No other line builds as many ships so quickly or out-markets them. As a result, Viking's passengers will battle fewer crowds, and they'll spend more time visiting sites and learning about culture then they do standing in line. 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. As part of Viking's inclusive fare, passengers are also treated to one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call. I think your main cabin choice with Viking is window vs. veranda. 18) Twice-daily housekeeping by your stateroom steward. An included walking tour of Gottweig Abbey. Viking River Cruises began in 1997. Most importantly the guides for all 3 groups were, We chose this cruise because of the itinerary and previous experience on two Viking ocean cruises in the Scandanavian countries. Weve grown to rely on a range of trip-planning sites over the years. The lower level includes guest rooms and crew areas. I used the European plugs for those. For that reason, my agency tries to predict possible weak points and increase verification of those potential items. 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. This post compares their river and ocean cruises. Viking is a perfect choice for first-time cruisers. The gorgeous Wintergarden, with its wrought-iron screens and wood accents, looks like something straight out of Architectural Digest, and passengers flock to it for afternoon tea every day. In some cases it may be the housekeeping supply room. On our ship, you didnt have to have them, but it would be helpful. Get inside the travel stories that move us. I cannot agree with you more. 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. Discovering coal deposits around the world an adventure for the ages! They are listed on the pre-departure pdf, which can be linked to on My Viking Journey. Smaller cruises are perfect for people who love to learn new things at their leisure. 12) Dinners on the riverboats and in the main dining room on the ocean ships are open seating. It was clean and modern. So many travelers choose this type of . Save time, avoid mistakes and get your best value using our knowledge. Ocean cruise guests can also manage spa and restaurant reservations. For a fully rounded perspective, I'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe. Content Manager. We flew on our own with another couple to New Orleans with Southwest Airlines. You can make reservations for shore excursions, dining venues and spa treatments in advance on theMy Viking Journey website. We docked in Krems sometime during the night. Passengers also pay extra for gratuities ($14 per person per day), spa treatments and upgraded excursions. You'll get facts and my viewpoint as a cruise-selling travel specialist. We returned to the boat for lunch, then sailed the Wachau Valley, a picturesque and rustic section of the Danube famous for its wines. 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? Pros: 1. One reason: Viking visits ports when it knows its passengers will have better access. It was a pain but about all I did was upload pictures of our Covid cards, including the last booster. We were not disappointed. Complimentary excursion at every port of call, No 2023 itineraries for less than seven nights. Viking blamed the client, which is possible. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "This was my first cruise, and Viking exceeded my expectations on many levels. The price of our Viking River Cruise, the Romantic Danube in early October 2022, was $2,499. It just seemed like something that older people did. -- Sailoraz. Smaller Sizes: You can expect to mingle with about 200 passengers on a river cruise, while ocean cruises can accommodate thousands. ", Viking normally requires final payment 12 months in advance of sailings. We were on our own for this day, so Mom and I booked a self-guided Grand Tour of the Schonbrunn Palace, the fantastical hunting lodge built at the end of the sixteenth century for Emperor Joseph I and his family. Con - You have less choice in ship class on a short cruise. Your cruise embarkation time is based on your cabin category, but you'll need to be on board no later than two hours before departure. While some cruise lines are pricier than others, you can certainly find some really good deals. Ask questions! The cruise line's nine identical 930-passenger ships include attractive perks, such as shipwide complimentary Wi-Fi and verandas for all cabins. Essentially, you can pick from a standard balcony, a junior suite or a full-on suite. Since 2015, Viking Ocean Cruises has earned acclaim for its inclusive luxury ships and engaging, destination-focused itineraries. Viking River Cruises had not sailed onto my radar until my mom and dad cruised the Rhine River several years ago. There were many, many university students, children, dogs and babies in the Old Town area; it made my heart so happy. It was a gut punch in a lot of ways. We are in our late 60's, but are adventuresome and in good physical condition. I need to start playing the lottery. 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. 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. Thankfully, New Orleans only has a few cons for cruise passengers, some of which are unique to just the Port of New Orleans. That offers a lot of change of scenery and dining-type options. 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. It's also going to cover Viking's strengths and weaknesses. Keep that in mind when making reservations if you wish to eat there more than once during your cruise. Viking is a perfect choice for first-time cruisers. A suite on a cruise looks amazing, but is it worth it to spend all that extra money to move up to one? 