viking yachts location

Viking Yachts Factory Tour

• By Sam White
• Updated: September 20, 2018

By any stretch, the Viking Yachts facility in New Gretna, New Jersey, is immense, where 1,300 talented craftsmen strive to fulfill the company’s mantra of building a better boat every day. More than 90 percent of each boat is produced in-house, and the factory delivers about 80 boats each year. Celebrating their 55th year in 2019, the company was started by brothers Bill and Bob Healey in 1964 when they bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a small New Jersey company with a line of 37-foot wooden sport-fishers. Today, more than 4,000 Viking yachts have been delivered, making them an undeniable powerhouse in the marine industry.

We review the hot new Viking 68 Convertible .

• More: Boat Building , Boats , Sport Fishing Boats , Viking Yachts

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Building a Legacy with Viking Yachts

• By Lenny Rudow
• Updated: July 2, 2021

When brothers Bob and Bill Healey bought Peterson-Viking Builders in April 1964, there was no way they could have foreseen a future including two New Jersey manufacturing facilities totaling over 910,000 square feet; about 1,500 employees; close to 5,000 hulls delivered; ownership of companies that handle aluminum tower fabrication, marine electronics and marine service; and dominance of the production sport-fishing yacht market. Yet, that’s where five-plus decades of boatbuilding has brought them.

Today, Viking Yachts produces 90 percent of every boat in-house, leaving only components such as engines to other companies. The builder offers six different lines of boats ranging from 38 to 93 feet length overall. And the brand is constantly upgrading, re-engineering and refining its designs and construction methods. Even the most successful models have been regularly retired through the years, to make way for new and improved versions.

“Take our 55 for example,” says president and CEO Pat Healey. “That boat was a total icon. It had new styling, a new bottom, a new layout and used new materials. And it started an entire family of yachts leading to the 61, the 65, the 74—all were insane successes.”

Whether it’s utilizing resin-infusion construction, tweaking engine-room vents, or developing a unique electrohydraulic rudder-steering system, the company has maintained a forward-looking attitude, harnessing the latest tech to build better yachts.

“We can do almost everything by computer today. We even tank-test boats virtually now,” Healey says, “and we can do it over a dozen times in a couple of days. We can move strakes, change the center of gravity and tweak just about anything. As a result, our latest models don’t just meet our projections—they beat them.”

Also recently, Viking entered the center-console market with the Valhalla Boatworks brand. Valhallas range from 33 to 46 feet length overall and are powered by twin to quadruple outboards. Running on a Michael Peters stepped-V ventilated-tunnel, twin-step hull design, these boats can hit hat-stripping speeds of 60-plus knots. While on board the V-41, I found that it comfortably cruised in the mid-40-knot range through 2- to 3-foot seas.

Why did a builder so successful with yachts decide to enter the center-console market?

“The project was actually in the works on and off for nearly two decades,” says Viking’s director of communications, Chris Landry. “It didn’t get off the ground until now due to the market, business strategies or other reasons, but it’s something we always wanted to do.”

Innovation is in Viking’s DNA. The fact that the company builds everything it can in-house is part of the innovative philosophy, and Healey says the technique is vital to success.

“We found 30 years ago that building our own parts in our own facility gave us timeliness, quality, and the ability to trace what works best and what can go wrong,” he says. “And it’s part of why we’ve turned into what’s really a marine group, with our subsidiaries Palm Beach Towers and Atlantic Marine Electronics. The vendors were good, but we wanted better. We wanted the best of the best. So, we took control and did it ourselves.”

In-house construction means quality control, whether it’s finely finished cabinetry, ramrod-straight and labeled wiring harnesses, or baffled fuel tanks. That quality also lets Viking service all aspects of the yacht post-purchase. When something does go wrong—we are talking about boats, after all—Viking knows how to remedy the situation. Being able to do so quickly and with minimal effort is one reason Viking purchased a South Florida service center in Riviera Beach and staffed it with Viking-trained personnel.

“It’s part of the commitment we have to our owners,” Healey says. “We pick up the phone. We take care of our customers. You can talk to a Healey. That’s the kind of boatbuilding team my father wanted us to be.”

Viking’s latest projects include a $1.4 million dredging and dock replacement at its New Gretna shipyard in New Jersey. At Viking’s Mullica facility, also in New Jersey, the builder is developing an additional 12,000 square feet of space where the four Valhalla production lines are located. Despite the line’s fledgling nature, Viking expects to build 90 Valhalla hulls in the next fiscal year.

