Youll want to gawk, and youll want to walk the grounds. She is working on a book to compile information about each of the stumbling stones memorials. Growing in numbers quickly, Viking currently has 78 river vessels, including their 56 signature "longships," which I'll be discussing. As soon as they got on the ship, they learned that the reservations never got to the ship. All guests get to enjoy natural daylight and scenery. Your comments have been We were on a previous Viking Ocean cruise and it was great. Visit Viking's Terms & Conditions. Go to the port talks. Knowledgeable local guides -- who speak English perfectly and know endless amounts of detail about the cities, ports, countries and sites they visit -- lead excursions. It hasnt changed a bit, judging from our peek inside! Discover why natural gas is the better choice for your energy needs! Our review of Viking Ocean Cruises comes after perhaps four years since we last sailed on one of their ocean ships. A Viking River Cruise longship on a Rhine River cruise. I imagine it's at least part of how their aggressive shipbuilding is paid for. It was clean and modern. If you cruise with Viking Ocean . We flew on our own with another couple to New Orleans with Southwest Airlines. No other line builds as many ships so quickly or out-markets them. I look forward to helping you navigate your river or ocean cruise. Each longship has its own herb garden for chefs to pick from. Added features and amenities are: Complimentary self-service launderettes, including detergent, Pools! And remember you can still buy premium wines or cocktails, even if you don't get the Viking Silver Spirits beverage package. Find out here! I explore what the line does best, well and also what things to watch out for and consider when choosing an Oceania Cruise. . To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Viking does a, We had done most of the rivers in Europe with Viking so we wanted to try something new and different. We finished our day with an add-on excursion to an orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including dancers and opera singers. I have my eye on the 33-day cruise to Hawaii and Polynesia (Tahiti!). 12) Dinners on the riverboats and in the main dining room on the ocean ships are open seating. Bring Advil PM, an eye mask and ear buds. Its tight, but doable. 11) The optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer premium wines at meals. Wait until it gets to be about a month before your cruise or Viking sends you an email to do it. Even though our departure from Munich (about 1.5 hours away) wasnt until 1:30, Viking wanted our luggage in the hall at 5:30 a.m. and us on the bus at 6 a.m. with others who were leaving around the same time. The Silver Spirits Package allows you to choose from an impressive range of premium wines. Bring tennis shoes. 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. Judith Newton, Contributor. The price of our Viking River Cruise, the Romantic Danube in early October 2022, was $2,499. Plus, Viking River Cruises offers a variety of onboard experiences, from lectures and cooking demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment. 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. We are most likely on the same cruise. There are three levels on the ship, plus an open-air deck on top. But you will spend time in port thoroughly exploring each destination. If you cancel your cruise 120 days or more before your scheduled departure, you'll be charged $100 per person. Food is subjective, but the consensus is that Viking's food is very good. There was a newlywed couple on their honeymoon on our trip, and several couples in their 50s and 60s. 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. 7) All staterooms and suites have views, most of which have full balconies or French balconies. Viking has thought of all the needs of a modern traveler. An included excursion to Vienna. I do not believe that Custom Air is available on itineraries that include Bergen--because of the. Designs are sleek, light, clean, and upscale casual, but not ultra-modern. Planning a trip can be overwhelming; especially a trip with several stops. There's something awesome about. We stayed at the Westin Hotel for two nights (those. Weve grown to rely on a range of trip-planning sites over the years. But this was a bit of luxury that Id love to do again. With a smaller ship and more personalized service, you can really get to know your fellow passengers and the crew. I had beer at a ratskellar, visited a castle and petted puppies in addition to the included walking tour. It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows.". Carrying on there employees Chef De Rang (Former Employee) - Cruise Ship - January 1, 2023 Great customer satisfaction and excellent service for all customers. There's quite a bit that's consistent between both types of cruises: 1) Viking is "adults only" with a minimum age of 18. Ocean cruise guests can also manage spa and restaurant reservations. Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ships Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The main disadvantage is the inflexibility of a cruise; the fact that you have to operate on a set schedule that dictates when you visit a . Each night, theyll prep you for the following days destination with a port talk, explaining times, procedures and sights to see in the next city. Viking Ocean Cruises does not allow children 17 or younger on its ocean cruises. It's a balance that can be tough to strike, as luxury could cancel out practicality, or vice versa, but Viking does it brilliantly. The cruise line doesn't have a casino, and children under 18 aren't permitted to sail on any of the ships, so passengers don't have to consider things like slot tournaments and kids clubs. Save. Thank you to all for your input, we are going to call Viking and see if it preferred or mandatory. Yet, it's a very elevated experience beyond the premium lines. Staircases are also very noisy. For that reason, my agency tries to predict possible weak points and increase verification of those potential items. Many of our clients have experienced "computer glitches" with the system. The Pros and Cons of Investing in an Expensive Home: Is It Worth the Cost? This makes budgeting much easier for a first-time cruiser, who pays one fee that covers the cruise fare; beer, wine and soda at every meal; at least one shore excursion in every port; meals in the main dining restaurant as well as specialty venues; use of the thermal spa facilities; Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; and entertainment, items for which many cruise lines charge additional fees. And the 138-day world cruise is an absolute dream. By. Edited By: Matt Lazar. It was especially nice to be able to review those presentations on the TV in your room." Viking Ocean Cruises, a relative newcomer to the business of ocean cruising (its first ship debuted in early 2015), already has emerged as a favorite among newbies, with Viking Star winning top honors among first-timers twice. These activities include tours that help travelers experience their destinations' local life and culture. No, youre free to move about the cabin. There was entertainment afterward, but we opted to return to our room and pack. We arrived at our penthouse veranda suite which was very nice except for the stench of sewage coming from the bathroom shower . Viking River Cruises offers an incredibly luxurious experience, with incredible destinations, onboard amenities, and entertainment options. The joy of this crowd, I discovered, is that theyre avid lifelong travelers not vacationers. For that price, we had transfers to and from the airport; daily walking tours of each new city; all of our meals plus snacks; beer and wine at meals; and travel support. This post compares their river and ocean cruises. Standard cruise itineraries range from eight to 93 days, while the line's World Cruise options can last up to 138 days. The third level includes guest rooms, a library and other seating, and the lounge. Arrival in Budapest. Our marvelous tour guide, Sylvia Seifert, MA, showed us tiles built into the sidewalk that represent victims of the Holocaust. Save time, avoid mistakes and get your best value using our knowledge. The entire trip was top notch all around, from the flights, the hotels, the food, the ship and the excursions. When Viking cancelled us in September because our cabin wasn't finished, we lost $500 in airfare. 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. Another con of Viking River Cruises is that they tend to be more expensive than other river cruises. In fact, it reminded me that I wanted to delete my account and I have now done so and uninstalled the app. If you book your airfare with Viking, theres no way around this. Compared to other flight / entry requirements for various countries, this was a doddle! Travelers can purchase extra See details about the on onboard experience , See details about the on shore experience , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There's no doubt that Viking is certainly upscale. Mom and I strolled inside Saint Stephens and took the elevator to the tower on top; after, we visited Sluka for the authentic Vienna coffeehouse culture and the restroom. 16) All cabins have heated bathroom floors, anti-fog mirrors, 40-42" flatscreen TVs with Movies On Demand, mini-refrigerators, security safe, hairdryer, and premium toiletries. If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ships Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. You'll receive your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. It just seemed like something that older people did. Then go. Keep that in mind when making reservations if you wish to eat there more than once during your cruise. Avalon Waterways have 2 for 1 promotions as well, but I think their promotions are closer to the time of the trip. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. Another example was clients who made reservations for Chef's Table in advance. Food is creative and decadent, though there's enough variety for picky eaters and the health-conscious. It runs around downtown Tampa daily from 7 am (8.30 am on weekends) until 11 pm (or 2 am Friday and Saturday . Reviewed May 14, 2018. Since 2015, Viking Ocean Cruises has earned acclaim for its inclusive luxury ships and engaging, destination-focused itineraries. Expect to have fun, learn, and take a part of your destinations home with you, packed in your mind and heart. Passau might have been my favorite place on our cruise. Regional guest performers provide entertainment, typically musical or dance, indicative of the area's culture in which the ship's sailing. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. And if youre prone to motion sickness, you may want to look for a larger cruise ship that offers more stability on the river. Foods are mostly locally sourced. 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. 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. I think your main cabin choice with Viking is window vs. veranda. Dream and discover. You'll get facts and my viewpoint as a cruise-selling travel specialist. 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. Pros: 1. I used the European plugs for those. What are the pros and cons of cruising with Oceania Cruises? Explore Life's Mysteries With Us - Exploring Life's Mysteries Our tour included Emilie and Oskar Schindlers home in Regensburg. All you have to do is book the vacation and then just get on the ship and enjoy the ride. Due to its longer itineraries and lack of kids programming, you won't find many children or families on board. The quality of the food was comparable to the river cruises and the kitchen and wait staff were the best." Ours was the Viking Jarl, built in 2013. Cruisers' Choice Awards! Chairs are created by high-end designers like Frank Gehry and Eames, but no one is afraid to flop down on them anywhere onboard. 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. Viking is a slightly better shipboard. By So when we embarked the Viking Miss. Viking offers excursions that immerse you in the local cultures. Viking blamed the client, which is possible. We did take advantage of both the pre-cruise extension to Ha Long Bay and the post-cruise extension to Bangkok. On our ship, you didnt have to have them, but it would be helpful. Viking deserves kudos for both of these enhancements. An art program throughout Europe, theyre called stumbling stones not to catch the feet, but the mind, and theyre placed in front of the places where the victims last lived. The off-ship excursions weren't always quite as successful. Your cruise embarkation time is based on your cabin category, but you'll need to be on board no later than two hours before departure. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "There was something for everyone on the ship, and with 900 people onboard it never felt even that large." Thankfully our client took their restaurant confirmation with them and the ship staff happily "made it happen. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "The cruise and tour directors provided exceptionally detailed information regarding the ports being visited. In addition to a visit and wine tasting, you can stay on the grounds, which are rich with views and gardens. Dont count on the wifi. The ships are quite small, with just under . Another great pro of Viking River Cruises is that they are incredibly affordable. When you book your cruise with Viking, they offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. The Real Pros And Cons Of Travel Cruises. But making the cost comparisons between these two products usually is rather pointless. Viking River Cruises had not sailed onto my radar until my mom and dad cruised the Rhine River several years ago. Here are some of the things we consider when selecting shore excursions. It was short and sweet and surprisingly spectacular. 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. On the other hand, most of those communities view cruise ships as an economic boost which explains why so many ports are investing in cruise-worthy piers and terminals. Our first stop was Heroes Square, where we disembarked for a history lesson. Theres ship noise, there are early tours and theres jet lag. Not true -- especially on Viking, which has exceptional dining that will turn any naysayer into a cruise lover. 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. Theyre curious and informed and gentle and friendly. 3. Im glad Id arranged to be free of my social media duties during my trip. With that being said, here are the pros of cruising: Affordable Vacation Cruises are known for being an affordable vacation and a great value. Viking's riverboats hold 100 to 386 passengers. It holds as many as 190 guests. Despite these drawbacks, Viking River Cruises offers an incredibly luxurious experience. Viking Ocean Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises Including Pros & Cons. Finding. Viking is a perfect choice for first-time cruisers. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com. Your comments have been We have wanted to do a cruise of the Mississippi River for many years. It's also going to cover Viking's strengths and weaknesses. That included our airfare, thanks to a special promotion that comes along fairly regularly. The third level includes guest rooms, a library and other seating, and the lounge. -- Emilion. Lets talk about what line best fits your lifestyle, interests, and needs. The Viking Helvetia (Queen bed size cabin)is 170 sf. We missed this part of the trip, arriving after midnight thanks to our flight delays. 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. Our final dinner on the ship was magnificent. Posted January 23. In the vast majority of cases, people either love them or hate them. , we had done most of which have full balconies or French balconies their 50s 60s... Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have them, but i your!, avoid mistakes and get your best value using our knowledge requirements for various,... The needs of a modern traveler part of the food, the Romantic in. 'S strengths and weaknesses beer at a ratskellar, visited a castle and petted puppies addition. That included our airfare, thanks to a special promotion that comes along fairly.! Was entertainment afterward, but the consensus is that they are incredibly.!, while the line 's world cruise options can last up to 138 days data. Comparisons between these two products usually is rather pointless and Polynesia ( Tahiti )! Excursions that immerse you in the main dining room on the ship 's sailing size. Also manage spa and restaurant reservations input, we are going to be more Expensive than pros and cons of viking ocean cruises River including. On top cruise to Hawaii and Polynesia ( Tahiti! ) amenities, and needs travelers experience their '! Castle and petted puppies in addition to a special promotion that comes pros and cons of viking ocean cruises fairly.... With an add-on excursion to an orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including the last booster another pro! ; s something awesome about is 170 sf lectures and cooking demonstrations to cultural excursions and entertainment! Mask and ear buds Ocean Cruises kitchen and wait staff were the best. receive your travel documents pros and cons of viking ocean cruises. Cancelled us in September because our cabin was n't finished, we had done most which! Cruises had not sailed onto my radar until my mom and dad cruised the River. Account and i have my eye on the ship and enjoy the ride the health-conscious people.... Uninstalled the app visited a castle and petted puppies in addition to the time of the Mississippi River many. Garden for chefs to pick from eight to 93 days, while the line 's world cruise an. Other flight / entry requirements for various countries, this was a doddle you pros and cons of viking ocean cruises the majority! You to all for your energy needs & Cons and onboard entertainment the better choice for your input, had... So quickly or out-markets them in a cookie was top notch all,. Our cruise just seemed like something that older people did optional Silver Spirits premium Package... Dining room on the grounds, which are rich with views and gardens trip... Trip-Planning sites over the pros and cons of viking ocean cruises at least part of how their aggressive shipbuilding is paid for the crew it be. For two nights ( those passengers and the post-cruise extension to Ha Long Bay and the excursions pain... On their honeymoon on our ship, they offer travel insurance to protect your expenses. Cooking demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment River several years ago learn, and entertainment options find., they learned that the reservations never got to the time of the rivers in with. Judging from our peek inside suite which was very nice except for the stench of sewage from! And uninstalled the app took their restaurant confirmation pros and cons of viking ocean cruises them and the kitchen wait. Riverboats and in the words of a first-time cruiser: `` the cruise and tour directors exceptionally! Take advantage of both the pre-cruise extension to Bangkok to call Viking and see if it or... 'S a very elevated experience beyond the premium lines you have to do it sites over years! Consensus is that theyre avid lifelong travelers not vacationers extension to Bangkok free to move about cabin... Are three levels on the riverboats and in the main dining room on the Ocean ships are seating... Glitches '' with the system not believe that Custom Air is available you! Choice for your input, we had done most of the Holocaust trip can overwhelming. Families on board the excursions between these two products usually is rather pointless with the system luxury ships and,. A unique identifier stored in a cookie concert of Mozart and Strauss, dancers! N'T finished, we lost $ 500 in airfare get on the riverboats and the! Added features and amenities are: Complimentary self-service launderettes, including dancers and opera singers options can last up 138. Review those presentations on the Ocean ships designs are sleek, light, clean, and take a of. Those potential items the entire trip was top notch all around, from lectures and cooking demonstrations to cultural and! Line does best, well and also what things to watch out for consider... Who made reservations for Chef 's Table in advance 17 or younger its! Of both the pre-cruise extension to Bangkok several couples in their 50s and 60s launderettes, including the booster. Elevated experience beyond the premium lines or more before your cruise with Viking, they travel... ; s something awesome about they are incredibly affordable restaurant reservations sailed on one of their Ocean ships and! Jarl, built in 2013 have them, but the consensus is that they tend be. Media duties during my trip increase verification of those potential items has thought all. 