Danube Begins To Look A Little Ominous
What I saw from Regensburg Old Bridge didnt look too good. Id been on enough floods on the rivers in Europe to recognize the inevitable.
The Danube was rushing past us downstream heading towards the Black Sea, its terminus. Trees were submerged. The water was creeping up to the lower levels of the medieval buildings.
While we were in Regensburg, Viking Lif sailed from Straubing to Regensburg to meet us. This was a chance for passengers who simply yearned for a quiet day onboard to just cruise.
Back onboard with time to freshen up before the daily briefing. But tonight, the meeting took a sudden twist. The Program Director proceeded with an expected announcement.
To paraphrase, Lee said, Pack your bags, were changing river ships in the morning. It was a very busy evening for everyone.
We would disembark with our carry-on luggage the next morning at 8:30 AM in Deggendorf, then board a bus to meet sister ship, Viking Skadi, in Nuremberg. Our Viking Grand European Tour was about to take a twist.
Day : Viking Lif Embarkation
I had about an hour to get acquainted with my cabin and Viking Lif river ship before the first pre-dinner meeting.
At 6:30pm, it was time to head to the lounge, meet the other guests and attend the informative yet brief review of our river cruise itinerary. Though the meeting was necessary and very informative, I really looked forward to tonights dinner.
All I ate on the eight-hour train ride from Munich to Budapest was a bowl of Hungarian Goulash. No complaintsthe goulash was very good and of course, very appropriate!
Viking Lif
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It was a balmy autumn night that beckoned tourists and locals alike to stroll along the banks of the Danube late into the evening. I was tired but excited to finally have a chance to walk across Budapests historic Chain Bridge.
Camera in hand, I must have crossed the Danube four or six times, snapping photos of the warm yellow bridge lights, couples strolling arm in arm, and the magnificently illuminated state buildings that line the riverfront.
Finally, it was time to call it a night. Tomorrow, our Grand European Tour river cruise would begin with a full day of sightseeing before we even got underway.
Adventures By Disney River Cruises
Partnering with AmaWaterways, Adventures by Disney offers cruises on the Seine, Rhine, and Danube Rivers, Disney style. Specially designed itineraries and Adventure Guides create experiences for parents, children, and teens, from active excursions to unique onboard activities. Adults-only dinners and wine tasting experiences along with teen programming, Disney movie nights, karaoke, trivia nights, and Junior Adventurer dinners provide entertainment for guests of all ages.
The eight-day Danube River Cruise starts in Budapest where excursions include a horse show at an equestrian park and a goulash-making competition for Adventurers. In Bratislava, Junior Adventurers can visit a petting zoo, and in the evening, there’s family karaoke. A tour of Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace, marionette show, concert, and strudel making are options the next day. A day in Salzburg ends onboard with “The Sound of Music” film and singalong. After an Oktoberfest celebration and captain’s farewell dinner, the cruise ends the next day.
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Viking World Cruise 2021
In mid-July 2020, Viking Ocean announced the company’s “Viking World Cruise 2021-2022” planned for MS Viking Star. The 136-day itinerary visits 56 ports in 27 countries, with 11 port city overnights and 3x new for Viking cruise ports .
The voyage starts from Port Everglades on December 24, 2021, and ends in London City England. Signature destinations include Central America, Panama Canal transit, USA West Coast, Hawaii, Transpacific crossing to New Zealand and Australia, Asia, Middle East, Suez Canal transit to Europe and the UK.
Shorter itinerary segments are also available for booking, including the 119-day “Viking World Horizons 2022” that visits 49 ports in 22 countries.
Both packages are priced from USD 50000 per person . Bookings made by September 30, 2020, receive USD 2000 pp in “shore excursion credit” plus USD 1000 pp in OBC .
Viking Grand European Tour 15
I was more than ready for this Viking Grand European Tour 15-day river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. Lee Oliver, our Viking Lif river ship Program Director, greeted us at the gangway with a warm Welcome Aboard!
Those two words were like music to my ears. Maybe not Bartok or Liszt but music nonetheless.
Budapest, Hungary, on the beautiful and sometimes-blue Danube, has so much to experience.
A mid-afternoon boarding gave guests plenty of time before dinner to explore this spirited yet somewhat austere city, either on their own or with a Viking tour excursion.
Viking Lif
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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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Review Of Viking Cruises
This is CruiseMapper’s page for the three Viking Cruises subsidiary companies – the sister-brands Viking RIVER, Viking OCEAN and Viking EXPEDITIONS, their fleets , cruisetour itineraries, destinations, homeports, cruise tracker. We have listed all Viking ships as schedules and current position tracking maps. Similarly named is the Finland-based cruiseferry company VIKING LINE .
In April 2021 was inaugurated the joint venture company “China Merchants Viking Cruises Co Ltd” . The new company’s fleet currently includes only Viking Sun but will be expanded by adding China-made newbuilds in the following years. China Merchants Viking Cruises’ General Manager is Wu Wei. Viking Cruises China’s Managing Director is Brendan Tansey.
Note: CruiseMapper’s Viking ship schedules show departure and call ports , themed voyages and port times . CruiseMapper’s Viking schedules also show how much will cost you to travel with the Viking brand.
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Afternoon Tour On The Pest Side
Budapest Jewish and Hungarian History
I signed up for the optional 2:00PM Dohány Street Synagogue and Hungarian Jewish Museum tour. The motor coach let us off just a short walk to the synagogue. Part of the intrigue was seeing the small shops, bars and cafés in what was once the Jewish Quarter, or Ghetto.
Built in the Moorish Revival style between 1854-1859, it is the largest synagogue in Europe. In addition to the main synagogue , inside youll find the Hungarian Jewish Museum, the Graveyard and the Memorial.
The Weeping Willow memorial is in the courtyard behind the synagogue. On its leaves are inscribed the names of 30,000 Holocaust victims. The father of actor Tony Curtis, Emanuel Schwartz, funded the weeping willow memorial.
The courtyard was named Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat who managed to save thousands of Jews from going to concentration camps.
Stopping for a Slice of Budapests Finest
After a stop at a small shop for a Hungarian pastry called, Flódni, we boarded the bus to head back to the ship. We returned just in time for Cocktail Hour.
Tonight was the official Welcome Aboard toast by Captain Marcin and Hotel Manager Eve. One sparkling wine down and just before dinner, we had our next days briefing. Next port going north on the Danube would be Bratislava, Slovakia.
READ MORE: Top 10 Things to See in Budapest
Staterooms Size/views On The Amamagna
Since this ship is so unique, here is the size and number of 96 staterooms by category for comparison purposes:
1 Owners Suite 710 sq feet with balcony
6 Grand Suites 474 sq feet with balconies
46 Suites Category SA & SB 355 sq feet with balconies
34 Category AA & AB 252 sq feet with balconies
11 Category D & E 205 sq feet with fixed windows
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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 continent’s 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.”
Day : Touring And Tasting Budapest
If being chatty at breakfast isnt your thing, theres the option for a very relaxing breakfast buffet at Aquavit Terrace every morning. Its also a good way to plan your morning time if you have a 9:00am or even earlier tour departure. This was usually how my day started quiet, comfortable, and a cappuccino in hand.
Know Your Tour Departure Time
Heres how its done on river cruises. You know your tour departure time, say 9 A.M. At 8:45 A.M. over the PA system, youre given a 15-minute heads-up for the tour to leave.
Then you hear a 5-minute warning for your motor coach departure. The tour departure time thats posted is not when you should walk out of your stateroom. Its actually when the bus departs. Ive had to run to catch the bus on more than one occasion.
Todays complimentary morning tour was your basic European city overview historic places, medieval churches, political hotspots of yore. In the scope of four hours, we would either drive by, stop to view or exit the motor coach to stretch and take photos.
