At the same time, it was very nice to have included transportation, and our wait in Munich wasnt onerous. 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. Theres even an Aldi in the basement. When the world gets smaller, your heart and mind grow bigger. Viking River Cruises also offers an array of onboard amenities, such as spacious staterooms, gourmet dining options, and a selection of fine wines. I barely slept. The Pros and Cons of Investing in an Expensive Home: Is It Worth the Cost? In some cases it may be the housekeeping supply room. 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's an itinerary for everyone. Table of Contents Introduction The Pros and Cons of Ceramic Coating Your Car: Is It Worth It? It runs around downtown Tampa daily from 7 am (8.30 am on weekends) until 11 pm (or 2 am Friday and Saturday . Travelers who are destination-focused tend to appreciate the consistency in the vessels. Trending toward 4000, 5000 and 6000 passenger ships. Whoever you use, never be bashful about asking . Avalon Waterways have 2 for 1 promotions as well, but I think their promotions are closer to the time of the trip. And I dont get paid a dime to say that. (Sorry, Mom!). - Lynette Travelling the world by cruise ship is SO much easier than travelling by any other means of transport. Viking is a perfect choice for first-time cruisers. Plus, Viking River Cruises offers a variety of onboard experiences, from lectures and cooking demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment. You'll receive your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. Our Egyptologist Fouad was so knowledgeable, personable, and funny. While there are roughly 35 monks still living and working there and in the surrounding community, one of the primary sources of revenue for upkeep, aside from leasing the surrounding lands, is tourism. I came home in desperate need of a solid eight hours (plus a facial scrub and a food-and-alcohol detox). The pros and cons of a cruise are very personal. The quality of the food was comparable to the river cruises and the kitchen and wait staff were the best." If you book your airfare with Viking, theres no way around this. 13) In addition to the main dining room, both types of ships have the Aquavit Terrance. 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. We finished our day with an add-on excursion to an orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including dancers and opera singers. 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." Of course, there are also some drawbacks to Viking River Cruises. 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. One reason: Viking visits ports when it knows its passengers will have better access. And finally, Viking River Cruises offers a unique and intimate experience. It's still possible to find bargains that come in under $150/day per person, although they are becoming scarce. -- rphillips22. The difference in size allows the ocean ships to offer a lot more options than their riverboat cousins. Discovering coal deposits around the world an adventure for the ages! The longships specifically accommodate 190 guests. 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. Suitcase weariness was why I decided to try another cruise this spring. In addition to some well-known meal entrees, you will find many regional cuisines and mostly regional wines and beers. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. This venue blends the indoors with the outdoors. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "This was my first cruise, and Viking exceeded my expectations on many levels. In fact, it reminded me that I wanted to delete my account and I have now done so and uninstalled the app. Likewise, all cabins are big by cruise standards, and they all include balconies. The second highlighted their experience in magical Iceland. I break down the benefits and drawbacks of a suite cab. Why go through the hassle if you don't have to. . The dining variety, on the other hand, is better on the ocean cruises. . The Viking Helvetia (Queen bed size cabin)is 170 sf. 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. Laura on their recent cruise to Iceland aboard Viking Ocean Cruises' ship, Viking Sky. I havent traveled with other ocean cruise providers either, but my first experience with Viking made me eager to try one of their ocean itineraries as well. Smaller cruises are perfect for people who love to learn new things at their leisure. The joy of this crowd, I discovered, is that theyre avid lifelong travelers not vacationers. 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. This also would have alleviated some jet lag. They seem to treat their staff really well too. Theres no pool, no casino, no disco, no umbrella drinks, no photography sales, no thumping late-night bass on their river cruises. 