I laughed out loud at the comments from Shelly and Mary. First timer on river cruise. Staterooms are guaranteed to be ready at 3:00 pm. Preparing for any trip involves planningas well as careful pruning: To do a good job, dont wait until the last minute. 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. The lounge on a Viking river cruise ship has plenty of comfortable . To the best of my knowledge, every stateroom has a mini-bar. 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. Just found your sitelots of great info! Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place. We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! The general experience on all Viking river cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship youre on. This. However, the information in this article is from our Grand European Tour cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest aboard the Skirnir and Modi (more on the two ships later). 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports. My travel one is small but having not to bring one would be great. I bet youre planning your next cruise already. bealls online outlet. Were celebrating our 50th! on your bed. Enjoy your cruise this fall! The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. . My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise, which transported us in great comfort to some amazing European destinations. I have the original which is 1 amp and am looking into getting the 2.1 amp since I have a tablet now. The Quietvox listening devices charger is plugged into a 220 outlet on the counter across from the bed. It has a 5 feet long braided extension cord attached to it for charging. 110/220 volt outlets & USB ports. Have a wonderful cruise, Thomas! As we age, carrying and lifting suitcases can exact a toll on our back and shoulder muscles. Plus, Viking offers several excursions each day that the ship is in port. Enjoy! We have booked all the included excursions, but have held off booking the optional ones as we love to do our own thing when in port, and perhaps covering more ground than the optional excursions. Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you dont forget your valuables. We also got a power strip with USB ports for all our stuff. (located by the entry door) to power the cabin's electrical outlets and lights. JOOMFEEN Universal Travel Adapter. 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. (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) I have been told by friends who sail on other lines that I will need a lanyard and pouch to carry ID and room keys, we did not on Viking River Cruises, do we on the ocean cruise? complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package, private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport). rent to own house in quezon city 5k monthly. Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! Great article. Thanks. Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own? Heres our story. NOTE: This article was completely updated in January 2023 from the original article, written in 2019. View on Amazon. Other European ships have 220V electricity, and have the German Schuko safety plug, which has two pins. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. Bring your comfortable easy to pack stuff ladies and bring athletic shoes that allow for socks. Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. Power Adapter Type - Viking Cruises. Hi Robin, you pose a great question, but it isnt easy to answer! The power strip supports worldwide voltage. One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. The Norwegian Bliss, Breakaway, Encore, Epic, Escape, Getaway, Joy and Spirit have additional US sockets available. Another great feature of a Viking River cruise is the ship's electrical outlets. What is your advice? Viking River Cruises: Onboard electricity is 220V; for more detailed information on plugs and adapters click here. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. For instance, how much is the Top of Cologne in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. Some procedures and protocols on cruise ships have changed to address public health concerns since the global COVID-19 pandemic. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After all, we travel to experience new places, new food, and new people, so we like to eat local specialties whenever possible. Once youre on the ship, youll learn the times that the ship will be docked in a city, so you can plan your day. Check-in time for the hotel is 3:00 PM. ? And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. Hi Meri, Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. There are lots of smiles and offers of help. We will be traveling on the Viking Ksvair and I am thinking about the number of outlets available for charging devices and would love your input. My recollection is that Viking Ocean Cruises have fluffy comforters and luxury down pillows. So an adapter will be needed on the ship? Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable but nice slacks and a blouse will be absolutely fine. The number indicates which ship youre on. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. Are there any solo travellers on their cruises. The cost for the Viking Silver drinks package is $19.95 USD per night per guest. I wasnt sure whether or not to bring my usual cruise lanyard and hole punch? Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! My hair is unruly amplified. Hi Linda, youre facing a big decision: to go with Silver Spirits or not! This is Vikings way of accounting for guests. The Quietvox listening devices charger is plugged into a 220 outlet on the counter across from the bed. Im looking forward to ours next year! 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? Started August 27, 2021, By Yes, I believe there is one. Thank you for your informative article! We loved our trip and would recommend it to others. 