Viking cruise destination guide: The best itineraries at the line
Table Of Content
(Likewise, Viking printed up a list of tips for shooting the lights, created by the line's resident photographer, Alastair Miller.) Viking Sky's staff was stellar, and we felt well cared for regardless of where we were spending our time onboard. Discover Nordic wonders by sea, then tour highlights of the legendary Rhine River. Embark in historic Bergen, a city with deep Viking roots, and set off for Norway’s dramatic fjord landscapes, cruising to scenic Flåm, cosmopolitan Stavanger, history-rich Kristiansand and vibrant Oslo. From the seaside village of Skagen, Denmark, sail the North Sea to Amsterdam. Experience France’s multicultural Strasbourg and Germany’s storied Black Forest before disembarking in cultured Basel.
Cruising with Parents as an Adult: A Journey on Viking - Cruise Critic
Cruising with Parents as an Adult: A Journey on Viking.
Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Iceland’s Majestic Landscapes
The voyages have been suspended since Russia invaded the country in early 2022. Viking offers several Northern Lights hunting excursions that take passengers out in coaches with specially trained guides to head off to spots where the skies are clear and offer the best chance to get great sightings and photo opportunities. Upon passing in the Arctic Circle, Viking holds a fun “Order of the Blue Nose” ceremony to welcome passengers into the rugged region. In fact, Tromso boasts that it is the world’s northernmost city, some 250 miles above the Arctic Circle.
Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer Map
Span the continent from the pristine shores of Norway to the cultural riches of Budapest. Along the Rhine River, pause to sample Germany’s finest vintages and explore elegant palaces and impressive castles. Traverse the remarkable Main–Danube Canal and sail the legendary Danube into Austria’s vineyard-laden Wachau Valley, with overnights in Vienna and Budapest. Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the world's major rivers. If the northern lights come out late at night, when most people are sleeping, Viking will play an announcement over the in-cabin TVs. Passengers have to opt into the announcements by leaving on their TVs, tuned to the bow-camera channel, while they sleep.
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It made packing easier, knowing that washing your clothes was an option. Most public spaces on the ship offer plenty of throw blankets, great for bundling up after a cold day in port. And we've never been so thankful for the cabin bathrooms, which feature heated floors. While Viking clearly put a lot of thought into making sure all the big things -- from itineraries to activities -- were perfectly scheduled, it was those little things that really made our cruise.
Typical of the latter is the line's 14-night "Mediterranean Antiquities" routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain. Viking's Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights. Note that, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. It's unlikely St. Petersburg will return to the itinerary until the war in Ukraine is resolved. As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers "Viking country" — a region where it wants to dominate. The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River.
Every stateroom on Viking ocean ships features a balcony, so we also frequently popped out for a bit of sightseeing, especially when first waking up in the morning to check the sunrise. So, our days were filled with thrilling adventures that could only be appreciated in winter time. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
Night Trade Routes Of The Middle AgesDetails
Explore Germany’s fabled Black Forest region and admire verdant hills amid stunning scenery. Nestled peacefully at the end of one of Norway’s most beautiful fjords, Nordfjordeid is a picturesque, hidden gem. Expand your horizons on an elegant ship thoughtfully designed by experienced nautical architects and designers to enrich your interaction with your destination in every way. Explore one of Finnmark’s northernmost cities and learn about the Sami culture.
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More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change. We set out in mid-February on a 12-day cruise that took us from Bergen, Norway to Tilbury, England with stops along Norway's west coast. This is the first time Viking Ocean Cruises has offered a winter itinerary to Norway in search of the northern lights, and the voyages saw brisk sales to passengers from all around the world.
The weather during our cruise ran from well-below to just above freezing, so the ship's main pool was covered by the retractable roof the whole time, which made it a comfortable, usable space. Viking Sky's gorgeous infinity pool at the back of the ship is uncovered, as is the adjoining hot tub. Those who dared brave the cold to soak in the views were rewarded with a glass of sparkling wine upon entering the hot tub and hot towels when they finally emerged back out into the frigid temperatures. Maritime traditions are part of virtually every big sailing, and ours, which took us into the Arctic Circle, was no exception. To celebrate Viking Sky's crossing, the staff put on an Order of the Blue Nose Crossing Ceremony the day we made it into the region.
Paddle by kayak and explore local alpine landscapes; enjoy Tromsø’s waterways by RIB. Explore the history and beauty of the Westfjords, visit small villages and see wildlife. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history. While the northern lights were the main draw onboard, the Norwegian scenery was equally incredible. Sailing through the fjords is a jaw-dropping experience, featuring snow-capped mountains, tight squeezes between cliffs and lighthouses galore.
Discover life in the far north during a voyage across the Arctic Circle and along the distant shores of Norway and Iceland. Marvel at the rugged beauty of Geiranger, visit the former Hanseatic League city of Bergen and admire Honningsvåg’s remote North Cape. Enjoy an overnight stay in Longyearbyen, home to more polar bears than people, and call at Tromsø, Norway’s most northernly city. The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings.
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