(If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. 1. Your comments are really appreciated. The best description and information about Viking River Cruise, thank you for taking the time to write this information, were very appreciate. It would be more like smart casual (so no worn jeans and flip-flops, for example). Grand Circle offers a paid laundry service on all of its vessels. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. Thanks for the great details! Thank you for all the information. WebThere is no charge for the laundry facilities and laundry soap is included in all washers. Did some underwear, jeans and a golf shirt. 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. Everyone should read this as every question seems to be answered well and clearly! Leave your dressier clothes at home; there are no formal nights on a Viking river cruise. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. In the morning we would stuff the bag with dirty clothes, fill out the form and leave for the cabin attendant. 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. Do you have any experience with that destination? Were celebrating our 50th! Weve found there are a lot of commonalities as well as interesting folks to meet. If you have dietary restrictions, let Viking know when you book. Thank you for your article and your help! Even with that information, as you mentioned,dockings could be delayed to traffic on the river or there could be delays going through locks. We are doing the Grand European Tours B-A with extensions in Prague and Amsterdam, and have booked a full schedule. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! As for keeping the itinerary full, its hard not to when you have so many great places to explore, but I agree that scheduling downtime is important, too. About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. Wash and press services are available on all ships for American Cruise Lines. Viking offers complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner. A few guests scheduled independent sightseeing tours, and it seemed to work out well for them. Thank you for your informative article! Great service sounds like Viking! Needless to say, its handy to have small change for tipping. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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). and special treats made nice surprises. Plus, we always have some dollars with us, too. Thanks again! The guests on the other ship, the Modi, got off the ship at Regensburg, on the other side of the damaged lock. U River Cruises by Uniworld offers week-long cruises for young adults along Europes riverways. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. Do we just work with Viking program director on the day of or the day before? Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. (Another idea is to get Euros at one of the airport currency exchange kiosks, but the exchange rates will probably not be favorable.). The dining room has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. Thanks for any thoughts! Just make sure you are aware of the times the ship will leave the port so you dont miss its departure. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of desktop computers that are always available for guest use. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. Thank you! 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. Does Viking get us into our room early or do we have to check our luggage with the hotel and wait until 3:00 PM? Most of the time youll find a bit of an older crowd. Youll receive an excursion card with a number and a letter. Im glad you found the article helpful, Thomas! We travel light, as well, but the ship will take care of delivering your luggage to your room; we just kept our small carry ons (the ones that fit under the airplane seats) with us. Have a fabulous cruise! Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! 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. We will definitely be using it in the years to come. The friends we cruise with have used it and say it is good and turnaround is quick. Becki We haven't used Viking's laundry service so can't comment on that but in the FAQ they do have the price list so at least you'll have an idea of what to expect. The excursions provide guests with an array of experiences including peeks into how locals live, how and where they work, and also some privileged access options just for Viking guests. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! excursion card with a number and a letter. The Aquavit Terrace is a great place to have a meal. For a complete list of action steps. Better be aboard, cuz they wont wait! Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! Sound like you have a great cruise coming up! Required fields are marked *. As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. There was a, . As for shore excursions, my husband and I enjoyed the walking tour (through Viking) that included the funicular up to Castle Hill. If you think you might do that, you may want to take along a few blank thank you cards to enclose your extra tips, so you can explain why you valued their service so much. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. In my experience, the laundry service on Viking has been excellent. They will text you with any security issues you should be aware of while youre away. Hi Danny, Im not sure which cruise youre referring to, but you asked an excellent question about renting a car to make day trips while on the cruise. Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the level of the stateroom. Since it will be November, and Im also afraid of open heights weve opted for the French balcony room. Haha. We were very happy with laundry service on Viking and prices were reasonable. Pieces were back in a few hours. Great post. By the way, the excursions included in the trip are typically large group experiences, while the optional excursions (available at an extra cost) are usually much smaller groups as they are more focused on specific areas of interest. 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. Weve chosen a mix of the included tours and the custom days, avoided any places to which weve already travelled and have added in the extensions to both ends, hoping to see friends in Amsterdam. The good thing is there are always tomorrows treats to look forward to! Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. Laundry on Viking (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) If you choose to eat on the Aquavit Terrace, dinner begins at 7:15 pm with all of the same options as in the dining room. Now to your questions. Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. Many people were. NOTE: This article was completely updated in January 2023 from the original article, written in 2019. Have fun! 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. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. 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. We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. On both boats we used the laundry service. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. The river cruises have open seating, so that means you arent assigned any table mates. Theres always iced tea often with different flavors every day. Also can you remember if those two cities is where the boat docked. (Viking asks that luggage not be placed outside the staterooms when going to bed the previous night due to safety concerns should there be an emergency, having bags in the narrow corridors would pose a safety risk.). And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. There is paid laundry service but no dry cleaning. 