While I do agree that it is great to get away from the necessary daily evils of devices, I am wondering if you carry papers, maps, & books for all that stuff? 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. crewsgirl, November 9, 2014 in River Cruising. We plan to go a few days early and then make our way to the ship. Viking Cruises begins sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with the Viking Orion cruise ship on Caribbean and Central America itineraries. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. I am thinking this will work as it swivels to accommodate the location of the plug and has 2 USB ports as well. complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. Here are a few things to think about when considering Vikings Silver Spirits package. 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. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. Viking then allowed us to purchase a no-expiry date voucher towards another cruise an amount they matched. Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. There youll find a countdown to departure, background on each port of call, the entire list of excursions available (some are complimentary; others cost extra) that you can book online, a calendar showing your itinerary for each day, and other helpful information about the cruise. 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. To conserve resources, you could easily fill a reusable water bottle from home with water in the rooms. Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In each cabin, there are two 110V sockets above the desk and one on each side of the bed. 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. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise from Prague to Paris last summer. That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. Many people were. It has a central adaptable area to plug in your devices, as well as two . Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. Only a few bucks anyway. I was really glad I had brought my own shampoo and conditioner. Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. Tech can make travel a whole lot easier. In our documents from Viking regarding our river cruise in France, it says curling irons and flat irons are prohibited. One thing I think I discovered was that the iPad pulls a heavy load to recharge and might not do well plugged into the power strip while other stuff is also charging. The water levels are extremely low right now. How exciting! I hope you have a wonderful time! Attire on a river cruise is casual. It will be helpful to others. If you are traveling on a Viking Longship, you will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options. Beverage gratuities are included in the package. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: 220V power is most common; some ships also have 110V outlets. 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. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. The bar is on one end of the lounge; theres wait service in the Lounge during lunch and in the late afternoon and evening. If you are traveling on a Viking Longship, you will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. Using ATMs machines? Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. Radgrid's name translates into "truce of counsel," suggesting her great power in determining . There was one set of outlets on either side of the bed and another set at the desk near the TV. My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. I hope you have a wonderful time! Yep, I really like that grounded adapter in your link and the small strip is handy for packing & very lightweight, but the Belkin offers surge protection & 2.1 Amps. As with Regal Princess, there are no charging points next to the bed on Royal Princess. We walked from where the ship was docked to the Parliament building for the tour and enjoyed a stroll back to the ship along the river. Cramming too much in your suitcase increases the odds of incurring additional airline fees for oversized or overweight checked bags. Guess not. Thank you!! Good luck! By the way, the excursions included in the trip are typically large group experiences, while the optional excursions (available at an extra cost) are usually much smaller groups as they are more focused on specific areas of interest. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? Once onboard, youll be given more specific times, so youll be able to fine-tune your plans. Have a wonderful cruise! My husband had been to a number of these cities on business and wanted me to visit them too, and this makes it sound easy. Cruise Lines "P - Z" Viking Ocean ; Electrical outlets Electrical outlets. Theres always iced tea often with different flavors every day. Without a doubt, we give Viking chefs top marks for the presentation and flavor of the food they serve. I will add one note that we experienced. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. In addition to your stateroom, there are several key public areas on the longships: Theres ample comfortable seating here upholstered chairs and sofas with large windows to enjoy the views. Have fun whatever you decide to do! Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the level of the stateroom. But, what else would we spend money on? Do we just work with Viking program director on the day of or the day before? As for money, we used a credit card (with no foreign transaction fees) and Euros (very handy for tipping tour guides and purchasing small incidentals). With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. Yes, there have been changes to address public health safety, but Im betting they wont interfere with your overall enjoyment. They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. Stateroom size: 135 sq ft. River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) 12 PM Embarkation. Each stateroom will have one or two 115V razor plugs available, generally in the bathroom. Thanks. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. Electrical Appliances: All staterooms are equipped with standard 110 AC and 220 AC outlets. Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. We travel light, as well, but the ship will take care of delivering your luggage to your room; we just kept our small carry ons (the ones that fit under the airplane seats) with us. During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. Viking 1-866-984-5464. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Another great feature of a Viking River cruise is the ship's electrical outlets. In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. Viking Saigon Review. Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. Hope this is helpful and have a wonderful cruise! Thanks for your kind words, Triana. I will bring an adapter since we will be in Amsterdam pre-cruise. All outlets are. on your bed. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. 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. 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). HELP !! I wasnt sure whether or not to bring my usual cruise lanyard and hole punch? All Viking river cruise ship staterooms have: The different types of staterooms range in size, available outdoor space, the time for guaranteed stateroom access, and amenities. Just thinking of the best options for meeting friends for a short visit. I cant find any info on Fteyja that gives me that info. