We just got back from the Viking Rhine River Cruise and these tips were very good. I liked the posted copy of the daily news and we had already decided from our ocean experiences to take the drinks package. How many outlets are available in the cabin? So glad I discovered your very informative account of the Viking River Cruise! My husband and I are doing the Grand Tour B > A in early October 2023. So if you depend on them, bring your own. Best, Irene. Is there a restaurant seating option for introverts? I suggest that you call Viking Cruises to make surebut if I recollect correctly, although there were ample 100V outlets, you may not be able to use any appliance in the bathroom except for an electric shaver. Trying to guess the weather so we can narrow down what to pack. (Im trying to save you room in your luggage!) The hybrid power vessel mixes intrepid exploration with outstanding luxury from bow to stern for a unique vacation experience no matter where you sail. You answered my questions about docking locations (though understand they are subject to change) and the Hungarian currency. Have a wonderful cruise! with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite. . We would charge the cameras/batteries in the evenings after returning from touring, and charge our Nooks during the day while we were out touring. My husband and I took the Top of Cologne excursion, and it was one of the best. We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) The Viking Bar on Deck 1 has sweets and savories available through midnight. Just be sure to unplug when not in use. 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. We will definitely be using it in the years to come. (Depending on the category of your stateroom, the laundry service may be complimentary.) Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. The 110V electrical outlets (North American style) are located above the desk and on each side of the bed. Accommodating just 82 guests, she offers the ultimate in comfort. (Viking asks that luggage not be placed outside the staterooms when going to bed the previous night due to safety concerns should there be an emergency, having bags in the narrow corridors would pose a safety risk.). No kids. Hope this helps. Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key. Ive hand washed some things in the sink and hung them up to dry on the line, and it worked fine. For instance, how much is the Top of Cologne in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? Thanks for the great information. I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. I found this online on the VIking Cruises Q&A site (I couldnt find a similar statement specific to ocean cruises): What Is The Electrical Voltage In The Stateroom? Our luggage awaited us, and our new room keys were on the dresser. We are going on the Grand European tour in October 2022. Many of us cruise with quite a few battery-powered devices that we want to keep charged, but cruise ship cabins don't have as many outlets as we'd like. If you think you might do that, you may want to take along a few blank thank you cards to enclose your extra tips, so you can explain why you valued their service so much. Onboard youll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. In fact, there are few hard-fast rules for evening dress except to limit shorts and workout attire to daytime use only. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest? 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. By the desk, there are three plug sockets: one European socket and two U.S. 120V sockets. We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. Whichever side of the menu you order from, the meals for the entire table are served at the same time. Also trying to decide what to wear. The best thing to do is to talk with a Viking staff member as soon as you board to find out details for your specific cruise. In the theatre it can be arctic. NW Ohio. I dont want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us? As for keeping the itinerary full, its hard not to when you have so many great places to explore, but I agree that scheduling downtime is important, too. And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. If you arrive before your guaranteed time of 3:00 pm, you can spend time in the Lounge or leave your luggage on the ship and begin to explore the city on your own. Ive left it out on the counter and the stewards never said anything either. We took a universal travel adaptor with 4 USB plugs and 4 outlets and used just one outlet for all of our electronics (smartphones, camera, tablet, and Apple Watch). Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. If you choose not to prepay the gratuity, Viking adds a discretionary service charge (which was 15 Euros per guest per day when we traveled) to your shipboard account. No need for a converter. The power strip supports worldwide voltage. Unless you are wed to a particular product, there is no need to bring shampoo or conditioner onboard with you. Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! Surge protectors are a fire hazard aboard ships, as they are incompatible with the ship's wiring. We always travel with a small multi-plug electical cord. Have a great cruise! About the stateroom, that really comes down to personal preference. Some people do prefer lanyards but its not necessary. 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). There are also USB ports to charge your cellphone or tablet so all you need to bring are the cables. So an adapter will be needed on the ship? Sometimes theres a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. Have a wonderful cruise! I may just opt for a European surge protector 10 Amps with usb ports like this and this comes in just under 15 oz, but still not as compact as the Belkin: My strategy ended up just using an adapter for the iPad http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SY5O5K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and the power strip http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018MEBNG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for everything else. The Silver Spirits option is offered at a fixed price per guest and spans the entire length of the trip. Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. The number indicates which ship youre on. My hair is very unruly and I am mortified at the thought of no heat styling tools! It has a central adaptable area to plug in your devices, as well as two . Its important to note that when the ship docks somewhere in the morning and you go on an excursion, you sometimes will be brought back to the ship in a different location like another city further down the river. I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. 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. Many people were. Even with that information, as you mentioned,dockings could be delayed to traffic on the river or there could be delays going through locks. expansive 445 square foot living space (separate living room and bedroom) with wraparound balcony at the stern of the ship plus a French balcony in the bedroom. Posted January 31, 2020 (edited) If you go to the Viking website and look for Viking Tir it'll tell you what is in each cabin type. Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. Thank you! #4. As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) 55" OLED flat-screen TV featuring MSNBC, FOX News, National Geographic and more. Were celebrating our 50th! The letter indicates which excursion group youre on. After morning housekeeping, we had some fresh fruit and baked treats waiting for us in our room. We are thinking we would might rather be wandering through the town and trying local cuisine. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises: 220V power is most common; some ships also have 110V outlets. Whether you plan to be swimming onboard or taking an excursion that brings you to a beach, you wont need to bring beach towels from home. 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. When you return to the ship, you scan it again. and one US 110V socket on each side of the bed; there are no UK 3 pin sockets. Youll be glad you did! Also located off the main corridor are a couple of, Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. Oh not to bring adapters! And I think remembering that delays can arise on any type of travel (e.g., flights, cruises, trains) helps us all manage our expectations. 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. 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). 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. In addition, theres a walking trail, a shuffleboard, and a putting green. . 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. Jan Lee, I would definitely bring yours, I didnt on our last Viking cruise and as great as their stuff is, it stripped the color.enjoy your trip. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? I also rarely take precious jewelry on any cruise. Sounds like youve got a great anniversary trip planned, Gary! Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? viking cruise ship electrical outlets. Did you use local guides? so they know what to expect when they use them. A few years ago, we were on a shoulder season cruise in the Mediterranean. All guests are 18 years old or more. Viking has thought of that, too. Much better idea of what were sailing into now! They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. . PROHIBITED ITEMS All firearms (working, nonfiring, replicas, imitations & air/pellet guns) . 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. River cruises are very popular choices for people who like the idea of traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. :confused: The DH may have to weigh in. Cramming too much in your suitcase increases the odds of incurring additional airline fees for oversized or overweight checked bags. Staterooms are guaranteed to be ready at 3:00 pm. I will also ask for a lighter bed cover. River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. Lots of good options, just not sure how fast everything could charge if it needed to be all at the same time! The lounge on a Viking river cruise ship has plenty of comfortable . We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. I bet youre planning your next cruise already. Youll find Viking river cruises all through Europe as well as in Egypt and Southeast Asia. Some other Viking guests enjoyed their visits to the thermal baths, but we opted to do our own thing with the parliament tour and walks to areas recommended by our local tour guide (from the walking tour). Viking Cruises offers excursions on the sea and river. We leave Saturday for Prague followed by the Budapest to Amsterdam Viking river cruise. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. I had mental pictures of all my photos of me enjoying Europe but my hair looking like it did in junior high. In my experience, this is great advice! Thanks Francis M, I am re-thinking the amps on the power strip for that very reason, we will be in an apartment in Amsterdam for a few days precruise, so we definitely will need one. If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package. I am thinking this will work as it swivels to accommodate the location of the plug and has 2 USB ports as well. Thank you for your quick reply. Male passengers generally opt for trousers and a collared shirt (short or long-sleeved) in the evening, generally without a sports jacket or tie. For a complete list of action steps. Thank you for your informative article! Spacious suites, locally-inspired gourmet cuisine and features like SeaSpa . That's where you'll need to use your hairstyling tools. (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 all the information. Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. Irene. I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. (Youll also receive Viking tags for your luggage.) Irene. I am also taking that cruise. Radgrid - A Valkyrie. Most cruise ships will offer . One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. Thanks. TIP: Take a picture of The Viking Daily each evening before heading to bed. We were on the Idun (Longship). This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially in heavyweights like Vienna and Budapest. No need to bring any foodstuffs because youll never be hungry. There are 110V and 220V electrical outlets in staterooms, so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. I know other travelers who just get cash out of ATMs while traveling (and Ive done that, too, of course), but I just like beginning the trip with some local cash. bealls online outlet. Using ATMs machines? Thats where you might find biking or hiking options, or as you mentioned, the Top of Cologne optional tour. It is a quick way to catch up on national and international news as well as to get financial market and sports updates. The only exception to the no-adapter rule below: Make sure you bring European-style adapters for the plugs, and that the hair tools can run on 220V current (for use near the makeup table in your cabin). We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023. Thanks for your tip! Have a great cruise! Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. However, the information in this article is from our, The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space. 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. It was impossible to find one to my liking in the department store in Marseillealthough I tried. with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. Its a great one! The bar is on one end of the lounge; theres wait service in the Lounge during lunch and in the late afternoon and evening. There was a, . Prior to dinner, the chef usually introduces the options including his/her recommendations. Im hoping that other women will be wearing slacks with a nice blouse for our Viking Ocean cruise to the Caribbean. Guests with pre- or post-cruise hotel packages may want to bring converters and/or adapters for their hotel stay. Powered by Invision Community. Yes. Its relaxed and has an abundant food buffet with soup, a variety of salads, meats, warm sandwiches (like paninis and Cuban sandwiches), fruit, and dessert. Sometimes optional excursions sell out, although there are usually some available once youre on the ship. Thanks!! Youll find beach towels near the pool areas and also in bins by the security exit before disembarking. Also, dinner is served on the Aquavit Terrace; service begins 15 minutes after dinner service starts in the restaurant. . (European river cruise ships are limited in size due to the rivers they cruise on, so they have the same overall dimensions. My first question is, without using the laundry service on board , do you have suggestions on washing items in your cabin? As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. 10.2 Schuko Travel Adapter, 17.99 Amazon. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. The good thing is there are always tomorrows treats to look forward to! Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. Mifaso 7-in-1 Desktop Power Strip. For a 14-night cruise, the cost is $279.30 USD p.p. The coffee station is always available, although the baked goods tend to be gobbled up in the late afternoon. One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week and that includes river levels. What Kind Of Converters Will I Need For My Computer/Curling Iron/Camera Battery Charger? I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time! Hi Pat, Im so glad you found my article helpful! Since you need the refrigerator for your medicine, I would call the cruise line just to make sure it will be large enough to meet your needs or to see if a larger one can be placed in your cabin. 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). If you think you may be tempted to bring snacks back to the ship from a cruise excursion, do remember to pack a few Ziploc bags. You never know what youll learn or who youll meet! Not too many passengers use them but its light enough to take along in case you want to:-) the only use would be getting on and off the ship. All cruise ships owned by Norwegian Cruise Line have a minimum of 1 US and 1 European plug sockets in each cabin. The sun deck is a relaxing space with tables and chairs as well as chaise lounges. Here are some examples from our cruise: Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service and you will find excellent service on Viking. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. A few weeks prior to your departure, Viking will send stickers for you to wear at the airport when you land, so they can identify you as a Viking guest. Really, just looking for your opinion on longer trips off-ship. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. Power strips increasingly also have USB sockets. Good question, John, but its not an easy one to answer! I was told specifically not to bring curling iron or flatiron (fire hazard). Depending on your stateroom, you will probably have a desk or dressing table with a 100v outlet where you can fix your hair. We need twin beds; is this possible? 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. Another question- my husband is thinking about bringing jeans to wear to dinner, but I thought I read that jeans are frowned upon for dinner. There are large windows on the port and starboard sides so views are available while cruising the river at mealtime. Thank you all for your notes that you had no problems bringing them on board. Viking is very efficient with their timing. Some procedures and protocols on cruise ships have changed to address public health concerns since the global COVID-19 pandemic. Serious question..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? We werent near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) The recommended tipping (for each guest) on excursions is 2 Euros for local guides and 1 Euro for bus drivers. I would suggest he bring one pair of khakis. Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? will visit your room in the morning to clean it. June 12, 2022 . (Its not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.). We are planning to take the Grand European Tour in July of 2023. You can check with Viking to make sure. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. Everyone always asks whether they'll need an electrical converter on board Viking European river ships, OR whether there's enough space to plug-in all their .