There Are Fewer Passengers
No matter how nice your cruise ship is, youre probably not going to enjoy it nearly as much if its cramped and crowded with long waits at the buffet or no available lounge chairs. The Viking River Cruises boat was smaller with fewer people around 200, it felt much more comfortable and made getting to know my fellow passengers over dinner all the more enjoyable.
The Views Are Incredible
When our cruises set off, I was really looking forward to things like visiting the Christmas markets and seeing some new cities. What I didnt expect was for the views in-between the ports to be so scenic. There will be plenty of downtime on the ship, so you can regularly enjoyed watching the scenery pass by from the top deck as you make your way to the next stop.
Highlights Of Scandinavia & Northern Europe
From soaring, deep-cut fjords and dramatic peaks to historic Scandinavian cities and atmospheric fishing villages rich in tradition, immerse yourself in the remarkable maritime history and colorful cultures that have shaped some of the most scenic shores in the world. Rich in celebrated capitals such as Helsinki and Oslo, and in delightful surprises, like medieval Gdansk, Poland, and Tallinn, Estonia, Scandinavia and Northern Europe are steeped in cherished traditions, and cloaked in a breathtaking coastal beauty found nowhere else. Here are some sample highlights you will enjoy in a Viking itinerary sailing to Scandinavia and Northern Europe:
- Norways magnificent fjords
- St. Petersburgs glittering palaces
- The dazzling display of the northern lights
- Germanys bucolic Kiel Canal
- Scotlands remote Orkney and Shetland Islands
- The history and sophistication of Edinburgh
- Icelands breathtaking natural landscapes
- The Hanseatic past of Bergen
- Stockholms atmospheric Gamla Stan, or Old Town
- Copenhagens brightly colored houses in Nyhavn
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Best Cruise Deals And Discounts Sorted By Your Dream Destination
Sometimes it’s all about the destination and that is certainly true of cruise destinations. The cruise port you depart from and the amazing cruise ports you visit define your experience as much as what cruise line or cruise ship you sail on. At CruiseExperts.com we understand that and have sorted these cruises by the places you’ll visit on your cruise vacation. So whether it’s a cruise to Alaska, a Caribbean cruise, cruises to Hawaii, a cruise to the Bahamas or Bermuda or a cruise to Mexico you’ll find it easily with the help of our destination wizard. Maybe you’re looking for a cruise vacation that’s just a little different like a Panama Canal cruise, a Transatlantic cruise, cruises to Europe, a Tahiti cruise with a tour of the South Pacific, a down under adventure with an Australia / New Zealand cruise or even a fall foliage cruise through Canada and New England. Whatever floats your boat get started by selecting your dream destination on our cruise search page.
Do I Have To Dress Up On A Viking River Cruise
Viking River Cruises emphasizes comfort over formality, with most people donning pullovers or button-up shirts, khakis, and blouse and pant or suit pairings. Even at the captains welcome and farewell dinners, you wont see many men in suits or women in fancy dresses. Despite its generally casual feel, jeans and shorts are not permitted at dinner.
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Health And Safety Protocols On Viking River Cruises
Pre-Departure TestTo ensure your journey is smooth and that you are able to fully enjoy your voyage as planned, we highly recommend that all guests take a pre-departure COVID-19 test, no more than three days prior to beginning your journey.
Purified AirEnjoy fresh air in your stateroom, knowing that all staterooms on Viking river ships feature independent air handling units that do not share air with other areas of the ship. Take comfort in knowing that the air in the public areas of your ship has also been purified with new short-wavelength ultraviolet lights and high-density filters, which kill 99.99% of all airborne viruses and bacteria.
Medical ServicesWhile every precaution can reduce the risk of illness, we are also prepared for that outcome. Each of our vessels has always had a state-of-the-art Medical Center those facilities have now been upgraded with more specialized equipment. We have also launched a new 24/7 hotline staffed by doctors, specifically for our river cruises.
SanitizationRest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitized continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings. You will notice more hand sanitization stations throughout your ship. And on our ocean and expedition ships, we are using new sanitization robots that utilize UV-C light to treat surfaces in guest and crew public areasan industry first.
Day : Bratislava Slovakia And Funny Little Men
I woke up to see that we were underway, gently cruising along the Danube towards our next port, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Following breakfast and before wed arrive, a mandatory safety drill was held. Warm autumn weather quickly drew everyone to the top deck and the drill took all of 15-20 minutes.
Afterwards, many of us stayed and either walked laps or settled into a lounge chair. With a mid-afternoon arrival into Bratislava, the day would be relaxing and informative.
Program Director Lee led an enrichment talk about Vienna coffeehouses and a background about Austrian-born composer Wolfgang Mozart.
Locals have a great sense of humor as can be sensed when you try to find all the bronze statues. When I was in Bratislava, I counted eight almost human-size funny little men bronze statues. How many will you find?
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Explore France Germany And More On These European River Cruises
Much of the appeal of European river cruises, especially as we emerge from the pandemic with pent-up travel demand, is the small size of the ships, casual atmosphere, and accessibility. Unlike oceangoing ships that carry as many as 5,000 passengers, most river cruise ships accommodate around 150 guests, for a more intimate experience. Balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and open-air viewing are features of most river cruise ships, and some offer pools, spas, fitness areas, and jogging tracks.
Guests are kept busy with daily shore excursions, and most cruises offer several options depending on interests and activity levels. Bikes and walking tours are available in most ports, or guests can choose a leisurely day in a comfortable lounge enjoying the passing scenery.
River cruises offer opportunities to step ashore in fairy-tale towns and fabled cities. You can immerse yourself in contemporary culture and learn something about the history of the towns along the continents greatest rivers, according to Ralph Grizzle of River Cruise Advisor. Sitting on the top deck of a ship under brilliant blue skies, you can gaze on fabled landscapes dotted with castles, villages, and vineyards. A flight of stairs down, and you have all the amenities of a modern hotelrestaurants, bars, fitness facilities, spas, internet access, and comfortable staterooms.
Grand European & Viking Fjords
Span the continent on an epic journey from the cultural riches of Budapest to the pristine shores of Norway. Sail the legendary Danube into Austrias vineyard-laden Wachau Valley. Traverse the remarkable MainDanube Canal, pausing to sample Germanys finest vintages and explore elegant palaces and impressive castles along the Rhine. In Kinderdijk and Amsterdam, explore Hollands famous windmills and waterworks. Then, sail the North Sea to the seaside village of Skagen, Denmark. Set off for Norways dramatic fjord landscapes, journeying from vibrant Oslo and history-rich Kristiansand to cosmopolitan Stavanger and spectacularly scenic Flåm. Disembark in historic Bergen, a city with deep Viking roots.
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Vikings World Cruise Record
On August 31, 2019, Viking Sun started the 245-day Viking World Voyage 2019 spanning 6 continents and visiting 51 countries via 111 call ports . The London City roundtrip itinerary was officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the worlds longest continuous passenger cruise.
VIKING OCEANs 8-month long westbound voyage included a Transatlantic crossing and passing through Suez Canal.
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Viking World Cruise 2019 prices started from USD 90,000 per person .
Highlights Of Our Budapest Tours
Morning Tour of Budapest
Our motor coach drove across the Chain Bridge to Buda side of the Danube. This is the hilly side of the city where many of the most beautiful building are located.
Views from the Buda side of the river
Fishermens Bastion, built between 1895 and 1902, the beautiful towers and covered terrace werent built to defend the territory but to provide unparalleled views of the city. We had ample time to wander along the terrace and up to the Neo-Romanesque designed towers. This is the prime photo op location for sweeping vistas of Budapest.
Back aboard Viking Lif in time for lunch. As there would be on every day of the cruise, you can choose from two lunch venues The Restaurant with table service and a buffet or in Aquavit for a café lunch, buffet-style. Most days, I chose Aquavit Lounge.
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Day : Regensburg Bavaria Germany
This was one of those years in central Europe when the rain seems to never stop. Germany and France had seen flooding at the end of summer and rivers were swollen and overflowing their banks.
As we made our way up the Danube, I started to watch the waters edge. I knew from past river cruises, if I saw tree trunks submerged and debris quickly flowing past us, it meant trouble.
With high water, river ships cannot fit under the dozens of ancient bridges. Locks get stuck. But Viking Lif made its way to Straubing and by 2:00pm, we boarded the motor coach for the short ride to beautiful medieval Regensburg.
I was so glad Regensburg was included on this Viking Grand European Tour. Its among my favorite places in Europe. This is the oldest city on the Danube and dates back to the year 179.
While the Dom St. Peter Gothic Cathedral is one of the grandest in all Bavaria and worth a visit, I always head to the Alte Würstküche, meaning, Old Sausage Kitchen, its the oldest restaurant in Germany.
The restaurant is usually packed with tourists throughout the summer but this rainy October day, I had no problem getting my own indoor table. Once youve finished your beer and extras, take a walk across the Old Stone Bridge. Built between 1135 and 1146, it was the bridge used by the knights on the second and third Crusades to the Holy Land.
Last Minute Cruises Can Sometimes Be The Cheapest Cruise Deal
Sometimes, but not always, the cheapest cruise deal is a Last Minute Cruise. You won’t get a wide selection of stateroom categories or a chance to select your stateroom location but if your schedule is flexible you just might find a cheap cruise price on a last minute cruise. Last minute cruises are cruises leaving in the next 90 days. The cruise line really wants to fill those last few staterooms and sometimes will offer them at a discount cruise price in exchange for you giving up your right to a full selection of cabin categories or deck locations. CruiseExperts.com makes it easy for you to poke around and see what’s available in last minute cruise deals. View our Last Minute Cruise Deals by clicking here and give it a try. This is one of our most popular website features.
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Youll Have Open Seating At Dinner
You might not expect this to be a plus, but for me, it definitely was. Open seating meant that I got to meet and get to know more people. Each night you can select a different group to sit with or you can dine with the same people every evening. Its totally up to you. Either way, it was fun to compare notes about the excursions with my new friends at the end of the day.
