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We enjoyed the included wine and beer, but also ordered cocktails or an evening aperitif as we desired. In the end our bill was $174.50, far less than the $600 the Silver Spirits package would have cost. We’re moderate drinkers on vacation but I think the liberal pours over dinner kept our costs low. We ordered from room service a few times, once for breakfast on our first sea day, and twice when our excursion got us back to the ship after the dining areas were closed. After a steamy excursion it was nice to put our feet up and enjoy a platter of cheese or a Caprese panini.
Avalon Waterways Avalon Tapestry II Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Avalon Waterways Avalon Tapestry II - Cruise Critic
Avalon Waterways Avalon Tapestry II Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Avalon Waterways Avalon Tapestry II.
Posted: Fri, 15 Sep 2023 12:01:32 GMT [source]
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Explorer’s Lounge was by far my favorite spot on the ship. Located at the helm, the bar’s panoramic views were breathtaking, and the seating was oh-so-comfortable, like your well-lived living room. In the morning, the Explorer’s Lounge operates Mamsen’s, which serves Nordic breakfast favorites inspired by Hagen’s mother’s recipes (definitely get the waffle with all the fixings). Viking Cruises is luxury but hardly snooty or pretentious. Its quiet, subtle approach to luxury feels more like settling into a close friend’s home than something flashy. At night, the dress code shifts slightly and becomes slightly more elevated.
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Overall, offered excursions from Viking weren’t the most adventurous, compared to cruise lines that cater to a younger clientele. They were slower in pace and typically didn’t offer too much physical activity. Before you get too excited, know this isn’t an invitation to book whatever activity the cruise line offers. Viking determines the free excursion at each port, which is typically a walking or driving tour of the port of call. It’s not the most thrilling way to spend your day, but it can save you some money, especially if you’re at a port you’re not as excited about. That said, actually choosing an itinerary proved more difficult than expected.
Are the Upgraded Viking Cruises Cabins Worth It?
In general, you'll find a lot of couples on Viking ships and some solo travelers. You'll also find the occasional multigenerational group — a retired couple traveling with their working-age adult children, for instance. In addition, in early 2022, the line began its first cruises to Antarctica with its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis. That summer, the same vessel launched the line's first voyages in the Great Lakes — a destination that only a handful of cruise operators visit. Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note.
I would have laughed in your face if you had told me that I’d be writing a Viking Cruises review a few years ago. We have just got off the phone with Viking Air - the latest of several. Viking Air gave us one hour between when they sent us our itinerary and told us they booked the flights. The return flights call for us to be flying to Dallas for 27 hours with a 3-hour layover in Doha. We initially asked them to let us lay over in Doha so we could get some rest.
We opted to extend our stay in Europe after the cruise. Viking offers both pre and post extensions, which are a fun way to see more of Europe and combine the best of both worlds (guided group tours with individual trips). If you want more relaxed, casual food with perhaps a table for just 2, the Aquavit upstairs is a great alternative.
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They're also people who can afford a relatively high-end vacation experience. While Viking doesn't market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Viking vessels are full of luxury touches, with the pricing to match (see more on what Viking trips cost at the bottom of this story).
Viking Danube River Cruise Reviews
Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card spending when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases. This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which offers 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel (and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining). That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we always recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.
The ultimate guide to Viking cruise ships and itineraries
I sent an email to be removed from the mailing list, but when attempting to call as a backup measure, I was notified that the privacy line was for employees and not for customers. The company is intentionally avoiding ways to respect consumer privacy.
True to its ethos of a comfortable cruise experience, Viking has considered guests who don’t wish to dress up after the sun sets. Casual clothing is permitted at the World Cafe at all times. Athletic clothing and swimwear are not allowed anywhere on the ship except on the pool deck and at the gym.
A small luxury cruise ship, a very expensive cruise person (still probably not a contemporary—or budget—cruise person). There seemed to be a hierarchy among performers and staff on the ship, and I didn’t like it. Staff in management and the Viking Vocalists (considered the most premium performers) were mostly white Europeans.
After our major itinerary change, we were shocked when our itinerary changed again at the port in San Juan, removing our only sea day and port of call. The views, the food, the staff...I couldn’t have asked for more during my much-anticipated vacation to China. We enjoyed all the elements organized by the company. The St. Petersburg guides were most competent and informative. The ship’s crew was very warm, especially at the restaurant. The staff were so gracious, friendly and helpful; they treated us like we were so important.
The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings. The stay in Cairo brings a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and other sites. On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights. Viking also offers a 14-night itinerary that includes several stops in the northernmost part of the country above the Arctic Circle.
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