Viking River Cruise Question

[ScottC4746]

After seeing the ads on Masterpiece Classic, we are thinking of trying a VRC for the first time. We are loyal to Royal Carribean and have also cruised on Princess. We are a same sex couple wanting to celebrate our 18th anniversary in 2013 and at that time we will be 47 and 40 years old. We tend to stray away from taking the shore excursions on the bigger ships simply because if we have to hear Diamonds International one more time we are going to scream. We tend to do our own thing in ports, but we miss quite a bit of culture in ports. I, the older, perfer to sit an listen to a chamber orchestra or string quartet tucked in the corner somewhere. We enjoy people watching in the public areas of the bigger cruise lines. I perfer tux nights. The younger of us will also enjoy the classical and quartet side of me.

Is VRC going to be a cultural shock to us? Are we, sorry, too young?

It would be nice to have a glass of wine or a martini with a fellow cruise passanger without all the wild drunkeness that goes on the larger ships.

Look forward to hearing back. Also if anyone has a link to an image of the daily cruise itenerary that you get each night on the bigger ships so I can see what goes on an VRC, that would be great.

[Talisker92]

There are a number of river cruise lines, depending on where you want to go. We have done two cruises with Vantage and have been very happy with them. Your fellow passengers tend to be a little older than you, but there also may be some younger.

I can almost guarantee that there will be no "wild drunkeness" on a river cruise. The cabins are usually smaller, but quite adequate.

Our last river cruise was from Budapest to Amsterdam, and one of the highlights was the time we spent in Vienna.

We will be happy to answer any questions.

[mringenoldus]

I am also very interested in responses to ScottC's questions. We just put down our deposit on an October 2013 Viking river cruise last night. (Amsterdam to Budapest) The ship will be quite new.

 

We are a bit older (56 and 60) but I also worried we were too young. Like ScottC we are platinum on Princess and RCCL and have sailed Oceania, Azamara and SilverSea as well. (Oceania had an older but mixed demographic.) I am not completely sold on the river cruise, but my husband was stationed in areas the boat goes through and absolutely loves central Europe......so I will go with an open mind. I do wish there were a bit more active options described in the port information. I will admit that while this may be very relaxing - I have concerns about being a bit bored. (I usually take in a show and finish the night in the ship's casino).

 

We are booked as part of a group, although we only know one of the couples as previous cruisers on a Princess sailing.

[biotech]

I have just booked my 8th cruise with Viking so I could probably help you with some of your questions. You will likely be younger than most of the passengers but I started cruising with Viking when I was in my early 50's and never felt out of place. I enjoy the experiences of other travellers and find age isn't relevant. There may be the occasional bit of onboard entertainment but these are not large ships and there is no space for the type of shows and casinos that are on large cruise ships. Read up on the ports and see what they have to offer that you can do on your own if group city tours aren't your thing. If you would like more info, email me at mleuniss@gmail.com and I'll try to help.

[Talisker92]

I am also very interested in responses to ScottC's questions. We just put down our deposit on an October 2013 Viking river cruise last night. (Amsterdam to Budapest) The ship will be quite new.

I do wish there were a bit more active options described in the port information. I will admit that while this may be very relaxing - I have concerns about being a bit bored. (I usually take in a show and finish the night in the ship's casino).

 

We are booked as part of a group, although we only know one of the couples as previous cruisers on a Princess sailing.

The river cruises are very port intensive. There will be guided tours and time to walk around the towns. There are no shows or casinos on these ships, but after a day of touring, you will be ready for bed LOL.

We took that cruise in 2010, and the story and pictures are on our website.

[mringenoldus]

Thanks for the offers of assistance....I will be definitely taking you up on it!

 

(I guess I will be saving money with no casino at night!)

[loum140]

We will be taking our 4th Viking cruise this year. Our first (Moscow to St. Petersburg) was ten years ago. Yes, we were among the youngest, but our fellow passengers were very interesting and well traveled and we never felt out of place. Since then we have done Vienna/Black Sea/Vienna, Amsterdam to Budapest and are now booked for the Ukraine (Kiev to Odessa).

 

We are very pleased with Viking. The walking tours and cultural enrichment are wonderful and river cruising gets you so much closer to the everyday life of the countries you sail through. You're never out of sight of land with an ever-changing vista. There is very little "shopping time" and no stops for sales pitches. There are stops and free time for local fare (beer, ice cream, etc.) Often, you have a choice of 2-3 small group tours per city depending on your mobility and specific interests.

 

The commercial running on Masterpiece is just what it's like on Viking - laid back but visually and culturally rewarding. Yes, we enjoy ocean cruising, but each time we return to a Viking River Cruise we remark on how much we really love this relaxed pace.