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. The ships have a theater, and they travel with their own entertainment staff and guest entertainers. -- traveladdict1012. Harnessing the power of the wind: a clean and renewable resource! Viking River Cruises is one of the first river cruise lines to help set the river cruising standard. All of the ships are beautiful, comfortable, and elegant. Pros and Cons of a Small Cruise Ship. An example of just spending time relaxing on a Viking Ocean Cruise. We currently prefer Azamara, but we are always looking for something different new and are currently looking at Viking Ocean Cruises. We have been cruising since 1991 and have gone on a vast majority of the cruise lines. There's something awesome about. Viking is often referred to as "luxury," a word possibly overused in the travel industry. Other rooms offer more space, or balconies, or other combinations of luxuries and perks. All longships are identical, with possibly a few minor public room changes. Our total trip clocked in at just under $2,949 per person for the fully refundable (for any reason) Allianz travel insurance provided by Viking; prepaid gratuities for the ship staff (though not bus drivers and tour guides); and the Silver Spirits package, which upgraded our booze (embedded in the free airfare promotion so we couldnt peel it off). An included walking tour of Gottweig Abbey. The last thing we need is one more depository of critical personal records than can be compromised by the bad guys. I dozed on the bus. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of onboard entertainment, from movies and music to lectures and cooking demonstrations. 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 []. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "The cruise and tour directors provided exceptionally detailed information regarding the ports being visited. 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. The smaller size of Viking's ships allows them to access more exclusive ports throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. So many travelers choose this type of . By Cruise ship balcony cabins are the most popular cabin category. 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. Chairs are created by high-end designers like Frank Gehry and Eames, but no one is afraid to flop down on them anywhere onboard. With less than four hours sleep the night before, I slept off some of my jet lag and did some writing before catching the tail end of a presentation on Viennese coffeehouse culture in the lounge, followed by the chefs Champagne reception, dinner in the restaurant, and drinks and live music in the lounge. Prices start at just around $100 per day, making them a great option for budget travelers. Consider your budget, your preferences, and your destination to help you make the best decision for your next river cruise. 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 . There was entertainment afterward, but we opted to return to our room and pack. CC Help Jenn Viking Ocean Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises Including Pros & Cons. River cruising removes the work and the risk from travel. Uncover the surprising truth about coal and its effect on the environment! Scroll down to find the countries you will be visiting to see if they require anything. Youll want to gawk, and youll want to walk the grounds. Tip: Chef's Table changes their menu every 2-3 days, depending on the length of the sailing. Find out here! After we boarded the boat and headed to the dining room for lunch, the ship continued west. Viking and Royal Caribbean are on different levels. Retirement Living Team. She is working on a book to compile information about each of the stumbling stones memorials. Our review of Viking Ocean Cruises comes after perhaps four years since we last sailed on one of their ocean ships. Manage Settings One slight we constantly hear about cruising is that it's superficial; it doesn't get passengers a deeper understanding of a region. The crew on both river and ocean are known for being friendly and wanting to genuinely deliver terrific service. Thank you to all for your input, we are going to call Viking and see if it preferred or mandatory. Smaller Sizes: You can expect to mingle with about 200 passengers on a river cruise, while ocean cruises can accommodate thousands. You are going to be in a port every day (river) or with few "at sea" days (ocean). I should have gone to bed earlier. Viking is a slightly better shipboard. Has anyone cruised on both Azamara and Viking? 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 included our airfare, thanks to a special promotion that comes along fairly regularly. Off the ship Viking Ocean Cruises offered plenty of activities to keep passengers busy, with three or four lecturers on board who delivered several interesting presentations. River cruises tend to cost quite a bit more than ocean-going trips. If youre looking for an unforgettable voyage, Viking River Cruises is a great option. For a fully rounded perspective, I'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe. I look forward to helping you navigate your river or ocean cruise. Dream and discover. If you cancel your cruise 120 days or more before your scheduled departure, you'll be charged $100 per person. No. The Viking Cruise Travel Protection Plan includes Cancellation, Interruption, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation, Baggage Insurance , Travel Delay and several other benefits. Accept all home energy score 1 Manage preferences. Sometimes it's more than glitches. We are in our late 60's, but are adventuresome and in good physical condition. Honestly, I agree. All you have to do is book the vacation and then just get on the ship and enjoy the ride. Viking blamed the client, which is possible. June 5, 2010. 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. Viking Ocean Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises Including Pros & Cons Updated: Sep 11, 2021 Viking has three divisions consisting of Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking River Cruises, and Viking Expeditions. And if youre prone to motion sickness, you may want to look for a larger cruise ship that offers more stability on the river. I do not believe that Custom Air is available on itineraries that include Bergen--because of the. Go ahead and laugh.). Knowledgeable local guides -- who speak English perfectly and know endless amounts of detail about the cities, ports, countries and sites they visit -- lead excursions. Our booking number was 4310667. For more information on when you can book, visit Viking'swebsite. Essentially, you can pick from a standard balcony, a junior suite or a full-on suite. While we could debate the point for hours, Viking knocks down that barrier by making its cruises as much about the destination as the ship. Laundry and press services are available. Whether youre looking to explore the fjords of Norway or spend a week discovering the culture and beauty of Europe, Viking River Cruises offer luxurious excursions to some of the most stunning destinations in the world. We also stumbled upon the centuries-old abbey and a bit of a creepy saint altar within before walking back to the boat. 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. Has anyone cruised on both Azamara and . They are listed on the pre-departure pdf, which can be linked to on My Viking Journey. It had two twin beds, a full bathroom, a small closet, three drawers, a mini fridge and a TV. How will a carbon monoxide detector help keep you safe? Several other lines run roughly the same route, although Viking is a bit longer (most of the others are 7 days). We stayed at the Westin Hotel for two nights (those. So when we embarked the Viking Miss. There were many, many university students, children, dogs and babies in the Old Town area; it made my heart so happy. 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. Our last Viking river trip was the Nile in Feb. 2020 and I thought nothing could surpass that trip but the Mekong did. In the morning we boarded buses for a short ride to Gottweig Abbey. The first was what it was like cruising during Covid-19. 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. The cabin was. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com. Another con of Viking River Cruises is that they tend to be more expensive than other river cruises. iCruise is located in Delray Beach, Florida. The website for the palace says the tour is 50 to 60 minutes, but allow at least two hours. Probably one of the biggest pros of European river cruising is the enormous amount of choice. I brought an Apple Europe adapter for my laptop, and I brought the European hair dryer that I purchased in Milan several years ago, because the last time I traveled overseas with my American hair dryer, it conked out. It's a no-brainer vacation, which is either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the level of adventure and challenge you want from. We appreciate you sharing your experience, Rtraveller, such feedback allows us to better understand how to deliver the five-star experience for which we strive. I was dragging again the next morning, and jet lag and early morning boat noise didnt help. 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. The European Coal and Steel Community: Unity Through Strength! Plus, with a smaller ship, you can get closer to your destination. We chose the Romantic Danube, October 29, including Budapest, Hungary; Vienna and Krems in Austria; and Passau and Regensburg in Germany. (I know Im 50. Why isnt coal a mineral? As part of Viking's inclusive fare, passengers are also treated to one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call. If it's your first time booking a cruise, it's a good idea to work with a travel agent. Get inside the travel stories that move us. Our Review: Viking Ocean Cruises. Viking Longships hold 190 passengers, while Uniworld averages just 130 guests. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Content Manager. Pro - Most cruise ships doing short cruises are mid-sized ships, which offer a nice mix of venues, activities, and public spaces. As much as I dislike the very early final payment, Viking does have a discount offer that I like that has been embraced by some of our clients. You'll also find the ocean ships to be similar to each other. This is the last of a three-part series involving Laura and Joe's trip. I look forward to helping you navigate your river or ocean cruise. We understood that if we cancelled under the insurance terms we would get a travel voucher and that was OK. We also knew that we could cancel outside of the 120 day window and get all of our money back except $100 per person.