Respbj

We did Vikings Frances Finest last summer, Avignon to northern France. It is a lovely cruise, in Lyon you transfer to Paris boat( FYI 2021 Viking will dock some ships in Paris, we were out in La Perq but it didn't matter to us as we had done a Rick Steve Paris and saw all the big sites) the transfer was seemless, they took our bags and they were in the same room different ship when we got to Le Perq, first class train tickets, on the bus to train Viking got us all to our seats, in Paris train station Viking waiting for us and took us by bus to our boat.  It was 14 days and every day was enjoyable.  I booked some tours that I would not have given a look at but for recommendations on this site ( Chateau de Fletcher's, Luminaries).

Thank you for your information and pictures. We recently booked this cruise for February 2022, but we have Empires of the Mediterranean and Elegant Elba.

29 minutes ago, Mariners04 said:

What is the website for TJ's ?  How do you get a visa for St. Petersburg?  Do they do that for you? Thank you for any information you can give me. 

They handle the special tourist visa for cruise ships. All paperwork was done online, sent them our vitals plus passport info and they sent us paperwork to present to the customs officials with our passport.  If you are with a cruise ship you have to take a tour with the special tourist visa if you don't apply for a regular visa. A regular visa is not necessary unless you plan on going off on your own, which is highly unlikely as the ship docks in an industrial area with nothing to see.  The 2 day tour starts very early, had to be in customs line around 6-6:30am and the tour guide met us on the other side of the customs line at the port. Lunch both days was included, my husband is picky but he ate the lunch both days. You will see a lot, even going down into the subway to see beautiful mosaic and how clean they are. We got back to the ship with plenty of time on the second day. You pay for the tour on day two, they take you to their office/ shop to settle up. We had done their Berlin tour also and didn't pay till the end of St Petersburg tour. 

I book with Viking then transfer to my TA. Get some extra OBC plus another set of eyes on my trip.

We did TJ's 2 day St Petersburg tour, organized a group on CC, they gave us all CC discount, half the price of Viking and small mini bus of 16 people. All paper work was done online, we also did Berlin with them in a small mini bus. If I did it again I would skip Berlin, doing it with more days on Elegant Elba. We went early to Bergen and stayed at Radisson Blu by the water, walked to ship, with extra days we explored museums, food, shops and we had an unusual 4 days of sun! We did Pulpit Rock/ fjord cruise from a private boat ( same company Viking used) that was right by where our boat was docked.  Did all other included tours, we did the jazz boat a sunset last minute in Copenhagen and it was lots of fun.

On 2/21/2020 at 10:25 PM, TSmith48 said:

Is this also the case on the river longboats? And are there fridges in the cabins with sodas? 

DH and I are on the May 6th Grand European Amsterdam to  Budapest this year, and are getting excited!

No drinks in frig, just empty frig, at coffee station there is coffee, tea, still and sparkling water all day, along with pastries in am and cookies in pm.

On 2/2/2020 at 2:22 PM, SM77 said:

Good for you - you will certainly enjoy the cruise.   I would send a message to Tellus@viking.com - I'm surprised that the agent cannot go ahead and book you for the pre-trip if they are already offering the cruise for '22.  Give Tellus your booking number so they can look up your reservation.  

At the time of bookingagent said they probably have not contracted for the pre tour that far out.

Thanks for all the information as we just booked this cruise for 2/22! Taking advantage of the low down payment and don't pay final balanc till six months before cruise.  We are interested in the Rio/falls pre trip but they don't have it yet for 2022. Do any of you know how far in advance they post the pre/ post trips as it's on the website just not booking yet for 2022, agent says keep trying? 

On 1/2/2020 at 6:56 AM, grimsbybud said:

RE: Viking Ocean Cruise Embarkation day

 

What would you recommend for planning/activities on Embarcation day on Viking Ocean Cruise ship, esp. Bergen-Iceland?

 

We have done several Viking River Cruises but no experience on the Ocean Ships.

Do the funicular as it offers great views of Bergen, then walk back to ship as lots of shops and bars on the way back, if a nice day stop for a drink and people watch. There is a good museum also down there with the remains of a Viking ship.

They are in the bathroom, and new ones everyday

River cruises are probably the best if not doing your own thing. The Danube has some wonderful stops, try and do Budapest a few days before your cruise as so much to see and if you can train to Munich for a few days as they also have nice markets and great center of town.

We have done both, one we flew into Munich and stayed for a few days as they have great Christmas markets and it's a great city then took the train to Passau to get on the boat, very easy. The second one we flew into Budapest 3 days early, it's a beautiful city and deserves extra time. One tip, get tickets to The Nutcracker at the Opera house as it's a beautiful place and the show was wonderful. We stayed at the Sofitel by the Chain bridge and the ship was right there.  We usually do our own airfare and get places early. If you do Viking air it is worth the extra $ to do your research and tell them what flights you want.

As to which I prefer, probably either as they are both great, I love the little Passau market and the shops and streets around it. Vienna market by the city hall should be experienced at night as the lights are magical.