 

PS: I see you're booked on an Oceania T/A in 2012. We're booked on two! Which one?????

[caviargal]

There will not be any tux nights. And no wild drunkenness either.

 

We have not been on Viking but I did want to share that our best experience to date has been with AMA. There was a younger demographic on our AMA cruise than the others we have taken. Entertainment was very good. They offered bike tours and bikes for personal use as well as walking tours offered at faster paces for younger guests. Ours was a wine cruise so there were many wine oriented events which made it a lot of fun.

 

I would not agree that all " river cruises are very port intensive." We found there to be a great deal of difference in how much time was actually spent in port versus being on the river. For us, we look for overnights in port or late port stays so we can enjoy the local culture and night life as we have learned that brief stays or lots of time on the water by daylight is not a good fit for us. Others find it relaxing but we are bored with too much time spent sailing.

[lahlah57]

My Husband and I will be doing a viking cruise/grand european in July. Viking China cruise was our 1st. Quite different than large cruise ships but much more intimate. We are in our early 50's. If you are party animals---maybe not for you but if you are more interested in taking in history and immersing yourself within european culture this is it!

The china tour was quite intense and its all we could do to go to dinner and fall into bed.....but.....we loved it!

It's rather fun to meet folks of like minds as far as travel is concerned and to compare notes as well as to gather ideas for future travel.

You possibly could be the youngest but possibly not! You find much more seasoned travelers as well as the ones who want to be.

Try it.....you might surprise yourself!;)

[lahlah57]

My Husband and I will be doing a viking cruise/grand european in July. Viking China cruise was our 1st. Quite different than large cruise ships but much more intimate. We are in our early 50's. If you are party animals---maybe not for you but if you are more interested in taking in history and immersing yourself within european culture this is it!

The china tour was quite intense and its all we could do to go to dinner and fall into bed.....but.....we loved it!

It's rather fun to meet folks of like minds as far as travel is concerned and to compare notes as well as to gather ideas for future travel.

You possibly could be the youngest but possibly not! You find much more seasoned travelers as well as the ones who want to be.

Try it.....you might surprise yourself!;)

[swamp1sg]

We have been on 3 river cruises with 3 different lines, AMA, Uniworld, and Viking. On Uniworld and AMA there were honeymoon couples from Aus and NZ. Also on AMA there were single girls in their early 30s traveling together. On our AMA cruise we met a single sex couple who were travel agents. They had been on several lines but this was there first on AMA. We get there brochures and since then they have taken groups to Europe and included trips on AMA.

We have cruised the Seine, Rhine, and Danube. The Seine was tranquil, the Rhine had smaller towns, and the Danube, 2 beautiful capitals, Vienna and Budapest. Budapest is stunning. We liked the Rhine the best, but it was our 1st cruise and a Christmas market. I would think you would really enjoy the Danube. Passau is also stunning and Melk Abbey is not to be missed. We are doing a Christmas market on the Main this year on Avalon.

[Willsot]

At 58 and 60, we were among the younger couples on our Viking River cruise but we loved it.

Our fellow passengers were the most seasoned travelers we have ever experienced.

We are regular ocean cruisers with Holland America. The river cruise is a very different experience. Smaller ships, smaller quarters, very few entertainment venues, more limited dining choices. But we loved that we only had 130 passengers, had all the wine we cared to drink at meals at no charge, excellent guided tours at each port included in the price of the cruise, no high sea concerns, bottled water daily at no charge, wonderful cities at beginning and end of the cruises - I could go on as I'm sure I've forgotten things. Enjoyed Viking so much that I have booked two additional cruises, China and Russia.

[sdbcruise]

I'm half of a same sex couple as well....we are 51 and 62 (thus, a bit older). We had been ocean cruising for MANY years and enjoyed Princess and Holland America (as well as other lines). We enjoy the SAME things that you mention in your query. In any case, we discovered river cruising about 5 years ago. I can't speak for Viking, as we have only cruised Uniworld. All I can tell you is that we have NEVER felt uncomfortable or out of place. In fact, we have met many "life friends" on these cruises. I can also tell you that Uniworld is more like Silver Sea, Regent, Oceania and extremely elegant with beautiful decor and AMAZING cuisine. My impression is that Viking is a "mass market" product. I'm sure they're very good but Uniworld is a luxury product which appeals more to us (and the price difference is marginal). Hope that helps!

[Brutus291]

The Cruise in Oct 2011 was great, lots of walking if you want and if you don't want then just relax. Ports of call all had something interesting and just alittle different. The 1or 2 days of castle watching on thetop deck was FANTASTIC.

