Our tour included Emilie and Oskar Schindlers home in Regensburg. Our final dinner on the ship was magnificent. The original plan was to travel in 2020 just as the Covid-19 pandemic hit so the trip was postponed 3 times. There is a lot of natural light due to floor-to-ceiling windows around the ships, leather and natural wood elements, and wool fabric textures. We also learned about the Jewish quarter versus the Jewish ghetto, and the various times Jews were wrongly blamed for crises over the centuries, persecuted and expelled. Theres also detailed information in the Viking Daily, a printed document that arrives in your room during dinner each night. Our booking number was 4310667. Consider your budget, your preferences, and your destination to help you make the best decision for your next river cruise. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. -- traveladdict1012. Unless you know what is in the blank white areas on the deck plans it is best to avoid them. The difference in size allows the ocean ships to offer a lot more options than their riverboat cousins. If you arrive as scheduled, then you can embark at 3 p.m., leave your luggage and go into the city to see the sights on your own, or sleep off some jet lag. Viking does not permit women who are more than 24 weeks pregnant on any of its ocean cruises. When the world gets smaller, your heart and mind grow bigger. (USBs and outlets are cleverly designed into the furniture in the ships' atriums, called The Living Room. Alternately can this information just be provided when boarding the ship? 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. 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. I had the great idea that we should get off the U-Bahn (Viennas subway) at the Karlsplatz stop on the green line versus the St. Stephens stop on the red line to see a different part of the city before our tour of the Lippizaner training center, but we ended up lost in the maze of residential streets there and missed our tour time. The cabin was spacious and cleaned everyday. They will begin sailing the Mississippi River in August 2022. 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. . Our Review: Viking Ocean Cruises. It hasnt changed a bit, judging from our peek inside! Discover why natural gas is not renewable, but still a valuable energy source! Con - You have less choice in ship class on a short cruise. CC Help Jenn In fact, you may only cruise Each Viking Ocean Cruise rate covers one complimentary excursion in each port of call per passenger. Since we live in Florida during the winter, we thought that it would be fun to go to New Orleans and then cruise the Mississippi. Balcony. Viking River Cruises also offers an array of onboard amenities, such as spacious staterooms, gourmet dining options, and a selection of fine wines. All guests get to enjoy natural daylight and scenery. What You'll Experience Only on Viking's River Boats: There is an herb garden on every Viking River Boat's longship in Europe. Chef's Table (dinner with wine pairings, reservations required), Wintergarden (afternoon tea, finger sandwiches & pastries), The Kitchen Table (unique interactive culinary experience from shopping through preparation and dining). Our marvelous tour guide, Sylvia Seifert, MA, showed us tiles built into the sidewalk that represent victims of the Holocaust. Any other information/thoughts would be great. Expect to have fun, learn, and take a part of your destinations home with you, packed in your mind and heart. 11) The optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer premium wines at meals. Although we strive to provide the most current information, bars, restaurants and attractions mentioned may close at any time, operate with a limited menu or reduced hours, or have takeout options only. 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. If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ships Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. The quality of the food was comparable to the river cruises and the kitchen and wait staff were the best." Id peg the average at 70 on our Viking River Cruise, but thats not to say that there arent any much younger people. The package price is less than half of what most lines charge. Yet, it's a very elevated experience beyond the premium lines. Of course, there are also some drawbacks to Viking River Cruises. For that price, we had transfers to and from the airport; daily walking tours of each new city; all of our meals plus snacks; beer and wine at meals; and travel support. We reboarded the buses for a driving tour of the Buda side of the city, enjoying views of the Danube, its many bridges and the Parliament Building. An example of just spending time relaxing on a Viking Ocean Cruise. One instance was an excursion mysteriously getting canceled for one person in the cabin. Finding. -- Emilion. Viking is often referred to as "luxury," a word possibly overused in the travel industry. Scroll down to find the countries you will be visiting to see if they require anything. Cruise Lines "P - Z" Viking Ocean PROS AND CONS OF COMPLETING VERIFLY WITH VIKING Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard! And if you do, you're never far from an outlet, so you can plug in as you unwind. The flight was on time, the plane had great leg space, and service was superb. The ships are quite