No. Unpack One Time Taking a cruise is like a road trip, but you don't have to keep packing and unpacking along the way. LauraS Cruising can trample towns with sightseers who leave almost no money (since they eat, sleep, and buy their tours on board). 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. 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 Im solely responsible for my safety, transportation, accommodations, food, water and activities. 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. We are in our late 60's, but are adventuresome and in good physical condition. Generally, the room measures 168 square feet to 232 square feet and can be bigger from 261 to 500 . Smaller cruises are perfect for people who love to learn new things at their leisure. Viking now requires it only for a couple of itineraries. Fieldofdreams, January 23 in Viking Ocean, Would like feedback on completing the Verifly app that Viking contracts with for Airline and Covid related information. Our overall result was a very relaxing week cruise on the mighty, muddy Mississippi and some acquired knowledge of the region. Why go through the hassle if you don't have to. Expect to have fun, learn, and take a part of your destinations home with you, packed in your mind and heart. Several other lines run roughly the same route, although Viking is a bit longer (most of the others are 7 days). Staff were all friendly and helpful. And remember you can still buy premium wines or cocktails, even if you don't get the Viking Silver Spirits beverage package. 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. 1 - 10 of 8,137 Viking Cruise Reviews Magnificent Mekong Review for Viking Saigon to Asia River MirLopez 6-10 Cruises Age 60s Read More Sail Date: February 2023 Cabin Type: Veranda. Ask questions! Enjoy melodic piano tunes, live entertainment and planned activities in the most inspired living room at sea. Additionally, since the ships are smaller, they can be more prone to motion sickness. Further, Carol and I are the #1 booking agents for Viking Cruises, out of 20,000 . Lets explore why natural gas prices are trending downward! The entire trip was top notch all around, from the flights, the hotels, the food, the ship and the excursions. Uncovering why natural gas is dangerous and how to stay safe! Service wins top remarks, followed by the food and the boats, as well as the excursions. The ship was forced by local police to conduct a passport check a sometimes occurrence so we left about 20 minutes after our scheduled 9:15 a.m. departure. The last thing we need is one more depository of critical personal records than can be compromised by the bad guys. While we could debate the point for hours, Viking knocks down that barrier by making its cruises as much about the destination as the ship. Children arent permitted on Viking River Cruises. Wait until it gets to be about a month before your cruise or Viking sends you an email to do it. There was a newlywed couple on their honeymoon on our trip, and several couples in their 50s and 60s. Food is subjective, but the consensus is that Viking's food is very good. If you cruise with Viking Ocean . Go to the port talks. The cost of the package which can be purchased in advance is $19.95 per guest, per day. Your comments have been We were on a previous Viking Ocean cruise and it was great. To learn more about cruising aboard Viking Oceans' Viking Sea, contact The Cruise Web today at 1-800-377-9383. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "The food was spectacular with excellent choices at each meal." Another excellent benefit of cruises out of Tampa is the free TECO Streetcar System. Likewise, all cabins are big by cruise standards, and they all include balconies. That included our airfare, thanks to a special promotion that comes along fairly regularly. Keep that in mind when making reservations if you wish to eat there more than once during your cruise. Another example was clients who made reservations for Chef's Table in advance. The Real Pros And Cons Of Travel Cruises. Before you book your voyage, its important to weigh up the pros and cons of Viking River Cruises. Cruising -- and the choices you have to make every day -- can be overwhelming for newbies. Read here:https://docs.vikingcruises.com/pdf/14-PreCruiseRequirement-All-US_CAN_UK_AU_NZ.pdf. We were scheduled to go to Nola one day early, our TA worked with Viking to get us in 2 days early and beat the storm. 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. a book to compile information about each of the stumbling stones memorials. Explore Life's Mysteries With Us - Exploring Life's Mysteries In the words of a first-time cruiser: "The cruise and tour directors provided exceptionally detailed information regarding the ports being visited. However, it would be hard to accidentally have done this, and he's pretty computer savvy. You can make reservations for shore excursions, dining venues and spa treatments in advance on theMy Viking Journey website. Aquavit Terrace located on the back of Viking Ocean Cruise ships is a great place to relax, take a dip in the plunge pool or grab something to eat. We chose the most affordable room, 101. A $500 deposit per person is required to secure a reservation on a Viking Ocean Cruise. Here are the pros and cons of Viking river cruises you should know. 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. In fact, you may only cruise Each Viking Ocean Cruise rate covers one complimentary excursion in each port of call per passenger. A Viking River Cruise longship on a Rhine River cruise. Booking windows open based on which cabin category you choose. As very recent veterans of a Viking River Cruise and a Viking Ocean Cruise we know that Viking's shore excursions cover a lot of interests. -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. Started June 21, 2021, By Viking offers excursions that immerse you in the local cultures. The gorgeous Wintergarden, with its wrought-iron screens and wood accents, looks like something straight out of Architectural Digest, and passengers flock to it for afternoon tea every day. Lets find out! I should have had less booze. The Viking Cruise Travel Protection Plan includes Cancellation, Interruption, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation, Baggage Insurance , Travel Delay and several other benefits. If you book your airfare with Viking, theres no way around this. The lower level includes guest rooms and crew areas. An example of just spending time relaxing on a Viking Ocean Cruise. I do not believe that Custom Air is available on itineraries that include Bergen--because of the. Frankly, I'm not a fan of people having to part with their money that early. There are several 110-volt plugs in the room. 6) All accommodations are for single or double occupancy. CC Help Jenn There's a huge choice of rivers - you can cruise on pretty much all of the major rivers within continental Europe: the Rhine, the Rhone, the Danube, the Loire, the Seine, the Elbe, the Douro the list goes on and on. We missed this part of the trip, arriving after midnight thanks to our flight delays. Vikings ships are beautiful, with simple, modern Scandinavian design that feels comfortable yet upscale. VeriFly was very straightforward- we have digital Covid passes in the U.K. and uploaded an existing photo from files for each of us. 