VACATION AND TRAVEL
Most river cruise lines now serve complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner as standard. There are sometimes exceptions for premium brand spirits and Champagne, which carry a charge. Complimentary water is normally provided in each cabin and is replenished daily; self-serve tea and coffee are available 24/7.
Now, room service is a rarity on river vessels, as the ships simply are not staffed to offer the type of food service that is a staple on oceangoing vessels.
mealtimes are included in the fares. Meals are all one seating, which is due to the practicalities of having one galley and a small team of chefs preparing multiple courses for up to 200 passengers. Breakfast is usually with an early bird Continental breakfast available from 6 a.m. in the lounge until the main dining room opens. Unless times are altered to accommodate shore excursions, breakfast is normally served from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. (sometimes later-on sailing days), lunch from noon or 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
For the above reasons, plan to place your full order, including dessert and cheese, at the beginning of each meal. River cruising is very relaxed, and there are no strict dress codes, even for sit down feedings.
River Cruise: Port and Vineyards. Want a taste of Southern Europe on your next cruise? One of the best Viking River Cruises in Europe sails Portugal’s stunning Douro River. Running from the mountains in Portugal's east, the Douro cuts through tranquil landscapes filled with vineyards.
Typical 10-day cruises start and finish in the Atlantic-facing city of Porto, where famous port wine warehouses line the waterfront. Learning the secrets of port production is a highlight on Viking Douro cruises. From there, the line offers a scenic motorcoach tour to honey-colored Salamanca, Spain's oldest university town.
The Douro was first discovered by the Romans who named it the River of Gold. These days, it is hard to believe that the Douro was once a wild river, though when your Viking River cruise travels the awe-inspiring Carrapatelo Lock, you will see why.
Now in this next part of the article I will give some advice on what to expect. All onboard meals and food during specified shore excursions that straddle