A very good crew-to-passenger ratio. On Viking there is no fitness centre, no spa, no hairdressers. My husband and I leave in August for the Viking Homeland River Cruise. 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. Please tell us all about your travels when you return! For optional excursions, I did the cheese factory tour in Kinderdijk because I had been there twice before. On board our Viking longship there werealways treats appearing when we least expected them. 1. Howard is an avid roadtripper, cruiser, and rail-rider. I have been on three Viking cruises since then. Upon arrival, our stateroom had been appointedwith fresh flowers, fruit, sparkling wine, and a handwritten note of welcomefrom the hotel manager. Sorry to hear you had this experience, Magdalena. Laundry services are wash and iron, or just iron. Some cruise lines provide robes and slippers for guests. Thanks for sharing, Nora! How to get a cabin upgrade on a cruise: 9 ways that work for me. Sigh. Thanks! First of all, like all river cruising ships, there is no medical centre. For ladies Dresses, skirts or pants witha blouse or sweater are appropriate. FREE. Also, it would be rare on a river ship, but if there were delays in delivering your bags to your room, you can still freshen up and explore the ship without waiting for your bags. So comfortable, casual wear will make up the majority of your wardrobe. Expect prices between $2.00 - $8.00 USD per item. Price lists are available in each stateroom. It is a really popular social place when the weather is Our wait staff were the people we got to know best because they were at our beck and call during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every special event. In Asia these services range from $2 per item to $5 per item; however, the list of what can be laundered or pressed is more limited on river cruises in Asia. Hello Howard, we are preparing for our first Viking Cruise-The Rhine Getaway from Basel to Amsterdam. I did the Rhine Getaway Christmas Markets last December, and it was incredible. Swimsuit if the itinerary or excursions call for it. I too am looking forward to another Viking cruisethe only questions are wherewhen? Easier to build and still capable of carrying plenty of bounty, the Snekkja was probably the most popular Viking longship. Washers, dryers, soap, ironing boards. Although this list is not numbered inorder of importance, in this case, I truly saved the best for last. My husband and I are taking the Viking Lofn from Basel to Amsterdam with a pre-package in Lucerne and a post in Amsterdam this August. We are also planning this exact trip in 2018! For sure the laundrette facilitates lots of camaraderie as we collectively either discuss the cryptic meaning of said symbols or pass on whatever knowledge each of us have gained to the next newbie on the scene. staterooms, French balcony staterooms and standard cabins. Our stateroom steward Jonathan with his ever-cheerfulsmile and gentle spirit brightened the entire upper deck. All are the same size, layout and design. We have reviewed some of the best and most stylish fanny packs for travel here, but these are a few of our favourites. To answer your questions (and I am all about simplicity when packing): Viking is a luxury cruise line, but very casual. The French balconies have floor-to-ceiling windows, but they dont have a separate balcony, but you do have great views and (of course) you can open the windows to get lots of fresh air. I did this cruise in December, so it had the added bonus of Christmas Markets, but it is the same itinerary you will do, although perhaps in the opposite direction. Look for posts by Peregrina who took the time to take and post pictures of the laundry facilities. Easy care, wrinkle-free, breathable fabrics are best. Kim & David. The most affordable of the four types of cabins onboard are standard cabins which are on the lower deck. Ship executives such as the hotel manger, matre d, executive chef, and concierge were gregariouspeople with big personalities who filled the gathering spaces with their warmth. Specialty coffees like cappuccino, tea and bottled water are free 24 hours. We were guests of Viking Cruises, but the pleasure of shipboard amenities was all ours. I am now officially excited. Great Great Time. Breakfast is a buffet and you have a station where eggs are cooked or omelettes are made, and you can also order things from the menus like pancakes or eggs benedict. There is nothing worse than a sunburn on your holiday. Expect prices between $2.00 $8.00 USD per item. Thanks! Also, on this level you have the reception area with guest services and a small shop which sells a wide range of Viking branded merchandise and other things related to Viking or the cruise or the country that youre sailing through. Bear in mind on river cruise ships, and this is true also on Viking, the cabins are pretty small because you dont have a huge amount of space. Right -my count was wrong. Think about your mix and match. So much so, some days will barely allow time to change before dinner. It means so much to know my tips have helped someone about to embark on a Viking European river cruise. Dispensers are numbered. Thanks for any intel on this subject. Along with certain wines and beer, soft drinks are free too at lunch and dinner. One of my sea day activites will be ironing. They say . 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. Just an example of Vikings ongoing TLC. Glad you enjoyed the post. Will my husband need a sport coat? Pair winter shoes opt for lightweight over heavy boots. All Rights Reserved. needs. do viking longships have laundry facilities? Loud, obnoxious settingsmake me want to head for the hills. Any suggestions you might have regarding this trip would be appreciated. Foldable and Packable Sun Hats for Travel, Foldable & Packable Fedora Panama Straw Hat. Look for easy-care, wrinkle-free dress shirts you can wash and not worry about ironing like this travel range from Bluffworks. The Captains Welcome and Farewell party is held here. Viking stateroom baths are stocked with the fragrance of fresh. Hi Min! It can also dress up an outfit for evenings. Whether at an airport or on a shore excursion, throw a few in your bag, and you will never get caught out. I took two Viking cruises, one tis may and one last may. So happy that you are about to embark on an unforgettable experience. We did the Grand European, as well, and it was our favorite because you get to visit so many countries along the Rhine, Main, and Danube. Search for 'Self Serve Laundry aboard Viking Ocean Ships' and there are lots of hints and tips. Trying to decide if we should do it on our own or stick with Viking! These 7 Things Throw Norwegian Fjords Cruisers Every Time! Kadlin's onboard facilities include a lounge bar with a dance floor, sun deck, laundry service, library with two computers and free