prudence passenger

same, I renewed and got mine, but it did take more than 4 weeks.  every so often I went on website to check, and then one day, there it was in my mail.  good luck

Judi

We have booked a few private tours for our upcoming UK cruise this July/August.  Most of these are all day with a car and driver/guide.  What is the recommended tipping for these tours?  Haven't done this in awhile, and not sure of protocol in UK.  We do like to thank our tour guides for a day of great service, thanks for any input or suggestions.

Judi

Lots of fabulous choices in Amsterdam, we also love the Indonesian restaurants, and we have been to Restaurant Blauw for the rijsttafel, or rice table, on two different trips and it is awesome.  For seafood, we went to John Dory and it was amazing, inside a 17th century warehouse, or the Seafood Bar, more than one location now.  For something a little different, we went to De Kas, which is inside a conservatory, and you can see the outdoor gardens which grow much of what is used.  Also Restaurant Vinkeles in the Dylan Amsterdam, very lovely and special; I think we went to Izakaya for sushi, and must try herring at a street stand, we were so lucky to be there for nieuw herring. Have a great trip, wish we were going back soon.

We went to Glenmorangie and thoroughly enjoyed the tour and tasting

Judi

Thank you so much, we definitely want someone local, and thanks for tip about seeing cliffs, I am fine with watching from ship :-), and I don’t think we want to hike down and back up either

always so happy to get responses from the cruise critic community, thank you as always

judi

Thanks for the suggestion

We are looking for a private tour company to take us to Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and see the cliffs in Dover,

any recommendations?  I saw some reviews about a company called Eds Taxi Dover on trip advisor, and they were all good.

We are in Dover at the end of July on the Viking Jupiter for the day

The tour through the ship is about $360 for two people, and then you need to be on a bus with lots of other people and on someone else's schedule

Thanks for any input

Judi

Have you considered going to Delft?  We took a day trip there by train, very easy, and it is beautiful, smaller, and quieter than the city. Things to see and do, depending on your likes, walks along canals, Vermeer Centrum Delft ( no actual Vermeer's here), beautiful market square, stop and rest for a coffee, Prinsenhof, Old and New Churches, and stop at a herring stand.  We never went but there is also a porcelain factory.  

Judi

If you are staying 4 or 5 nights as you mention, you may prefer a small apartment, so you do not have to eat all your meals out, and have a little space to spread out.  We stayed in Edinburgh at the Chester Residence on Rothesay Place.  It is an apartment, but you also have some hotel services, and it was wonderful, we were very very happy there.  We were able to walk to Princes Street and up to the Castle.  We actually walked everywhere, and also were able to walk to train station to go out to Linlithgow for a Jousting Tournament which was so much fun.  We stayed a week, and loved Edinburgh, and found so so many things to see and do.  The Queen was in town so we could not go into Holyrood, but we saw all the people lined up in their Sunday best, with fabulous hats, and some in formal kilts, getting ready to go in for a garden party.  For an easy day out of the city, but close by, we took a boat out to Inchcolm Abbey, from SouthQueensferry, we booked before we got there, and packed some snacks,  and stopped at beautiful Botanic gardens on way back.  You will have an awesome trip, cannot wait to go back.

Judi

we will be on Viking Jupiter in July/August, I hope we get to see all the things you mention! sounds wonderful

Judi

I second the motion to stop in Torridon.  We drove Inverness to Isle Skye, and it was also recommended that we drive the slow beautiful route taking in Torridon, we ended up there for lunch, at Torridon Resort. Gorgeous bar with more Whisky bottles than can be believed ( 365).  Viewpoint Loch Maree also stunning.  If we had more time we would have gone to Applecross, we did drive to see the Beach na Ba Viewpoint as well.  We went to see Eilean Donan Castle and took Skye bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh.   My most favorite drive day of a 2 week trip in Scotland. We stopped and stopped and really took our time.  While on Skye we drove to The Storr, and on to Kilt Rock. We went back from Skye on the south side, taking the ferry Armadale to Mallaig, we were going south to Glencoe, also gorgeous, stayed at Glencoe House, that was a fabulous splurge!; then on to Loch Lomond ( our least favorite of trip).  We went back to Edinburgh airport through Stirling, and stopped at Castle, we also planned a day to Linlithgow for a  festival with jousting, crafts, etc, it was so interesting and fun. I LOVED our trip to Scotland, you will have an awesome experience whatever you choose to do. Have a wonderful time,

