Also, having cash is great for souvenirs, incidentals, snacks, or a quick lunch while exploring a city. I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. 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. I merely want to share our experience on a river cruise with my readers. Veranda Stateroom (V) Stateroom size: 268 sq ft (includes private veranda) 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. During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. And Im so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. Since it will be winter with colder temps, I am wondering about the indoor lounging space/common areas on the longboats. This is one way the crew can account for all guests. You must be at least 18 to book a cruise. Viking Mississippi Have a wonderful cruise, Thomas! This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially in heavyweights like Vienna and Budapest. We are going on the Grand European tour in October 2022. Viking Frankly, I dont think you can go wrong either way, but theyre two very different experiences. Hi Cynthia, I bet youre so excited about your upcoming trip! I learned that I probably should have packed a small collapsable umbrella to stuff in my backpack; that way, I wont be carrying the big Viking umbrella around after the rain has stopped while were still sightseeing. 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. What Kind of Laundry Service is Offered on a River Cruise? Keep in mind, though, that things are not 100% the same from cruise to cruise due, in part, to other ship traffic at the time. 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. Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. Once onboard, youll be given more specific times, so youll be able to fine-tune your plans. (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) Would there be any issue with booking an independent excursion for the days we will be in Prague or in the ports that we will be in overnight? If we were sailing during the day, the program director narrated scenic highlights along the river as we continued our journey. As for Tours by Locals, Ive used them, as well, and was pleased. Yes - best answer is to do your homework first and read the FAQ's about Viking Ocean ships. Hi Theo, you shouldnt have any problems meeting up with your friends in either Bamburg or Wurzburg while on the cruise. Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. River Cruise Basics: Laundry Onboard Well do the Grand European from B to A in October this 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? Laundry on Viking - River Cruising - Cruise Critic Community 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). We enjoyed relaxing there and enjoying the sights and sounds of being on the ship. 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). Attire on a river cruise is casual. We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! Even with that information, as you mentioned,dockings could be delayed to traffic on the river or there could be delays going through locks. means the walking could be a little more strenuous or have more stairs or inclines. when we traveled) to your shipboard account. Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September 23.our first river cruise (for our 20th). There is a fee for this service. Not used it before (indeed didn't think there were onboard facilities) but its mentioned in the info for our upcoming GET. Thank you for your article and your help! (For my husband and me, having the personal outdoor space was high on our list. Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction from Budapest to Amsterdam so we switched ships. WebDo you have laundry and dry cleaning facilities? We are on the Aug Rhine cruise and our 1st river cruise. Emerald Cruises offers onboard laundry services and charges a fee per piece of laundry. Better be aboard, cuz they wont wait! And about ATMs, weve used them in Europe without any problems. Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. . The water levels are extremely low right now. In addition, some people research other (non-Viking) tour options in advance of their cruise and book a personal or small-group tour to suit their specific interests on their own.