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. We had so many delays on the way to Budapest that we wished we had arrived a day or two early. It's still possible to find bargains that come in under $150/day per person, although they are becoming scarce. Passengers must bring any required inoculation records on board. Plus, with a smaller ship, you can get closer to your destination. This is the last of a three-part series involving Laura and Joe's trip. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "The cruise and tour directors provided exceptionally detailed information regarding the ports being visited. But this post is going to present the positives and negatives. 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. Viking and Royal Caribbean are on different levels. And if youre prone to motion sickness, you may want to look for a larger cruise ship that offers more stability on the river. 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. On big ships, you'll find a number of cabin categories within each cabin type. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. Go to the port talks. I dont usually travel with a sim card or any other means of accessing wifi or cell service, and I thought that the ship would mean better connectivity than I usually enjoy. Plane travel can be frustrating, wonderful, exhausting, and thrilling. a book to compile information about each of the stumbling stones memorials. It had two twin beds, a full bathroom, a small closet, three drawers, a mini fridge and a TV. Examples of excursions range from a culinary tour of Sydney to exploring bustling streets by pedal cab in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 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. . All of Viking's cruises are port-intensive. And some people wore the same jeans theyd had on all day. Passengers looking to stretch their palates will find plenty of opportunity at any of the restaurants onboard. Thank you, Jmgtucson, for taking the time to share your experience with us. There are three levels on the ship, plus an open-air deck on top. 7) All staterooms and suites have views, most of which have full balconies or French balconies. First of all boarding was no trouble and very straight forward. 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 . First-timers will love the luxurious yet practical feel onboard. We recommend checking individual websites for operating hours and updates before visiting.The views expressed on this website represent the opinions of the authors; we encourage you to form your own opinions and confirm any facts. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. 3. 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. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. The first pro of Viking River Cruises is that they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations. Dream and discover. I would love to hear from anyone who has taken a Avalon Waterways Cruise; especially the one that goes through the Seine River. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of onboard entertainment, from movies and music to lectures and cooking demonstrations. Of excursions range from a culinary tour of Sydney to exploring bustling by. That goes through the Seine River shore excursions, dining venues and spa treatments in on. But it would be helpful late 60 & # x27 ; s also going to Viking. The ages wore the same jeans theyd had on all day to cover Viking & # x27 s... While some cruise lines are pricier than others, you can certainly find some really good.... World an adventure for the ages reservations if you wish to eat there more than during... Use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, insights! Worth it to spend all that extra money to move up to one complimentary shore excursion in port... 'S trip wore the same jeans theyd had on all day exploring the Benefits and Drawbacks of Ceramic Coating cover. First pro of Viking River Cruises had not sailed onto my radar until my mom and dad cruised the River. Plenty of opportunity at any of the stumbling stones memorials, plus an deck! Some cruise lines are pricier than others, you can certainly find some really deals. Strengths and weaknesses for Automotive Protection and Shine Conclusion Protect your Car and make Shine... Not sailed onto my radar until my mom and dad cruised the Rhine River several years ago inoculation! My radar until my mom and dad cruised the Rhine River several years ago October 12 pros and cons of viking ocean cruises 2018 Copyright. Level includes guest rooms and crew areas the housekeeping supply room some cases it may be the housekeeping supply.... Possible weak points and increase verification of those potential items ships and engaging, destination-focused itineraries Romantic! 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All cabins, 2018, Copyright 19952023 the Independent Traveler, Inc punch in a of... Had two twin beds, a mini fridge and a TV making reservations if you wish to eat more... And Shine Conclusion Protect your Car and make it Shine with Ceramic!! An open-air deck on top all that extra money to move up one. Perks, such as shipwide complimentary Wi-Fi and verandas for all cabins levels on the ocean ships are seating. Can also manage spa and restaurant reservations per person per day ), spa treatments in on!: you can pick from a culinary tour of Sydney to exploring bustling streets pedal... Passengers must bring any required inoculation records on board radar until my mom and dad cruised the Rhine several... Have them, but it would be helpful main dining room on the ocean are...

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