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). Hi. Just be sure to unplug when not in use. We opted to book through our travel agent with whom we could meet face-to-face, ask questions, and learn from her knowledge of cruising and different cruise companies. Hi Tanya, Sounds like you have a great cruise coming up! We noticed that the crew was cleaning the common areas early in the morning, as soon as we left for excursions, and in our rooms while guests were enjoying dinner. But, what else would we spend money on? The hotel manager was great and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Is that a crazy thing to say?! After morning housekeeping, we had some fresh fruit and baked treats waiting for us in our 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). Lolly just finished the Grand European tour a week ago (Budapest-Amsterdam). We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. You may have only 1 or 2 outlets. One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. Viking is very efficient with their timing. The hybrid power vessel mixes intrepid exploration with outstanding luxury from bow to stern for a unique vacation experience no matter where you sail. It wasnt a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. It was impossible to find one to my liking in the department store in Marseillealthough I tried. I cant find any info on Fteyja that gives me that info. Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. That way, youll have current informationand be able to talk to people in the know to see if your plans will work. Many of the newer ships within the fleet also have USB sockets available ranging from 2-3 per cabin. I have seem videos of rooms but cannot perceive where we can place our 2 luggages + backpacks and not having to hop over them inside our room. I am not thinking we will have any need for a converter, just additional plugs. us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. Good luck! Do you have any experience about this? Some people do prefer lanyards but its not necessary. As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. Just thinking of the best options for meeting friends for a short visit. (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. My suggestion: It seems like it shouldnt be a problem to bring your flat iron. Irene. HELP !! If you dont live in the U.S., Im sure other governments have similar programs for travelers. During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. 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. I am also taking that cruise. A black colored polo shirt (my husband likes the Ralph Lauren slimshirt) is always a great look for men. Weve got to get you back into cruising, Janice! Have a wonderful trip! . We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. I will add one note that we experienced. For example, once the crew knows that everyone is accounted for after excursions, the ship is sailing within minutes of the anticipated departure (as noted in the Viking Daily). So if you depend on them, bring your own. Only a few bucks anyway. Attire on a river cruise is casual. Im so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. We're on the the Kara in a few weeks and just went through this research. (If you are booked in one of the suites, youll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) Regsrding snacks you forgot to mention that you do not need room service as each room comes with a bar fridge and that snacks like the delicious home baked cookies are readily available ftim the World Cafe. Viking Cruises offers excursions on the sea and river. and special treats made nice surprises. You answered my questions about docking locations (though understand they are subject to change) and the Hungarian currency. Great service sounds like Viking! Scenic Tours: 220 V and international power adaptors required. I hope you have a wonderful time! As standard in Viking Longships there are both USA type flat pin 110 sockets and European round holed 220V sockets, as well as USB sockets. Not everyone needs to go on excursions. LinkedIn. More information on menu choices is below under Meals. My hair is very unruly and I am mortified at the thought of no heat styling tools! The tips cover all onboard staff. And I think remembering that delays can arise on any type of travel (e.g., flights, cruises, trains) helps us all manage our expectations. All the best. Coffee machine, mini-bar (replenished daily with bottled water, soft drinks . Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer), What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. Im glad you found the article helpful. I also rarely take precious jewelry on any cruise. The 110V electrical outlets (North American style) are located above the desk and on each side of the bed. And Cary Cruiser, all of our itinerary information, airline boarding passes, music, museum audio apps, RS walking tours, language translators, maps, $$ converters, public transportation apps & reading material are downloaded onto our devices. Just wondering if there is a regular daily schedule and of course we understand the change caused by water level, weather, etc. Yes, there have been changes to address public health safety, but Im betting they wont interfere with your overall enjoyment. Usually there is an electrical outlet by the "desk" or vanity. 8 Ventura plug sockets. I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. 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. Unlike a hair dryer, flat irons dont use a lot of current and most are dual voltage (check the tag). LauraS Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise. There are times when the sun deck is closed to guests. COVID Travel Packing List: 6 Essentials For Any Trip. . As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. in the safe the day before you check out. I liked the posted copy of the daily news and we had already decided from our ocean experiences to take the drinks package. We didnt regret our decision. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. (Depending on the category of your stateroom, the laundry service may be complimentary.) It sounds like you have a wonderful journey coming up this summer, Rosetta! For a complete list of action steps. 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. We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. viking cruise ship electrical outlets. When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. 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. In fact, there are few hard-fast rules for evening dress except to limit shorts and workout attire to daytime use only. This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise! To accomplish this, passengers pack up the night before the transfer, and while out on excursions, their luggage is transferred to the other ship. excursion card with a number and a letter. Is that a crazy thing to say?! My husband and I had planned to go on the Salzburg excursion, but when we learned we would be spending so much time on the bus to travel there and back (for a total of 9.5 hours), we decided to spend our time in Passau instead. There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. In the summer it can be really hot and sweaty feet even in sandals can cause blisters. Youll receive an excursion card with a number and a letter. If you are traveling on a Viking Longship, you will find both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. All outlets are. Its something to worry about losing, and fanciful costume jewelry is just as much fun! 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. Alternatives include USB charging stations, multi-socket outlets, or outlet adapters which don't contain a surge protector. Tech can make travel a whole lot easier. And, yes, there is a nice vanity area where you can sit and do your hair and makeup, across from the bed. We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. By We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. They are also provided by the cruise line and replenished as needed. Thanks all. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. Check with your Viking agent or your travelagent (or your MyVikingJourney online portal if youre already booked on a cruise) to learn the latest protocols aboard the ship and in the countries that youll be visiting. Without the Silver Spirits package, Id plan on $6-10 for most cocktails, aperitifs, or premium wine by the glass. There are so many choices of destinations and lengths of the trip. Thus, it makes an ideal travel companion. Herding 169 tourists onto separate buses all going separate places at separate timeswow, thats a job! If you stay in a hotel before or after your cruise you will need to bring adapters for charging your phone or tablets. Have a great cruise! Let's look into your options, and briefly cover why power strips aren't allowed. Should. River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. Unless you are wed to a particular product, there is no need to bring shampoo or conditioner onboard with you. In our documents from Viking regarding our river cruise in France, it says curling irons and flat irons are prohibited. 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. 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. Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September 23.our first river cruise (for our 20th). I was delighted to spend seven days along the Rhne River on the Provence and Lyon itinerary. The Silver Spirits option is offered at a fixed price per guest and spans the entire length of the trip. This happens when bridges are too low to safely pass under with guests on the sun deck. Youll find two large red umbrellas in your stateroom that you can use if the weather is inclement. That way, if they reach a low point in the river, they can have passengers disembark, go on bussed excursions, and afterwards be taken to the sister ship that completes the journey. When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Hi Ricardo, It sounds like you have a great trip ahead! Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. Good to know. One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. On our cruise, this was done in the Lounge just after the evening port talk by the program director. 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!) I have a quick question that I wouldnt seem to find the answer online: We are thinking about renting a car at Koblenz and go to Nurburgring for a few hours and also at Speyer to go to Stuttgart for the day. Do viking ocean cruise lines have a hairdresser on board? We did not receive any compensation or discounts fromViking or any otherorganization. Did you bring euros or use credit card? 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. The link to this item can be found HERE. 3 PM stateroom access. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. Freyja Toiletries on Viking Ocean Cruises (Credit: Jerome Levine). Viking collected the luggage (with different colored tags for the three different floors of the ship) and trucked it to where the Modi, our new ship, was docked. One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week and that includes river levels. Started June 21, 2021, By Youd need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. No need for a converter. Once you book a Viking river cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience. Have you seen this post? 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 With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. This compact power strip comes with three power outlets and four USB ports, including a Type C port. Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. 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. 