That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. 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. Its something to worry about losing, and fanciful costume jewelry is just as much fun! Mifaso 7-in-1 Desktop Power Strip. One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. Of course, there is a downside to extreme minimalism or sloppy packing. I checked the website and all in-room amenities are listed under the name of each ship. Tech can make travel a whole lot easier. I would suggest that you call Viking. It was impossible to find one to my liking in the department store in Marseillealthough I tried. They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. My husband and I each have a Nook and our own cameras. Another great feature of a Viking River cruise is the ship's electrical outlets. The Quietvox listening devices charger is plugged into a 220 outlet on the counter across from the bed. Not too many passengers use them but its light enough to take along in case you want to:-) the only use would be getting on and off the ship. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. For example, once the crew knows that everyone is accounted for after excursions, the ship is sailing within minutes of the anticipated departure (as noted in the. A few years ago, we were on a shoulder season cruise in the Mediterranean. I liked the hair and cleansing products on the ship, but the hotel had one cleanser for hair and body only. bring a trailer american cars; stone and log cabin homes . #2. Herding 169 tourists onto separate buses all going separate places at separate timeswow, thats a job! It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. Bring your comfortable easy to pack stuff ladies and bring athletic shoes that allow for socks. Three meals are included each day at the following times: Soda, beer, and house wine are available at lunch and dinner at no charge. anyone doing the Viking njord nov 22 Budapest to Nuremberg. Although there is ample storage space onboard Viking Ocean Cruises, bringing too much stuff only makes it harder to sift through your belongings to find what you want. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Enjoy your journey! We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. The hairdryer is not in the bathroom, but in the bedroom, in a drawer under the counter where the outlets are. 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 . We have one of those and love it, because you only need to find one free plug and you're home safe. 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 so they know what to expect when they use them. There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. I was told specifically not to bring curling iron or flatiron (fire hazard). I just took the Caribbean Amazon cruise and women were wearing slacks and blouses, as did I. Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 55" OLED flat-screen TV featuring CNN, CBC, MBC2, beIN Sports. We are really looking forward to this cruise and its wonderful itinerary. As we arrived at the ship, we were warmly greeted, and we went to our rooms (which were intentionally left unlocked). As we age, carrying and lifting suitcases can exact a toll on our back and shoulder muscles. Once onboard, it can be difficult to easily stow an overpacked bag under your bed. There are also 2. As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. Leave the soap, body lotion, shower gel and shower cap at home as well. Often, a crew member will place towels on your bed the night before if youve booked an excursion that might call for beach towels. Youll find two large red umbrellas in your stateroom that you can use if the weather is inclement. Viking assigns different colored luggage tags to guests depending on what their next travel destination is (a post-excursion through Viking, a trip independent of Viking, or a flight home). I borrowed some books from the ships library and left them on a table in our room. (Im trying to save you room in your luggage!) Im sure you will have a wonderful cruise! We will definitely be using it in the years to come. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. I know the hair dryer is in the bathroom, so that is not an issue. About the stateroom, that really comes down to personal preference. I have been told by friends who sail on other lines that I will need a lanyard and pouch to carry ID and room keys, we did not on Viking River Cruises, do we on the ocean cruise? There are three activity levels for excursions: About 15 minutes before each excursion, there is an announcement to remind guests that it is almost time to leave and to remember the listening devices. Here are a few things to think about when considering Vikings Silver Spirits package. 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. Thank you! 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. Hi Theo, you shouldnt have any problems meeting up with your friends in either Bamburg or Wurzburg while on the cruise. 11 Final Thoughts about Plug Sockets on P&O Cruises. Glad you enjoyed the post~ I love this charger. LauraS Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience, Best Sights to See on Vikings Grand European Tour, Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps After Booking a Cruise, How to Experience Local Culture When You Travel, How to Create Trip Photo Books to Make Your Travels Last a Lifetime. For example, once the crew knows that everyone is accounted for after excursions, the ship is sailing within minutes of the anticipated departure (as noted in the Viking Daily). River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! We were never disappointed with our meal selections. 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). There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. . We leave Saturday for Prague followed by the Budapest to Amsterdam Viking river cruise. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. Bedside outlets on Viking Star (Credit: Jerome Levine). Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. We will have 2 iPads, 2 iPhones, noise cancelling earbuds, camera, and the audio headphones that need to be charged at various times as well as a curling iron to plug in. Travelers who purchase the Silver Spirits beverage package (price varies depending on the length of your cruise) can get whatever alcoholic beverage they want during lunch, dinner, and whenever else the bar is staffed (afternoons and evenings) at no additional charge. Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place. Just inside is the Lounge where we ate one rainy lunchtime. Much better idea of what were sailing into now! The 110V electrical outlets (North American style) are located above the desk and on each side of the bed. I'm sure you won't need to plug everything in at the same time, and I'm also sure that if you leave some of those devices at home you'll have a better time on your cruise. Yes. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. You make an excellent point, Julia. If you think you might do that, you may want to take along a few blank thank you cards to enclose your extra tips, so you can explain why you valued their service so much. Viking River Cruises: Onboard electricity is 220V; for more detailed information on plugs and adapters click here. Take a USB charging hub if you have multiple devices that require USB charging points. As much as Viking tries to stick to its anticipated docking times, some things like other ships waiting in line to go through locks, weather issues, and river levels are beyond its control. The 220V outlets are German Schuko 2-pin safety plugs. Male passengers generally opt for trousers and a collared shirt (short or long-sleeved) in the evening, generally without a sports jacket or tie. We opted to book through our travel agent with whom we could meet face-to-face, ask questions, and learn from her knowledge of cruising and different cruise companies. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. Weve had no regrets. Posted February 21, 2009. My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. Hope you have been able to enjoy more Viking cruises since your original one. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. Please note that Viking requires at least 48 hours cancellation notice if you are on the ship and decide not to go on an optional excursion. King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. Electrical outlets in Viking Ocean staterooms run on either 110V and 220V so when packing for a Viking Ocean Cruise, there is no need to bring other adapterseven though youll be visiting different countries. Thank you! People are relaxed aboard Viking river cruises (no dressy occasions), and thats one thing people tend to enjoy about the experience. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! Should. Better be aboard, cuz they wont wait! In addition to cocktails, there were some very nice premium wine options aboard Viking, and we had fun trying ones that were new to us. For a 7-night cruise, the cost is $139.65 USD p.p. excursion card with a number and a letter. Hi. All cruise ships owned by Norwegian Cruise Line have a minimum of 1 US and 1 European plug sockets in each cabin. Cramming too much in your suitcase increases the odds of incurring additional airline fees for oversized or overweight checked bags. My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. August 2, 2000. Weve got to get you back into cruising, Janice! To burn off some of the calories ingested by the delicious food onboard, I walked in the morning around the sun deck track. I merely want to share our experience on a river cruise with my readers. I guess the bottom line is to remember that disruptions can happen whenever we travel, so plan to get the most out of each experience and cherish the time that you get to explore new places and meet new people. 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). I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. Of course as soon as I stepped outside it was all over! King-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows. As you leave the ship, youll scan your room key to indicate your departure and rescan it upon returning. Royal Princess plug sockets. The good thing is there are always tomorrows treats to look forward to! The number indicates which ship youre on. Trying to guess the weather so we can narrow down what to pack. In each cabin, there are two 110V sockets above the desk and one on each side of the bed. We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? Ocean Cruises. Have you seen this post? Weve found there are a lot of commonalities as well as interesting folks to meet. Viking Saigon Review. Thank you for all the information. Indeed, very VERY helpfulespecially for first time river cruisers. Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. 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. Hi Tanya, Sounds like you have a great cruise coming up! Viking, as do most cruise line ban the bringing onboard of extension cords and surge protectors. The tags have the time the luggage must be outside the staterooms as well as the time that guests are expected to depart the ship. Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. Whew! The dress code on Viking Ocean Cruises is very relaxed. Have a great cruise! We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. We werent near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! Each stateroom will have one or two 115V razor plugs available, generally in the bathroom. Some of these plugs are grounded and some are not. Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece. 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. rent to own house in quezon city 5k monthly. When I returned, I noticed two Viking bookmarks resting on top of the books. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. On our cruise, some guests had to put their luggage outside their staterooms as early as 2:45 am and leave the ship at 3:30 am to go to the airport. CC Help Jenn On our trip, we met interesting people; visited fascinating places; sampled new foods, wines, and beer; and appreciated the convenience and gracious hospitality offered by Viking. Enjoy! Another question- my husband is thinking about bringing jeans to wear to dinner, but I thought I read that jeans are frowned upon for dinner. Do you have any experience with that destination? 110/220 V power outlets; complimentary Wi-Fi and Internet; . Id suggest you reference your online itinerary on Vikings site before departure to get a rough idea of when youll be docked in each city. LinkedIn. Thank you for your informative article! We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. My hair is unruly amplified. The Silver Spirits option is offered at a fixed price per guest and spans the entire length of the trip. But I noticed that I had 3 pillows and had to throw the extra one on a chair. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. Thanks, Jazzbeau. They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. bealls online outlet. 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. In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. Yes, there have been changes to address public health safety, but Im betting they wont interfere with your overall enjoyment. Thank you! The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. Are there any solo travellers on their cruises. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? We took our first Viking River cruise in 2018 (Rhine Amsterdam to Basel) and leave in a month for the Danube (Budapest to Regensburg) with the pre and post cruise stays. All guests left the ship for excursions (the times of the excursions were modified that day so they would all be timed for the same number of hours). 