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.
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.
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.
We love Viking. After taking many cruses with others over years, this is now our only one. We are up to 14 Viking cruses (river & ocean). We started in a Verandas (which is the minimum I would do), but now we are always buying a suite. (no we are not snobs), Advantages of a suite: much more space, 2 rooms the rear suites have a huge deck fully stocked refrigerator (including wine & beer), refreshed daily free fruit delivered daily free laundry we get room service breakfast most days free the on-board drink package
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.
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.
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 ☹️
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.
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!
@@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!
Hey, I booked the same itinerary sailing one year after you, Mar 21/2026. With 4N extension Zermatt & Geneva. First time with Viking. So excited. Wanted to go on Mar 2025, However i have 10 other cruises coming up with RCL before Viking cruise. Couldn’t squeeze in anymore. I booked veranda cabin for this cruise, thinking of upgrading to suite. The suite price in Mar is the lowest of all. Only 2 suite cabin left for my date. Stilling debating.
We upgraded to a balcony since it was only $100 more during the sail. You really don't need a balcony. I think k we were out their two times. When the boats dock beside you, you can't enjoy the scenery always. I would like a window but a balcony is not necessary.
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.
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 🫢👀☹️
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!
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.
@@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.
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.
@@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.
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.
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.
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.
We love Viking. After taking many cruses with others over years, this is now our only one. We are up to 14 Viking cruses (river & ocean).
We started in a Verandas (which is the minimum I would do), but now we are always buying a suite. (no we are not snobs),
Advantages of a suite:
much more space, 2 rooms
the rear suites have a huge deck
fully stocked refrigerator (including wine & beer), refreshed daily
free fruit delivered daily
free laundry
we get room service breakfast most days
free the on-board drink package
I am a Viking Ocean fan…..hands down. The cabins on the river ship are minuscule. For river cruises, AMA can’t be beat for cabin luxury and size.
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.
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.
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 ☹️
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.
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!
That is great to hear. What itinerary?
@@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!
Hey, I booked the same itinerary sailing one year after you, Mar 21/2026. With 4N extension Zermatt & Geneva. First time with Viking. So excited. Wanted to go on Mar 2025, However i have 10 other cruises coming up with RCL before Viking cruise. Couldn’t squeeze in anymore. I booked veranda cabin for this cruise, thinking of upgrading to suite. The suite price in Mar is the lowest of all. Only 2 suite cabin left for my date. Stilling debating.
We upgraded to a balcony since it was only $100 more during the sail. You really don't need a balcony. I think k we were out their two times. When the boats dock beside you, you can't enjoy the scenery always. I would like a window but a balcony is not necessary.
True. It’s good for scenic sailing.
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.
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 🫢👀☹️
On a port-intensive itinerary, the benefit of a balcony is negligible.
This is true.
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!
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.
@@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.
Can the beds be split into two separate beds?
Yes. I'm going next week and was told that the beds can be split.
Yes
but what about the food experience?
We have a separate video about the entire experience. Thanks.
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
When we go ashore to explore villages, will we need Euros? Or will the shops and restaurants take AMEX?
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.
Do you know if there are wheelchair accessible rooms? Because I'm not seeing it here
Most European riverboats are NOT accessible because there is no elevator.
@@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.
No. River cruises are overpriced.