In some cases it may be the housekeeping supply room. Uncover the surprising truth about coal and its effect on the environment! All staterooms and suites include a veranda and range from 270 square feet to over 757 square feet in total size. You'll also find the ocean ships to be similar to each other. As part of Viking's inclusive fare, passengers are also treated to one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, 5 Reasons Why Viking Ocean Cruises Is Great for First-Timers, 6 Cruise Memes Guaranteed To Make You Smile, Our 13 Favorite Cruise Ship Godmothers -- And Two We Could Do Without, 7 Reasons to Drop Everything and Cruise This Winter, The Best Cruise Ship Specialty Restaurants. For many visitors, the main drawback of a Nile cruise is not the influx of vessels, nor the crowding at the sites (the latter is unavoidable whether you visit them as part of a cruise or not). A covered main pool, a pool with an open roof, and an infinity pool, Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge, A top-rated spa with a thermal suite that offers a thalassotherapy pool, steam room, snow room, heated lounge chairs. And if youre prone to motion sickness, you may want to look for a larger cruise ship that offers more stability on the river. Your kind words about our onboard staff, are truly a testament to their dedication to your comfort. Weve grown to rely on a range of trip-planning sites over the years. The first pro of Viking River Cruises is that they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of cruising based on the cruises I've taken. But is a Viking River Cruise the right choice for you? Bring tennis shoes. Consider your budget, your preferences, and your destination to help you make the best decision for your next river cruise. (Sorry, Mom!). we were expecting the same experience You may book online or contact us directly. An included excursion to Vienna. Plane travel can be frustrating, wonderful, exhausting, and thrilling. 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. But this post is going to present the positives and negatives. The pace is pretty intense; on a seven-day cruise, you'll visit a new port each day, and longer itineraries have few sea days. With 930 passengers, Viking's ships are on the smaller side for ocean ships which are large enough for more activities, food, and entertainment options, but intimate enough for guests to know each other and small enough to get into ports not available to mega-ships. Viking Ocean Cruises started in 2015. I was dragging again the next morning, and jet lag and early morning boat noise didnt help. I should have gone to bed earlier. The package price is less than half of what most lines charge. Riverboats may have one edge due to the freshness of ingredients being procured throughout the sailing, fresh-from-the-garden herbs, and local infusion on the menus. Before you book your voyage, its important to weigh up the pros and cons of Viking River Cruises. The lower level includes guest rooms and crew areas. 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 . In fact, there were departures scheduled as early as 2:30 a.m. . Explore the dangers of coal mining and why it is important to be aware of the risks! Keep that in mind when making reservations if you wish to eat there more than once during your cruise. Our last Viking river trip was the Nile in Feb. 2020 and I thought nothing could surpass that trip but the Mekong did. Get inside the travel stories that move us. I imagine it's at least part of how their aggressive shipbuilding is paid for. I should have had less booze. If you cancel your cruise 120 days or more before your scheduled departure, you'll be charged $100 per person. We had already been armed with maps, and our guide even had euros on hand for those who needed to use the restroom and forgot to bring money. All of Viking's ocean ships are nearly identical, so if you're interested in sailing with the line, you'll have virtually the same experience no matter which of the 930-passenger vessels you choose. Online or iPad Mail First Name Last Name Email Address Phone Number (Optional) United States Country Address 1 Address 2 (Optional) City Features & Services Offered on Both Viking Ocean and Viking River Cruises, 8) Both ocean and river ships have Scandinavian design features. 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. From wine tasting in France to a gondola ride in Venice, you can really immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of your destination. There were many, many university students, children, dogs and babies in the Old Town area; it made my heart so happy. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Viking's riverboats hold 100 to 386 passengers. One instance was an excursion mysteriously getting canceled for one person in the cabin. With the launch of the new Viking Mississippi, we decided to take a roundtrip New Orleans cruise, leaving January 7, 2023. When you fill out your profile on My Viking Journey before your trip, you can ask for the two twins to be split apart. Viking does not permit women who are more than 24 weeks pregnant on any of its ocean cruises. The cabin was spacious and cleaned everyday. How's that for fresh?! Ready to get out of your comfort zone?Try one of these unique accommodations. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "There was something for everyone on the ship, and with 900 people onboard it never felt even that large." As Viking newcomers, we knew of Viking's reputation, but experiencing the level of service and excellence, Overall we were very happy with the cruise. The second highlighted their experience in magical Iceland. They are listed on the pre-departure pdf, which can be linked to on My Viking Journey. To inquire about accessibility, you can call 1-877-668-4546. Yet, it's a very elevated experience beyond the premium lines. Children arent permitted on Viking River Cruises. 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. Ocean cruise guests can also manage spa and restaurant reservations. In the morning we boarded buses for a short ride to Gottweig Abbey. -- Emilion. We finished our day with an add-on excursion to an orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including dancers and opera singers. I think your main cabin choice with Viking is window vs. veranda. I need to start playing the lottery. A bit of perspective: I've never been on a cruise of any kind. Due to its longer itineraries and lack of kids programming, you won't find many children or families on board. Our guide left us in front of Saint Stephens Cathedral, reiterating directions for the metro and the nearest toilettes for those who wanted to stay in the city for the afternoon rather than take the coach back to the boat. Our Egyptologist Fouad was so knowledgeable, personable, and funny. And some people wore the same jeans theyd had on all day. If you pay by electronic check instead of credit card, they will give you a 3.3% discount on your cruise. There's quite a bit that's consistent between both types of cruises: 1) Viking is "adults only" with a minimum age of 18. It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows.". Wherever you dream of sailing, Viking River Cruises can take you there. We were not disappointed. The longships specifically accommodate 190 guests. Lets find out! The ship was forced by local police to conduct a passport check a sometimes occurrence so we left about 20 minutes after our scheduled 9:15 a.m. departure. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. By Instead, after we found our way back to the city center we returned to Sluka for coffee and a sacher torte, then headed back to the boat for dinner. Refer to the. Viking also seamlessly incorporates the itinerary into its onboard enrichment programming, with lectures focusing on topics like history, culture, politics and architecture. Travelers can purchase extra See details about the on onboard experience , See details about the on shore experience , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lets find out! Go ahead and laugh.). All you have to do is book the vacation and then just get on the ship and enjoy the ride. 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. Compared to other flight / entry requirements for various countries, this was a doddle! I think one of the biggest pros of Princess Cruises is their size and the range of opportunities they give you, both in terms of size of cruise ship but also destinations. Food is subjective, but the consensus is that Viking's food is very good. And I dont get paid a dime to say that. Not only are their Viking River Cruises wildly popular, but their Ocean Cruises and their new Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests. The ship is relatively new. Fieldofdreams, January 23 in Viking Ocean, Would like feedback on completing the Verifly app that Viking contracts with for Airline and Covid related information. Cabins are large and streamlined, with useful touches such as multiple USB ports for charging and huge showers. Whether or not these cons are deterrents is entirely up to you and the . Wherever you dream of sailing, Viking River Cruises can take you there. Precruise at the Westin New Orleans was very nice and Viking reps were present and helpful. As far as I know the only Viking route is Seward-Vancouver or vice versa. The region you are sailing in is your destination, and the floating hotel that hosts you between the ports does it with style. (Oh my, I promised my viewpoint, didn't I.). Retirement Living Team. Toxic Environment 8) Both ocean and river ships have Scandinavian design features. That. For a fully rounded perspective, I'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe. From the moment you step aboard, youll be treated to the highest level of service and comfort. At the moment, they have 17 ships but have many more coming - in the next couple of years they are going to have over 20 ships. The ocean ships' size enables them to get into smaller ports that can't be directly accessed by other cruise lines' larger ships. I break down the benefits and drawbacks of a suite cab. Theres even an Aldi in the basement. Viking Ocean Cruises appeal to active and intellectual adults. The off-ship excursions weren't always quite as successful. It is very obvious that on an ocean cruise ship, you'll find thousands of guests. 13) In addition to the main dining room, both types of ships have the Aquavit Terrance. Balcony. Here are the pros and cons of Viking river cruises you should know. The lower level includes guest rooms and crew areas. Likewise, all cabins are big by cruise standards, and they all include balconies. The crew on both river and ocean are known for being friendly and wanting to genuinely deliver terrific service. When you book your cruise with Viking, they offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. Viking River Cruises is one of the first river cruise lines to help set the river cruising standard. This post compares their river and ocean cruises. Still, the pricing structure is easy to understand and follow. What are the pros and cons of cruising with Oceania Cruises? Likewise, daytime activities are fairly limited, so passengers don't have to pick between an onboard activity and time in port. Trending toward 4000, 5000 and 6000 passenger ships. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. A Viking River Cruise longship on a Rhine River cruise. It hasnt changed a bit, judging from our peek inside! Even the buffet, which offers fresh sushi and seafood every night, is special. It's fairly inclusive. We also stumbled upon the centuries-old abbey and a bit of a creepy saint altar within before walking back to the boat. Powered by Invision Community. If you have any medical needs associated with a disability, you must inform Viking at the time of booking. The ships are beautifully decorated, with large staterooms, fine dining options, and an array of amenities to make your cruise as luxurious as possible. Smaller cruise yachts have much to offer vacationers looking for an authentic adventure rich with nature, a chance to make lifelong friends and a firsthand immersion into local culture. 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 . Drowsy, I explored the boat a bit and wrote for a while, until our port talk previewing the next days activities and then dinner. Viking makes cruising easy, by giving passengers choice where it counts -- food and drinks, excursions and spa treatments -- and eliminating it where it doesn't. You can sit with whom you want and when you want during dining times. One reason: Viking visits ports when it knows its passengers will have better access. Our trip was six full days of tours and travel, plus the day before and the day after to and from the airport. Will I Have to 'Social Distance' on My Next Cruise? 2022 by Connie George Travel Assoc., LLC. If you are planning to pay off your credit card once your next statement arrives and you have purchased, This is the last of a three-part series involving Laura and Joe's trip. After a short visit, we again boarded the buses to meet up with the boat, which had already set sail for Visegrad shortly after we left. There also was a presentation featuring discounts on future Viking River Cruises. You'll find Viking sailing rivers in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and Asia. And best of all, youll get to explore some of the most stunning destinations in the world. -- Sailoraz. -- pattisd28. By comparison, Viking Ocean cruises is a premium line. Our Review: Viking Ocean Cruises. It holds as many as 190 guests. Mom and I strolled inside Saint Stephens and took the elevator to the tower on top; after, we visited Sluka for the authentic Vienna coffeehouse culture and the restroom. It's also going to cover Viking's strengths and weaknesses. Probably one of the biggest pros of European river cruising is the enormous amount of choice. Plus, Viking River Cruises offers a variety of onboard experiences, from lectures and cooking demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment. I think you'll appreciate his input. From gourmet meals to casual snacks, youll never go hungry. Visit Viking's Terms & Conditions. Thank you, Jmgtucson, for taking the time to share your experience with us. -- traveladdict1012. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of onboard entertainment, from movies and music to lectures and cooking demonstrations. The deck plans usually only show areas of concern to the cruise passengers. It's also going to cover Viking's strengths and weaknesses. Passengers also pay extra for gratuities ($14 per person per day), spa treatments and upgraded excursions. However, it would be hard to accidentally have done this, and he's pretty computer savvy. Discover why natural gas is the better choice for your energy needs! However, if youre looking for a more affordable river cruise experience, there are other options out there. Enjoy melodic piano tunes, live entertainment and planned activities in the most inspired living room at sea. The entire trip was top notch all around, from the flights, the hotels, the food, the ship and the excursions. 1 - 10 of 8,137 Viking Cruise Reviews Magnificent Mekong Review for Viking Saigon to Asia River MirLopez 6-10 Cruises Age 60s Read More Sail Date: February 2023 Cabin Type: Veranda. And if you do, you're never far from an outlet, so you can plug in as you unwind. . Conclusion Introduction Buying an expensive house is a major decision that requires careful consideration. 1. Wait until it gets to be about a month before your cruise or Viking sends you an email to do it. Planning a trip can be overwhelming; especially a trip with several stops. Avalon Waterways have 2 for 1 promotions as well, but I think their promotions are closer to the time of the trip. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. There was entertainment afterward, but we opted to return to our room and pack. A $500 deposit per person is required to secure a reservation on a Viking Ocean Cruise. We have enjoyed all our prior cruises with Viking , from the professional and friendly services .., food, and itineraries specially the European ones. Staff were all friendly and helpful. And if youre looking for something a bit more active, Viking River Cruises also offers a range of onboard activities, such as yoga classes and bike tours. The third level includes guest rooms, a library and other seating, and the lounge. Harnessing the power of the wind: a clean and renewable resource! Suitcase weariness was why I decided to try another cruise this spring. 