Just back - Viking Gefjon Grand European A to B

[Kylie]

Just got home last night from our Viking cruise that left June 3. We did the pre-cruise in Amsterdam through Viking but nothing at the end. Talked to a few people staying in Budapest but more going on to Prague.

 

Water levels were not a huge inconvenience. We did do 2 bus rides to the tours and then met the ship somewhere on the way back after the ship got under the bridges - luckily the water level cooperated each time! It was fun to see the country side and small villages so we were fine with that.

 

Our advice - do this cruise sooner than later! We saw too many people that weren't physically capable anymore to handle the walking involved. Some didn't want to admit they should be in the "gentle walking" group but the cobblestones and steps were a challenge not matter which group they were in.

Wear comfortable walking shoes - saw sandals (men and women) and gray seemed to be a popular color for tennis shoes since that matches most colors and doesn't show dirt. Not sure why I brought a light color shoe along too since I never wore those. Many Skechers brand, including mine, for shoes and sandals.

 

Any questions? I'll see what I can answer. The trip was great! We have no complaints - Viking has a great product and does it right.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Welcome back! We will be on Viking Gefjon Budapest to Amsterdam July 15.

It's our first River Cruise and we're really looking forward to a new experience.

 

I agree about traveling while you're capable. How many group types for tours were there and how were they put together? I understand ability grouping. You mentioned some who didn't want to admit they should be in the "gentle walking" group. Were they still allowed to be in with those more active? It's a touchy subject for sure. We're active seniors and look forward to seeing and doing as much as we can.

 

Any suggestions you can give to "newbie" river cruisers are appreciated.

[mimmy52]

Glad to hear your trip was a success! We'll be on the Viking Vili in August with a pre-cruise in Amsterdam through Viking. What hotel did you stay at? Do you remember what time the transfer was from the hotel to the boat on embarkation day?

 

I'd love to hear more about your cruise and what you liked in Amsterdam.

[Kylie]

 

I agree about traveling while you're capable. How many group types for tours were there and how were they put together? I understand ability grouping. You mentioned some who didn't want to admit they should be in the "gentle walking" group. Were they still allowed to be in with those more active?

 

 

The groups were mixed up daily randomly unless you asked to be with people you were traveling with. The Gentle walkers were supposed to tell the reception desk if they wanted to be in that group but that could change daily too. Usually 20-25 people per group. There was no one telling them which group to join. Some people complained about how strenuous some days were and we didn't really think that was the case on those days.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

The groups were mixed up daily randomly unless you asked to be with people you were traveling with. The Gentle walkers were supposed to tell the reception desk if they wanted to be in that group but that could change daily too. Usually 20-25 people per group. There was no one telling them which group to join. Some people complained about how strenuous some days were and we didn't really think that was the case on those days.

 

Thanks for the info on the groups. We've been on cruise ship tours and had to wait for those who couldn't keep up. Hoping that's not the case on our river cruise. It's nice that they give guests options.

 

Did you do any optional tours? We've signed up for all the recommended tours and thought we'd wait until we were on board to sign up for Schonbrun Palace. Did you hear of any optional tours being full and unable to be booked on board?

 

So many questions. Thanks for your quick responses.

[TravelerThom]

...We've signed up for all the recommended tours and thought we'd wait until we were on board to sign up for Schonbrun Palace...

Schoenbrunn is easy to do on your own (no, I don't speak German). Most boats dock a short distance from Vorgartenstrasse on the U1 U-bahn; hop it towards Central and switch to the U4 at either Schwedenplatz or Karlsplatz (the lines cross twice) and get off at Schoenbrunn; women over 60 and men over 65 ride for half price, tickets are sold by machine with an option for English. VALIDATE your ticket, random inspections have a substantial fine for not validating. There are a number of different ticket choices for Schonbrunn at http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/plan-your-visit/tickets-tours.html. You can see what you want at your own speed, and probably cheaper than the boat offering.

 

Thom

[Kylie]

 

Did you do any optional tours? We've signed up for all the recommended tours and thought we'd wait until we were on board to sign up for Schonbrun Palace. Did you hear of any optional tours being full and unable to be booked on board?

 

 

Never heard of tours being full, in fact, some tours only had a few people. We only did one optional tour in Budapest the World Market. Since we had never been to these countries we just walked around and didn't want to spend the additional money for the Viking tours and/or miss the included tour for an optional one.

 

It rained the morning we were in Vienna so we did the HOHO bus there but decided not to go to the palace because of the weather but it cleared up and would have been a good thing to do but by then it was getting later. The concierge showed us how to ride the subway and that would have been a quick easy way to get out to the palace on your own. We just rode it back down to the center of the city and did some shopping instead.

 

None of the tours went real fast but some people couldn't wait to sit down any chance they got.

 

Just an FYI - all North Americans on our cruise.

[Kylie]

What hotel did you stay at? Do you remember what time the transfer was from the hotel to the boat on embarkation day?

 

I'd love to hear more about your cruise and what you liked in Amsterdam.

 

We are river cruise newbies. We have done quite a few ocean cruises and we don't like sea days but the time off on the river boat didn't bother us at all - always something to see. We enjoyed watching from the balcony or otherwise sitting up on the sun deck. Very relaxing.

We did dock right next to other Viking ships the second week so no view then :-( but we were busier that week too. There were 5 Viking boats in Vienna the day we were there!

 

Now to answer your questions - we stayed at the Radisson Blu hotel. Great location. Less than 15 minute walk to Central station area if you go through the Red Light District :-) They didn't start shuttling people to the boat until after 2:00 and we were the last group to go at 3:00. There were 2 ships in port that day so quite a few people waiting for rides.

