Ties and jackets are optional. After dinner on many nights, my wife and I played backgammon in the Atrium. There is also the infinity pool located at the aft of Deck 7. Does that mean heels and a cocktail type dress? And I detest (sorry folks!) Right now they have second passenger sail free. Having no formal nights eliminates the burden of packing fancy cocktail wear or accessories that youll only wear once or twice. My husband wore khaki trousers and either a button down woven shirt or a nice quality Polo shirt. Its always helpful to start packing for your Viking Ocean Cruise by creating a list. I would love to take a Viking Cruise & put some of these tips to work! For more information see our article on how toSave Money on Cruise Excursions. Ever. Penthouse Veranda Staterooms offer more space than the latter two categories, at 338 square feet, plus additional amenities and services, including: Vikings two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, also have three categories of balcony cabins with a similar array of amenities and services. All of these shows are first come, first serve (no reservations are needed). Every stateroom on a Viking Ocean cruise ship features a balcony. Want to be a McCool Travel Insider? This 60-page Packing List offers a checklist of last-minute reminders to trigger your memory. My SO and looking at Viking Star for our next cruise to the Caribbean, specifically the 11 day West Indies Explorer, and in looking at their website I'm struggling a bit to picture what exactly an "elegant casual" outfit would be for women. But the waffle is the star of the show. As noted above, though, youll only find the latter two types of cabins on Viking ocean ships. Ask your cabin attendant or Guest Services for foam pillows. Altho, having suffered thru baggage claim for United Express at Dulles, I fully understand your approach to packing. In general, avoid crowds by doing things when other people are not. For a big trip like this I'll have 4 things: large expandable suitcase which will be checked in, a fanny pack, (wallet, passport, etc), a backpack holding all kinds of things (iPad, books, medicines, etc), and a camera bag. WebABTA P6710. containerId: "cruiseline-horizontal-check-prices-widget", Your room key card is needed to enter and exit the ship. The video game tables in the Viking cruises Atrium include backgammon, blackjack, air hockey, checkers, and more. The University Of Iowa's Only Student Newspaper. Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries. This is one advantage of small ship cruising with a crew to passenger ratio of 1 to 2! It made for a yummy midnight snack. No formal nights! Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. The port talks in the Star Theater are popular and informative, plus a chance to see the fabulous Heather Clancy live. Related Post: What is Included in a Viking Ocean Cruise. One, a big wooden rail blocks your view. You can dress casual every night. For those who are looking for entertainment past 11 pm, the nightclub Torshavn will be your go-to spot. I am a pretty light packer but I'm not sure I could get enough in a carry on for the Midnight Sun route !! Certain hotels have resort fees. For World Cafe meals, bypass the buffet crowd at the start and go directly to the middle of the hot food section and check out the chefs specials. Its a heated pool that stretches the entire length of the large thermal suite that is open all day long and included in your cruise fare.. Priority access to spa treatment bookings (60 days in advance). Same with olives. In the case of Deluxe Veranda Staterooms, staff replenishes these minibars once per day. Vested in Cartagena, Spain (credit: Irene S. Levine). callback: function() { There are also small treats and finger sandwiches as well as light music to complete the experience. (This lightweight, water-resistant puffer jacket weighs less than 2 ounces. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Home Cruise Viking Cruises Viking Ocean Cruises What You Need to Know Before Taking a Viking Ocean Cruise. He usually doesnt bring a sports jacket although some men like to wear them for warmth or to look sharp. Over 100 people work in the food operations on a Viking ocean cruise and their workspace is simply amazing. Men also need two pairs of comfortable walking shoes. These different experts offered a variety of talks and smaller Q&A sessions. Coffee Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We used the Viking airport transfer and were dropped off right at the ship. Personally I am thrilled not to have to pack those elegant, Elegant dresses and hubby never cared for having to wear a tux while on vacation.We are looking forward to our first Viking Ocean Cruise in Nov. Kent and Sandy. The list also makes a great little gift for any of your friends