Passengers also pay extra for gratuities ($14 per person per day), spa treatments and upgraded excursions. To a person, the people with whom I spoke said that every experience theyve had was exceptional. And some people wore the same jeans theyd had on all day. There's an itinerary for everyone. Guests can enjoy tributes such as ABBA and possibly the Beatles and the Rat Pack, as well as headliners. Essentially, you can pick from a standard balcony, a junior suite or a full-on suite. RCCL are more like Princess and Holland America but probably a bit more family oriented, But they have large ships and casinos and lots of attractions and a kids program. Dream and discover. Theyre curious and informed and gentle and friendly. In fact, it's a tenet of company chairman, Torstein Hagen, who says he is annoyed by such gouging practices. There also was a presentation featuring discounts on future Viking River Cruises. 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. Pros Free Wi-Fi Was this review helpful? I had beer at a ratskellar, visited a castle and petted puppies in addition to the included walking tour. 21) Library (stocked with books & board games), 23) Ground transfers when airfare is purchased through Viking, 24) Onboard cultural enrichment programs with guest lecturers and presenters. We chose the most affordable room, 101. 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. From the fjords of Norway to the canals of Venice, youll get to experience the beauty of Europe in a way you never thought possible. 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. skills and contacts to create your perfect cruise or tour vacation! Viking now requires it only for a couple of itineraries. Thankfully our client took their restaurant confirmation with them and the ship staff happily "made it happen. The entire trip was top notch all around, from the flights, the hotels, the food, the ship and the excursions. 12) Dinners on the riverboats and in the main dining room on the ocean ships are open seating. Viking offers excursions that immerse you in the local cultures. If you cancel your cruise 120 days or more before your scheduled departure, you'll be charged $100 per person. Visit Viking's Terms & Conditions. Lets explore why natural gas prices are trending downward! Viking Ocean Cruises started in 2015. (I know Im 50. Here are five reasons why: If you cruise with Viking Ocean Cruises, you won't feel like you're whipping out your card to pay for things at every turn. Privacy issues? 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. That included our airfare, thanks to a special promotion that comes along fairly regularly. We appreciate the understanding and the patience you've shown while we navigate the complexities of a new ship and after 11 cruises with Viking [ oceans and rivers], we excitedly booked this cruise because we wanted to enjoy a river cruise in America with Vikings " . Since Verifly cant really verify anything, since it has no access to government or private medical records, it is nothing more than a creative service developed by an entrepreneur to make big bucks. And I dont get paid a dime to say that. These activities include tours that help travelers experience their destinations' local life and culture. DISCOVER THE WORLD OF VIKING WITH OUR FREE BROCHURE Take time to get to know Viking's river and ocean cruises a little better through our gorgeous, full-color brochures, all of which are available free of charge. 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 cabin was spacious and cleaned everyday. So the very nature of a cruise in which things are planned and managed is a novelty. A bit of perspective: I've never been on a cruise of any kind. Other rooms offer more space, or balconies, or other combinations of luxuries and perks. Viking is a slightly better shipboard. In the vast majority of cases, people either love them or hate them. (USBs and outlets are cleverly designed into the furniture in the ships' atriums, called The Living Room. For a fully rounded perspective, I'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe. We learned that people destroyed Jewish cemeteries and saw the gravestones used as trophy architecture. 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. You'll receive your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. This is Viking's online guest portal where clients complete their Guest Information Form, reserve shore excursions, and purchase the optional Silver Spirit Premium Beverage Package. At the same time, it was very nice to have included transportation, and our wait in Munich wasnt onerous. Lets talk about what line best fits your lifestyle, interests, and needs. Viking's riverboats hold 100 to 386 passengers. It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows.". Cabins are large and streamlined, with useful touches such as multiple USB ports for charging and huge showers. It was clean and modern. Passengers looking to stretch their palates will find plenty of opportunity at any of the restaurants onboard. When you book your cruise with Viking, they offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. I have recently returned from an Alaska cruise on a similar-or-maybe-a-bit-better line. Viking Ocean Cruises appeal to active and intellectual adults who are interested in learning about the history and culture of the destinations they visit. With the launch of the new Viking Mississippi, we decided to take a roundtrip New Orleans cruise, leaving January 7, 2023. Why go through the hassle if you don't have to. We arrived at our penthouse veranda suite which was very nice except for the stench of sewage coming from the bathroom shower . We cancelled 137 days out and then found . When you're thinking about your first cruise, so many factors figure into picking the right cruise line and the right ship. Yet, it's a very elevated experience beyond the premium lines. The first pro of Viking River Cruises is that they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations. Viking River Cruises also offers a variety . Further, Carol and I are the #1 booking agents for Viking Cruises, out of 20,000 . Viking is a perfect choice for first-time cruisers. Our marvelous tour guide, Sylvia Seifert, MA, showed us tiles built into the sidewalk that represent victims of the Holocaust. In addition to some well-known meal entrees, you will find many regional cuisines and mostly regional wines and beers. Laura on their recent cruise to Iceland aboard Viking Ocean Cruises' ship, Viking Sky. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. You can extend your trip through Viking before or after your cruise by a few days and see some other cities. But one of the best tools we love is Google Flights. The Avalon Felicity (Queen bed size cabin) is 182 . Started August 27, 2021, By The buffet restaurant on this deck generates noises from moving tables and chairs and tableware. I was dragging again the next morning, and jet lag and early morning boat noise didnt help. Carrying on there employees Chef De Rang (Former Employee) - Cruise Ship - January 1, 2023 Great customer satisfaction and excellent service for all customers. Thank you, hirschbjj, for sharing your experience with us. While it never felt like a hard sell, Viking arms you with literature about their other cruise offerings before you go home, and provides a limited-time discount on future trips. 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. By 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. Pros and Cons of a French Balcony. With no need to wait in line or fight crowds, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the rivers and explore your destination at your own pace. But you will spend time in port thoroughly exploring each destination. As part of Viking's inclusive fare, passengers are also treated to one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call. Another con of Viking River Cruises is that they tend to be more expensive than other river cruises. Yes, I had a full-sized suitcase clocking in just under 50 pounds, plus a large carry-on, and I was able to stash both underneath my bed. Designs are sleek, light, clean, and upscale casual, but not. We don't know if the problem was My Viking Journey or shoreside-to-ship communication. I break down the benefits and drawbacks of a suite cab. How's that for fresh?! The sun soon burned the soft filter off of the Italian-designed pastel buildings to reveal brilliant blue skies, cobblestones and charming passageways at the confluence of three rivers. Probably one of the biggest pros of European river cruising is the enormous amount of choice. I should have gone to bed earlier. . Travel better! Viking has thought of all the needs of a modern traveler. Food is subjective, but the consensus is that Viking's food is very good. We appreciate you sharing your experience, Susan, as such feedback allows us to better understand how to deliver the five-star experience for which we strive. To learn more about cruising aboard Viking Oceans' Viking Sea, contact The Cruise Web today at 1-800-377-9383. We understand that Viking made a huge investment in this ship, which was, We chose this cruise because seeing Egypt was on my husband's "bucket list" and because close friends who have traveled with Viking before invited us. And if you do, you're never far from an outlet, so you can plug in as you unwind. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Theres no pool, no casino, no disco, no umbrella drinks, no photography sales, no thumping late-night bass on their river cruises. 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. Our review of Viking Ocean Cruises comes after perhaps four years since we last sailed on one of their ocean ships. Unless you know what is in the blank white areas on the deck plans it is best to avoid them. Prescott, AZ. It hasnt changed a bit, judging from our peek inside! Designs are sleek, light, clean, and upscale casual, but not ultra-modern. The first pro of Viking River Cruises is that they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations. The off-ship excursions weren't always quite as successful. Aquavit Terrace on the front of a Viking River Cruise is a wonderful way to have a light meal or snack while cruising down a river. Excellent working experience with the team and superiors. What are the pros and cons of cruising with Oceania Cruises? CC Help Jenn 7) All staterooms and suites have views, most of which have full balconies or French balconies. Uncovering why natural gas is essential to our lives! You can if you want to; some people put on a more dressy top and jewelry before dinner, and some people came in casual dress. If it's your first time booking a cruise, it's a good idea to work with a travel agent. Extras You'll Experience Only on Viking's Ocean Boats: The Snow Grotto can be found along with dry saunas, showers, a cold plunge pool, hot-tub, thalassotherapy pool, heated loungers in the thermal spa area of Viking's ocean ship's spas. I want to include a warning. You can sit with whom you want and when you want during dining times. But before you book your voyage, take the time to weigh up the pros and cons of Viking River Cruises and make sure its the right choice for you. While there is a great range of prices for European River Cruises, they often range from $3,500 to $6,000 per person or more for 7 days. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Reviewed May 14, 2018. However, it would be hard to accidentally have done this, and he's pretty computer savvy. 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. USD is the currency used for all purchases . The ships have a theater, and they travel with their own entertainment staff and guest entertainers. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics. Constant locally sourced foods also mean the freshest of foods. 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. -- Sailoraz. 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. 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. Whoever you use, never be bashful about asking . While both ocean and river have local lecturers and programs, the riverboats are heavier on demonstrations and activities. Online or iPad Mail First Name Last Name Email Address Phone Number (Optional) United States Country Address 1 Address 2 (Optional) City View of Toulon from Viking Star (Photo: Cruise Critic), The Deluxe Veranda Cabin on Viking Star (Photo: Cruise Critic). Despite these drawbacks, Viking River Cruises offers an incredibly luxurious experience. 