My husband had been to a number of these cities on business and wanted me to visit them too, and this makes it sound easy. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! You know is it a venus and mars question. Thanks. Royal Princess plug sockets. 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. She is also the goddess of consolation and brings comfort and solace to those who grieve, kissing away their tears. That's where you'll need to use your hairstyling tools. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. Your room key is your ID. By Jjg34219, July 3, . Depending on your stateroom, you will probably have a desk or dressing table with a 100v outlet where you can fix your hair. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. When this happens, the cruise ship parks parallel to another cruise ship. Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! My first question is, without using the laundry service on board , do you have suggestions on washing items in your cabin? Just in front of the Lounge to the bow of the ship is the Aquavit Terrace. The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Sometimes optional excursions sell out, although there are usually some available once youre on the ship. Cruising is a social experience as you chat with fellow passengers on excursions, at the social hour before dinner in the Lounge, and at meals. All Viking river cruise ship staterooms have: The different types of staterooms range in size, available outdoor space, the time for guaranteed stateroom access, and amenities. Posted November 9, 2014. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. Using ATMs machines? Have a wonderful cruise! The guests on the other ship, the Modi, got off the ship at Regensburg, on the other side of the damaged lock. On Carnival's web site, you can see that they specifically note the following. We didnt regret our decision. This will be first river cruise for us. When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card. Its a great one! 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. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! 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. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. The Quietvox listening devices charger is plugged into a 220 outlet on the counter across from the bed. . Thanks for the great information. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then were bussed to the new ship in the late afternoon. universal travel adapter. 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. Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). We found the onboard communication to be excellent. We depart in 9 days on the Grand European tour, and this is the best account I have seen weve done a dozen ocean cruises on several lines, but never a river cruise. Just before the drill, we were all asked to return to our staterooms and don our life vests. You may have only 1 or 2 outlets. Would an excursion like that feel to rushed to enjoy, or do you know if Salzberg is a not to be missed kind of place? Do you have any experience with that destination? I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. In addition to cocktails, there were some very nice premium wine options aboard Viking, and we had fun trying ones that were new to us. Have a great cruise! 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. (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) Well do the Grand European from B to A in October this year. They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. We plan to go a few days early and then make our way to the ship. Thank you for your informative article! Of course, there is a downside to extreme minimalism or sloppy packing. . Just wondering if there is a regular daily schedule and of course we understand the change caused by water level, weather, etc. Viking Ocean Cruises provides lovely Freyja shampoo and conditioner (designed exclusively for Viking) in nice, easy-to-handle sizes (rather than mini-bottles). 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. Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. A few weeks prior to your departure, Viking will send stickers for you to wear at the airport when you land, so they can identify you as a Viking guest. We enjoyed relaxing there and enjoying the sights and sounds of being on the ship. There are also USB ports to charge your cellphone or tablet so all you need to bring are the cables. Crewsgirl, no, you don't need an adapter on the ship, but if you have one with you, you can utilize the 220 outlets as well, if needed. Also note: They come with large print labeling so those over 40 dont need to take their peepers into the shower. Have fun! During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. Radgrid was one of the legendary horse-riding Valkyries, the handmaidens of Odin, the father of the gods. We always travel with a small multi-plug electical cord. 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. Hi. Furthermore, this means that you may have to walk through another ship to get to shore or people are walking through your ship to get to and from theirs. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? Going from A to B with two extra days in Amsterdam and Budapest. Review of Viking Orion cruise ship cabins and suites, floor plans, photos, room sizes, types, categories, amenities. In each cabin, there are two 110V sockets above the desk and one on each side of the bed. (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.). 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). About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. The buses and tour guides for your group are each 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. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. 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. 1. Whether you plan to be swimming onboard or taking an excursion that brings you to a beach, you wont need to bring beach towels from home. First timer on river cruise. In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. The task of the Norse goddess Hlin is to protect and shelter humankind. Only a few bucks anyway. My recollection is that Viking Ocean Cruises have fluffy comforters and luxury down pillows. Hi Ricardo, It sounds like you have a great trip ahead! NW Ohio. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. By the desk, there are three plug sockets: one European socket and two U.S. 120V sockets. If you are traveling on a Viking Longship, you will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. (You never know where you might find a special type of chocolate:-). 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. In fact, there are few hard-fast rules for evening dress except to limit shorts and workout attire to daytime use only. We also got a power strip with USB ports for all our stuff. If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package. Very relaxing! Much better idea of what were sailing into now! Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. Posted February 21, 2009. Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 55" OLED flat-screen TV featuring CNN, CBC, MBC2, beIN Sports. After all, we travel to experience new places, new food, and new people, so we like to eat local specialties whenever possible. Im with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. Enjoy your cruise this fall! Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! Required fields are marked *. free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). Hlin is deeply compassionate in an unsentimental way, and a wise teacher. Yes, I believe there is one. 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. 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports. I have the original which is 1 amp and am looking into getting the 2.1 amp since I have a tablet now. bealls online outlet. Viking collected the luggage (with different colored tags for the three different floors of the ship) and trucked it to where the Modi, our new ship, was docked. Youll be glad you did! bring a trailer american cars; stone and log cabin homes . Viking collected the luggage (with different colored tags for the three different floors of the ship) and trucked it to where the Modi, our new ship, was docked. a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. I guess the bottom line is to remember that disruptions can happen whenever we travel, so plan to get the most out of each experience and cherish the time that you get to explore new places and meet new people. Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. Hope this is helpful and have a wonderful cruise! All guests are 18 years old or more. Have a great cruise! Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. Its certainly a relaxing way to travel. Its just the nature of this type of travel. If you like tea, youll also appreciate the high tea service in the Wintergarden. Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. Plenty of covered space protects guests from the harsh summer sun. They will text you with any security issues you should be aware of while youre away. Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. For a 7-night cruise, the cost is $139.65 USD p.p. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then. During lunch and dinner, guests are served complimentary soft drinks, beer, or wine. We are planning to take the Grand European Tour in July of 2023. Try to think through where youll be, and what youll be doing, and make lists as reminders to guide your packing. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. 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. I didnt read through all the comments, so I hope Im not being repetitive. Hope that helps! Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. What common spaces are there on the Viking Mississippi? The Viking Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest was such a great experience one well never forget. Also can you remember if those two cities is where the boat docked. Guests with pre- or post-cruise hotel packages may want to bring converters and/or adapters for their hotel stay. Thanks. We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. The number indicates which ship youre on. It is required each time you get off and on the ship. We did not receive any compensation or discounts fromViking or any otherorganization. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? The dress code on Viking Ocean Cruises is very relaxed. Id be surprised if they couldnt tell you the answer; my experience is that they are great on the phone! More room in my suitcase! Do you have any experience about this? But having to pack additional converters or keeping your fingers crossed . Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. We're with you. Best, Irene, Hi Glenise, A good idea if youre a runner is to check with the reception desk to map out when there will be time in the morning to leave the ship for a jog or run before excursions begin. For instance, how much is the Top of Cologne in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Thanks, Tom! The tips cover all onboard staff. Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. Thank you Irene for this information! Also, regarding a curling ironI had one and used it and had no problem. Hi Tanya, Sounds like you have a great cruise coming up! We need twin beds; is this possible? An easy way to begin a conversation is to ask where people are from, about their past travel experiences, and what excursions interest them the most. Hope your sister finds her Viking river cruise everything she hopes it to be. . The lounge on a Viking river cruise ship has plenty of comfortable . I checked the website and all in-room amenities are listed under the name of each ship. crewsgirl, November 9, 2014 in River Cruising. The crew communicates with each other quite well. Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. Started August 27, 2021, By Ive taken mine on multiple Viking river and OCEAN cruises and have never had a problem. They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. Alternatives include USB charging stations, multi-socket outlets, or outlet adapters which don't contain a surge protector. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Our luggage awaited us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. Im sorry I cant give you a more definitive answer, but so much depends on conditions at the time you board and what the staff recommends. So an adapter will be needed on the ship? Spacious suites, locally-inspired gourmet cuisine and features like SeaSpa . Ive not taken a Viking optional tour that I didnt like, but I will say that there are passengers who also book tours independent of Viking due to a keen interest in something and the personal or small-group experience that is available with independent tour guides. I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. Thank you for your quick reply. Thanks, Jazzbeau. I thought formal/dressy was the norm on all cruise ships! River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. Without the Silver Spirits package, Id plan on $6-10 for most cocktails, aperitifs, or premium wine by the glass. 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. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. As standard in Viking Longships there are both USA type flat pin 110 sockets and European round holed 220V sockets, as well as USB sockets. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. My husband and I each have a Nook and our own cameras. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. Cruise Hacks: Eight Tips to Help You Pack for a River Cruise, Viking Ocean Cruises Frequently Asked Questions, 6 Tips for Planning the Perfect Overnight Staycation, https://www.moretimetotravel.com/cruise-hacks-8-tips-to-help-you-pack-for-a-river-cruise/, https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-sky.htmlsin, https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-star.html, White Elephant: A Harbor Front Luxury Hotel in Nantucket, Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita: A Tranquil All-Inclusive Resort in Maya Riviera. Bon voyage! If you decide on the stateroom with a french balcony, you will still be able to enjoy some time outside in the common areas while the ship is sailing.