4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. Comfortable walking shoes will be very important. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. A hard suitcase is ok; just make sure it is not so big you have trouble sliding it under the bed as there is limited space inside the cabin. If youre sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary and about a dozen other things you can head over to Viking.com and book directly. 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. Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card spending when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases. Another bonus of river cruising is the ample time spent ashore means you can easily pick up any necessary toiletries along the way. Especially cashmere which is light in weight in the suitcase but keeps you as warm as a more bulky weight of yarn. People typically book their Viking cruises many months - or even a few years - before the actual trip. While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Layering is the best way to combat changeable conditions when travelling even from morning to night or when transiting in airports. You can highlight this with one or two pastels or brighter accent colours depending on your style. Viking Ocean Cruises provide Freyja shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body-wash, replenished daily; frequent cruisers say that the high-quality products are one of the best perks of every trip. Travelon Anti-theft Signature Slim Backpack, Pacsafe Anti-Theft Backpack with Detachable Pocket, Read Our Complete Guide to Buying an Anti-Theft Backpack. We had rain, snow, sleet, and sun All in the same day! To Viking, that means a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women, and trousers and a collared shirt for men. With this in mind, consider baggage weight allowances if your river cruise includes domestic flights within the country. Totes Womens Reversible, Packable Travel Rain Poncho. You may want to increase some clothing items depending on the type and duration of the cruise. Just this year, the line began its first cruises to Antarctica with its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis. The number of restaurants and other dining options that youll find on Viking ships will vary greatly depending on whether you are sailing on an ocean or a river ship. Each of the lines ocean ships has a theater at its front that is home to production shows, movie showings (with fresh popcorn available) and enrichment lecturers. Norway Cruise Packing List: What to Pack (Including PDF) - ViaTravelers I feel like food is such an important part of travel and can give you an insight into the local culture. If youve never kayaked, try an hour rental to see if you like it. Youll also find musicians including pianists and guitar players performing at times in the Viking Living Room a three-deck-high, atrium-like space at the center of the ship. The historian hosts lectures on the history and culture of the ports you will visit. Find the right card for you. Most Viking Longships are 443 feet long, the perfect length to fit into the locks on many of Europes rivers. Pleasant temps, however. Its all about exploring the world and doing so in comfort. They will pack a box for you with a sandwich, apple, and goodies. Each day of your cruise is listed with options to book spa treatments, dining reservations, and shore excursions. Youll find Viking river ships operating on the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; the Moselle and Elbe in Germany, the Volga in Russia and the Dnieper in Ukraine (as noted above, sailings on the latter two rivers are on hold, for now, due to the war in Ukraine). If you dont have hills in your area, look for a stadium where you can walk up and down the stairs. This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). One of the less desirable aspects of travel is having to use public conveniences, something you will often do on a river cruise. I have found the headphones you would typically use with your smartphone are compatible with the audio devices on board. Viking takes this into account with their dress code, which has no formal nights in the evening. Some Silversea ships, in turn, have lounge areas named after Hagen. And will make a more formal appearance with a collared shirt. Even the summer months in some parts of Europe can be unpredictable. As you look through each day, note what the included shore excursion is. 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. Viking also includes access to the thermal areas of its spa in its base fares. Viking ships also dont cater to the party crowd. Doesit rain a lot and that is why it was so icy? 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. (A fun game is to try the Armagnac from your birth year. Don't forget belts, jewelry and ties for evening dress. Also review the Passport and Visa Requirements. Related: The 12 cruise ships with the most spectacular attractions at sea. When he is on vacation, he does not even want to wear a sports coat. Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line, mostly due to the fact that it operates both ocean cruises and river cruises. See below for the complete list. Passengers will also find finger sandwiches, scones and teas in the afternoon at the glass-topped Wintergarden lounge at the top of every vessel. Its forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies. Filled with comfortable seating areas and home to a bar, the Viking Living Room serves as a central meeting point for passengers throughout the day and night. You wont have trouble seeing the pages of the Viking Daily activity newsletter while lying in a Viking cabin bed. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. What to Pack for a Scandinavian Cruise - Your Homebased Mom (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) Generic Premium Earbuds/Headphones with Stereo Mic & Remote Control for Smartphones. What To Expect On A Viking Ocean Cruise - Gimme Some Oven Most Viking customers are approaching their retirement years or are already there and theyre eager to finally see all the places they didnt have time to visit when they were raising kids and establishing careers in their younger years. On Viking Ocean Cruises, it is always possible to have a pool day. As part of this society, you will receive: Note that the credits mentioned above cannot always be combined with promotions the line offers. Other interior spaces that are part of the ocean ships include a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels) and a fitness center. Youll probably eat most of your meals in one of these eateries. Evenings have an official dress code, but its not too formal. The centerpiece of the top deck of each of Vikings ocean ships is the main pool area, which is home to a pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, as well as comfortable seating areas. To help you with the dress code on a river cruise, we give you some ideas for day and evening wear. Just behind the main pool area on each of the ocean ships