We did Viking's "Heart of Normandy" cruise pre-Covid. The visit to Normandy was the highlight for us as my husband's father was on Normandy Beach on D-Day. My husband brought his father's dog tags with him and it was a full-circle moment and quite touching.
We love Viking!!! Both river cruises were seem-less. Fantastic service, beautiful longboat, fantastic ports of call. Paris to Normandy we did in November 2021. Truly magical! I can’t wait for our next one!
I like the idea of the pantry so I’m able to go and grab a coffee. I’ve found the German summer is hot so I love the idea of a sun deck!!! We love fresh air. Europe can be cold in e winter months so heated floors are needed.
My grandparents took their 4 daughters and sons-in-law on a Danube river cruise way back in the 60s. They all enjoyed it and took tons of photos (no video or cell phones back then. We're talking Kodak, baby).
Live outside the us but got this in my video recommendations. Have to say great job full of all the right information never felt like the video was too long but at the same time nothing missing. Really interesting and informative thanks for posting.
Excellent video, Danny! I am new fan of your channel. The video is full of right information to make a choice for a stateroom. The video is of good length but packed with all the information needed to become familiar with the Viking product. Videography of the ship, staterooms, and Viking offerings are very nice.
@@HarrTravel On Friday, I upgraded to the AA Veranda Suite due to your advice and securing a larger discount on Business Class Air Tickets. Thank you for that information you provided in your video but I have a question. I truly want to upgrade to the Explorer Suite. Is it worth the extra cost? This trip is a gift for a 50th Birthday. I would like to make this vacation a trip of a life-time. What are your thoughts?
We just returned from Viking River cruise , we love it We feel comfortable as at home We don’t need to dress up , high heels for dinners We just dress simple , comfortable, conservative . Just relax and enjoy it .
Well thought out, organized and presented in a reasonable time frame, ( I have been accused of having a short attention span)... My wife and I are taking holiday in 2.5 weeks, again with Viking. Along with traveling during a different season, we've chosen to upgrade into the suite. You have me anticipating a great resting area. My only concern left is that the river water level is navigable. Thank you
Greetings from Amsterdam. We will be onboard with Viking tomorrow. The water levels are currently better for the most part, but it can change pretty often. There are forecasts of rains, which would help a lot.
Danny, thanks for the excellent complementary videos for the Viking Ocean and Viking River products. We have done one river cruise. It was on Viking and we loved it. Your comments during last Friday Night's Live Show piqued our interest in Avalon Waterways. We spent all day yesterday watching Avalon videos and have decided to give them a try for our next river cruise. That panorama balcony room looks really nice, as does the rest of the Avalon product. Are we making a hasty decision? What are your thoughts about the differences between the two cruise lines? I know that you also like to recommend Uniworld, Ama Waterways, and Crystal; however, those product are financially outside of our comfort zone. We really like these Viking videos. It would be cool if you would continue to do videos that spot light different cruise companies.
I’m trying too get information on travelling on my own 💁🏼 I’m 76 but apart from being a bit slow 💁🏼♂️ I get about fine-- cost is the biggest factor with use oldies 🤷🏼♂️
I've never been interested in cruises, EXCEPT Viking cruises. They're a lifelong dream of mine. Unfortunately I'm way too poor to ever even consider it lol
There are drunks all over the world, and yes some might be on your ship. You don't have to be around them though. But know you are paying for booze / all-inclusive, whether you like it or not. The food is the same on all these cruise line companies.
I've been looking for Viking Rhine River Cruise for a long time. Great video. Can't wait to go after the pandemic. I will have several friends come along and like to sit together during meal time. Can we get assigned seats for the whole trip?
Unfortunately their river product is not really wheelchair accessible. If you would like to reach out, we would be happy to review the details with you. Info@harrtravel.com - Thank you for watching!
Yes and no, they have elevators but they don't reach the lower or upper deck. If you book a room on the middle floors and don't want to venture too far into the city cruising is a great way to sample some of the European rivers.
