A rib boat trip is a great way to see the fjords & a lot of fun, too. We were lucky to have been invited by my brother-in-law's neighbor who owned a rib when we were in Norway for our niece's wedding. We haven't cruised a lot but in general the cruise excursions are always marked up at least double what you pay if you book it directly. I agree with you. If there is something you really want to do that is not an included excursion, it is worth it to book directly. Yes, you have to make sure the provider is legit. I think this is more important at some ports than in Norway. You also have to make sure you can get a refund if you must pre-pay. And MOST important is that it is your responsibility to make sure you can get back to the ship in time.
Thanks for watching. Agree with you on all points! There’s definitely a little extra planning that goes into booking direct but worth it to some of us. -K
Informative. The only comment I would make is Viking Excursions are typically 25 people or less. You don’t wait for everyone to show up for the excursions. You have a boarding time. They will leave if people are too late. Waiting if any is limited to 5-10 minutes. Private tours and alternative tours to Viking are great as well. The Viking ship will wait for late returns on Viking excursion. They non late returns, so make sure you can be back in plenty of time.
Thanks for this information. Please include to cons to booking your own excursion. If you have an issue such as traffic, flat tire, accident...and are late to return, the ship will leave without you. Is your savings worth it now? The ship will still be there for you if a similar event occurs on an official ship offered excursion. Also, Viking's included excursions are excellent. Many require a bus ride to the destination which provides a nice view of the countryside and then an excellent walking tour narrated by a local. Ear pieces are provided so you can hear your guide from around 100 yards away. Optional additional paid excursions are excellent but so are the included excursions. All excursions use luxury coaches to keep in line with the Viking experince.
@@lw1405 Zero. For our 2 private tours, they picked us up at the port. All the other excursions were located right at the port - easily within walking distance. For Edinburgh, Viking had a free shuttle that took you into town so you could explore on your own. We took advantage of that and walked the Royal Mile. -K
You certainly bring up valid points especially for a more 'normal' cruise experience. A Viking cruise is not a normal cruise as you have said. I get your point about the tour that starts and ends close to the ship being a good candidate for self-booking. But the convenience and security for tours much beyond that, the ship sponsored excursions do not add much cost percentage wise to the total for a Viking cruise. We have enjoyed our third Viking cruise at this point, so we are familiar with the way they do things and the level of quality experience they provide.
Makes sense. A lot of people will enjoy the convenience of booking their excursions through the cruise line. We just prefer to be in control, are comfortable with any risk, and enjoy the more personalized excursions. -K
We always do a two week cruise. Cost with business class flights about $30,000. Viking does all the vetting and the ship will not go without us if the excursion is delayed. The extra we pay for a no hassle shore trips are worth it based on what we spend for the entire trip. It like going to Ruth Chris and having water vs ice tea to save money.
We just did the Amsterdam extension. Stayed at the Hilton and had a walking tour through Viking. In hind sight , we could have saved hundred’s booking the Hilton direct and done our own walking tours and we would not have sacrificed a thing. If you are a comfortable traveling in Europe, do your own thing at the excursion port stops. The only issue to consider would be if you are delayed getting into the port stop or if you have to bypass a port due to weather or water level issues.
There are excursions at each port which are included in the cruise all inclusive package and do not cost additional money. Paying for additional excursions are optional. I've never paid for excursions with a Viking experience.
Kevin, Thanks for your comments regarding getting excursions on your own and not through Viking. MY question: How far ahead of your cruise did you book the excursions and how did you know the approximate time to book them? Thanks
The itinerary for our cruise was set 12+ months in advance. We booked excursions between 6-12 months in advance. We had zero issues getting exactly what we wanted.
Good information. However, when I researched alternate excursion providers for an upcoming cruise to Norway, Iceland and Greenland, I found that in smaller ports many of the excursions were sold out on the day that our ship was there - sold to Viking no doubt!
Yes, that happens. There’s a finite supply, especially at smaller ports. We typically book everything at least 6 months out before the cruise ships even release their bookings. We already booked a private tour while on an Alaskan cruise a year from now.
And here I was thinking that viking was such a good deal because their excursions were all included. I did not realize until this video that they had many you had to pay for. So maybe its not as good as a deal as I anticipated! (Even if the ships' interiors are the most beautiful).
Outside of the excursions, they do not nickel and dime like other cruise lines. Almost everything is included in the cruise price. Some of their included excursions are also great but just not right for us. -K
So very helpful and informative. Thank you. Are you willing to share the name/contact of the private guide/tour you referenced for Orkney? That sounds like an incredible experience.
