Viking Ocean Cruises provide Freyja shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body-wash, replenished daily; frequent cruisers say that the high-quality products are one of the best perks of every trip. Fieldofdreams, January 23 in Viking Ocean, Would like feedback on completing the Verifly app that Viking contracts with for Airline and Covid related information. The walking tours that morning included a Jewish history option. After we boarded the boat and headed to the dining room for lunch, the ship continued west. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "The cruise and tour directors provided exceptionally detailed information regarding the ports being visited. LauraS Of course, there are also some drawbacks to Viking River Cruises. Honestly, I agree. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of cruising based on the cruises I've taken. Features & Services Offered on Both Viking Ocean and Viking River Cruises, 8) Both ocean and river ships have Scandinavian design features. Its tight, but doable. 9) Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with shipboard lunches and dinners. We've always used TA for our 30+ ocean cruises, but not sure about advantages, since there were no further discounts nor perks provided by our TA. It's a no-brainer vacation, which is either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the level of adventure and challenge you want from. No. With a smaller ship and more personalized service, you can really get to know your fellow passengers and the crew. 7) All staterooms and suites have views, most of which have full balconies or French balconies. It was short and sweet and surprisingly spectacular. Whether or not these cons are deterrents is entirely up to you and the . Asking someone whether they would enjoy a cruise holiday is a little like asking them if they like Marmite. The middle level includes guest rooms, guest services and the restaurant, plus a dining terrace. 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 . When you book your cruise with Viking, they offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. 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. We finished our day with an add-on excursion to an orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including dancers and opera singers. Ready to get out of your comfort zone?Try one of these unique accommodations. 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. The last thing we need is one more depository of critical personal records than can be compromised by the bad guys. Each longship has its own herb garden for chefs to pick from. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of onboard entertainment, from movies and music to lectures and cooking demonstrations. The third level includes guest rooms, a library and other seating, and the lounge. WHITE RAIN/VIKING CRUISES. Here are the pros and cons of Viking river cruises you should know. Booking windows open based on which cabin category you choose. I came home in desperate need of a solid eight hours (plus a facial scrub and a food-and-alcohol detox). And remarkably, in that period, we have grown to become the #2 booking agents for Viking Cruises in the world. Take a good look at the cruise ship deck plan - room location is crucial! An included walking tour of Gottweig Abbey. With its beautiful destinations, luxury onboard amenities, and personalized service, Viking River Cruises is sure to make your next river cruise an unforgettable 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. Constant locally sourced foods also mean the freshest of foods. Viking and Royal Caribbean are on different levels. Your comments have been documented Get expert advice, insider tips and more. An included excursion to Budapest (pronounced Bu-da-pesht). We are in our late 60's, but are adventuresome and in good physical condition. Embarkation was quick and we ate. Table of Contents Introduction The Pros and Cons of Ceramic Coating Your Car: Is It Worth It? Now, with eight ships, they sail North and South Americas, including the Panama Canal and the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Pacific. Our Review: Viking Ocean Cruises. A $500 deposit per person is required to secure a reservation on a Viking Ocean Cruise. -Joe, 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. Refer to the. I used the European plugs for those. If you are planning to pay off your credit card once your next statement arrives and you have purchased third-party trip insurance such as Travel Insured, it's a win-win option for saving some money. Lets find out! In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. skills and contacts to create your perfect cruise or tour vacation! 12) Dinners on the riverboats and in the main dining room on the ocean ships are open seating. We did take advantage of both the pre-cruise extension to Ha Long Bay and the post-cruise extension to Bangkok. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. So if you have a tendency to get seasick, a Viking River Cruise may not be the best choice for you. Likewise, all cabins are big by cruise standards, and they all include balconies. Viking is a perfect choice for first-time cruisers. Growing in numbers quickly, Viking currently has 78 river vessels, including their 56 signature "longships," which I'll be discussing. 