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We wandered mostly on our own, ducking into gelato shops and chocolate stores while enjoying the colorful, medieval feel. We engaged them for a two-day individual tour (just 2 of us, a knowledgeable guide and a driver). With this arrangement we were able to plan an extensive itinerary as the guide was always with us while the driver was able to drop us at the entrance of all attractions and, by communicating with the guide, pick us up when ready to leave.
Viking Great Lakes Cruise Itineraries Visit Big Cities and Hidden Gems
Viking's cruises on the Great Lakes have proved so popular, much of the inaugural season on Viking Octantis sold out by April. Demand is so high that Viking has decided to deploy its second expedition ship, Viking Polaris, to the region in 2023. If you want more relaxed, casual food with perhaps a table for just 2, the Aquavit upstairs is a great alternative.
Legendary waters & scenic landscapes
The boats are perfect for photographers as they get to different scenic points in record time. Additionally, the vessel can stop immediately to allow anyone to capture the "perfect shot." Made famous by the 1980 movie "Somewhere in Time," filmed on location here, Mackinac Island is a gem of the Great Lakes cruise.
Onboard Amenities and Dining are Plentiful for a Small Cruise Ship
Viking intends to increase direct bookings, but says it remains committed to travel agencies - Travel Weekly
Viking intends to increase direct bookings, but says it remains committed to travel agencies.
Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The new itinerary is among a handful Viking operates on the Great Lakes and one of a few new trips the cruise line has unveiled for 2023. It's set to take place aboard the new Viking Polaris, which can accommodate 378 guests in its 189 staterooms. "It's in our backyard, and it's one of the largest ecosystem services we have in the world," Errera said of the region. "I don't think people have had a chance to explore them and see how big they really are." According to Reagan Errera, a research ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, guests will have plenty to take in on their cruises to the region.
We had lunch a couple times there and it’s quite nice to see the river views and sit outside. Everyone still has to be back on board at the same time, so for certain port stops, you would get much less time in town if you were part of the last disembarkation group. When I went on my cruise to Cuba, we received a group number each evening for the next day’s stop. That was a medium sized ship (roughly 500-1,000 passengers) and disembarking into town took about 2 hours, so depending on which group you were in.
Viking reviews of shore excursions
It’s really clear on-board that Viking don’t skimp out on customer service and they all added up to make a seamless vacation. Our Rhine Getaway hit a couple towns throughout Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands in one convenient week. A couple nights during the week, Viking hosted either singers, dancers or local activities. One thing I liked about sailing with Viking is how leisurely the day to day pace is. I’ll admit I didn’t know too much about the country outside of Amsterdam and our guide was quite helpful to explain the history of the nation and the purpose of its many windmills.
All of Viking’s fleet are individually named after different Nordic Gods and Goddesses and while many of the river cruise ships are similar or even identical, the small touches and art are unique. They have a handy map to show the journey along the Rhine River and make it easy to see what your options are each day. If you happen to pick an optional that conflicts with an included tour or a different optional tour, the website lets you know immediately.
Checking out the world's largest paddle
Also unlike many other cruises or guided tours, almost everything was included, which made it feel like a truly relaxing vacation. While there are many Viking shore excursions on Mackinac Island, we decided to hike up to Fort Mackinac State Historic Park, where we saw this lovely panorama with a view of our ship. Summer is the perfect time to visit the island when flowers bloom in every corner.
Soaking up the perks on the Viking Octantis
We chose to do 2 optionals and on the other days, relaxed on board or went into town to explore on our own! Note – a couple others from the cruise did the optional dinner excursion on this day and raved about it. There’s also the option to arrive a couple days early and/or stay a couple days late. If you are thinking of this, here’s a quick guide to the best hotels in Basel to help with accommodation.
We did a fun tour of the wheelhouse and learned from the Captain that Viking ships utilize four propellers instead of a traditional rudder. The nice thing about this stop is the ship can dock right into town, so you can join the tour or explore on your own. Basel is an underrated tourist attraction and the third largest city in Switzerland. The town has a gorgeous Medieval center and plenty of world-class art museums. I know river cruising is not for everyone so if you’re curious about Viking specifically or more generally wondering what there is to see and do along the Rhine River, I thought I’d recap our trip to show you the highlights. You can look through the Viking Reviews link at the top of this forum.
City stops include Cleveland, home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Detroit, where you'll find the Henry Ford and Motown museums and a lively Greektown where you can indulge in your wildest Halloumi dreams. Sail the vast waterways of the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system in the world. Explore the picturesque islands of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and admire their bucolic landscapes. Venture out to Flowerpot Island in the Fathom Five National Marine Park and marvel at the stunning pink granite isles of the Benjamins Islands. Participate in lab studies as you explore coastal wetlands and delve into the Native cultures of the Great Lakes. Discover the maze of granite islands that comprise Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve while hiking and kayaking through its tranquil beauty and admiring sweeping vistas.
In a pre-cruise media presentation in the ship’s impressive, high-tech auditorium called the Aula, Hagen said it was partly because cruising out of Chicago just did not work out. (American Queen Voyages is the only Great Lakes cruise provider who currently sails from Navy Pier in Chicago). The journey includes stops in Niagara Falls, Door County in Wisconsin, and Michigan's Mackinac Island, a car-free oasis where horse-drawn carriages are a preferred method of transportation. Viking Expeditions launched a new 15-day Great Lakes itinerary for summer 2023 starting in Toronto and sailing to Duluth, Minn. — giving passengers the chance to experience each of the five Great Lakes.
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