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Started By
Message
Anyone ever do one of those Viking River Cruises through Central Europe?
Posted on 5/10/23 at 10:17 pm
Posted on 5/10/23 at 10:17 pm
Report/review?
Amenities
Rooms
Staff
Food
Commercials and brochures seem to reflect the "young" people these cruises are in their low 60s? Accurate?
Trying to convince the missus, but thinks it's for old people (and she insists she's not old)
Amenities
Rooms
Staff
Food
Commercials and brochures seem to reflect the "young" people these cruises are in their low 60s? Accurate?
Trying to convince the missus, but thinks it's for old people (and she insists she's not old)
10
Posted on 5/10/23 at 10:20 pm to udtiger
My parents did it and loved it. They still talk to some of the folks that they met onboard. They were in their mid-60's but they're talking about doing another and we're thinking of going with them.
Unfortunately I don't have any other info to help.
Unfortunately I don't have any other info to help.
Posted on 5/11/23 at 12:03 am to udtiger
I have never been on one but we are looking at the Viking Bordeaux cruise for next spring. I have heard nothing but good things about them.
Posted on 5/11/23 at 12:25 am to geauxpurple
Are Big4 partners making friends (revenue sources)? I don't see the benefit, but I'm a non-tour dude.
I hope someone can make an argument for why people spend Disney money to float a river.
Geauxpurple, keep in mind that when you run into people that have spent tens of thousands of dollars for ???, when you can spend $2K and make everyone in your crew ridiculously happy. Don't focus on what we think makes you happy, focus on what makes *them* happy, and you'll be good. Within reason, of course.
I hope someone can make an argument for why people spend Disney money to float a river.
Geauxpurple, keep in mind that when you run into people that have spent tens of thousands of dollars for ???, when you can spend $2K and make everyone in your crew ridiculously happy. Don't focus on what we think makes you happy, focus on what makes *them* happy, and you'll be good. Within reason, of course.
Posted on 5/11/23 at 12:32 am to LemmyLives
quote:
Are Big4 partners making friends (revenue sources)? I don't see the benefit, but I'm a non-tour dude.
Not sure what the first part means, but as to the second it isn't a tour. Cruise from city to city just like any other, except you're seeing smaller European towns. You can book excursions at each stop or explore on your own
Posted on 5/11/23 at 6:28 am to udtiger
Did this post a little earlier.
LINK
Just how old are you baw!!
I’ve done six Viking cruises. Doing the Rhine cruise this November. We love them. Yes it’s generally an older crowd maybe averaging in the mid 60s but there are outliers either way.
The benefits are bulk airfare, they do everything for you, the service is spectacular, it’s a known quantity, so you know what you’re going to get, and people on the boat are generally living life to the fullest.
And as noted in that thread, there are cruise lines that cater to different demographics so don’t rule them out just because you think everybody’s old!
LINK
Just how old are you baw!!
I’ve done six Viking cruises. Doing the Rhine cruise this November. We love them. Yes it’s generally an older crowd maybe averaging in the mid 60s but there are outliers either way.
The benefits are bulk airfare, they do everything for you, the service is spectacular, it’s a known quantity, so you know what you’re going to get, and people on the boat are generally living life to the fullest.
And as noted in that thread, there are cruise lines that cater to different demographics so don’t rule them out just because you think everybody’s old!
This post was edited on 5/11/23 at 7:52 am
Posted on 5/11/23 at 6:58 am to Nole Man
Mid 50s (both of us). Guess we'll wait a few years.
Thanks everyone for the input.
Thanks everyone for the input.
This post was edited on 5/11/23 at 6:58 am
Posted on 5/11/23 at 7:52 am to udtiger
quote:
Mid 50s (both of us). Guess we'll wait a few years.
Thanks everyone for the input.
Lol, wut? You are mid 50s but think the cruise will be too old for you? I'm in my 30s and I'd do it.
My parents did a bike and barge tour through Amsterdam last year during spring tulip season and loved it. The rivers in Europe were the highways for 1000s of years and are generally very beautiful. I think its a great way to see the country.
Plus, its not like that has to be ALL of your trip. Its very popular to arrive early and stay late after your cruise.
Posted on 5/11/23 at 7:55 am to udtiger
quote:
Mid 50s (both of us).
Well, look at it this way: You could take a Carnival Cruise Line cruise and feel old, OR you could do a Viking River Cruise and feel young!
Seriously, lot of mid 50's types on these cruises. You wouldn't feel "too young". Left side of the average maybe. Nice thing about Viking is they don't allow anyone under 18.
BUT..
As noted, there are river cruise lines other than Viking that cater to families, younger couples etc. Don't just rule 'em all out.
AND, as baldona noted, easy and cheap enough to self direct on your own before or after the cruise after your acclimated to being in Europe.
This post was edited on 5/11/23 at 8:07 am
Posted on 5/11/23 at 8:03 am to udtiger
SIL and her husband did the Danube last year and had a blast. She was 62....maybe your wife will go if she recognizes she could be the youngest chick on the boat.
This post was edited on 5/15/23 at 7:27 am
Posted on 5/11/23 at 8:33 am to udtiger
quote:
Mid 50s (both of us). Guess we'll wait a few years.
I thought you were gonna say you were in your 30's or something. I'm 29 and I'd go on one of them. I wouldn't put it off just because you're a couple years below the average age
Posted on 5/11/23 at 8:33 am to udtiger
We did the Danube River cruise last summer and are doing the Rhine River cruise later this summer.
We opted for the top stateroom on both cruises, and the accommodations were excellent—coffee and breakfast service in the room, fresh fruit, cookies, and flowers daily.
The food was fantastic - one of the best parts of the cruise was meeting new couples at meals - made several permanent friends.
The staff was well trained and took care of our every need.
The wife and I are both somewhat handicapped but did participate in several excursions off the vessel.
We did the pre-cruise extension in Budapest and the post-cruise extension in Prague. So we recommend doing these extensions.
We opted for the top stateroom on both cruises, and the accommodations were excellent—coffee and breakfast service in the room, fresh fruit, cookies, and flowers daily.
The food was fantastic - one of the best parts of the cruise was meeting new couples at meals - made several permanent friends.
The staff was well trained and took care of our every need.
The wife and I are both somewhat handicapped but did participate in several excursions off the vessel.
We did the pre-cruise extension in Budapest and the post-cruise extension in Prague. So we recommend doing these extensions.
Posted on 5/11/23 at 2:46 pm to blueridgeTiger
Parents have done several and love them but be warned as they may change itenerary without letting you know as the river levels were too low to cruise on one they went on, they ended up getting a partial refund from the travel company they booked with so make sure you get any type of insurance to protect yourself.
Posted on 5/12/23 at 12:19 pm to udtiger
My wife and I did the 8 day one from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. We were 1 of 2 couples in our early 30's. The rest were retired people.
The ship moved at night and we explored in the day. It is a small ship and designed more for sleeping and eating, not partying on a huge boat with people.
Food, service, and rooms were all top notch. Especially the food. It changed based on what is fresh and local. There are free excursions to do with groups. But they are optional. All of the free excursions were good. We paid extra one night to go to German beer garden which was sweet. We explored on our own quite a bit.
The age difference was never weird or boring for us. We also watched Burreaux beat the Tide in the lounge with Clemson fans; who we still talk to you.
I have never been on a giant cruise. But my wife has and said she will never do anything other than Viking from here on out.
The ship moved at night and we explored in the day. It is a small ship and designed more for sleeping and eating, not partying on a huge boat with people.
Food, service, and rooms were all top notch. Especially the food. It changed based on what is fresh and local. There are free excursions to do with groups. But they are optional. All of the free excursions were good. We paid extra one night to go to German beer garden which was sweet. We explored on our own quite a bit.
The age difference was never weird or boring for us. We also watched Burreaux beat the Tide in the lounge with Clemson fans; who we still talk to you.
I have never been on a giant cruise. But my wife has and said she will never do anything other than Viking from here on out.
Posted on 5/12/23 at 2:48 pm to Sparty3131
quote:
Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland
Saw a sale on that one for about $5,000 a head. Seriously considering for me and the wife in 2024.
Posted on 5/12/23 at 3:12 pm to vistajay
Stay an extra 2 nights in Amsterdam like we did. REALLY cool city to explore. It is like a really big/nice French Quarter. We went to a couple of museums and a farmers market that was a good time.
Posted on 5/12/23 at 3:14 pm to Sparty3131
quote:
My wife and I did the 8 day one from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland.
We're doing this one in November! Will be staying in Amsterdam 4 days. Then after the trip staying in Colmar France.
Any pro tips for us??
Posted on 5/12/23 at 6:44 pm to Nole Man
The way I see it, plan your trips based on your age and fitness level. A European river cruise is something you can do at any age, but climbing a mountain or going on some exotic adventure becomes more unlikely with each passing year so why not postpone the easy stuff for your old years and knock the more active or busy stuff out while you still have a strong back and two good knees.
Posted on 5/13/23 at 6:27 am to AUFANATL
quote:
The way I see it, plan your trips based on your age and fitness level. A European river cruise is something you can do at any age, but climbing a mountain or going on some exotic adventure becomes more unlikely with each passing year so why not postpone the easy stuff for your old years and knock the more active or busy stuff out while you still have a strong back and two good knees.
Very good points!
Variables are how much time and money do you have to do anything? Work, wife, kids end up getting in the way of a lot of things. You pivot and start planning things with them, but your personal dreams may never be realized at that point.
Before I went back to grad school, I went over to Europe (goal of reconnecting with an old college girl friend
didn't ultimately work out). We traveled together for two weeks and she went back after the break to school in France. But then I said, what the heck I'm here. Had quit my job. Was going to grad school later in the fall. Ended up backpacking on my own for 3 months. Couldn't do that today (don't want to either frankly!) Point being, things like say hiking the West Highland Trail in Scotland, while people do that at a lot of different ages, might be best when you have your health, younger, not as many responsibilities etc. But then maybe you don't have the money to do that like you might now. Or the time.
Want to do a River Cruise? Younger. Say to yourself I'll wait until I'm in my 60's.
Might not ever make it. Function of how much you really want to vs. other interests while you're alive now! You never know what life throws at you.
Slippery slope!!
This post was edited on 5/13/23 at 6:30 am
Posted on 5/13/23 at 9:32 am to udtiger
I saw them running the Douro valley last week and it looked cool.
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