rrgator

Thanks Polar. Very helpful. 

Thanks Fran. 

“Think that is it for now.  Happy to answer any questions about visiting the area if you have any.

Fran”

Fran, or anyone else. We are going with Viking to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan in a couple weeks. My wife and sister in law are ok with clothes for them, but I’m confused about clothes for men in these countries. Especially shorts. If the internet is to be believed (😜), it appears that shorts are never appropriate in Egypt or Jordan, but ok in Israel. If you have an opinion, I would love to hear it. We are expecting very hot weather during our trip and not being able to wear shorts is concerning due to the expected weather. Thanks. 

Just returned from Viking Skaga, Paris & the Heart of Normandy, 05/05/2022-05/15/2022, with a post-extension to the Loire Valley, through Viking.  Overall, it was a great trip, as I will discuss some of the highlights, as well as a few lowlights. 

To start, I just want to say how great it was to be traveling internationally again.  We have canceled or had canceled several Viking trips during the pandemic, including Antarctica this past January/February.  So it was great to be able to go to France again.

Viking, as did their usual terrific job of getting us to the various ports, feeding us, and providing very interesting and informative shore excursions.  We had some really great Viking personnel on our cruise, but two I would like to specifically mention were our Program Director, Filiz Temur, and Maitre D’, Petar Kostov.  Both are excellent at their jobs and went out of their way to make sure all of our needs and wants were taken care of.  Filiz’s discussion of the Normandy beach landings in WWII and the impact they had on ending the war was emotional and educational.  Made for real anticipation of the key component of the cruise.

We arrived in Paris early around 6:30 am Paris time.  We were met by a Viking representative and introduced to our driver for the ride to our ship.  As it was so early, and having had limited sleep, we were apprehensive about arriving so early with no where to go on the ship.  Fortunately, our room on the Skaga was ready for us upon arrival, and we were able to unpack and catch up on some much-needed rest.  For the first time, we had booked a 100-level cabin (Standard F), to decide if we were comfortable in a smaller room than usual.  We normally have booked the Veranda level rooms.  The veranda level rooms have 55 more square footage and include a balcony.  That difference in price is about 12% more per sq foot, but I think the extra space is worth it and we will be booking the veranda level rooms in the future.  The main space difference is from the foot of the bed to the cabinetry along the wall.  Very tight in the 100 level rooms.  Of course, deciding what room to book is a personal preference.  We did just fine in the smaller room and would stay in that level again in the future.

Covid:  We had taken our Covid tests at Walgreens on the Sunday and Monday before our flight out on Wednesday.  I didn’t realize until we had taken the test on Sunday that Viking requires your test be conducted 72 hours before your 1^st international flight.  As Walgreens is only testing until 4:30 pm and since our flight from JFK to Paris was for 10:05 am on Wednesday, we were able to retest on Monday morning to meet the 72-hour requirement.  The 72-hour requirement is a problem since the flights leave usually on Wednesday, requiring the test be performed on Sunday.  Currently in the New Orleans area, testing on Sundays is limited.  As Walgreens will not guarantee a specific time to receive the test results, by Tuesday morning, with no results, I was in somewhat of a panic mode.  So, we bit the bullet and found a lab that would test us and provide results within 45 minutes, we paid the $600 to make sure we had the results in time to fly out Wednesday morning.  Of course, I woke up Wednesday morning with emails from Walgreens with our test results being negative.  Never fails.  But at least we were good to go related to Covid.

When we arrived at the boat, we were sent to a room on the 300 level for our Covid tests.  It was done quickly, and we were told to wait in our room for an hour.  If we didn’t hear from anyone, we were good to go and could leave the boat or use the various parts of the boat.  We didn’t hear from anyone, so round 2 of Covid testing was good.  For the next 3 mornings, we did a saliva sample in a collection tube, which we placed in a provided envelope and left at the front desk on the boat.  Again, you only hear from someone if you test positive.  We never heard from anyone, and after the third saliva test, we did no other testing on the trip until we returned to Paris the night before our flight back to New Orleans.  We stayed at the Paid Hyatt Regency for Saturday night.  It is a really nice hotel in a very good location.  After arriving there, we were given our room keys and sent to our rooms, with the instructions to show up at a lab in the hotel in ½ hour.  There we were given a throat swab test and told to hang around the hotel until the results were available.  About ½ hour later, we had the test results both negative and were ready for our flights home and able to go out for one last time in Paris. 