If your concerned with minor pricing events Viking, is not for you, I'm sure you can do that with everything flights, the ship, food do I have to go on?
Nothing new here all cruise lines have always charged a lot more for excursions that you can book directly with operators been the same for many many years.
I was surprised by the surcharge for booking through Viking and I don't think most people realized it either. Viking does do a great job of providing a wide variety of options though. And some people may prefer the surcharge so they don't have to worry about the details of finding their tour operator if booked direct. For us, we loved the experience of booking direct and saving some money.
I understand. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for people who want to take kids with them on a cruise. With us not having children, Viking is our cruise line of choice. It was an amazing experience. -K
We have a tribe. Two sons, two daughters, 13 grandchildren and great grandchildren with asoicated sons and daughters in-law - with attached boyfriends and girlfriends. A recent Alaska cruise included a rather large family group with six and nine year olds. It went well in a NCL ship. Children need to live and experience geography outside of a classroom. Fun way to teach and for them to learn. I wish both of you every good thing in life. DRS / RVN Vet.@@ShaunaAndKevin
A rib boat trip is a great way to see the fjords & a lot of fun, too. We were lucky to have been invited by my brother-in-law's neighbor who owned a rib when we were in Norway for our niece's wedding. We haven't cruised a lot but in general the cruise excursions are always marked up at least double what you pay if you book it directly. I agree with you. If there is something you really want to do that is not an included excursion, it is worth it to book directly. Yes, you have to make sure the provider is legit. I think this is more important at some ports than in Norway. You also have to make sure you can get a refund if you must pre-pay. And MOST important is that it is your responsibility to make sure you can get back to the ship in time.
Thanks for watching. Agree with you on all points! There’s definitely a little extra planning that goes into booking direct but worth it to some of us. -K
Informative. The only comment I would make is Viking Excursions are typically 25 people or less. You don’t wait for everyone to show up for the excursions. You have a boarding time. They will leave if people are too late. Waiting if any is limited to 5-10 minutes. Private tours and alternative tours to Viking are great as well. The Viking ship will wait for late returns on Viking excursion. They non late returns, so make sure you can be back in plenty of time.
Thanks for this information. Please include to cons to booking your own excursion. If you have an issue such as traffic, flat tire, accident...and are late to return, the ship will leave without you. Is your savings worth it now? The ship will still be there for you if a similar event occurs on an official ship offered excursion. Also, Viking's included excursions are excellent. Many require a bus ride to the destination which provides a nice view of the countryside and then an excellent walking tour narrated by a local. Ear pieces are provided so you can hear your guide from around 100 yards away. Optional additional paid excursions are excellent but so are the included excursions. All excursions use luxury coaches to keep in line with the Viking experince.
You are correct, there is a risk. We planned enough time for our excursions to account for any unforeseen events, which there weren’t any. -K
@@ShaunaAndKevin how much did it cost you to get to and from the excursion? Such as your first example with the RIB boat?
@@lw1405 Zero. For our 2 private tours, they picked us up at the port. All the other excursions were located right at the port - easily within walking distance. For Edinburgh, Viking had a free shuttle that took you into town so you could explore on your own. We took advantage of that and walked the Royal Mile. -K
You certainly bring up valid points especially for a more 'normal' cruise experience. A Viking cruise is not a normal cruise as you have said. I get your point about the tour that starts and ends close to the ship being a good candidate for self-booking. But the convenience and security for tours much beyond that, the ship sponsored excursions do not add much cost percentage wise to the total for a Viking cruise. We have enjoyed our third Viking cruise at this point, so we are familiar with the way they do things and the level of quality experience they provide.
Makes sense. A lot of people will enjoy the convenience of booking their excursions through the cruise line. We just prefer to be in control, are comfortable with any risk, and enjoy the more personalized excursions. -K
We always do a two week cruise. Cost with business class flights about $30,000.
Viking does all the vetting and the ship will not go without us if the excursion is delayed. The extra we pay for a no hassle shore trips are worth it based on what we spend for the entire trip.
It like going to Ruth Chris and having water vs ice tea to save money.
I like the analogy. If ever in Tampa, skip Ruth Chris and go to Bern’s Steakhouse instead. It will ruin you for all other steakhouses. -K
This was outstandingly helpful. Thank you, Kevin!
Thanks. Glad it helped. We absolutely love Viking but it was better for us to book excursions directly.
