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Today, call into Waitangi, located in the far north of New Zealand’s North Island. Its name means “weeping waters” in Māori and it was here, at this stunning seaside location, that the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6, 1840. Captain William Hobson and 52 Māori chiefs signed the treaty, an act that was considered the founding of New Zealand as a nation. Today, it is celebrated annually with a public holiday and spirited bicultural ceremony on the grounds of Treaty House. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. You can look through the Viking Reviews link at the top of this forum.
Viking River Cruises Review
As you sail north toward the English Channel, take advantage of the many amenities of your ship. Lounge by the Main Pool with its retractable roof and enjoy a cocktail at the Aquavit Bar. As you cruise the Balearic Sea en route to Barcelona, spend the day savoring the amenities of your elegant ship.
Rhine Getaway
This evening, enjoy the jazz strains of live music at Torshavn. Call on Cairns today, built on the shoulders of gold prospectors. Today, it is a major sugarcane and fishing port, and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. See the city’s major sights, including its historic Royal Australian Navy base, Cairns Botanic Gardens and Palm Cove, a quaint, beach-loving community. Or perhaps board a catamaran for an exciting sail to the magnificent reef, the largest continuous system of its kind on Earth.
Wave offers from Viking, Oceania Cruises, Explora, American, Pearl Seas, Unforgettable Croatia - Seatrade Cruise News
Wave offers from Viking, Oceania Cruises, Explora, American, Pearl Seas, Unforgettable Croatia.
Posted: Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Day 2: Germany’s Black Forest & Colmar, France
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. Because of this, they have the flexibility to turn each propeller a full 360 degrees for precision and smooth sailing so you shouldn’t experience any seasickness on board. 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 interiors were really unique and the guided tour was excellent. Meanwhile, the city was almost entirely spared from bomb attacks during World War II and it’s narrow streets and baroque charm remain largely intact. In the morning, we visited Heidelberg Castle, which perhaps should be called a ruined fortress, as much of it was destroyed by lightening, fires and war.
Danube River Cruises
Monte Carlo’s medieval quarter perches on “The Rock,” an escarpment at the foot of the Maritime Alps, and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean and the harbor lined with mega-yachts. Arrive in Haifa today, an ideal port from which to explore the north of Israel. Ascend Mt. Carmel, where it is said that the prophet Elijah set fire to a sacrifice and ended a drought. On the mountain’s slope overlooking the city, enjoy commanding views of the magnificent terraced Hanging Gardens of Haifa, center of the Bahá’í faith. You may also explore the fascinating Old City of Acre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world.
Best Viking River Cruise Deals by Destination
The company also made history when it was voted #1 for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the publication’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards. Viking was also voted to the top of its categories for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. Hopefully, you reported your experience so that particular guide could be weeded out of the program. On this trip, the excursions we decided to pay for were the Northern Lights Bus Hunt, Snowmobiling / Ice Hotel, and Husky Sledding. They make the waffles fresh and top them with fresh berries, whipped cream, and Norwegian brown cheese.
Day 7: Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
This is also the perfect opportunity to explore your ship, perhaps unwinding in The Spa’s Snow Grotto and sauna or taking a dip in the Infinity Pool. Tonight, be sure to try a regional specialty in The Restaurant and take in a movie in our theater. Sail along one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, known for its azure waters and picturesque islands.
NEW! Canada & East Coast Explorer
Moses is said to have parted its waters and Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut led trade missions here on ancient vessels. Enjoy a full day in Colombo to venture beyond the city into the Sri Lankan countryside, or explore Colombo by tuk-tuk, the iconic tricycle taxis. You might also visit Pinnawala, where orphaned elephants are rehabilitated and cared for. Or visit Galle, the largest remaining fortress in South East Asia. The Gulf of Thailand, the massive sea basin bordered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, is still known as the Gulf of Siam to the Malay and Khmer people.
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The number one reason why I like river cruises so much is because you get to see many small towns and sights in a leisurely fashion. There’s generally an opportunity to sight see in the morning and afternoon, with one included tour and one optional tour. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S. All offers are based on select sailings and categories and are subject to availability at time of booking.
Today, the city is home to a thriving cultural scene and stunning vistas of mountains rising from the surrounding waters. Tauranga is best known as the gateway to the bubbling mud pools and thermal fields of Rotorua. The local Māori believe this cauldron-like region to be a gift of fire from the gods. Cruise from $2,999 per person based on select Oct 2023 departures of Cities of Lights in category F; subject to availability, other categories may be higher. The Restaurant - this is another sit-down restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I called this my ‘second breakfast’, as we found ourselves here an hour after breakfast almost every day. Like all the other ocean class ships, the Viking Venus is very spacious and luxurious with interesting artwork displayed throughout the ship. Make sure to download and install the Viking Journey app on your phone to use while on the ship. I found it very useful to see the daily ship schedule, make reservations, and see the excursions.
Its strategic locale led to its role as a significant center of trade—eventually becoming a cultural crossroads along the world-famous Silk Road. One of the city’s stunning centerpieces is Hagia Sophia, founded as a basilica, converted to a mosque, then a museum; it is now a mosque again and features exquisite mosaics and frescoes. The city’s Grand Bazaar offers a rich taste of Turkish culture, from a vast selection of carpets and fabric to luscious dates and the local sweet favorite, Turkish Delight. Follow in the wake of early explorers who sailed the waters of the Red Sea as long ago as 2500 BC. History and legend are rich in this narrow stretch of sea between Asia and Africa.
Indulge in Nordic-inspired treatments at The Spa or find your inner calm with some yoga on the Sports Deck. Tonight, dine on thoughtfully prepared cuisine that connects you to the flavors of Spain and perhaps watch a movie beneath the stars at the Main Pool. Today is free for you to explore more of Haifa and its surroundings.
The Mari Los Angeles restaurant serves fresh fare with a coastal California twist. Call today on the city of Dover, its importance as a port dating back to the Bronze Age. You can journey to the medieval city of Canterbury, made famous through Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, to visit the shrine of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. Or, immerse yourself in natural beauty at Sissinghurst Castle and Garden, an Elizabethan-era mansion which showcases a classic English country garden. Naples boasts a long history in a stunning seaside setting and is known mostly for its pizza.
London is just a short drive away, so you can take in the regal city and all its splendor. See the Tower of London, Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Alternately, step off the ship to tour Greenwich, its excellent National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory from where the world’s clocks are set. Uncover the rich history of Cartagena today, brimming with remarkable architecture spanning the ages—from the days of Rome to art nouveau. Outside the city, marvel at the beauty of the sanctuary of the Virgin of Fuensanta, Murcia’s patron saint, and the baroque- and Gothic-style cathedral.
Afterward, we had a last dinner at Manfredi’s on the ship and then left our luggage out in the hallway for delivery on the docks the next morning. Being a larger city, we appreciated the plentiful food, shopping, and entertainment options. There was a lovely outdoor market right on the docks with fresh jam, sausages, fish, and other local artisanal products.
