At 8 a.m. we boarded motorcoaches in four groups with four tour guides to the heart of the city. To learn more about cruising aboard Viking Oceans' Viking Sea, contact The Cruise Web today at 1-800-377-9383. The entire trip was top notch all around, from the flights, the hotels, the food, the ship and the excursions. . The line's ocean ships can be found in nearly every ocean and sea around the world, from North America to Europe and Asia. 19) One complimentary excursion per port is offered along with optional ($) excursions. Go to the port talks. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, 5 Reasons Why Viking Ocean Cruises Is Great for First-Timers, 6 Cruise Memes Guaranteed To Make You Smile, Our 13 Favorite Cruise Ship Godmothers -- And Two We Could Do Without, 7 Reasons to Drop Everything and Cruise This Winter, The Best Cruise Ship Specialty Restaurants. Im glad Id arranged to be free of my social media duties during my trip. Cruising can trample towns with sightseers who leave almost no money (since they eat, sleep, and buy their tours on board). It was especially nice to be able to review those presentations on the TV in your room." Our review of Viking Ocean Cruises comes after perhaps four years since we last sailed on one of their ocean ships. To inquire about accessibility, you can call 1-877-668-4546. Even the buffet, which offers fresh sushi and seafood every night, is special. Viking River Cruises also offers a variety of onboard experiences to suit any traveler. You'll also find the ocean ships to be similar to each other. Ocean-going cruise prices usually are compared on the basis of daily costs. I need to start playing the lottery. So when we embarked the Viking Miss. The smaller size of Viking's ships allows them to access more exclusive ports throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Pros and Cons of Buying an Expensive House, Will Carbon Monoxide Detector Detect Natural Gas, Why Was The European Coal And Steel Community Created, Why Was Coal Important To The Industrial Revolution, Why Is Wind A Different Type Of Resource Than Coal. VeriFly was very straightforward- we have digital Covid passes in the U.K. and uploaded an existing photo from files for each of us. I believe it's a crossbreed and would put it at "ultra-premium.". Any other information/thoughts would be great. Generally, the room measures 168 square feet to 232 square feet and can be bigger from 261 to 500 . Viking now requires it only for a couple of itineraries. 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. Growing in numbers quickly, Viking currently has 78 river vessels, including their 56 signature "longships," which I'll be discussing. Probably one of the biggest pros of European river cruising is the enormous amount of choice. There are three levels on the ship, plus an open-air deck on top. Plus, with a smaller ship, you can get closer to your destination. -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. Prescott, AZ. 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. What are the pros and cons of cruising with Oceania Cruises? Coal slag could kill your grass or give it a boost! But this post is going to present the positives and negatives. Passau might have been my favorite place on our cruise. But is a Viking River Cruise the right choice for you? 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. Why is natural gas soaring? Find out here! One of the biggest is that the ships can be quite small, with fewer amenities than larger cruise ships. we were expecting the same experience 11) The optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer premium wines at meals. We are in our late 60's, but are adventuresome and in good physical condition. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. We docked in Krems sometime during the night. The Avalon Felicity (Queen bed size cabin) is 182 . Our tour included Emilie and Oskar Schindlers home in Regensburg. Our how-tos can help you save time, spend less, travel more safely and travel more often. It's still possible to find bargains that come in under $150/day per person, although they are becoming scarce. While there are roughly 35 monks still living and working there and in the surrounding community, one of the primary sources of revenue for upkeep, aside from leasing the surrounding lands, is tourism. What You'll Experience Only on Viking's River Boats: There is an herb garden on every Viking River Boat's longship in Europe. For that reason, my agency tries to predict possible weak points and increase verification of those potential items. Our trip was six full days of tours and travel, plus the day before and the day after to and from the airport. We found the entertainment slightly better on Viking because they have many interesting lectures-O has some but they are not as good most of the time. 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. The first pro of Viking River Cruises is that they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations. Visit the CDC website for up-to-date COVID-19 cruise guidance. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, https://docs.vikingcruises.com/pdf/14-PreCruiseRequirement-All-US_CAN_UK_AU_NZ.pdf, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. Our Egyptologist Fouad was so knowledgeable, personable, and funny. When you fill out your profile on My Viking Journey before your trip, you can ask for the two twins to be split apart. They will begin sailing the Mississippi River in August 2022. If you book your airfare with Viking, theres no way around this. The region you are sailing in is your destination, and the floating hotel that hosts you between the ports does it with style. Compared to other flight / entry requirements for various countries, this was a doddle! Our business hours and toll-free phone numbers from the following countries are listed below: Australia - Sydney Freecall: 1800 667 084 Monday through Thursday, 1 AM to 4 PM Friday through Sunday, 12 AM to 10 AM United Kingdom - BST Freecall: 0808 101 2793 In the words of a first-time cruiser: "This was my first cruise, and Viking exceeded my expectations on many levels. You are going to be in a port every day (river) or with few "at sea" days (ocean). Avalon Waterways have 2 for 1 promotions as well, but I think their promotions are closer to the time of the trip. You're spoiled for choice, which can be both exciting and overwhelming. Since 2015, Viking Ocean Cruises has earned acclaim for its inclusive luxury ships and engaging, destination-focused itineraries. Cruisers' Choice Awards! Each year, Cruise Critic puts together its .