The Rooms Are Comfortable
Viking River Cruises set my room up to be a comfy retreat from the get-go, with welcome champagne waiting for me when I boarded and a plate of fresh fruit delivered daily. Between the fruit, the daily sweet treats left in the room, and the view from the veranda, it was a perfect spot to start and end the day in.
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Viking River Cruise Guide
Viking Cruises are a household name when it comes to luxury river cruising, with over 20 years of awards and recognition under their belt. Viking’s large fleet of over 70 ships and counting sail to a large variety of itineraries in Europe, Russia, Egypt, China and more. Onboard youll be treated to an all-inclusive experience, with complimentary Wi-Fi access, coffees, teas, as well as complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with gourmet meals by Swiss-trained chefs. Enjoy guided shore excursions and in-depth tours, or sightsee on your own, with plenty of time allocated for independent activities. Vikings innovative ships offer a variety of larger-than-average suites and intricate Scandinavian design made with guest comfort in mind.
Exploring The World In Comfort
Early booking is essential for the best choice of cabins and also the best savings! Don’t miss out on a truly fantastic deal. Find the river cruise of your choice below and either send us an enquiry online or give our River Cruising team a call today!
Did you know? Viking have 6 luxury ocean cruise ships! You may have seen them featured on Channel 5’s Cruising with Jane McDonald. You can view and book any Viking Ocean Cruise with our sister brand The Cruise Village – .
Viking River Cruises offers exclusive experiences with class-leading, premium service. Sailing the world’s most beautiful rivers on a Viking ship means travelling in style, enjoying each destination in as much depth as you choose.
Not only are all excursions to World Heritage sites included with every Viking river cruise, but you’ll also have the chance to learn from the Culture Curriculum on board, where exclusive talks on local history, art, food and drink equip you with all the expert knowledge you need to make your river cruise a life-enriching experience.
The luxury experience isnt limited to the service. The attention to detail is what sets a luxury river cruise apart from the rest, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises exceed expectations down to the smallest detail. Suites are elegantly designed to be welcoming, warm and unbelievably comfortable. Handcrafted beds, complete with Egyptian cotton sheets, are just the start you even get to choose your pillow preference from the pillow menu.
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Helpful Cruise Line Information
If you’ve cruised before you probably have a favorite cruise line. Here at CruiseExperts.com we make it easy for you to sort through the cruise line of your choice for the best cruises at the best discounts on your favorite cruise line. Choose from the best cruise lines in the world including Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, Celebrity, Crystal, Azamara, Oceania, Viking, Avalon, and Disney. You can be confident that you’ll get the cheapest cruise price possible with concierge like service from our cruise experts here at CruiseExperts.com. View information on your favorite cruise line.
Southeast & East Asia
Note:* Irrawaddy Cruises are not operating.
Viking Mandalay had operated Irrawaddy Cruises in Myanmar . However, four-deck Viking Saigon and VikingMekong plies the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam. The replica-style riverboats evoke an appealing colonial atmosphere with lots of wood paneling and airy public spaces. The indoor lounge is forward and the Sun Deck lounge and bar is sheltered from the sun by a canvas awning. With floor to ceiling French doors that open during cool weather, the restaurant serves Vietnamese and Western dishes at breakfast and luncheon buffets plus served dishes and a served dinner. All cabins are outside, with two of the three cabin decks offering sliding French doors that open to side promenade equipped with rattan style chairs and decorative potted palms.
Mekong River: Cambodia & Vietnam
A Cambodian food market along the Mekong. * Photo: Ted Scull
Magnificent Mekong from Hanoi, Vietnam , fly to Siam Reap, Cambodia , coach transfer to riverboat at Kampong Cham then 8 days along the Mekong in Cambodia and Vietnam to My Tho and coach transfer to Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam for 2 hotel nights. Viking Mekong.
Irrawaddy River: Myanmar
Note:* This itinerary is not now operating. However, details are included for reference in case these trips resume.
Myanmar Explorer from Bangkok, Thailand then fly to Yangon, Myanmar and fly to Mandalay embark in the riverboat for 8 nights along the Irrawaddy back to Mandalay and fly to Bangkok . Viking Mandalay.
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Booking Terms & Conditions
PRICE GUARANTEE: Once you have paid in full for your trip, you are safe from any additional charges. Airfare increases, currency fluctuations, increased fuel surcharges, new government taxesnone of these will apply to you.
20222024 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR SAVINGS: Offer valid on bookings made from December 1-31, 2022. Special savings plus FREE international airfare valid on 20222023 departures of Grand European Tour and European Sojourn 2023 departures of Capitals of Eastern Europe. Airfares vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise/tour offer. All prices are in CAD dollars and for CA residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. Book by December 31, 2022. 2022: Pay in full by December 31, 2022 or at time of booking if within 90 days of departure. 2023: Pay in full by January 31, 2022. 2024: Pay in full by April 30, 2023. Offers expires December 31, 2022.
AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS: Offer expires December 31, 2022.
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