Light wooden cabinetry, fluffy white duvets, hotel-like queen-sized beds (which can also be configured as twins), gray and tan accents and modern Norsk art create a light, airy and comfortable sleeping environment. Every cabin comes with a view.
An impressive 39 cabins (205 square feet each) on Middle and Upper Decks have real balconies, a wonderful addition that lets you privately take in the views. If the balconies are not quite as wide as you'll find on oceangoing ships, there is still room on each for two straight-backed mesh outdoor chairs and a tiny wooden table for drinks; most river ships these days possess only French balconies.
Another 22 cabins (135 square feet each) on Middle and Upper Decks have French balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors you can open for breezes. (These pseudo-balconies make the cabins feel larger than they actually are.) Twenty-five value-priced cabins (150 square feet each) on the waterline of Main Deck have views via high portholes.
For those seeking more space, seven Veranda Suites (270 square feet apiece) on Upper Deck have a small living rooms with a sofas, desks and verandahs, as well as separate bedrooms with a vanities, French balconies and small walk-in closets.
The top two Explorer Suites on Upper Deck are, at 445 square feet each, the largest found on any riverboat in Europe (though not exactly palatial). Each living room has a wraparound verandah, where you could host another couple for cocktails. The bedroom has a French balcony and can be closed off by a curtain or doors.
Throughout all cabins, bathrooms feature rounded sinks, glass showers (larger in the suites) and heated floors. Storage space in most cabins includes shelves, drawers and small closets, plenty for two people packing casual attire. (An oddity is that the Veranda Suites have walk-in closets, but otherwise they have extremely limited storage space.) Care seems to have gone into cabin lighting, which includes dimmers, table-side lamps and mirrored vanities -- all much appreciated.
Every cabin is equipped with a mini-fridge (we loved that there was a cut-out in the fridge grills that make it possible to chill a bottle of wine standing) and safe, as well as a handheld hair dryer. Bath products are L'Occitane. Bathrobes are available on request.
Large Sony HD flat-screen TV's serve up several channels, including CNN and Fox, and a good variety of complimentary movies on demand (including new releases, classics and movies reflecting the ship's itinerary). A cool feature is that the TV's also list ship information, including names of every member of the crew. You can plug your iPod into the TV to listen to music, and there are also pre-programmed music channels.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, including in cabins. It was, if not speedy, at least more reliable than access we've experienced on Viking Prestige, the line's next-newest ship. Fresh fruit and bottled water are provided in all cabins daily. While there are ice buckets in each cabin, stewardesses do not fill them. There is, however, an ice machine in the hallway on each deck.
Note: The frosted-glass bathroom doors belong in the what-were-they-thinking category. While they're pretty, there's a good chance you'll wake your companion if you turn on the bathroom light at night.
We were on the main deck,the deck that is below water. The cabins on the lower deck are larger than the french balcony cabins on the next level up (middle deck). No portholes here; there is a large window at water lever. Only one level down from the point of exiting the...continue
We had a french balcony. Although this was my first river cruise, and have nothing to compare the rooms to except ocean liners, it was very much satisfactory. The only negative, is that they are a lot smaller, but they have to deal with constraints with the width of these...continue
Cabin atrocious, the smallest space I have ever had to pay for for two people. One small port hole at water level when tied up you invariable had no daylight because sister ships were tied up alongside and completely block he port hole. The "bathroom" and I use the term...continue