Research and development into new tech also continues on the inboard side. To say that Healey gets animated when asked about the future of Vikings would be an understatement.

“I 100 percent believe that diesel-hybrid technology is close and will be a game-changer for marine,” he says in a rapid-fire staccato. “I can envision running to the fishing grounds on your mains, then shutting them down and ramping up a variable-speed diesel-electric generator. You could then troll all day on electric before running back home on the mains. That could cut engine hours by 70 percent, which alone is huge. But there’s also the potential to use the electric with the mains to get extra horsepower. We’ve been working on this for five years, and it’ll be a few years more, but it’s coming.”

Note Healey’s use of the word “we” when he talks about developing these systems. Viking isn’t waiting for other companies to announce new diesel-electric tech. Viking is hands-on in the development.

Because after nearly 60 years, that’s exactly what everyone has come to expect of Viking Yachts.

Take the next step: vikingyachts.com

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Viking Mississippi

Cruise line Viking Cruises

• New Orleans (Port NOLA Louisiana)
• Memphis TN (Tennessee)
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul (Minnesota)

Viking Mississippi current position

Viking Mississippi current location is at US Inland (coordinates 44.18318 N / -91.84222 W) cruising en route to RED WING,MN. The AIS position was reported 2 hours ago.

Current itinerary of Viking Mississippi

Viking Mississippi current cruise is 14 days, one-way from Minneapolis-Saint Paul to New Orleans . Prices start from USD 13449 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 14 Sep, 2024 and ends on 28 Sep, 2024 .

Specifications of Viking Mississippi

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Viking Mississippi Itineraries

Viking Mississippi Review

Review of viking mississippi.

The 2022-built Viking Mississippi cruise ship is the first of all 6 (planned) boats built and registered in the USA ( flag-state ). The vessels are also all American crewed. The boat Viking Mississippi operates on the Lower and Upper Mississippi, with departures from homeports NOLA-New Orleans , Memphis TN , St Louis MO , and Minneapolis-Saint Paul MN .

The shipbuilder (and shipowner) is ECO Shipyards - a fully-owned subsidiary of Edison Chouest Offshore (1960-founded as "Edison Chouest Boat Rentals" marine corporation). The ship is operated under charter by the subsidiary company Viking USA LLC via the new brand Viking River Cruises USA .

The vessel is currently USA-flagged (MMSI number 368261120).

Officially inaugurated in September 2022, Viking Mississippi has max passenger capacity 386. Each of the Viking's USA riverboats is a large-sized newbuild vessel ( building cost ~USD 90-100 million per unit), each with 5 decks (4 with cabins), all-balcony staterooms (193), Lido Deck (with an aft-located Sundeck and infinity pool), bow ramp (for passenger landings).

Viking's competitors on the US river cruising market are the companies American Cruise Lines and American Queen Voyages/Steamboat Company (AQSC) .

Decks and Cabins

Viking Mississippi staterooms (193 total) are on 4 decks (out of 5 total) , all with balconies and grouped in 13 cabin grades. All staterooms (except 8x handicap cabins with French Balconies) are with Outside Balconies (step-out verandas). French Balcony staterooms are ADA cabins (wheelchair-accessible), with larger bathrooms and convenient midship location (near the Atrium's lifts). All cabin balconies are fitted with 2 deckchairs and 1 low table. Balcony access is via side-sliding, floor-ceiling glass doors. French Balcony cabins are with floor-ceiling windows, slide-opening to a railing.

Standard (complimentary) cabin amenities include King-size double bed (Viking Explorer Bed, convertible to twins), premium quality linens, luxury pillows, 42-inch smart HDTV with infotainment system (interactive LCDTV with satellite reception, intuitive remote, Internet, complimentary on-demand movies, ship info channel, real-time bow camera "View From the Bridge"), 110/120 V power outlets (USA-standard) with USB charging ports, dimmer lighting (LED), phone (direct-dial), minibar (refrigerator with complimentary soft drinks, bottled water, snacks / stocked once per cruise), spacious wardrobe (slide-opening, with hangers and drawers), mirrored dressing table with chair, 1 coffee table with 2 armchairs, electronic safe box (in the closet), purified water (refilled daily), free Wi-Fi, en-suite bathroom (WC-toilet, single-sink vanity, glass shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror, hairdryer, plush bathrobes and slippers, premium toiletries - by Freyja), individually-controlled air-conditioning, 24-hour room service, dedicated cabin steward, twice-daily housekeeping service.

All categories above V-Veranda Stateroom additionally receive as perks binoculars (in-cabin use only), coffee making machine, MARIUS (traditional Norwegian) wool blankets. PV-Penthouse Veranda and all suites additionally receive once-daily replenished minibar (complimentary alcoholic drinks, sodas, bottled water, snacks). PV cabins get complimentary pressing and shoeshine services, while all suites also get complimentary laundry service and Welcome Gift (bottle of champagne upon boarding). All Suites are with two TVs (1x in the living room, 1x in the bedroom) and large bathrooms (with double-sink vanities).

ES-Explorer Suite (the ship's largest accommodation) is a 2-room suite with the separate bedroom-living room, walk-in closet (mirrored dressing table with chair), dining area (2-seat table), lounge area (3-seater sofa, 2 armchairs, low table), large bathroom (with spa bathtub), wraparound aft-facing balcony with outdoor seating (2 deckchairs with low table) and a double daybed. Explorer Suite cruise prices are also inclusive of "Silver Spirits Beverage Package" (Viking Cruises' alcohol-inclusive unlimited drink package). TS-Terrace Suite is also a 2-room cabin. PV-PS-TS staterooms have 2-seater couches in their lounge areas.

Viking Mississippi riverboat's boarding/embarkation time is fixed (at 11 AM) but cabin access times (room entry) differ by stateroom grade.

• PV-Veranda (3 PM)
• FB-French Balcony and DV-Deluxe Veranda (2 PM)
• PV-Penthouse Veranda (1 PM)
• PS-Penthouse Junior Suite, TS-Terrace Suite and ES-Explorer Suite (11 AM) - which means cabin access is immediately after boarding).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS Viking Mississippi riverboat represents a new design inland passenger vessel that is totally different from all currently available on the US market cruise ships. The boat is traditionally large-sized but with a 90% glass-enclosed superstructure. All staterooms and public venues are with floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows.

Of all the 5 passenger-accessible decks, 4 are with staterooms. Each cabin deck has a launderette (laundry room with self-service laundromats). Of the riverboat's three Lifts (glass-door elevators), two are in the Atrium (midship) and one is located forward-portside. The elevators access all decks (1-5). All decks are also interlinked via stairs (forward, midship and aft).

Signature venues on Viking Mississippi include the trademarked and available on all Viking cruise ships (Longships and ocean liners) Explorers' Lounge (2-deck Bar Lounge) with Bow Terrace (outdoor seating), The Living Room (indoor Lounge with Library), The Restaurant (Dining Room) with Galley (Kitchen), River Cafe (indoor-outdoor Lido restaurant and bar lounge), Aquavit Terrace (indoor-outdoor lounge with BBQ area), Sun Terrace (outdoor lounge with sundeck and swimming pool / Infinity Plunge Pool), Promenade Deck (full-circling Deck 1).

Viking USA river cruise itineraries

Viking River Cruises USA officially started operations with MS Viking Mississippi with the maiden voyage in 2022 (8-day "America’s Heartland" itinerary from St Paul MN to St Louis MO/departing from Saint Paul on September 3rd).

Viking USA's bookings opened in 2020 - on March 31st (for past customers) and on April 16th (for the general public).

Currently, the company offers 4 itineraries.

The above-listed prices are only indicative and based on double occupancy. The following video highlights Viking Cruises' Mississippi River shore excursion experiences.

The next itinerary map shows all visited river ports and in which US state.are they located.

The Viking Mississippi itinerary program offers to visit seven US states - Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Photos of Viking Mississippi

Viking Mississippi ship related cruise news

Viking River Cruises kicks off stops in Greenville (Mississippi)

Viking River Cruises USA will commence stops in Greenville (Mississippi) this Friday, February 24th, bringing thousands of vacationers over a period...

Mississippi RIver's largest cruise ship ever debuts in June 2023

The largest cruise ship to ever sail on the Mississippi River is scheduled to set sail after June 2023. Viking Mississippi is a large riverboat that...

Viking river cruise ship Viking Mississippi ends voyage earlier due to low water levels

A Viking River Cruises' ship that was sailing up the Mississippi River was halted on Thursday, October 6, after low water levels forced the ship to...

Viking Mississippi ship makes first-ever call at La Crosse’s Riverside Park WI

As part of her maiden voyage, the 450-ft-long Viking Mississippi cruise ship arrived at La Crosse’s Riverside Park (Wisconsin) in the early...

