Viking River Cruise

My parents want to do one, but I have no knowledge other than that. It looks amazing!

And October 6 is my anniversary too :).

My parents took a Viking River Cruise in Europe. They loved it! It is totally different from a typical cruise, however. Travelers tend to be seniors. That was fine for my parents, since they fit in, but even they noted the age of travelers. No big show entertainment, aside from led talks about upcoming travel stops. If your 15-year-old can keep himself entertained easily, it might be ok, but he's not likely to see others his age.

My best friend, her sister and her sister's husband did a Viking River Cruise (Germany) and loved it. They said the boat wasn't hugely crowded like some Caribbean cruises can be; they got to know other passengers and made friends; they loved the food and the stops. They also loved the fact that there was constant scenery instead of just miles of open ocean to look at....

As regards your son, that depends greatly on the kind of kid he is and his interests. I would take my own DD (who, like your son, is 15) but then she is fine going a while without other teens around, she likes history (since you're always floating past plenty of history on these cruises) and she would use the time to write, her favorite hobby. But if your son is a teen who really likes to be with peers I would imagine there may not be many teens on these river cruises, which seem to be marketed more to couples and older passengers than to families with kids and teens. If he would be happy to be with you, and to enjoy the scenery and history, and will cope fine with being around a lot of adults most or all of the time, then I'd bring him. Or....I would possibly consider a second honeymoon that accommodated a teen a bit better, if you think he'd find the cruise boring. I would let the idea of a family European trip trump the idea of a "just us two" vacation at this point, since my kid is only three years from being gone for college (and I can say that my husband would feel the same way). That might be one thing to consider.

Ideally, you could do the cruise--and probably you can get a short one--then add on a stay someplace at one end of the cruise that would let your son get out and about on land more with walks and hikes.

Viking is very different than say Royal Caribbean. Very quiet, low key and very much geared towards seniors. No big shows, etc. your son would be miserable.

Decide if you want a family vacation or a honeymoon.
It would be a mistake to try to do both at the same time.
Your parents being romantic is majorly boring to kids.

If it were me - I'd do family now before your nest is empty - and 2nd honeymoon later - there's always the 25 anniversary.

A good friend of mine who is 38 was very interested in taking a Viking River Cruise with her husband so she called the company and spoke to a representative. The representative was great, but talked her out of going on the cruise. She told her the cruises are geared toward seniors and that the tours will go at the pace of the slowest person on the tour who will usually be using a walker or a wheelchair and that you can't go at your own pace. My friend decided to wait until they are much older to take that trip, but she was very impressed with the company.

As for the rest of your question, I would take your son if this is the only big trip you will be taking. My oldest is about to leave for college. The time goes by so quickly. Enjoy family time while you can. If you can swing a weekend away with your husband to celebrate your anniversary, do that, but I would include your son on the big trip. You will all treasure those memories later.

Happy Anniversary!

I can't speak to the Viking River Cruise - never heard of it. However, we took our two 18 year olds with us on our "anniversary" trip to Mexico last year. It was kind of our last chance to vacation with them before they start college/leave for the military and we also called it their 18th birthday present. We all had a blast! I don't know why bringing a 15 yr old would be much different? I am sure he can entertain himself when needed and what better way to celebrate than with family.

I would definitely talk to a doctor about the motion sickness thing - I am not prone to it (took a very bumpy cruise and never got sick once) but twice I have gotten extremely motion sick for almost no reason . . . THAT would be a vacation downer.

Good luck!

We went on 3 cruises last year and I'm paying for one today for this year. I am EXTREMELY prone to motion sickness...even driving...but on cruises we get our cabin toward the back and it isn't so bad. On all the ones I've been on, I was only sick once and just went and laid down for a couple hours and slept it off.

I have checked into the river cruises and they look fabulous!!! I would so go if I were you!

We took our 16 and 13 yo last summer on a 5 day and we are going on the same this year with them over fall break. I think you should take your son because you won't have much time with him after he's gone. And you should be able to get him his own cabin...if you're ok with that. We get our kids their own and believe it or not, it's only $60 more to do so. That way you still have your second honeymoon privacy. =0)

my parents left me home with grandma when they went on their second honeymoon. my brother was away at college and i was lonely, it sucked. i wished i could of gone with my parents. (but i also had zero friends and worked the entire time they were gone. and it was my birthday so i was disappointed that only my grandparents were around to "celebrate" that with me)
ask your son if he wants to go or stay home and let him decide. you don't want to make a decision that HE will be unhappy with and he is old enough to have a say in it

I will add my mother (who is 80) when on one around age 70. Absolutely loved it but it is geared to the slower crowd. But that may be your thing. Very relaxed and she said it was her favorite trip in Europe (world traveler).

A friend of mine is a travel agent. She and her husband went on one and also enjoyed it. She may have been researching it for her business - I'm not sure. They are very active people yet still found it enjoyable.

They left their kids behind if that helps. But they wanted a romantic getaway.

If you get motion sick on a cruise ship, then I would not chance taking a viking river cruise. Can you find a tour guide to set up a tour of that area, instead of the cruise?

As for taking your child - I love to go on vacation with my kids. To me, it is more fun. I would take him.

If you do decide to go on the cruise, talk to your doctor about a scopolomine patch. For me, it works 1000X better than any over the counter medicine or supplement (and believe me, I have tried them all).

I think you should take a family vacation and then do an anniversary thing on your own with hubby. Not out of country. Do that with your whole family. If you got sick on water you'll be sick on water.

In 3-4 years you'll have an empty nest and be able to go wherever you want.

Go for it and yes, take your son :-)