Viking Skadi Review

Amsterdam - Budapest; smooth sailing but tired by the end!

Review for Europe River Cruise on Viking Skadi
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phinaeus
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Oct 2013

I booked on impulse late and got the last available cabin,but it was an upgrade for the price and on the top deck which gave excellent views. Amsterdam to Budapest and the lot in between, including locks. The cruise blogs tell you that these cruises are different from those on the ocean and its very true. Only 180 passengers with 50 crew, so you get to know most people and the crew members get to know you. But you need stamina.

Viking have inclusive visits at each stop and these are perfectly adequate for seeing the area. The breaking up of the groups into normal/ adventurous, and slow for those with limited get up and go was good. Yes there are optional excursions (at a price),but if you do your homework, and unless it is really something you NEED to see, you can use Shank's pony and explore on your own. You need to pace yourself and NOT go back to the boat after the morning tour for that lunch and free booze. Have a good breakfast (but not excessive), take some fruit and find somewhere for coffee whilst you explore. So you also need discipline.

Now the food - yes there is an awful lot of it, and whilst some grazed and drank their way through each day, if you are sensible you will again apply common sense. Some people think that because they've paid for it they must consume it. A big gripe are the individuals who fill their plates then leave half of it. Would they do that at home ....perhaps. But it is plain insulting to those who have prepared what are excellent dishes, and coming from a family who number chefs and caterers in their ranks (not me I'm a medic), I do not understand this mentality. We had free beer and house wines and these are quite adequate. Now you can buy special wines etc but for many who have saved for this type of holiday - is there any need?. Viking home wines are perfectly palatable. A word of warning. They do offer an alcohol "silver deal" where you can upgrade your wines and beers, cocktails and drink yourself into oblivion. You'd need to - at a cost equivalent to £200. Don't bother.

Cabin Review

Small but adequate as you spend little time in the cabin, unless you want to watch TV/films. But you can do that at home

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