jrkstl

We’ll be cruising from Amsterdam to Basel. Just booked today and currently on Air France from Houston to Paris CDG then Amsterdam, then from Basel to CDG then to Houston when homeward bound. I’ve read here about challenges making connections at CDG and made sure we have 3 1/2 hour layover at CDG before our Amsterdam flight. However we’re considering flying Lufthansa and connecting through Frankfurt, which we’ve done twice before. Any advice from y’all who have experience with both CDG and FRA?

 

Edited to add - the Lufthansa flights cost about $225 pp more than Air France, so we’re wondering whether it would be worth it.

 

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As long as you have a decent connection time, (IMO at least 2 hours), save your money and fly Air France through CDG. We love the service on Air France, and CDG is a gorgeous airport with great shopping (as long as you’re not running through it :p)

Jeff

This will depend mostly on where you’re traveling from, but twice we’ve crossed the pond via Delta from Detroit to Amsterdam. It’s a 7-8 hour flight depending on tailwinds. We travel from St. Louis, which means a short flight to Detroit at the beginning.

Jeff

I agree with CILCIANRTQS regarding Marksburg Castle. While I’m sorta fit and in my early 50’s, I didn’t think it was too strenuous, but it is a haul up the hill. I think that the worst part is the uneven and rocky entrance at the beginning of the tour. Be sure to wear well-fitting shoes with a solid sole, use the wall as your guide and you should be fine. Once inside, it’s very easy to navigate.

Beautiful place with a spectacular view!

Jeff

We have taken (soon to be) 4 trips with Viking Air and all have come to us around the 90 day mark. You should see your itinerary soon, I would think.

Jeff

Viking, USA

$500.00 per person booked through our TA, with final payment due on 12/28/17

90 days in advance, but this was for booking a deal given around Thanksgiving.

Jeff

 

Anyone that can advise on this would be helpful.

 

Thanks.

Greetings!

If you’re certain about any optional excursions that you’d like to take, you should always book them in advance. Some excursions are limited in number, and they do sell out prior to the cruise. Perfect example would be the “Top of Cologne” excursion through the roof of the Dom. This sells out well in advance as it is limited to 16 people, due to the size of the construction elevator. (HIGHLY recommend this one, BTW)

Can you tell me which tour that you’re interested in? Some of them are safe to wait for (Colmar city tour had plenty of openings at the start of the cruise, but sold out a day or two before, once the coach was full), but I would absolutely book in advance, if possible.

You’re going to have a fantastic cruise!

Jeff

We leave for Paris pre-cruise on the 24th of this month. If possible, I’ll try to do a few live impressions while on the Delling.

Jeff

Yes, this helps, thanks. I am hoping for more walking. sounds like it hits the hi lights and an independent walking tour might cover the same things. Maybe we will instead spend our money on a dinner cruise or something...

We really enjoyed the trip to Kutna Hora that was offered by Viking as well. Highly recommend it, if you have any interest in it.

Enjoy!

Jeff

Does anyone have information on the included "Panoramic Prague" excursion. That is, how much bus vs. walking and what are the hi-light stops. The reason is we really enjoy walking or city tours by bike, we would like to book one on our own, but don't want to overlap too much with the included excursion. If the independent walking tours cover the same things as the included viking tour, then we will skip booking an independent tour. I have the same question about Vienna and have posted a different thread on that.

 

thanks.

Hello!

During our Viking Prague extension in 2015, our panoramic tour had more walking that bus riding. The majority was though old town, Jewish quarter, Charles bridge, little Venice, etc all on foot. The bus was mainly used to get us up to the Prague Castle and then back.

Hope this helps!

Jeff

Thank you all for your kind advice.

FYI, the ship docks early in the morning at Rotterdam, which is where the Dutch cheese tour departs from. From there the boat travels to Kinderdijk. We didn’t do the cheese tour, so we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast while we traveled to Kinderdijk. Those who took the cheese tour joined us after their tour at Kinderdijk.

Also, there are several groups, and you’ll not feel crowded.

Jeff

We will be on Viking A-B. Better to go with ships 2 hour included excursion or DIY?

FYI, it was a guided tour for us in April of 2017 on Viking. Cannot imagine that this has changed? I’d recommend that you go on the included tour.

Jeff

Does one need to take a ship's excursion or can one walk off the ship and easily walk to see the windmills?

While I would guess that most ships dock where we did, which is very much a short walk to the windmills, I’m not sure why you would choose to tour them on your own. If I’m not mistaken, there is an entrance fee which is covered by your walking tour.

It’s a beautiful place, and the guide that we had really added to the experience.

Jeff

Is it true that on Viking everyone who chooses to have dinner in the Restaurant must be seated at 7:00pm and everyone seated at the same table must order their meals at the same time?

 

Is there any flexibility as to when one must sit down for dinner?

 

What are the usual events leading up to dinner? I've been lead to believe the concierge or another ship's officer gives a short talk in the lounge regarding the next day's events shortly before the dinner hour. Is this true?

 

How limited is the dinner menu in the Aquavit Terrace and what are the serving hours?

Greetings,

While most come to dinner at the same time, I’ve never seen anyone turned away for arriving later. I’m sure that they prefer that you come in at 7, but from our experience it isn’t that regimented. For example, last year in Cologne we arrived back at the boat (after the Top of Cologne excursion, probably 7:30-7:45) and we were served dinner just fine.

Each evening around 6-6:30 the program director (and sometimes others) will give a talk about the next days activities, and frequently the chef will discuss what is going to be served for dinner. After this, most head downstairs to the main dining room. While some passengers will “rush” to the dining room, I’ve never really thought much about it. If my group feels strongly about a particular server, one of us might go ahead and try to get a table in their section, but it’s never been a problem.