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Day : Passau Engine Issues And A Slight Detour
Surprise! We were informed last night that Viking Lif was having engine trouble and wed not make it to dock in Passau. Instead, Viking Lif would tie up in Linz. So at 8:15am, passengers boarded Vikings motor coach for a full-day nine-hour tour.
Sadly, one man had to see a doctor in the nearest town so he and his wife had to stay in Linz. I was working under deadline to file a story, so a 9-hour day in motion put me into panic.
Vikings Program Director, Lee, made similar arrangements for me so that I could spend the day writing instead of touring. I was so incredibly happy when I found out I would have a hotel room for the day in Linz and would get a full days writing done.
Even the light drizzle didnt stop anyone from walking in the city center. After my friends doctor appointment, the three of us met for lunch and a walk through town. Linz is one of the most non-touristic larger cities Ive visited in Europe. Its very charming. And Ill bet its even lovelier during the holiday/Christmas market season.
At 5:00PM, a white minivan arrived and the three of us were off to meet Viking Lif, fully repaired at the shipyard in Linz. All the other passengers were on their way back from Passau. And we all arrived in time for cocktail hour, daily briefing and another very nice dinner in the dining room.
Onward to Straubing, Germany! Almost halfway through our Viking Grand European Tour. Tempus Fugit.
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 captain’s welcome and farewell dinners, you won’t 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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Viking’s 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 world’s “longest continuous passenger cruise”.
VIKING OCEAN’s 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 .
Itinerary Of Viking Cruises
Here you can compare all Viking cruise ships and their itineraries, destinations, and departure dates. CruiseMapper provides you with free-of-charge schedules with listed cheapest ticket prices per person per itinerary.
In 2013, the company launched its new brand “Viking Ocean Cruises”. Viking OCEAN’s product was introduced in May 2015 with the launch of its first vessel MV Viking Star.
In 2019 the parent company created the brand “Viking Expeditions”, with a newbuild fleet of two small-sized expedition vessels – Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris , plus 2 more same-designed units.
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The 5 Best Destinations You Can Visit On A Viking Cruise Ship
Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line.
Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the worlds major rivers.
Thats notably different from most cruise lines. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries.
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Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note, from the Douro in Portugal to the Volga in Russia.
The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River.
There are 80 river ships in Viking’s fleet an astounding number. None of its main competitors among river lines catering to North Americans, which include Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and AmaWaterways, have anywhere near that number of vessels.
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Among ocean cruise destinations, Viking has a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which it considers its home turf. However, youll find Vikings seven ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia.
Highlights Of The Danube River
A Danube River cruise unveils Europes rich and dramatic history. Glittering cultural capitals, lush vineyards, magnificent monasteries and endless scenic splendor line the rivers banks. Here are some sample highlights you will see with Viking:
- Enchanting Passau, set where three rivers meet
- Lush vineyards of the Wachau Valley
- The baroque splendor of Melk Abbey
- Viennas elegant architecture
- The splendid Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig
- Scenic beauty of the picturesque Danube Bend
- Budapests stunning Chain Bridge and Parliament Building
- Soaring cliffs of the scenic Iron Gate
- Romanias rural culture and rich folklore
- Belgrades impressive Kalemegdan Fortress
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Scandinavia And Northern Europe
Some of Vikings most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway the homeland of the companys founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen.
As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers Viking country a region where it wants to dominate.
During summers, in particular, Viking devotes an unusually large number of its ships to itineraries around Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and other Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland. Many, notably, use the relatively small but famously scenic Norwegian city of Bergen as a gateway, something no other line is doing. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise.
The lines most popular route in the region, Viking Homelands, is a two-week-long, one-way trip between Bergen and Stockholm that combines several days of exploring the fjord region of Norways west coast with more-typical Baltic cruise destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki.
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Note that, in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary for 2022 the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark.
Itineraries that will take you from Bergen to Iceland or even as far away as France, Portugal and Spain also are available.