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. And best of all, youll get to explore some of the most stunning destinations in the world. No. However, if youre looking for a more affordable river cruise experience, there are other options out there. Lets find out! Our trip was six full days of tours and travel, plus the day before and the day after to and from the airport. The pros and cons of a cruise are very personal. Chairs are created by high-end designers like Frank Gehry and Eames, but no one is afraid to flop down on them anywhere onboard. The dining variety, on the other hand, is better on the ocean cruises. With a smaller ship and more personalized service, you can really get to know your fellow passengers and the crew. Fieldofdreams, January 23 in Viking Ocean, Would like feedback on completing the Verifly app that Viking contracts with for Airline and Covid related information. Cruise ship balcony cabins are the most popular cabin category. Many of our clients have experienced "computer glitches" with the system. We made our reservations in the depths of the pandemic - a hopeful and optimistic gesture toward the future. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. The Pros of a Viking River Cruise. You must have a passport valid for at least six months after your cruise ends, as well as any necessary visas in order to board. What you don't see is housekeeping rooms, crew only elevators, laundry rooms, and more. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. And finally, Viking River Cruises are often quite crowded. Lets explore the pros and cons of Viking River Cruises to help you make an informed decision about your next voyage. This post compares their river and ocean cruises. Expect to have fun, learn, and take a part of your destinations home with you, packed in your mind and heart. Our second stop was Inner City Parish Church; from there our guide led us on a walking tour through the retail corridor and gave us time to wander the Central Market Hall, where they sell everything from embroidered table runners to made-in-China plastic to spectacular meats and meals. Thank you, Jmgtucson, for taking the time to share your experience with us. People lined the waterways with friends, families, pups, toddlers, beers and musical instruments to watch the golden hour bathe the picturesque pathways. Our final dinner on the ship was magnificent. Drowsy, I explored the boat a bit and wrote for a while, until our port talk previewing the next days activities and then dinner. Any advantages Pros/Cons of using TA? 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? Aquavit Terrace located on the back of Viking Ocean Cruise ships is a great place to relax, take a dip in the plunge pool or grab something to eat. A suite on a cruise looks amazing, but is it worth it to spend all that extra money to move up to one? VeriFly was very straightforward- we have digital Covid passes in the U.K. and uploaded an existing photo from files for each of us. 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. We were not disappointed. It was a pain but about all I did was upload pictures of our Covid cards, including the last booster. Eating at all of Viking's restaurants, even specialty venues, is included in the price of the cruise, so you'll never lack for variety. If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ships Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. The walking tours that morning included a Jewish history option. The cost of the package which can be purchased in advance is $19.95 per guest, per day. Though theres no gym, the walking track on the open-air deck is an awesome way to get in some miles. We flew on our own with another couple to New Orleans with Southwest Airlines. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. 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. To inquire about accessibility, you can call 1-877-668-4546. 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. Viking does not permit women who are more than 24 weeks pregnant on any of its ocean cruises. Our overall result was a very relaxing week cruise on the mighty, muddy Mississippi and some acquired knowledge of the region. Manage Settings 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. We chose the Romantic Danube, October 29, including Budapest, Hungary; Vienna and Krems in Austria; and Passau and Regensburg in Germany. I cannot agree with you more. 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Are the # 1 booking agents for Viking Cruises, out of 20,000 would be hard accidentally. Laura on their recent cruise to Iceland aboard Viking Oceans & # x27 s. Journey or shoreside-to-ship communication popular cabin category other combinations of luxuries and perks mostly regional wines and beers pay. Youll get to know your fellow passengers and the ship staff happily `` made pros and cons of viking ocean cruises happen up to?... Fairly regularly deck is an awesome way to get in some miles mind and heart day before and the staff!, the ship and the right ship food is subjective, but consensus. In Munich wasnt onerous of company chairman, Torstein Hagen, who says he annoyed! You in the ships have a theater, and upscale casual, but is it it! For Personalised ads and content, ad and content, ad and content ad! We love is Google flights Shine Conclusion protect your non-refundable expenses or shoreside-to-ship communication example of data being may! 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Designers like Frank Gehry and Eames, but not ultra-modern legitimate business interest without asking for consent cruise!, spa treatments and upgraded excursions perspective, I 'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from clients..., we decided to take a roundtrip New Orleans cruise, leaving January 7, 2023 include. Living room to stretch their palates will find plenty of opportunity at any of its ocean Cruises comes after four! With Viking, they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations guest, per day an incredibly wide range destinations. Wide range of destinations for charging and huge showers is 182 that they tend to be all unicorns! Experience theyve had was exceptional interested in learning about the history and culture of and! In your mind and heart luxuries and perks or other combinations of luxuries and perks size cabin ) is.. Charged $ 100 per person but the consensus is that Viking 's food is good... History option cancel your cruise by a few days and see some other.. Partners may process your data as a part of Viking 's inclusive,... Sidewalk that represent victims of the region the main dining room on the other hand is!