[supersecdd]

At 58 and 60, we were among the younger couples on our Viking River cruise but we loved it.

Our fellow passengers were the most seasoned travelers we have ever experienced.

We are regular ocean cruisers with Holland America. The river cruise is a very different experience. Smaller ships, smaller quarters, very few entertainment venues, more limited dining choices. But we loved that we only had 130 passengers, had all the wine we cared to drink at meals at no charge, excellent guided tours at each port included in the price of the cruise, no high sea concerns, bottled water daily at no charge, wonderful cities at beginning and end of the cruises - I could go on as I'm sure I've forgotten things. Enjoyed Viking so much that I have booked two additional cruises, China and Russia.

Why did you choose Viking instead of a different river cruise line?

[Willsot]

Why did you choose Viking instead of a different river cruise line?

 

We chose Viking for the itinerary and pre- and post-cruise extension opportunities. Had wanted to do Eastern Europe and they offered a 16-day starting in Bucharest and ending in Passau, with 4 days in Transylvania prior to the cruise and 3 days in Prague after. It was perfect for us, we enjoyed it (our first and only river cruise, so far) and we followed up by booking Viking China and Viking Russia cruises.

[Turtles06]

I'm half of a same sex couple as well....we are 51 and 62 (thus, a bit older). We had been ocean cruising for MANY years and enjoyed Princess and Holland America (as well as other lines). We enjoy the SAME things that you mention in your query. In any case, we discovered river cruising about 5 years ago. I can't speak for Viking, as we have only cruised Uniworld. All I can tell you is that we have NEVER felt uncomfortable or out of place. In fact, we have met many "life friends" on these cruises. I can also tell you that Uniworld is more like Silver Sea, Regent, Oceania and extremely elegant with beautiful decor and AMAZING cuisine. My impression is that Viking is a "mass market" product. I'm sure they're very good but Uniworld is a luxury product which appeals more to us (and the price difference is marginal). Hope that helps!

 

While I can't speak to Viking in Europe, I can say that Viking's Imperial Jewels of China trip (which my partner and I [both halves of a same-sex couple]) were on last May was anything but "mass market," not in terms of the trip or our fellow travelers, who were really well-traveled. (And when Viking says five star hotels for the land portion, they mean it.) It was also one of the most extraordinary trips we've ever taken. If you go on the Viking China and Viking China2 threads on the "Other Cruise Lines" board, you'll find a zillion other travelers who feel the same way.

[DuhAussie]

While I can't speak to Viking in Europe, I can say that Viking's Imperial Jewels of China trip (which my partner and I [both halves of a same-sex couple]) were on last May was anything but "mass market," not in terms of the trip or our fellow travelers, who were really well-traveled. (And when Viking says five star hotels for the land portion, they mean it.) It was also one of the most extraordinary trips we've ever taken. If you go on the Viking China and Viking China2 threads on the "Other Cruise Lines" board, you'll find a zillion other travelers who feel the same way.

Thanks for letting us know, Turtles06. We're taking this trip in April with another same-sex couple and have been wondering/hoping it was the right choice. YAY!

[Willsot]

I'm half of a same sex couple as well....we are 51 and 62 (thus, a bit older). We had been ocean cruising for MANY years and enjoyed Princess and Holland America (as well as other lines). We enjoy the SAME things that you mention in your query. In any case, we discovered river cruising about 5 years ago. I can't speak for Viking, as we have only cruised Uniworld. All I can tell you is that we have NEVER felt uncomfortable or out of place. In fact, we have met many "life friends" on these cruises. I can also tell you that Uniworld is more like Silver Sea, Regent, Oceania and extremely elegant with beautiful decor and AMAZING cuisine. My impression is that Viking is a "mass market" product. I'm sure they're very good but Uniworld is a luxury product which appeals more to us (and the price difference is marginal). Hope that helps!

 

I also take issue with the "mass market" label. While Viking may be the largest of the river cruise lines, I would reserve the mass market label for ocean cruise lines such as RCL and Carnival products. There are 5 or 6 river cruise lines that are very comparable in price (none are "cheap"), quality, and itineraries. When following travel industry media I find that river cruise line rankings vary with the different publications. Uniworld gets ranked at the top in by one while Tauck or Viking has the same honor in another and in the same year Avalon wins the title from Cruise Critic editors.

[PTsPT2004]

We sailed Viking in Dec 2010 and there was a very well traveled, diverse, singles, May/Dec, honeymooners, same sex couples, mostly English speaking (except the captain) He did not speak a word of English. Not much entertainment at night, but we did have a good time in the bar. Most of us were too tired to party. We had to get our rest to be ready for the next day. We loved every minute of it and befriended 3 other couples who are going on the same Viking trip with us in May. Friendly bunch, LOVED it. We are both a younr 65 (or so we are told) If you are looking for nightlife Viking is not it. But there are several overnights on our upcoming journey that might have possibilities for NIGHTLIFE if your are looking for that.

[sunrocket]

We are taking a Viking Grand Europe Cruise in October with extensions Amsterdam and Prague. Has anyone taken these extensions and what was your opinion (hotel, transportation, guide, tours). Thank you for your help

Sunrocket

[jane1244]

After seeing the ads on Masterpiece Classic, we are thinking of trying a VRC for the first time. We are loyal to Royal Carribean and have also cruised on Princess. We are a same sex couple wanting to celebrate our 18th anniversary in 2013 and at that time we will be 47 and 40 years old. We tend to stray away from taking the shore excursions on the bigger ships simply because if we have to hear Diamonds International one more time we are going to scream. We tend to do our own thing in ports, but we miss quite a bit of culture in ports. I, the older, perfer to sit an listen to a chamber orchestra or string quartet tucked in the corner somewhere. We enjoy people watching in the public areas of the bigger cruise lines. I perfer tux nights. The younger of us will also enjoy the classical and quartet side of me.

Is VRC going to be a cultural shock to us? Are we, sorry, too young?

It would be nice to have a glass of wine or a martini with a fellow cruise passanger without all the wild drunkeness that goes on the larger ships.

Look forward to hearing back. Also if anyone has a link to an image of the daily cruise itenerary that you get each night on the bigger ships so I can see what goes on an VRC, that would be great.

we just returned from the Grand European Tour with Viking - and loved it!! This was our first river cruise... the others have all been big passenger cruise ships... and this was a real treat! We are in our early 60's but i don't think age matters that much.... you just need a good sense of adventure! We did some of the included tours, 1 optional one. but mostly we ventured into the towns with our sailing couple and explored on our own. Viking has great tours if you so choose..... but it's nice to just find the backstreets and little pubs on your own too! Food was great on the boat..... accomodations were spacious and the staff were wonderful..... free wine and beer with lunch and dinner... as much as they could pour! which was great...... we sailed on the Prestige.... and it was more than we anticipated.... we loved it and would go back in a heartbeat!!! Have fu - in whatever you choose!!!

[boomerone]

We are taking a Viking Grand Europe Cruise in October with extensions Amsterdam and Prague. Has anyone taken these extensions and what was your opinion (hotel, transportation, guide, tours). Thank you for your help

Sunrocket

We tend to figure out our own extensions wherever we go so as to save a bundle each time. It is not difficult to do so do your research and enjoy the savings which you can spend on nicer things. You can find very nice hotels and B&B's at a lower cost than what VRC will offer you on their extensions. We use the "things to do" section in http://www.tripadvisor.com for cities we visit and we have not been disappointed. We have found that what you see on the included walking tours of Amsterdam and Prague..or any other city... is enough to give you an idea of what you might want to go back to on your own to see in more detail without spending extra on the extension. One of the best and most memorable things you can do in Amsterdam...and I do not believe this is offered as part of the extension experience... is go to the flower auction (Blomenveilling...sp?) in Aalsmeer near the Schipohl Airport. Any cab driver should know where it is located but make sure the cabbie takes you to the main entrance. For around 10 euros you will be entertained with all the activity in the 4 auction rooms and floor with all the flower carts scurrying about in one of the largest buildings I have ever seen and its wall-to-wall flowers being prepared for distribution to the 4 corners of the world., a grand photo op. Get there early enough to be on site when it opens around 7am as that is when most of the activity occurs. After 830am the process slows to a trickle. Also a stop at a neighborhood cheese store will be quite rewarding. We concur with post #22 from Jane1244 with regard to backstreets and local pubs. We enjoy Viking's scheme of having an escorted tour in the morning/afternoon and then having fun time in the afternoon/evening to go back into the town after a quick meal onboard. Enjoy!

[Babo02]

I notiaced that you said you enjoyed tux night. Although we aren't going on our first river cruise until May 2013 (from Prague to Budapest), I have read that river cruises tend to be much more casual, hence no tuxes.

[WarEagle76]

River cruises we've taken with Viking have been casual dress, definitely no tuxes! We usually travel with a sport coat but even that is not necessary. River cruising also provides kicking back and enjoying wine or a drink pre or post dinner in a non-rowdy atmosphere. For some reason the thought exists that only those in their 80's take river cruises. Our experience has been a varied mix of ages, nationalities and backgrounds, which for us has made for interesting conversations and a great learning experience. One other big plus for us is that many times you will dock close to town, so if you want to go into town to a local pub or just wander the streets it is very easy to do.