We just did the Amsterdam extension. Stayed at the Hilton and had a walking tour through Viking. In hind sight , we could have saved hundred’s booking the Hilton direct and done our own walking tours and we would not have sacrificed a thing. If you are a comfortable traveling in Europe, do your own thing at the excursion port stops. The only issue to consider would be if you are delayed getting into the port stop or if you have to bypass a port due to weather or water level issues.
Thanks for the additional insight!
There are excursions at each port which are included in the cruise all inclusive package and do not cost additional money. Paying for additional excursions are optional. I've never paid for excursions with a Viking experience.
Correct. One included excursion for each port, all other excursions are extra.
Most are coach or walking tours.
Kevin, Thanks for your comments regarding getting excursions on your own and not through Viking. MY question: How far ahead of your cruise did you book the excursions and how did you know the approximate time to book them? Thanks
The itinerary for our cruise was set 12+ months in advance. We booked excursions between 6-12 months in advance. We had zero issues getting exactly what we wanted.
Good information. However, when I researched alternate excursion providers for an upcoming cruise to Norway, Iceland and Greenland, I found that in smaller ports many of the excursions were sold out on the day that our ship was there - sold to Viking no doubt!
Yes, that happens. There’s a finite supply, especially at smaller ports. We typically book everything at least 6 months out before the cruise ships even release their bookings. We already booked a private tour while on an Alaskan cruise a year from now.
Thanks for the info. We leave for Vikings Midnight Sun. in a week.
Enjoy! It’s amazing.
I always check with Viator to compare prices. The cost of my catamaran excursions for West indies were almost identical to viator
That’s good to know. Thanks for sharing. -K
Perfect!~ This is what i wanted to know. Would you be so kind as to share your ripboat tour operator and the scotland one? Thanks!
For Orkney, you have to use JPOrkney.co.uk - the absolute highlight of the best trip of our lives.
And here I was thinking that viking was such a good deal because their excursions were all included. I did not realize until this video that they had many you had to pay for. So maybe its not as good as a deal as I anticipated! (Even if the ships' interiors are the most beautiful).
Outside of the excursions, they do not nickel and dime like other cruise lines. Almost everything is included in the cruise price. Some of their included excursions are also great but just not right for us. -K
Excursions are included at each port. I've never paid additional fees for excursions.
So very helpful and informative. Thank you. Are you willing to share the name/contact of the private guide/tour you referenced for Orkney? That sounds like an incredible experience.
Absolutely. www.jporkney.co.uk/. Paul was incredible. -K
I absolutely agree with these stateents.
Thanks. -K
If your concerned with minor pricing events Viking, is not for you, I'm sure you can do that with everything flights, the ship, food do I have to go on?
Minor pricing “events” - I wouldn’t call paying 3x the price minor.
Your video doesn't address if something happens on the private excursion that delays return to the ship while it sails away.
Thanks.
How smart are you? Thank you for posting this.
Depends on who you ask 😉
I think instead of cruising Viking for a 7day cruise along with the over priced excursion I'll just use the money for a new Corvette or Cadillac!!
I vote Corvette over Cadillac.
Blow off a Viking River Cruise and you can buy BOTH!!@@ShaunaAndKevin
Please share the tour operator in Orkney! BIE in August. Thank you!
Couldn’t recommend Paul enough - www.jporkney.co.uk
Thanks.
👍
Nothing new here all cruise lines have always charged a lot more for excursions that you can book directly with operators been the same for many many years.
Thanks
Kevin
Yes?
Nothing new this is no secret
I was surprised by the surcharge for booking through Viking and I don't think most people realized it either. Viking does do a great job of providing a wide variety of options though. And some people may prefer the surcharge so they don't have to worry about the details of finding their tour operator if booked direct. For us, we loved the experience of booking direct and saving some money.
It was a secret to me.
Will never book with viking. My grandchildren are not welcome - so neither am I and my money.
I understand. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for people who want to take kids with them on a cruise. With us not having children, Viking is our cruise line of choice. It was an amazing experience. -K
We have a tribe. Two sons, two daughters, 13 grandchildren and great grandchildren with asoicated sons and daughters in-law - with attached boyfriends and girlfriends. A recent Alaska cruise included a rather large family group with six and nine year olds. It went well in a NCL ship. Children need to live and experience geography outside of a classroom. Fun way to teach and for them to learn. I wish both of you every good thing in life. DRS / RVN Vet.@@ShaunaAndKevin
It's an adult only cruise, so is Virgin, you have other options move on.
Don’t be so butt hurt about their no kids policy🙄 Viking makes it clear that they are not trying to be all things to all people.
ok - hav fun on duh boat wid out usen.@@ruffysmom1850