Viking Buri Review

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Editor Rating
4.0
Very Good
Overall
Gina Kramer
Contributor

Every night after dinner, passengers on this boat make their way to the Viking Lounge to schmooze over local wines, piano tunes and sweeping views of France's sleepy and relatively untouched Provence and Burgundy regions. And that's life onboard Viking Buri: simple, friendly and worry-free. The atmosphere, combined with the line's moderate pricing  -- by river cruise standards -- is what makes the 190-passenger vessel and the rest of Viking River Cruises' fleet the most popular choice among North Americans.

Viking Buri is one of a handful of identical "Longships," each of which boasts a sleek, minimalist vibe while maintaining a sense of hominess. There's one dining room, one lounge area with a bar, a terrace and a sun deck with a "backyard in the summertime" feel, thanks to its abundance of seating, an herb garden and games. All public spaces are flooded with light and open to the surrounding views.

While it would be nice to have a top-deck hot tub or other fancy amenity, the lack of choice works in Viking's favor. Passengers never have to overthink where to eat dinner, what to drink or how to spend their free time. At least one shore tour per day is complimentary, as are all meals and wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. (Internet is also free.)

Our favorite hangout spot has to be the Aquavit Terrace. Viking nailed it with this space, which was originally a design measure to work around European riverboat size requirements. On the Longships, the traditional, pointy-nosed bow was stunted, leaving room for the alfresco dining venue. While this is fairly standard now, the concept was brand-new when Longships debuted in 2014 and it's still among the loveliest out there.

Also deserving of mention is the riverboat's mechanical design. Viking Longships are equipped with hybrid engines that are not only environmentally friendly, but also produce less vibration for a smoother ride. They even include solar panels, which help to meet fuel requirements.

Pros

Alfresco dining space offers some of the best views onboard

Cons

Lack of entertainment leads to early nights

Bottom Line

Simple yet elegant vessel that "forces" you to relax

Fellow Passengers

The average Viking River passengers are 60-plus, mostly American and British couples (and occasionally a couple of Aussies) traveling in pairs or small groups. Longships, like Buri, will occasionally see younger couples who are drawn to the riverboats' more contemporary design.

Viking Buri Dress Code

Casual, comfortable attire is encouraged both on and off the riverboat. Examples include khakis and a polo for men, and jeans and a blouse for women. Comfortable walking shoes are key. Tours involve heavy walking, and most ports are smaller and full of uneven, cobblestone streets that might make it difficult to get around unless you're prepared. It's also a good idea to bring layers for unpredictably chilly European nights. At dinner in The Restaurant, some passengers dress up (nice trousers and a collared shirt for men, and a skirt and dress blouse for women), although it's not a requirement.

Viking Buri Inclusions

Tips are not included in the cruise fare, except for passengers from Australia and New Zealand. Gratuities are paid at the end of the cruise in cash or by credit card. (Euros are the onboard currency, but dollars are also accepted for gratuities.) The recommended amount on Viking's Europe cruises is 12 euros per passenger, per day, which is divided up among the crew.

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More about Viking Buri

Viking Buri Cruiser Reviews

Great Trip on the Rhône River

The Viking Buri is spacious and well appointed. Even with a full complement of crew and guests it never seemed crowded.Read More
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Mike_and_Ann

oneFirst Time Cruiser

Age 70s

Cruising during France strikes

They refunded the unused days of Silver Spirits package and gave us credit on a future Viking cruise of 35% of the price of our Buri cabin.Read More
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ABI1

many10+ Cruises

Age 70s

Viking Buri really stepped up

Viking really stepped up and.we will always make them our first choice when looking to take a cruise vacation.Read More
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Garrus52

many10+ Cruises

Age 70s

Excellence overall with all aspects of the trip

We had an amazing time and will certainly return for a new Viking experience!! Thank you Viking for a wonderful and relaxing vacation experience!!Read More
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Smiledoc16

oneFirst Time Cruiser

Age 40s


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