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Note that internet service can be slow at times of heavy use, as is typical on cruise vessels. In addition, in order to ensure fair usage for all, the line limits some heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads and software upgrades. Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line, mostly due to the fact that it operates both ocean cruises and river cruises.
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The Explorers' Lounge also is home to Mamsen's, the food counter serving tastes of Norway mentioned above. You'll also find live piano music in the evenings in river ship lounges. The main restaurants on these ships are notable for their walls of glass that can slide open to create al fresco dining, something that is unusual in the cruise world.
Excursions on Viking River Cruises - Are They Different?
We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. It’s not a deal breaker for us, but it’s something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. These 25 rooms, coming in at 150 square feet, are often called "aquarium class" because the windows are at the same level of the river outside. While you don't get the benefit of fresh air, people often choose these cabins for their lower price point and the fact that you often don't spend all that much time in your room on a typical river cruise. Second, the river cruise lines like to offer a consistent experience when you sail, whether you're on the Rhine River in Germany and the Netherlands, or the Danube River in Austria and Hungary.
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My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. A good idea if you’re 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. Cruising is a social experience as you chat with fellow passengers on excursions, at the social hour before dinner in the Lounge, and at meals. An easy way to begin a conversation is to ask where people are from, about their past travel experiences, and what excursions interest them the most.
Amazon River Cruises Are Among the Most Expensive River Cruises in the World
The ticket has the date of your excursion, your name, and the time/place you need to meet your guide. You'll need to bring your ticket to each excursion - some guides collect them and others don't, but you should be prepared either way. Since the tour includes a lengthy land component, it's prudent when calculating the value of the fare to research the quality of the hotels and excursions included. On average, they start between $350 and $500 per person, per night. You might find a tour that couples a three-day Nile River cruise with seven days based in Cairo or vice-versa. Many of the activities on board Viking's ocean ships revolve around "cultural enrichment," to use a phrase often used by Viking executives.
What to expect from Viking's new Mississippi River ship - USA TODAY
What to expect from Viking's new Mississippi River ship.
Posted: Sat, 10 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
What follows are some factors that you will want to consider when calculating the cost of your river cruise. Viking's ocean ships also offer a large number of suites, many of which are quite spacious. 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. For this subset of travelers, Viking offers a wide range of both ocean and river cruise itineraries that have a heavy focus on the destinations visited. 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.
For the thirsty guest, river cruises often include unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks with dinner and sometimes even lunch. Compare that with the going rate of a glass of wine on a typical ocean cruise, between $7 and $10, or corkage fees of up to $25 in onboard restaurants. This means that one drink with dinner alone can make up for up to $70. Have two drinks (because why not?), and that's $140 – before you add gratuities. Viking river cruise costs include your stateroom plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day.
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While these "baby Longships," as the company calls them, may be smaller, they have similar amenities, restaurants and cabin choices. For lower rates on cabins, inquire about smaller-sized digs near the front and back of the ship, especially since you won't be spending much time in them in the first place. The one caveat is that these rooms can be noisier when the ship goes through the locks, but if you're a heavy sleeper or a fan of ear plugs, it's worth the discount.
Let's say you enjoy excursions that on average would cost $80 per day in port. Viking has many inclusions on their river cruises, although not everything. On your trip, you'll get at least one shore excursion per port included in the fare, as well as bottled water, all meals plus wine and beer at lunch and dinner, as well as onboard programming and entertainment. Still, as is typical for cruise lines at the high end, Viking includes a lot in its base price. The latter is something relatively few lines roll into their base fares, and shore excursions can be expensive.
Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. On the other side of the menu are “regional specialties” or options that are focused on our destinations. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
Viking adds a discretionary service charge (15 Euros per guest per day when we traveled) to your shipboard account if you choose not to prepay the gratuity. We also took along some thank you cards and added some extra cash to give to those we felt went above and beyond during our cruise. Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew.
Breakfast and lunch are buffets that are served during set times, although you can also order cooked-to-order items off the menu. While it's not what we'd consider a "foodie" experience and doesn't have as much regional focus as you might expect, Viking's river ships have menus that appeal to a wide range of palates. You'll always be able to find staples such as prime rib, chicken and salmon. Prices of Viking Ocean Cruises vary wildly, depending on the destination, time of year and duration. Whatever your budget is, you can find tips and tricks on how to score the best cruise deals in this blog post. With the notable exception of Viva Cruises, there are no sailings in Europe in January or February.
Such services are complimentary for passengers staying in certain categories of cabins. Otherwise, fees are comparable to what you'll pay cleaners at home. Dry cleaning is available on the line's ocean ships but not on Viking river ships.