Judi

We rented an apartment through London Perfect in Kensington and loved the area.  We went to Hyde Park and walked all the way to Speakers Corner and Marble Arch.  Serpentine Sackler Gallery a fun stop.  We saw Kensington Palace.  We went to a concert at Royal Albert Hall.  Went to V&A museum, there is a Dior exhibit through September, it was just extended.  There is a fabulous Science Museum, my DH liked it so much he went back twice.  It was easy for us to walk and use the tube.  Then you can go anywhere.  Or take a taxi.  We thought it was a lovely area to stay, very residential, and you can go downtown and have hustle and bustle whenever you wish.  Enjoy your trip

Judi

I am also interested in the answer to this.  We will be in Dublin off the Viking Jupiter on Thursday August 1st arriving 8 am, and we also want to go see the library and Book of Kells, and would prefer to prebook and not wait on a long line, then have rest of day to maybe do other things, including hearing some great music, I believe we are in port until 11pm, thanks

possible to also go up to see Newgrange and Hill ofTara same day? what do you think? thanks

Judi

unfortunately no driving around this time, we are spending four days in Switzerland, and another four in London before we get on the cruise.  I agree about the narrow roads, we spent a week driving in Scotland as part of a three week trip and by the end of the week my husband had totally had enough driving.  It can be harrowing, and very tense, and maybe that is only because it is the other side of the road for us and we worry our reflexes are not what they used to be!  Yoga breathing whilst driving is very beneficial by the way 🙂

thanks

Judi

thanks for the info

Judi

Just found this thread, and I thank you very much for the in depth report.  We are sailing on Viking Jupiter end of July 2019, British Isles, and I enjoyed all the information and photos.  We usually prefer to take off on our own, and do not like big group bus tours.  Were you happy with all the private tours and companies you used?  I am also very impressed by all the mileage your DW managed on the trip, and it will be a good incentive for me to follow suit, or at least try to practice yoga more while we are away, as I tend to slip, and not practice too much.  Thanks again, reading your report was awesome, and I can't wait for this trip.

Judi

Alaskanb, I am interested in the Highland Tour company.  Was it a small group in a van, or a bus?  were you able to tailor the day to the things you wanted to do, or did you have to do a set one of his 3 tours listed on the website?  did it have to be a full 8 hour day or were you able to make it shorter?  I have to even check how long we are in port that day, we will be on Viking Jupiter in July/August 2019.  thank you

Judi

I have to agree, spending the $100 for Viking Air Plus is soooo worth it!  We are doing the British Isles cruise in July/August 2019, and we were able to research and book the flights we wanted, and the seats we wanted.  Going home from Bergen may be more difficult than some other airports, but we were able to book an afternoon flight Bergen to Amsterdam on KLM, and that is a good airport to be in case of any problems, because KLM home and lots and lots of options in case of delays etc.  We arrive back at JFK same day at 8pm.  Can't wait for the tours to be available on the website to start booking.  I have looked at sample tours on the Viking website and there are so many great ones to choose.  Norway is so beautiful, all of you spending extra days and going to Oslo will just love it!  We have cruised the fjords and would love to do it again, very beautiful scenery.  If you are in Oslo and have an opportunity, go to Vigeland Park, to see the wonderful sculptures of Gustav Vigeland and spend time in a serene lovely park.  I seem to remember we took a tram/bus there from port and it was very easy, the park is free.  