The way the tests going home works is that the test must be administered the day before you leave, which makes the results acceptable the next day.  It is a US requirement, not Viking.

As far as Covid on the cruise, we only had one couple test positive for it, and they and their traveling companions, (another couple) were taken off the ship after we had left Paris and taken back to a hotel in Paris.  As we were worried about contracting Covid once we got to France, we seriously considered taking advantage of Vikings cancellation guarantee 14 days before leaving.  Fortunately, our Covid experience was about as good as you could hope for, as just about all of the folks who started out completed the entire cruise.

There were only 100 guests on our trip, which normally would have 150.  Not sure why there were fewer guests than normal.  Not sure if that is Viking limiting numbers or people not booking or canceling pre-cruise.  It did make for a very uncrowded cruise this time, not that a full boat is ever really crowded.

Masks:  They were not required on any of our flights to or from Paris.  On the boat and on the shore excursions, we were not forced to wear them.  All Viking staff wore them always, including the tour guides.  I would say mask wearing by the quests was about 50/50.  I only wore mine when we went to Monet’s Garden, as our tour guide said it would be very crowded, with tight quarters, which it was.  Viking seems to be going out of their way to eliminate the spread of Covid as much as possible.  They are constantly cleaning, providing hand sanitizers in numerous locations, masks in your stateroom, and reminders of how to keep from spreading it.

The ports and towns we went to were great.  I love the French countryside and was not disappointed.  Weather turned out great, just not what we expected.  We packed for cool and damp weather and we got hot and dry.  Fortunately I threw a pair of shorts in my luggage at the last minute and ended up wearing them most of the time. 

As I said, the trip to Omaha beach in Normandy was the highlight of the trip.  We had been to Omaha beach before on a Viking Ocean cruise in October 2019, just before the pandemic shut down everything.  Viking provided a wreath laying ceremony, utilizing, several veterans that were on our cruise, to lay the wreath.  It was very emotional and inspiring.  We did not have that on the Ocean cruise, so I hope Viking is now doing the wreath laying ceremony on all of their trips to Normandy.  I recommend every American make the trip to the American Cemetery at Omaha beach.  It really gives you the perspective of the sacrifices so many young people made to free Europe and ensure our freedom continued.

The post-extension to the Loire Valley was nice also.  We had an excellent tour guide, Pascal, who was very knowledgeable and fun to be with.  We saw many Chateaux’s (Castles) and Cathedrals (Churches), all spectacular and amazing to see.  Overall, we had really good tour guides as Viking usually provides.  They are still using the voice boxes for the tours which allow you to wonder off from the group, but still able to listen to the guide from some distance away.

Overall it was a great trip.  Viking continues to provide excellent value for the money on the trips they provide.  We are currently booked on an Ocean cruise to see the Northern Lights next February and another River Cruise down the Nile in September 2023. 

If you have any questions or were confused by anything I wrote, I will be happy to answer or clarify them.

Here is an update from my travel agent who spoke to Viking this morning.

1. PCR test results will be in your hands either later the same day or the next day, so your 48 hour window will be ok before flight departure.

2. Viking will organize another test for you at the hotel before you board the Octantis.

3. Viking will make every effort to satisfy your requests in the event of positive tests on board.

4. If you decide not to go now, you can transfer entire trip cost to a future cruise credit to be booked within 24 months.

#1 above is saying that Viking is convinced that results from the PCR test will be back the same day as the test or the next day.  We are scheduled for the test at a CVS pharmacy and they will not guarantee when you will get the results.

#2 above is in response to my concern that since we are going first to Iguazu Falls and won't be boarding the Octantis until 5 days later.

#3 above He was also told that if your onboard test comes back positive, they will get you back to your home and give you a credit for any unused portion of the trip.

Still don't know what we are going to do.  Fortunately, we have the cancellation coverage, but this is the second Antartica trip that may be postponed.  Viking canceled the first one in 2020 due to the pandemic.  Going to decide one way or the other over the weekend.

Hope this helps.

