18 people in our group boarded a Viking River Boat cruise on the Rhone River in Southern France on May 31, 2015. Traveling from the U.S. we spent a lot of time getting there. Sadly, we spent very little time cruising.
The first day, the ship did not sail. The second day it sailed to one port and while traveling to the second port, the ship encountered propeller problems caused by ship personnel and we cruised no further than Lyon. We were then told that it would take time to evaluate the problem and attempt to remedy it. We stayed in the same port for almost two days and were then told that we had to evacuate the boat. We were put on a 5 hour bus ride to Arles and then Avignon, served the same meal with no choices three consecutive times. With no tour guide, we were deposited on a street corner in Avignon and waited 30+ minutes for someone to show up and lead us to our hotel which was a best two stars. My room had no air conditioning in 90 degree heat. As a result of this ordeal, we could not take several side trips and ended up leaving in a total state of confusion and disarray. When you read descriptions of Viking River Boat cruises, please keep this in mind. Unfortunately, our cruise came no where near the poetic descriptions written in the Viking literature. Four all our difficulties, Viking offered us 25% of the next cruise, what I would get for writing a review. Sadly, I never want to travel with them again.