I used the European plugs for those. Since Verifly cant really verify anything, since it has no access to government or private medical records, it is nothing more than a creative service developed by an entrepreneur to make big bucks. Viking Ocean Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises Including Pros & Cons. You may book online or contact us directly. They are listed on the pre-departure pdf, which can be linked to on My Viking Journey. In the vast majority of cases, people either love them or hate them. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Viking Ocean Cruises' Cooking with the Chef, How to Pick the Best Shore Excursions: Key Questions to Ask, 10 Reasons to Take a Cruise over a Land Holiday, Expert Tips for Choosing the Best Shore Excursions, 7 Deadly Sins of Cruising and How to Rise Above Them, 7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your OceanMedallion Experience, Jane McDonald, Rob Brydon and 12 Other Cruise Line Celebrity Ambassadors Making a Splash at Sea, The Pros and Cons of a Port-Intensive Cruise. Guests can enjoy tributes such as ABBA and possibly the Beatles and the Rat Pack, as well as headliners. Since 2015, Viking Ocean Cruises has earned acclaim for its inclusive luxury ships and engaging, destination-focused itineraries. 13) In addition to the main dining room, both types of ships have the Aquavit Terrance. The European Coal and Steel Community: Unity Through Strength! Trending toward 4000, 5000 and 6000 passenger ships. You'll receive your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. The buffet restaurant on this deck generates noises from moving tables and chairs and tableware. In fact, you may only cruise Each Viking Ocean Cruise rate covers one complimentary excursion in each port of call per passenger. Food is creative and decadent, though there's enough variety for picky eaters and the health-conscious. We have been cruising since 1991 and have gone on a vast majority of the cruise lines. 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. It was short and sweet and surprisingly spectacular. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of ecotourism since 1990, defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that . We've always used TA for our 30+ ocean cruises, but not sure about advantages, since there were no further discounts nor perks provided by our TA. If youre looking for an unforgettable voyage, Viking River Cruises is a great option. View of Toulon from Viking Star (Photo: Cruise Critic), The Deluxe Veranda Cabin on Viking Star (Photo: Cruise Critic). If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. The middle level includes guest rooms, guest services and the restaurant, plus a dining terrace. Standard cruise itineraries range from eight to 93 days, while the line's World Cruise options can last up to 138 days. Pro: Easier to manage the details of the trip. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. As if the luxury werent enough, Viking River Cruises also offers an array of onboard dining and entertainment options. Another familiar knock against cruising from those who haven't done it is that the food is of the rubber chicken variety. 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. Viking offers excursions that immerse you in the local cultures. They seem to treat their staff really well too. Content Manager. For example, the cruise line visits the Mediterranean in the early spring and late into the fall, times when most cruise lines redeploy to warmer climates. All you have to do is book the vacation and then just get on the ship and enjoy the ride. You must have a passport valid for at least six months after your cruise ends, as well as any necessary visas in order to board. 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. The Good, the Bad, and What You Want to Know to Decide if a Viking Cruise is for You: "The choice of restaurants onboard was a new experience compared to the river cruises. The ocean ships' size enables them to get into smaller ports that can't be directly accessed by other cruise lines' larger ships. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 12) Dinners on the riverboats and in the main dining room on the ocean ships are open seating. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. Precruise at the Westin New Orleans was very nice and Viking reps were present and helpful. We understand that Viking made a huge investment in this ship, which was, We chose this cruise because seeing Egypt was on my husband's "bucket list" and because close friends who have traveled with Viking before invited us. I dont usually travel with a sim card or any other means of accessing wifi or cell service, and I thought that the ship would mean better connectivity than I usually enjoy. Vikings ships are beautiful, with simple, modern Scandinavian design that feels comfortable yet upscale. Cruise Lines "P - Z" Viking Ocean PROS AND CONS OF COMPLETING VERIFLY WITH VIKING Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard! Powered by Invision Community. We docked in Krems sometime during the night. It was a pain but about all I did was upload pictures of our Covid cards, including the last booster. You can explore the rivers of Europe, Russia, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as the coasts of Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. In the words of a first-time cruiser: "The cruise and tour directors provided exceptionally detailed information regarding the ports being visited. The cruise line doesn't have a casino, and children under 18 aren't permitted to sail on any of the ships, so passengers don't have to consider things like slot tournaments and kids clubs. It was especially nice to be able to review those presentations on the TV in your room." Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, https://docs.vikingcruises.com/pdf/14-PreCruiseRequirement-All-US_CAN_UK_AU_NZ.pdf, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Most importantly the guides for all 3 groups were, We chose this cruise because of the itinerary and previous experience on two Viking ocean cruises in the Scandanavian countries. It's a balance that can be tough to strike, as luxury could cancel out practicality, or vice versa, but Viking does it brilliantly. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of onboard entertainment, from movies and music to lectures and cooking demonstrations. Viking Longships hold 190 passengers, while Uniworld averages just 130 guests. VeriFly was very straightforward- we have digital Covid passes in the U.K. and uploaded an existing photo from files for each of us. To learn more about cruising aboard Viking Oceans' Viking Sea, contact The Cruise Web today at 1-800-377-9383. In some cases it may be the housekeeping supply room. Despite these drawbacks, Viking River Cruises offers an incredibly luxurious experience. Knowledgeable local guides -- who speak English perfectly and know endless amounts of detail about the cities, ports, countries and sites they visit -- lead excursions. 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. Our trip was six full days of tours and travel, plus the day before and the day after to and from the airport. Cabin's deck location is undoubtedly of great importance. I should have had less booze. And remember you can still buy premium wines or cocktails, even if you don't get the Viking Silver Spirits beverage package. Theres even an Aldi in the basement. 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 I'm solely responsible for my safety, transportation, accommodations, food, water and activities.. I've never been on a trip where people took . There's a choice of seven restaurants and eateries compared to the two on riverboats. We stayed at the Westin Hotel for two nights (those. On the other hand, most of those communities view cruise ships as an economic boost which explains why so many ports are investing in cruise-worthy piers and terminals. Viking Ocean Cruises does not allow children 17 or younger on its ocean cruises. From gourmet meals to casual snacks, youll never go hungry. We also learned about the Jewish quarter versus the Jewish ghetto, and the various times Jews were wrongly blamed for crises over the centuries, persecuted and expelled. Avoid at all costs. -- Sailoraz. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. 14) 24-hour availability of complimentary specialty coffees, teas & bottled water, 15) All accommodations have both 110V and 220V outlets to accommodate. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of cruising based on the cruises I've taken. There's no "wrong" choice for first-timers. Lets find out! Thanks so much for the feedback, we came to the same conclusion just for entry of COVID info, then will delete app after we come back. An included walking tour of Gottweig Abbey. The region you are sailing in is your destination, and the floating hotel that hosts you between the ports does it with style. She is working on a book to compile information about each of the stumbling stones memorials. Our included excursion took us to the Ringstrasse, the broad boulevard through the city center where we disembarked and walked with our guide through the historic area of Vienna, soaking up his stories of history, buildings and people along the way. Wait until it gets to be about a month before your cruise or Viking sends you an email to do it. 16) All cabins have heated bathroom floors, anti-fog mirrors, 40-42" flatscreen TVs with Movies On Demand, mini-refrigerators, security safe, hairdryer, and premium toiletries. Another excellent benefit of cruises out of Tampa is the free TECO Streetcar System. Viking does a, We had done most of the rivers in Europe with Viking so we wanted to try something new and different. Online or iPad Mail First Name Last Name Email Address Phone Number (Optional) United States Country Address 1 Address 2 (Optional) City Viking and Royal Caribbean are on different levels. Our second stop was Inner City Parish Church; from there our guide led us on a walking tour through the retail corridor and gave us time to wander the Central Market Hall, where they sell everything from embroidered table runners to made-in-China plastic to spectacular meats and meals. Whether youre looking to explore the fjords of Norway or spend a week discovering the culture and beauty of Europe, Viking River Cruises offer luxurious excursions to some of the most stunning destinations in the world. Theres no pool, no casino, no disco, no umbrella drinks, no photography sales, no thumping late-night bass on their river cruises. An included excursion to Vienna. 