We did Bergen to Stockholm, we flew into Bergen early and really enjoy 3 days and we booked the same hotel ,Radisson, as Viking uses but cheaper, last stop on the airport bus, walk to the boat was easy, central location. We had a full day in Stockholm and Viking arranged our taxi to the airport as we were flying to Brussels, our plane was at the smaller airport and our plane was the only one leaving, so easy.

On 6/25/2018 at 6:00 PM, Azulann said:

How wonderful. I have heard of this before, whether for a upgarde for a upcharge price or just a" fairy godmother "upgrade '

Too bad Vikng does not have a casino.... you were on a lucky streak...:cool:

I think NOT having a casino is one reason many people book Viking along with no children!

We used TJ's tours who took care of our tourist visa, sent them to us and we printed them out took them to the customs agent at the port when we left the boat along with our passport, no problems, TJ's was waiting for us early each day.  We did the 2 day mini bus tour and through CC roll call got 12 others to book and TJ's gave us a CC discount. We also used them for Berlin where it was a small bus tour.  TJ's also promises if you miss the boat they will get you to the next port on them.  We didn't pay for the tour until after the second day at their office. Highly recommend them, as with all tours recommended here they were half the price of the boat tour and we saw more as the mini bus could zip along and did an excellent itinerary.

We took France’s Finest in July which went south to north. Don’t miss Monet Foundation, it’s was fabulous 

TJ's tours gave us lunch both days at local restaurants  and some time in their shop to purchase items, I purchased Matroka (?? Spelling) Dolls on the ship at the class on how to tell real from fake aka Chinese nesting dolls

3 hours ago, deec said:

Leaving in a couple of weeks for France's  Finest.  Any new thoughts about these ports.  I am disappointed that the Light Show on Rouen Cathedral stops mid September but maybe the smaller crowds will compensate!  Monet's Garden will not be as glorious as on our Spring Visit in 2017 but  the dahlias are suppose to be pretty.

 

RSPBJ next year we start a Viking Ocean Cruise in London....want to spend time before....did you enjoy the Lake District?  where did you stay?

 

Thanks everyone for all you r helpful advice.

We stayed at The Hideaway in Windermere an adult only hotel, our British friends who went with us booked it, it was perfect, could walk into town, cake and tea/coffee every afternoon. You will need a car, we flew into Manchester and drove up to the Lake District.  Really enjoyed it, drove to different lakes and towns, took boat & train rides and of course visit to Beatrix Potters home. Don't miss Castlerigg Stone Circle...enjoy 

Not to be missed on cruise a Chateau de Flechers and Carrieres de Luminaries both were so interesting, I also enjoyed the villages we visited 

We always add extra days on to any cruise.  We did Frances Finest in July and took a week in England Lake District and then flew out of Manchester to Marseille via Easy Jet and spent some time there before taking the train to Avignon (quick trip as we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express by St. Charles train station in Marseille so just a walk across the street for a quick train ride).  We do our own plans as I think the Viking add on is a bit expensive for what you get and I like to do my own research and get my own places to stay.  This trip since we actually used Viking air for our trip from Manchester UK to Marseille FR we used Viking to get us to Charles de Galle airport in Paris because I knew the ship was docked in an out of the way place outside of Paris I wanted to use Viking to get us to the airport and it worked out fine.  

Spending time before (so you don't miss the boat) and after to relax and see sites on your own is always an advantage.

I had no problem, as we are leaving for a Road Scholar 31 day tour Oct 9 I was worried as it wasn't ready but I had no problem last week, they just want your money and passport info.

Homelands was my favorite but will be doing Empires of ,the Med in April.

Some people walked into the town by Le Pacq and said there were shops, we took the afternoon ( after morning train from Lyon to Paris) to chill at Le Pacq, but needed to pick up a few things so Monoprix was the answer, and there is a pharmacy, and little pastry/coffee shop too. By the boat there is a Walking/bike track by the river.

The city is easy to walk around with great stores and the July sales are still in progress. We saw the restaurant right across from the modern St Joan church but we only went to a small cafe for cake and coffee. The ship docks right in the city. Also in Les Andelys you will have lots of time. The lady with the shop with scarfs has a great selection of French made products. She is in the Petite Andedlys. The new town has a big grocery store with lots of candy if you like to take back small gifts. At Le Pacq where we dock for Paris there is a Monoprix store if you forget anything they will probably have it. 

We are on the second leg of France’s Finest, we had the heat of last week and now it is very pleasant in Paris. We flew into Marseille a few days early to get over jet lagged and since we had been in the South of France before we discovered Marseille and took a trip to Cassis. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express directly across from St Charles train station with easy & cheap train direct to Avignon Central. Two additional tours we took which were awesome were Lumieres and Chateau de Fléchères. Thank you to CC friends on these boards as we would not have taken either if not for your recommendation. I highly recommend both to those who are still in the booking stages. The ship we are on now is one of their older ships, Rindal, but next year new ship that will dock in Paris. The Heimdal was very nice from Avignon to Lyon. The train from Lyon to Paris seamless.

8 hours ago, lackcreativity said:

Sounds like good advice. We have the Lyon to Provence river cruise on our list for the future, so maybe I will postpone the Luminairies, and then Versaille, Musee d'Orsay, and Sainte Chapelle becomes more manageable in two days.

Do the Lumieres at the Les Baux quarry which really makes the experience when in Arles