When you're thinking about your first cruise, so many factors figure into picking the right cruise line and the right ship. Not only are their Viking River Cruises wildly popular, but their Ocean Cruises and their new Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests. 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. A bit of perspective: I've never been on a cruise of any kind. We missed this part of the trip, arriving after midnight thanks to our flight delays. Viking does a, We had done most of the rivers in Europe with Viking so we wanted to try something new and different. They didnt need to sell me at all; the experience itself was enough to convince me that I should take another trip whenever I have the time and money again. Here are five reasons why: 1. Why is natural gas soaring? 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. Bring Advil PM, an eye mask and ear buds. As Viking newcomers, we knew of Viking's reputation, but experiencing the level of service and excellence, Overall we were very happy with the cruise. Find out here! With smaller ships and a limited number of cabins, theres a chance you may end up sharing a room with a stranger. After a short visit, we again boarded the buses to meet up with the boat, which had already set sail for Visegrad shortly after we left. It holds as many as 190 guests. Save time, avoid mistakes and get your best value using our knowledge. Plus, with a smaller ship, you can get closer to your destination. Unpack One Time Taking a cruise is like a road trip, but you don't have to keep packing and unpacking along the way. 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. There was entertainment afterward, but we opted to return to our room and pack. The lower level includes guest rooms and crew areas. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "This was my first cruise, and Viking exceeded my expectations on many levels. Conclusion Introduction Buying an expensive house is a major decision that requires careful consideration. You are going to be in a port every day (river) or with few "at sea" days (ocean). A bit of perspective: Ive never been on a cruise of any kind. The walking tours that morning included a Jewish history option. However, it would be hard to accidentally have done this, and he's pretty computer savvy. -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. Food is subjective, but the consensus is that Viking's food is very good. - Lynette Travelling the world by cruise ship is SO much easier than travelling by any other means of transport. Your comments have been documented Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Generally, the room measures 168 square feet to 232 square feet and can be bigger from 261 to 500 . I look forward to helping you navigate your river or ocean cruise. From lectures and cooking demonstrations to onboard entertainment and cultural excursions, theres something for everyone. They are listed on the pre-departure pdf, which can be linked to on My Viking Journey. 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. Keep in mind, some excursions, dining options, onboard amenities and activities may be unavailable during the pandemic. Reviewed May 14, 2018. I think your main cabin choice with Viking is window vs. veranda. First of all boarding was no trouble and very straight forward. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By When Viking cancelled us in September because our cabin wasn't finished, we lost $500 in airfare. While both ocean and river have local lecturers and programs, the riverboats are heavier on demonstrations and activities. The ships have a theater, and they travel with their own entertainment staff and guest entertainers. Drowsy, I explored the boat a bit and wrote for a while, until our port talk previewing the next days activities and then dinner. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ships Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 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. You will pay extra for spirits or between-meal drinks, but Viking offers an excellent beverage package -- called Silver Spirits -- for $19.95 per person per day, which covers drinks up to $15 each. Ready to get out of your comfort zone?Try one of these unique accommodations. Children arent permitted on Viking River Cruises. The Silver Spirits Package allows you to choose from an impressive range of premium wines. I have recently returned from an Alaska cruise on a similar-or-maybe-a-bit-better line. I should have had less booze. From river to ocean, small-ship to mega-vessels, this is our comprehensive list of cruise line restart dates By Cruise Adviser Last updated Dec 16, 2021 *this article is no longer being updated Details of cruise restart dates are below, along with each line's current regulations regarding vaccination, Covid-19 testing and the wearing of face masks. For some, the luxury and onboard amenities may be worth the extra cost. Plus, Viking River Cruises offers a variety of onboard experiences, from lectures and cooking demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment. Wait until it gets to be about a month before your cruise or Viking sends you an email to do it. A Viking river ship sailing on the Danube. Viking Ocean Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises Including Pros & Cons. By It was incredibly foggy when we arrived in Passau. In the vast majority of cases, people either love them or hate them. The flight was on time, the plane had great leg space, and service was superb. For more information on when you can book, visit Viking'swebsite. Viking now requires it only for a couple of itineraries. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. From wine tasting in France to a gondola ride in Venice, you can really immerse yourself in the culture and beauty of your destination. It was a pain but about all I did was upload pictures of our Covid cards, including the last booster. The Viking Cruise Travel Protection Plan includes Cancellation, Interruption, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation, Baggage Insurance , Travel Delay and several other benefits. It was reported and after about 3 days the stink had subsided. Our final dinner on the ship was magnificent. You'll also find the ocean ships to be similar to each other. I came home in desperate need of a solid eight hours (plus a facial scrub and a food-and-alcohol detox). It's also going to cover Viking's strengths and weaknesses. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. You will find the river longships nearly identical to each other and the non-longships boats to be relatively similar to the longships in many ways. Viking Longships hold 190 passengers, while Uniworld averages just 130 guests. Travelers who are destination-focused tend to appreciate the consistency in the vessels. An included excursion to Vienna. Viking deserves kudos for both of these enhancements. If youre looking for an unforgettable voyage, Viking River Cruises is a great option. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 11) The optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer premium wines at meals. This post compares their river and ocean cruises. 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. VIKING CRUISES. Viking Ocean Cruises has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings. In some cases it may be the housekeeping supply room. 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. Sr. To learn more about cruising aboard Viking Oceans' Viking Sea, contact The Cruise Web today at 1-800-377-9383. CC Help Jenn 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. Viking sent us an email last week that indicated we needed to complete Verifly for our upcoming cruise in Feb - I believe it was because we are traveling to Brazil. 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. (I know Im 50. 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. The first pro of Viking River Cruises is that they offer an incredibly wide range of destinations. We offer travel planning consultation services for those planning their first trip or their first solo trip. Viking is often referred to as "luxury," a word possibly overused in the travel industry. You'll receive your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. 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. We have enjoyed all our prior cruises with Viking , from the professional and friendly services .., food, and itineraries specially the European ones. If it's your first time booking a cruise, it's a good idea to work with a travel agent. On our ship, you didnt have to have them, but it would be helpful. Another familiar knock against cruising from those who haven't done it is that the food is of the rubber chicken variety. Theyre curious and informed and gentle and friendly. We appreciate you sharing your experience, Rtraveller, such feedback allows us to better understand how to deliver the five-star experience for which we strive. Their eight 930-passenger ocean ships are identical, with minor changes to some public areas on the newer ships. We returned to the boat for lunch, then sailed the Wachau Valley, a picturesque and rustic section of the Danube famous for its wines. The ship was split into 3 groups and each had, We choose this cruise for the holidays with my elderly mother, she no longer wants to fly internationally, and wanted to try Viking, this fit the bill. It's a balance that can be tough to strike, as luxury could cancel out practicality, or vice versa, but Viking does it brilliantly. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. All staterooms and suites include a veranda and range from 270 square feet to over 757 square feet in total size. Viking River Cruises also offers a variety . No need to gas up natural gas is bad for the environment! PROS AND CONS OF COMPLETING VERIFLY WITH. 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 You got this! It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows.". Added features and amenities are: Complimentary self-service launderettes, including detergent, Pools! We are most likely on the same cruise. Another excellent benefit of cruises out of Tampa is the free TECO Streetcar System. No. There also was a presentation featuring discounts on future Viking River Cruises. Even the buffet, which offers fresh sushi and seafood every night, is special. We were not disappointed. For a fully rounded perspective, I'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe. It can be hard to choose when the options all sound so tempting. Viking sent us an email last week that indicated we needed to complete Verifly for our upcoming cruise in Feb - I believe it was because we are traveling to Brazil. Viking has three divisions consisting of Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking River Cruises, and Viking Expeditions. We finished our day with an add-on excursion to an orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including dancers and opera singers. The date of your final payment is dependent on your itinerary and will be noted on your invoice. Pros and Cons of a French Balcony. Most of my travel is roughing it: whether literally, out in the woods; or organizing busy budget trips for my family; or traveling solo, in which I'm solely responsible for my safety, transportation, accommodations, food, water and activities.. I've never been on a trip where people took . 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. In fact, there were departures scheduled as early as 2:30 a.m. At 8 a.m. we boarded motorcoaches in four groups with four tour guides to the heart of the city. Our booking number was 4310667. 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. 8 ) Both ocean and River have local lecturers and programs, the luxury and amenities... Averages just 130 guests cover Viking 's strengths and weaknesses Cruises is a option! X27 ; Viking sea, contact the cruise Web today at 1-800-377-9383 detergent,!... From 261 to 500 is window vs. veranda we offer travel planning consultation services those! Of itineraries more about cruising aboard Viking Oceans & # x27 ; sea... On pros and cons of viking ocean cruises you 're thinking about your first cruise, so many factors figure into picking the right ship straight! 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