I've always been interested in river cruises, but judging by the average age of the guests in these promotional videos, I may be a decade or two early.
I went on the Rhine river cruise with my wife and my parents as well. I was 27 at the time and my wife was 26. We brought the average age down by a good 2 decades but it was so much fun still. best vacation I have ever been on. Much nicer than taking an ocean cruise with a bunch of college kids with drink packages!
@@websterhays8352 If you want to engross yourself in culture and other countries. then I would say viking is the best experience for that aside from just living abroad. Highly recommend regardless of age, but you must go with someone you enjoy spending time with lol. Lots of sitting, watching, drinking and walking.
We went on a Rhône River Cruise in April, 2022. Yes, Covid vaccines required. We were Covid tested daily and wore masks the first day but as everyone tested negative after first testing, we were allowed to go about without masks. Unfortunately and to our great disappointment, one of us tested positive on the third morning, even though we were vaccinated and boosted. Viking crew was amazing and sympathetic, but extremely careful to prevent spread. We quarantined in our stateroom and disembarked as soon as they could arrange safe transportation to a hotel where a Viking medical team was available to keep track of our conditions. We hope to recover all expenses through a travel insurance (not Viking). Viking offers a prorated voucher but NOT a refund, so be forewarned. Read the contract!
Why do people eat on the boat?? So many cities with great food, Lyon, Budapest, Porto. With all the restaurants a short walk away, why eat institutional food with a bunch of tourists in a cafeteria? Never made sense to me.
I've done several of these trips. All these cruise ships are the same, and the quality of service and food is similar. Viking tip their staff whether they earn it or not, just know that.
Will Viking be cancelling it's cruises to Russia, given Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine and it's people, and the immeasurable suffering it has caused? Other cruise lines already have; why hasn't Viking??? I am looking forward to a Romantic Danube cruise in September, but cannot support a company that enriches this murderous regime. Please do the right thing and cancel all cruises to Russia. I will be watching for developments; please don't force me to cancel my cruise. I would encourage all other Viking customers to let Viking know if you share similar views as my own. To all Ukrainians; we support you!
@@HarrTravel Dinner. Why would I go to Europe, to cities like Porto, Lyon or Budapest and eat cafeteria food with a bunch of tourists? The tours. Walking with a big crowd of loud Americans, without the ability to stop where I choose to. Why would anyone stay on a big boat with hundreds of other people? There are so many small, beautiful hotels in these cities. This experience has been compared to Epcot and I think that is valid.
@@haroldcarson5677 sounds like you don't understand what a cruise is lol all that you mentioned is par for the course. Your mistake on taking a trip before you did your research.
Great video, but NOT near reality. Travelled down the Rhine on the Viking Sun. The staff was the the worst of ALL my extensive traveling experiences. Rude, slimy, unprofessional (standard European). My wife and I were celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary …ruined
That is sad to hear, the crew is certainly what makes the cruise great and it sounds like you didn't have that experience. We have had many satisfied customers sail with Vikinh River.
This is confusing. The Viking Sun is one of their ocean cruise ships. There’s no way it could have sailed down the Rhine. Furthermore, the Viking river ships are named after Norse gods, goddesses & mythological characters. So was it a river cruise or an ocean cruise? 🤔
Loved my River Cruise 3 years ago. But I’m very upset that I keep getting brochures in the mail with Russian destinations. I know that these promotional materials were printed before Putin invaded the Ukraine. But please show respect for the Ukrainian people and take the Russia destinations off of your itineraries and promotions. I can’t imagine that Viking will be taking cruisers into Moscow in July-Dec. The US government has urged all Americans to leave Russia, yet you continue to promote cruises that stop in Russia.
The whole Viking concept is flawed. All-inclusive means cheap booze and comfort food. Two of the great delights of travel to Europe are experiencing local food and wine. Viking with their cafeteria style dining and lousy wines totally miss this.
