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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. For return visitors there are voyages along the lesser-explored Lower Danube to discover the Iron Gates gorge and culture-rich capitals of Bucharest and Belgrade. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. One of Europe’s most scenic stretches of the Danube, known as the Iron Gate, carves through the Carpathian Mountains to the north and the Balkan Mountains to the south.
Explore France’s Riviera & Tuscany
There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes. 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.
Stateroom Options
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. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us.
The Viking Onboard Experience
Stroll among the romance of Marseille and the glamour of Monte Carlo. Stay overnight in Renaissance Tuscany, and see ancient Rome and elegant Naples. Sail around Italy’s boot via Sicilian Messina, the pristine ports of Crotone and Bari, and the remarkable Old Town of Šibenik. You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip. Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary.
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. 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. While you don't get the benefit of fresh air, people often choose these cabins for their lower price point and the fact that you often don't spend all that much time in your room on a typical river cruise. Another incredible experience in this region is to cruise across the Arctic Circle where sunlight shines 24 hours a day during Norway’s summer. At midnight, locals embrace the everlasting sunset by going to the beach or kayaking under a golden sky.
You'll also get a dash of history in medieval Rouen and the quaint fishing village of Honfleur. Viking's Danube River cruises sail between the grand Hungarian capital Budapest, a city divided in half by the river itself, and Passau in Germany. You'll visit the postcard-perfect landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Wachau Valley as well as magnificent Vienna. There, you're likely to hear that famous Strauss waltz played at one of Viking's visits to an atmospheric music hall. Experience the legacies of civilizations during this fascinating 8-day itinerary cruising Italy between Civitavecchia and Venice.
Among the delights of Viking’s 16-day Malta, Morocco and the Mediterranean cruise is an underground expedition inside Spain’s Nerja Caves. Follow your guide around this archaeological marvel, where artefacts indicate human and animal habitation as far back as 25,000 BC. Examine enormous stalagmites and stalactites, the world’s widest column found in a cave, and a natural amphitheatre used as a concert venue. Sailing roundtrip from Barcelona, this 16-day voyage in seven countries also calls at Seville, Casablanca, Valetta (overnight), Corsica, Rome, Marseilles, Tunis and Algiers, with three non-consecutive days at sea. After 26 years in Europe, Viking knows the most enjoyable aspects of its popular destinations, from major cities to the countryside. Every itinerary has been honed to explore the most beautiful landscapes, stunning landmarks, and unusual customs and cuisines unique to each port of call.
Cruise Lines Begin to Cancel Stops & Cruises in Middle East - AFAR - AFAR Media
Cruise Lines Begin to Cancel Stops & Cruises in Middle East - AFAR.
Posted: Mon, 06 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Night Rome, Venice & The Jewels Of VenetoDetails
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. Cruising is a social experience as you chat with fellow passengers on excursions, at the social hour before dinner in the Lounge, and at meals. An easy way to begin a conversation is to ask where people are from, about their past travel experiences, and what excursions interest them the most. We’ve found there are a lot of commonalities as well as interesting folks to meet. Guests are served complimentary soft drinks, beer, or wine during lunch and dinner.
thoughts on “The Complete Guide to a Viking River Cruise”
That is, you sleep and eat on the ship and are transported to your destinations along a river. 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. We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more.
These cabins come in at 445 square feet -- some of the largest on the rivers -- and not only have a separate bedroom and living areas, but a wraparound balcony. Viking has designed its Longships so there are 39 cabins with full step-out balconies, where you can sit with your coffee in the morning and enjoy watching the river. Another 22 cabins have the more traditional French balconies, where you can open the doors for fresh air, but can't actually go outside. The balcony cabins are 205 square feet, while the French balcony cabins are significantly smaller at 135 square feet. When the weather's nice, the sundeck on Viking Longships is also a central part of their layout.
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. An elevator runs between the ship's Main Deck and upper deck only; passengers with mobility issues should avoid cabins on the lower deck and may miss out on activities up on the Sun Deck. Stroll Old Town’s narrow streets and squares; visit St. James Cathedral, a UNESCO Site. Viking keeps track of your expenses during the cruise, including bar items, laundry, phone calls, and purchases from the Viking shop (logo wear and souvenirs). When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card. The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space, and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms.
The magic of Italy extends all the way to the rivers of this beautiful country, creating the perfect vantage point for splendour. Choose from a number of river cruise deals that match all budgets and holiday preferences, while also visiting differing ports of call. Emerge rejuvenated from the nourishing mineral springs of Budapest, Hungary. Enjoy this relaxing tradition, revered since the times of the ancient Romans. The most popular baths can be found at Széchenyi, the largest spa complex in Europe, with a daffodil-yellow outdoor section. Mingle with the locals as they relax in these pool-like thermal baths and watch them play chess in the water.
Once you’ve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps, like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure. On all river cruises, guests are offered one complimentary shore excursion at every destination. In addition, quite a few “optional” excursions are available at an extra cost. The excursions provide guests with an array of experiences, including peeks into how locals live, how and where they work, and some “privileged access” options just for Viking guests.
Viking has many inclusions on their river cruises, although not everything. On your trip, you'll get at least one shore excursion per port included in the fare, as well as bottled water, all meals plus wine and beer at lunch and dinner, as well as onboard programming and entertainment. Sometimes there’s a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially in heavyweights like Vienna and Budapest.
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