Wi-Fi. Yes, we are excited about our trip and counting the days. This post highlights some of the many ways Viking River Cruises go above and beyond to provide their passengers the best in comfort and convenience. Should we book our excursions (paid and offered) now? Glad your trip was such a wonderful memorable experience! Call Viking at. 1 pair of day shoes for around the boat or casual evenings. Amenities and Services; Viking Health & Safety Program; My Viking Journey; Can't find the answer you're looking for? A year in advance or closer to date of cruise? Thank you so much! If you are cruising in the shoulder seasons or taking a winter river cruise such as a Christmas market river cruise, you may want to prepare for cold and wet weather. There are seven (7) Veranda Suites on each of the Viking River Cruises Longships. Hi Sylvia! They distributed bottles of water to keep us hydrated during the record-breakingheatwave of the European summer and to send us off with enthusiasticwishes for the day. In your case it may not matter because Viking is an adults-only cruise line. For some reason we never got around to samplingthe complimentary wine, probably because there were so many other beverage options, but the fruit was another story. On the Star now. But yes, there is a self serve laundry on decks 3, 4, 5 and 6. A travel umbrella works equally as well as a sun parasol. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Do Viking Ocean ships have laundry facilities or services? And leaving for same tomorrow morning!!! Avalon Waterways Without question, the onboard coffee and cookie station was a regular hangout of ours. Indeed, the Viking Age, from A.D. 800-1100, was the age of the sleek, speedy longship. Either way the clothes came out clean, not sure why there might be a difference. And the ironing board is difficult to use for a left-handed person like me. Hi Norma Jean! Best way to get from Heathrow to Eurostar at St Pancras? Viking river cruises donot featurehighly-energizedstage productions typical ofocean cruise lines. We will be going on our first Viking River Cruise next July. Hi Nancy! Thanks for the advice. See you soon! Saving for another trip. Table of Contents 1 Viking River Cruise Amenities 2 Red Carpet Treatment 3 Flowers and Fruit AmaWaterways haslaundry services available onboard for a fee. Too many people forget about sun protection when sightseeing around cities and local attractions. Three machine per laundry room. He tends to overplan, always cramming too many activities and destinations in a single itinerary. Break in your walking shoes before you leave on your cruise, ECCO Womens Crepetray Tie Oxford Walking Shoe, UGG Womens Adley Perforated Fashion Sneaker. On a few rivers in Euro. On Viking 's oceangoing ships, there are self-service launderettes including irons and ironing boards, along with send-out laundry services and dry cleaning. You will love it! Inspiration and ideas for lovers of travel, through slow travel and iconic journeys. Thanks again! Its ancestor was, doubtless, the dugout, and the longship remained double-ended. Safe travels and bon voyage! Dont forget any medicines you might need for the duration of your cruise plus additional just in case of any delays. So glad you have found our Viking articles and comments of value. Do the Viking ocean ships have either self-laundry or send-out laundry options for their clients? I know you will love the Grand European experience. Step inside our award-winning, state-of-the-art sister ships. If you don't bring your own detergent, you have to press the button on the soap dispenser on the wall. Never miss a post by signing up below and every new post will be sent direct to you. But pretty much any of the rivers, the bigger rivers, youre likely to be on one of these Longships. Thanks for stopping by, and glad to know you found the Viking amenities post helpful. Viking literally and figuratively rolled out the red carpet for us. Let me assure you that it will be everything you have dreamed it will be and so much more. Lets start at the top deck. Both the washer and dryer work well. This trip is in celebration of our 45th anniversary and we hope it to be very memorable. . Ranging from 45 to 75 feet (14 to 23 metres) in length, clinker-built (with overlapped planks), and carrying a single square sail, the longship was exceptionally sturdy in heavy seas. Booking in advance gives you more security with getting the cruise date and stateroom you want. A selection of fine teas and a variety of coffees were available 24 hours a day, . I am so sorry that I cannot provide any information about car rentals in Basel, other than I know that car rentals are always more expensive at airports. There is the lighter lunch here, and in the evenings, it has the same menu as the restaurant. The Grand European Tour has been on our bucket list for years. . You will LOVE the Grand European! If you have embarked on a river cruise, what shipboard amenities did you enjoy? Also, if you have taken this tour, what optional excursions would you recommend? Totes Womens Reversible, Packable Travel Rain Poncho. All of them were easygoing affairs, but also great fun! We too are on the Star on deck 3 and our machines are different. . Some cabins (Junior Suite and above) get laundry included with cabin benefits. I lived in Germany for 5 years, and just returned from a River cruise two weeks ago,. I will be taking my first Viking cruise in less than 2 weeks and have one very important question I am hoping you can answer. Thank you for recommending Viking River cruises when we met on Fathom, Ive enjoyed reading your articles and cant wait to try one! They have a Scandinavian look and feel. The Sun Deck is a great place to hang out, even if youre in port, and a lot of people go and sit out there have a drink and just soak in the whole atmosphere of the port. During the Viking Age, longships were used by the Vikings for several purposes like trade and commerce, exploration, and wars. Thank you, Debbie! We envy you, and please give us an update of your trip when you return. See our guide to the best wheeled underseat luggage so you can still travel light and have emergency clothing for a few days. Viking Longships are consistent and have the same facilities across the entire fleet. Thanks for all this useful info. Feel free to use this info to assist others that read your great comments section and might have the same questions. This line of toiletries exclusively offered on Viking Cruises is inspired by Freyja,the Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, divination and magic. Although at home I am a devotee of Yardley Lavender, another unisex line, this custom fragrance is now runninga close second. I hope we will book more!! You will enjoy Monets garden and the Normandy beaches. Thanks for sharing this, Pat. Hope you have time in the middle of all your fun to check it out!