You don't have to eat every meal and drink only on the ship. That being said there are many other river cruise options that you might be interested in.
@@pm6613 I'm not sure what you mean by "gamble". I would rather have a lousy meal on shore than eat institutional food in a cafeteria with a bunch of tourists.
We did Viking's "Heart of Normandy" cruise pre-Covid. The visit to Normandy was the highlight for us as my husband's father was on Normandy Beach on D-Day. My husband brought his father's dog tags with him and it was a full-circle moment and quite touching.
But now they require everyone to be subjected to wSTUPID WORTHINESS VACCINE!!!!
I have watched lots of Vlogs on River cruises including Viking ones but this is the best. Thank you.
Thanks! I appreciate that!
We love Viking!!! Both river cruises were seem-less. Fantastic service, beautiful longboat, fantastic ports of call. Paris to Normandy we did in November 2021. Truly magical! I can’t wait for our next one!
I lived there and visited all the castles and towns.......
But still doing Viking Cruise once we can.
It is a great way to see any part of Europe!
I like the idea of the pantry so I’m able to go and grab a coffee. I’ve found the German summer is hot so I love the idea of a sun deck!!! We love fresh air. Europe can be cold in e winter months so heated floors are needed.
River Cruises are awesome!!! Agree on both accounts.
Never once had an interest in going on a cruise before, but these river cruises seem very cozy and intimate.
My grandparents took their 4 daughters and sons-in-law on a Danube river cruise way back in the 60s. They all enjoyed it and took tons of photos (no video or cell phones back then. We're talking Kodak, baby).
Excellent video of Viking! European river cruising is on my bucket list after Covid 👍
Let us know when you are ready!! We would be happy to assist.
We will be taking our first river cruise in July. This was so informative. Now, I'll feel more familiar with my surroundings. Great video!
Thank you for explaining the different rooms. That helps a lot.
Live outside the us but got this in my video recommendations.
Have to say great job full of all the right information never felt like the video was too long but at the same time nothing missing.
Really interesting and informative thanks for posting.
Awesome, thank you!
@@HarrTravel How do you know when your cruise is over?
@@HarrTravel I'm gonna be in an F-standard room, is there air conditioning?
Excellent video, Danny! I am new fan of your channel. The video is full of right information to make a choice for a stateroom. The video is of good length but packed with all the information needed to become familiar with the Viking product. Videography of the ship, staterooms, and Viking offerings are very nice.
Awesome, thank you!
@@HarrTravel On Friday, I upgraded to the AA Veranda Suite due to your advice and securing a larger discount on Business Class Air Tickets. Thank you for that information you provided in your video but I have a question. I truly want to upgrade to the Explorer Suite. Is it worth the extra cost? This trip is a gift for a 50th Birthday. I would like to make this vacation a trip of a life-time. What are your thoughts?
Reach out to danny@harrtravel.com we would be happy to provide you with any information or assistance for your booking.
this video is such a great find ! Most of the "tours" of the ships just speed by ! We're on board in August and love watching this video !!
I’d love to book a river cruise for my parents; seems a perfect vacation for them but I always balk at the prices
The french balconies are perfect. No need for a sit-out balcony; it's too breezy anyways. Go top deck if you want to be outside.
They are great choice for many of our customers.
We just returned from Viking River cruise , we love it
We feel comfortable as at home
We don’t need to dress up , high heels for dinners
We just dress simple , comfortable, conservative .
Just relax and enjoy it .
excellent video!! Viking on the Mississippi sounds exciting!!
We are excited to see what they bring to the US!
Well thought out, organized and presented in a reasonable time frame, ( I have been accused of having a short attention span)...
My wife and I are taking holiday in 2.5 weeks, again with Viking. Along with traveling during a different season, we've chosen to upgrade into the suite.
You have me anticipating a great resting area. My only concern left is that the river water level is navigable.