 

We really liked Amsterdam - did the HOHO bus the first day (got there around 7AM and couldn't check into the hotel so headed out exploring) and we could scout out where things were. The HOHO does a bus route and 2 canal routes for one price. We bought a 48 hour pass but didn't use it more than one day. Did the Heineken Experience since that was a stop on the bus - it was OK. Ate supper at a nice little sidewalk cafe recommended by the Radisson concierge and close to the hotel - fun to watch the people and bikes go by. Went to bed early that night after a long night of travel and day of sightseeing. Got up the next morning and never thought about the time change again.

Really liked the Jordaan Food Tour - found that location while on the canal boat and walked there day 2. Right after that we went to the Anne Frank house which happened to be right across the street. I had tried for 2 months day and night and finally got the 4 tickets I needed for the 3:15 time slot. We would have never stood in line for tickets - it was a long wait for the 3:30 and later tickets.

We did a night wine and cheese canal cruise day 2 (enjoyed seeing the canals at night) and another small boat canal cruise on the morning of day 3. We sat at the small hotel bar and ate some expensive food waiting for the shuttle. We were not alone.

 

Radisson was a nice hotel - breakfast was busy. Food was good but not nearly as good as the buffet on the ship.

[mimmy52]

Thank you so much for your answers, Kylie. I've been trying to get tickets to the Anne Frank house hoping for 2:30 or later. That brings up another question. Since you already had tickets, was there a line of people who already had tickets? I know before they started the new ticketing process this year the directions used to say if you already had tickets you went in through a certain door, but I wondered what the procedure is now.

[Kylie]

Since you already had tickets, was there a line of people who already had tickets? I know before they started the new ticketing process this year the directions used to say if you already had tickets you went in through a certain door, but I wondered what the procedure is now.

 

Yes, we still waited awhile - that 'magic' door is no longer used but there are people directing you where to go and when you should get in line. We didn't wait long once we moved into line and I'm sure we were in the building before 3:30.

Our food tour was over before 2:45 and then we walked across the street and waited until the 3:15 group could go. I had been trying for 3:00 tickets but never saw 4 to buy.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Schoenbrunn is easy to do on your own (no, I don't speak German). Most boats dock a short distance from Vorgartenstrasse on the U1 U-bahn; hop it towards Central and switch to the U4 at either Schwedenplatz or Karlsplatz (the lines cross twice) and get off at Schoenbrunn; women over 60 and men over 65 ride for half price, tickets are sold by machine with an option for English. VALIDATE your ticket, random inspections have a substantial fine for not validating. There are a number of different ticket choices for Schonbrunn at http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/plan-your-visit/tickets-tours.html. You can see what you want at your own speed, and probably cheaper than the boat offering.

 

Thom

 

Thanks.....definitely would like DIY rather than a group tour. We'll check it out.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Never heard of tours being full, in fact, some tours only had a few people. We only did one optional tour in Budapest the World Market. Since we had never been to these countries we just walked around and didn't want to spend the additional money for the Viking tours and/or miss the included tour for an optional one.

 

It rained the morning we were in Vienna so we did the HOHO bus there but decided not to go to the palace because of the weather but it cleared up and would have been a good thing to do but by then it was getting later. The concierge showed us how to ride the subway and that would have been a quick easy way to get out to the palace on your own. We just rode it back down to the center of the city and did some shopping instead.

 

None of the tours went real fast but some people couldn't wait to sit down any chance they got.

 

Just an FYI - all North Americans on our cruise.

 

I think we're the same type of traveler. We enjoy going on our own...if we can. We feel we'll do the included tours and explore on our own. In Cologne we plan to go for lunch at the Brewhaus that Viking offers for a dinner tour. While we enjoy trying new things we will also eat the majority of our meals onboard.

 

Thought of another question. Was there anything you wish you'd known more about before you went? or anything else you could share with a "newbie" river cruiser that would make the cruise better?

[shadowlover]

I just put a deposit down for the grand European tour in November 2017. Trying to decide if we should extend in Budapest or not. The tour is so long already but I don't want to miss anything! Do you feel an extension would be worth it? I see you did one in Amsterdam...would you highly recommend that one? Thanks

[Kylie]

I just put a deposit down for the grand European tour in November 2017. Trying to decide if we should extend in Budapest or not. The tour is so long already but I don't want to miss anything! Do you feel an extension would be worth it? I see you did one in Amsterdam...would you highly recommend that one? Thanks

 

 

We really enjoyed Amsterdam and would do that again plus it helped us adjust to the time change. People that arrived on the ship that day were really tired.

Budapest us such a big city I wouldn't know where to start. We did have a full day there and a long bus tour through Viking that day that satisfied me. Also when our vacation is over we are ready to go home. More people were doing to the Prague extension - maybe check that one out too. I guess it is a bus ride there.

[Kylie]

I just put a deposit down for the grand European tour in November 2017. Trying to decide if we should extend in Budapest or not. The tour is so long already but I don't want to miss anything! Do you feel an extension would be worth it? I see you did one in Amsterdam...would you highly recommend that one? Thanks

 

FYI - just found my sheet with the information on -

 

16 cabins had plans to go to Prague

15 cabins staying in Budapest

21 cabins with no transfers so I don't know where they were going?!

All others had transfers to the airport to head home or somewhere else

[shadowlover]

Thanks for your quick reply! I feel like I will be ready to get home as well especially as it will be close to thanksgiving. I just realized that the christmas market will probably open close to when we arrive in Budapest- which is making it tempting to stay. The pre-cruise in Amsterdam sounds like a good idea. Thanks again!

[Courtmatt]

Shadowlover-We are booked on the Viking Gfjon departing Budapest on November 3rd. Would this happen to be the same cruise you are on?