All the best. I also rarely take precious jewelry on any cruise. During lunch and dinner, guests are served complimentary soft drinks, beer, or wine. And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. Hope this info helps you a bit! Next time I will ask for the extra pillow to be removed. I thought formal/dressy was the norm on all cruise ships! This is one way the crew can account for all guests. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? My husband and I had planned to go on the Salzburg excursion, but when we learned we would be spending so much time on the bus to travel there and back (for a total of 9.5 hours), we decided to spend our time in Passau instead. It will be helpful to others. In the theatre it can be arctic. Youll find beach towels near the pool areas and also in bins by the security exit before disembarking. The sun deck is a relaxing space with tables and chairs as well as chaise lounges. Mifaso 7-in-1 Desktop Power Strip. Cheers! Once onboard, it can be difficult to easily stow an overpacked bag under your bed. Hi Pat, Im so glad you found my article helpful! Thanks for sharing your experience, Cindy! Have a wonderful cruise next year! Thanks for the tips! In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. We could not have chosen any better than the Skirnir and Viking. There are also bright red full-size Viking umbrellas to take along on excursions if its raining. Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. A few guests scheduled independent sightseeing tours, and it seemed to work out well for them. Thanks for the great details! Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. Electrical Appliances: All staterooms are equipped with standard 110 AC and 220 AC outlets. 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. They will text you with any security issues you should be aware of while youre away. Were planning a Viking river cruise May 2022. About the stateroom, that really comes down to personal preference. Having said that, I know that Salzburg is lovely and many people enjoy that excursion. But having to pack additional converters or keeping your fingers crossed . I laughed out loud at the comments from Shelly and Mary. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. By the desk, there are three plug sockets: one European socket and two U.S. 120V sockets. Well do the Grand European from B to A in October this year. 110/220 V power outlets; complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet; . As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer), What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. Try to think through where youll be, and what youll be doing, and make lists as reminders to guide your packing. The river cruises have open seating, so that means you arent assigned any table mates. Good to know. The link to this item can be found HERE. Poweradd 3-Outlet Power Strip 5-foot Heavy Duty Extension Cord with 3 USB Charging Ports. Irene. Passengers could disembark and be bussed on an excursion and then afterwards, be bussed to a different location on the river where the water levels are higher. We kept our itinerary full, which might have been an error trust me, you want to take a breather every few days! Straightening or curling irons are another story. Great service sounds like Viking! Thats where you might find biking or hiking options, or as you mentioned, the Top of Cologne optional tour. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! For a complete list of action steps. Since it will be November, and Im also afraid of open heights weve opted for the French balcony room. Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. CC Help Jenn universal travel adapter. So glad that you had a great cruise! They are also provided by the cruise line and replenished as needed. (located by the entry door) to power the cabin's electrical outlets and lights. I would suggest that you call Viking. Royal Princess plug sockets. We didnt regret our decision. Owned and operated by Viking, Viking Osiris is a brand new vessel, the most upscale ship in Egypt, and the sister ship to Viking Aton. Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. Posted February 21, 2009. 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. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! Viking Cruises offers excursions on the sea and river. Thank you. Thank you for your informative article! Just make sure you notify your bank before traveling, so they dont flag your ATM transaction in another country as suspicious! Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. How exciting! We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. Another option, if the river levels are too low overall, would be for passengers to be bussed from destination to destination, staying in hotels, throughout the cruise. I love this charger. with a German Schuko 2-pin plug that matches the 2-prong outlet in the bathroom. Youll be glad you did! Powered by Invision Community. Instead, the dress code is elegant casual, which can mean anything from a sundress in the Caribbeanto slacks and a blouse for women cruising in colder climates. All guests are 18 years old or more. However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. Bedside outlets on Viking Star (Credit: Jerome Levine). After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then. Doing the Grand European Trip for our 50th in May of 2023. Thanks for the reminders. Using ATMs machines? For example, sometimes two sister ships sail on the same one-way voyage starting at the same time just at opposite ends of the itinerary. Im hoping that other women will be wearing slacks with a nice blouse for our Viking Ocean cruise to the Caribbean. Glad you enjoyed the post~ Thanks for your tip! There was one set of outlets on either side of the bed and another set at the desk near the TV. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By I learned that I probably should have packed a small collapsable umbrella to stuff in my backpack; that way, I wont be carrying the big Viking umbrella around after the rain has stopped while were still sightseeing. I dont want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. Take a USB charging hub if you have multiple devices that require USB charging points. The number indicates which ship youre on. What common spaces are there on the Viking Mississippi? The room stewards are wonderful and treat you like royalty! One thing we learned is that although some excursions will guide you through a large city, if it is inland a bit, you may be spending a significant amount of time traveling from the ship to the city and comparatively modest amounts of time actually in the city itself. About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Vikings river cruise ships thats open 24/7 in the main common space. Are there any solo travellers on their cruises. How exciting! Viking 1-866-984-5464. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! (Depending on the category of your stateroom, the laundry service may be complimentary.) I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. As we arrived at the ship, we were warmly greeted, and we went to our rooms (which were intentionally left unlocked). Were planning on a dinner in a town, tour of some beer gardens and lunch in Heidelberg, and just walking around. You may have only 1 or 2 outlets. (Remember that if you're staying in a hotel for part of. 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. and special treats made nice surprises. LinkedIn. We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. Is there a restaurant seating option for introverts? It sounds like you are all set. We are going on the Grand European tour in October 2022. Once youre on the ship, youll learn the times that the ship will be docked in a city, so you can plan your day. Cruising is a social experience as you chat with fellow passengers on excursions, at the social hour before dinner in the Lounge, and at meals. Ive left it out on the counter and the stewards never said anything either. Viking, as do most cruise line ban the bringing onboard of extension cords and surge protectors. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link Staterooms also include shampoo and conditioner. Are there computers, or should I bring my laptop? We depart in 9 days on the Grand European tour, and this is the best account I have seen weve done a dozen ocean cruises on several lines, but never a river cruise. This. Lots of controversy on curling irons & flatirons. Only a few bucks anyway. For example, this was the information for the Viking Star, which shows mini-bars in every category of stateroom: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-star.html It makes me happy when I can help others get more comfortable with and enjoy their travels. Aurum Cables 10-Feet 3 Outlet Extension Cord - two pack. a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. I may just opt for a European surge protector 10 Amps with usb ports like this and this comes in just under 15 oz, but still not as compact as the Belkin: My strategy ended up just using an adapter for the iPad http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SY5O5K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and the power strip http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MEBNG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for everything else. And Cary Cruiser, all of our itinerary information, airline boarding passes, music, museum audio apps, RS walking tours, language translators, maps, $$ converters, public transportation apps & reading material are downloaded onto our devices. Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. Plus, Viking offers several excursions each day that the ship is in port. in your closet upon arrival; if you need more, just ask, and they will be delivered promptly. means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. The Viking Bar on Deck 1 has sweets and savories available through midnight. We are scheduled to take the Viking Danube cruise in early June 2022. It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. I hope you have a wonderful time! queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. Even with that information, as you mentioned,dockings could be delayed to traffic on the river or there could be delays going through locks. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of, Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. Often, a crew member will place towels on your bed the night before if youve booked an excursion that might call for beach towels. Some guests preferred to stay in the Lounge and simply relax, read a book, or enjoy the view beyond the big plate glass window or take in the views from the sun deck. There are also daily announcements with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. Sometimes optional excursions sell out, although there are usually some available once youre on the ship. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Weve got to get you back into cruising, Janice! We celebrated a big anniversary on our cruise and were delighted with champagne and a special dessert awaiting us in our room after dinner one night. View on Amazon. complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. Theres a section of the Aquavit Terrace at the very front of the ship thats open to the weather, but theres also an area (just behind it) that can be enclosed with sliding glass doors, so the area can be enjoyed when the weather isnt cooperating. However, the information in this article is from our Grand European Tour cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest aboard the Skirnir and Modi (more on the two ships later). Many power strips have an integral surge protector. We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. I borrowed some books from the ships library and left them on a table in our room. As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! The tips cover all onboard staff. The hybrid power vessel mixes intrepid exploration with outstanding luxury from bow to stern for a unique vacation experience no matter where you sail. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. I had mental pictures of all my photos of me enjoying Europe but my hair looking like it did in junior high. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Enjoy! A few years ago, we were on a shoulder season cruise in the Mediterranean. 10.1 BazTechElectroS European Travel Adapter Plug, 11.99 Amazon. 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. Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? So, we really didn't have an issue with too many devices/not enough outlets. For a 14-night cruise, the cost is $279.30 USD p.p. I just took the Caribbean Amazon cruise and women were wearing slacks and blouses, as did I. As for keeping the itinerary full, its hard not to when you have so many great places to explore, but I agree that scheduling downtime is important, too. When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially in heavyweights like Vienna and Budapest. Of course as soon as I stepped outside it was all over! Viking isn't one of them.. To conserve resources, you could easily fill a reusable water bottle from home with water in the rooms. In Southeast Asia the ships use a 2-pin Euro plug. Hi Meri, This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options. . 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. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. 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!) Usually there is an electrical outlet by the "desk" or vanity. has a variety of tables that can seat 6, 8, or 10 people. Another great feature of a Viking River cruise is the ship's electrical outlets. We noticed that the crew was cleaning the common areas early in the morning, as soon as we left for excursions, and in our rooms while guests were enjoying dinner. 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. Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you dont forget your valuables. 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. Thanks. in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. Better be aboard, cuz they wont wait! When passengers get to the sister ship, their luggage is in their new cabins (which are usually the same cabins they had on the original ship). 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). We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. We were never disappointed with our meal selections. To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and. Oh, Im so happy youre able to enjoy traveling safely during the pandemic. 3 PM stateroom access. There is a light buffet available in the Lounge around midday, so youll be able to recharge a bit before the cruise begins a nice treat if you just got off a long flight. We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. Let's look into your options, and briefly cover why power strips aren't allowed. I will bring an adapter since we will be in Amsterdam pre-cruise. My husband and I took the Top of Cologne excursion, and it was one of the best. and one US 110V socket on each side of the bed; there are no UK 3 pin sockets. Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. 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. What are your thoughts on the Silver Spirits package? Enjoy your cruise! As standard in Viking Longships there are both USA type flat pin 110 sockets and European round holed 220V sockets, as well as USB sockets. The Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Joy and Spirit have additional US sockets available. Were doing the Rhine Getaway, Amsterdam to Basel in early Oct, but havent actually booked yet! I suggest that you call Viking Cruises to make surebut if I recollect correctly, although there were ample 100V outlets, you may not be able to use any appliance in the bathroom except for an electric shaver. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. Going from A to B with two extra days in Amsterdam and Budapest. Youll find two large red umbrellas in your stateroom that you can use if the weather is inclement. Hi Karen, A few things could happen when river levels are too low for cruise ships. More to come below but also read my list of essential Cruise Hacks, for both sea and ocean voyages: Cruise Hacks: Packing and Other Cruise Tips, Norwegian Waffle at Mamsens (Credit: Jerome Levine). Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary. Throw your clothes in a washer when you leave for dinner, then in the dryer afterward. In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. We need twin beds; is this possible? The best thing to do is to talk with a Viking staff member as soon as you board to find out details for your specific cruise. Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. Cramming too much in your suitcase increases the odds of incurring additional airline fees for oversized or overweight checked bags. Id suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. There are lots of smiles and offers of help. My question is about size of our luggage (or size limitation due room size). Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. Jan Lee, I would definitely bring yours, I didnt on our last Viking cruise and as great as their stuff is, it stripped the color.enjoy your trip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Irene is a regular contributor to Forbes Travel/ Read her most recent stories by clicking the links. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. We are really looking forward to this cruise and its wonderful itinerary. All outlets are European style (2 pin) with . 2. There are costs associated with the optional tours and they vary, and I suppose that correlates with the costs Viking incurs. We were on the Idun (Longship). During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. marked: the bus has a placard with the same number and letter to let you know you need to board that bus; the tour guide has a red and white sign on a paddle to indicate that group, as well. Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? Thanks, Jazzbeau. What is the electrical voltage in the staterooms? If you think you may be tempted to bring snacks back to the ship from a cruise excursion, do remember to pack a few Ziploc bags. Hi Catherine, Im glad the article was helpful. Thus, it makes an ideal travel companion. In China the ships . My suggestion: It seems like it shouldnt be a problem to bring your flat iron. So if your staying only on board you don't need a plug adapter. Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. Every ocean (or river ship) weve ever been on has had a hairdryer tucked in a drawer or closet (although you often have to search for them). As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. This includes the Viking Daily which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before dinner. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. Bring your comfortable easy to pack stuff ladies and bring athletic shoes that allow for socks. For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. Royal Princess desk with power sockets. We found the onboard communication to be excellent. Designed and crafted to safely navigate the Lower Mekong River in Viking style, Saigon will carry a maximum of 80 passengers between My Tho and Kampong Cham as part of the . This is a great venue for enjoying the passing landscape on travel days and relaxed dining every day. 12.5 laps = 1 mile. 3. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. PROHIBITED ITEMS All firearms (working, nonfiring, replicas, imitations & air/pellet guns) . Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. Jeans are discouraged in the main dining room but if you want to eat and dress in jeans, you can get almost the same foods in the World Cafe, where there is no dress code. Viking Ocean Cruises provides lovely Freyja shampoo and conditioner (designed exclusively for Viking) in nice, easy-to-handle sizes (rather than mini-bottles). Regarding local currency in Hungary, you can head to an ATM once youre there to get the amount of local cash you want. Haha. Review of Viking Orion cruise ship cabins and suites, floor plans, photos, room sizes, types, categories, amenities. Beverage gratuities are included in the package. The guests on the other ship, the Modi, got off the ship at Regensburg, on the other side of the damaged lock. Now to your questions. Keep in mind that though it may be tropical outside it can get chilly in the a/c. During lunch, prior to and after dinner, theres usually live music in the Lounge. Hi Deb, youre just a few days away from your journey. But having to pack additional converters or keeping your fingers crossed that . I checked the website and all in-room amenities are listed under the name of each ship. If youre interested in figuring out the details, you may want to ask Viking for a bar menu with pricing before making up your mind. So for 200 dollars, we got a 400 value good for tickets, flights, an excursion, or even the beverage package. Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: 220V power is most common; some ships also have 110V outlets. Youll see all your options on the online My Viking Journey portal when the tours open up prior to your trip. The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? Thanks again. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. If you choose to eat on the Aquavit Terrace, dinner begins at 7:15 pm with all of the same options as in the dining room. I like a foam pillow so I asked for one on my Bermuda cruise with Viking. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. . We have one of those and love it, because you only need to find one free plug and you're home safe. I was really glad I had brought my own shampoo and conditioner. Enjoy! Trying to navigate changing pandemic restrictions is a challenge Id rather not have to deal with, but well give it a try. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. Is this allowed? No need to bring any foodstuffs because youll never be hungry. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. Also note: They come with large print labeling so those over 40 dont need to take their peepers into the shower. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. We enjoyed relaxing there and enjoying the sights and sounds of being on the ship. 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 price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. 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. Do you have any experience with that destination? You set the code, so its a cinch to remember. Perhaps, youll leave your sunglasses or swimsuit at home, or will forget to bring a sweater for chilly evenings. Do we just work with Viking program director on the day of or the day before? Of all the stops on the Grand European Tour, these are the cities in which our ship had prime docking spots (making it very easy to go out and explore on our own): Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Wurzburg, Cologne, and Amsterdam. Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. Thank you all for your notes that you had no problems bringing them on board. Power Adapter Type - Holland America Line. Dress during the day is . Just in front of the Lounge to the bow of the ship is the Aquavit Terrace. In the afternoon, we followed up on some of the suggestions the local guide from the morning had regarding how to spend the remainder of the day. Do women really wear pants and a blouse for dinner? TIP: Take a picture of The Viking Daily each evening before heading to bed. Have a wonderful cruise! No, I havent been on a Midnight Sun cruise but this article I recently wrote for Forbes.com may offer some general advice that could be helpful: https://www.forbes.com/sites/irenelevine/2018/05/01/7-packing-tips-to-make-your-european-river-cruise-hassle-free/#43a857661797. Your comments are really appreciated. Hi Daisy, you have the choice of going on the included or an optional excursion or exploring on your own. I will add one note that we experienced. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. Sounds like youve got a great anniversary trip planned, Gary! We took a universal travel adaptor with 4 USB plugs and 4 outlets and used just one outlet for all of our electronics (smartphones, camera, tablet, and Apple Watch). Viking Cruises begins sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with the Viking Orion cruise ship on Caribbean and Central America itineraries. 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! After morning housekeeping, we had some fresh fruit and baked treats waiting for us in our room. You will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. My recollection is that Viking Ocean Cruises have fluffy comforters and luxury down pillows. I hope you have a wonderful time! That saved precious counter space. On all river cruises, guests are offered one complimentary shore excursion at every destination. (Viking asks that luggage not be placed outside the staterooms when going to bed the previous night due to safety concerns should there be an emergency, having bags in the narrow corridors would pose a safety risk.). Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece. I could have kicked myself for leaving my swimsuit at home when the weather unexpectedly turned warm and sunny!
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