Thanks for your tip! Ocean Cruises. We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. There they may board another ship. Really, just looking for your opinion on longer trips off-ship. Irene. Hope this info helps you a bit! Heres our story. complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). Viking Cruises begins sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with the Viking Orion cruise ship on Caribbean and Central America itineraries. We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. The Silver Spirits package offers unlimited drinks including cocktails, premium wine, and beer. 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. The Silver Spirits option is offered at a fixed price per guest and spans the entire length of the trip. I am also taking that cruise. When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. Once youre on the ship, youll learn the times that the ship will be docked in a city, so you can plan your day. Any comments on safety in cities? As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. Thanks. Your descriptions of the change of ship due to the broken lock and of docking side by side with other ships were reassuring. It sounds like you are all set. To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and. Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. 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. The task of the Norse goddess Hlin is to protect and shelter humankind. I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. reddit i ghosted; african violet planter pot; get paystub from adp; Related articles; hottest cartoon character list female; kohler simplice. 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). We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. 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. 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. Viking says they are NOT allowed, but no one will confiscate. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. 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. My recollection is that Viking Ocean Cruises have fluffy comforters and luxury down pillows. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. universal travel adapter. Viking Saigon Review. 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. COVID Travel Packing List: 6 Essentials For Any Trip. Youll find two large red umbrellas in your stateroom that you can use if the weather is inclement. I borrowed some books from the ships library and left them on a table in our room. All cruise ships owned by Norwegian Cruise Line have a minimum of 1 US and 1 European plug sockets in each cabin. I love this charger. The ships are designed for this to have travelers walk through the common spaces. 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. Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. 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. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously, this is an efficient way to find which tour guide to meet as you disembark the ship. Sound like you have a great cruise coming up! Braun Hair Dryer on Viking Star (Photo credit: Jerome Levine). River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. Everyone always asks whether they'll need an electrical converter on board Viking European river ships, OR whether there's enough space to plug-in all their . Question about electrical outlets in bathrooms . How many outlets are available in the cabin? 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. Another option, if the river levels are too low overall, would be for passengers to be bussed from destination to destination, staying in hotels, throughout the cruise. As we age, carrying and lifting suitcases can exact a toll on our back and shoulder muscles. When you return to the ship, you scan it again. in the safe the day before you check out. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. and one US 110V socket on each side of the bed; there are no UK 3 pin sockets. Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. 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. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? 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. 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. If you arrive before your guaranteed time of 3:00 pm, you can spend time in the Lounge or leave your luggage on the ship and begin to explore the city on your own. The 220V outlets are German Schuko 2-pin safety plugs. crewsgirl, November 9, 2014 in River Cruising. Im with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. I had mental pictures of all my photos of me enjoying Europe but my hair looking like it did in junior high. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. Also can you remember if those two cities is where the boat docked. 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. 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). My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. We were never disappointed with our meal selections. 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). Thanks, Tom! Should. Depending on your stateroom, you will probably have a desk or dressing table with a 100v outlet where you can fix your hair. Have a wonderful cruise next year! Many power strips have an integral surge protector. Can you please provide the docking location? Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. This will be first river cruise for us. The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours. We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. 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. For a 7-night cruise, the cost is $139.65 USD p.p. My husband and I each have a Nook and our own cameras. Thanks. The Viking onboard staff from the captain, hotel manager, and program director to the housekeeping and wait staff were all positive, upbeat folks: smiling, accommodating, and helpful. Any idea if the Terrace will be open for meals in the chill of November? We need twin beds; is this possible? 9 Plug Adapters for P&O Cruise Ships. Throw your clothes in a washer when you leave for dinner, then in the dryer afterward. Common power strips are prohibited from cruise ships for safety reasons, and there aren't "cruise ship power strips", but there are alternatives. Power Adapter Type - Holland America Line. We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) Thank you for your time. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. That gives my husband and me plenty of money for tipping the local guides and bus drivers as well as Viking staff before we leave. Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. But having to pack additional converters or keeping your fingers crossed that . Since you need the refrigerator for your medicine, I would call the cruise line just to make sure it will be large enough to meet your needs or to see if a larger one can be placed in your cabin. Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. Thank you for your quick reply. marked: the bus has a placard with the same number and letter to let you know you need to board that bus; the tour guide has a red and white sign on a paddle to indicate that group, as well. We are planning to take the Grand European Tour in July of 2023. No need for a converter. Unlike a hair dryer, flat irons dont use a lot of current and most are dual voltage (check the tag). I have to say though that almost nobody dressed up for dinnerI saw one or two men in sport coats. 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. That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. (European river cruise ships are limited in size due to the rivers they cruise on, so they have the same overall dimensions. Ive taken mine on multiple Viking river and OCEAN cruises and have never had a problem. When this happens, the cruise ship parks parallel to another cruise ship. Cramming too much in your suitcase increases the odds of incurring additional airline fees for oversized or overweight checked bags. Thank you! We were on the Idun (Longship). your journey, you'll want the . We would either meet in Bamburg or Wurzburg. 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. Its something to worry about losing, and fanciful costume jewelry is just as much fun! Do you have any experience about this? LinkedIn. These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. I am not thinking we will have any need for a converter, just additional plugs. Located off the main corridor, the library has books you may borrow while aboard as well as abridged newspapers that are prepared for Viking guests daily. 18 days and counting:). Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. We could not have chosen any better than the Skirnir and Viking. Whew! Enjoy! I dont want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. Thanks. Of course as soon as I stepped outside it was all over! I hope you have a wonderful cruise and that things work out for your planned day trips! We received great overviews of a place with the large group tours, but what we remember most were the unique experiences that came from the optional experiences. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. The Viking Bar on Deck 1 has sweets and savories available through midnight. Any further suggestions about picking up the excursion cards each morning? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Having to dock the ship next to another cruise ship also means that the view from your stateroom could be blocked and your cabin could be a bit dark. We just got back from the Viking Rhine River Cruise and these tips were very good. Bon voyage! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. Does Viking get us into our room early or do we have to check our luggage with the hotel and wait until 3:00 PM? free wi-fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location). To accomplish this, passengers pack up the night before the transfer, and while out on excursions, their luggage is transferred to the other ship. Stateroom size: 135 sq ft. River-view stateroom with French balcony (floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door) 12 PM Embarkation. No kids. The sizes of the ships are designed specifically for the rivers they ply (e.g., they need to navigate the sometimes narrow waterways and any locks along the way). Many of us cruise with quite a few battery-powered devices that we want to keep charged, but cruise ship cabins don't have as many outlets as we'd like. 10.1 BazTechElectroS European Travel Adapter Plug, 11.99 Amazon. I am thinking this will work as it swivels to accommodate the location of the plug and has 2 USB ports as well. 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. I will add one note that we experienced. King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. These devices are attached to lanyards with earpieces. Its been a seamless process for us, and it functions well although we do incur additional international charges. So glad I discovered your very informative account of the Viking River Cruise! There are 110V and 220V electrical outlets in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then. Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece. On Carnival's web site, you can see that they specifically note the following. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. There are also USB ports to charge your cellphone or tablet so all you need to bring are the cables. It was led by an art historian who took us up to the very top of the cathedral (above the ceiling) where the craftspeople worked. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously. Enjoy! Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? Im hoping that other women will be wearing slacks with a nice blouse for our Viking Ocean cruise to the Caribbean. We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. We travel light with one roll aboard and one backpack. Have fun! Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. Youll find some additional cruising tips in our previous article on MoreTimeToTravel: Viking Luggage Tag (Credit: Jerome Levine), Viking Ocean Cruises Carves Out A Special Niche for Over-50 Travelers, Best Travel Accessories for Men: 28 Great Gifts for Travelers. Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. Attire on a river cruise is casual. Viking has thought of that, too. Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. 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. The sun deck is a relaxing space with tables and chairs as well as chaise lounges. Theres a mix of traveling overnight (almost all of the time) and during the morning/afternoon/evening (some of the time). These long-haired, beautiful women descended from the skies into battles to decide which soldiers lived and which died. I wasnt sure whether or not to bring my usual cruise lanyard and hole punch? We cant say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Its a nice place to relax on warm days and enjoy a lunch buffet while taking in the views. 