OurDogCisco

11 hours ago, Canal archive said:

I’m sorry if this sounds harsh but $10k is nearly £8,000 sterling if your cost is for two that sounds cheap sorry inexpensive to me. I know your annoyed (to say the least) about the included excursions but if you cancel will you receive a full refund add to that what your charged for a cruise with another company. Try not to get worked up and go with the flow(sorry). Reading everything about Viking I personally would not choose them to cruise with and I’ve seen quite a bit of adverse evidence along the rivers of Europe to back this up but and it a big but my best friend of all time and her husband cruised with them he became seriously I’ll and Viking stepped up to the mark big time no ifs or buts they just did far more than they had to and for that I will be forever grateful.

So, you would or would not sail with Viking?  Your message is not clear.  It says you would not sail with Viking but then, it says you are forever grateful for them stepping up to the plate when your friend got ill.    Why would you not sail with Viking?

I got a quote from Amawaterways and it is about $1K more than Viking but a newer ship.  Not sure that matters.  Our actual cruise price is $12.5K.   

LOL.. someone is upset.  That is just ridiculous.    I'm paying over $10K for this trip includes airfare and pre and post stays.  It isn't a horrible price but it is still $10K.  If I'm gonna pay $10k for something I have to be happy about my choice.  Sorry I ruffled your feathers @patrickmoran.   But maybe read all my responses.  No where did I say I was an expert.  I explained my hesitation.  Besides I rather wait and do a river cruise in the future when Europe is ready for visitors.  If they are not ready, I get it.  But I am not $10K for a half baked cruise.

No, matter how you look at it, Viking doesn't have the best customer service.  I'm not impressed.  I've talked to them twice.  They said they have limited seating on the included tours.  The ones that are sold out are booked.  When I get on the ship they will arrange another tour that will be included but I won't know what it is until I board and the night before my port stop.  I looked at other lines and I'm thinking of switching to Amawaterways.    They have 2 to 3 included excursions with each port stop.  Has anyone done Amawaterways?

14 hours ago, QueenofEverything said:

I think I might be able to help you clear up a little confusion.  Viking recently changed all of their Christmas market cruises.  Instead of the "Rhine Getaway" in December, it is now "Christmas on the Rhine" in December.  The ports changed a bit, but they claim there will be more of an emphasis on the markets, less confusion about Christmas versus non-Christmas cruises with the same title.  I would not be concerned about the supposedly sold out shore excursions.  They haven't updated all the shore excursions yet and I think the ones no longer applicable are just listed as sold out.  For instance, in My Viking Journey it shows shore excursions at Kinderdijk as sold out.  The new itinerary does not have us going to Kinderdijk.  We have been on a Christmas Markets cruise with Viking on the Danube and it was wonderful.  Happy to answer any questions if I can.

That is weird.  Why didn't the rep say that we weren't stopping in Kinderdijk and that is why it is showing sold out?  I'm not even sure why they put an excursion list if they are gonna stress people out.  Seems counterproductive.   I wasn't even planning on booking excursions until I happened to login and look around.  I thought all excursions were included and that you did not need to reserve.  The website is saying otherwise.

I'm not sure what to think.  I had a clear understanding what a river cruise was like that excursions were included, you don't know how long you'll be in port or where, etc...  I understood all of that.  What I don't understand it is when I log onto the Viking page and they say tours are sold out.  Seriously, very unacceptable to me as isn't that how the river cruises work.  The rep told me I could not book a sold-out excursion unless someone canceled.  They said they get cancellations about 125 to 121 days out right before final deadline to cancel to get your full refund.  I guess, I'm supposed to keep checking back and forth until a spot opens.  I took pictures of the two screens showing the sold-out part.   

56 minutes ago, Roz said:

I've never sailed Viking, but I can't believe they won't have an included tour in each port.  That is part of what you're paying for.  

Yes, I guess so, but most of the included tours are only 2 hours long so, I hardly think it is the most expensive part of the tour.  Maybe I'm on the wrong river cruise.  Are they generally just two hours?  To me that is like a $49 land excursion.  

1 minute ago, travelingman said:

 

Pre-COVID we occasionally explored on our own and never had a problem.  Advice has always been that prior to departing the ship that morning or afternoon to check with Guest Relations as to where the ship will be departing from.  But still have the ship number with you.