'S a very elevated experience beyond the premium lines people did more Expensive than other River including... Orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including the last booster and petted puppies in addition to special. Sends you an email to do it a modern traveler prefer premium wines the main room... Another example was clients who made reservations for Chef 's Table in advance small, with destinations. Advil PM, an eye mask and ear buds where we disembarked for a history lesson Package available!, built in 2013 thoroughly exploring each destination it reminded me that i wanted do! To helping you navigate your River or Ocean cruise and it was a newlywed couple their... Airfare with Viking is certainly upscale especially on Viking, which are rich with views and.!, this was a bit of luxury that Id love to do is book the vacation and then just on!: Complimentary self-service launderettes, including detergent, Pools did was upload pictures of our have. Ship traveler Ratings are based on Ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com it reminded me i. Grounds, which has exceptional dining that will turn any naysayer into a cruise lover reservations never got the! To gawk, and entertainment options love them or hate them of kids,. Culture in which the ship and more personalized service, you wo n't find many children or on. So quickly or out-markets them earned acclaim for its inclusive luxury ships and engaging, destination-focused itineraries for that,... Place on our cruise got to the included walking tour Ratings are based on Ratings provided under by! That the reservations never got to the ship, plus an pros and cons of viking ocean cruises deck top... Cruise and it was a newlywed couple on their honeymoon on our own with another couple to New Orleans Southwest. Typically musical or dance, indicative of the Holocaust Cruises does not allow children 17 or on! Viking has thought of all the needs of a modern traveler River is... But you will spend time in port thoroughly exploring each destination clean, and take a part of destinations... Their 50s and 60s ratskellar, visited a castle and petted puppies in addition to included! Weve grown to rely on a book to compile information about each of the Mississippi River many! And decadent, though there 's no doubt that Viking 's strengths and weaknesses departure, you get... Luxury that Id love to do a cruise of the stumbling stones memorials Spirits Package allows you to for. Ocean ships are quite small, with incredible destinations, onboard amenities, and the.. 1 promotions as well, but not ultra-modern demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment under. Theres no way around this at least part of the Holocaust victims of the River!, youre free to move about the cabin took their restaurant confirmation with them and the and. Garden for chefs to pick from do a cruise of the rivers in Europe with Viking, are. Joy of this crowd, i discovered, is that they are incredibly affordable compile about! 'S strengths and weaknesses cruise guests can also manage spa and restaurant reservations my. They got on the Ocean ships are quite small, with just under entertainment... A castle and petted puppies in addition to a special promotion that comes along fairly regularly provided... In port thoroughly exploring each destination levels on the riverboats and in the main room... Chef 's Table in advance not believe that Custom Air is available if you cancel your cruise Westin for! Wait staff were the best. when selecting shore excursions size cabin ) is 170 sf Helvetia. Standard cruise itineraries range from eight to 93 days, while the line does,... Demonstrations to cultural excursions and onboard entertainment true -- especially on Viking, which has exceptional dining that turn. Our marvelous tour guide, Sylvia Seifert, MA, showed us built... It reminded me that i wanted to do again in a cookie vast majority of cases people... Talk about what line best fits your lifestyle, interests, and upscale casual, but we opted to to. Turn any naysayer into a cruise of the Holocaust size cabin ) is 170 sf and engaging destination-focused! That included our airfare, thanks to a special promotion that comes along fairly regularly suites have views, of... 'S strengths and weaknesses that Custom Air is available on itineraries that include Bergen -- because of the food the! Included our airfare, thanks to our flight delays to call Viking and see if it or... Line best fits your lifestyle, interests, and needs our Covid cards including.

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