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Cruisers' Choice Awards, based solely on ratings given by our members in published reviews. No. The Viking Helvetia (Queen bed size cabin)is 170 sf. It was a cold, gray, impactful morning. 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. The walking tours that morning included a Jewish history option. #6. There's an itinerary for everyone. And remember you can still buy premium wines or cocktails, even if you don't get the Viking Silver Spirits beverage package. Due to its longer itineraries and lack of kids programming, you won't find many children or families on board. Your comments have been We were on a previous Viking Ocean cruise and it was great. Watch for quotes from Joe in blue later in the article. A bit of perspective: I've never been on a cruise of any kind. It was short and sweet and surprisingly spectacular. The joy of this crowd, I discovered, is that theyre avid lifelong travelers not vacationers. 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. Precruise at the Westin New Orleans was very nice and Viking reps were present and helpful. Viking updates this document frequently. (Oh my, I promised my viewpoint, didn't I.). Expect to have fun, learn, and take a part of your destinations home with you, packed in your mind and heart. All of Viking's ocean ships are nearly identical, so if you're interested in sailing with the line, you'll have virtually the same experience no matter which of the 930-passenger vessels you choose. Its alternative venue, Manfredi's, is as good as (or better than) any Italian restaurant you'll find on land, and its Chef's Table, with rotating five-course menus, feels like a fine-dining experience. Your kind words about our onboard staff, are truly a testament to their dedication to your comfort. Likewise, daytime activities are fairly limited, so passengers don't have to pick between an onboard activity and time in port. Ocean cruise guests can also manage spa and restaurant reservations. 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. The middle level includes guest rooms, guest services and the restaurant, plus a dining terrace. The second highlighted their experience in magical Iceland. Online or iPad Mail First Name Last Name Email Address Phone Number (Optional) United States Country Address 1 Address 2 (Optional) City It holds as many as 190 guests. For example, the cruise line visits the Mediterranean in the early spring and late into the fall, times when most cruise lines redeploy to warmer climates. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. 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. Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ships Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our included excursion took us to the Ringstrasse, the broad boulevard through the city center where we disembarked and walked with our guide through the historic area of Vienna, soaking up his stories of history, buildings and people along the way. Cabins with lower and more central position are more stable. Edited By: Matt Lazar. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. But if you have multiple devices, theyll be used up in a heartbeat. Lets explore the pros and cons of Viking River Cruises to help you make an informed decision about your next voyage. We finally decided on the Magnificent Mekong Tour since it covered 3 countries: Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. 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. Pro - Most cruise ships doing short cruises are mid-sized ships, which offer a nice mix of venues, activities, and public spaces. That. 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. 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. Our guide left us in front of Saint Stephens Cathedral, reiterating directions for the metro and the nearest toilettes for those who wanted to stay in the city for the afternoon rather than take the coach back to the boat. First of all boarding was no trouble and very straight forward. (Sorry, Mom!). The first was what it was like. It can be a great [], Table of Contents Introduction The Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat: What You Need to Know The Financial Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat The Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat vs. a Used Boat The Pros and Cons of Buying a New Boat for Fishing The Pros and []. 8) Both ocean and river ships have Scandinavian design features. If you pay by electronic check instead of credit card, they will give you a 3.3% discount on your cruise. From gourmet meals to casual snacks, youll never go hungry. Our program director narrated the sights and identified the small towns along the way while we basked in the warm October sun and sipped Viennese coffee. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. An included excursion to Vienna. Joining and end of contract payed travel expenses. No need to gas up natural gas is bad for the environment! June 5, 2010. 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.