During COVID the rules have changed many times and some of those times the only way you could disembark from the ship was if you were taking a ship excursion to be in the "bubble."  Sometime the bubble was required by the ship and other times it was required by the country/city/town.

 

Stan

Thank you!  I did not consider that (but I do remember it happening last year).  So, I would hope they would have enough tours for everyone on the ship right.  In two of the ports right now all the excursions are sold out including the one "included" which the rep could not explain.    I will chat with them tomorrow to ask about that.  

2 minutes ago, Roz said:

I take the included tours because I've already paid for them as part of the fare.  Maybe if it was a port I've visited previously I would consider touring on my own.  The port times and where you're docked change more frequently on a river cruise.  Ocean cruises and river cruises are very different animals.  I enjoy both. 

I'd love to take a ship excursion, but they are sold out in 2 of the ports.  So, I'm considering canceling because I don't want to travel all that way to just walk around.  

On 2/28/2022 at 4:43 PM, Geosez said:

We are booked with Viking on the Danube ending in Budapest April 10.  I wasn’t overly concerned until Putin played the nuke card.  Usual consensus is to let Viking cancel.   We’re just watching and waiting right now but might be relieved if our trip is cancelled. At this point, what do any of us really know?

I'm with you.  I have an Eastern Europe Rick Steve's tour planned for August but the way Putin is acting I wouldn't put anything past him.  Our trip travels from Berlin to Prague to Vienna.  I don't think these countries are in danger, but I don't want to take unnecessary risks.

5 minutes ago, travelingman said:

 

One thing about booking your own tour is to make sure you know where the ship is departing from.  They have been known to let passengers off at one dock and board passengers and depart from another dock.  Always have the ship phone number with you in case you need to check where the ship is.

 

Stan

Thanks for the advice.  I have one questions is it normal on a river cruise people only do the ship excursions and don't explore on their own?  I've been on regular cruises so, first time as a river cruise.  I'm beginning to think this might not fit our travel style.

1 hour ago, HoneyJan said:

   I have been on many Christmas Markets river cruises, but not with Viking. The companies I traveled with would have an included onshore tour in the morning, lunch on board, then afternoons free. The evenings were spent sailing. To experience the Christmas Markets at night we would go at 4:00 because it is getting dark in Europe that early! Your first and last night might have the ship docked overnight in which case you can go to the markets later. They don’t stay open late, about 9 pm on weeknights, maybe an hour later on weekends.

   I have a feeling they may not want to give you exact sailing times because sometimes the docking times change. I would be more worried about being told included excursions are sold out. Why sail with Viking when there are so many other companies with a similar trip?

He finally gave me the port times.  I picked this river cruise because it worked into our schedule.  Who else do you recommend?  We also didn't want a cabin with the tiny windows.  My husband wanted to be above the water line.  Thanks for any advice or tips.

Here's our schedule.  Looks like for the Christmas cruise they stay late to see the markets:

12/3 --- Dordrecht 8:30-12am, 

12/4 --- Dusseldorf 8am-1pm, Cologne 6pm-11pm, 

12/5 --- Koblenz 7:30am-12pm.....Rudesheim 5:30pm-11:59pm, 

12/6 --  Mannheim 10am-1pm, Speyer 5pm-9pm, 

12/7 -- Strasbourg 9am-9pm, 

12/8 -- Breisach 8am-6pm  

12/9 -- Basel arrives at 11:59pm.

I booked a Viking cruise going down the Rhine River in December 2022 (I booked in October 2021 and paid in full November 2021).  

I was asking them about the port times as on their website some Viking offered excursions are sold out.  Even at one of the ports the "included" excursion is sold out.  When I asked on chat what that meant he said that you'll at minimum get the included excursion.  I still didn't understand why it was sold out.  I guess, I don't get it.  Then, I ask for port times so, I could arrange my own tours or figure out what I wanted to do at each stop.  I figured the evenings would be for the Christmas markets, but the daytime would be for exploring.  Well, I felt like I just asked him to give up top trade secrets.  We went round and round until he finally asked his supervisor.  I explained if tours are sold out, I need to book my own tours, then, I need to know what time the ship docks and leaves so, I can figure out what do in those ports.    Maybe this type of touring isn't for me.  Sounds like it is low key and relaxed type of trip where you just plan last minute and you won't get your first choice.  We are more of the type, we may never visit this country again in our lifetime so, let's take full advantage of what we can do.   Should I cancel? 