is a lovely, glass-topped lounge with comfortable seating called the Wintergarden that is home to afternoon tea. Personally, we are not dress up people. The Viking Saturn. There is a laundry service onboard the Viking river cruises. It will only be something for you to worry about on the cruise. Viking River Cruise Packing List with Cruise Packing Tips The first section to check out is filmography, and you can choose by either country or itinerary. Begin by going to the itinerary for your cruise on the website. This means if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Allow for one heavier, windproof jacket, although leave overly bulky or heavy clothing at home. Weve been to Norway in June and it was lovely. Viking isnt one of them. Women can wear sandals, so Id be surprised if men couldnt. As Viking founder Torstein Hagen likes to say, a Viking cruise is the thinking persons cruise, not the drinking persons cruise., Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line. When we resumed our travels, we packed lightweight and easy to pack rain jackets . Terms and Conditions Apply. Viking is all about the destination, and on my 15-day cruise, there is only one day at sea. Each of the 930-passenger ocean ships also has two smaller restaurants with specialized cuisine: Manfredis, a high-end Italian eatery, and The Chefs Table, which offers a five-course tasting menu themed around a specific cuisine that changes every few days. Soothing, minimalist colors think creams, grays and lighter blues are the order of the day. Essential Items to Pack on a Cruise to Iceland - Patagonia and other Also, if youre planning a pre or post-cruise extension trip, you dont want to be burdened with heavy luggage. #2. Read this over and become familiar with all the extras Viking offers as this will be important when you start booking shore excursions, restaurant reservations, and drink packages. Check here before booking an award fare. March 25, 2012. The Chief Historian has curated an extensive list of books to enjoy prior to your cruise. Consider any places of worship you may be visiting where respectful dress is required. At each port, you will have numerous shore activities and excursions to choose from including lots of free walking tours. You'll find Viking's ocean ships in other key cruise destinations as well, such as Alaska, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, Canada and New England, South America, Asia and Australia. I have to admit I have been obsessing over which shore excursions to pick, and I cant book until March 2021. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. Find Out More . The best luggage for a river cruise is sturdy, easy to manoeuvre through airports and easy to stow under the bed once you have unpacked on board. Packing list for Northern Lights - Viking Ocean - Cruise Critic Community Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. There is an extensive list of movies, documentaries, and television shows either filmed in or about your cruise destinations. A scarf or shawl is great for layering in minor changes in weather and a must if cruising in the winter months. While a certain level of dress is expected, and always appreciated, on a Viking River Cruise, you will not find the need for formal wear as you might on a big cruise line. Socks for the duration (including compression socks for the flight). In the morning you will travel by mini-coach with the executive chef to visit a local food market to pick out ingredients for an evening meal. Viking Ocean Cruises Scandinavia & Northern Europe; The Americas & Caribbean; Mediterranean; Quiet Season Mediterranean; Asia & Australia; Grand Voyages; Viking Expeditions Antarctica; Great Lakes & Canada; Grand Journeys; Call Viking at Call Viking at 1-800-304-9616 1-800-304-9616 . There is no need to bring a hairdryer. These arent cruises where its all about the ship. Related: 10 Travel Safety Tips to Put in Place Before You Go. You want someone who knows all of the lines many itineraries in detail and, preferably, has sailed on or at least inspected some of the lines vessels, too, to understand the various cabin types and onboard amenities. You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Viking ships. Caribbean Cruise Packing List | Packing for a Caribbean Cruise Rivers; Oceans; Expeditions; Complimentary Brochures; Call Viking at 1-866-984-5464 or Contact Your Travel Advisor. The Visa section will let you know if there are any requirements. While Viking doesnt market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Select wine and beers are complimentary and available at lunch and dinner only. The line offers included-in-the-fare tours in every port, allowing every passenger on board to get a guided experience during stops without having to pay extra. Exceptions to this are: Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises. We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards, which are in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise Viking does not allow children under the age of 18 on its vessels and thus has no childrens programs on any of its vessels. 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. Always keep comfort in mind when choosing clothing for a cruise. Start with a predominantly neutral colour scheme -black, white, beige, tan and grey. River cruise cabins may not be as spacious as a hotel room or on an ocean-going vessel, so you dont want to clutter it with unnecessary stuff. As noted above, Viking doesnt allow passengers under the age of 18 on its ships a key differentiator for the brand as compared to other cruise lines. Learn more Cruise Day Wear Cruise Day Wear You may wish to choose one additional dressier outfit or elegant top to dress up one of your mix and match combinations. The line also doesnt charge a corkage fee. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) You will be doing a lot of walking around towns and cities on a river cruise. Designwise, Viking cabins and suites across all categories are modern and elegant in an understated sort of way, with Scandinavian-influenced furnishings and decor that tie to the Norwegian heritage of the companys founder. Save the space in your bag. We like the Samsonite wheeled duffel bags because they are lightweight, easy to carry and with changeable packing options, are so easy to pack. Electrical outlets in Viking Ocean staterooms run on either 110V and 220V so when packing for a Viking Ocean Cruise, there is no need to bring other adapterseven though you'll be visiting different countries. A river cruise schedule can be quite busy. Drinks are Included With Lunch and Dinner During meal times wine, beer and soft drinks are included. Things fill up fast, and you dont want to miss out. While many consider cruising to be quite a relaxed or even sedentaryway to travel, river cruises are quite the opposite. You may like to take a second pair of day shoes for around the ship that can transition to evening and one pair of dressier shoes for evening excursions. 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.