Viking Mississippi ship departs from downtown St. Paul on inaugural cruise

On Saturday, September 3, a 386-passenger luxury river cruise ship (custom-built for the Mississippi River) docked at Lambert’s Landing in...

Viking Mississippi floated out at Edison Chouest shipyard in Houma (Louisiana)

The new riverboat being constructed for Viking River Cruises USA was floated out on Monday, March 7, at Edison Chouest Offshore's LaShip...

Davenport IA (Iowa, Quad Cities) to increase cruise shipping traffic in 2022

Davenport IA (Iowa USA) is making a million-dollar investment in a riverside park which is part of an effort to get ready for an anticipated increase...

Viking announces new 2024 sailings of its Mississippi River cruises

Viking Cruises opened for booking the new 2024 Mississippi River voyages. The company's first (under charter) vessel Viking Mississippi is scheduled...

Viking and American Cruise Lines to make waterfront improvements in Vicksburg Mississippi

Two cruise companies that offer Mississippi River voyages can start making developments to the waterfront in Vicksburg MS (Mississippi). The city's...

Viking announced the Itinerary of its first Holiday-themed Mississippi River Cruise

Viking's new travel brand Viking River Cruises USA released details of its holiday-themed voyages on Mississippi River. Scheduled to launch in...

•   show more news

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• Zhao Shang Yi Dun-Viking Sun

Viking Mississippi Wiki

In 2015 was officially announced Viking's plan to enter USA's river cruising market by chartering newbuild ships for year-round operations on Mississippi River. However, the process was slowed due to issues regarding the so-called "Jones Act" (Merchant Marine Act from 1920). It imposes restrictions on where USA-based ships can navigate and how to be staffed.

In October 2018 was announced as a potential start-up (with Mississippi-based boats) the year 2021. By 2027, Viking plans to increase its annual passenger river shipping capacity to 100,000+ (compared to 2018's 50,600) by deploying six Viking riverboats in the USA. The 7-night/8-day itineraries include roundtrips from New Orleans , as well as one-ways between New Orleans and Memphis TN , and between St Louis MO and Minneapolis-Saint Paul MN .

Viking Mississippi was constructed at the Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) Shipyards-owned company LaShip Shipyard (Houma, Louisiana USA). Due to strong demand, bookings for Viking's 2023-2024 itinerary program opened on July 2, 2020. Viking's Mississippi River year-round deployment is expected to bring 7500+ passengers in 2022 and 17600+ tourists during the full 2023 season.

Viking Mississippi was launched/floated out from drydock on March 7, 2022. The ceremony was led by godmother/madrina Dionne Chouest (Edison Chouest Offshore's General Counsel).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2022

Next tables show the riverboat's inaugural itineraries (by theme) as call ports and USD pricing per person (double-occupancy balcony cabin rates).

(MAIDEN VOYAGE/2022) 7-day St Louis to St Paul - priced from USD 4790 pp

14-day from St Paul to Port NOLA (New Orleans)

7-day from New Orleans to Memphis (USD 6990 pp)

(Southern Celebration) 7-day roundtrip from New Orleans (USD 4290 pp)

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.

Used Viking Yachts for Sale

Viking Yacht has celebrated over four decades in business building luxury performance sportfishing and cruising yachts. Viking prides itself on its renowned manufacturing capabilities. From the initial design to the finished product, Viking’s highly-regarded reputation is rooted in the company’s commitment to produce 90 percent of the boat in house. SYS offers used Viking Yachts for sale worldwide, including Viking Convertible, Flybridge, Enclosed Bridge, Sport Fish, Motor Yacht models and more. Don't see the vessel you're looking for here? Contact our yacht brokers for assistance, we look forward to helping you find the yacht that is right for you. Learn More about Viking

Viking Enclosed Flybridge

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Little audrey.

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Cookie monster.

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Why Wouldn't We

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The provider.

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Berry blessed.

Viking 74 Enlcosed Bridge

VIKING YACHTS

Established : 1964 Located : New Gretna, New Jersey Construction : Fiberglass Category : Motoryachts, Sportfishermen, Enclosed Flybridge

Brand History

Started by brothers Bob and Bill Healey in 1964 when they bought Peterson-Viking Builders, a small, struggling New Jersey builder of 37-foot, wooden sportfishing boats, Viking Yachts has grown to become a world leader in semi-custom fiberglass yacht production with over 4,000 Vikings delivered.

With Bob at the company helm as Chief Executive Officer and deal maker, and Bill as company President, chief boatbuilder and head of the company’s in-house design and engineering teams, this family-owned and managed business is still the industry leader. Viking Yacht Company can build over 100 high-end yachts, from 42 to 92 feet and valued at $1 million to $5.5 million each year. Skilled employees build yachts in Viking’s state-of-the-art, 810,000 square-feet, waterfront-manufacturing facility year round. Today Viking builds luxury sportfishing and motor yachts from 37 to 92 feet.

Buying a Viking: We offer used Viking Yachts for sale worldwide, including Viking Convertible, Viking Flybridge, Viking Enclosed Bridge, Viking Sport fish, Viking Motor Yacht models and more! Contact our sales professionals for immediate assistance.

Selling Your Viking: With a team of experienced yacht brokers and marketing professionals, we will employ a comprehensive marketing approach to ensure your vessel receives maximum global exposure online as well as exposure in person at major boat shows. Learn more about how SYS Yacht Sales will help to sell your Viking yacht!

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• River Cruising

Viking Moscow to St. Petersburg: Safety??

By uilleann , September 20, 2018 in River Cruising

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We are looking at doing the Viking Moscow to St. Petersburg river cruise in 2020. When I checked the US State Dept. They classify Russia as a “Consider another location” due to increased terrorism against American Tourists. I would love to hear peoples thoughts as I have never been to Russia and this cruise looks like fun?

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I can't answer your question specifically. I have done a similar cruise (another line) and I have done a land trip there. If I was to advise people, I would tell people to find a land company and just do St. Petersburg and Moscow. Stay downtown and not clear out where the river boats stay. I was bored with the ports between and wish I had spent more time in Moscow on the river boat (like I did when I was on the land trip.

Again, not the answer to the question you were asking. I personally would have no hesitations going back.

My sister-in-law just did the Viking trip, St, Pete to Moscow, with no problem at all. She reacted as I did -- greatly enjoyed the longer day time sailing of this itinerary, which she found relaxing and peaceful, and the ports quite interesting. (I was on another line, too, a few years ago). I've seen the State Dept. warning but think the cruise lines put a premium on the safety of their PAX and would withdraw their tours if safety was a concern, such as when river cruises on the Nile were shut down. We did a cruise there after they were reinstated and were a bit apprehensive, but we felt safe with the security provided there and had a great time as well.

We did this trip five years ago. We found St. Petersburg and Moscow extremely interesting, but we really enjoyed the ports during the cruising part of the trip. We loved sailing through the countryside and seeing the smaller towns. President Obama was actually in St. Petersburg for a summit the same time we were there, so Americans were treated fine. However, this was all only a few months before the Sochi winter olympics and Putin was on his best behavior. We all know what happened immediately following the olympics. But then we went to Egypt this past January and we're going to Cuba this coming winter, so we're not easily put off by state department warnings.

chicchic325

That area is generally safe. That said, there is no love lost between Russians and Americans. Most of your everyday people will be fine. You will stand out as an American, good/bad/indifferent. Most of the terrorism problems in Russia are further south than Moscow

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... there is no love lost between Russians and Americans.

I don't find it to be the case.... While the governments do indeed have a hard time finding any kind of common ground to start talking, this has not - in my experience - translated into any kind of problems on a person-to-person level.

If anything, I'd encourage the OP to extend their stay on both ends of the trip, via Viking extension or otherwise and explore both cities on their own.

There aren't too many reviews of Vikings Russian River tours here on CC, but to get a general understanding of overall safety and other issues you might also want to check reviews of other cruise companies (AMA, Scenic, Uniworld, Vodohod) and aggregators (Gate 1 cruises, etc) offering the same route - the itineraries are virtually identical.

As far as State Dept warnings go - they have unfortunately become a political tool rather than a useful resourse for travelers.

Host Jazzbeau

I don't find it to be the case.... While the governments do indeed have a hard time finding any kind of common ground to start talking, this has not - in my experience - translated into any kind of problems on a person-to-person level. If anything, I'd encourage the OP to extend their stay on both ends of the trip, via Viking extension or otherwise and explore both cities on their own. There aren't too many reviews of Vikings Russian River tours here on CC, but to get a general understanding of overall safety and other issues you might also want to check reviews of other cruise companies (AMA, Scenic, Uniworld, Vodohod) and aggregators (Gate 1 cruises, etc) offering the same route - the itineraries are virtually identical.   As far as State Dept warnings go - they have unfortunately become a political tool rather than a useful resourse for travelers.