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Thanks for the great details! 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. Were planning on a dinner in a town, tour of some beer gardens and lunch in Heidelberg, and just walking around. 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. Even with that information, as you mentioned,dockings could be delayed to traffic on the river or there could be delays going through locks. with a German Schuko 2-pin plug that matches the 2-prong outlet in the bathroom. I also rarely take precious jewelry on any cruise. Any comments on safety in cities? I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. Thanks. More room in my suitcase! On the ship, you only need the ID, which you can tuck into a pocket. If you have dietary restrictions, let Viking know when you book. Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. Disclaimer: My husband and I paid forour Viking river cruise ourselves. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then were bussed to the new ship in the late afternoon. Thank you! Im glad you found the article helpful. . (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) 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. universal travel adapter. Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and that things work out for your planned day trips! 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. We are also thinking of taking an old smart phone and purchasing a SIM card that works in Europe for language translation, directions, and apps to enhance our experience. We often take a few with us on tours for snacks on the bus. Do you travel overnight for most of the time or is there day travel as well? 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. Surge protectors are a fire hazard aboard ships, as they are incompatible with the ship's wiring. private bathrooms that are separate from the living space. You can check with Viking to make sure. 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. Some of these plugs are grounded and some are not. Thanks again. Question about electrical outlets in bathrooms . Bon voyage! 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). Good to know. We travel light with one roll aboard and one backpack. We are planning to do 12 days in a carry-on bag only, so no way could I do it without downloading all the info. 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. Weve chosen a mix of the included tours and the custom days, avoided any places to which weve already travelled and have added in the extensions to both ends, hoping to see friends in Amsterdam. (OK, the wifi in the rooms REALLY sucksbut if thats your #1 problem, you arent doing badly). means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. Although we have some other trips planned (that we organize ourselves, as we often do), we are contemplating which Viking cruise river or ocean we will be booking next. Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. Hi Robin, you pose a great question, but it isnt easy to answer! Priority spa treatment bookings 70 days prior to departure. What common spaces are there on the Viking Mississippi? Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. Im with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? A few guests scheduled independent sightseeing tours, and it seemed to work out well for them. I like boiled water first up in the mirning, According to the Viking website, coffee machines with premium coffee and tea selections are available in Deluxe Veranda staterooms and above: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-sky.htmlsin the room. Thank you for your informative article! (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) What Kind Of Converters Will I Need For My Computer/Curling Iron/Camera Battery Charger? Thank you Irene for this information! We found the car rentals and made reservations, but we cant find any daily schedule of when the ship docks and departs at each port. We enjoyed sitting with different people; it gave us a chance to learn about their travel experiences and lives a bit. Id suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. most electronics or travel stores. Thanks for the tips! One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. I definitely overpackedshoes and clothes. Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. I have been or 2 VRCs and leave for my 1st VOC in a week (Baltic Sea yay!) 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. I borrowed some books from the ships library and left them on a table in our room. I dont want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. . Most cruise ships will offer . This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! Lots of controversy on curling irons & flatirons. 2. You mentioned laundry, and although theres no laundromat on Vikings European river cruise ships, there is a laundry service that you can use. Required fields are marked *. I find the quart-size bags to be the most versatile. When it comes to size, even the smallest cabins on Viking's ocean ships are large by cruise ship standards at 270 square feet, and the largest suites measure nearly 1,500 square feet. Guests with pre- or post-cruise hotel packages may want to bring converters and/or adapters for their hotel stay. I laughed out loud at the comments from Shelly and Mary. Yes. 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. rent to own house in quezon city 5k monthly. If you stay in a hotel before or after your cruise you will need to bring adapters for charging your phone or tablets. When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. Thanks all. 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). Also, having cash is great for souvenirs, incidentals, snacks, or a quick lunch while exploring a city. Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. Best, Irene, Hi Glenise, Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently. 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. The crew actually collapses the awnings, chairs, and tables and the ships bridge recedes into the ship all to reduce the ships height. Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. Power strips increasingly also have USB sockets. in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. I liked the posted copy of the daily news and we had already decided from our ocean experiences to take the drinks package. You know is it a venus and mars question. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. Up to you. To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and create a photo book of your journey when you return home. We would either meet in Bamburg or Wurzburg. 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports. Irene. Definitely needed that in the humidity. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. After morning housekeeping, we had some fresh fruit and baked treats waiting for us in our room. 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 . I know the hair dryer is in the bathroom, so that is not an issue. Keep in mind that though it may be tropical outside it can get chilly in the a/c. Especially your tips on dinner were helpful I will pack his blazer. My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. Our preferred day at a town where we were docked included a morning walking tour (an included excursion) to get the lay of the land. The Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Joy and Spirit have additional US sockets available. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! Congrats on your 50th! Well do the Grand European from B to A in October this year. We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. Viking is happy to celebrate your birthdays and anniversaries while onboard. a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. 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. Another great feature of a Viking River cruise is the ship's electrical outlets. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. What are the charges for individual cocktails, apertifs or premium beers/wines by glass? Glad you enjoyed the post~ How can we arrange individual tours or make dinner reservations if we dont know the times or the port arrangements? In my experience, this is great advice! (Im trying to save you room in your luggage!) On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist. Neither hotels nor cruise ships have caught up with the popularity of these hair tools. As we arrived at the ship, we were warmly greeted, and we went to our rooms (which were intentionally left unlocked). There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. It makes me happy when I can help others get more comfortable with and enjoy their travels. The sun deck is a relaxing space with tables and chairs as well as chaise lounges. So glad that you had a great cruise! Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. The tips cover all onboard staff. That way, if they reach a low point in the river, they can have passengers disembark, go on bussed excursions, and afterwards be taken to the sister ship that completes the journey. (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) Its important to note that when the ship docks somewhere in the morning and you go on an excursion, you sometimes will be brought back to the ship in a different location like another city further down the river. Ive left it out on the counter and the stewards never said anything either. Viking is very efficient with their timing. On all river cruises, guests are offered one complimentary shore excursion at every destination. I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. You got me on #1, 3 and 6! As you probably know, the package includes unlimited beverages when the bars are open. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. The 220V outlets are German Schuko 2-pin safety plugs. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports. Viking River Cruises: Onboard electricity is 220V; for more detailed information on plugs and adapters click here. The hairdryer is not in the bathroom, but in the bedroom, in a drawer under the counter where the outlets are. PROHIBITED ITEMS All firearms (working, nonfiring, replicas, imitations & air/pellet guns) . I bet youre planning your next cruise already. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience. 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. In China the ships . Are there tea making facilities in room. I know other travelers who just get cash out of ATMs while traveling (and Ive done that, too, of course), but I just like beginning the trip with some local cash. And theres an extensive Room Service menu available at no extra charge 24 hours a day. 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. On our cruise, this was done in the Lounge just after the evening port talk by the program director. On our ships, there were separate newspaper versions for Australia, Canada, and the U.S. On the other side of the menu are regional specialties or options that are focused on our destinations. During lunch, prior to and after dinner, theres usually live music in the Lounge. Have fun! This publication outlines the schedule for the next day, with all included and optional excursions as well as suggestions on where to visit and eat during your free time the next day. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. 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. Power is supplied at 110 volts. The Aquavit Terrace is a great place to have a meal. The hairdryer is not in the bathroom, but in the bedroom, in a drawer under the counter where the outlets are. Braun Hair Dryer on Viking Star (Photo credit: Jerome Levine). The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. I have seem videos of rooms but cannot perceive where we can place our 2 luggages + backpacks and not having to hop over them inside our room. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). This should allow you to finalize your plans to disembark and go meet your friends. There are some cruise lines that try to be all things to all people. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. You make an excellent point, Julia. Thanks for the great information. Great service sounds like Viking! 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. We sent some clothing to be laundered, and we were happy with that choice. That's where you'll need to use your hairstyling tools. Much better idea of what were sailing into now! Thanks again! Herding 169 tourists onto separate buses all going separate places at separate timeswow, thats a job! Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. Preparing for any trip involves planningas well as careful pruning: To do a good job, dont wait until the last minute. What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. We werent near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) Radgrid - A Valkyrie. 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. No need for a converter. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) Is there a "dress code" on the ship? Would an excursion like that feel to rushed to enjoy, or do you know if Salzberg is a not to be missed kind of place? This particular power strip is suited to someone wanting both regular 110 power and the option to plug in USB ready items as well. Every once in a while, you may be treated to a little extra like a refreshing drink served on the sun deck while sailing one day. As we age, carrying and lifting suitcases can exact a toll on our back and shoulder muscles. 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. Thanks!! Thank you for great information and insights! Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. Ocean Cruises. Hi Meri, There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. We enjoyed relaxing there and enjoying the sights and sounds of being on the ship. JOOMFEEN Universal Travel Adapter. There are several things you wont find on a Viking river cruise, and they are often some of the prime reasons so many people choose Viking. Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place. 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. Let's look into your options, and briefly cover why power strips aren't allowed. Did you use local guides? I am bringing a few dresses but am also bringing pants and blouses. Is that a crazy thing to say?! Common power strips are prohibited from cruise ships for safety reasons, and there aren't "cruise ship power strips", but there are alternatives. If you have taken a Viking river cruise and want to share your experiences, please do so in the comment area below.
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