Thank you
Greetings from Amsterdam. We will be onboard with Viking tomorrow. The water levels are currently better for the most part, but it can change pretty often. There are forecasts of rains, which would help a lot.
Hope You Are Doing Well Recovering From Your Knee Surgery!❤
Yes! Thank you!
Danny, thanks for the excellent complementary videos for the Viking Ocean and Viking River products. We have done one river cruise. It was on Viking and we loved it. Your comments during last Friday Night's Live Show piqued our interest in Avalon Waterways. We spent all day yesterday watching Avalon videos and have decided to give them a try for our next river cruise. That panorama balcony room looks really nice, as does the rest of the Avalon product. Are we making a hasty decision? What are your thoughts about the differences between the two cruise lines? I know that you also like to recommend Uniworld, Ama Waterways, and Crystal; however, those product are financially outside of our comfort zone.
We really like these Viking videos. It would be cool if you would continue to do videos that spot light different cruise companies.
Let me know when you are ready and we can assist. With our extra AMA discount right now it is pretty close to Avalon and Viking :)
Gate 1 Travel. Best value river cruises in my opinion.
I’m trying too get information on travelling on my own 💁🏼 I’m 76 but apart from being a bit slow 💁🏼♂️ I get about fine-- cost is the biggest factor with use oldies 🤷🏼♂️
Which one do you love the best, Viking, Ama or Uniworld!? Who has the healthiest food? Thanks so much!
Excellent video. thank you.
Thanks!! We LOVE River Cruising!
Very helpful!
I've never been interested in cruises, EXCEPT Viking cruises. They're a lifelong dream of mine. Unfortunately I'm way too poor to ever even consider it lol
This is the style of ship we are on, we have room 200, a french balcony room
Ugh I want to go on a Viking so bad
You will have an amazing time once you get onboard!!
Well done. I would love to see where the crew sleep...
My wife and I don't drink. I noticed several comments about drunks on the boat. Are drunks an issue on Viking Cruises?
It is like anywhere, it really just depends on the people booked on that cruise. That being said, we haven't had any issue with it in the past.
There are drunks all over the world, and yes some might be on your ship. You don't have to be around them though. But know you are paying for booze / all-inclusive, whether you like it or not. The food is the same on all these cruise line companies.
That’s the Aschaffenberg castle in the thumbnail (on the Main river).
Great video
I've been looking for Viking Rhine River Cruise for a long time. Great video. Can't wait to go after the pandemic. I will have several friends come along and like to sit together during meal time. Can we get assigned seats for the whole trip?
Nope. But you will have no problem getting your own big table.
They do no assign but you should not have any issues with that.
Yes, at least on European River cruises.
Thank you for your video. It looks beautiful. 🌷 Does anyone know of any European cruises for people who are mobility challenged?
Once you see the crew folding up the chairs on top deck it's a pretty good clue as to what announcement is about to be made 😂
You aren't wrong...
The explorer suite comes with the silver spirits package? I booked the explorer suite in 2022 and it didn’t it say that was part of the amenities.
Interesting, if you booked recently we may be able to look into that for you.
YES and laundry service at no additional costs.
I would like to try Viking but I'm concerned about traveling with a bunch of old people.
You may be surprised at how much “old” people can bring to the table.
@@marthasmith5642 I doubt it.
Do you have any info or video on an accessible wheelchair stateroom on Viking?
Unfortunately their river product is not really wheelchair accessible. If you would like to reach out, we would be happy to review the details with you. Info@harrtravel.com - Thank you for watching!
Thanks.
:)
While a river cruise in Europe would sound fun, sadly the upcharge for going solo would rise the price way too much for me.
There are some great options with reduced solo supplement. Let us know!!
@@HarrTravel I'll have to look into it, but what would you consider a "great option"?
Are river cruise wheelchair accessible?
I think in the future if you are being paid by Viking to comment or "review" your experience on a cruise, that information should be disclosed,.
