Thank you Irene for this information! Thanks. Is this allowed? Hi Meri, Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously. Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. Youll find beach towels near the pool areas and also in bins by the security exit before disembarking. For anyone concerned about exactly what electrical outlets are present in a Veranda A stateroom on a Viking River Cruises Longship, this is how many there ar. Keep in mind that though it may be tropical outside it can get chilly in the a/c. Have a wonderful trip! They will let you know on board. So, we really didn't have an issue with too many devices/not enough outlets. I loved the Braun Satin Hair model in my Viking Ocean stateroom so much that I would like to purchase a similar model for home use. Examples were creamy potato soup, Wiener Schnitzel, and Sacher cake when in Vienna; while in Budapest, the menu featured Hungarian Farmer Salad, Fogas Karpathy (perch and shrimp in white wine sauce), and Zserbo (a layered walnut and chocolate cake). River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. The total cost varies according to the length of the ocean cruise. Dress during the day is . so they know what to expect when they use them. My travel one is small but having not to bring one would be great. I didnt read through all the comments, so I hope Im not being repetitive. Try to think through where youll be, and what youll be doing, and make lists as reminders to guide your packing. Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! I was told specifically not to bring curling iron or flatiron (fire hazard). Hi Catherine, Im glad the article was helpful. The only exception to the no-adapter rule below: Make sure you bring European-style adapters for the plugs, and that the hair tools can run on 220V current (for use near the makeup table in your cabin). Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! There was a broken lock near Regensburg, about halfway between the two big cities. 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. It sounds like you have a wonderful journey coming up this summer, Rosetta! Also can you remember if those two cities is where the boat docked. Thank you. Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you dont forget your valuables. Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. Much better idea of what were sailing into now! I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. We often take a few with us on tours for snacks on the bus. The 220V outlets are German Schuko 2-pin safety plugs. 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. This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially, There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. You said you enjoy a few drinks before dinner, and if you add in some premium wine at dinner, the total you spend each day might add up pretty quickly. A few weeks prior to your departure, Viking will send stickers for you to wear at the airport when you land, so they can identify you as a Viking guest. That's where you'll need to use your hairstyling tools. 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). 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. The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours. Also located off the main corridor are a couple of, Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. 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. After clearing customs and immigration and getting our luggage, how do we find Viking to take us to our hotel or how does Viking find us? Many power strips have an integral surge protector. Hlin is deeply compassionate in an unsentimental way, and a wise teacher. The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. on your bed. For a 14-night cruise, the cost is $279.30 USD p.p. And our experience was that we were usually parked next to other Viking ships, so we walked through familiar spaces. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. Bon voyage! And finally the umbrella. 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. 3. 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. If you dont live in the U.S., Im sure other governments have similar programs for travelers. anyone doing the Viking njord nov 22 Budapest to Nuremberg. What is the electrical voltage in the staterooms? Having said that, I know that Salzburg is lovely and many people enjoy that excursion. with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. Heres our story. Many people were. means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. And theres an extensive Room Service menu available at no extra charge 24 hours a day. viking cruise ship electrical outlets. I love this charger. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Hi Deb, youre just a few days away from your journey. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. HELP !! Depending on your stateroom, you will probably have a desk or dressing table with a 100v outlet where you can fix your hair. Poweradd 3-Outlet Power Strip 5-foot Heavy Duty Extension Cord with 3 USB Charging Ports. We plan to go a few days early and then make our way to the ship. My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. If you are traveling on a Viking Longship, you will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. Thanks. 18 days and counting:). The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. Thanks for responding, Robyn. 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. Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. 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. If you choose not to prepay the gratuity, Viking adds a discretionary service charge (which was 15 Euros per guest per day when we traveled) to your shipboard account. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! 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 Scenic Tours: 220 V and international power adaptors required. I like a foam pillow so I asked for one on my Bermuda cruise with Viking. If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package. Hi Tanya, Sounds like you have a great cruise coming up! Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. Your email address will not be published. I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. The hybrid power vessel mixes intrepid exploration with outstanding luxury from bow to stern for a unique vacation experience no matter where you sail. That's where you'll need to use your hairstyling tools. 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. which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before. Also trying to decide what to wear. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Im glad you found the article helpful. I also rarely take precious jewelry on any cruise. 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. Once onboard, youll be given more specific times, so youll be able to fine-tune your plans. