It is always worth it if one has the money, I would never have that spare cash hanging around. Any extra cash would go towards another trip. The cabins on the lowest deck with the high window is fine. Our shore excursions were included. Viking is more budget in their river ships than their ocean ships. Thx a lot.
@user-ie8ho8rd8dАй бұрын
I agree with you. We've been on several river cruises, and if the spread between prices is significant (say, more than a few hundred per person) we'll opt for the lower level cabin over the French balcony.
@Paul-GrnHilАй бұрын
When I travel, I like to pick a lower grade room in the best hotel I can afford because the quality of the property and location determines my enjoyment. The same can be said for river cruise cabin. Your enjoyment is derived from the itinerary, food and ship common areas, not the room. While on an ocean cruise I will always want a balcony, on a river cruise I can pass. You have no sea days and you spend very few waking hours in your cabin. With river cruises often rafting up in ports, you might wake up to find your balcony is a foot or two from the neighboring boat. Unless there is an upgrade promotion, I’ll take a standard room on any river cruise especially when compared to a French balcony that offers less space for more money.
@user-ie8ho8rd8dАй бұрын
I agree with you. We've been on several river cruises, and if the spread between prices is significant (say, more than a few hundred per person) we'll opt for the lower level cabin over the French balcony.
@PortsladeBySea19 күн бұрын
Seems crazy to pay more to get a smaller cabin, especially as the longboats dock next to each other overnight so you can’t enjoy the view from a balcony ☹️
@amybradley5821Ай бұрын
Just returned from a Viking River cruise and loved the balcony. We would sit out with a drink and watch the scenery go by at night and also coffee in the morning.
@chriswilliams6568Ай бұрын
I have been on Emerald Waterways, in a window cabin, and also on Uniworld Boutique in a French Balcony and they are similar in size to yours. All the ships are similar in that regard, unless, like you say, one is in a suite. I am a larger person and had no problem space wise. It is very North American to expect more space. If the cabins were larger, the ship would have less of them so the price would be higher. Thx.
@terrigodmother12 күн бұрын
My travel companion and I need to have twin beds. I can't imagine how cramped the standard or French veranda would be then! For our upcoming cruise in March we are very excited to have a suite!
@Eatsleepcruise112 күн бұрын
That is great to hear. What itinerary?
@terrigodmother9 күн бұрын
@@Eatsleepcruise1 We are doing Paris to Zurich. 2 nights ashore at either end. It's going to be awesome! Last year we did the Amsterdam to Brussels trip in a veranda cabin. Loved being out on the veranda watching the sights on shore going past!
@richardgotshall270319 күн бұрын
On a port-intensive itinerary, the benefit of a balcony is negligible.
@Eatsleepcruise115 күн бұрын
This is true.
@laylalovely307620 күн бұрын
The price for a balcony room is ridiculous. Several thousand dollars for a very tiny balcony is not worth it. We also don’t like when docked , usually so close to another ship , that it feels uncomfortable having others just feet away. We would rather spend the extra money on shore excursions where we can see and do more things.
@PortsladeBySea19 күн бұрын
In Croatia most of the smaller vessels dock overnight alongside each other making our luxury balcony virtually useless. The first morning I opened the curtains, wearing only my boxer pants, to find the guests on the neighbouring boat sitting and eating their breakfasts 🫢👀☹️
@mikeriesco6174Ай бұрын
2 things you didn't say, that would be very useful: you talk about the main deck, and deck 2, etc... then you show the ship with the little portholes at water level, then a deck with big windows above that, and another deck with big windows above that -- so, which of these 3 levels is "main deck", which is "deck 2", etc? You also mention "veranda" vs "French", but you don't say what the difference is, which one is considered better than the other, etc... can you clarify these points? Great video, thx!
@user-ie8ho8rd8dАй бұрын
Typical river cruise ships have a total of 4 levels. From top to bottom: * Level 3 - Top level, sun deck * Level 2 - Upper level, typically where the suites and nicer rooms are located * Level 1 - Main level, the lowest level with full windows and typically where the lobby/reception desk is located * Level 0 - Lower level, the one with just the portholes With a veranda there is space where you can actually walk out, whereas a French balcony just opens up for fresh air.
@richardgotshall270314 күн бұрын
@@mikeriesco6174 a French balcony means there is no balcony to stand on. The window opens wide and there is a railing. A veranda has a small sitting space.
@xkr510Ай бұрын
Can the beds be split into two separate beds?
@Signs9Ай бұрын
Yes. I'm going next week and was told that the beds can be split.
@kristyheisey7323Ай бұрын
Yes
@amybradley5821Ай бұрын
Beware the sun deck was closed completely for five days recently because the river was running too high so we were glad to have our balcony
@marquepoolejewer9427Ай бұрын
Do you know if there are wheelchair accessible rooms? Because I'm not seeing it here
@richardgotshall270319 күн бұрын
Most European riverboats are NOT accessible because there is no elevator.
@rickgonzalez12189 күн бұрын
@@richardgotshall2703 Deb here. I read that they can't accommodate wheelchairs, scooters and walkers. Our Viking ship had an elevator that went between the 2nd and 3rd floor only.
@ginny736Ай бұрын
When we go ashore to explore villages, will we need Euros? Or will the shops and restaurants take AMEX?
@rickgonzalez12189 күн бұрын
Deb here. We just came back from a Viking river cruise that want to France, Germany, Switzerland, and Netherlands. We had euros which my husband needed to go into a museum in Lyon. It only took cash, no credit cards. I used Visa credit cards because of what I read on FB pages. People said AMEX is not widely accepted in Europe. I did use my Visa and had no problems using in stores.