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. Cruise ship balcony cabins are the most popular cabin category. One slight we constantly hear about cruising is that it's superficial; it doesn't get passengers a deeper understanding of a region. I do not believe that Custom Air is available on itineraries that include Bergen--because of the. The first was what it was like cruising during Covid-19. Viking Ocean Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises Including Pros & Cons Updated: Sep 11, 2021 Viking has three divisions consisting of Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking River Cruises, and Viking Expeditions. In fact, it reminded me that I wanted to delete my account and I have now done so and uninstalled the app. The deck plans usually only show areas of concern to the cruise passengers. There's no "wrong" choice for first-timers. Not only are their Viking River Cruises wildly popular, but their Ocean Cruises and their new Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests. And finally, Viking River Cruises offers a variety of shore excursions, from guided tours to unique experiences. A suite on a cruise looks amazing, but is it worth it to spend all that extra money to move up to one? It holds as many as 190 guests. Parts medieval, parts baroque and thoroughly gorgeous, the monastery is famous for its apricot wines and brandy. As if the luxury werent enough, Viking River Cruises also offers an array of onboard dining and entertainment options. There's quite a bit that's consistent between both types of cruises: 1) Viking is "adults only" with a minimum age of 18. (Sorry, Mom!). Your kind words about our onboard staff, are truly a testament to their dedication to your comfort. I imagine it's at least part of how their aggressive shipbuilding is paid for. We arrived at our penthouse veranda suite which was very nice except for the stench of sewage coming from the bathroom shower . 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. Viking Ocean Cruises started in 2015. Natural gas: clean, affordable, reliable energy for all! I look forward to helping you navigate your river or ocean cruise. In the vast majority of cases, people either love them or hate them. But for those who have been on a luxury line, you'll not feel it's quite at the same level. This venue blends the indoors with the outdoors. Other rooms offer more space, or balconies, or other combinations of luxuries and perks. Another example was clients who made reservations for Chef's Table in advance. 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. But this post is going to present the positives and negatives. But this was a bit of luxury that Id love to do again. While both ocean and river have local lecturers and programs, the riverboats are heavier on demonstrations and activities. Coal slag could kill your grass or give it a boost! It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows.". You'll receive your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. Accept all home energy score 1 Manage preferences. Riverboats may have one edge due to the freshness of ingredients being procured throughout the sailing, fresh-from-the-garden herbs, and local infusion on the menus. I was dragging again the next morning, and jet lag and early morning boat noise didnt help. Off the ship Viking Ocean Cruises offered plenty of activities to keep passengers busy, with three or four lecturers on board who delivered several interesting presentations. . The package price is less than half of what most lines charge. For many visitors, the main drawback of a Nile cruise is not the influx of vessels, nor the crowding at the sites (the latter is unavoidable whether you visit them as part of a cruise or not). Our final dinner on the ship was magnificent. They have sailed multiple times on Viking's river cruises and recently returned from their first Viking ocean cruise. Thank you, hirschbjj, for sharing your experience with us. 4) Dress is casual by day and "country club casual" in the evenings. Our marvelous tour guide, Sylvia Seifert, MA, showed us tiles built into the sidewalk that represent victims of the Holocaust. Viking offers excursions that immerse you in the local cultures. 168. We flew on our own with another couple to New Orleans with Southwest Airlines. The first pro of Viking River Cruises is that they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations. Viking now requires it only for a couple of itineraries. Theres also detailed information in the Viking Daily, a printed document that arrives in your room during dinner each night. The lower level includes guest rooms and crew areas. Why isnt coal a mineral? We were not disappointed. We had already been armed with maps, and our guide even had euros on hand for those who needed to use the restroom and forgot to bring money. At night, there are just a handful of venues open and offering entertainment, so you can pick from the small list of options or try them all-out. From wine tasting in France to a gondola ride in Venice, you can really immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of your destination. The longships specifically accommodate 190 guests. Chef's Table (dinner with wine pairings, reservations required), Wintergarden (afternoon tea, finger sandwiches & pastries), The Kitchen Table (unique interactive culinary experience from shopping through preparation and dining). A Viking river ship sailing on the Danube. Drowsy, I explored the boat a bit and wrote for a while, until our port talk previewing the next days activities and then dinner. Email me so we can start off with a complimentary telephone consultation to meet, see if were a good fit, and start planning your next great vacation or group trip! 2022 by Connie George Travel Assoc., LLC. Started June 21, 2021, By There are several 110-volt plugs in the room. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Whoever you use, never be bashful about asking . 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. Luxury werent enough, Viking River Cruises also offers an array of entertainment. To protect your non-refundable expenses ) dinners on the ocean ships are open seating of itineraries pro! 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