We we really enjoyed our Viking River Cruise (Rhine Getaway - Amsterdam to Basel). On a river, there can be high/low water concerns, but that only had minor impact for us… sometimes docked away from town.
We thought Viking had great service and nice emphasis on local history and culture. Wondering how my CC travel pals like the Viking Ocean boats (I hear they too are mostly all the same configurations) and staff.
We have taken on Viking cruise and it was an ocean one. We liked it a lot. The included excursions were pretty blah…walk thru town kind of thing.
The thing that is keeping me from gravitating towards Viking is their payment policy. Full payment a year in advance. That is way outside industry standard. So we are more inclined to use Oceania.
This video does a very nice side by side comparison of the two lines. Spoiler alert, Viking is considerably more expense across the board when compared to Oceania.
We loved our Viking ocean cruise.
Like the ocean better than rivers due to the dinner situation. We were happy to dine by ourselves when we wished and with others also. On our schedule
I thought the excursions were good but we did a lot of optional ones.
We did the Viking Grand European River Cruise last October. Can’t say enough good things about how great the ship was, the staff was incredible, the food was great but I’m hearing that if you are a “foodie” you could be disappointed since it is just great. We took most of the included tours but added about 4 or 5 paid excursion which most were well worth it. We did have low water at one point and had to do a ship swap which was seamless. Captain told a few days ahead of time we “might” have to do that but he’d keep us posted each evening during the next port talk. He did tell us 2 nights before we had to swap they were waiting on the River Keeper to let them know if the ship could proceed, it was not a Viking call. Did finally get the word to swap and had a full day and night to repack. Packing cubes make it super easy since everthing was still in it’s cube except for a few of he gentler items I hung in the closet. We are signed up for 2 more Viking cruises, 1 River and 1 Ocean. Excited for both.
Thanks for the feedback. For optional shore excursions, did you have to decide/book way ahead of time? Or could you decide closer in (or ideally on the ship)?
Good to know that Grand European river cruise has ability to swap ships. That was one of the reasons we picked Rhine Getaway, since their scheduling (one ship leaving each end port every day) allows that.
Not sure that would work these past weeks as the water was so very low, you couldn’t hit most of the ports, not just one section of the river. It is the exact same plan with the GE, when we left Amsterdam, there was a sister ship leaving Budapest at the same time - we are sisters passing in the night or switching ships if necessary!
Both. Since I am an obsessive planner, I was able to sketch out what I wanted to do.
Depending on your cabin class, there are different dates to pick your excursions. I had a plan and went on exactly when you could first book.
Got all of the things I wanted right away.
On the cruise, we changed our minds about what we wanted to do so I went to guest services and changed a few
We also did a private tour of Ephesus which was amazing!
Did a little bit of everything.
What route are you looking at?
Friends have proposed Istanbul → Athens. It’s a bit beyond my comfort zone, would probably not pick it if just the two of us. Husband has also been intrigued by Lisbon → Barcelona.
We did Athens to Barcelona. Would love to do either of your proposed itineraries
Highly recommend the classic Greece pre extension. It was so good! We picked the NJV Athens Plaza Hotel which is right in the Plaka, was a great spot.
It’s 4 days with 3 days of full day excursions. Delphi was one of the most amazing sites! Small group. I can’t speak more highly of a tour that we’ve done.
As you know from my other thread, that was the cruise I had to cancel. Can you tell me what might be giving you a pause to do it with just your DH and yourself?
thanks!
Oh, I’m a travel wimp. We’ve gone to Europe a few times, and I’ve found there’s something nice when we had with friends in case there are issues with health, travel logistics etc. Greece has been on my bucket list. But Turkey is a bit beyond my comfort zone, so thinking I’d be braver with a group.
We have done 2 Viking Ocean cruises and have several more planned. Once you’ve sailed with Viking, you can often get Viking to waive the requirement to pay one year in advance and get them to set your final payment at 6 months out. Also, as a past guest, you can usually book for just a $25 pp deposit. We have found that it definitely pays to book well in advance. You get better pricing and cabin selection. So at the moment we have an upcoming cruise booked for December 2026 in the Chilean Fjords, plus a Great Lakes (expedition) for summer 2027, plus Pharaohs & Pyramids (Nile River) for November 2027, plus Iberian Odyssey (ocean +river) for May 2028 plus Antarctica (expedition) for January 2029. It remains to be seen whether we follow through on all of those, but we figure that for $25 pp deposit it make sense to stake some claims for future cruises.
Thanks for explaining!
I agree, these ships sell faster than you would think. We have our first Viking ocean set for April 2027 Barcelona to Venice with a post extension in Tuscany. Haven’t picked a pre-extension yet. A couple we met and kind of hung with on our GE river cruise is joining us on our ocean cruise. We’ve been in touch as they continue to travel the world and we save for our next vacation!
Anybody know the typical Viking sale schedule? Can I assume that after the August sale ends on the 31st there will be a different/similar Sept deal?
There will be a new sale at the first of the month.
Additionally every Thursday there will be weekend special sales which change every week. These are last minute or within 6 months sailing to sell cabins that remain.
Here’s a thread that’s really helpful to find which sailings are on special
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2863068-post-viking-promos-and-relevant-discussions-only/page/178/
You might also check with a Viking travel agent. We’ve found and have confirmed with other Viking travelers that you get all the Viking specials/perks plus extra on board credit and special sales than working direct with Viking. Even if you book while on board, if you have a Viking TA, Viking will transfer all specials to your TA, then the TA adds extras.
Received an email for a months end sale. Istanbul to Athens is one of the featured itineraries
From October of 26 to Jan of 27 if that’s in your timeframe code EM26.
I am doing this exact one (maybe in the reverse order) this November. 8 days and a 2-day pre in Basel
I have never done a river cruise. In general, what type of clothes do I need for dinner on the ship? Is there shampoo in the cabins (I was just on the packing thread 
) Laundry option in case of an emergency?
Anything else a rookie needs to know?