Morning tea on Viking river cruise

[durhamgirl]

We will be going on the Viking Grand European voyage and we love a cup of tea in the mornings before getting up! We normally do ocean cruising and kettles, mugs, tea and milk are supplied in the cabins. There is no room service on Viking cruises either. Can we take our own travel kettle? Also does the bathroom have the little line in the shower as on ships for little bits of laundry? If anyone can answer these questions I would be very grateful.

[id4elizabeth]

There's a coffee/tea station that's open very early in the morning. At this staion there's a spigot that dispenses very hot water, without going through the coffee parts. So, no coffee over-flavor to your tea! :D

 

They have a nice selection of high quality tea bags: English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Dargeling, Green etc. If you want tea leaves instead of tea bags, you'd have to bring your own. There are smallish teapots you can ask for at dinner the first night. I've been on 3 Viking River Cruises (and 1 Viking Ocean) and never had a problem with getting a teapot.

 

Not sure about bringing an electric tea kettle due to fire hazards. They do request that you not bring irons, but curling irons are OK, so can't believe they'd take it away. It would take up a lot of luggage space though. I use the hot water out of the tea station into the teapot from the dining room. The key is to place this teapot somewhere where the cabin steward doesn't (helpfully) take it away.

[Alberta Quilter]

Yes, there is a clothes line in the shower for your laundry.

[durhamgirl]

Thank you glad to hear there is a line in the shower-just in case of a sock shortage with all that walking! :)

Not so certain about the tea situation though for a first hot drink to set us up for the day!:confused:

[ambelina]

Two different couples that we know went on a Viking River Cruise last year and highly recommended it. I have been reading posts since we booked our Grand European cruise that are not that complimentary of Viking. We are now wondering if we have made a mistake on which line to take. This will be our first river cruise after many ocean cruises. We are hoping for a wonderful trip.

[ambelina]

Posted this in the wrong place. Sorry!

[Hydrokitty]

Two different couples that we know went on a Viking River Cruise last year and highly recommended it. I have been reading posts since we booked our Grand European cruise that are not that complimentary of Viking. We are now wondering if we have made a mistake on which line to take. This will be our first river cruise after many ocean cruises. We are hoping for a wonderful trip.

 

Hi Ambelina...I've never traveled with Viking for the simple reason that the Vantage catalog came first...I was ready to travel...and our first trip with them was wonderful so we've stuck with them. It's true you'll see lots of negatives on these boards about Viking. Keep this facts in mind: 1. Viking is by far the largest of the companies and it makes sense that the more customers you serve, the more complaints you'll get and 2. Happy people tend to book other trips, unhappy people complain on cruise critic! Many of their complaints are 100% justified and some are not. You were "highly recommended" to Viking by 2 different couples....I suggest that these were people you know and trust. Therefore, my advice to you is: stop worrying and go with the mind set that YOUR trip will be as wonderful as theirs was. Two things you must never forget to bring with you: patience and a sense of humor....use them every day and barring something really major like river levels that cannot be controlled by any company, you'll have a wonderful river cruise too. :D

[cruiser02]

Two different couples that we know went on a Viking River Cruise last year and highly recommended it. I have been reading posts since we booked our Grand European cruise that are not that complimentary of Viking. We are now wondering if we have made a mistake on which line to take. This will be our first river cruise after many ocean cruises. We are hoping for a wonderful trip.

 

Have the same doubts as you do. We too just booked our 1st river cruise - the Viking Grand European - before really comparing the various lines. Loved ocean cruising - also been on many. We leave in a month so I guess I will be writing a review in the near future. Hopefully a positive one.

[Host Jazzbeau]

When things go well Viking's customers have a great cruise and tend to become as loyal as any other cruise line. But when the water has been too high or too low, Viking is always the first to stop sailing -- and then you get the complaints. This isn't about how many ships they have: it's about the design of their ships. So pray for good weather, and you'll have a great cruise.

[Got2Cruise]

Thank you glad to hear there is a line in the shower-just in case of a sock shortage with all that walking! :)

Not so certain about the tea situation though for a first hot drink to set us up for the day!:confused:

 

Did you check on the Viking Webpage under FAQs about the tea kettle?

 

If they don't allow the kettle maybe you can convince your better half to be the one to walk over to the tea service and bring you back a cup, maybe even a pastry to go with it. The positive thing to remember that a river cruise ship is tiny compared to an ocean liner and the distance is not very far from your cabin.

[Hydrokitty]

Did you check on the Viking Webpage under FAQs about the tea kettle?

 

If they don't allow the kettle maybe you can convince your better half to be the one to walk over to the tea service and bring you back a cup, maybe even a pastry to go with it. The positive thing to remember that a river cruise ship is tiny compared to an ocean liner and the distance is not very far from your cabin.

 

And the hot chocolate is to die for!!!! :D

[durhamgirl]

Thank you for your replies! Obviously will have to send my husband on the tea hunt!:)

 

I have also been very concerned about this river cruise as reviews have been very negative -a ship hopping coach tour is definitely not what I wanted for a special occasion as this is going to be. A couch tour in any form is at the very bottom of any holiday list! The main reason for booking with Viking was they advertise TV dramas (we are English) and make the cruise look brilliant! We did have a recommendation from a friend but she last went on one about 10 years ago. Also we wanted to be on holiday for our special occasion and Viking was, I think, the only company who started so early in March. We are on the one going from Amsterdam on 18th March. Its all too late to worry about it any more as it now less than a month to leaving for our 2 nights in Amsterdam before the cruise.

 

Lets hope all will go well and I can write a brilliant review!:)

[Hydrokitty]

Thank you for your replies! Obviously will have to send my husband on the tea hunt!:)

 

I have also been very concerned about this river cruise as reviews have been very negative -a ship hopping coach tour is definitely not what I wanted for a special occasion as this is going to be. A couch tour in any form is at the very bottom of any holiday list! The main reason for booking with Viking was they advertise TV dramas (we are English) and make the cruise look brilliant! We did have a recommendation from a friend but she last went on one about 10 years ago. Also we wanted to be on holiday for our special occasion and Viking was, I think, the only company who started so early in March. We are on the one going from Amsterdam on 18th March. Its all too late to worry about it any more as it now less than a month to leaving for our 2 nights in Amsterdam before the cruise.

 

Lets hope all will go well and I can write a brilliant review!:)

 

I think you've got a really good chance in March...most of the complaints with Viking seem to arise from water levels being too high or too low to navigate...if everything works the way it's supposed to, winter snow should still be snow so the water levels won't be too high. We see the Viking ad every Sunday when we watch Downton Abbey....it is absolutely beautiful.

[cruiser02]

Thank you for your replies! Obviously will have to send my husband on the tea hunt!:)

 

I have also been very concerned about this river cruise as reviews have been very negative -a ship hopping coach tour is definitely not what I wanted for a special occasion as this is going to be. A couch tour in any form is at the very bottom of any holiday list! The main reason for booking with Viking was they advertise TV dramas (we are English) and make the cruise look brilliant! We did have a recommendation from a friend but she last went on one about 10 years ago. Also we wanted to be on holiday for our special occasion and Viking was, I think, the only company who started so early in March. We are on the one going from Amsterdam on 18th March. Its all too late to worry about it any more as it now less than a month to leaving for our 2 nights in Amsterdam before the cruise.

 

Lets hope all will go well and I can write a brilliant review!:)

 

When is your cruise - in March?

[Got2Cruise]

Viking advertises heavily here in USA also. The only brand to do so. They advertise during Downton Abbey and the commercial is divine. Have a wonderful journey and report back how much you loved it.

Edited February 21, 2016 by Got2Cruise

[durhamgirl]

We join the boat in Amsterdam on Friday 18th March.

[Cyber Kat]

Thank you for your replies! Obviously will have to send my husband on the tea hunt!:)

 

I have also been very concerned about this river cruise as reviews have been very negative -a ship hopping coach tour is definitely not what I wanted for a special occasion as this is going to be. A couch tour in any form is at the very bottom of any holiday list! The main reason for booking with Viking was they advertise TV dramas (we are English) and make the cruise look brilliant! We did have a recommendation from a friend but she last went on one about 10 years ago. Also we wanted to be on holiday for our special occasion and Viking was, I think, the only company who started so early in March. We are on the one going from Amsterdam on 18th March. Its all too late to worry about it any more as it now less than a month to leaving for our 2 nights in Amsterdam before the cruise.

 

Lets hope all will go well and I can write a brilliant review!:)

 

You may want to read through this thread. It's a roll call for the 2015 cruisers - many came back and offered comments and reviews. They've been very helpful for those of us on the 2016 cruises

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1952390

 

This is a roll call for 2016

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2230700

[hdcnm]

My daughter and I went on the Viking Portraits of Southern France last July - We had a wonderful time. When we were in the ports we met other cruisers from other cruise lines and they also had great things to say about their experiences.

There may be little things about each cruise line that differs and sometimes small issues occur. We have just booked another Viking cruise for this July - Basil to Amsterdam.

Enjoy the wonderful trip you have booked - whichever line it is. What bothers someone else may mean nothing to you !!!!

[annabell.4006]

viking will ensure you get to every port on the right day - that may be on the buses.

their pillows are very flat. extra pillow = pillow case and folded towels!

[Hydrokitty]

viking will ensure you get to every port on the right day - that may be on the buses.

their pillows are very flat. extra pillow = pillow case and folded towels!

 

Pillow situation would be a deal breaker for me....I need at least 2 pillows and always ask for extra pillows when I book a trip or hotel stay. I've never been refused or offered a towel and pillow case!

[durhamgirl]

Same here need 2 good pillows!!

[id4elizabeth]

Never had a problem getting extra real pillows from Viking.

[cruiser02]

We join the boat in Amsterdam on Friday 18th March.

 

 

We will be meeting soon. We're on the same sailing

We will be arriving that morning from Seattle WA so will be Jet Lagged.

[wandb]

You may want to read through this thread. It's a roll call for the 2015 cruisers - many came back and offered comments and reviews. They've been very helpful for those of us on the 2016 cruises

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1952390

 

This is a roll call for 2016

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2230700

 

Hello durhamgirl and others who are worried about Viking.

 

I'm so glad that Cyber Kat has posted these two links!! On our 2016 roll call, I'm always recommending that folks read through that 2015 roll call. It is LONG but a fantastic preparation for cruising the Rhine. I have read through it 3 times and can honestly say that in all those 1280 posts, there was only 1 negative post. That person was not happy with river cruising in general---not particularly Viking.

 

I think if you go with a positive attitude, you will love your river cruise, no matter which cruise line you use. If you go expecting night life, entertainment, large production shows, casinos and other amenities you'd find on an ocean cruise, you will probably be disappointed---no matter which line you cruise with.

 

If you no longer have the time to read through that whole 2015 roll call, go to the 2nd link Cyber Cat has posted (the 2016 roll call) and on page 33, post #648 I have listed some of my favorite and most helpful reviews from the 2015 site.

There are some fantastic picture reviews---not all on Viking. Some from Uniworld, AMA, and others.

 

Have a fun time reading. You will be SO READY for your cruise to get here!

 

By the way, I agree that you should take the advice of the friends you know!

[cruiser02]

Thank you I will not get a thing done today for I will be reading reviews ALL day !

The weather seems to be a bit chilly from the reports I read. Cooler than here in Seattle.

Packing room is getting busy....