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Viking River Cruises Hosts Social Media Experts for #VikingSocial

11/18/2014

Viking Longship Mani, In The Loop Travel's cruise on the Rhine river

My first Viking River Cruise was on Viking Mani this year on the Rhine.

By John Roberts

I'm excited to announce that I will be cruising on Viking Longship Delling as part of Viking Cruises' second social media cruise. We'll be sailing along the Danube River from December 6 to 13 from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary.

The #VikingSocial initiative aims to increase interest and awareness of just what it's like to go on a river cruise with Viking. So, follow the hashtag #VikingSocial on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all sorts of pictures and updates from some of the most knowledgeable and interactive bloggers in the cruise industry to find out where we are and what we're up to during our voyage.

I'll also be posting photo albums and stories from the trip right here on the blog.

Here is a primer on Viking Cruises to provide a little background for you . . .

Viking is the fastest-growing river cruise line, having added more than 30 ships in recent years, with 13 more coming in 2015, including the line's first ocean cruise ship. That means it will have 67 ships on the world's waterways. Viking started in 1997 with four ships.

Our #VikingSocial cruise will be on the Viking Longship Delling. Viking Longships feature 95 cabins, for a capacity of 190 passengers based on double occupancy. The longships are 443 feet long. Like most river ships, they contain four decks (including a top sun deck with the captain's wheelhouse). Unlike many river ships, they do not have a fitness center or small pool.

The river ships travel in Europe, Russia, Asia and Egypt, with plans in the works for putting ships on the Amazon and Mississippi rivers.

Viking also has three more ocean ships scheduled. They will join 930-passenger Viking Star, which is due to debut in May 2015.

I have been on one other Viking River Cruise, and I thoroughly enjoyed the intimate atmosphere, delicious food and high level of service from the crew. I can't wait to share this experience with you.

I'll soon be making Viking Longship Delling my home away from home. Follow along with #VikingSocial

Elsewhere . . .

I was honored to be part of a roundtable discussion this week on the fantastic Royal Caribbean Blog podcast along with RC Blog creator and podcast host Matt Hochberg, From The Deck Chair Blog's Aaron Saunders and Cruise Critic Managing Editor Colleen McDaniel.

We all were on pre-inaugural cruises on the brand-new Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's revolutionary ship. Check out the podcast for our impressions of Quantum.

Norwegian Cruise Line says it is bringing a host of new entertainment to Norwegian Epic in 2015, including "Priscilla Queen of the Desert -- the Musical" and "Burn the Floor -- Ballroom Blitz." Also, the ship will add a new Beatles-inspired venue called The Cavern Club, which will offer British pop experience. The entertainment additions will all be in place by October 2015. Epic will move to its new homeport in Barcelona at the end of April 2015.

Cruise Critic unveiled its 2014 editors' picks this week. The cruise review website's awards "are chosen by Cruise Critic's international team of editors, based on the lines and ships they feel best represent excellence in each of the designated categories." Check out the list here.

Thanks for reading.

Travel happy!

JR

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Viking River Cruises Keep You Moving

9/10/2014

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By John Roberts

ABOARD VIKING MANI -- River cruises hold their own for us active types, what with their hop-on, hop-off accessibility to quaint and historic towns and flexible excursion options.

We've found a range of ways to plot out your daily port stops during our first few days on our Viking River Cruise. We've put a lot of mileage on our feet while enjoying the brand-new Viking Longship Mani just by sticking with the line's included excursion program.

We've toured Basel, Switzerland, Breisbach, Germany, and Strasbourg, France, so far, with three more towns to see before wrapping up in Amsterdam.

You can find several ways to keep amply active on river cruises, which correctly have the reputation for being a more relaxed and slower-paced way to vacation. But this doesn't mean you can't set your own pace.

I've noticed at least four ways a Viking River Cruise rates well for active travelers.

Our ship, the Viking Mani, docks at a park in Kehl, Germany, where we see runners, bikers and rollerbladers enjoying a sunny day.

1. You Dock Where the Action Is -- Your vessel pulls tight up alongside scenic and historic areas. Along the Rhine, we sit alongside towns filled with restaurants, historic buildings and shopping that you can explore. Viking cruises include one daily excursion in your fare at each port stop. But if you choose to go it on your own for a day to avoid the masses, you can spend the day hiking, walking, running, biking, etc., on the gorgeous parks and paths that run parallel to the river. We spotted people floating in tubes, kayaking and even waterskiing in the Rhine this week.

Viking River Cruise tour guide in Germany

You can enjoy a tour that Viking has arranged -- or go on your own with the help of the line's program manager and concierge staff.

2. Design Your Own Excursion -- If you're interested in doing something in a town on your stop, just ask. Viking's program directors and concierge staff can call ahead and help you make arrangements for any adventure that you are interested in. Hiking in the Black Forest or maybe a balloon ride in France, perhaps?

Still got energy after your morning excursion? Head out for an afternoon tour to complete your action-filled day.

3. Double Up -- Viking generally offers mix of afternoon excursions (added fee) in a port so you can really wear yourself out. You can do a city walk in the morning or a bus tour with stops at several historical sites. Then, come back to the ship for lunch and head out for another tour, like a vineyard tour and wine tasting or visit to a WWII museum or cathedrals. We've been so tuckered out from our morning tours and fighting off jet lag that we have had to forgo the afternoon options so far in favor of glorious naps.

A river cruise will bring right into everyday life in historic villages.

4. Ships Stay Late -- At many port stops, you get yet one more chance to wander out to explore the villages you dock alongside. Vessels sometimes stay as late as 11 p.m. in towns, so you an walk off that big dinner and enjoy the city lights on a stroll. With our comparatively tame participation, so far, in the wide range of activities we have at hand, we still tally six or seven miles a day on our feet.

Thanks for reading.
Travel happy!
JR

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Viking River Cruises Hosts Social Media Experts for #VikingSocial

Viking River Cruises Keep You Moving

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