CEV426

On my most recent Viking Seine cruise, there was a gentleman who was severely disabled. He managed to walk in to the dining room with the aid of his wife, but it took some time for him to get to a seat.

The bus was able to accommodate the gentleman's wheelchair, but I think not for a scooter. He did manage to walk on and off the buses, but again this took some time. If your SIL can walk independently on the ship (nothing is very far), you can keep wheelchair in room and save for excursions. It's do-able, but you may have some limitations.

I've also done a Viking Rhine cruise. What you may not realize is that many of the ports involve being bused to the town or attraction. (no bus for Kinderdijk, Rudesheim, and Cologne) but the cobblestones and hill climbing could be a problem (Marksburg Castle).

Just my 2 cents...

With only one river cruise under my belt (Viking last April), I absolutely love the difference between ocean and river cruises. I am there for the ports, not entertainment on board.

I can't say a negative thing about our Viking Cruise.

The dinner menu choices are limited to 3 or 4 apps/salads, and 3 entreechoices...one which will be a vegetarian option. There is always a steak, chicken breast or salmon available if the menu items don't appeal to you. They can also accommodate vegans with advance notice.

On day 5 of our Rhine cruise, the dinner was A Taste of Germany. What a feast that was! Buffets were set up in the DR, kitchen and Aquavit Terrace, German musicians, kegs of beer...a fun night.

 

We couldn't see the advantage in paying extra because the cabin size in Standard is the same or bigger then French Balcony....

On our first trip we had a French Balcony, not realising there's no balcony and we made friends with a lot of people but one couple had a standard room and they showed us their room and we showed them ours and when we saw their we looked at each other and wondered why we'd bother paying more...

Depending on which river, you may have another boat moored alongside yours thus your only view is of the other boat.

The above post is very accurate. We struggled with the choice of French Balcony (i.e. NO balcony) vs. standard. We had no problems whatsoever with the water level cabin. The shelf at the window was very useful for storage. Considering the huge price difference, and the fact we all ate and experienced the same things, it was not worth it for us. Standard all the way for us!

Normandy can be chilly at the end of May. That aside, I am booked on the Apr 6, 2015 sailing and I welcome the cooler temps (I run hot!).

We are in Paris for days prior and will easily walk miles each day so that will ward off the chill and keep me from breaking out in sweat. Paris should be warmer than the coast.

You may want to watch the B&W film The Longest Day. It recounts the day(s) preceding the D-Day landings....It's early June and they're wearing jackets!

You'll be in France....you're not dressed unless you're wearing a scarf (men, too).

I am also in NJ, but near Phila. We also have United FF miles and we flew from PHL on Lufthansa and connected in FRA. (done this several times). We had enough FF miles to cover the trip so that it was worth the inconvenience of connecting in Frankfurt. It wasn't a big deal. Lufthansa is awesome.

We travel super light, so we stayed at a B&B in Amsterdam that was about a 10 min walk to the ship and Central Station. Also, not a big deal for us.

If your FF miles wont get you a free flight, I would used the Viking air with the option to chose your flight and seats and possibly upgrade with your FF miles.

I was just quoted $697 ffrom PHL to Paris with the extra $50 for the 'Choice' option. Not bad! This way it will include transfers. If you want extra days and you deviate from the Viking Pre or Post pkgs then there is another fee of $100 pp. for the air. All in all, we did better on our own. We took the train from Schipol to Centraal station and walked to B&B. Again...we travel very light...a la Rick Steves.

Flying into one city and out of another (open jaw) is great and done all the time...even with FF miles.

We did the Rhine Getaway (Amsterdam to Basel) n April-May 2014. Let me know if you'd like any more info.

Just my 2 cents...

The advantage to be further down the hall (higher numbers) is that there are less people passing by your cabin, but indeed a longer walk. The lower your number the closer to the main reception area but a lot of traffic passing by.

As far as cabin categories, I personally don't think the cost for a French balcony nor veranda cabin is worth it unless you never plan to leave your room. I reluctantly chose a water level cabin and now I am so glad I did. I had no problem at with that cabin. The window shelf gave us great storage space and decent light.