Definitely not a sposored video. We do get paid when we sell a cruise as all travel agencies do.
...it already pretty clear as he is their sales rep, which he disclosed.
He’s a travel agent 😂😂
what is wheelchair access like on these river cruises?
Do Viking river cruise ships accommodate smokers?
There is a smoking area aboard, so yes.
Yes, but not in your room.
If the river is too high or if the rivers to Low does that affect your cruise
Yes. We were on Danube in November 2018, had to change ships to finish the cruise as they couldn’t clear. Very efficient and painless for us.
One day im gonna work here
Viking is a lot of fun.
@@HarrTravel i love to work in viking river cruise
Are these cruises wheelchair friendly?
Yes and no, they have elevators but they don't reach the lower or upper deck. If you book a room on the middle floors and don't want to venture too far into the city cruising is a great way to sample some of the European rivers.
Nope
Danny, on that bottom level, what's the difference in the yellow & blue staterooms?
Please reach out to info@harrtravel.com and our advisors can walk you through the process. Thanks!!
@@HarrTravel thank you. We will
What's the average age of the guests?
That depends on the season, but we would probably guess mid 60's would be the average. Some seasons it might trend a tad older.
Harr you are being kind. Very few are under 70. Many in their 80's. Not a fun group.
Who cares, they are not party boats, so just mingle with the oldsters and other age groups. It is a good time.
What’s the maximum no. Of passengers allowed on board the ship?
Approximately 190.
Are the cabins quiet? Can you hear noise from above or corridors?
Yes. Yes.
They are generally very quite.
I've always been interested in river cruises, but judging by the average age of the guests in these promotional videos, I may be a decade or two early.
Lots of different options. Reach out and we can match you with the right fit!
I went on the Rhine river cruise with my wife and my parents as well. I was 27 at the time and my wife was 26. We brought the average age down by a good 2 decades but it was so much fun still. best vacation I have ever been on. Much nicer than taking an ocean cruise with a bunch of college kids with drink packages!
@@websterhays8352 If you want to engross yourself in culture and other countries. then I would say viking is the best experience for that aside from just living abroad. Highly recommend regardless of age, but you must go with someone you enjoy spending time with lol. Lots of sitting, watching, drinking and walking.
Yes. If you are 70 you are probably two decades early.
Is there laundry service?
Yes, for a fee unless you are in one of the top suites.
Are river cruises mask-free? Do you need immunization?
We went on a Rhône River Cruise in April, 2022. Yes, Covid vaccines required. We were Covid tested daily and wore masks the first day but as everyone tested negative after first testing, we were allowed to go about without masks. Unfortunately and to our great disappointment, one of us tested positive on the third morning, even though we were vaccinated and boosted. Viking crew was amazing and sympathetic, but extremely careful to prevent spread. We quarantined in our stateroom and disembarked as soon as they could arrange safe transportation to a hotel where a Viking medical team was available to keep track of our conditions. We hope to recover all expenses through a travel insurance (not Viking). Viking offers a prorated voucher but NOT a refund, so be forewarned. Read the contract!
Why do people eat on the boat?? So many cities with great food, Lyon, Budapest, Porto. With all the restaurants a short walk away, why eat institutional food with a bunch of tourists in a cafeteria? Never made sense to me.
So true, sometimes it is nice to eat on the boat and off the boat :D
@@HarrTravel When is it nice to eat on the boat?
When the ship is docked you can eat wherever you like on-shore. Personally I love dining on-board.
Nice video. I have a few questions. Are there tables for two available in the cafeteria? If not are you assigned a seat? Thanks!
It is all open seating and they do have tables for 2.
It is half the cost going to Germany and booking their river cruise with swimming pool.
There are many river cruise options, and your Harr Travel advisor can help you choose the one for you.
I've done several of these trips. All these cruise ships are the same, and the quality of service and food is similar. Viking tip their staff whether they earn it or not, just know that.
All within the brand are very similar. Like with all cruises they do have the recommended daily gratuity.
