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). Hi David, it sounds like youre gearing up for a great adventure! CC Help Jenn We took a universal travel adaptor with 4 USB plugs and 4 outlets and used just one outlet for all of our electronics (smartphones, camera, tablet, and Apple Watch). Low river levels today might be just fine for cruising in a few days. Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. Are there tea making facilities in room. That saved precious counter space. The crew communicates with each other quite well. I found this online on the VIking Cruises Q&A site (I couldnt find a similar statement specific to ocean cruises): What Is The Electrical Voltage In The Stateroom? Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. We took our first Viking River cruise in 2018 (Rhine Amsterdam to Basel) and leave in a month for the Danube (Budapest to Regensburg) with the pre and post cruise stays. Thank you for the excellent summary of each important category. I will miss the free on board laundromat from ocean cruising though! We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. Thanks to her guidance, we learn how to honor our dead, and integrate their love and . We love most of the optional excursions versus the included excursions but about how much do the optional ones cost? How early are they available to avoid the rush? Follow up with a conversation with the Viking staff when youre onboard to learn the expected times and exact location of the ship while docked. . Best, Irene, Hi Glenise, On our walk, we passed the Shoes Along the Danube (very moving) and other interesting sights. I usually carry a small purse with that and my phone and a small amount of cash. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. Glad the tips were helpful. means the walking could be a little more strenuous or have more stairs or inclines. Hope this is helpful and have a wonderful cruise! when we traveled) to your shipboard account. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Bring your comfortable easy to pack stuff ladies and bring athletic shoes that allow for socks. When it comes to size, even the smallest cabins on Viking's ocean ships are large by cruise ship standards at 270 square feet, and the largest suites measure nearly 1,500 square feet. 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. There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. Were planning on a dinner in a town, tour of some beer gardens and lunch in Heidelberg, and just walking around. Walking could be on unpaved or uneven surfaces and may involve many steps or steep inclines. Im looking forward to ours next year! Aside from three meals a day, snacks are always accessible whether you miss a meal, wake up late, or simply have a craving between meal hours. As you leave the ship, you are handed a bottle of water. with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. Youll find two large red umbrellas in your stateroom that you can use if the weather is inclement. Each stateroom will have one or two 115V razor plugs available, generally in the bathroom. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) The crew actually collapses the awnings, chairs, and tables and the ships bridge recedes into the ship all to reduce the ships height. I loved the Braun Satin Hair model in my Viking Ocean stateroom so much that I would like to purchase a similar model for home use. Not everyone needs to go on excursions. Hi Tanya, Sounds like you have a great cruise coming up! They are clearly marked. Is a Cruise Power Strip allowed by your Ship? [2022 Solved] However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially, There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. There was a broken lock near Regensburg, about halfway between the two big cities. One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week and that includes river levels. In the afternoon, we followed up on some of the suggestions the local guide from the morning had regarding how to spend the remainder of the day. Ive left it out on the counter and the stewards never said anything either. Im hoping that other women will be wearing slacks with a nice blouse for our Viking Ocean cruise to the Caribbean. With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. Much better idea of what were sailing into now! on your bed. Neither hotels nor cruise ships have caught up with the popularity of these hair tools. After morning housekeeping, we had some fresh fruit and baked treats waiting for us in our room. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. How many outlets are available in the cabin? If you think you may be tempted to bring snacks back to the ship from a cruise excursion, do remember to pack a few Ziploc bags. That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. One thing I think I discovered was that the iPad pulls a heavy load to recharge and might not do well plugged into the power strip while other stuff is also charging. My husband and I had planned to go on the Salzburg excursion, but when we learned we would be spending so much time on the bus to travel there and back (for a total of 9.5 hours), we decided to spend our time in Passau instead. If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package. 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. The Viking Bar on Deck 1 has sweets and savories available through midnight. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. 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. Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. We will be traveling on the Viking Ksvair and I am thinking about the number of outlets available for charging devices and would love your input. 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. 10.2 Schuko Travel Adapter, 17.99 Amazon. Viking River Cruise: 15 Things to Know Before You Go You set the code, so its a cinch to remember. Radgrid was one of the legendary horse-riding Valkyries, the handmaidens of Odin, the father of the gods. One tip we learned is to put a shoe (just one!) in your closet upon arrival; if you need more, just ask, and they will be delivered promptly. . There are also daily announcements with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. Beverage gratuities are included in the package. Thanks, Jazzbeau. Viking Baldur - Viking River Cruises Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. Thanks. During lunch, prior to and after dinner, theres usually live music in the Lounge. 