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. Is this allowed? The longships have both American 110v and Euro 220v service and outlets. Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. Required fields are marked *. It is very helpful to reduce wandering around looking like a tourist while trying to figure out the procedures. Have fun whatever you decide to do! The maitre-d I am convinced is in league with the devil, as she tempted diners again and again with just try this ONE little pastry. Im hoping that other women will be wearing slacks with a nice blouse for our Viking Ocean cruise to the Caribbean. 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. Plenty of covered space protects guests from the harsh summer sun. 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. My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. Im bring my hair styling tool and want to plug it in to 110v in the bathroom. As the name implies, World Navigator is a ship well-equipped to sail from one end of the world to the other. There are also bright red full-size Viking umbrellas to take along on excursions if its raining. Were planning a Viking river cruise May 2022. 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. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Accommodating just 82 guests, she offers the ultimate in comfort. She is also the goddess of consolation and brings comfort and solace to those who grieve, kissing away their tears. You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! Im with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. On our ships, there were separate newspaper versions for Australia, Canada, and the U.S. a flat-screen TV with infotainment options. They are clearly marked. This is the place to find a variety of coffee and tea plus baked goods to accompany your beverage. There is precise timing to docking and excursions. Guess not. Have a wonderful time! I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. Your comments are really appreciated. Powered by Invision Community. How does Viking Ocean cruises treat solo travellers. 150 square foot stateroom with picture window (no outdoor space), 135 square foot stateroom with French balcony (sliding glass door with no outdoor space), located on the Upper Deck and Middle Deck, 205 square foot room with full-size private veranda, 275 square foot suite with full-size private veranda, mini-bar with wine, beer, and soft drinks that are replenished daily, complimentary laundry & shoe shine services. 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. That worked well as we enjoyed some nice non-touristy lunches and other walks and tours on our own. Rosetta. Its certainly a relaxing way to travel. Thank you for the excellent summary of each important category. when we traveled) to your shipboard account. Especially your tips on dinner were helpful I will pack his blazer. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) Thank you for great information and insights! This is a great venue for enjoying the passing landscape on travel days and relaxed dining every day. Any idea if the Terrace will be open for meals in the chill of November? It makes me happy when I can help others get more comfortable with and enjoy their travels. For example, the guests in the Explorer Suites can book optional excursions before guests in the Veranda Suites. :confused: The DH may have to weigh in. Your room key is your ID. Once unpacked, you can put your backpacks in your empty luggage and slide it all under the bed(s) and not think about them until its time to leave. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. Viking says they are NOT allowed, but no one will confiscate. Oh, Im so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms. My first question is, without using the laundry service on board , do you have suggestions on washing items in your cabin? In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. There are also daily announcements with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. We are scheduled to take the Viking Danube cruise in early June 2022. Specifically built to navigate the Nile, she is a state-of-the-art vesseldesigned in the clean, elegant Scandinavian aesthetic for which Viking is known. 11 Final Thoughts about Plug Sockets on P&O Cruises. We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. Thanks for your kind words, Triana. All cruise ships owned by Norwegian Cruise Line have a minimum of 1 US and 1 European plug sockets in each cabin. Its just the nature of this type of travel. As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! Is there a restaurant seating option for introverts? And the small umbrellas! No, I havent been on a Midnight Sun cruise but this article I recently wrote for Forbes.com may offer some general advice that could be helpful: https://www.forbes.com/sites/irenelevine/2018/05/01/7-packing-tips-to-make-your-european-river-cruise-hassle-free/#43a857661797. 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. This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldnt have the opportunity again. Two additional 42" flat-screen interactive LCD TVs with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies on Demand in suite. Its also where youll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day. I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise! Dress during the day is . Other European ships have 220V electricity, and have the German Schuko safety plug, which has two pins. Really, just looking for your opinion on longer trips off-ship. Now to your questions. 3. King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linens & pillows. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! Were doing the Rhine Getaway, Amsterdam to Basel in early Oct, but havent actually booked yet! 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. Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired.