This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. Most of the time youll find a bit of an older crowd. (Viking asks that luggage not be placed outside the staterooms when going to bed the previous night due to safety concerns should there be an emergency, having bags in the narrow corridors would pose a safety risk.). Have a wonderful cruise! There is no fitness center or spa on Viking river cruise ships; the space that could be a fitness center is instead put to use in the common areas and staterooms. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. Hi David, it sounds like youre gearing up for a great adventure! Plus you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destinations special features. Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the level of the stateroom. Emerald Cruises offers onboard laundry services and charges a fee per piece of laundry. Doing the Grand European Trip for our 50th in May of 2023. Required fields are marked *. Laundry Provide clean linen to support operations, cleans crew uniforms and guest clothes to Viking Standards. 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. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. Viking River Cruise On the other side of the menu are regional specialties or options that are focused on our destinations. Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. I will miss the free on board laundromat from ocean cruising though! One of the things I like about sailing with Viking is that they arent constantly trying to upsell you. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. Great article. Their itineraries are made specifically for a younger audience and include fun theme nights in stylish lounges, active day excursions like hiking and biking, and nightly pub crawls in Europes hottest bars. Viking offers complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner. For instance, how much is the Top of Cologne in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? So it comes down to how much and what kind of beverages youre likely to consume each day. Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. I think it would be a tight schedule if the ship is docked for just a day. During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. Do you know if the outdoor areas on the sun deck can be enclosed for added warmth on these cooler weather trips? 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. Complimentary self-service Guest Laundry, including washing machines, detergent, fabric softener, dryers, irons and ironing boards are provided on Deck 1 on Crystal Bach, Crystal Mahler, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel. Hi Pat, Im so glad you found my article helpful! I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner. (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) What does Viking do with our luggage once we check out of the hotel? WebYou also can do your laundry for free in the ship's self-service laundry rooms (detergent is even provided for you). Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. If we were sailing during the day, the program director narrated scenic highlights along the river as we continued our journey. The excursions provide guests with an array of experiences including peeks into how locals live, how and where they work, and also some privileged access options just for Viking guests. And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known. The best description and information about Viking River Cruise, thank you for taking the time to write this information, were very appreciate. Its relaxed and has an abundant food buffet with soup, a variety of salads, meats, warm sandwiches (like paninis and Cuban sandwiches), fruit, and dessert. How will payments on board be handled? in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. We enjoyed relaxing there and enjoying the sights and sounds of being on the ship. WebThere's a reason why Viking consistently receives awards as the best cruise company out there. Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldnt have the opportunity again. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. 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. Many people were. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. TIP: Take a picture of The Viking Daily each evening before heading to bed. Servers take your drink orders (sodas, beer, wine) and freshen up your glass when it is empty. On each of the two ships we were on, there was a duo in the evening that included a vocalist and a pianist.