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. We are really looking forward to this cruise and its wonderful itinerary. Viking Osiris - Viking River Cruises I am also taking that cruise. Bon voyage! HELP !! This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. Your email address will not be published. Overview. You can check with Viking to make sure. I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. We often take a few with us on tours for snacks on the bus. Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! Also, having cash is great for souvenirs, incidentals, snacks, or a quick lunch while exploring a city. Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. Enjoy your journey! with a German Schuko 2-pin plug that matches the 2-prong outlet in the bathroom. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! How many electrical outlets on Viking? - Cruise Critic Community While all Viking Longships are non-smoking on the interior, in staterooms and verandas, for those of you who are cigarette smokers, each ship has an outdoor smoking area, typically on the sun deck. I have been told by friends who sail on other lines that I will need a lanyard and pouch to carry ID and room keys, we did not on Viking River Cruises, do we on the ocean cruise? Power strips increasingly also have USB sockets. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? However, the information in this article is from our Grand European Tour cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest aboard the Skirnir and Modi (more on the two ships later). We celebrated a big anniversary on our cruise and were delighted with champagne and a special dessert awaiting us in our room after dinner one night. Radgrid - A Valkyrie. And our experience was that we were usually parked next to other Viking ships, so we walked through familiar spaces. . 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. Viking Octantis - Viking Cruises Plenty of covered space protects guests from the harsh summer sun. Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September 23.our first river cruise (for our 20th). We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card. Great article. This compact power strip comes with three power outlets and four USB ports, including a Type C port. Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. and special treats made nice surprises. O. met interesting people; visited fascinating places; sampled new foods, wines, and beer; and appreciated the convenience and gracious hospitality offered by Viking. Youll be glad you did! Weve got to get you back into cruising, Janice! No need for a converter. There are also bright red full-size Viking umbrellas to take along on excursions if its raining. Thanks for the great information. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then. The Silver Spirits option is offered at a fixed price per guest and spans the entire length of the trip. Many people prefer to bring their own reliable shampoos/conditioners/toiletries, etc. I was told specifically not to bring curling iron or flatiron (fire hazard). Staterooms will have one or two 115V . Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. Regarding local currency in Hungary, you can head to an ATM once youre there to get the amount of local cash you want. Any comments on safety in cities? reddit i ghosted; african violet planter pot; get paystub from adp; Related articles; hottest cartoon character list female; kohler simplice. ? which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. Prior to dinner, the chef usually introduces the options including his/her recommendations. 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. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. means the walking will be on mostly smooth (not cobbled) surfaces, there are few steps, and the tours will be 1.5 hours or less. This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options. After that, we went to an assigned group on the upper deck (groups are determined by what floor the staterooms are on), and we had to give our stateroom number to the staff at the assigned location (for roll call). There is precise timing to docking and excursions. 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. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. The Complete Guide to a Viking River Cruise - Travel with Lolly June 12, 2022 . Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. The good thing is there are always tomorrows treats to look forward to! Hoping you will enjoy your voyage and have good hair days, too! 3. It would be more like smart casual (so no worn jeans and flip-flops, for example). Everything was as you said food, service, boat, amenities, all topnotch. 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. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of, Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. The task of the Norse goddess Hlin is to protect and shelter humankind. 150 square foot stateroom with picture window (no outdoor space), 135 square foot stateroom with French balcony (sliding glass door with no outdoor space), located on the Upper Deck and Middle Deck, 205 square foot room with full-size private veranda, 275 square foot suite with full-size private veranda, mini-bar with wine, beer, and soft drinks that are replenished daily, complimentary laundry & shoe shine services. I also rarely take precious jewelry on any cruise. On the other side of the menu are regional specialties or options that are focused on our destinations. Straightening or curling irons are another story. 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. One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. Viking has thought of that, too. The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? Youll find beach towels near the pool areas and also in bins by the security exit before disembarking. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Especially your tips on dinner were helpful I will pack his blazer. That makes it handy for your husband to fetch your morning cup! Will the ship have a adapter for me for the bathroom or is there a 110v plug in there? 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. About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. Mamsens is a small Norwegian-style counter tucked in the beautiful Explorers Lounge on Deck 7, serving small plates with dishes like smoked salmon, steak tartare and shrimp salad, and Norwegian waffles.