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Fast-Growing Viking Cruises Eyes Mississippi, Amazon Rivers

9/16/2014

Viking Longship Mai tied up on the Rhine River in Germany.

By John Roberts

Hi all!

We've just returned from a trip on Viking Longship Mani.

How about a quick recap of some numbers I learned during my week onboard with Viking Cruises? (Read about how Viking River Cruises keep you moving.)

The fast-growing river line has 54 boats on waterways all over the world, with plans for 13 more vessels arriving next year -- 12 more river boats and Viking's first ocean ship.

That ship, 930-passenger Viking Star, the first in the fleet for Viking Ocean Cruises, will be joined by three others, Viking Sky, Viking Sea and an unnamed ship (probably Viking Sun, if the pattern continues; Viking CEO Torstein Hagen once served as CEO of Royal Viking Line. While there, ships were named -- in order of year built -- Royal Viking Star, Royal Viking Sky, Royal Viking Sea, Royal Viking Sun and Royal Viking Queen), by 2017.

Crew onboard Mani also spoke openly about the impending arrival of Viking's boats on the Mississippi River. No official timeframes have been announced by Viking, but get ready for the line to make a big splash with its first U.S. river vessel soon.

Wait there's more: The Amazon River is on the horizon for Viking, perhaps by 2016, according to considerable buzz aboard Viking Mani that I noticed as I chatted with several crewmembers.

We had a blast onboard and found the journey a great way to explore historic charming European city centers and towns alongside friendly fellow passengers who share a spirit for exploration. All in a much more intimate and relaxing surrounding that you find on the typical ocean cruise voyage.

Elsewhere . . .

Princess Cruises launched a new Seawitch craft brew to recognize the line's 50th anniversary. Cheers to that! The Seawitch West Coast IPA was developed by startup Strike Brewing Co. of San Jose, Calif.

The Seawitch West Coast IPA goes for $6.25 in bars and lounges on the line's brand new Regal Princess. The craft brew is expected to be available fleetwide by early 2015. Princess will roll out additional Seawitch craft beers in partnerships with regional breweries that specialize in local flavors and represent some of the cruise destinations Princess ships visit.

Holland America Line revealed the name of its new ship set to debut in February 2016. The first Pinnacle Class 2,650-passenger vessel will be called Koningsdam and will be the Dutch line's 16 ship in the fleet.

Un-Cruise Adventures is offering a new adventure cruise in Mexico's Sea of Cortes. Beginning in January 2015, the 84-passenger Safari Endeavour sails a weeklong "Baja's Bounty" itinerary roundtrip from San Jose del Cabo, Baja, Mexico. The voyage combines active adventures with seasonal sea life encounters. When gray whales arrive to calve in Bahia Magdalena, an overland tour to board panga boats to see whales and calves up close is included (usually January-March). At other times of the year, a snorkeling excursion in Bahia de La Paz may bring guests up close to the largest known fish in the sea -- gentle whale sharks.

Exploration cruising allows for a flexible itinerary with time to seek out wildlife. Desert hiking, a mule ride into the arroyo, whale watching, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, skiff excursions and snorkeling with sea lions are included on all cruises.

The inclusive Mexico cruise includes all activities; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; hot tub, sauna, exercise equipment, yoga on deck and a massage for wellness; transfers; and all port charges, taxes and fees. Rates begin at $2,995 per person, double occupancy. For details, check out www.un-cruise.com/mexico-cruises-bajas-bounty

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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Boat Operators See Costa Concordia as Tourist Attraction

9/7/2014

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The Costa Concordia, as it sits upright in Genoa, Italy, where it will be dismantled for scrap materials. (Photo by AGF s.r.l./REX)

By John Roberts

Costa Concordia, the cruise ship that struck rocks of the coast of Giglio, Italy, and partially sank, killing 32 people in January 2012, has become a tourist attraction since being towed to Genoa to be dismantled.

News outlets are reporting boat operators are being paid to take tourists on rides past the ship that will be scrapped during the next two years at the same port where it was built in 2005. The 950-foot-long vessel is being cut up to salvage millions of pounds of copper, steel and other materials in the $150 million operation.

Restaurants and hotels nearby in Genoa also are advertising seating and accommodations with the best views of the tragic ship. Personally, I would find it a genuine curiosity should I happen to be in Genoa. But I wouldn't seek out a special view of the ship or make the trip to the town just to see it.

I suppose it seems a bit gruesome now to consider the vessel a tourist attraction. However, I expect the site where Costa sank off Giglio will become at least a minor attraction; a memorial for the 32 killed is to be constructed from a piece of the rock that was wedged into the hull.

Deals and more . . .

Princess Cruises is offering a "3 for Free" promotion until November 20, 2014, for passengers who book sailings to Japan, Alaska and Europe in 2015. The deal allows free stateroom location upgrades, a shore excursion credit and onboard spending credit. You can book with a fully refundable deposit of $100 per person.

Jump on this deal and you get the best stateroom available within your stateroom type for the lowest possible fare. On Europe and Japan sailings, you get $200 to spend on shore excursions such as a visit to the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia, or a stroll through Kyoto's Golden Pavilion in Japan. In Alaska, you receive $100 per cabin. Perhaps you want to try glacier hiking, dog sledding or whale watching. In addition, for Europe or Japan cruises, you get up to $100 per stateroom in onboard spending money. It's up to $50 per stateroom for Alaska sailings. Check Princess.com/free for details.

Windstar Cruises announced it has partnered with SAVEUR, a leading epicurean brand for culinary travel content, to develop a collection of local dining tips for culinary travelers seeking out unique cuisine destinations. The tips for more than 20 global destinations include insider advice on where to find the tastiest restaurants, most unique markets, authentic shops and hidden watering holes.

Because the food is half the fun (or more?) on a travel adventure, we think this is a cool idea.

"From eating fried sardines at Istanbul's Karakoy Fish Market to seeking out the go-to coffee shop in Ho Chi Minh City, SAVEUR will help guide those looking for the best culinary experiences abroad," said Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises' CEO. "We are excited to bring our guests even closer to exploring the world of food in the destinations we sail to throughout the world."

Viking River Cruises welcomes In The Loop Travel onboard the Viking Longship Mani this week, where I will be sending out updates and reviews of our weeklong trip up the Rhine from Basel, Switzerland, to Amsterdam. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram under the hashtag #VikingRiver.

Cheers!
JR

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Fast-Growing Viking Cruises Eyes Mississippi, Amazon Rivers

Viking River Cruises Keep You Moving

Boat Operators See Costa Concordia as Tourist Attraction

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