Too soon for a Viking cruise this year?

[cilla4progress]

It's on my bucket list.

Would LOVE to do the antiquities cruise!!!!

[KentuckyWoman]

1. When you do have the chance ...

Viking is absolutely amazing. I wish they'd start offering more tours in the US. They just do it better than anyone else.

[Staph]

2. Starting in 2022,

Viking is running Mississippi River cruises. I've done one of their European river cruises, and I'd love their take on the Big Muddy!

[Phoenix61]

3. A European river cruise is on my bucket list. nt

[rsdsharp]

15. I don't mean to be overly picky, the the Big Muddy

is the Missouri, which flows into the Mississippi at St. Louis.

[CentralMass]

4. I sure as hell won't be going any cruises htis year.

[snowybirdie]

5. Love crusing

But, found out all ship air circulates throughout the ships, everywhere. If you're vaccinated, ok, but many of your fellow passengers won't be. I'll not be crushing anytime soon, unfortunately.

[cilla4progress]

7. Viking advertises they are doing serious daily PCR testing,

now of all staff and guests!

New air systems.

I think I'd more concerned about the shore visits.

They have some American cruises this year, Great Lakes, Mississippi R.

Thanks for the input!

[Mme. Defarge]

6. I was quite disappointed

when the Viking river cruise I took in 2018 was unable to deliver on the main event - the trip up the Rhine River - because the water level was too low. They did arrange for tour busses in order to make good on some of what was promised, but, since this was something that had happened before it was disappointing that we weren’t advised ahead of time, and that we were only offered a small credit towards a future trip as compensation.

That said, it is a very comfortable way to travel and the food and accommodations were superb. Got my first vaccination scheduled for next week, so who knows what the future holds.

[cilla4progress]

8. Interesting - thanks.

I think I would compare trips by Viking, Smithsonian - any other high knowledge-base organizations you could suggest?

We haven't traveled much and it would be less stressful to be with a group. But only want something more on the informative, cultural, historical, PROGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTALIST non-touristy end of things!

[Mme. Defarge]

10. Viking tours are definitely touristy.

However I loved not having to move from hotel to hotel, as well as Viking’s serious policy of informality.

[marble falls]

9. I'd do it, but wait until we see the next wave first.

[kimbutgar]

11. The last two cruises I've done are Oceania

I keep getting these brochures every other week now for late 2021 and 2022. But just too chicken to commit my money.

But those Viking cruises look very tempting also. Been experiencing cruises now by watching the Smithsonian channel that has these Might ships that show cruises. Last night we watched the MSC cruise and before that a Princess cruise in Europe.

[cilla4progress]

12. Yeah, I'm not SO interested in cruising, per se,

I just want to have knowledgeable non-touristy guides.

[Ocelot II]

13. I'm not going to do any cruising for awhile,

but a couple of family members have taken Viking cruises and just raved about them - well-managed, great food, smallish ships where you're not crowded among a thousand people, like the Carnival, etc. cruises. My dream cruise is Bergen - Kirkenes on Hurtigruten, but it's pretty expensive so it probably won't happen.

[Fiendish Thingy]

14. Where does the antiquities cruise go- Mediterranean?

We took a Viking Scandinavian cruise a couple of years ago, and although we were thrilled with the service and amenities, we were somewhat disappointed with the itinerary compared to a Celebrity cruise we took. I mean, why book a stop in Goteborg, the only stop in Sweden, on the day after Midsommar festival? The ENTIRE town was closed, including museums, except for one souvenir shop and the Hard Rock Cafe.

My wife wants to take a cruise that stops in St. Petersburg so she can go to the Hermitage, but I told her I won’t go until Putin is out of power...

In any case, we won’t be cruising for at least a couple of years, until things settle down.

[cilla4progress]

17. Rome - Crete -

Athens. Would die to do it!

[Deuxcents]

16. No cruises for me

They are a Petri dish for everything that’ll make ya sick.

[Callalily]

18. We had a Viking river cruise scheduled . . .

for May 2020, which of course we postponed until May 2021, which again we postponed.

We haven't rebooked and if we cruise it wouldn't be until 2022. We have a full credit for original cruise booked, so we'll definitely take a cruise. But when and where? I'm not sure.

Will have to check how vaccinations are going in Europe.

[Retired Engineer Bob]

19. Husband and my delayed honeymoon trip will be a Rhine Avalon cruise

Our “real” honeymoon was a stop at the diner/bar across the street from the courthouse.

It’s already half paid for. Originally scheduled for June 2020, obviously cancelled. We decided this year is still a bad idea due to COVID. We rebooked for June 2022, am hoping the world is back to normal by then. The last I checked many museums are still closed, Paris without the Louvre?

I think we will be taking 3 weeks total. Original itinerary was Indianapolis to Paris, direct flight. We originally booked business class, plan on keeping that in place. 3 days/2 nights in Paris, then on to Amsterdam for a couple of days before hopping on the boat. 8 days to Basel Switzerland. Get on train to Munich and spend a few days there, then fly back.

Using a travel agent, and have trip insurance. As Ford Sanford would say, this is the big one.

[cilla4progress]

20. Wow

Sounds like an amazing trip! Want your itinerary!

[Retired Engineer Bob]

21. It's a once in a lifetime vacation for sure

We are really, really looking forward to this. Planning is half the fun, is there anywhere decent to eat in Paris? If not, there’s always McDonalds (bad joke).

I’ve been to Europe once before for business, 14 days. Really enjoyed it, but we only had one day off for touring. Our hosts took us to Neuschwanstein, then to the Hofbräuhaus in Munich. I vowed to return.

I’m really hoping COVID is in our rear view mirrors by mid 2022. We’ve both been vaccinated, and will get boosters if recommended.