embarking on a cruise. Each of the Owners Suites has a separate bedroom, living room, dining area that seats six people and master bathroom that includes a sauna with a glass wall facing the ocean. Depending on your departure point, there may not even be a cruise terminal. WebLadies can wear a dress, skirt or slacks with a blouse or sweater, while men can don trousers and a collared shirt. Cruiseline.ui.init({ Located between the Aquavit bar (say hello to Eddie!) Layering your outfits allows you to put on or take off a top layer so you always feel comfortable. You can accessorize and change the look of your outfit with one or two colorful scarves that are almost weightless. To my eye, however, a collared shirt (even a colored polo) always looks neater. domain: "cruiseline.com", There are no formal nights on Viking ocean cruises. Others have little interest in it and don't bother with it. If the weather gets exceptionally cold, he can layer the sweatshirt or sweater under his jacket. Our favorites on Viking Jupiter were the Aurora Experience and Hidden Universe. katmu, May 29, 2016 in Viking Ocean. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Cant sign up before your cruise, have to go to the excursions desk. All wonderful ideas, but my favorite was the image of the bistecca (Florentine style steak) at Manfredis. The recent reviews are good with new leadership that was brought in last year. For formal nights on Princess Cruises, acceptable formal wear includes an evening gown, cocktail dress, or pantsuit for ladies and a suit, combination, or dinner jacket for gentlemen. When you decide to explore on your ownlike we did in Molde Norway with a hike to Varden viewpoint (amazing)request a lunch box from Viking guest services. Pack light for your Viking ocean cruise and leave these items at home: binoculars, robe, slippers, umbrella, toiletries. We were waitlisted. Some travelers find a pre-printed packing list to bea helpful tool. They come in a wide range of colors and prints (actually 85 different ones). This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Priority spa treatment bookings that can be made 80 days in advance. Sometimes the airlines force us to check even our carry-on (for weight or size) but we take with us only what we can manage on stairs, escalators and public transportation. new Cruiseline.check_price({ I never travel without a small, lightweight, foldable tote bag to take on shore excursions. Don Bucolo, or DB, loves everything about cruising- the ocean, the food, and the atmosphere. Theres an adjacent pantry that can be used by staff serving room service or catering hosted events. This post focuses on what to pack. The one shown below with a still-life design weighs two ounces and can hold up to 44 pounds. But wifi is not the primary reason for a Viking ocean cruise. The roof was closed for most of our journey and the pool area was a popular venue on sea days for sitting and some swimming (but never crowded--and the lounge chairs with the view, the ones by the window, do fill up quickly). For our early fall cruise in the Baltic Sea, the roof was always closed. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. The daytime activities on Viking Cruises will be very different than what you are used to on mainstream cruise lines. The majority of Viking river ships, known as Viking Longships, have 61 balcony cabins broken down into two categories: 205-square-foot Veranda Staterooms and 135-square-foot French Balcony Staterooms. Business casual attire was the norm, as the atmosphere is laid back. With the risks of COVID and norovirus from touchable surfaces, hand sanitizing wipes (and masks if you like) are certainly a good idea when you are immersed in seas of people at many ports. But I still like my walks and level 2 is a perfect 1/4 mile track. The Travel Village Group T/A Southampton Cruise Centre is a member of The Co-operative Consortium which is part of Midcounties co-operative Limited registered in England and Wales with registered number IP19025R. You can check items off as you place them in your suitcase. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Please also see our article,Viking Star Dining Options. In addition, each of the complexes has a boardroom with a long table that seats 12 people for meetings and catered dinner parties. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! thanks for sharing these ideas with us.. wow! Technically, these French balconies are balconies, even if theyre not quite as satisfying as a balcony with space to lounge. Even in the largest hotel suite or cabin on a ship, its always a hassle to have too much stuff. Men can wear collared or uncollared shirts during the day. For dinner, women will feel comfortable wearing a few simple dresses, skirts, or slacks. Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card. Dont risk falling by wearing flip-flops or heels. I cut my foot on the bathroom door (dont try it!) The ship's design is clever, everything is in its place and staff work incessantly to keep surfaces shining. I just don't agree. or would flats or low wedge dressier sandals and a jersey dress with a wrap be acceptable? Viking strongly recommends that guests wear a face mask while in transit for increased protection prior to embarkation. When taking a Viking Ocean cruise, each cruiser will be charged $15 a day for the entire length of the cruise. Most public spaces on cruise ships tend to be chilly. A mid-length sundress with a cap or flutter sleeve is also a nice look for the daytime. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. You will also need it for entering your room. Unfortunately, we never received our luggage tags in the mail, but the airport transfer staff were able to assist in assuring that our luggage got delivered to the proper stateroom. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. When you do, you will know some secrets. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, Southwest unveils stunning new Hawaii-themed aircraft, How to redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points for maximum value, IHG Rewards Premier Business card review: The annual fee is justified. Totally agree with Clay - I brought a sports jacket for my first river cruise and wore it once. Never brought it again to subsequent river and ocea You might also want to pack a pair or two of straight-leg capris, or wide-leg cropped pants for warmer days. WebOn day 6 of the cruise I put on a long billowy white linen button down and red lipstick and suddenly people were MUCH friendlier to me, like a night and day difference. Those who book a Deluxe Veranda (D2) or higher can make reservations at each restaurant pre-cruise. Viking is also known for a relatively simple-to-understand array of subcategories of rooms within its balcony-cabin and suite categories. By the way, the bistecca (Florentine style steak) at Manfredis is remarkable. 1. Take what makes YOU happy--and only what makes you happy. Every passenger room on its ocean ships is a balcony cabin or a suite, something that is unusual in the cruise world, and these cabins break down into just a few subcategories. Great tips for a 1st time ocean cruisers Weve enjoyed one river cruise Budapest to Amsterdam amazing experience This feature is known as a French balcony or Juliet balcony (a nod to the balcony of this type made famous in Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet). The thermal pool and whirlpool, as well as a steam room and snow grotto are open to both men and women. Your absolutely right. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Named Nordic Balcony, Deluxe Nordic Balcony and Nordic Penthouse, the cabins of these three categories are slightly smaller than the cabins of the three balcony cabin categories on the traditional Viking ocean ships at 215, 215 and 269 square feet, respectively. In our latest cruise packing list for 2021, we detail what When you purchase a drink from a bar or in the main dining room, the stated price is the price you pay. All he needs is a couple of, Keeping the weather in mind, take a couple of pairs of, Bring tops that coordinate with your bottoms. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. There was a quick passport check, and we were then ushered into a small line to receive our key cards, shore excursion tickets, and other necessary information. If you make it all fit in your carry on you are my hero!:). But, you will not need it for anything else on the ship. We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards of beds, which come in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. At peak times, the line can be a bit longer, but the dining room is quite large for a ship of this size. If you think you can fit more, I always pack a few extra dresses, as theyre great to travel Powered by Invision Community. 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. The rest fall somewhere between the two extremes, but skewed toward casual. If you want to wear dressier shoes, you can but not necessary. shipSlug: "viking-sea" Last cruise we took was RC and i jumped in expecting fresh water to be surprised by sea water LOL. Keeping the weather in mind, take a couple of pairs of slacks, jeans, or leggings for most destinations. Some optional excursions quickly fill up. It will also alert you to see if you need to purchase anything that you dont already have. Thank you, Kelly. Just before boarding the plane, the fanny pack will be stuffed into the backpack (and pulled back out again once onboard). I like to dress up a bit at dinner, but I'm hoping to leave the cocktail dresses and uncomfortable heels at home if I can.