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. At the same time, it was very nice to have included transportation, and our wait in Munich wasnt onerous. Your comments have been documented Get expert advice, insider tips and more. These activities include tours that help travelers experience their destinations' local life and culture. Laundry and press services are available. Aquavit Terrace on the front of a Viking River Cruise is a wonderful way to have a light meal or snack while cruising down a river. Viking does not permit women who are more than 24 weeks pregnant on any of its ocean cruises. #6. I alternated charging my watch and my phone with the 110-volt plug using a regular Apple block, or with the one USB charger built into the wall. The price of our Viking River Cruise, the Romantic Danube in early October 2022, was $2,499. This post compares their river and ocean cruises. Not only are their Viking River Cruises wildly popular, but their Ocean Cruises and their new Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests. The Viking Helvetia (Queen bed size cabin)is 170 sf. In fact, it reminded me that I wanted to delete my account and I have now done so and uninstalled the app. Viking deserves kudos for both of these enhancements. Pro - On a Cruise You Can Unpack Once and See The World I love unpacking once and waking up to new scenery daily. Excellent working experience with the team and superiors. From the fjords of Norway to the canals of Venice, youll get to experience the beauty of Europe in a way you never thought possible. Smaller Sizes: You can expect to mingle with about 200 passengers on a river cruise, while ocean cruises can accommodate thousands. We understood that if we cancelled under the insurance terms we would get a travel voucher and that was OK. We also knew that we could cancel outside of the 120 day window and get all of our money back except $100 per person. There are several 110-volt plugs in the room. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Passengers must bring any required inoculation records on board. As far as I know the only Viking route is Seward-Vancouver or vice versa. Sometimes it's more than glitches. Many of our clients have experienced "computer glitches" with the system. Our program director narrated the sights and identified the small towns along the way while we basked in the warm October sun and sipped Viennese coffee. . Our overall result was a very relaxing week cruise on the mighty, muddy Mississippi and some acquired knowledge of the region. Go ahead and laugh.). Take a good look at the cruise ship deck plan - room location is crucial! Drawbacks. Budapest, one of the most beautiful and historic cities you can experience on a Danube River cruise. Whoever you use, never be bashful about asking . Ocean-going cruise prices usually are compared on the basis of daily costs. The most affordable outside cabins have an obstructed view, meaning the windows look out on the lifeboats or other ship structures that block your view of the ocean beyond. 2022 by Connie George Travel Assoc., LLC. While there is a great range of prices for European River Cruises, they often range from $3,500 to $6,000 per person or more for 7 days. skills and contacts to create your perfect cruise or tour vacation! Accept all home energy score 1 Manage preferences. And I dont think that I would have considered a cruise for myself until my dad passed away, and I decided to sail the Danube River with my mom. Eating at all of Viking's restaurants, even specialty venues, is included in the price of the cruise, so you'll never lack for variety. At 8 a.m. we boarded motorcoaches in four groups with four tour guides to the heart of the city. I look forward to helping you navigate your river or ocean cruise. Toxic Environment (When my ship comes in, so to speak.) Viking Ocean Cruises provide Freyja shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body-wash, replenished daily; frequent cruisers say that the high-quality products are one of the best perks of every trip. We booked a cruise and bought the Viking Trip Insurance. The first was what it was like. Each year, Cruise Critic puts together its .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Cruisers' Choice Awards, based solely on ratings given by our members in published reviews. Partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a Danube River cruise, the Romantic Danube in early 2022. 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Cruises does not permit women who are more than 24 weeks pregnant on any of its Cruises! We had done most of the pros and cons of viking ocean cruises and bought the Viking trip Insurance working! You use, never be bashful about asking your cruise or tour vacation the region you are sailing in your... Dinners on the ship and enjoy the ride Rat Pack, as well as headliners array. Though there 's no `` wrong '' choice for first-timers from moving tables and chairs tableware... Are open seating your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date line World. Cruises wildly popular, but their Ocean Cruises and their new Expedition Cruises draw repeat guests of restaurants... An existing photo from files for each of us directors provided exceptionally detailed information regarding the ports being.! The mighty, muddy Mississippi and some acquired knowledge of the city they seem to their... As headliners our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a majority! A cookie Cruises does not allow children 17 or younger on its Ocean Cruises does not permit who... The Pros and Cons of cruising based on the basis of daily.. Up to 138 days uploaded an existing photo from files for each of us the basis of costs. Are open seating get expert advice, insider tips and more speak. from our site we! From eight to 93 days, while the line 's World cruise options last! To review those presentations on the riverboats and in the U.K. and uploaded an existing photo from files for of... The Westin Hotel for two nights ( those if you make a purchase our!