Question: are these companies also good to hire drivers for day?  We booked special access to Stonehenge at 8pm at night, so we are thinking to get a driver for afternoon, maybe go to Bath, eat early dinner, and then go to Stonehenge and back to London at end of evening. Any suggestions? This would be for 2 people in July 2019, thanks, also I will check these recommendations for transfer LHR to hotel London, and also London to Greenwich for cruise departure , thanks again

judi

Hi, just my 2 cents, we traveled Budapest to Amsterdam on Viking end July into August, we are totally adverse to bus trips, so when first swap announced we just hired a car, when 2nd change was announced, and told was becoming a bus/hotel tour we left, took flight to Amsterdam, and spent last 3 days of what should have been river cruise there and it was lovely. Notified yesterday our insurance is covering the trip interruption, it was done privately, not through Viking, so happy we did get our own insurance, and made sure we enjoyed our vacation on our own terms, good luck to fellow river cruisers, my philosophy, make the trip what you want it to be, and be willing to make the changes you need to accomplish your wishes

thanks so much for the update, just called and saved another $100pp for our upcoming NYE cruise on Equinox with our friends, and saved another $70pp for them :-) and yes, always good to keep checking. also wondering why the suites are available, on a special holiday cruise those are usually the first to get booked, and I see lots, we are looking forward to this next cruise after our eventful first river cruise this summer. enjoy your labor day y'all

Judi

We just returned from the Grand European Tour on the Viking Ve and the Viking Gefjon, as we had to change ships when the water was too low. We were in an Explorer Suite. The space is wonderful, very large bathroom and shower with a window that changes clear to opaque. These suites are also the only ones I believe that have the option of breakfast in your suite everyday, and included free laundry. We availed ourselves of both. The views on two sides out the back are also awesome, with a nice terrace with two chairs and small tables. Lots and lots of storage space everywhere. The drinks package was also included. The living area is also large, with a couch and two chairs, coffee table and a desk where we set up our laptop. The bedroom is totally taken up by the large bed with only small walking room around it, also has large windows, we only slept there so no problem. The bedroom has the second large TV in the suite. We definitely did feel the vibration, and were very disappointed by the noise of the engines in the back. We were unable to sit on the terrace and enjoy the view. It was just too noisy. We also felt the banging many times as we went through the locks, not sure if this is felt everywhere, woke us up many times. So, would we get this suite again? The answer is no. We would consider the other smaller suite, which is midship, has a smaller bathroom, smaller living area, I think the bedroom is the same, has a smaller terrace. Also, the smaller side terrace would be right up against another ship when a few are docked together and you would have to keep the curtains closed for privacy, we did not have this issue in the back. I really liked having breakfast in the room, so we could slowly start our day, and not have to be up showered and dressed to eat and have a coffee. I would just pay for the laundry and drinks package, that is not a big deal. Of more serious decision making are the issues with low water that has occurred and is still occurring this summer. I did not sign up for a bus and hotel trip, with changes and packing and unpacking. This happened twice on our cruise, and because of this, although the Viking staff was wonderful, and had totally no control over the low water, I think we would not do a river cruise again. This issue is not going away, and may have to completely change the future of river cruising in Europe. Good luck with your decision making. The cities on this cruise, and our addition of Prague before Budapest, make it an awesome cruise, with wonderful ports and things to see and do.

We and 2 other couples left the Gefjon early in the am at a quick stop in Mainz

We all flew to Amsterdam to spend our last few days instead of on river boat with so much uncertainty. Not sure what is happening to tours, Viking was unable to arrange enough hotel rooms , so we received an email from a fellow traveler that people will stay on ship, Things PACKED in Amsterdam, today is end of 3 day Pride festival, streets filled with people and music

Hope to hear from others on Viking to find out how all are faring, any ships making it to Cologne or Amsterdam? How about Budapest?

On the Viking Gefjon, after transferring from Viking Ve previously. We were told last evening that ships cannot go to Amsterdam. We are stopping this AM, maybe 8:30 or 9:00am, at Mainz. Transferring by bus to Cologne tomorrow, hotel, and then by bus to Amsterdam and hotel. We choose to leave ship as soon as dock this morning and go directly to Amsterdam. Also told ships in south cannot make it now to Budapest from the north. More info to follow as soon as we know. Good luck to fellow travelers.

We are in Passau at this time. The river boats cannot go through to Nuremberg. We will stay overnight here, take buses to visit Regensberg tomorrow, and be bussed to Nuremberg the following day, to pick up our sister ship. This has been happening for about a month, or a month and a half. Staff would not confirm this until last evening. They are assisting as much as possible to make this a seamless transfer. As we do not like bus rides, and at least 3 maybe 4 hours with stops to Nuremberg, we will just take a car. Then it is only about 2 hours. Good luck to fellow travelers.