We slept and showered in the cabin and that's about it. You're hardly ever in the room.

JMHO...

I didn't hear anything about the other optional tour. If I was given an option between all three, I would not have selected the Black Forest.

I think you misunderstood...

The Black Forest Ex was an included trip. Once of the guides led us into the the forest for a 15 min hike and the option to stay longer and find way back on our own. It was better than the commercialization of the village shops.

I believe that we were docked next to this ship in Amsterdam. From what I'm told the newest Long Ships are identical. ( I was on Gullveig)

I have a link posted in another thread. Here it is again....Hope it works, I'm still figuring it out.

https://cindyandjohnstravels.shutterfly.com/pictures/8

The toiletries are dreamy. Lemon Verbena I believe. No need to pack anything.

I even saw one passenger who forgot toothbrush and the reception desk provided her with one.

As AllieCat posted, the WWII optional excursion was amazing. This was the only optional tour we did and I'm so glad that we did. We did this itinerary in reverse so it was our last night and it is indeed a long and hurried day. I felt like I was hallowed ground. The museum afterward was packed with memorabilia and findings from the French, American, German and Russian Armies.

Black Forrest mini hike was nice. It was like a scene in Once Upon a Time with the super green vegetation, moss and babbling brook. Not the highlight of the trip but our guide serenaded us at the end with some songs and played accordion. Don't drink alcohol at lunch or you'll be sorry!!

I didn't hear any super raves about the other Colmar optional ex.

I've heard that Viking is planning on offering Mississippi River cruise in the near future.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I originally wanted a Cat. C or D, but they were booked for our preferred date.

(we only booked a few months ahead). The only categories that were left were lower level or the most expensive balconies.

We chose lower level and had no complaints whatsoever. The money saved will go for a future vacation. As others mentioned, you are so busy throughout the day, that there is really not much time spent in room.

The window is a decent size and we found the window shelf quite handy for extra storage.

Our midship room was very quiet. We never heard engine noise. (This was a brand new long ship) It is true that there is no elevator to the lower level.

As I replied to you on another thread - I'm sorry but that is not correct. Anyone who genuinely believes that the Viking river cruise product is better than Taucks is not telling the whole story.

Sorry, I didn't see the other post.

I didn't say that Viking was a better product, I said that one person preferred Viking to Tauck's river cruise experience.

I was personally skeptical about Viking thinking that it was the Carnival of river cruising. I was assured by TA that it was not. We chose Viking b/c, they have so many sailing dates that it made it more convenient for our tight schedule.

For what it's worth, I just had a conversation with a fellow Viking passenger. She had previously sailed with Tauck and Viking (this was her 2nd Viking cruise) and she preferred Viking.

She indicated while that Tauck excels at land tours, she thought she had a better overall cruise experience with Viking. Tauck does not own their ships.

I cannot imagine river cruising with a baby or toddler. The boats are not set up for that, though Uniworld and Avalon advertise a few family friendly cruises.

 

I would not to be in the cabin next to a family with an infant.

I agree with all the above posts and I personally would not appreciate a baby in the dining room. Even the best of babies do act up at times.

Just home from Rhine Getaway w/ Viking. Brand new ship, Gullveig. We were the 5th sailing.

I was told by the chief engineer that every month Viking is launching a new ship. There are a dozen or more new Viking ships on the rivers now, but possibly they newer ones may not yet be in France.

I have to say that Viking is a well run, top-notch cruise company I was very pleased. A fellow passenger told me that she had previously sailed with Tauck and she preferred Viking. (Tauck does not own their own ships)

Ok, here is a NEW link to my ship pics and a few ports...

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=55ba46f46158afa5&sid=8AaMnLlyzcM2Iw

If this doesn't work, I try when I get home.

Also some good to know tips regarding ship:

We were just fine with our lower level cabin. Plenty of light and room. As a matter of fact, I heard others question why they spent so much on balconies when they were never in their room.

There are 5 outlets for appliances or charging. They all accept either 110 or 220 watts. Very convenient.

In addition to bottles water in room, they provide plenty of bottled water at gangway for excursions.

Extra large umbrellas also offered.

There is a fridge in the room as well as a hair dryer, but it's only 1600 watts! My hair needs 1875!

There is a safe in the closet.

All 4 episodes of Downton Abbey are avail on the movies/tv channels.

There are 2 laptops available for use, but wifi is just as slow on them!

There is a taste of Germany event on day 5 of southbound cruise. It's a buffet night, but there are 3 buffets to wander around: the dining room, the Aquavit lounge, and the kitchen. They are all different!

There is a 24/coffee station with pastries or cookies.

Viking does embarkation and disembarkation simultaneously! You can get on as early as 830 while previous pax are still on board. You just won't be able to get to your room.

No fuss embarkation. Just walk on and check in like a hotel.

There is an elevator, but very few used it.

And those steps in Amsterdam are no joke. We even had trouble with only a carry on. Believe it or not, going down is worse than going up. We handed bags down to person a lower landing and did this over for each floor. This worked well.

Well, if I think of more, I will post in a day or two.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Possibly try clicking on "slide show" in the upper right. If not, I will work on it when I get home. Today is our travel day home.

The wifi leaves a lot to be desired. Wifi does not work on sun deck!

I can't answer those questions regarding transportation as we arrived in AMS, took train from airport then walked to B&B. Then walked from B&B to ship. We pack only a carryon each! Yes, it can be done! I have several things I never wore. It's warmer here than we planned for. The ships port is next to the train station, but it stills involves a little walk. If mobility is an issue or you have big luggage this may be a problem.

Regarding Swiss franks....I'm told that they also accept euros.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=bacb7356025326fa&sid=8AaMnLlyzcM2Ih

Here is a link to my Gullveig pix during week of apr 25. Connection is slow, so it was painful to try to add captions to each. There are abt 48 pics. I do not have any pics of dinner dining room, but know that the tables are set with lovely linens. A taste of Germany night was an awesome surprise. More on that later....

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm onboaed Gullveig now....beautiful new ship( we're on 5th sailing) with sleek Scandinavian design. I am uploading my ship pics to shutterfly and will try to post a link when complete.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Have any of you cruised on Viking Gullveig?

If so, please tell me about her.

Any information would be appreciated.

LuLu

~~~

In response to the OP.....

I will be on the Viking Gullveig April 25. I will either try to report while on board or when we return in early May.

I can't image that they would be serving sweet wines with meals with the exception of perhaps a Reisling which would be considered semi-dry.

I do wonder however if they offer a choice of wine with meals (other than choice of red OR white).

 

The weather is always a gamble. The long term forecasts show much cooler

weather than the real time daily temps, and we still have a month to go, which, of course makes it difficult to figure out what to bring.......we have to REALLY pack light, a 20 inch rolling tote and large rolling carry-on for each of us.

But hopefully, we'll be up to the challanege

 

Robin

Robin...we are also doing the reverse trip a week or two before you (April 25).

I was in Amsterdam and Germany many years ago during this week (my birthday week) so I remember the weather very well. Cruising the Rhine area was quite chilly and blustery (but not freezing). Amsterdam and Cologne were similar to what normal late April temps would be at home (Philadelphia area for me). You're going a little later so you should be even warmer. I like a light-mid-weight vest and a scarf that can double as a wrap.

I'm so glad to hear that I am not the only one traveling light ....with a 22"carryon each. (Plus shoulder tote for me and backpack for DH.) My mantra is Simplify. I know I will be miserable if I have to lug anything larger, not to mention lost luggage! I'll be sure to report on my trip before you leave.

Sorry about the placement of my post, but I did try to find the most appropriate forum, but it appears that there are really only 2 choices: The Roll Call or the Ports of Call threads.

Am I missing a more broad thread? :confused:

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to reply.:)

I haven't seen much written on what the meals are like on board a river cruise...Viking to be specific. (Rhine Getaway-Late April)

I know it won't be like the plethora of food on an OC, but other than the free flowing beer and wine at dinner can anyone give some insight as what to expect for dinner. How many choices? Can you order extra of somethings?

I assume breakfasts and lunches are a buffet with items that change daily.

I also assume the menus are regional and seasonal, but is there any straying from this concept.

Thanks for any insight.