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 My question is about size of our luggage (or size limitation due room size). Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? It is a quick way to catch up on national and international news as well as to get financial market and sports updates. Were celebrating our 50th! Great service sounds like Viking! Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! I liked the hair and cleansing products on the ship, but the hotel had one cleanser for hair and body only. Have fun! Check-in time for the hotel is 3:00 PM. They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. That saved precious counter space. Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. This should allow you to finalize your plans to disembark and go meet your friends. Have a great cruise! Staterooms will have one or two 115V . Did you use local guides? Thanks Francis M, I am re-thinking the amps on the power strip for that very reason, we will be in an apartment in Amsterdam for a few days precruise, so we definitely will need one. Power Adapter Type - Viking Cruises. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. . 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. Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. Do women really wear pants and a blouse for dinner? 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!) If you like tea, youll also appreciate the high tea service in the Wintergarden. NW Ohio. Congrats on your 50th! We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. Youll see all your options on the online My Viking Journey portal when the tours open up prior to your trip. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of desktop computers that are always available for guest use. 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. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week and that includes river levels. us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. You can check with Viking to make sure. 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. Every ocean (or river ship) weve ever been on has had a hairdryer tucked in a drawer or closet (although you often have to search for them). 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. People are relaxed aboard Viking river cruises (no dressy occasions), and thats one thing people tend to enjoy about the experience. Viking then allowed us to purchase a no-expiry date voucher towards another cruise an amount they matched. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. How early are they available to avoid the rush? Have a wonderful cruise, Thomas! Are there computers, or should I bring my laptop? There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. Hi Karen, A few things could happen when river levels are too low for cruise ships. For example, the guests in the Explorer Suites can book optional excursions before guests in the Veranda Suites. They may be familiar enough with Vikings schedule to easily accommodate you. :confused: The DH may have to weigh in. 3. most electronics or travel stores. I have been on 1 Viking River cruise and 3 (soon to be 4-I hope!) We didnt regret our decision. Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Is that a crazy thing to say?! 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 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. (Youll also receive Viking tags for your luggage.) Has anyone dealt with thus recently? Im sorry I cant give you a more definitive answer, but so much depends on conditions at the time you board and what the staff recommends. Started August 27, 2021, By Yes. Enjoy your cruise! The hairdryer is not in the bathroom, but in the bedroom, in a drawer under the counter where the outlets are. Keep in mind, though, that things are not 100% the same from cruise to cruise due, in part, to other ship traffic at the time. The crew actually collapses the awnings, chairs, and tables and the ships bridge recedes into the ship all to reduce the ships height. We often take a few with us on tours for snacks on the bus. More to come below but also read my list of essential Cruise Hacks, for both sea and ocean voyages: Cruise Hacks: Packing and Other Cruise Tips, Norwegian Waffle at Mamsens (Credit: Jerome Levine). . The crew communicates with each other quite well. We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. The Pool Grill serves up burgers, hotdogs, and salads throughout the afternoon. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary. With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. But having to pack additional converters or keeping your fingers crossed . We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! Many cruise lines have banned bringing power strips on cruise ships due to the chance that the surge protector will overload the circuit and cause potential electrical damage or fires. Follow the link below to discover further details about what life is like aboard a Viking Cruises ship. On the other side of the menu are regional specialties or options that are focused on our destinations. I laughed out loud at the comments from Shelly and Mary. Guests with pre- or post-cruise hotel packages may want to bring converters and/or adapters for their hotel stay. 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). River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. (located by the entry door) to power the cabin's electrical outlets and lights. Id suggest you ask about picking up excursion cards and other details like that once youre on the ship, as some procedures like this may vary a bit. Thank you! King-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows. The daily planner for Vienna was the best.one of the stranger transitions from Ocean to River cruising is not having your port times right there on the schedule. Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. Umbrellas on the Viking Star (Photo credit: Jerome Levine), No need for bringing bulky beach towels or taking sand home. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. Hope this is helpful and have a wonderful cruise! Especially your tips on dinner were helpful I will pack his blazer. So if your staying only on board you don't need a plug adapter. Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning!