July 16, 2022 - Luxury Cruise News

Viking River Cruise & Downtown Abby

Fans of the award-winning British drama, Downtown Abby are in for the thrill of a lifetime. If you follow Viking Cruises, you already know of the company’s connection to the celebrated MASTERPIECE series that aired on PBS. For years, Viking has offered a host of ways for guests to experience life at Highclere Castle, the great English estate where the show is filmed. Now Viking offers even more exciting opportunities to explore the set, including Highclere Castle and an eight-day river cruise!

To kick off the of the premiere, Viking unveiled a new Pre/Post Cruise Extension; Great Homes, Gardens & Gin. This fantastic tour gives you exclusive access to some of the country estates featured in the acclaimed productions. “Many of our guests were introduced to both Viking and Highclere Castle while watching the Downton Abbey series. For this reason, we are linked in the minds of many Downton Abbey fans,” said Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Viking. “Partnering for the release of the new film is a natural extension of our close relationship with Highclere Castle and our close personal friendship with the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon – with whom we proudly created Viking’s highest-rated cruise extension.”

Beginning in 2023, the new five-day extension will be available on Viking’s Rhine Getaway river cruise itinerary and British Isles Explorer ocean cruise itinerary. The extension awards you the opportunity to explore Oxford and truly dive into English country life.

Expect amazing experiences such as ‘Viking’s Privileged Access® tour of Highclere Castle, a visit to Broughton Castle, home of the influential Fiennes family (the renowned British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and actors Ralph Fiennes and Joseph Fiennes) and the setting for the MASTERPIECE series Wolf Hall. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit Chavenage House in the Cotswolds, best known for its appearance in the MASTERPIECE series Poldark – and stroll the gardens of Highgrove House, the private home of Charles, The Prince of Wales. While visiting Highclere Castle, you will have an opportunity to taste the recently-launched Highclere Castle Gin, a super-premium London Dry Gin inspired by botanicals from the ‘castle’s gardens. The extension even includes a visit to the nearby Bombay Sapphire Distillery to learn the history and production of gin.

But that’s not all. In addition to the new Great Homes, Gardens & Gin cruise extension, Viking also offers Oxford & Highclere Castle – its highest-rated Pre/Post Cruise Extension, which is available for guests on select river and ocean cruise itineraries. The extension provides guests with an exclusive three-day experience in the rolling hills of England’s countryside with a champagne welcome and a tour of the castle and estate.

As part of the exciting launch, Viking is giving U.S. residents a chance to win a trip to Highclere Castle, with the grand prize including roundtrip international Business Class air for two, an 8-day Paris & the Heart of Normandy river cruise and the 3-night land extension program visiting Oxford and Highclere Castle. For more information and to enter by October 31, 2019 visit: Viking Cruises.

Cruise Shopping 101

From designer duds to specialty shops, cruise ships boast a spectacular shopping scene: and they have a captive audience, you! We’re giving you a first-hand look into cruise shopping, so the next time you set sail you can easily navigate the world of retail; alleviating merchandise mayhem!

What types of shops are onboard?

The better question may be: what shops are not onboard a cruise ship? Most major cruise lines offer just about anything and everything you may need (or want). Boutique shops, kids clothing, luxury jewelry, souvenirs, fragrance, games, even artwork are available to satisfy your retail wishes. Shops vary among cruise lines, but most ships encompass a large variety of luxury retailers including, Chanel, Michael Kors, TAG, Gucci, Furla and more.

Bonus! These items are duty-free!

What is duty-free?

Bottom line? Better prices. Not to be confused with tax-free, duty-free means that the usual taxes imposed on imported items (cigarettes, alcohol, perfume, fine jewelry) are exempt from the payment of individual local taxes(or duties). Meaning, if you are buying items internationally, you are essentially paying taxes twice; once in the country where the items are purchased and again when you bring your merchandise back to the U.S. When you shop duty-free, you are exempt from taxes (VAT) on the items bought internationally. Remember, shops are only open when the ship is in international waters, 50 miles after leaving port. Shops close when the ship is in port.

Is there a limit to how much I can bring back?

Yes. You can bring up to $800 worth of duty-free goods back to the U.S. without paying additional fees. The $800 allotment is per person. So if you’re traveling with kids, they also can bring back $800 worth of merchandise.

How do I know if I am getting a good deal?

By knowing the average retail price of the items you are interested in before you set sail, you will immediately be able to discern if your duty-free items are a good deal. A helpful travel website; Duty-Free Addict, compares duty-free prices online.

Watch for sales listed in the daily cruise newsletter and “trunk sales” as well — these flash sales offer great prices, especially on gemstones and fine jewelry. The best part about shopping onboard a cruise ship is the price you see is the price you pay. There are no additional taxes added on.

What duty-free items should I buy?

Now is the time to buy those rare gemstones or that fancy watch you’ve been eying. Fragrance, cosmetics, designer handbags, alcohol, and cigarettes are the most purchased duty-free items.

Cruise companies profile passengers. Most likely, the stores on board already fit your personality. Couple this with great prices and duty-free merchandise and savvy shoppers can typically score some great deals.

Royal Caribbean Adds Vegan Options to Ships

When you have unique dietary restrictions, it can be more of a challenge to eat while traveling. Trying to avoid all animal products when on a cruise can feel impossible for many vegans. Luckily, some cruise lines are taking steps to offer more diverse food options for travelers who have restrictions. Vegans will be happy to know that Royal Caribbean now has vegan menu items in their main dining room.

Royal Caribbean introduced these menu offerings starting on August 1. Some of the vegan eats include: vegan spaghetti Bolognese, orzo pasta stew, edamame-stuffed Portobello mushrooms, and toffee cheesecake. The food selection will rotate. Guests must ask for the vegan menu as it’s separate from the regular dining menu. These items give vegetarians and vegans more food choices while onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise.

For buffet-style dining, Royal Caribbean has other options for vegetarians and vegans. Their Windjammer Cafe is a buffet-style dining option with a variety of food choices. Items that are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free are marked as such to make it easier for travelers to find approved foods. The cruise line will continue to feature vegan and vegetarian items at their buffets.

Sailing with Royal Caribbean isn’t your only option as a vegan. Take a look at the list below if you’re wondering what other cruise lines are accommodating vegetarians and vegans:

Regent Seven Seas has a new vegan menu will start at the beginning of October.

Costa Cruises features both vegan and vegetarian menus aboard their ships.

Oceania Cruises has a vegan menu, which they’ve continued to improve upon over the years.

SeaDream Yacht Club has a “Raw Food” menu which features raw, organic, vegan dishes.

It’ll be interesting to see what other cruise lines choose to upgrade their menu offerings to meet the needs of travelers with unique dietary needs. Will you be giving the new Royal Caribbean menu a try soon?