Recommend May 2013 - (Page 19)

 WHAT TRAVEL AGENTS ARE SAYING... Another 22 cabins have French balconies, and standard cabins have views through portholes. At the top end, two 445-sq.-ft. Explorer Suites are the largest real suites on any river ships in Europe. The verandah on these is wraparound and large enough to have another couple over for cocktails; plus the bedroom has a French balcony. All the cabins offer decor in subtle colors with particularly thoughtful lighting including dimmers. They come with all sorts of niceties including hotel-like beds with ﬂuffy white duvets, glass door showers, L’Occitane bath products and ﬂat-screen TVs with CNN and movies on demand. There’s a mini-fridge, safe, and fresh fruit bowl, along with complimentary bottled water. public spaces As on most river ships, public rooms are limited, though even here Viking is ahead of the pack with cozy little nooks indoors and out, perfect for reading a book or checking e-mails— thanks to complimentary WiFi. The spacious Viking Lounge on the Upper Deck is the ship’s hub, with a nice wooden bar with stools near the entrance, a dance ﬂoor, plenty of plush seating and the Aquavit Terrace at the far end. A resident pianist plays tunes on the grand piano during a nightly cocktail hour and a combo band plays some nights for dancing. The lounge is also equipped as a movie venue with drop-down screens and surround sound. The foyer serves as a hangout spot with a few computer stations, comfy seating areas and self-service coffee machines where guests can make their own lattes and cappuccinos 24 hours a day. For 360-degree views head up to the open sundeck, which runs across the entire length of the ship. Loungers, chairs and tables are located both in the sun and under canopies for shade. Two putting greens, shufﬂeboard and a giant chess set offer outdoor entertainment. Or take a stroll past the ship’s organic herbal garden. Viking made a strategic decision not to add a gym, pool or spa on its ships, but guests have access to health facilities at luxury hotels en-route. A glass elevator makes the two main decks easily accessible to those with mobility issues—but does not go up to the sundeck. A big fan of the longships is Vicky Garcia, COO of CruisePlanners-American Express Travel. “I like the modern, open airy feel, light colors, no pretentiousness,” she said at the christening in March. “And since [the ships] all look alike, you can sell this to anybody. Wherever you want to go there’s a Viking longship there.” Garcia says the mistake a lot of agents make is thinking the ships are only for older clients. “I am in my mid-40s and people might think that’s young for river cruises, but it’s a great thing for people my age who have done other things. Bring a few couples with you, some friends with you. Last year we sailed with 20 of us and had a great time,” Garcia said. First-timers on rivers tend to want to do the Danube, she said, but then they are hooked and can be sold on other itineraries. A key factor in selling is the destination focus of river cruises, she added. Get off the ship, and you’re in the city-center. The Viking “longships” cruise European waterways including the Rhine, Main and Danube. Fares include excursions, soft drinks and house wine or beer at lunch and dinner. There is some space available on fall cruises, including the popular 8-day Romantic Danube itinerary, with fares from $1,756 pp, which includes port charges, WiFi, meals, lectures, activities and shore excursions. The celebrations during the christening of the 10 Viking longships. Archived related articles (available on recommend.com/magazine/issue-archive): Four Cheers for River Cruising (January 2013) contact information Viking River Cruises: (800) 706-1483; vikingrivercruises.com may 2013 19 14-21 CR VikingArosa.indd 19 4/24/13 9:10 AM http://www.recommend.com/magazine/issue-archive http://www.vikingrivercruises.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend May 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
Tour Talk: PerryGolf
Viking Aegir
A-ROSA Cruises
New York City
United States
UK & Ireland
Caribbean
Fairmont Mexico
The Road to Ruins-Peru's Northern Kingdoms
Kush Kelibsiz!: Welcome to Uzbekistan
Touring Israel & Jordan

Recommend May 2013