Regarding dinner at the Aquavit Terrace, we enjoy the main dining room so much we’ve not tried it, but I believe that you can now get most of the same dining options as well.

Enjoy!

Jeff

Sooooo where to begin.....

I’m Jane from S Fla. doing Amsterdam to Basel in July

Weather?

Did you do any thing other than the itinerary

Any tips?

Anything I shouldn’t miss?

Can you arrive to dinner late?

I’ve been on multiple ocean cruises never a river Cruise and my husband has never cruised?

Hi Jane,

We had great weather on our Amsterdam to Basel cruise last year, which left Amsterdam on April 1st. The entire trip was mostly in the sixties temperature wise, and only a little rain in Amsterdam. Our afternoon cruise through the middle Rhine was postcard picture perfect.

We did the Top of Cologne optional excursion (tour through and on the roof of the Cologne Cathedral-highly recommended!) and the optional tour to the city of Colmar which I recommend as well.

Tips? I’d read through the entire 2017 Viking Rhine Cruise in the roll call section, which will give you a ton of tips. The 2015 and 2016 threads are good reading as well.

Shouldn’t miss? Do all of the daily excursions. Viking has this itinerary down pat - you’ll have a great time!

Arriving late to dinner? I think that it’s fine to come in a little later, but we’ve always simply joined the daily talks in the lounge, and dinner service follows naturally after. A few people may rush in to secure a specific table, but I’ve not really witnessed a mad dash that has been described. Volume levels are lively, but I don’t find it that loud.

Feel free to email me directly at jkingstl at gmail dot com should you want more details :) I love to chat about these cruises, so don’t hesitate to contact me!

Jeff

Congrats on your Wedding! I have so many questions...

Do you mind?

Thank you! And please ask away!

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I’m a little concerned about just me and my husband finding two seats amongst so many strangers how do you find a seat? Just walk up and say hi??

Yeah, pretty much :D

You can always pick an empty table and others will join you.

A quick story - my partner and I traveled alone on our first cruise on the Danube, and picked a table in the corner. A few moments later, a party of four joined us, and we spent the rest of the trip with the group, and had a ton of fun. We’ve kept in touch, and the married couple of the four have become good friends. They joined us in Bordeaux, came to our wedding last year and are joining us this year in Lyon for our next cruise! We’ve kept in touch with other couples we’ve met as well. It’s always a very fun group of people, and you’re going to have a great time!

Jeff

Someone please let us know about your dining experience on Viking.

We’ve done three Viking river cruises (soon to be four :D) and have really enjoyed the dining experience onboard. Honestly, the dinner service coupled with enjoying the company of new friends is probably my favorite feature of river cruising.

I’d be happy to answer any specific questions you may have, so ask away!

Jeff

Greetings.

Although our pre-cruise Amsterdam stay was at the Renaissance, I cannot imagine why the Mövenpick wouldn’t be able to store your bags while you sightsee. You could then pick them up and roll them to the ship once you’re back. Our transport to the ship from the hotel (which was very close, BTW) was around 3:00 PM.

Just a thought...

Jeff

Early ticketing i keying requires Air Plus ($50pp) and you TA can use your cc. Have her ask Viking to waive any ticketing fees. TAs often don't know about Air Plus and how Viking books, sometimes offer reasons why not to use Air Plus bec they believe they can do. So if you want early tickets tell your agent to work w Air Plus.

FYI, I’ve requested early ticketing a couple of times and I’ve not yet had to pay any fees. And we’ve never used Air Plus. I’m fairly certain that it is a policy for there to be a fee, but that it isn’t always charged. I’ve got a great TA so that certainly has something to do with it :D

One of many reasons that it pays to book with an agent.

Jeff

If I booked through a travel agent can I call Viking air or do I need to go through her?

You will need to contact your travel agent.

Jeff

Hello!

Your carry on should be just fine.

And on each trip, the Viking reps were waiting outside customs for us. You might have to wait a few minutes for additional passengers on other flights, but you probably won’t wait long. We never have.

Enjoy!

Jeff

How was the cruise? Did you have to swap?

Happy New Year!

Jeff

Please don’t fret about a ship swap. On our first river cruise, we had to swap ships on the Danube. The swap was a non-issue, and the lovely lunch at a beer garden in Passau (since we couldn’t eat on the ship) is one of my favorite memories.

Enjoy!

Jeff

Hello.

So far all three Viking trips taken have been with Viking Air. We did not pay for the Air Plus on any, and with the exception of a tight connection in Paris en route to Bordeaux, all have gone smoothly. All trips (originating in St. Louis) have been via Delta/Air France/KLM and no complaints. We did upgrade our seats on one trip on our own, but that simply depends on equipment, personal choice of seats, etc.

Typically you’ll receive your flight info 90 days out. You’ll want to log onto the airline websites to see if seat selection can be made, but that will vary. I strongly encourage you to keep checking your MyVikingJourney page and occasionally look at the reservation on the airline websites as well. Flight times and numbers can change, so you’ll want to make sure you’re up to date.

You’re going to have a wonderful time!

Jeff

Do not worry about your age. My spouse and I aren’t quite as young as you, but we’re definitely younger than most of the passengers. On all three of our cruises taken so far (all with Viking) there were younger passengers than us. As stated, you’ll find the older crowd quite young at heart and a blast to travel with. On each cruise, we’ve made good friends with couples from all over the country that we continue to keep in touch with. You’ll have a great time! Re: Travel Agents - I won’t book this type of trip without one. Not only can they offer great advice, they are there to negotiate and or work with the cruise lines to get everything you want/need. You won’t pay any more for the trip, and they may be able to save you money. I would check around with friends and relatives for referrals, which is how we found our agent.

Best of luck to you!

Jeff