This was our 7th Viking river cruise and we are planning more. We had taken the Grand European, which covered much of the same area down the Rhine with an extension on this cruise past Germany's Main river into Switzerland (we totally enjoyed the extension in Basel since the trams run everywhere -- we visiting 4 museums and the Basel zoo all in one day using the trams). For this Rhine River cruise, we were with friends whose bucket list included a stop at Der Roten Ochsen (the Red Ox) in Heidelberg, since for years, it was a pub hangout for high schools kids whose dads were in the military and stationed in Heidelberg.

We were on the second embarkation of the Viking Alruna and were entirely impressed by the staff and crew on this new boat. The cruise director Nick was not only highly adept at the details of the fascinating excursions but was as much an entertainer as anyone actually performing for us (and there was some wonderful music from entertainers who came on board). I heard other passengers asking how they could find out what other boats Nick would be on so they could take another cruise with him.

The daily service and staff were nothing short of outstanding, thanks to Evelyn who oversaw it all. When American Airlines lost our bags for 6 days, Evelyn did everything she could to help us. Her concierge made numerous phone calls every day for us tracing our bags and Evelyn had the few clothes we had from our carry-ons washed for us each day (complementary). She even upgraded our cabin when one came available due to a family emergency and their disembarkation. . Read more