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. This is a great venue for enjoying the passing landscape on travel days and relaxed dining every day. The tips cover all onboard staff. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. This will be first river cruise for us. Just thinking of the best options for meeting friends for a short visit. Have a wonderful cruise! When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. Is there plenty of space for passengers indoors in the common areas, if the outdoors are too cold or rainy? Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. Do you have any experience about this? We have quite a bit of Viking on board credits and wanted to purchase optional shore excursions with that credit. 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. Emerald Cruises offers onboard laundry services and charges a fee per piece of laundry. 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. Check with your Viking agent or your travelagent (or your MyVikingJourney online portal if youre already booked on a cruise) to learn the latest protocols aboard the ship and in the countries that youll be visiting. 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. I have seem videos of rooms but cannot perceive where we can place our 2 luggages + backpacks and not having to hop over them inside our room. That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. Cruises Have a wonderful cruise! My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. Viking assigns different colored luggage tags to guests depending on what their next travel destination is (a post-excursion through Viking, a trip independent of Viking, or a flight home). Enjoy your journey! Powered by Invision Community. As for Tours by Locals, Ive used them, as well, and was pleased. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and that things work out for your planned day trips! How can we arrange individual tours or make dinner reservations if we dont know the times or the port arrangements? That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. Have a wonderful cruise in September! 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. When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. Thanks for the great information. We could not have chosen any better than the Skirnir and Viking. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. (When we were in Europe a few years ago, we received texts of some demonstrations in town and were given their locations and advised to stay away. Viking is only offering us a morning excursion the second day in Prague so we are looking to do some exploring on our own. 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. We opted to book through our travel agent with whom we could meet face-to-face, ask questions, and learn from her knowledge of cruising and different cruise companies. When I returned, I noticed two Viking bookmarks resting on top of the books. 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. (Depending on the category of your stateroom, the laundry service may be complimentary.) Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. Have a great cruise! Some river cruise companies do have those facilities, but Viking Longships dont have those. Frequently Asked Questions | Viking Ocean Cruises Her bag was delivered on the last day of the cruise! with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. had some shirts done same day return no complaints. 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. On our ships, there were separate newspaper versions for Australia, Canada, and the U.S. Frequently Asked Questions | Viking River Cruises As we arrived at the ship, we were warmly greeted, and we went to our rooms (which were intentionally left unlocked). River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. Theres a mix of traveling overnight (almost all of the time) and during the morning/afternoon/evening (some of the time). So it comes down to how much and what kind of beverages youre likely to consume each day. Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to fetch my coffee? Laundry services are wash and iron, or just iron. They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. had some shirts done same day return no complaints Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. Do they charge for use? 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.). With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Hi. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Weve had no regrets. It was led by an art historian who took us up to the very top of the cathedral (above the ceiling) where the craftspeople worked. How will payments on board be handled? The number indicates which ship youre on. That saved precious counter space. 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. During lunch and dinner, guests are served complimentary soft drinks, beer, or wine. Laundry is folded and returned on the same day if you have it ready in the morning. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise, which transported us in great comfort to some amazing European destinations. Im looking forward to ours next year! Thank you so much for this detailed account. My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. Have a wonderful cruise! I think it would be a tight schedule if the ship is docked for just a day. How All-Inclusives Redefine Luxury Vacations: Travel Weekly Viking Mississippi WebYou also can do your laundry for free in the ship's self-service laundry rooms (detergent is even provided for you). Laundry My husband and I took the Top of Cologne excursion, and it was one of the best. Hi Carol, Although ride-share companies, like Uber, are in many cities worldwide, theyre not everywhere, so it depends on what cities youre considering. 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. Hope you have been able to enjoy more Viking cruises since your original one. We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) So glad that you had a great cruise! We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. The coffee station is always available, although the baked goods tend to be gobbled up in the late afternoon. This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldnt have the opportunity again. Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer), What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience, Best Sights to See on Vikings Grand European Tour, Viking Antarctica Cruise: The Complete Guide for Adventurers, Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps After Booking a Cruise, Best Sights to See on the Viking Grand European Tour River Cruise, The Best Apps and Websites for Savvy Travelers, Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps After Booking Your Cruise. In-room irons are a huge no-no for the fire hazard they present. Were doing the Rhine Getaway, Amsterdam to Basel in early Oct, but havent actually booked yet! Also, we had booked an English-speaking tour of the Hungarian Parliament which ended up being fascinating; if you plan to do this, make sure to make reservations online ahead of your visit. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. Viking River Cruises: Laundry service is available on board; unfortunately clothes cannot be dry cleaned. The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Attire on a river cruise is casual. Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. Hope this info helps you a bit! (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). My question is about size of our luggage (or size limitation due room size). It is very helpful to reduce wandering around looking like a tourist while trying to figure out the procedures.