Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board. Related: Take a Look on Board Viking Ocean Cruises Viking Sea. I have to admit I have been obsessing over which shore excursions to pick, and I cant book until March 2021. There also are casual buffet eateries called World Cafe on every vessel. They are easy to pack, easy to carry and pack flat when not in use. Is it appropriate for men to wear sandals in the evening? If you dont have hills in your area, look for a stadium where you can walk up and down the stairs. Bluffworks Lightweight Travel Utility Scarf. (A fun game is to try the Armagnac from your birth year. I love to cook, and I recently prepared Norwegian-Style Meatballs from the extensive recipe collection on Vikings website. It really will enhance your experience. Collared shirts are always better. sailawayjack, February 7, 2021 in Viking Ocean, How would you describedress options for a viking ocean cruise to Norway in April. As for the big question, "should my husband bring a sports jacket? Drinks are Included With Lunch and Dinner During meal times wine, beer and soft drinks are included. Viking has adequate liquidity, including cash of $1.4 billion at June 30, 2022, or $1.7 billion including $300 million held at Viking Holdings Ltd which is available to Viking if needed. She combined her travel skills, learned moving 33 times to 49 states, Europe, the Caribbean, South Korea, and Australia with her writing experience to become a successful travel writer. Most cruise lines qualify seniors as 55 and older. Create Your Online "My Viking Journey" Account. What they are is eminently functional, with storage in all the right places, lots of outlets for charging your devices and lighting right where you need it. An invitation to a members-only Viking Explorer Society cocktail party when sailing on Viking ships. These arent cruises where its all about the ship. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Bergen was very windy when we visited in early October. We always recommend packing a change of clothes (or two), some basic toiletries, and essential medications and documents in your carry-on luggage when you travel. Dont forget any medicines you might need for the duration of your cruise, plus additional just in case of any delays. (In general, Viking voyages are highly inclusive, in keeping with its no nickel-and-diming philosophy.). A den of serenity, its one of our favorite places on these vessels. A key piece of information here is that your passport must be valid for six months past your travel dates. When planning what to bring on your cruise, visit Life on Board for the dress code and tips on what to pack. On the lines river ships, youll also find onboard lectures, usually related to the destinations the ships are visiting, as well as destination-related demonstrations and tastings. Menu. A tie and jacket are optional; jeans are not permitted. As an experienced traveler, I am often amazed by how many people arrive on a trip with no clue how everything works because they didnt read the materials provided prior to the trip. We always recommend packing a change of clothes (or two), some basic toiletries, and essential medications and documents in your carry-on luggage when you travel. If you are travelling as a couple, we recommend taking one large suitcase or bag between you for a cruise and one carry on bag each. In my case, it is Viking Homelands, and I went to the section on Resources. Whenever your cruise is planned, these are the important items to help you prepare for it. The Visa section will let you know if there are any requirements. Most cruises to Iceland depart between the months of May and September. All of the lines vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets and USB ports in cabins. Each day of your cruise is listed with options to book spa treatments, dining reservations, and shore excursions. Think practical anti-theft crossbody purses that cant be overfilled (for comfort), dont stand out yet still look good. And its not a line for the party crowd. What it is is a line that has focused very specifically on thinking persons cruises that offer a deeper dive into the destinations that its ships visit than is typical at many lines. The lack of fitness centers on Viking river ships. Then there are the river ships. For our early fall cruise in the Baltic Sea, the roof was always closed. In the late afternoon, you will join the culinary team and help to prepare a meal using the local ingredients you helped select earlier. Unless of course, you need a specific product. During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. Typically it is either an orientation walking or bus tour of the port of call. However, unlike nearly every other cruise brand, what you wont find are families with young kids. Another option is Viking TV, which has a variety of programming. Its forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. Viking actually has a Resident Historian Program. Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise. One thing we love about Viking River Cruise vessels is the ample storage in the cabins. A good, wool sweater is often a benefit when the weather is cold and damp. DH has worn a suit and tie for work most every day of his working life. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) Bring a fleece, long-sleeved shirts, a jacket and long pants, regardless of your traveling season. But probably not outlawed. You wont have trouble seeing the pages of the Viking Daily activity newsletter while lying in a Viking cabin bed. They also include a complimentary shore excursion in each port. You may want to increase this accordingly for each additional week you are travelling. The name of her travel blog came about from her friends constantly asking her, "Peggy, Where Should I Go?". Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Packing a sweater or cardigan is essential on your cruise, even if you're setting sail in the summertime. Once you have planned your activities, look at the physical requirements for each. Related: Avoid lost luggage issues. Plan Your Hanoi Itinerary. Viking is one of the only cruise brands in the world that offers a balcony with every cabin on every ocean ship it operates even the least expensive, smallest cabins. Dry cleaning is available on the lines ocean ships but not on Viking river ships. There is room on board for both attitudes, even in the restaurants. In general, youll find a lot of couples on Viking ships and some solo travelers. An agent can also help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage. So many places I have put on my list to tour are based on movies, books, or artwork that I love. Mix and match your outfits, make sure every piece goes with at least 2-3 other pieces - the only exception to this rule is dresses although I make sure they also go with the jackets I am taking. Oceans. Of course, you may choose to dress up, but many passengers will opt for elegant casual. During the day, dress is casual including shorts (if the season is warm), slacks or jeans and comfortable shoes for walking tours. Both long and short-sleeved. Questionable. The ultimate guide to Viking cruise ships and itineraries It is a personal choice but here are some reasons for bringing one: you always wear a jacket when you eat out; you tend to get cold in air-conditioning and a jacket is your preferred solution to the problem; you need one for activities planned before, during or after the cruise. While the restaurants offer a fine dining experience, the dress code is optional. A lightweight travel scarf is great for additional sun protection on the neck and shoulders and comes in very handy when visiting places of worship. At last count, Viking had more than 80 river ships in its fleet an astounding number that is the result of blistering growth over the past decade. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Big floating resorts, they arent. In keeping with the high-end nature of the brand, Viking cabins and suites have a lot of upscale touches, from sumptuous bedding that envelops you to heated floors in bathrooms. A lightweight scarf also makes great layering for sun protection and as a shoulder and head cover for entering places of worship. Our favourite travel accessories for wet weather. Read the descriptions of the intensity levels to make sure it is an activity you want to participate in. You will need to plan for how long you are away taking into consideration clothing, medications and toiletries. Note that one of the eight ships in this series, Zhao Shang Yi Dun, has been permanently transferred to a joint venture that operates for the China market. Named after Viking founder Torstein Hagens mother (Ragnhild Mamsen Hagen), it offers authentic tastes of Norway such as traditional heart-shaped waffles, specialty cakes and the brown goat cheese that is found around the country. Youll probably eat most of your meals in one of these eateries. Nevertheless, don't let the winter intimidate you as it is one of the most attractive cruise periods for wildlife lovers. That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us we always recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. With your list ready you will save time by not having to decide on an excursion. Early word by email or regular mail on new Viking Cruises itineraries and new ships, as well as special limited-time offers. Secret Things to Do on Viking Ocean Cruises McCool Travel Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Soothing, minimalist colors think creams, grays and lighter blues are the order of the day. Some key things to consider with each excursion is the intensity level, which can range from easy to demanding. If you are taking a fly-cruise package and your luggage is lost by the airline, it could take time for your luggage to be found and may even have to be delivered to the ship at the next port of call. For example Viking provides beer and wine with lunch and dinner at no additional charge. For some reason I was craving milk. They are disappointed they cant do a shore excursion or eat at a specialty onboard restaurant because they didnt reserve it. My 7 Favorite U.S. Mountain Towns To Visit In The Summer, 5 Unique Stays In Rhodes, Greece With A View, 13 Highs, Lows, And Key Insights From My Years As A Freelance Writer On Travel And Other Themes, 7 Things I Loved About Vikings Paris & The Heart Of Normandy River Cruise, 6 Fascinating Facts About Vikings New Expedition Ship Octantis, 17 Best Things I Ate On My Viking River Cruise, Viking River Cruises Romantic Danube: How To Make The Most Of Every Stop, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, how to make the most of your Viking cruise. We had rain, snow, sleet, and sun All in the same day! What to Expect on a Viking Ocean Cruise - Bon Traveler Dresses 1 evening dress, 1 loose-style dress, and a flowy dress. A lightweight jacket or sweater for cooler weather. Viking has a well-earned reputation for delivering an upscale river cruise experience. Or, pack a separate anti-theft clutch that wont take up much room in your bag. We feel your pain, us being from Arizona. When you decide to explore on your ownlike we did in Molde Norway with a hike to Varden viewpoint (amazing) request a lunch box from Viking guest services. So much so, some days will barely allow time to change before dinner. Viking calls them Nordic balconies. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Find Out More . And will make a more formal appearance with a collared shirt. Its how I imagine Norway would smell. Is The White Lotus breaking up with Four Seasons ahead of Season 3? Viking also assigns flags and icons which further describe the tour. The first section to check out is filmography, and you can choose by either country or itinerary. Taking long walks is a good way to increase your fitness level. The toiletries were specifically designed with bigger and clearer lettering than is common for toiletries on cruise ships and at hotels so that the lines older customers would have no trouble differentiating the body wash from the body lotion and shampoo. Ultimate Guide to Cruise Packing Pre-Cruise Planning Checklist Documents Photo ID (passport preferable) / birth certificate Photocopies of ID and credit cards Cruise boarding pass Printed.