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Plus, Viking offers several excursions each day that the ship is in port. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Viking River cruise, which transported us comfortably to some amazing European destinations. There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer) or there is another issue (like a broken lock) necessitating the change. Viking River Cruises are semi-inclusive, with at least one shore excursion per day, Wi-Fi, bottled water and all onboard meals (in all venues) included in the price of your cruise. Also included is beer, wine and soda at lunch and dinner; these beverages cost extra any other time of the day.
Dining on Viking River Ships Centers on a Main Dining Room, Casual Meals in Aquavit
To me, taking a cruise is probably the most relaxing vacation. If you're considering a Viking Cruise or want to know what it's like to sail on a river, this post will guide you through everything you need to know before you go. Did you know that you won’t pay a penny more for your Viking River cruise when you book with us? As you can see, the number of suites is quite limited, so if you prefer a larger suite, early booking is highly recommended.
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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. Onboard you’ll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. Plus, you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destination’s unique features. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only.
How to Pick the Right Stateroom on Your Viking River Cruise Longship
Viking River & Ocean Voyages highlight the history, culture, and seldom-seen sights of both inland and coastal destinations on one seamless itinerary. From rivers to oceans, enjoy a Thinking Person’s Cruise that only Viking can provide, on board ships designed for discovery and delight. 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. You’ll find Viking River cruises throughout Europe, Egypt, and Southeast Asia.
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Expect shore excursions to include vineyard visits and tastings of the region's famous Rieslings. For a more casual option, the Aquavit Terrace on the upper deck has light buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners. It's a particularly charming place to eat when the weather is nice and the glass walls come down, opening the entire area up to al fresco dining. Tables here are smaller, so if you're traveling with a friend or partner, you don't have to sit at a table with strangers. You can also come and go a bit more freely here, during serving hours. It's a nice choice if you've had a long day touring and only need a small nosh.
During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. Leave your dressier clothes at home; no formal nights are on a Viking River cruise. Having a fleet of identical ships is not unusual in river cruising, which is why it's more important to choose a line that fits your needs, rather a specific vessel, when you're planning your trip. First, river cruise ships are restricted in size by the locks and canals systems along Europe's waterways.
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. Viking river cruise ship layouts center on the glass-enclosed Aquavit Terrace. Part dining area, part sunny hangout, the Aquavit Terrace sits at the front of the ship and provides a perfect vantage point for scenic sailing.
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With longer port calls and our destination-focused approach, Viking maximizes your discoveries in Europe. From the fairytale castles of the Middle Rhine to the natural beauty of Norwegian fjords, you will gain deep insight into the continent’s cultural and historic riches. Once you have made your booking, you can complete your Guest Information Form.
Châteaux, Rivers & Wine
In the afternoon, we followed up on some of the suggestions the local guide from the morning had regarding how to spend the remainder of the day. That worked well as we enjoyed some nice non-touristy lunches and other walks and tours on our own. On Viking river cruises, wines are included at lunch and dinner and are poured liberally. This is one area where the line strives to provide regional offerings.
You can rest assured that Viking is with you for every step of your journey—from the time you begin making travel plans until you return home. Creating an account in My Viking Journey is quick and easy—get started today. Use My Viking Journey to fully customize your flight itinerary, including seat assignments, flight upgrades, or change your dates of travel and preferred airports. You can also add a stopover before or after your cruise and add flight preferences. Designed exclusively for you to prepare for your upcoming voyage, customize your travel experience, and manage your bookings.
When we cruised, the “classics” included Caesar salad as a starter; steak, salmon, and chicken as entrees, and Creme Brûlée, a selection of cheeses, a fruit plate, and ice cream for dessert. The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. There are several things you won’t find on a Viking River cruise, and they are often some of the prime reasons so many people choose Viking. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. In addition, average cruise prices are updated nightly. You will need to pay extra for tips, laundry and additional shore excursion offerings.
The line puts out loungers, some in the sun and some under cover, so you can enjoy drinks and river views. The sundeck also has an herb garden, a shuffleboard area and two putting greens (although these are very rarely used). One complimentary excursion is included in every port of call. These thoughtfully curated experiences provide insights into local culture, history and attractions.
Itineraries include the Garonne, Girande and Dordogne Rivers, all of which wind their way through rolling hills home to more than 9,000 wineries. Those produce about 700 million bottles of wine a year, so expect sips of Saint-Emilion, Medoc and Sauternes on a Viking Bordeaux river cruise. One of the best Viking River Cruises in Europe takes place on the Rhine River and the scenery is spectacular. Rising in the Alps and meandering 820 miles through Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands, the Rhine is lined with fairy-tale castles and wine-growing villages.
I wasn’t anticipating how chilly France would be in May! I always pack my tennis shoes and a few lightweight sweaters. If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our monthly newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more. On one side of the menu are the “classics” or options that are always available.
If wine isn't your speed, Bordeaux is also a Cognac-producing region. You'll have the chance to create a personal bottle of Cognac at the family-run Camus Distillery. And for a true direct-to-table dining experience, join a truffle hunt in Perigord or savor fresh oysters from the bay at Arcachon. Manageable itineraries of only eight days are available, though the line does offer longer options. Viking includes excursions to the poignant Normandy beaches plus the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. You'll also get a dash of history in medieval Rouen and the quaint fishing village of Honfleur.
The guests on the other ship, the Modi, got off the ship at Regensburg, on the other side of the damaged lock. Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place. Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service — and you will find excellent service on Viking. Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. 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.
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