Has anyone taken a Viking Cruise? n/t

[RamblingRose]

[cilla4progress]

1. Brother and sister-in-law just did.

They seem to have liked it.

Going?

[liberal N proud]

2. It's a bucket list item

European River Cruise. Just can’t get the time

[cbabe]

3. Cruises sound scary still.

https://www.goodreads.com › en › book › show › 59089200-cabin-fever

Cabin Fever: The Harrowing Journey of a Cruise Ship at the…

Utterly heartbreaking and vivid account of life and death aboard the cruise ship Zaandam during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020. When passengers, most of them over age 65, streamed onto the Holland America ship in Argentina, they had only minimal concern about the novel coronavirus that was just starting to hit the news.

[kairos12]

4. Read it.

It was like a Stephen King novel.

[Fiendish Thingy]

5. Yes- Scandinavian ocean cruise in 2018

Although the itinerary could have been better (didn’t go North enough to see the best fjords, a couple of stops were wastes of time), the service, comfort and amenities were top notch. Only 800-900 passengers instead of the usual 2000-3000 on most cruises.

They have pared down their offerings due to COVID and the Ukraine war (no more stops in St. Petersburg), but they do have a Scandinavian cruise that goes to some of the better fjord areas (but not the best IMO, and that cruise doesn’t go to Oslo either).

I would definitely recommend Viking, but encourage you to research the itineraries beforehand, and not just trust the description of the stops by the cruise line.

[TeamProg]

6. My sister, brother in law and another couple just got back from a Viking Tour

through Prague, Germany and France and really liked it.

No complaints from my B I L who would complain about accommodations given the chance.

[Mme. Defarge]

9. I did that one - Prague to Paris - in 2018.

Disappointed that we couldn’t continue on the Rhine due to extremely low water levels. Viking, however, did its best to work around the problem. And no complaints about the accommodations or the food or the service.

[RamblingRose]

15. I forgot all about the low water levels! Thanks for the reminder.

[RamblingRose]

7. I'm thinking of taking my very spry 90 y/o mom

On one of their cruises. I’m just starting my research.

[KarenS]

8. My Dad and his Lady Friend did,,,,

They really liked it,,,, It was a river cruise and they would travel from city to city and enjoy the food and shopping in each one. This was 2018 or so.

Not my cup of tea, but they enjoyed themselves.

[Ocelot II]

10. I haven't, but my brother has done the European river cruise

and really enjoyed it - said the accommodations and food were excellent, he was really happy with the whole operation.

[Staph]

11. I took their Grand European Tour in November 2014, Amsterdam to Budapest.

I loved it! I never wanted to take a cruise - I had visions of drinks with little umbrellas, crowds of people in sandals with socks, screaming children.

But Viking doesn't allow children, the river cruise ships only have 190 guests, and the atmosphere is laid back. The food reflects the local area; in two weeks I never had the same dinner twice. The walking tours in each port are led by knowledgeable guides in small groups, and you can choose to join a limited-mobility group, an average-mobility group, or an energetic group. Or you can just wander on your own.

I'd go again in a heartbeat!

[RamblingRose]

14. I'm with you on not wanting to take a cruise. This one sounds perfect for my mom. She'd be in the

energetic group and I'd be in the average-mobility

[lark]

12. I prefer Uniworld, everything is included and only 1000 onboard.

I've been on the Euro river cruises with Uniworld and had the Vikings ships pull up next to us. Their tours were so big while ours had 20-30 max and were so much better, more intimate. Viking does have some really good ocean trips in Europe, so if you want multiple countries these seem good.

[RamblingRose]

13. I'm not familiar with them. I will add them to my research list

[lark]

16. They are a good company, excellent lodging, trips, food and entertainment.

We really have loved our 4 trips with them.

[LNM]

17. We took the St. Petersburg to Moscow Viking Cruise

back in 2014 about 10 minutes before Russia got kicked out of the G8. I haven't done any other cruises so I can't compare but the service was good, food and guides were great. They're having some really bad PR issues with the Mississippi River cruise now with cancellations and poor customer service. I'd check out more current issues before booking with them.

[lindysalsagal]

18. I did. Now, I'm going to Greece, but my travel companion backed out. Roommate needed Feb 2025

It's the Viking Star, 900 people. Greek Odyssey. I hope I can find another woman to share the room with. They don't give a solo discount on VIking.

[Randomthought]

19. Ocean cruise last fall

Istanbul to Athens. It was very nice and the shore excursions well done for the short time frame.
We have booked a Nile cruise for next winter.

[surfered]

20. Yes!

Our only cruise, as we usually drive ourselves around Europe. We took their cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. I would give them high marks. Their guides are great. Food and drink was great. Only 190 guests on board, great! They got us upgraded air fare into London 2 weeks before their cruise and returning from Amsterdam at the end, great, as we made our way to Budapest independently .

Our only complaint was they use buses a lot to and from docking to the center of the towns and for excursions. By the end of the cruise, we caught Covid from the bus rides (we think) as we could hear coughing on the buss and the seats are closer than airplanes. We would take another of their cruise.

There’s a TV in your cabin which gives you tomorrow’s planned excursions. Every one on board, even their maids. speak English. Everyone is helpful.