Having cruised on the high seas 15 times, I finally convinced my sister to splurge on a Viking River Cruise. We selected a unique itinerary, Passage to Eastern Europe, figuring it highly unlikely that we visit many of these countries on our own. The itinerary did not disappoint. It was not a trip filled with breathtaking scenery (although there were beautiful stretches along the Danube, particularly on the day cruising the Iron Gate), magnificent castles or world-class museums, but it offered a glimpse at the lives of people who live in former Iron Curtain countries, now a full generation removed from the end of the Communist period. The shore excursions and cultural shows (mostly singing and dancing) on-board while in port were the highlights of the trip.
The Viking staff have logistics down to a science, from the airport transfers and hotel staff, to the ship's program director. All of the excursions were well executed, on-time and had excellent local guides who spoke very good English. A visit with a local Croatian family was fascinating as we sat in her dining room and enjoyed homemade strudel, coffee, tea and home-made fruit brandy while asking about her life during the communist times, during the war with Serbia in the 1990's and in the more recent past. Another highlight was a discussion with 2 Bulgarian teenagers about life in their little-discussed country. This discussion and other interactions with the younger generation offered me some hope for the future success of the region.
As to the onboard experience, I must admit that my sister and I were somewhat disappointed. Perhaps we had different expectations, but we thought Viking would offer a higher-end cruise than we experienced. Some specifics: