This was our first ever river cruise and in most areas it did not disappoint. We did the European Sojourn for its length. When you travel from Australia you don't do it for a short holiday. After taking 30 hours to arrive in Bucharest we figured we had earned a long relaxing holiday. Our arrival at the airport and pickup by viking was seamless. Our arrival at the Athenee Hilton not so impressive. We stood around with 3 other couples waiting for the viking Rep to even acknowledge us as she was chatting to a couple from the USA . When you have spent so long traveling to your destination your patience can be a little thin. Not a good start but that was not going to spoil the start to our holiday. After settling in we went for a walk, had a great pizza for lunch and had an early night. The next day we were collected for a tour of Bucharest and arrived at the ship quite late and were rushed to be ready for dinner. This is one area Viking could improve on. If we arrived mid afternoon and had time to unpack, orientate and freshen up for our first dinner onboard I would have been much happier. The passengers who joined our cruise a week later in Bucharest arrived on the ship around lunch time and had a lovely relaxing afternoon.

The food on board was delicious. Amazing eggs bennie for breakfast along with many many other choices. Our waiter was the best ever. Ned was from Bulgaria and we were lucky enough to have him for the duration of the cruise (had to move tables after the first 7 days to ensure this). Ned would ensure we got little extras. If we could not decide which dessert we wanted we got some of each. If we wanted steak but there were also scallops on the menu, we got scallops on our steak. The best waiter on any cruise ever. We met 3 Americans on the first night and shared our meals and many excursions with them for the next 3 weeks. With the addition of another Aussie in Budapest it made for an enjoyable dining experience. Whilst we were one of the youngest aboard (early 50's) we found some amazing people to share our holiday experience with. I must say our much older American friends had more energy and stamina then us.

This was the first trip where I could honestly say I got to talk to the captain. For the first half of the trip we had Captain "Stevie". He was the most personable Captain of any cruise ship we have travelled. No matter what he was doing or where he passes you he would always stop for a chat and ask how your holiday was. His English was not great, by his admission, but by gosh this did not stop him being the friendliest and most genuine guy ever. I don't even know who the Captain was after Stevie got off!!!!! Read more