small, with just under . It runs around downtown Tampa daily from 7 am (8.30 am on weekends) until 11 pm (or 2 am Friday and Saturday . Retirement Living Team. And I dont think that I would have considered a cruise for myself until my dad passed away, and I decided to sail the Danube River with my mom. Planning a trip can be overwhelming; especially a trip with several stops. Ask questions! It's always wise to take a copy of confirmations of advance purchases, appointments, and reservations with you. There's quite a bit that's consistent between both types of cruises: 1) Viking is "adults only" with a minimum age of 18. Sr. We currently prefer Azamara, but we are always looking for something different new and are currently looking at Viking Ocean Cruises. Room Size Can Be Bigger: Since there's no real balcony to occupy space, the size of the room can be bigger. There's an itinerary for everyone. Regional guest performers provide entertainment, typically musical or dance, indicative of the area's culture in which the ship's sailing. I explore what the line does best, well and also what things to watch out for and consider when choosing an Oceania Cruise. And finally, Viking River Cruises offers a unique and intimate experience. Yes, I had a full-sized suitcase clocking in just under 50 pounds, plus a large carry-on, and I was able to stash both underneath my bed. By. We chose the Romantic Danube, October 29, including Budapest, Hungary; Vienna and Krems in Austria; and Passau and Regensburg in Germany. All I had to do was show up and enjoy myself." Personally, I would not register on the site unless required to do so by Viking or your airline. Thanks so much for the feedback, we came to the same conclusion just for entry of COVID info, then will delete app after we come back. That. Viking deserves kudos for both of these enhancements. We booked a cruise and bought the Viking Trip Insurance. 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. Further, Carol and I are the #1 booking agents for Viking Cruises, out of 20,000 . To a person, the people with whom I spoke said that every experience theyve had was exceptional. Pros Free Wi-Fi Was this review helpful? Pro - On a Cruise You Can Unpack Once and See The World I love unpacking once and waking up to new scenery daily. No. In addition to a visit and wine tasting, you can stay on the grounds, which are rich with views and gardens. 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. Probably one of the biggest pros of European river cruising is the enormous amount of choice. Cabin's deck location is undoubtedly of great importance. We also stumbled upon the centuries-old abbey and a bit of a creepy saint altar within before walking back to the boat. There's a huge choice of rivers - you can cruise on pretty much all of the major rivers within continental Europe: the Rhine, the Rhone, the Danube, the Loire, the Seine, the Elbe, the Douro the list goes on and on. 9) Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with shipboard lunches and dinners. Viking has three divisions consisting of Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking River Cruises, and Viking Expeditions. Of course we *had* to have sausage and (for me) a beer at Historische Wurestkuche, the Regensburg kitchen serving the workers who constructed the 12th century Stone Bridge and the oldest sausage kitchen in the world. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Staircases are also very noisy. Save time, avoid mistakes and get your best value using our knowledge. Viking is a slightly better shipboard. But you will spend time in port thoroughly exploring each destination. Cabins are large and streamlined, with useful touches such as multiple USB ports for charging and huge showers. It can be hard to choose when the options all sound so tempting. WHITE RAIN/VIKING CRUISES. Youll want to gawk, and youll want to walk the grounds. Explore the dangers of coal mining and why it is important to be aware of the risks! It can be a great [], Table of Contents Introduction The Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat: What You Need to Know The Financial Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat The Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat vs. a Used Boat The Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat for Fishing The Pros and []. 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? Our how-tos can help you save time, spend less, travel more safely and travel more often. The first pro of Viking River Cruises is that they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations. On big ships, you'll find a number of cabin categories within each cabin type. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The Avalon Felicity (Queen bed size cabin) is 182 . The Viking Helvetia (Queen bed size cabin)is 170 sf. We appreciate you sharing your experience, Susan, as such feedback allows us to better understand how to deliver the five-star experience for which we strive. You'll find Viking sailing rivers in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and Asia. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. As very recent veterans of a Viking River Cruise and a Viking Ocean Cruise we know that Viking's shore excursions cover a lot of interests. It's also going to cover Viking's strengths and weaknesses. VIKING CRUISES. You'll receive your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of ecotourism since 1990, defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that . Though theres no gym, the walking track on the open-air deck is an awesome way to get in some miles. LauraS While some cruise lines are pricier than others, you can certainly find some really good deals. Despite these drawbacks, Viking River Cruises offers an incredibly luxurious experience. Viking also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, and it recently began trips on the Mississippi River. RCCL are more like Princess and Holland America but probably a bit more family oriented, But they have large ships and casinos and lots of attractions and a kids program. Avoid at all costs. In the morning we boarded buses for a short ride to Gottweig Abbey. While both ocean and river have local lecturers and programs, the riverboats are heavier on demonstrations and activities. I want to include a warning. Discovering coal deposits around the world an adventure for the ages! We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Even though our departure from Munich (about 1.5 hours away) wasnt until 1:30, Viking wanted our luggage in the hall at 5:30 a.m. and us on the bus at 6 a.m. with others who were leaving around the same time. People lined the waterways with friends, families, pups, toddlers, beers and musical instruments to watch the golden hour bathe the picturesque pathways. The region you are sailing in is your destination, and the floating hotel that hosts you between the ports does it with style. Uncover the surprising truth about coal and its effect on the environment! Our program director, a veteran of other ocean lines, had only worked for Viking for a week when the pandemic shut down cruising; the company looked after her, as she said, through the duration of the pandemic. The middle level includes guest rooms, guest services and the restaurant, plus a dining terrace. I should have gone to bed earlier. We made our way back to the Spanish riding school to inquire about tours of the Lippezaner facility, pausing to gape in awe at the interiors of Saint Peters and Saint Michaels churches, but the next ticket wasnt until 4 p.m., so we meandered around the Hapburg Palace area, then made our way back to the metro near Saint Stephens; a short ride put us within a 10-minute walk of the boat. There's a feeling of bringing the outdoors inside and create a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. It's a balance that can be tough to strike, as luxury could cancel out practicality, or vice versa, but Viking does it brilliantly. Conclusion Introduction Buying an expensive house is a major decision that requires careful consideration. (Oh my, I promised my viewpoint, didn't I.). From gourmet meals to casual snacks, youll never go hungry. Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen encourages us to. #6. Our Egyptologist Fouad was so knowledgeable, personable, and funny. With a smaller ship and more personalized service, you can really get to know your fellow passengers and the crew. In addition to some well-known meal entrees, you will find many regional cuisines and mostly regional wines and beers. You can if you want to; some people put on a more dressy top and jewelry before dinner, and some people came in casual dress. The cabin was. Lets talk about what line best fits your lifestyle, interests, and needs. And remember you can still buy premium wines or cocktails, even if you don't get the Viking Silver Spirits beverage package. Bermuda's cruise season runs between April and November, with a few ships calling on Royal Naval Dockyard in December. Joining and end of contract payed travel expenses. Viking Ocean Cruises has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings. 13) In addition to the main dining room, both types of ships have the Aquavit Terrance. The crew on both river and ocean are known for being friendly and wanting to genuinely deliver terrific service. Viking Ocean Cruises does not allow children 17 or younger on its ocean cruises. Table of Contents Introduction The Pros and Cons of Ceramic Coating Your Car: Is It Worth It? The dining variety, on the other hand, is better on the ocean cruises. 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 I'm solely responsible for my safety, transportation, accommodations, food, water and activities.. I've never been on a trip where people took . 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. There's a choice of seven restaurants and eateries compared to the two on riverboats. You can make your own workout from there: push-ups, jumping jacks, triceps dips, walking lunges, etc. 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. There was entertainment afterward, but we opted to return to our room and pack. The second highlighted their experience in magical Iceland. At 8 a.m. we boarded motorcoaches in four groups with four tour guides to the heart of the city. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. With no need to wait in line or fight crowds, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the rivers and explore your destination at your own pace. We finished our day with an add-on excursion to an orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including dancers and opera singers. 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