are there laundry facilities on viking river cruises

We were never disappointed with our meal selections. The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours. Low river levels today might be just fine for cruising in a few days. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. How exciting! Thanks again. All Viking river cruise ship staterooms have: The different types of staterooms range in size, available outdoor space, the time for guaranteed stateroom access, and amenities. 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. Much better idea of what were sailing into now! That makes it handy for your husband to fetch your morning cup! My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. Europe Laundry List; China Laundry List; Russia Laundry List; Vietnam Laundry List queen-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds. Good luck! Heres our story. Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary. Thanks for your article it was very informative. These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. In the morning we would stuff the bag with dirty clothes, fill out the form and leave for the cabin attendant. Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. Enjoy! Ive not taken a Viking optional tour that I didnt like, but I will say that there are passengers who also book tours independent of Viking due to a keen interest in something and the personal or small-group experience that is available with independent tour guides. Hope your sister finds her Viking river cruise everything she hopes it to be. We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. The Silver Spirits option is offered at a fixed price per guest and spans the entire length of the trip. Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves as long as all the guests are accounted for. On both boats we used the laundry In spite of some tweaks, this article will definitely prepare you for your Viking river cruise. WebThere's a reason why Viking consistently receives awards as the best cruise company out there. The 190-passenger Viking Egil Re renting a car to go to a specific place Viking tours dont include: Is Uber possible in the cities Viking goes to? In my experience, the laundry service on Viking has been excellent. Thank you for your time. We did not receive any compensation or discounts fromViking or any otherorganization. Its been a seamless process for us, and it functions well although we do incur additional international charges. 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. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. Viking is only offering us a morning excursion the second day in Prague so we are looking to do some exploring on our own. Laundry services may be arranged through your Suite Attendant or your Butler. Very relaxing! 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. Her bag was delivered on the last day of the cruise! The Silver Spirits package offers unlimited drinks including cocktails, premium wine, and beer. Once onboard, verify the time youll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. So for 200 dollars, we got a 400 value good for tickets, flights, an excursion, or even the beverage package. To conserve resources, you could easily fill a reusable water bottle from home with water in the rooms. If you want wine at that time is there a charge? Attire on a river cruise is casual. The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Many thanks ! The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. Laundry Facility Included in Fare: On the Queen of the Mississippi, there are wash and dryer units are available. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. My husband and I will be sailing with Viking on a Rhine River cruise (Netherlands to Lucerne) this month and our very first river cruise (during a pandemic). Many people were. For a complete list of action steps. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. . 2. excursion card with a number and a letter. 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. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. Its a nice place to relax on warm days and enjoy a lunch buffet while taking in the views. On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. We could not have chosen any better than the Skirnir and Viking. Paying upfront might offer peace of mind if you like knowing that its already paid for and you dont have to think about an upcoming beverage bill. Then itll be the first photo on your camera roll before the next days activities. 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. Your husband doesnt need to pack a blazer if he wouldnt normally wear one for dinner. Hi Jaime, Vikings European longship has a spacious lounge, the Aquavit Terrace (some of which can be enclosed in bad weather), and seating in the atrium area all good choices for relaxing inside while not in your stateroom. We celebrated a big anniversary on our cruise and were delighted with champagne and a special dessert awaiting us in our room after dinner one night. When you return to your room, you will notice the dinner menus for that evening. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour! Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. 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. Viking does offer access to desktop computers in Russia and laptops in Europe. With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. 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. River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. with a German Schuko 2-pin plug that matches the 2-prong outlet in the bathroom. 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. Disclaimer: My husband and I paid forour Viking river cruise ourselves. The sun deck does not have enclosed spaces. Weve had no regrets. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. That way, youll learn exactly how things will work with getting to and from that specific hotel. WebFree Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Laundry service. One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. The crew communicates with each other quite well. Your descriptions of the change of ship due to the broken lock and of docking side by side with other ships were reassuring. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. River Cruise Advisor | Avid Cruiser | About | Terms & Full Disclosure | Privacy | Contact | Subscribe. Laundry is folded and returned on the same day if you have it ready in the morning. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We are on the Aug Rhine cruise and our 1st river cruise. The river cruises have open seating, so that means you arent assigned any table mates. WebFrom Veranda Staterooms to the abundance of extra perks and amenities in our spacious Explorer Suites, there is no finer way to travel. had some shirts done same day return no complaints 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. See. There is a light buffet available in the Lounge around midday, so youll be able to recharge a bit before the cruise begins a nice treat if you just got off a long flight. WebUse down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. Im glad you found the article helpful, Thomas! complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). It easily holds passports and other travel documents along with jewelry and money. Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. Stairs connect all the decks plus theres an elevator to service the upper and middle decks. We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. 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. Also, you can get Euros from bank ATMs after you land; there are probably some ATMS near your cruise embarkation site. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? We are scheduled to take the Viking Danube cruise in early June 2022. Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. U River Cruises by Uniworld offers week-long cruises for young adults along Europes riverways. 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). Public restrooms are available in European towns, and many charge a nominal fee (.50-1 Euro). Have fun whatever you decide to do! There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. Enjoy your cruise this fall! Its best to check availability online or ask Viking for the cities youll be visiting. We will definitely be using it in the years to come. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. 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. Oh, Im so happy youre able to enjoy traveling safely during the pandemic. Walking could be on unpaved or uneven surfaces and may involve many steps or steep inclines. By the way, Viking does build in a set amount of gratuities for ship staff (or you can arrange for this on your account before sailing), but you may also want to give a personal cash tip to staff members who are particularly helpful. Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. She was also given complimentary express laundry service. Members of VantagesPresidents Club (achieved after three Vantage Vacations trips not necessarily river cruises) also receive a 20 laundry credit. Is there any laundry facility available on the Viking Mars? My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. Hi Linda, youre facing a big decision: to go with Silver Spirits or not! 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. Is there plenty of space for passengers indoors in the common areas, if the outdoors are too cold or rainy? That saved precious counter space. So glad I discovered your very informative account of the Viking River Cruise! Viking asks that guests not walk on the sun deck from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am as a courtesy to those whose cabins are just below the sun deck. Theres also no guest laundry on board, and this is also true of other ? More information on menu choices is below under Meals. 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. Not everyone needs to go on excursions. Really, just looking for your opinion on longer trips off-ship. 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). But it looks like pre purchasing using on board credit isnt possible. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! Some procedures and protocols on cruise ships have changed to address public health concerns since the global COVID-19 pandemic. Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. Even with that information, as you mentioned,dockings could be delayed to traffic on the river or there could be delays going through locks. 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). You set the code, so its a cinch to remember. Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. 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). Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. There are costs associated with the optional tours and they vary, and I suppose that correlates with the costs Viking incurs. Wondering how much american cash we should bring and do we need to get euros prior to arrival (if so how much). 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. Did you use local guides? We are doing the Grand European Tours B-A with extensions in Prague and Amsterdam, and have booked a full schedule. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. 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). Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! Servers take your drink orders (sodas, beer, wine) and freshen up your glass when it is empty. Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. Everyone should read this as every question seems to be answered well and clearly! She dies from sadness after her lover Helgi is slain by her brother Dagr, and is later reborn as a Valkyrie herself. Im glad you found the article helpful. When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card. This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. 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. The crew actually collapses the awnings, chairs, and tables and the ships bridge recedes into the ship all to reduce the ships height. This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. You make an excellent point, Julia. Once youre on the ship, youll learn the times that the ship will be docked in a city, so you can plan your day. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! I didnt read through all the comments, so I hope Im not being repetitive. Just thinking of the best options for meeting friends for a short visit. pontac, June 28, 2016 in River Cruising. We do indeed have new travel hiccups and challenges these days. You can sign up for excursions from your account on MyVikingJourney.com prior to your trip. My first question is, without using the laundry service on board , do you have suggestions on washing items in your cabin? Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? Youll be able to find out about the length of bus trips to/from excursions and other related information. As for the specifics about checking in to hotels and then embarkation timing, Id suggest you contact Viking directly (or your travel agent if you used one to book the trip). The cruise is great for adults of any age. And about general seating at meals in the dining room, theres a choice of large and small tables and theres no assigned seating, so if youre one of the early ones at meal time, youll have a great chance of finding a setting that suits you best. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! Just make sure you notify your bank before traveling, so they dont flag your ATM transaction in another country as suspicious! One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place. It is a quick way to catch up on national and international news as well as to get financial market and sports updates. WebThe modern and award winning river cruise ships are deployed among the most beautiful rivers in With Viking Cruises you will get a job that takes you places! We kept our itinerary full, which might have been an error trust me, you want to take a breather every few days! Do you have any experience with that destination? Do you have any experience about this? Emerald Cruises offers onboard laundry services and charges a fee per piece of laundry. For instance, how much is the Top of Cologne in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Per Viking: There are no formal nights in the evening; recommended evening dress is elegant casual. For ladies, this may include a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; and for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. 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. The number indicates which ship youre on. Did some underwear, jeans and a golf shirt. All came back same day. No complaints. I merely want to share our experience on a river cruise with my readers. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. 3. Hi. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. Self-service laundry on a cruise ship is often free, but there may be a charge of up to $3.50 to use the machines and $2 for detergent, depending on the ship. People are relaxed aboard Viking river cruises (no dressy occasions), and thats one thing people tend to enjoy about the experience. The guests on the other ship, the Modi, got off the ship at Regensburg, on the other side of the damaged lock. Needless to say, its handy to have small change for tipping. For a walking tour (directly from the ship), some passengers go on the tour to learn about the destination and then spend the rest of the day shopping, enjoying a meal, or just wandering around. If you have dietary restrictions, let Viking know when you book. River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. How early are they available to avoid the rush? There youll find a countdown to departure, background on each port of call, the entire list of excursions available (some are complimentary; others cost extra) that you can book online, a calendar showing your itinerary for each day, and other helpful information about the cruise. If you are doing a post-cruise stay, I found the prices on Viking to be less than the prices using the hotel laundry, so if you need something cleaned, I would suggest using the laundry services on the ship. Good luck! Have a fabulous cruise! I hope you thoroughly enjoy your Viking cruise next year! Great service sounds like Viking! and special treats made nice surprises. Thanks for the great information. Hi Pat, Im so glad you found my article helpful! Youll receive an excursion card with a number and a letter. Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. Now to your questions. When passengers get to the sister ship, their luggage is in their new cabins (which are usually the same cabins they had on the original ship). You can store your luggage under the bed(s). The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? Have a great cruise! And whichever stateroom you choose, you will find it beautifully designed in the understated elegance for which Viking is known. Lolly just finished the Grand European tour a week ago (Budapest-Amsterdam). When we cruised, the classics included Caesar salad as a starter; steak, salmon, and chicken as entrees, and Creme Brle, a selection of cheeses, a fruit plate, and ice cream for dessert. In Asia these services range from $2 per item to $5 per item; however, the list of what can be laundered or pressed is more limited on river cruises in Asia. 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. Soap is provided and the machines are free to use. Thanks for the great details! Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. who made the move with us. Do they charge for use? Thank you so much for this detailed account. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from! Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! 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. Hi Theo, you shouldnt have any problems meeting up with your friends in either Bamburg or Wurzburg while on the cruise. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. Hi Daisy, you have the choice of going on the included or an optional excursion or exploring on your own. Plus you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destinations special features. when we traveled) to your shipboard account. Hi Tanya, Sounds like you have a great cruise coming up! Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. Check-in time for the hotel is 3:00 PM. Veranda Stateroom (V) Stateroom size: 268 sq ft (includes private veranda) We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. Hi Robin, you pose a great question, but it isnt easy to answer! There are three activity levels for excursions: About 15 minutes before each excursion, there is an announcement to remind guests that it is almost time to leave and to remember the listening devices. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. 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). private bathrooms that are separate from the living Have a wonderful cruise! The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing?

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