Got the same email last night and to put it mildly, I am pissed.  I had scheduled PCR tests within 72 hours of departure and now they have changed to 48 hours.  I wonder if Viking realizes how difficult it is to get a PCR test in that timeframe, not to mention, nobody will guarantee that you have the results within the 48 hour timeframe.  It's not like they're PCR testing sites on every corner.  And with the current concern with Covid, lots of people are trying to get tested.  In addition, the way I read this email is that it is intended perhaps for people flying directly to the ship versus folks doing any of the pre-cruise packages.  For example we are leaving Tuesday, January 18, for Iguazu Falls, and won't be on the Octantis until Monday, January 24, more than 48 hours from when we left home.  Maybe I am reading too much into this change, but I am trying to reschedule the PCR tests.  I have been in contact with my travel agent regarding canceling, which we can do, receiving a voucher for a future cruise.  I know that Covid is not Viking's fault and that they are doing everything they can to protect their passengers and crew, but this change at this late date is very concerning.

Sorry if this has already been discussed.  I can't find a thread regarding it, but if so, please excuse this query.

My wife and I are booked on the Antarctic Explorer cruise on January 24, 2022.  We received an email regarding ordering boots, parkas, and pants.  We took measurements as the charts suggested and to be frank, none of our measurements compared to the charts make any sense.  I have talked to both the supplier and viking about this and they both said to use the sizing charts as listed.  The supplier said that they are only supplying the clothing but they have been told by Viking to use the sizing charts.  She also said that she has had the same questions numerous times.  Viking said the same thing.  As I pointed out to both of them:  What happens if we get to Antartica and nothing fits.  They both said there would be extras on board if that becomes an issue.  I sure hope they're right.  Just wondering if anyone else has this same issue and what they have been told.

Also, there is a Viking Essentials Antartica Package offered.  Has anyone ordered this and how necessary is it.  Can you obtain these items elsewhere, Amazon, for instance, or do you need to order from the website supplied by Viking?

Any help in these issues will be appreciated.  Really looking forward to this cruise, just don't want to get there and be stuck on the boat.

Just had our Russia cruise for September 2020 cancelled.  So applied the 125% credit to this trip scheduled for January-February 2022. It Includes in addition to Antarctica, Easter Island, Machu Picchu, and the Galapagos Islands.  Going to be a great trip.  Can't wait.

We have a Viking cruise in Russia scheduled for late September. Hope it happens but haven’t been able to apply for visa yet. 

Viking burger

Thanks. I will. 

We are booked on the Russia cruise in late September. Hopefully everything will be up and running by then. My problem is the visa company Viking uses is closed and not excepting any new applications currently. Not sure what to do at this point. Is anybody else dealing with this issue. 

moatenote, we just booked the Trade Routes of the Middle Ages on the Jupiter for October 2019. We have a DV on deck 5. Would u mind sharing any thoughts on the ship and rooms that you experienced?  We have done a number of Viking river cruises but our first on Viking Ocean. 

7 hours ago, Readytogokjs said:

Yes, I was joking about the life jacket, but not the fear of being up to 5 miles out and something happening in the middle of the night.  Nope...not joking about that.

Make sure you don't watch Titanic, if it is on the TV.  😁

See below:

IStrasbourg, France

 

-Strasbourg Highlights - 4 hours/Included

-Alsatian Wine Tasting ( for us skip) I would definitely do this one. It is a great tour of a small, family-owned vineyard and winery. You get a real up-close and personal tour by the owner and his family. It is a very nice small town to tour also.

-Taste the best of Alsace (for us skip )

-Mercedes-Benz Factory (for us skip )

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heidelberg, Germany

-Panoramic Heidelberg Included - 6 hour/Included

 

 

 

Koblenz, Germany

-Marksburg Castle - 3 hours/included

-Moselle Wine Tasting (for us skip )

-Ehrenbreitstein Fortress 3 hours cost $?

-Dine in Rüdesheim am Rhein - (debating on this one, book on ship and use credit ?)

-Wine Tasting & Dinner at Eberbach Monastery (for us skip )

 

 

 

Cologne, Germany

-Cologne Walking Tour 2 hour/included

-Brühl UNESCO Palaces 3 hours/ cost (maybe? Book on ship)

-Top of Cologne (for us skip )

- Cologne’s Beer Culture & Dinner (for us skip ) If you like beer, you will love this one. Colgne is one of the nicest places we've ever visited and this tour, at night, really shows off the city.

 

Black Forest, Germany

 

- Looking into a private tour for Black Forest

- 2:00 – 5:45PM: Optional Excursion – Colmar City Tour ( I definitely would like to do this and would book before we leave. Anyone know the cost?

