Viking Rolf Review

Paris to Normandy to Paris...lovely in the Spring!

Review for Europe Cruise on Viking Rolf
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voyagerpunaise
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Apr 2016

This was the second time on the Paris to Normandy to Paris cruise. This was my 3rd trip with Viking. Viking continues to improve as the years go by. We were docked in Le Pecq which was an adorable suburb of Paris. I loved the excursion offered by Viking to St. Germain -en-Laye. It was beautiful and gave me a view of Le Pecq and the surrounding area. Having taken this tour before it was a welcome additional tour. I was so happy with being able to do Paris on my own and also knowing where I had to be to be picked up in the p.m. Giverny was so beautiful with tulips everywhere. I loved the house with the brightly colored rooms! This time I spent some time in town with fun shopping and a delicious creme brulee' at one of the many adorable cafes. On the way back to the bus, it started to rain which turned into...SNOW!! A beautiful ending to a wonderful excursion. Rouen was fascinating. The first two or three blocks away from the river, were of newer construction having been bombed during the war, were such a contrast to the older Rouen. The tour was interesting, but again, I was able to take some of Rouen that was new to me as I went off on my own, knowing where the Rolf was docked. I love the aspect of Viking tours! My favorite tour was the visit to Arromanches Les Bain, and the American Cemetery in area of Normandy. Arromanches is one of my favorite places in the world. The ocean is so gorgeous, it makes it difficult to think about June 6th. I love the town and the cafe that served up a very French lunch. It was even better this year. The visit to the American Cemetery always brings tears to my eyes when the American National Anthem is played. Plus I loved the fact that Viking had a small appreciation ceremony for past Vets. There were quite a few on our trip. When we docked in Les Andelys, I had already seen the castle, so I led a small cadre of women shopping in the wonderful little boutiques in town. My best memory is sitting outside at a little cafe, sipping an apple liquor, and seeing at least 6 red Viking umbrellas being held by the husbands of all the wives that were shopping in the little boutique on the corner. Then, we had a great conversation with a Frenchman whose daughter was going to school in California and wanted to show us pictures of her on his phone. It started to rain as we all ran inside the little cafe, just in time when the hail poured down!! It was once again, a great ending to a perfect day. The last tour to Napoleon's Malmaison was so fascinating. A great new tour Viking, thanks.

The crew was like a family. When they would gather us together in the lounge every evening to tell us about dinner and the wine plus the next day's adventure, they had a little routine that was just adorable. It didn't hurt that the captain and several of the others, were lovely to look at!! I also thought the little cocktail hour for returning travelers was lovely with so many cocktails to try.

We ended our tour with a three day extension in Paris at the Hotel Ampere. The Viking tour guide was very nice and very helpful during our stay.

Cabin Review

Cabin French Balcony

I was a solo traveler on this trip, so I had the whole cabin to myself. It was immaculate and new! Plenty of closets and drawers to keep me happy. The bathroom is lovely and the showers are always hot. There is so much to see on a cruise and places on the ship to sit with friends etc. you don't spend too much time in your cabin. Loved cruising at night and following asleep to the motion of the ship.

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