalon Waterways for a fee. who made the move with us. One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week and that includes river levels. Flat-screen TV with infotainment system One of the things I like about sailing with Viking is that they arent constantly trying to upsell you. Theres an elevator onboard so its easy to travel from floor to floor if you dont want to use the stairs. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? 3. Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. It would be more like smart casual (so no worn jeans and flip-flops, for example). had some shirts done same day return no complaints As for money, we used a credit card (with no foreign transaction fees) and Euros (very handy for tipping tour guides and purchasing small incidentals). You can sign up for excursions from your account on MyVikingJourney.com prior to your trip. Enjoy your cruise this fall! We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. Cheers! Paid laundry services are available on all Viking River Cruises ships. Viking River Cruise My husband and I like to have about 100-200 Euros on us before leaving home. If you want wine at that time is there a charge? (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) There they may board another ship. 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. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. Congrats on your 50th! Heres our story. Your comments are really appreciated. (Im trying to save you room in your luggage!) U River Cruises by Uniworld offers week-long cruises for young adults along Europes riverways. Im glad you found the article helpful, Thomas! WebLaundry is completely free on Viking Ocean cruises, including soap, wash, and dr Viking Ocean Ships Ultimate Dining Guide 2022 - Relevant to ALL Viking Ocean Ships Visit With Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. People are relaxed aboard Viking river cruises (no dressy occasions), and thats one thing people tend to enjoy about the experience. Hi Jaime, Vikings European longship has a spacious lounge, the Aquavit Terrace (some of which can be enclosed in bad weather), and seating in the atrium area all good choices for relaxing inside while not in your stateroom. Thank you!! Have a wonderful cruise in September! free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). Hi Cynthia, I bet youre so excited about your upcoming trip! We have quite a bit of Viking on board credits and wanted to purchase optional shore excursions with that credit. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. means the walking could be a little more strenuous or have more stairs or inclines. Here are some examples from our cruise: Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. What is the availability of restroom facilities in these small towns? 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. She was also given complimentary express laundry service. Enjoy! Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! It is very helpful to reduce wandering around looking like a tourist while trying to figure out the procedures. For example, once the crew knows that everyone is accounted for after excursions, the ship is sailing within minutes of the anticipated departure (as noted in the Viking Daily). Viking River Cruise There are no laundry services or facilities offered onboard any of CroisiEuropes ships. Ecologically friendly hybrid engines producing less vibrations for a smoother ride. At other times, like when gathered in the lounge before dinner, youll charge your wine, beer, or cocktails to your stateroom. For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. We are traveling with 8 other people. Hi. Laundry on Cruise Ships: The Ultimate Guide As you leave the ship, you are handed a bottle of water. Theres a mix of traveling overnight (almost all of the time) and during the morning/afternoon/evening (some of the time). Hi David, it sounds like youre gearing up for a great adventure! We are doing the Salzburg Highlights but just read its a 2 hour bus ride each way. Is this allowed? More information on menu choices is below under Meals. However, some guests do wear nice jeans (not torn or ripped) in the evening. The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours. And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. The bar is on one end of the lounge; theres wait service in the Lounge during lunch and in the late afternoon and evening. Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer) or there is another issue (like a broken lock) necessitating the change. 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. Thank you! has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. Once onboard, youll be given more specific times, so youll be able to fine-tune your plans. I've used the laundry service on three river cruises and three ocean cruises and have never had any issues. Just sayin'. Passengers could disembark and be bussed on an excursion and then afterwards, be bussed to a different location on the river where the water levels are higher. private bathrooms that are separate from the living space. Thanks again. Her bag was delivered on the last day of the cruise! TIP: Take a picture of The Viking Daily each evening before heading to bed. We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. On all river cruises, guests are offered one complimentary shore excursion at every destination. Your email address will not be published. My first question is, without using the laundry service on board , do you have suggestions on washing items in your cabin? Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options. They did not offer dry cleaning. Do you know if the outdoor areas on the sun deck can be enclosed for added warmth on these cooler weather trips? Have fun! I have been on 1 Viking River cruise and 3 (soon to be 4-I hope!) If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package. 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. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. Thats because some people end up canceling their reservations for optional excursions. When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card. Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? If you want to obtain Euros before departure, check with your bank or AAA office to see if they can help you. Laundry on Viking Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. They will let you know on board. Did you bring euros or use credit card? Is that possible? Paying upfront might offer peace of mind if you like knowing that its already paid for and you dont have to think about an upcoming beverage bill. During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. Many people were. On our cruise, some guests had to put their luggage outside their staterooms as early as 2:45 am and leave the ship at 3:30 am to go to the airport. in your closet upon arrival; if you need more, just ask, and they will be delivered promptly. 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. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. 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. Trying to navigate changing pandemic restrictions is a challenge Id rather not have to deal with, but well give it a try. The fees for European river cruises range in price from $1 per item to $6 per item. Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. 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. To accomplish this, passengers pack up the night before the transfer, and while out on excursions, their luggage is transferred to the other ship. We dont even know if it is The Sound of Music heavy, and that is kindof why we are doing it. You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! We werent near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) 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. To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and. Thank you for your article and your help! We've had excellent experiences with Viking's laundry service. If you request hangers, things like shirts and jeans come back on hangers instead of Viking does offer access to desktop computers in Russia and laptops in Europe. 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. On both boats we used the laundry Enjoy! Are there computers, or With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. The crew communicates with each other quite well. Its certainly a relaxing way to travel. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then. 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. If you dont live in the U.S., Im sure other governments have similar programs for travelers. I agree with a previous comment about this being the most informative, most inclusive article Ive seen as well. There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. On one side of the menu are the classics or options that are always available. We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. Id suggest you ask about picking up excursion cards and other details like that once youre on the ship, as some procedures like this may vary a bit. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. Good question, John, but its not an easy one to answer! My husband and I are booked on the Grand European cruise with an extension in Prague at the end of June. When I returned, I noticed two Viking bookmarks resting on top of the books. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. 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. There is a fee for this service. River Cruises The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. What to Expect on a Viking River Cruises Ship While each of Vikings 73 river vessels is unique, all offer spacious staterooms and suites with full-size verandas, French balconies or half-height picture windows, and amenities comparable to those found in