AMA stopped offering cruises in Russia, reportedly because they couldn't deliver the quality of their European and other itineraries.

AMA stopped offering cruises in Russia

Very true, but past reviews should still be available - and could be helpful in overall assessment of things to expect on that route. Like I said, the itineraries are virtually the same (coincidentally, stern State Dept warnings haven't changed much over the years, either).

OnTheJourney

Would love to go to Moscow....and so I've looked at the "Waterways of the Tsars" Viking cruise quite often. When we arrived in SPB, that morning you could just feel the tension onboard the ship. Everyone just seemed keyed up and slightly nervous. NOT the usual feeling like in the Windjammer down in the Caribbean! Anyway, one of the days we went through border patrol they left my wife go right through, but I was questioned rather sternly and at length about why I'm arriving so early before my tour excursion started and what I intended to do. It was a bit uncomfortable. After a bit of jabbering in Russian among the border patrol agents, they finally let me through. Telling them that I was going to go shopping with the extra time before the excursion started seemed to win some points :)

This is because they never really tried. Ours had 2 AMA employees - the rest were Vodohod employees. It was a Vodohod cruise.

Relax & ignore uptight fellow passengers.

Viking Ocean Day One at St Pete we go to the border officer. Stares & glowers at us for something like 2-3 minutes. Then stamps our passports forcefully and bruskly waves us thru.

Day 2 at St Pete. We arrive and are promptly waived thru right away. But no smile.

Two very elderly folks on our same tour were held up at least 15 minutes as we all waited for them. Talked to them and they were both ex-military and had worked at the Pentagon. They surmised that the Rooskies knew this and had some concerns. They were laughing and thought the entire experience was a hoot. Day 2, no problems.

Yeah...we had no problems the next day we went through.

My sister and BIL just returned from the Viking trip from St. Pete. to Moscow. They said the onboard experience wasn't as good as on the European Longships but they thoroughly enjoyed the trip. They too reported the local people they met were a very warm and friendly.

We arrive and are promptly waived thru right away. But no smile.

Just out of pure curiosity (plus in the interest of identifying cultural differences) - why do you think a smile would be in order?

From my point of view: tourism is an economic plus for any country, so officials involved should be customer-focused.

The scowling old Babushkas monitoring in the Russian museums are apparently not in order.

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Suggest you try the Sampsan from Moscow to St Petes.

There is a four seat compartment at the very front of the train, excellent service, and great views.

Very safe even for Americans !

The scowling old Babushkas monitoring in the Russian museums are apparently not in order

Indeed, wouldn't we all prefer the cheerful young babushkas!

In fact, having spent a bit of time in SPB over the summer, I have a new appreciation for the scowling old type - the only time I've seen them spring back to life, in a soccer-goalie pounce, was to stop a fellow tourist from touching the private parts of a marble statue or leaning against the tapestry-adorned wall in the Hermitage :-)

When I was a Russian History major in the late '60s there was a wonderful story from the days of Stalin about an old Babushka who used to take the subway to Red Square every morning, trudge painfully across the square to the wall of the Kremlin where the front page of Pravda was posted in a glass case, look briefly at the paper and sigh, and then trudge back to the subway. One day the guard asked, "Grandma, why don't you just buy the paper? It only costs a penny." She said, "I don't want to read all of it. I'm just looking for an obituary." The guard said, "But the obituaries aren't printed on the front page!" She answered, " This one will be."

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Travel to Moscow and our Viking Ship

23 Sunday Sep 2018

Posted by Tom Musch in Travel Photos

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Moscow , Russia , Viking River Cruises

July 31st 2018 – Viking Travel to Moscow from Munich Germany.

The airports filled up a good part of the day with normal check in, security check,  2x passport control and 2x customs.  The flight was 3 hours and 20 min.

The travel from the Moscow airport to our ship was about 2 hours – not because of the distance but because the traffic was stop and go most all the way.   5 lane road in both directions – just full of cars (Most non-Russian-all the brands you would see in the US) and trucks.  A number of the drivers were looking at their cell phones.  We also viewed a large number of high rise apartment buildings that were grouped together in different areas.  Some looked rather new.

Viking is not allowed to bring its own ships to Russia.  They were required to purchase Russian ships so the lay out of the boat is different that the normal European river boat.  Vikng upgraded the amenities to their standard but the layout of the boat could not be changed, for example the stairs would not meet OHSA standards, but are what you would fined on a working ship, narrow and quite steep.

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