Will Viking be cancelling it's cruises to Russia, given Russia's unprovoked war on Ukraine and it's people, and the immeasurable suffering it has caused? Other cruise lines already have; why hasn't Viking??? I am looking forward to a Romantic Danube cruise in September, but cannot support a company that enriches this murderous regime. Please do the right thing and cancel all cruises to Russia. I will be watching for developments; please don't force me to cancel my cruise. I would encourage all other Viking customers to let Viking know if you share similar views as my own. To all Ukrainians; we support you!
Yes, cancelled. We were to explore Russia in October, totally cancelled and offered any other cruise.
👍
Agreed
Came back from the cruise, excellent service, but still too expensive.
No fitness is a bummer. Passengers look older.
Older and fat. Not much fun
We took one Viking Cruise and never again. My wife and I like being together. Viking allows couples in terrible marriages to avoid each other.
Definitely an interesting insight, what part of the experience did you not enjoy?
@@HarrTravel Dinner. Why would I go to Europe, to cities like Porto, Lyon or Budapest and eat cafeteria food with a bunch of tourists? The tours. Walking with a big crowd of loud Americans, without the ability to stop where I choose to. Why would anyone stay on a big boat with hundreds of other people? There are so many small, beautiful hotels in these cities. This experience has been compared to Epcot and I think that is valid.
@@haroldcarson5677 I’m going on vacation to Epcot next week for much needed vacation from work, get to travel around the world in one day 😆🤣
@@tabithamashburn8786 You will have a better, more realistic, trip than anyone on a Viking Cruise in Europe. Have fun!
@@haroldcarson5677 sounds like you don't understand what a cruise is lol all that you mentioned is par for the course. Your mistake on taking a trip before you did your research.
Great video, but NOT near reality. Travelled down the Rhine on the Viking Sun. The staff was the the worst of ALL my extensive traveling experiences. Rude, slimy, unprofessional (standard European). My wife and I were celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary …ruined
That is sad to hear, the crew is certainly what makes the cruise great and it sounds like you didn't have that experience. We have had many satisfied customers sail with Vikinh River.
Viking is a low end outfit. Comfort food, lots of it and cheap wine. Certainly not for me.
Viking crew get tipped out of your expensive booking, so no incentive to work nice. I prefer other, cheaper, equal or better, cruise lines.
This is confusing. The Viking Sun is one of their ocean cruise ships. There’s no way it could have sailed down the Rhine. Furthermore, the Viking river ships are named after Norse gods, goddesses & mythological characters. So was it a river cruise or an ocean cruise? 🤔
Loved my River Cruise 3 years ago. But I’m very upset that I keep getting brochures in the mail with Russian destinations. I know that these promotional materials were printed before Putin invaded the Ukraine. But please show respect for the Ukrainian people and take the Russia destinations off of your itineraries and promotions. I can’t imagine that Viking will be taking cruisers into Moscow in July-Dec. The US government has urged all Americans to leave Russia, yet you continue to promote cruises that stop in Russia.
I would rather be a passenger in a car driven by a drunk than cruise during a global pandemic. Cruising right now is not safe!
The whole Viking concept is flawed. All-inclusive means cheap booze and comfort food. Two of the great delights of travel to Europe are experiencing local food and wine. Viking with their cafeteria style dining and lousy wines totally miss this.
You don't have to eat every meal and drink only on the ship. That being said there are many other river cruise options that you might be interested in.
The ships usually do meals reflecting the local area you are in. often better than what you might gamble on ashore. yes the wines are mediocre.
@@pm6613 I'm not sure what you mean by "gamble". I would rather have a lousy meal on shore than eat institutional food in a cafeteria with a bunch of tourists.
Can you say ADVERTISING??
More like INFORMATION, but if an informative video for a product is considered advertising then so be it, we sell it all!
All you can eat food and drink is a magnet for cheapskates. Stay away from cruise ships.