Is the Viking Pre-Cruise Extension worth it?

For me, it was a big "yes" and got us off on the right foot and attitude for the rest of our B to A Viking River cruise. There is something about being in the warm loving hands of your Viking guides and having someone that knows the area and when to get on the boat for us the lovely town of Basel, Switzerland. After flying such a long distance, I can be rather "fuzzy" in the head (or jet-lagged) and cold, since we live in Florida. Getting directions to the nearest grocery store and the exact printed schedule for getting on the boat in written form - was all very nice and comforting. In this YouTube, I’ll show you our pre-cruise hotel, the Hyperion, and the amazing breakfast buffet. We’ll get a tram lesson and then highlights of our walking tour. We’ll end with a stop to get chocolate in the grocery store.

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[karinnemeth]

We did the Danube cruise in November we opted for a pre excursion in Prague and a post excursion in Budapest I highly recommend it.
The Prague experience gave us an opportunity to recover from the flight and acclimate to the time change and explore a bit before boarding the ship
The hotels were lovely and Viking has staff present to assist you with everything in you could possibly need
A great experience all the way around!

[jilllovesbeegees]

Maybe you have address this but have any you used them air plus, luggage forwarding or TSA pre-check?

[clement]

vienna budapest just add nights day before or after

[clement]

i think munich from to danube leipzig or prague elbe milano from to Po river are worth it as well as madrid from to douro

[b.w.]

Taking our first Viking river Cruise, and our first trip to Europe, in May 2023. Doing pre and post extensions. Mainly because of 'getting our bearings" for first time. Already decided that it would have been better to arrange our own flights, and pre and post extensions. A matter of time and value. You use up some of the days as travel. Looking forward! Really recommend spending time in-country before taking the cruise due to flight logistics, based on horror stories I have read.

[TinaLee]

We’ve never paid for an extension but always go in at least two days early and often stay afterwards on our own. What Viking charges for what amounts to a hotel room and a ride is ridiculous. Any good hotel’s concierge can do what the Viking guide does. I see absolutely no value to their extensions.

[lfnlkmn]

We landed in Geniva and drove down to Basel where our cruise started worked out great for us so if you want a few extra days do it yourself.

[jilllovesbeegees]

We signed up to stay at a movenpic in Amsterdam because we are doing Amsterdam to basil in November. I took tonight’s pre-cruise and it was very expensive almost as much is the cruise but that’s the hotel they recommended. I was told they will get us from the airport to the hotel, but not from the hotel to the boat the day of cruise is this typical?

[josephmurphy]

We have the Viking Grand European Tour scheduled for May 2024 was just wondering if you had any advice regarding tipping for the Viking tour guides?

[janesimmons]

We are looking into either the Danube or Rhine Viking river cruise in March 2023, but can't decide which is better! Any suggestions?