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Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. On one side of the menu are the “classics” or options that are always available. 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. Today we left Lyon on a bus tour that started with learning and tasting wine in the Beaujolais region. After wine, we had a feast of truffle flavored delights followed by a truffle hunt with an adorable dog.
Dining on Viking River Ships Centers on a Main Dining Room, Casual Meals in Aquavit
For the ultimate itinerary, check out Viking River Cruises' Grand European Tour. This 15-day cruise travels through the heart of Europe between Amsterdam and Budapest. In many ways, it's a combination of the best Viking river cruises in Europe as it takes in the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers and Dutch waterways. 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.
Viking River Cruise Destinations
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. The fare for a Viking Ocean Cruise includes everything you could possibly need on board. On the other hand, it doesn’t include anything you don’t need.
Day 4 Viviers
Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. All dining on Viking river cruise ships is free, with open seating and no reservations required. The layout of Viking river cruise ships’ leverages modern Scandinavian design to create open and airy spaces, perfect for kicking back and watching the river float by. Nothing is too over the top, and casual clothes are the norm during the day, with a minimal dress code required at night.
Leave time to explore your ship
Passengers on Viking River Cruises are generally English-speaking, well-traveled cruise veterans in the 55-plus bracket, although China and Southeast Asia attracts some younger travelers (think 40-plus). Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. 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.
The food alone is worth the cost of the trip
A Rhine River cruise is a wonderful way to experience Europe and a top choice for a first time river cruise. If you've never been on a river cruise before -- or have previously been on ocean cruises -- it's hard to know exactly what to expect. Take a look at our list of mistakes to avoid and enjoy your best-ever experience on a Viking Rhine River cruise. 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. 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.
Evenings have an official dress code, but it's not too formal. The line asks passengers to keep things "elegant casual" when heading to any of the ship's dining venues, performances or special events. To Viking, that means a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women, and trousers and a collared shirt for men. During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, a short-sleeve shirt and shorts are just fine.
How Much Do Viking Ocean Cruises Cost?
Running from the mountains in Portugal's east, the Douro cuts through tranquil landscapes filled with vineyards. 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. The Seine is one of the best Viking River Cruises for art lovers. This corner of France has inspired generations of artists -- perhaps none more so than Claude Monet.
Viking River Cruises
Viking Explorer Society cruise loyalty program guide: Everything you need to know - The Points Guy
Viking Explorer Society cruise loyalty program guide: Everything you need to know.
Posted: Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
On all ships, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. Unlike many lines, Viking allows you to bring your own wine, Champagne, beer and liquor onto ships at embarkation with no limits. Viking adds an automatic service gratuity (which it calls a "hotel and dining charge") of $17 per person per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category.
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. Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure. You can opt to spend seven days cruising the river or opt for two weeks cruising in the ocean. The first night of our arrival we received welcome drinks and listened to music in the Aquavit lounge.
We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. 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. 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.
The documents outline all the details you need to know about your trip and also include things like handy luggage tags. I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t have enough formal wear for dinner at night, as is required on some cruises, but not to worry. I would suggest packing a nice pair of flats, blouse, and jeans or pants, to wear for dinner (no shorts or t-shirts). I did also pack a few dresses, leggings, and I ended up buying a Viking fleece on board. I always pack my tennis shoes and a few lightweight sweaters. Viking doesn't have a loyalty program in the traditional sense — one where passengers earn points every time they travel with the brand and progress through multiple tiers that bring an ever-expanding array of perks.
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