In addition, some people research other (non-Viking) tour options in advance of their cruise and book a personal or small-group tour to suit their specific interests on their own. Cruise Lines "P - Z" Viking Ocean ; Electrical outlets Electrical outlets. Just wondering if there is a regular daily schedule and of course we understand the change caused by water level, weather, etc. The Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Joy and Spirit have additional US sockets available. Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. (European river cruise ships are limited in size due to the rivers they cruise on, so they have the same overall dimensions. Having to dock the ship next to another cruise ship also means that the view from your stateroom could be blocked and your cabin could be a bit dark. Staterooms will have one or two 115V . You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By 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. The room stewards are wonderful and treat you like royalty! 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. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. Thank you! Irene. 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). There are several things you wont find on a Viking river cruise, and they are often some of the prime reasons so many people choose Viking. Does Viking get us into our room early or do we have to check our luggage with the hotel and wait until 3:00 PM? Once unpacked, you can put your backpacks in your empty luggage and slide it all under the bed(s) and not think about them until its time to leave. When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. I guess my DH could sacrifice his camera & just use an iPad..:confused: rjscott, sounds like the cabin will be perfect for "getting ready" while the DH occupies the shower! CC Help Jenn Dress during the day is . We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. Viking is an industry leader for a variety of reasons including their choices of fascinating destinations, varied excursion options, attention to detail in designing the private and common spaces, and a welcoming and hard-working staff. Viking is happy to celebrate your birthdays and anniversaries while onboard. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023. There are lots of smiles and offers of help. Without a doubt, we give Viking chefs top marks for the presentation and flavor of the food they serve. Incidentally, we had to change ships midway through a river cruise because of a broken lock on the river, and Viking handled it professionally and without too much inconvenience. This compact power strip comes with three power outlets and four USB ports, including a Type C port. Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! Ocean Cruises. Once youre on the ship, youll learn the times that the ship will be docked in a city, so you can plan your day. Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. Ive hand washed some things in the sink and hung them up to dry on the line, and it worked fine. We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. I will add one note that we experienced. I will be on the Viking Sky so joined anunofficial Viking FB group to ask if all was repaired after the incident ~ a month ago (it is!) My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. Ive left it out on the counter and the stewards never said anything either. The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. The sun deck is a relaxing space with tables and chairs as well as chaise lounges. Thank you! Best, Irene. Hi Meri, However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. . I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. Hlin is deeply compassionate in an unsentimental way, and a wise teacher. (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) We also like to explore on our own, so there were times when we just joined a tour for a while and then told the guide we were going to branch out on our own. 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. I was really glad I had brought my own shampoo and conditioner. I bet youre planning your next cruise already. Has anyone dealt with thus recently? As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. Many folks do tend to change from the clothes they wore for daily excursions to something a little dressier for dinner, but I wouldnt call dinner attire dressy. Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. Id suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. Another question- my husband is thinking about bringing jeans to wear to dinner, but I thought I read that jeans are frowned upon for dinner. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. Your husband doesnt need to pack a blazer if he wouldnt normally wear one for dinner. Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. I had mental pictures of all my photos of me enjoying Europe but my hair looking like it did in junior high. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) Power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors and extension cords (without surge protectors) are allowed on board when used with proper caution. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable but nice slacks and a blouse will be absolutely fine. When you return to the ship, you scan it again. You either choose it for your cruise, or you dont no daily option. They will let you know on board. Thanks. We're on the the Kara in a few weeks and just went through this research. I just received my cruise documents and read through them and was quite upset when I read that I could not bring my hair straightener on board. The maitre-d I am convinced is in league with the devil, as she tempted diners again and again with just try this ONE little pastry. Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently. 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. Without the Silver Spirits package, Id plan on $6-10 for most cocktails, aperitifs, or premium wine by the glass. 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. We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. Thanks for your tip! Specifically built to navigate the Nile, she is a state-of-the-art vesseldesigned in the clean, elegant Scandinavian aesthetic for which Viking is known. 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. 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. Enjoy! Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to fetch my coffee? We are planning to do 12 days in a carry-on bag only, so no way could I do it without downloading all the info. They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. 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. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. Everyone always asks whether they'll need an electrical converter on board Viking European river ships, OR whether there's enough space to plug-in all their . 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 Cruises: Best Action Steps After Booking a Cruise, How to Experience Local Culture When You Travel, How to Create Trip Photo Books to Make Your Travels Last a Lifetime. Weve had no regrets. The tips cover all onboard staff. Is there a restaurant seating option for introverts? Great service sounds like Viking! Im sure you will have a wonderful cruise! About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. Thank you! 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. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) However, if such devices are determined to pose a hazard, they will be removed and returned the last day of the cruise . I know the hair dryer is in the bathroom, so that is not an issue. 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? 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. Thank you. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SY5O5K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MEBNG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Interesting information! Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! 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. That's where you'll need to use your hairstyling tools. Youll find beach towels near the pool areas and also in bins by the security exit before disembarking. Thanks for the tips! So if you depend on them, bring your own. Mifaso 7-in-1 Desktop Power Strip. Then itll be the first photo on your camera roll before the next days activities. If we were sailing during the day, the program director narrated scenic highlights along the river as we continued our journey. Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. Viking has thought of that, too. The total cost varies according to the length of the ocean cruise. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. See the chart for more details and pictures of the plugs. 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. in the safe the day before you check out. We're staying at hotels also so bring ours. There are also USB ports to charge your cellphone or tablet so all you need to bring are the cables. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. As for money, we used a credit card (with no foreign transaction fees) and Euros (very handy for tipping tour guides and purchasing small incidentals). Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. Some procedures and protocols on cruise ships have changed to address public health concerns since the global COVID-19 pandemic. Youll be glad you did! CC Help Jenn Enjoy your cruise! I would suggest he bring one pair of khakis. Did you bring euros or use credit card? So glad I discovered your very informative account of the Viking River Cruise! (Im trying to save you room in your luggage!) Your room key is your ID. August 2, 2000. Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise! free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). COVID Travel Packing List: 6 Essentials For Any Trip. Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September 23.our first river cruise (for our 20th). . Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 55" OLED flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more. complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). 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). Perhaps, youll leave your sunglasses or swimsuit at home, or will forget to bring a sweater for chilly evenings. The 220V outlets are German Schuko 2-pin safety plugs. I have been on 1 Viking River cruise and 3 (soon to be 4-I hope!) excursion card with a number and a letter. (Remember that if you're staying in a hotel for part of. The Silver Spirits option is offered at a fixed price per guest and spans the entire length of the trip. Bon voyage! Bring your comfortable easy to pack stuff ladies and bring athletic shoes that allow for socks. The lounge on a Viking river cruise ship has plenty of comfortable . We always travel with a small multi-plug electical cord. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise from Prague to Paris last summer. Examples were creamy potato soup, Wiener Schnitzel, and Sacher cake when in Vienna; while in Budapest, the menu featured Hungarian Farmer Salad, Fogas Karpathy (perch and shrimp in white wine sauce), and Zserbo (a layered walnut and chocolate cake). This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. ? Thank you for all the information. For example, our Nook and iPhone chargers automatically convert to the 220 voltage, but you would need an adapter plug to insert your charger plug into the 220 outlet. In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. 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. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. 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. This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially in heavyweights like Vienna and Budapest. On one side of the menu are the classics or options that are always available. Hi Deb, youre just a few days away from your journey. 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. Thank you Irene for this information! You make an excellent point, Julia. Follow the link below to discover further details about what life is like aboard a Viking Cruises ship. We are heading out on our first river cruise, the Kara from Basel to Amsterdam in late September this year. My husband and I will be sailing with Viking on a Rhine River cruise (Netherlands to Lucerne) this month and our very first river cruise (during a pandemic). Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? That gives my husband and me plenty of money for tipping the local guides and bus drivers as well as Viking staff before we leave. Thank you for your time. After all, we travel to experience new places, new food, and new people, so we like to eat local specialties whenever possible. You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip.