Rare mskaufman Posted May 27, 2014 #1 Share Posted May 27, 2014 We have be ocean cruisers for decades and are considering our first river cruise. In considering Viking I have read a lot of negative reviews (which I tend to discount as people who have problems tend to be louder than people who don't). However, one thing I did want to ask about is the variety of items on the lunch/dinner menu. Posters seemed to indicate that often there was only one choice on the menu and there was really not a vegetarian options. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonnh Posted May 27, 2014 #2 Share Posted May 27, 2014 There is usually 3 choices which varies daily including a veggie option. There is also steak, chicken, salmon and caesar salad on the daily menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjscott Posted May 27, 2014 #3 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Lunch offers a salad buffet in the dining room, along with a daily fresh pasta option. Menu choices are a soup, a sandwich and a hot meal. In the Aquavit Terrace a light lunch buffet is served, with a choice of sandwiches on freshly made breads, a soup of the day, and a choice of several salads. Becki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana541 Posted May 27, 2014 #4 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Remember the kitchen facilities are very very tiny on these boats and they are literally serving upwards of 200 meals to the guests at one time! Go on YouTube and watch some of the videos for different companies, a lot of them show the buffets on various ships.... Someone also not long ago on the board (last Fall??) posted some wonderful "foodie" pictures from their Uniworld Cruise... Looked fabulous !! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojocmcla Posted May 27, 2014 #5 Share Posted May 27, 2014 Can't give any advice on Viking lunches, as we just returned from AMA. But, usually @ lunch there were a lot of salads and salad makings available. Then, there was a pasta. You could order soup and/or prepared dish from the menu. Just wanted to say "Hi" from one Ms Kaufman to another! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiminyC_fan Posted May 28, 2014 #6 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I am not a vegetarian but I found Viking had plenty of choices. We loved Viking and I think your attitude is right. People take the time to complain but not praise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TW6cruiser Posted May 28, 2014 #7 Share Posted May 28, 2014 A group of 6 of us took the Viking Tulips and Windmills trip last month. For lunch, they had a salad bar, soup, two sandwiches and a dessert on the terrace (buffet). In the main dining room for lunch they had a salad bar including soup. They also almost always had a past of the day (that you could order from the menu or go up to the pasta station to get it customized how you liked it). They then also had about three main items you could order. Usually a hot sandwich, or fish n chips, or something else. For dinner they had a choice of three appetizers, two salads, and then usually three entrees, usually one fish, one beef or chicken and one vegetarian. They also had three or four "always available" items you could pick from which were the same every night. One was a steak, one was a very good bone in chicken breast. Dessert choices varied. I have an allergy to mushrooms and many of the sauces had them so I just had to ask for no mushrooms and it was never a problem. One in our group thought the portions were not enough (the rest of us did though) and whenever he asked for a second portion, even of the main dish, the waiter obliged with no problem. We thought the food was very good. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mskaufman Posted May 28, 2014 Author #8 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Thanks everyone. What are some of the other things I should consider before booking Viking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana541 Posted May 28, 2014 #9 Share Posted May 28, 2014 (edited) Thanks everyone. What are some of the other things I should consider before booking Viking? Remember the 2 for 1 pricing is not really a sale.... You need to pay in full very shortly after booking even if your sailing is 18 months away! Have fun researching your trip and there is sooooo much great info on these boards so get to reading! And note to self: never say never, given the right circumstances I would happily sail with Viking! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Edited May 28, 2014 by nana541 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelBugM Posted May 28, 2014 #10 Share Posted May 28, 2014 TW6's overview of Viking's offerings is the same as we experienced last year. We are "foodies" and thoroughly enjoyed the food. Breakfasts were also buffet and absolutely wonderful. You will be spoilt for choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted May 28, 2014 #11 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I have never cruised Viking, but I expect they provide a good river cruise. However, their prices are always higher than our favorite Vantage. Do a comparison with at least three cruise lines and list what you get for $$$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mskaufman Posted May 29, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Remember the 2 for 1 pricing is not really a sale.... You need to pay in full very shortly after booking even if your sailing is 18 months away! Have fun researching your trip and there is sooooo much great info on these boards so get to reading! And note to self: never say never, given the right circumstances I would happily sail with Viking! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Not really a ringing endorsement. We would probably book six months in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted May 29, 2014 #13 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Not really a ringing endorsement. We would probably book six months in advance. Six months in advance may be too late. River cruises sell out fast -- especially the popular itineraries and the newest ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nana541 Posted May 29, 2014 #14 Share Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) Not really a ringing endorsement. We would probably book six months in advance. My Sept 2015 is Sold Out as of 3 weeks ago.... You would have much better luck with Oct & Nov sailings but choice of cabins may be an issue. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Edited May 29, 2014 by nana541 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReturnCruiser Posted May 29, 2014 #15 Share Posted May 29, 2014 We have be ocean cruisers for decades and are considering our first river cruise. In considering Viking I have read a lot of negative reviews (which I tend to discount as people who have problems tend to be louder than people who don't). However, one thing I did want to ask about is the variety of items on the lunch/dinner menu. Posters seemed to indicate that often there was only one choice on the menu and there was really not a vegetarian options. Thoughts? We've traveled with Viking on trips to China and on the Danube. In both cases, we thought Viking did a great job in regards to itinerary, guide services and support. The breakfasts were fine and lunches offered a variety of choices. We are not vegetarians; however, I don't recall any complaints about the dinner menus from our dining tables. We were particularly impressed by the Viking organization and quality of staff for the China land/river trip. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banditoo Posted May 29, 2014 #16 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Remember the 2 for 1 pricing is not really a sale.... You need to pay in full very shortly after booking even if your sailing is 18 months away! Have fun researching your trip and there is sooooo much great info on these boards so get to reading! And note to self: never say never, given the right circumstances I would happily sail with Viking! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app For our recently booked September 2015 Rhine Getaway, I was able to negotiate the final payment date for 2015. The agent readily agreed to deferred final payment and we were still able to maintain our early booking discount and our new Viking passenger referral discount. Ask someone on the boards here to provide a Viking referral if you are new to Viking...$100.00 discount per passenger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare milling73 Posted May 29, 2014 #17 Share Posted May 29, 2014 For our recently booked September 2015 Rhine Getaway, I was able to negotiate the final payment date for 2015. How late in 2015 were you allowed to defer? Up to 90 days out from cruise? Just wondering, because I know that has been a big sticking point with Viking for some considering booking, and thought maybe they are relaxing their policy. Thank you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jojocmcla Posted May 29, 2014 #18 Share Posted May 29, 2014 With AmaWaterways, we booked in August for the April 28 (embarkation of May 2) Prague to Budapest. We were told there were only 2 cabins left in the class we wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted May 29, 2014 #19 Share Posted May 29, 2014 There are about 6 River Cruise Co. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banditoo Posted May 30, 2014 #20 Share Posted May 30, 2014 For our recently booked September 2015 Rhine Getaway, I was able to negotiate the final payment date for 2015. How late in 2015 were you allowed to defer? Up to 90 days out from cruise? Just wondering, because I know that has been a big sticking point with Viking for some considering booking, and thought maybe they are relaxing their policy. Thank you!! We will be making final payment 7 months before the cruise which is a lot better than 15 months before though not as good as 3 months (90 days). The Viking agent said that was the latest she could defer to at her level without escalating the request for deferred final payment. I did not ask her to escalate the request. A number of categories for our cruise were already sold out 15 months in advance. River boats have limited numbers of staterooms unlike ocean liners which somewhat limits negotiating power when the demand exceeds the supply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozjohnno Posted May 30, 2014 #21 Share Posted May 30, 2014 We will be making final payment 7 months before the cruise which is a lot better than 15 months before though not as good as 3 months (90 days). The Viking agent said that was the latest she could defer to at her level without escalating the request for deferred final payment. I did not ask her to escalate the request. A number of categories for our cruise were already sold out 15 months in advance. River boats have limited numbers of staterooms unlike ocean liners which somewhat limits negotiating power when the demand exceeds the supply. As my Business Accountant wife notices a company that requires payment so far in advance displays all the symptoms of a company that has a severe cash flow problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jiminyC_fan Posted May 30, 2014 #22 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Someone earlier somewhat compared Viking to Carnival. I just want to add that by no means is it close to Carnival. I have never cruised with Carnival and have no interest in it. I have several ocean cruises under my belt, however. Viking river cruise was superb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannockfrodo Posted May 31, 2014 #23 Share Posted May 31, 2014 We did a Viking Elbe cruise and really enjoyed it. We found the food excellent offering a wide range of options. The crew also are excellent and the day trips are of good quality. The pre/post stay hotels were also very good. We enjoyed the Berlin hotel, but preferred our evening in Prague. Our only negative was the evening entertainment, while it is tailored to the theme of the cruise and the places visited, we found it lacking. We do understand that the boat is of limited size and entertainment options are therefore not of cruise quality but we've done small cruise ships that offer a range of interactive entertainments that act as icebreakers and help build a camaraderie onboard. We know that these types of entertainment are not everyone's cup of tea, so maybe the low key, cultural offerings would be more your sort of thing. On the whole it was a good holiday for us and we made some new friends we hope to keep. The age of the cruisers was 50+ Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TiredCPA Posted May 31, 2014 #24 Share Posted May 31, 2014 As my Business Accountant wife notices a company that requires payment so far in advance displays all the symptoms of a company that has a severe cash flow problem. Probably from launching so many new Longboats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anandaindonesia Posted May 31, 2014 #25 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Oh! My bucket list! Sent using Tapatalk. Sorry for typho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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