1 hour ago, sellwingri said:

I’m at the airport, waiting for my flight home that I was lucky enough to get.  I understand that Royal Caribbean needs to be cautious but the way they’re handling this is absolutely horrible!  Communication is horrendous!  I see class action suit all over this event.

 

How about we sue China?   I don't think this is all in RCCL control

 

On ‎11‎/‎11‎/‎2019 at 4:50 AM, Zephyr173 said:

The train company is calle Via Rail, and the web site is ViaRail.ca

 

The corridor between Québec and Windsor is the busiest is Canada, and yet travel is not so crowded; but that means it is safer to buy your tickets in advance. There are all the modern options for your boarding pass: on your phone, print at home, print at the station. 
 

There are luggage racks at the end of each car.  Ample space. I have never had an issue, and I usually have my « cruise » luggage even when I go to Quebec on business.  You can easily fit large suitcases in those racks.  While the racks are not usually full, if you’re one of the last passengers to board, you might have to wrestle other people’s stuff to fit yours in.
 

Business class offers access to a lounge in some stations, as well as a warm meal. The food is actually good.  Drinks are also offered in business. In economy, everything is for a fee.  Affordable, but not memorable. You can bring your own food on board, but your own alcohol is illegal (if you plan ahead, remember you can’t see through a paper cup or a travel mug...)

 

I’m not entirely sure there is a lounge at the Quebec station.  Bear in mind your seats are reserved, and there are no security checks other than the boarding passes. You can arrive at the Quebec station with only minutes to spare.  From the entrance to your seat, you can expect less than 10 minutes.  Just remember the luggage issue. 

 

Hope this helps. 

Thank you!  Helps a lot.  We ended up renting a car because we have to pick someone up from the airport.    I found it cheaper to rent a car through Enterprise.   I'll report back on the experience since it seems most prefer the train.  We will be using the train in May throughout Europe so if I change my mind I can cancel the rental car for our July cruise and do the train.

On 11/5/2019 at 4:04 AM, Nitemare said:

It's a little over 3 hours on the Montreal/Quebec Express.

Thank you for your response.   How do i buy tickets and do I need to buy on advance?  How do they store your luggage?  I haven’t ridden a train with luggage.  

On 11/5/2019 at 2:51 AM, Zephyr173 said:

I suggest the train. There are 2 stations in Quebec, Gare du Palais and Ste-Foy. The former is easily accessible from the central part as well as old part of Quebec City. Ste-Foy, in cas your hotel is rather (quite further) west. 
 

Your train will arrive in downtown Montreal, a short taxi ride from your ship.  Gare Centrale is just under the Queen Elizabeth hotel. Tons of taxis.

 

A bus ride is cheap, but longer. 
 

Renting a car would be my last choice.

Thank you.  Sorry to take so long to respond.  I’ve never ridden a train with luggage.  How do they store your luggage?  Do you need to buy train tickets in advance?   Is there a website that is trustworthy?   Thanks...

I'm not having luck with the search function so wondering if there is already a topic on this or if anyone has any suggestions.  We are taking a Canada/New England cruise that sails from Montreal but we will be spending a few days in Quebec City before the cruise.  What would be our best transportation to the port from Quebec City?  Should we rent a car?

Thanks

Beautiful pictures! I'm in the planning process of our 7 day stay in June. So how much time did you allow for each museum? I booked our Eiffel Tower tickets and I plan to go to Versailles too. Did you make dinner reservations ahead of time or just winged it? I'm trying not to overschedule but I don't want to miss anything important.

We are looking to travel on a 13 night cruise in Europe with a 21 year old and 18 year old. So, I was looking at a balcony cabin. Anyways, does anyone have a picture of a balcony cabin with the 4 beds shown?

I highly recommend a private guide if you don't want to do it on your own.

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Great start! What is uniworld? I'm assuming a tour group?

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Looking forward to your review!

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Great start.... Can't wait to read the rest. We leave for Carnival cruise in less than 25 days...

Okay I have stay the Central Park area makes it look like you are not even on a ship. Yikes on the bar prices. I wonder how my Carnival Vista cruise be like. Loving the reviews.

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Great start! Looking forward to the rest. Congrats on GRAD school and your citizenship!

I loved the subway tour in St Petersburg but when we went in 2010 we were not allowed to take pictures. Has that changed? We had to be quiet etc.,, I remember it being beautiful. I like doing that type of stuff though. We also visited a grocery store

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