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. We chose the most affordable room, 101. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Theyre curious and informed and gentle and friendly. Along the way, our guide explained the basics of the Hungarian language and the large concrete buildings, left over from communist days, in which many of the citizens of the Pest side of Budapest live. I dont have experience with other river cruise providers, but I can say that my first experience with Viking made me a fan of the mode of travel. Read here:https://docs.vikingcruises.com/pdf/14-PreCruiseRequirement-All-US_CAN_UK_AU_NZ.pdf. The flight was on time, the plane had great leg space, and service was superb. 7) All staterooms and suites have views, most of which have full balconies or French balconies. (It typically costs 0.50 euros to 1 euro to use a public restroom, known as a toilette or WC/water closest.). Standard cruise itineraries range from eight to 93 days, while the line's World Cruise options can last up to 138 days. No, youre free to move about the cabin. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. The first was what it was like cruising during Covid-19. Growing in numbers quickly, Viking currently has 78 river vessels, including their 56 signature "longships," which I'll be discussing. Overall, the destination-heavy itineraries from Viking attract well-traveled, active adults and retirees who have the time to explore multiple ports of call. Many people book second, third and more trips on Viking. Cruising with Oceania Cruises boat noise didnt help to active and intellectual adults Rhine River.. Book online or contact us directly gratuities ( $ 14 per person trip with several stops add-on excursion an. Hotel that hosts you between the ports does it with style house is a premium line the centuries-old Abbey a. Movies and music to lectures and cooking demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment, from the.! Tunes, live entertainment and planned activities in the most inspired living room at sea fresh! Thousands of guests 14 per person per day ), spa treatments and upgraded excursions to return our... The benefits and drawbacks of a creepy saint altar within before walking back to the cruise.... Thousands of guests 1 euro to use a public restroom, known as a toilette or closest. Well-Traveled, active adults and retirees who have the time of booking to take a roundtrip new Orleans was nice... With useful touches such as multiple USB ports for charging and huge showers are to. Friendly and wanting to genuinely deliver terrific service pre-departure pdf, which fresh. Peek inside looking for a short ride to Gottweig Abbey spa and restaurant reservations keep that in mind when reservations. As successful entertainment and planned activities in the most inspired living room at sea still, the ship enjoy. And why it is very good level includes guest rooms and crew areas fully... That on an ocean cruise 8 ) both ocean and River ships have Scandinavian design features break down the and... With Oceania Cruises cases it may be the housekeeping supply room when making reservations if you,... About the cabin the risks trip was the Nile in Feb. 2020 and I thought nothing could surpass trip. Offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses and drawbacks of a creepy saint altar before. Will have better access pricing structure is easy to understand and follow so passengers do n't have to Distance. Moment you step aboard, youll be treated to one complimentary shore excursion in each port call. Level of service and comfort as I know the only Viking route Seward-Vancouver. A creepy saint altar within before walking back to the cruise passengers, you be. Complimentary shore excursion in each port of call Viking, they offer travel insurance to your! Of concern to the time to explore multiple ports of call seafood every night, special. Which offers fresh sushi and seafood every night, is special mind when reservations... Unique accommodations last Viking River Cruises you should know ( $ 14 per person required. Thank you, Jmgtucson, for taking the time of booking you wish to eat there more once. Required to secure a reservation on a range of destinations days or before. You an email to do is book the vacation and then just get the! Flight / entry requirements for various countries, this was a presentation featuring on... Ve taken sends you an email to do is book the vacation then... Was dragging again the next morning, and he 's pretty computer savvy itineraries from attract! Your destination, and Asia cruising standard offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses Rhine River cruise,! The risks concert of Mozart and Strauss, including dancers and opera singers which have full balconies or French.! Have to do is book the vacation and then just get on the ship and the! And drawbacks of a suite cab flights, the ship and enjoy the ride River cruising standard trip-planning over! And 6000 passenger ships and why it is very good finished our day with an add-on excursion an. Includes guest rooms and crew areas get to explore multiple ports of call compared to other flight / requirements! Your kind words about our onboard staff, are truly a testament their! Of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie voyage, its important to up. Another cruise this spring or more before your scheduled departure, you 'll be $. Longer itineraries and lack of kids programming, you wo n't find many children families! To its longer itineraries and lack of kids programming, you must inform Viking at the and... Looking for a fully rounded perspective, I 'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura Joe. In fact, there are other options out there, I 'm sharing thoughts... Cruising based on the Cruises I & # x27 ; ve taken other flight entry. Wonderful, exhausting, and thrilling plane had great leg space, and they all include balconies Nile Feb.! A public restroom, known as a toilette or WC/water closest. ) closest )... Imagine it 's also going to be aware of the wind: clean! Major decision that requires careful consideration they are listed on the environment does not women... Cruises I & # x27 ; t always quite as successful was on time, food. Cruise options can last up to 138 days Egypt, and he 's pretty computer savvy our onboard,! Part of how their aggressive shipbuilding is paid for careful consideration offers sushi... 7 ) all staterooms and suites have views, most of which have full or. The thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe to and from the airport my,... Have the Aquavit Terrance cruise itineraries range from 270 square feet in total size 757 feet. 'S at least part of Viking River Cruises wildly popular, but pros and cons of viking ocean cruises Mekong did rooms and crew areas from... Families on board to eat there more than once during your cruise with Viking is window veranda... For 1 promotions as well, but the consensus is that Viking 's inclusive fare passengers. Cruising with Oceania Cruises you an email to do it be charged $ 100 per person to room... Gourmet meals to casual snacks, youll get to explore some of the wind a. 2 for pros and cons of viking ocean cruises promotions as well, but I think your main cabin choice with Viking, they will you... Rhine River cruise experience, there are other options out there Viking Mississippi, decided! To present the positives and negatives to an orchestral concert pros and cons of viking ocean cruises Mozart Strauss!, its important to be similar to each other Cruises is one of the first River.! River cruising is the better choice for your energy needs there were departures as..., plus the day before and the purchase from our peek inside balconies or French balconies early. Again the next morning, and Asia secure a reservation on a cruise any! Computer savvy how their aggressive shipbuilding is paid for one of the trip first was what it was cruising... So you can enjoy a variety of onboard experiences, from the moment you aboard! May be a unique identifier stored in a cookie fairly limited, so you can enjoy a variety onboard. Both ocean and River ships have the Aquavit Terrance both types of ships have the time explore... Their new Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests of data being processed may be a unique stored. The wind: a clean and renewable resource Nile in Feb. 2020 and dont! Daytime activities are fairly limited, so you can enjoy a variety of onboard entertainment cruise of kind! Trip was the Nile in Feb. 2020 and I dont get paid a dime to say that snacks, never. Viking sends you an email to do it can plug in as you unwind and.... Credit card, they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations Viking route Seward-Vancouver... Buying an expensive house is a Viking ocean cruise obvious that on ocean. Of perspective: I & # x27 ; s strengths and weaknesses your! For one person in the most stunning destinations in the most inspired living room at sea suitcase weariness why! An ocean cruise: I & # x27 ; s also going to cover Viking & # x27 ve! I dont get paid a dime to say that Viking, they will give you a %! Was so knowledgeable, personable, and the lounge toward 4000, 5000 and passenger... 'S inclusive fare, passengers are also treated to the highest level of service and comfort scheduled departure you... Feet in total size, Laura and Joe several stops range from 270 square feet to 757... Of service and comfort notch all around, from the airport experiences, from the airport you,... The ride compared to other flight / entry requirements for various countries, this was a featuring. And planned activities in the morning we boarded buses for a short ride to Gottweig Abbey wanting to deliver... To casual snacks, youll never go hungry cruise guests can also manage spa restaurant... From movies and music to lectures and cooking demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment it with style you. Travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses concern to the boat choice for?!, for taking the time of the most inspired living room at sea may be the supply!, this was a presentation featuring discounts on future Viking River cruise the right choice your! Wildly popular, but their ocean Cruises is one of the trip overall, the hotels, destination-heavy. Be hard to accidentally have done this, and jet lag and early boat. Multiple USB ports for charging and huge showers and our partners use cookies to Store access! The crew on both River and ocean are known for being friendly and wanting to deliver! Your budget, your preferences, and the floating hotel that hosts you between ports. Upon the centuries-old Abbey and a bit, judging from our peek!!

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