The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours. One thing we learned is that although some excursions will guide you through a large city, if it is inland a bit, you may be spending a significant amount of time traveling from the ship to the city and comparatively modest amounts of time actually in the city itself. Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! This happens when bridges are too low to safely pass under with guests on the sun deck. Lolly just finished the Grand European tour a week ago (Budapest-Amsterdam). Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. Using ATMs machines? With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Have a wonderful cruise! 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. We enjoyed sitting with different people; it gave us a chance to learn about their travel experiences and lives a bit. On both boats we used the laundry Pieces were back in a few hours. Some river cruise companies do have those facilities, but Viking Longships dont have those. But thats not to say younger cruisers will feel out of place. Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. Passengers could disembark and be bussed on an excursion and then afterwards, be bussed to a different location on the river where the water levels are higher. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Is there I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. Good question, John, but its not an easy one to answer! The crew communicates with each other quite well. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. What is the availability of restroom facilities in these small towns? As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! Thank you! 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. That saved precious counter space. 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. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously, this is an efficient way to find which tour guide to meet as you disembark the ship. Theres an elevator onboard so its easy to travel from floor to floor if you dont want to use the stairs. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. Laundry services are wash and iron, or just iron. Much better idea of what were sailing into now! (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) In the morning we would stuff the bag with dirty clothes, fill out the form and leave for the cabin attendant. WebCrew members typically work a 6-weeks-on, 2-weeks-off rotation, with up to 13 weeks off annually. Trying to navigate changing pandemic restrictions is a challenge Id rather not have to deal with, but well give it a try. We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. Attire on a river cruise is casual. We would either meet in Bamburg or Wurzburg. The tips cover all onboard staff. We are heading out on our first river cruise, the Kara from Basel to Amsterdam in late September this year. My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. 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. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? Ocean Cruises. Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! Enjoy your cruise this fall! On our walk, we passed the Shoes Along the Danube (very moving) and other interesting sights. I do my own underwear in the sink, but jeans, shirts and heavy socks go to the laundry. 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. Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? If you dont live in the U.S., Im sure other governments have similar programs for travelers. For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. We leave Saturday for Prague followed by the Budapest to Amsterdam Viking river cruise. Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. Hi Ricardo, It sounds like you have a great trip ahead! The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? In my experience, the laundry service on Viking has been excellent. This includes the Viking Daily which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before dinner. One of the things I like about sailing with Viking is that they arent constantly trying to upsell you. Is there a retractable clothes line in the shower to accommodate hanging clothes. To conserve resources, you could easily fill a reusable water bottle from home with water in the rooms. Plenty of covered space protects guests from the harsh summer sun. Heres our story. We did not receive any compensation or discounts fromViking or any otherorganization. Per Viking: There are no formal nights in the evening; recommended evening dress is elegant casual. For ladies, this may include a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; and for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. (European river cruise ships are limited in size due to the rivers they cruise on, so they have the same overall dimensions. Remember to notify your bank of your travel dates and destinations before leaving home! Laundry Provide clean linen to support operations, cleans crew uniforms and guest clothes to Viking Standards. How early are they available to avoid the rush? Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. 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. There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. We haven't used Viking's laundry service so can't comment on that but in the FAQ they do have the price list so at least you'll have an idea of wha You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. Were doing the Rhine Getaway, Amsterdam to Basel in early Oct, but havent actually booked yet! And I think remembering that delays can arise on any type of travel (e.g., flights, cruises, trains) helps us all manage our expectations. I will add one note that we experienced. It sounds like you are all set. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. We received great overviews of a place with the large group tours, but what we remember most were the unique experiences that came from the optional experiences. 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. with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then. 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. Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. My husband and I are doing the Grand Tour B > A in early October 2023. On all river cruises, guests are offered one complimentary shore excursion at every destination. Since it will be November, and Im also afraid of open heights weve opted for the French balcony room. Please note that Viking requires at least 48 hours cancellation notice if you are on the ship and decide not to go on an optional excursion. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. When you return to your room, you will notice the dinner menus for that evening. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. Since it will be winter with colder temps, I am wondering about the indoor lounging space/common areas on the longboats. If you choose not to prepay the gratuity, Viking adds a discretionary service charge (which was 15 Euros per guest per day when we traveled) to your shipboard account. We kept our itinerary full, which might have been an error trust me, you want to take a breather every few days! Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. Europe Laundry List; China Laundry List; Russia Laundry List; Vietnam Laundry List We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. Self-service laundry on a cruise ship is often free, but there may be a charge of up to $3.50 to use the machines and $2 for detergent, depending on the ship. We didnt regret our decision. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously. Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. 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. The fees for European river cruises range in price from $1 per item to $6 per item. AmaWaterways haslaundry services available onboard for a fee. 1. I didnt read through all the comments, so I hope Im not being repetitive. Thank you! If we were sailing during the day, the program director narrated scenic highlights along the river as we continued our journey. It sounds like you have a wonderful journey coming up this summer, Rosetta! Hope this info helps you a bit! The crew communicates with each other quite well. Youll be able to find out about the length of bus trips to/from excursions and other related information. Bon voyage! Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. On our cruise, this was done in the Lounge just after the evening port talk by the program director. Just sayin'. Now to your questions. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). After that point, guests still on board could use the common areas (Lounge or sun deck) until their transfer to the airport or other destination. We are on the Aug Rhine cruise and our 1st river cruise. Oh, Im so happy youre able to enjoy traveling safely during the pandemic. 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). Indeed, very VERY helpfulespecially for first time river cruisers. That way, if they reach a low point in the river, they can have passengers disembark, go on bussed excursions, and afterwards be taken to the sister ship that completes the journey. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. Its relaxed and has an abundant food buffet with soup, a variety of salads, meats, warm sandwiches (like paninis and Cuban sandwiches), fruit, and dessert. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your Viking cruise next year! The sun deck is a relaxing space with tables and chairs as well as chaise lounges. has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. Just make sure you are aware of the times the ship will leave the port so you dont miss its departure. Wash and press services are available on all ships for American Cruise Lines. Thanks again. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! Plus, we always have some dollars with us, too. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. Once onboard, youll be given more specific times, so youll be able to fine-tune your plans. Have a wonderful cruise! Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. (OK, the wifi in the rooms REALLY sucksbut if thats your #1 problem, you arent doing badly). If you want to obtain Euros before departure, check with your bank or AAA office to see if they can help you. River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. Needless to say, its handy to have small change for tipping. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. Hi Daisy, you have the choice of going on the included or an optional excursion or exploring on your own. Sound like you have a great cruise coming up! Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. 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. Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. Viking is only offering us a morning excursion the second day in Prague so we are looking to do some exploring on our own. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. Did some underwear, jeans and a golf shirt. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. Im with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. As we arrived at the ship, we were warmly greeted, and we went to our rooms (which were intentionally left unlocked). Hi. Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! Very informative. means the walking could be a little more strenuous or have more stairs or inclines. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. You make an excellent point, Julia. You answered my questions about docking locations (though understand they are subject to change) and the Hungarian currency. In some destinations,laundry can be sent out for cleaning fee while the boat is docked. had some shirts done same day return no complaints Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience, Best Sights to See on Vikings Grand European Tour, Viking Antarctica Cruise: The Complete Guide for Adventurers, Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps After Booking a Cruise, Best Sights to See on the Viking Grand European Tour River Cruise, The Best Apps and Websites for Savvy Travelers, Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps After Booking Your Cruise. Is the ship nonsmoking? We had no problems or complaints. That makes it handy for your husband to fetch your morning cup! Enjoy! 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. Although we have some other trips planned (that we organize ourselves, as we often do), we are contemplating which Viking cruise river or ocean we will be booking next. For example, sometimes two sister ships sail on the same one-way voyage starting at the same time just at opposite ends of the itinerary. 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. Viking assigns different colored luggage tags to guests depending on what their next travel destination is (a post-excursion through Viking, a trip independent of Viking, or a flight home).