Any of the Christmas market cruises are great. We did the Viking Rhine Getaway, Basel to Amsterdam, in Dec 2013 and the Viking Romantic Danube, Budapest to Nuremberg, in Dec 2015. Both were great. I really enjoyed the smaller markets in some of the smaller towns. The market in Budapest may be the best of all, but the one at the palace in Vienna was pretty spectacular also. All of them have great food and drinks. They do get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends. The weather will be cool to cold, just the luck of the draw and mother nature, but you can dress appropriately for it. Do be aware that on Sundays in Germany most everything, museums, etc, is closed so if you are there on a Sunday, you need to find other options. The markets are open but if you've already been through the Nuremberg market, you may want to try something different. We took the train to Bamberg, suggested by our Viking tour guide, and spent the day there. Great little town with spectacular churches (is there anywhere in Europe without spectacular churches?) and a nice Christmas market. You will enjoy it.

My suggestion is pick a river cruise line for the itinerary and the ship itself and don't worry about the ages of the other passengers. You will be among the youngest on board, based on age, but so what. You may get asked where about your parents, but it will most likely be in a conversational way, not meant in a demeaning or negative way. Most people on a river cruise are interested in the sites you will see and the experiences that go with it. And most may be older in age but I can assure you that they are generally very young at heart. As far as travel agents, we have not used one, so can't help you there.

You will probably spend your first day in the Christmas market where there is plenty to eat and drink. Both at very reasonable prices, relative to the other markets you will visit. Make sure and visit the cathedral there while your touring the markets. At night, the lights of the palace and the bridge are spectacular. Budapest is a pretty cool place, although most people don't have any ideas about it.

Thank you so much for this very detailed review. My wife and I are planning on doing this trip in 2019, and you have summarized it beautifully. Thanks again for the details, I hope we have as much fun on our trip as you had on yours.

If you have time in Amsterdam, take the tour of the Heineken brewery. It is very interesting with free beer. But you can get engraved bottles of Heineken beer with peoples names on them or sayings/slogans. They make great Christmas presents and look great on your bar.

We have done the same cruises on Viking as you have except we have not done the Douro, instead we have done the Lyon and Provence. I would suggest that one as that part of France is beautiful. We did a pre-cruise in Nice and post-cruise in Paris on that one, which made that cruise especially nice and fun. We have not done the Paris to Normandy one yet, but have heard that it is worth doing, so you might look into that one.

We did the Rhine Christmas market cruise on Viking in 2013 and the Danube also on Viking in 2015 and both were great. I recommend you go and see all of the Christmas markets. As several have said, a lot of them do close just before Christmas, but some were still open after. You can find a list of cities and dates on the internet to help. One of the cool things we did was attend a Christmas eve mass in Koblenz, and even though it was in German, you knew what was going on as the Catholic church in Germany goes through the same format that they do in the USA. If you do that, I recommend you get there at least 45 minutes before services start as it really fills up. There are also Christmas markets in a lot of the smaller towns and villages that we visited, so look for them when you are out and about. We really lucked out with weather. The week before was tons of snow and the week after also. The week we went weather was just cold enough to feel like Christmas, but not so cold that you didn't want to be outside. Check the forecasts to give you an idea of what to expect. Water levels have been fine on all of the cruises we have done, but that doesn't mean you could have some issues when you go. Something you really can't control, so just make the best of it if it becomes an issue. One thing I would suggest is that you take an extra suitcase with you, and some bubble wrap, to bring back all the stuff you will acquire. And you will acquire more than you think you will or expect you will. (We have had to buy a new piece of luggage on each of the cruises we have been on, not just the Christmas ones, so maybe it is us.) If you go, you will have a great time and a great experience.

Thank you for posting your great review and pictures. You took a lot of time doing that and it really helps folks thinking about taking the cruise or remembering when they went. I wish my photos came out as well as yours did.

My wife and I have made the same trip, just on two different Viking cruises. One from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam and the other from Budapest to Nuremburg. We also took a train to Bamberg at the suggestion of our tour guide in Nuremburg, during our post-cruise time in Nuremburg. Both of our cruises were during the Christmas market season and we had a wonderful time on each cruise. The Rhine and Danube are a great part of the world and a really good opportunity to tour Europe. If anyone reading this review is thinking about taking this cruise or any of the others that go through these areas, I would highly recommend it.

Bamberg is a nice little town and well worth seeing up close. I don't think it is any more strenuous than most of the other places the cruise takes you to. Lots of really interesting churches and other religious sights. Make sure you keep looking up and on the sides of the buildings. If you go, make sure you try the smoked beer.