My wife and I are going on a Viking cruise from Switzerland to Amsterdam this September. Just wondering if anyone else has done one and what to expect.
Viking cruise
- Thread starter cyhawk3
- Start date
Yes, we did 4 years ago but went Amsterdam to Basel. Loved every bit of it. We especially enjoyed 'Castle Day' when you sail past about 30 incredible castles while enjoying drinks on the deck. Cologne was probably my favorite stop.
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
U will have great time. They are first class. We’ve done many and currently on a Viking ocean cruise in Scandanavia.
My wife and I did that tour last month and really loved it but we went on a different cruise line. I highly recommend taking the gondola up the Swiss Alps if you are in Lucerne.
Unique, but the accommodations are a little lacking....
The staff is also a bit different....
We cruise once or twice a year, but have never done a river cruise, but the people I know that have done them say they are great. Smaller ships, a few hundred people and a great way to see Europe. Our daughter in law took a Christmas River Cruise two years ago with some college friends and loved it. Viking has a deal right now where they will pay for your airfare or at least a large chunk of it.
We took a Viking cruise down the Danube last fall starting in Passau, Germany and ending up in Budapest. First class treatment. Never had to worry about a thing.
On a side note, if your Viking cruise packet came with airfare included, I would check to see what the extra cost is to bump up to business class or at least Economy Plus. 8 hours in economy is not the most pleasant way to go. And if you can't find the extra dough to do that, try to get your seats along the back wall so you can lean back without worrying about p*ssing off the guy in back of you
On a side note, if your Viking cruise packet came with airfare included, I would check to see what the extra cost is to bump up to business class or at least Economy Plus. 8 hours in economy is not the most pleasant way to go. And if you can't find the extra dough to do that, try to get your seats along the back wall so you can lean back without worrying about p*ssing off the guy in back of you
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We chose the more economical hawkeye cruise line down the skunk river for our anniversary. Highly recommend taking advantage of their evening keg beer specials on the Lerado deck.
Has anyone done one with older folks?
I'd like to take the folks to Europe, but they are getting decrepit. And they are not "adventure travelers" by a long shot. So something contained like this might be good. Having a set schedule that someone else runs for them would fit them.
How manageable is it? How much walking? Mom can walk OK but has a new knee, so 5 miles a day is too much, but some is fine. Dad is worse, not in a wheelchair or anything, but he is more limited.
I'd like to take the folks to Europe, but they are getting decrepit. And they are not "adventure travelers" by a long shot. So something contained like this might be good. Having a set schedule that someone else runs for them would fit them.
How manageable is it? How much walking? Mom can walk OK but has a new knee, so 5 miles a day is too much, but some is fine. Dad is worse, not in a wheelchair or anything, but he is more limited.
We did Zurich to Paris a couple years ago for our 25th anniversary. Loved the trip. I agree with all the positive things said so far.
We're doing another longer one this fall going from Amsterdam to southern France (I forget the town we finish in). I think the first part of our cruise is what you are doin (in reverse), then we take a train ride south to start the second "half".
A couple things to provide "fair and balanced":
1. Not sure your age, but it's definitely an older group. We had just turned 50, and were probably in the youngest 10 people out of the 190. We met another couple our age and spent majority of time hanging out with them
2. Food on the boat was fine, but don't go into the cruise thinking it's gourmet meals all the time. I'll admit that could vary a lot depending on the chef/staff of your specific cruise. I only have the one trip for reference. We found some really good meals/food while wandering the cities/towns we visited.
3. Our cruise was great because water levels were great. I've read nightmare stories where rivers are too high/too low, and ship swaps and extra bus rides are required. Needing to pack/unpack multiple times would definitely hurt the overall vibe.
We're doing another longer one this fall going from Amsterdam to southern France (I forget the town we finish in). I think the first part of our cruise is what you are doin (in reverse), then we take a train ride south to start the second "half".
A couple things to provide "fair and balanced":
1. Not sure your age, but it's definitely an older group. We had just turned 50, and were probably in the youngest 10 people out of the 190. We met another couple our age and spent majority of time hanging out with them
2. Food on the boat was fine, but don't go into the cruise thinking it's gourmet meals all the time. I'll admit that could vary a lot depending on the chef/staff of your specific cruise. I only have the one trip for reference. We found some really good meals/food while wandering the cities/towns we visited.
3. Our cruise was great because water levels were great. I've read nightmare stories where rivers are too high/too low, and ship swaps and extra bus rides are required. Needing to pack/unpack multiple times would definitely hurt the overall vibe.
It depends on what you're looking for in a cruise. We found the Viking line to be kind of "stuffy". Lectures and programming, precious little fun activities. We enjoy things that bring passengers together, not lectures.
The scenery is amazing along the main European rivers, so that's a big plus. And if you like wine and/or beer, wellllll...France and Germany.
Accessibility was a pain since I don't do well walking distances. Our biggest problem with them on the trip we took from Amsterdam to Basel (with a post in Lucerne) was that their private docking spaces were typically some distance from the main docking areas. We needed to ride a bus into town twice when we didn't have paid shore excursions, instead of wandering around close to the ship. Other river cruises we've been on were typically docked close to town centers.
Net result - some people love Viking, including my sister. Other people don't. Count us among the second group.
The scenery is amazing along the main European rivers, so that's a big plus. And if you like wine and/or beer, wellllll...France and Germany.
Accessibility was a pain since I don't do well walking distances. Our biggest problem with them on the trip we took from Amsterdam to Basel (with a post in Lucerne) was that their private docking spaces were typically some distance from the main docking areas. We needed to ride a bus into town twice when we didn't have paid shore excursions, instead of wandering around close to the ship. Other river cruises we've been on were typically docked close to town centers.
Net result - some people love Viking, including my sister. Other people don't. Count us among the second group.
River cruises tend to be older adults, most in their 50s and up, they have tours for people with limited mobility or mobility issues.
How old are your folks? We're 71 and have our own health issues. How much walking you do depends on the shore excursions you book. Some cruise lines offer indications of how much effort is required on a given side trip (easy, moderate, strenuous) so you can use those guidelines.
Remember that many streets over there are cobblestone or the like, and sidewalks are not exactly even. If your folks use canes, make sure the canes have a wide base on them to keep from slipping. You can also choose to take a cab to a specific sight you want to see in a town...the ship concierge can often help you with procuring a cab, We found Uber to be iffy at best.
Also, river cruises tend to market toward older folks Many of them require passengers to be at least 18, and on the cruises we went on, most were 40, going clear up to mid 80s. On a river cruise, your folks might enjoy just sitting and watching the shores go past.
We just booked a Viking cruise for December. Company states average age is early 70s. They also will tell you they have little to no tolerance for individuals who cannot keep up on a tour and are not afraid to send you back to the boat for the day. Probably to as much detail as you are looking for but maybe a starting point.
Their customers service rep probably spent close to 3 hours on 3 different calls going over details before we booked and we felt he was pretty candid.
Their customers service rep probably spent close to 3 hours on 3 different calls going over details before we booked and we felt he was pretty candid.
Our cruise had some people with very limited mobility. Honestly, for me as an "entitled youngster" in my early 50's, that would make the cruise a lot less appealing. The times we sat on top of the ship and watched the world go by were great, especially "castle day", but for the most part, we used the ship as our floating hotel/cafeteria that got us from city to city so we could go off and get our 10 to 15,000 steps in exploring.
I thought they offered a Viking cruise in Minnesota if you don't want to travel so far.
en.wikipedia.org
Minnesota Vikings boat party scandal - Wikipedia
Not to step too hard on your joke, but Viking does run cruises on the Mississippi. Longest one goes from St Paul all the way to New Orleans. 100% not my thing to float past Dubuque, St Louis, etc., but I think they are pretty popular.I thought they offered a Viking cruise in Minnesota if you don't want to travel so far.
Minnesota Vikings boat party scandal - Wikipedia
