The line also draws a wide range of interesting and accomplished people from all walks of life to serve as guest lecturers, including well-known academics, diplomats and even astronauts. On cold-weather cruises, you'll need scarves, gloves and waterproof gear. Depending on the time of year and destination, I like to fly wearing a tweed jacket. In fact, the line doesnt even allow children under the age of 18 on its ships. Coffee and tea are always available as well. In my case, it is my husbands retirement from the military, a belated 20th wedding anniversary, and a lifelong desire to visit Russia. In general, youll find a lot of couples on Viking ships and some solo travelers. ", here is my answer. A lightweight travel scarf is great for additional sun protection on the neck and shoulders and comes in very handy when visiting places of worship. Travelon Anti-theft Signature Slim Backpack, Pacsafe Anti-Theft Backpack with Detachable Pocket, Read Our Complete Guide to Buying an Anti-Theft Backpack. Best of all, they are in good sized bottles (not those tiny hotel-style bottles) and are replenished daily or as you need. Learn more Cruise Day Wear Cruise Day Wear Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. You will need your booking number to register. Don't forget belts, jewelry and ties for evening dress. A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River, The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship, The ultimate guide to Viking cabins and suites, The 12 cruise ships with the most spectacular attractions at sea, Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship, Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board, Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services, Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise, The ultimate guide to Viking's cruise loyalty program, 6 ways to travel to Antarctica in luxury and style, How to book a cruise with points and miles, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Youll also find live piano music in the evenings in river ship lounges. In fall and winter, of course, travelers will want to pack these items and then some: weather. Menu. Read this over and become familiar with all the extras Viking offers as this will be important when you start booking shore excursions, restaurant reservations, and drink packages. Depending on the type of excursion, you may want to pack specific clothing such as comfortable, versatile hiking/walking shoesfor optional easy hikes. A common question for first-time river cruisers is how to pack for a cruise? Travel tips and destination guides by experienced travellers from all over the world. What it is is a line that has focused very specifically on thinking persons cruises that offer a deeper dive into the destinations that its ships visit than is typical at many lines. Your cabin size will determine when you can book these options. Lightweight long sleeved shirts are perfect for hot sunny days. Its how I imagine Norway would smell. Read Our Guide to the Best Crossbody Bags for Travel, Read Our Guide to the Best Anti Theft Handbags and Purses for Travel. There is also a small shop on board should you require something urgently. Always do a final check of all your devices, cameras and electronic equipment to make sure you have all the right cords, batteries and chargers. Related: The ultimate guide to Viking's cruise loyalty program. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. If your medication appears on a banned medications list for that country, ensure you have the appropriate paperwork and approvals before leaving home. If sailing on Viking ocean cruises, there are numerous guest laundries available to use free of charge on each deck. For some reason I was craving milk. A good, wool sweater is often a benefit when the weather is cold and damp. On any given day, you might find an expert on one of the destinations youre visiting lecturing in the theater, or a classical musician performing in the central atrium, known as The Living Room. Some Silversea ships, in turn, have lounge areas named after Hagen. You will need to plan for how long you are away taking into consideration clothing, medications and toiletries. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship. There really is something for everyone. Whereas, in the summer months in parts of Asia, you can expect a lot of rain. Soothing, minimalist colors think creams, grays and lighter blues are the order of the day. Each day of your cruise is listed with options to book spa treatments, dining reservations, and shore excursions. Some of the lines more exotic sailings such as its expedition trips to Antarctica cost even more. Viking also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, and it recently began trips on the Mississippi River. One thing that can be offensive to many is men with ball caps in the dining room or World Cafe. Especially when considering some mens shoes. 5 7 Tops to mix and match with bottoms. Viking actually has a Resident Historian Program. On Viking Ocean Cruises, it is always possible to have a pool day. Our favourite travel accessories for wet weather. Big floating resorts, they arent. Also review the Passport and Visa Requirements. In general, its an educated crowd, with many passengers coming from professional backgrounds or a life of running their own businesses. Most Viking passengers are North Americans who are approaching retirement age or already retired. The line offers included-in-the-fare tours in every port, allowing every passenger on board to get a guided experience during stops without having to pay extra. Disclaimer: Our articles may contain affiliate links. If its a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and youre bound for the top deck, a short-sleeve shirt and shorts are just fine. Are there any obvious differences as the Sky has a very attractive pric. But probably not outlawed. If youre sure that Viking is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. At 47,800 tons, these ocean ships are less than a fourth the size of the giant megaships being built by the likes of Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, in keeping with Vikings focus on intimate, upscale voyages. Your packing list should include thick sweaters and jackets combined with warm socks, hats, winter boots and gloves. Tweed jackets dont take up space in luggage the way sweaters do which serve the same purpose for me. Bluffworks Wrinkle-Free Travel Zenith Dress Shirt. Or, pack a separate anti-theft clutch that wont take up much room in your bag. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. If you want a lightweight in-between bag for day excursions or even for days onboard youll be pleased to know fanny packs are back in fashion. Personally, we are not dress up people. ), Hair straightener or curler if you use one You DO NOT NEED a hairdryer. During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Personal experiences give you insights that you wont receive on the company website. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. However, even with all the great packing hacks we mention here, the secret to packing for a cruise is still to pack light. Rivers; Expeditions; Search. Jeans are not permitted. Forsake Davos MidMens Waterproof Outdoor Sneaker Boot, Skechers Mens Relaxed-Fit Memory Foam Slip-On Loafer. Questionable. Ten-night Greek Odyssey voyages to the Greek Islands start at $3,799 per person. For this subset of travelers, Viking offers a wide range of both ocean and river cruise itineraries that have a heavy focus on the destinations visited. While Viking doesnt market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Most cruises to Iceland depart between the months of May and September. Create Your Online "My Viking Journey" Account. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). On our first ocean cruise, one man somehow always sat in front of us in the theater (though we learned to move when he approached). 1 Dressier pant/skirt/dress for special evenings. The lines smaller expedition ocean ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, offer four of the above venues: The Restaurant, World Cafe, Manfredis and Mamsens. Related: The ultimate guide to Viking cabins and suites. Both long and short-sleeved. Another resource I like to use is reviews. In addition to a room on board and all meals, the fares include beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; specialty coffees, teas and bottled water around the clock; shipboard Wi-Fi; and (perhaps most notably) a shore excursion in every port. I am exploring the idea of a World Cruise starting December 2023 and see Viking has 2 ships: Viking Sky and the Viking Neptune that will set sail only days apart. While many consider cruising to be quite a relaxed or even sedentaryway to travel, river cruises are quite the opposite. There also are casual buffet eateries called World Cafe on every vessel. Viking operates several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, and it has several older river vessels that predate the Longships that operate in Russia and Ukraine. Once you book your cruise, there is still quite a bit of planning to do. Viking adds an automatic service gratuity (which it calls a hotel and dining charge) of $15 per person per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category. The Chief Historian has curated an extensive list of books to enjoy prior to your cruise. Select wine and beers are complimentary and available at lunch and dinner only. An invitation to a members-only Viking Explorer Society cocktail party when sailing on Viking ships. Vikings soon-to-debut Mississippi River ships will offer self-service launderettes but no takeout laundry and pressing service. Viking ships also dont cater to the party crowd. Some stateroom categories include laundry services, and it is available for a fee through your steward if not included. (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) We did not have icy conditions but did walk through lots of slush. Powered by Invision Community. Viking has taken delivery of its ninth Ocean-going cruise ship today, April 26. You may be denied entry ifyou are considered to be inappropriately dressed. Home >> Travel Tips >> Cruises >> Viking River Cruise Packing List and Cruise Packing Tips. Vikings ocean ships have a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which the line considers its home turf. While the cabin itself may not be that spacious, there is plenty of drawer and cupboard space to stow your things. It can also dress up an outfit for evenings. Socks for the duration (including compression socks for the flight). Note that internet service can be slow at times of heavy use, as is typical on cruise vessels. While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Its forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. They are also good if visiting dusty areas for covering your face. Consider any places of worship you may be visiting where respectful dress is required. Some people love to dress up for dinner, other don't. The main pool on the ship has a retractable roof. Check here before booking an award fare. For example Viking provides beer and wine with lunch and dinner at no additional charge. The 47,842 gross . Just this year, the line began its first cruises to Antarctica with its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis. You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Viking ships. While the restaurants offer a fine dining experience, the dress code is optional. By taking the extra time to plan, your trip will go smoother and you will know what to expect. During the day, dress is casual including shorts (if the season is warm), slacks or jeans and comfortable shoes for walking tours. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. 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). We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards, which are in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. Theyre often people who have spent years focused on work and building up savings for retirement, and theyre finally ready to start enjoying the fruits of their labor by spending some of the savings on travel to places theyve long put off visiting. Too often we see people in tour groups sightseeing with their bag or daypack hanging loosely from one shoulder with zips or drawer string closures gaping wide open. If you are taking a fly-cruise package and your luggage is lost by the airline, it could take time for your luggage to be found and may even have to be delivered to the ship at the next port of call. 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. Viking has been in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera since 2016. We feel your pain, us being from Arizona. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the Ukraine war.). Comfortable walking shoes will be very important. Another option is Viking TV, which has a variety of programming. Most Viking customers are approaching their retirement years or are already there and theyre eager to finally see all the places they didnt have time to visit when they were raising kids and establishing careers in their younger years. Related: Take a Look on Board Viking Ocean Cruises, Best Cruise Purse for Evening Excursions and Onboard, the Best Anti Theft Handbags and Purses for Travel, best and most stylish fanny packs for travel here, A Complete Guide to the Best Anti-theft Travel Gear, mens travel jackets with hidden pockets here, Buying Guide to the Best Pickpocket Proof Clothing for Travel. Break in your walking shoes before you leave on your cruise. On the lines river ships, youll also find onboard lectures, usually related to the destinations the ships are visiting, as well as destination-related demonstrations and tastings. This isn't just in the main restaurants, you can also get the drinks from the buffet or if you are eating at places like the poolside grill you will be offered drinks. Check out TravelAwaits contributor Judy Freemans advice on how to make the most of your Viking cruise. Doesit rain a lot and that is why it was so icy? Even though there are no formal evenings, the evening dress code for all eating venues, entertainment, and special events aboard a Viking River cruise is elegant casual. Such access almost always comes with an extra charge on cruise vessels. A bucket-list trip is a perfect way to celebrate major milestones in your life. When planning what to bring on your cruise, visit Life on Board for the dress code and tips on what to pack. There is a laundry service onboard the Viking river cruises. This is the first time Viking Ocean Cruises has offered a . Viking has long argued that few of its customers use fitness centers and the space that would be devoted to one is better used for other things. Author. The toiletries were specifically designed with bigger and clearer lettering than is common for toiletries on cruise ships and at hotels so that the lines older customers would have no trouble differentiating the body wash from the body lotion and shampoo. Viking is all about the destination, and on my 15-day cruise, there is only one day at sea. I recall one evening when a chap wore sandals and long trousers to the MDR and was requested by the host to change his footware. Its also known for an extensive collection of Armagnacs, with one from almost every year of the past eight decades. Viking does not allow children under the age of 18 on its vessels and thus has no childrens programs on any of its vessels. We always keep some of these handy wipes in our bag. River cruise cabins may not be as spacious as a hotel room or on an ocean-going vessel, so you dont want to clutter it with unnecessary stuff. While a certain level of dress is expected, and always appreciated, on a Viking River Cruise, you will not find the need for formal wear as you might on a big cruise line. The upscale cruise brand has carved out a niche since its founding in 1997, catering specifically to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler who is looking to explore the world and learn a thing or two along the way. Each cabin has two 110V sockets above the desk and one on each side of the bed. #2. Its one of the only major cruise brands in the world with such a rule. See the end of the article for a complete example river cruise packing list. 856. This provides warmth on the flight and handy pockets. Terms and Conditions Apply. A quality, fast charging bank is great for travel days, essential for full-day shore excursions, especially for anyone who uses their phone as their primary camera. Electrical outlets in Viking Ocean staterooms run on either 110V and 220V so when packing for a Viking Ocean Cruise, there is no need to bring other adapterseven though you'll be visiting different countries. Like the US, Europe had become much more casual so I didnt need it when I thought I would. All of Vikings oceangoing ships, which are much bigger than its river ships, have at least four and usually more outlets serving food of some sort. Other interior spaces that are part of the ocean ships include a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels) and a fitness center. If you use a straightener or curler, you will need to bring this. While this is undoubtedly true, many equate this with the need to dress up during the cruise. The Viking Saturn is the newest ship in Viking's award-winning ocean fleet of identical sister ships. They also come in different sizes depending on your requirement. Moody's expects this level of cash is sufficient to cover the company's cash needs.