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. And the 138-day world cruise is an absolute dream. When you fill out your profile on My Viking Journey before your trip, you can ask for the two twins to be split apart. The European Coal and Steel Community: Unity Through Strength! What you don't see is housekeeping rooms, crew only elevators, laundry rooms, and more. Our booking number was 4310667. You may book online or contact us directly. We made our reservations in the depths of the pandemic - a hopeful and optimistic gesture toward the future. 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. Viking Longships hold 190 passengers, while Uniworld averages just 130 guests. -- pattisd28. Travel better! When you're thinking about your first cruise, so many factors figure into picking the right cruise line and the right ship. It had two twin beds, a full bathroom, a small closet, three drawers, a mini fridge and a TV. Viking River Cruises also offers an array of onboard amenities, such as spacious staterooms, gourmet dining options, and a selection of fine wines. At the same time, it was very nice to have included transportation, and our wait in Munich wasnt onerous. While sometimes adjustments are Quite a while ago, my husband and I purchased two cruises on Viking's new Mississippi River ship - a cruise that we got cancelled from by Viking (America's Heartland) in September, 2022 and the one we just took but wish we hadn't in January, 2023 (New Orleans & Southern Charms). I think your main cabin choice with Viking is window vs. veranda. Ocean cruise guests can also manage spa and restaurant reservations. All guests get to enjoy natural daylight and scenery. The Pros of a Viking River Cruise. No, youre free to move about the cabin. Ships do not accommodate triple or quad occupancies. The crew on both river and ocean are known for being friendly and wanting to genuinely deliver terrific service. Here are five reasons why: If you cruise with Viking Ocean Cruises, you won't feel like you're whipping out your card to pay for things at every turn. Cruise Lines "P - Z" Viking Ocean PROS AND CONS OF COMPLETING VERIFLY WITH VIKING Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard! 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. It was a cold, gray, impactful morning. 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. Our program director, a veteran of other ocean lines, had only worked for Viking for a week when the pandemic shut down cruising; the company looked after her, as she said, through the duration of the pandemic. Harnessing the power of the wind: a clean and renewable resource! The optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer premium wines at meals. 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. It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows.". 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. By Pro - On a Cruise You Can Unpack Once and See The World I love unpacking once and waking up to new scenery daily. Youll want to gawk, and youll want to walk the grounds. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. The price of our Viking River Cruise, the Romantic Danube in early October 2022, was $2,499. We finally decided on the Magnificent Mekong Tour since it covered 3 countries: Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Our total trip clocked in at just under $2,949 per person for the fully refundable (for any reason) Allianz travel insurance provided by Viking; prepaid gratuities for the ship staff (though not bus drivers and tour guides); and the Silver Spirits package, which upgraded our booze (embedded in the free airfare promotion so we couldnt peel it off). And finally, Viking River Cruises offers a variety of shore excursions, from guided tours to unique experiences. We finished our day with an add-on excursion to an orchestral concert of Mozart and Strauss, including dancers and opera singers. Though theres no gym, the walking track on the open-air deck is an awesome way to get in some miles. This is Viking's online guest portal where clients complete their Guest Information Form, reserve shore excursions, and purchase the optional Silver Spirit Premium Beverage Package. Alternately can this information just be provided when boarding the ship? pros and cons of tecnis eyhance iol; free ssh websocket account. (USBs and outlets are cleverly designed into the furniture in the ships' atriums, called The Living Room. 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. Plane travel can be frustrating, wonderful, exhausting, and thrilling. 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. Precruise at the Westin New Orleans was very nice and Viking reps were present and helpful. The middle level includes guest rooms, guest services and the restaurant, plus a dining terrace. Not true -- especially on Viking, which has exceptional dining that will turn any naysayer into a cruise lover. River cruising removes the work and the risk from travel. It was incredibly foggy when we arrived in Passau. Dont count on the wifi. Will I Have to 'Social Distance' on My Next Cruise? Get inside the travel stories that move us. 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 quality of the food was comparable to the river cruises and the kitchen and wait staff were the best." 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." We also stumbled upon the centuries-old abbey and a bit of a creepy saint altar within before walking back to the boat. Many people book second, third and more trips on Viking. Cabins are large and streamlined, with useful touches such as multiple USB ports for charging and huge showers. 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. 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. 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. Privacy issues? But one of the best tools we love is Google Flights. The day included other talks and a cooking demonstration, along with the usual entertainment in the lounge before and after dinner. 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. 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. Added features and amenities are: Complimentary self-service launderettes, including detergent, Pools! Whether or not these cons are deterrents is entirely up to you and the . PROS AND CONS OF COMPLETING VERIFLY WITH. (Oh my, I promised my viewpoint, didn't I.). 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. PROS AND CONS OF COMPLETING VERIFLY WITH VIKING. The Silver Spirits Package allows you to choose from an impressive range of premium wines. Your comments have been documented Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 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