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. The longships have both American 110v and Euro 220v service and outlets. Only a few bucks anyway. Viking then allowed us to purchase a no-expiry date voucher towards another cruise an amount they matched. I wasnt sure whether or not to bring my usual cruise lanyard and hole punch? Yes. O. met interesting people; visited fascinating places; sampled new foods, wines, and beer; and appreciated the convenience and gracious hospitality offered by Viking. Freyja Toiletries on Viking Ocean Cruises (Credit: Jerome Levine). universal travel adapter. . Everything was as you said food, service, boat, amenities, all topnotch. Its not a deal breaker for us, but its something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. The Viking Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest was such a great experience one well never forget. Aurum Cables 10-Feet 3 Outlet Extension Cord - two pack. How exciting! Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. Posted February 21, 2009. Im bring my hair styling tool and want to plug it in to 110v in the bathroom. Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. Power is supplied at 110 volts. 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. Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. WOW, what a complete piece of well written and informative information we have come across. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. We travel light with one roll aboard and one backpack. 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). 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. crewsgirl, November 9, 2014 in River Cruising. We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. I checked the website and all in-room amenities are listed under the name of each ship. Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. Without a doubt, we give Viking chefs top marks for the presentation and flavor of the food they serve. We're on the the Kara in a few weeks and just went through this research. As we arrived at the ship, we were warmly greeted, and we went to our rooms (which were intentionally left unlocked). Some companies may take space from common areas to put into spas and fitness centers; others, like Viking, use all that available space for staterooms and common areas.). Spacious suites, locally-inspired gourmet cuisine and features like SeaSpa . Great service sounds like Viking! Im glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. The link to this item can be found HERE. your journey, you'll want the . Is that a crazy thing to say?! 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 Linda, youre facing a big decision: to go with Silver Spirits or not! That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. Thank you for great information and insights! Youll receive an excursion card with a number and a letter. Overview. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. (For my husband and me, having the personal outdoor space was high on our list. It has a central adaptable area to plug in your devices, as well as two . 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. Hi Karen, A few things could happen when river levels are too low for cruise ships. As you probably know, the package includes unlimited beverages when the bars are open. 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. This is because some guests may have canceled their planned optional excursions prior to the cruise; so its a good practice to check on this and any other concerns once youre on board. We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. For a 7-night cruise, the cost is $139.65 USD p.p. The down comforter is lovely but too heavy. The Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Joy and Spirit have additional US sockets available. Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. By Jjg34219, July 3, . a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. 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. Is there a retractable clothes line in the shower to accommodate hanging clothes. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise, which transported us in great comfort to some amazing European destinations. Well do the Grand European from B to A in October this year. Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! at embarkation and may be disposed of at the sole discretion of the Ship's Security Officer. Many people prefer to bring their own reliable shampoos/conditioners/toiletries, etc. Thanks for the tips! Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. Many of the newer ships within the fleet also have USB sockets available ranging from 2-3 per cabin. Of course, there is a downside to extreme minimalism or sloppy packing. 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? 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. 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. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. Viking is happy to celebrate your birthdays and anniversaries while onboard. 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). Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. 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. By The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. For example, the guests in the Explorer Suites can book optional excursions before guests in the Veranda Suites. Enjoy your cruise! We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. Im sure we will need some pocket money for small purchases. I have to say though that almost nobody dressed up for dinnerI saw one or two men in sport coats. 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. Ive taken mine on multiple Viking river and OCEAN cruises and have never had a problem. Sound like you have a great cruise coming up! 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. and one US 110V socket on each side of the bed; there are no UK 3 pin sockets. We are going on the Grand European tour in October 2022. Perhaps, youll leave your sunglasses or swimsuit at home, or will forget to bring a sweater for chilly evenings. Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the level of the stateroom. 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. One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. Thus, it makes an ideal travel companion. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. Thanks again! Definitely needed that in the humidity. If you are traveling on a Viking Longship, you will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. Let's look into your options, and briefly cover why power strips aren't allowed. Maybe we will run into each other. If you think you may be tempted to bring snacks back to the ship from a cruise excursion, do remember to pack a few Ziploc bags. with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. 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. Heavy bags are tricky to manage, too. The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. They say they will be staying til X oclock and then leaving. To accomplish this, passengers pack up the night before the transfer, and while out on excursions, their luggage is transferred to the other ship. 2. 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. 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. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. #4. Do you have any experience about this? We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. Just be sure to unplug when not in use. The only outlet in the bathroom is appropriate for a shaver. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. For example, sometimes two sister ships sail on the same one-way voyage starting at the same time just at opposite ends of the itinerary. What are your thoughts on the Silver Spirits package? Power Adapter Type - Holland America Line. The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Walking could be on unpaved or uneven surfaces and may involve many steps or steep inclines. Radgrid's name translates into "truce of counsel," suggesting her great power in determining . One great thing about Viking is that many times their ships dock right in the towns, so its easy to get off and be on your way to make your own discoveries. 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. Im going on a Viking River Cruise (Paris-Normandy). Enjoy! We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023. Radgrid - A Valkyrie. Power strips, multi plug box outlets/adaptors and extension cords (without surge protectors) are allowed on board when used with proper caution. If you decide on the stateroom with a french balcony, you will still be able to enjoy some time outside in the common areas while the ship is sailing. The Aquavit Terrace is a great place to have a meal. Alternatives include USB charging stations, multi-socket outlets, or outlet adapters which don't contain a surge protector. The crew communicates with each other quite well. For instance, how much is the Top of Cologne in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? Is that a crazy thing to say?! You can store your luggage under the bed(s). Cheers! On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. 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. Leave the soap, body lotion, shower gel and shower cap at home as well. We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. Im hoping that other women will be wearing slacks with a nice blouse for our Viking Ocean cruise to the Caribbean. Haha. What common spaces are there on the Viking Mississippi? Glad you enjoyed the post~ Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. CC Help Jenn 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. when we traveled) to your shipboard account. Thank you for making me less anxious! How can we arrange individual tours or make dinner reservations if we dont know the times or the port arrangements? That worked well as we enjoyed some nice non-touristy lunches and other walks and tours on our own. She is also the goddess of consolation and brings comfort and solace to those who grieve, kissing away their tears. More room in my suitcase! The 110V electrical outlets (North American style) are located above the desk and on each side of the bed. 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. What are the charges for individual cocktails, apertifs or premium beers/wines by glass? In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. The room stewards are wonderful and treat you like royalty! Once youve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. In our documents from Viking regarding our river cruise in France, it says curling irons and flat irons are prohibited. Ocean Cruises. Also, we had booked an English-speaking tour of the Hungarian Parliament which ended up being fascinating; if you plan to do this, make sure to make reservations online ahead of your visit. All the best. We are scheduled to take the Viking Danube cruise in early June 2022. What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. The Quietvox listening devices charger is plugged into a 220 outlet on the counter across from the bed. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SY5O5K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MEBNG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. 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? When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. Can you please provide the docking location? Of all the stops on the Grand European Tour, these are the cities in which our ship had prime docking spots (making it very easy to go out and explore on our own): Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Wurzburg, Cologne, and Amsterdam. Stairs connect all the decks plus theres an elevator to service the upper and middle decks. Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, Id let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day youll be coming into port. Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? Thank you! You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. As you leave the ship, you are handed a bottle of water. NW Ohio. There was one set of outlets on either side of the bed and another set at the desk near the TV. Thank you for your quick reply. 8 Ventura plug sockets. You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip. We went on the Viking excursions (with local guides) and did not book any local guides directly. In China the ships . 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. Good luck! Braun Hair Dryer on Viking Star (Photo credit: Jerome Levine). Have a wonderful time! . The river cruises have open seating, so that means you arent assigned any table mates. No need to bring any foodstuffs because youll never be hungry. Thanks!! Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? Incidentally, we had to change ships midway through a river cruise because of a broken lock on the river, and Viking handled it professionally and without too much inconvenience. Our next Viking cruise is coming up soon, and I cant wait. My husband and I each have a Nook and our own cameras. I had a wonderful trip with Viking Cruises' Sun cruise ship, there was good food and with a balcony cabin I enjoyed the view of the sea, good speed Wi-Fi and enjoyed all the Viking offers on board and shore excursions included. Without the Silver Spirits package, Id plan on $6-10 for most cocktails, aperitifs, or premium wine by the glass. If you choose to eat on the Aquavit Terrace, dinner begins at 7:15 pm with all of the same options as in the dining room. 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). 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. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! Disclaimer: My husband and I paid forour Viking river cruise ourselves. 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. Enjoy! Do women really wear pants and a blouse for dinner? who made the move with us. This. This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. All longships include both 110V and 220V electrical outlets, as well as hair dryers. Many folks do tend to change from the clothes they wore for daily excursions to something a little dressier for dinner, but I wouldnt call dinner attire dressy. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. Answer (1 of 4): Most cruise ships sailing for lines that predominantly serve the US market (regardless of the itinerary) have North American-style 3 prong plugs (Type B) in their cabins; typically placed on the vanity/desk located next to the TV. Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. 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.
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