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. As for shore excursions, my husband and I enjoyed the walking tour (through Viking) that included the funicular up to Castle Hill. Disclaimer: My husband and I paid forour Viking river cruise ourselves. Follow up with a conversation with the Viking staff when youre onboard to learn the expected times and exact location of the ship while docked. What is the electrical voltage in the staterooms? That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. 18 days and counting:). Coffee machine, mini-bar (replenished daily with bottled water, soft drinks . :confused: The DH may have to weigh in. Id be surprised if they couldnt tell you the answer; my experience is that they are great on the phone! Here is our advice on 6 things you should definitely NOT take: There are no formal nights on Viking so theres no need for long dresses for women or dinner jackets for men (even neckties are discretionary). The tips cover all onboard staff. We also like to explore on our own, so there were times when we just joined a tour for a while and then told the guide we were going to branch out on our own. Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 55" OLED flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more. 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. Good to know, I thought maybe the ship would have a 110 & this would work on its own. Thank you for great information and insights! Have a wonderful trip! Im bring my hair styling tool and want to plug it in to 110v in the bathroom. Very relaxing! We're with you. And finally the umbrella. Scenic Tours: 220 V and international power adaptors required. will visit your room in the morning to clean it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Just make sure you notify your bank before traveling, so they dont flag your ATM transaction in another country as suspicious! Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. . After all, we travel to experience new places, new food, and new people, so we like to eat local specialties whenever possible. Can you please provide the docking location? Hi Danny, Im not sure which cruise youre referring to, but you asked an excellent question about renting a car to make day trips while on the cruise. I cant find any info on Fteyja that gives me that info. If you have taken a Viking river cruise and want to share your experiences, please do so in the comment area below. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable but nice slacks and a blouse will be absolutely fine. All outlets are. I like a foam pillow so I asked for one on my Bermuda cruise with Viking. Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. Irene, No pets or other animals are allowed on board the ship, other than service animals and certified therapy dogs as Viking may choose to permit at its sole discretion. For additional information, see the Viking FAQs. She is also the goddess of consolation and brings comfort and solace to those who grieve, kissing away their tears. Neither hotels nor cruise ships have caught up with the popularity of these hair tools. Also trying to decide what to wear. Aside from the new safety protocols Viking has put in place your Complete Guide to a Viking River cruise was thoroughly informative, enjoyed the photos and took many notes while reading. Posted January 31, 2020 (edited) If you go to the Viking website and look for Viking Tir it'll tell you what is in each cabin type. More information on menu choices is below under Meals. I was really glad I had brought my own shampoo and conditioner. Freyja Toiletries on Viking Ocean Cruises (Credit: Jerome Levine). ? So it comes down to how much and what kind of beverages youre likely to consume each day. If you have dietary restrictions, let Viking know when you book. Hi David, it sounds like youre gearing up for a great adventure! I agree with a previous comment about this being the most informative, most inclusive article Ive seen as well. (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) on your bed. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! If you are traveling on a Viking Longship, you will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. Have fun! COVID Travel Packing List: 6 Essentials For Any Trip. I find the quart-size bags to be the most versatile. A good idea if youre a runner is to check with the reception desk to map out when there will be time in the morning to leave the ship for a jog or run before excursions begin. . However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. and special treats made nice surprises. It has a central adaptable area to plug in your devices, as well as two . This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. Thank you so much for this detailed account. 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!) Question about electrical outlets in bathrooms . free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). Power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors and extension cords (without surge protectors) are allowed on board when used with proper caution. Any comments on safety in cities? The down comforter is lovely but too heavy. The Aquavit Terrace is a great place to have a meal. Have a wonderful cruise next year! The best description and information about Viking River Cruise, thank you for taking the time to write this information, were very appreciate. 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. Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? WOW, what a complete piece of well written and informative information we have come across. I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. When you return to your room, you will notice the dinner menus for that evening. My #1 tip to people going on their 1st river cruise is laundry is quick & inexpensive dont overpack. There are laundry rooms on the ocean ships and a friend said do NOT think you will do laundry on the days you are sailing everybody has that idea. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. The recommended tipping (for each guest) on excursions is 2 Euros for local guides and 1 Euro for bus drivers. Staterooms also include shampoo and conditioner. Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. The only outlet in the bathroom is appropriate for a shaver. The crew communicates with each other quite well. These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. Is there a retractable clothes line in the shower to accommodate hanging clothes. All longships include both 110V and 220V electrical outlets, as well as hair dryers. We are heading out on our first river cruise, the Kara from Basel to Amsterdam in late September this year. Check with your Viking agent or your travelagent (or your MyVikingJourney online portal if youre already booked on a cruise) to learn the latest protocols aboard the ship and in the countries that youll be visiting. Servers take your drink orders (sodas, beer, wine) and freshen up your glass when it is empty. We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. Im glad you found the article helpful, Thomas!