Embarkation was easy, and our room was lovely. The shore excursions were more scripted than I usually care for, but for travelers who want to spend less time figuring it out on their own it would be perfect. The service onboard was great. The crew were hilarious, and made you feel like you were with friends even though they were new. They were friendly and helpful. The food onboard was amazing. I tried everything from snails to oxtail, and each was amazing. And if you're not into trying unusual foods, there were still plenty of wonderful things to choose from. We (late 30s) were some of the youngest on the cruise, but by no means the most energetic. We made many friends, and really enjoyed the trip. Don't let the assumption that river cruises are only for old people keep you back. It's not true and you'll have a great time with the other passengers. Loved the cruise and look forward to many more in the future. Read Less

We wanted to experience the Christmas Markets in various cities. Except for the tragedy in Strasbourg, we got our wish. The bus tour to the Black Forest was interesting , but rather long. That was modified from the original due to the changes needed not visit Strasbourg. Meals were excellent with very attentive service. The room was quite nice - we enjoyed the bed facing the river, and the bathroom was good-size with a very nice tiled shower. We just wish it had been warmer so we could have gone up on the top deck, but we will do that on our next trip. Room storage was adequate, but we would like more drawers. The entertainment was good, especially La Strada. We had more than ample time to experience the Christmas markets, and enjoyed the walking tour of Basel very much, despite the cold. Overall we would do another Avalon cruise in a heartbeat! Read Less

This cruise line treated us like royalty! By day two the staff knew our names and preferences. Never did we want for anything....and in fact....had to politely decline service as they were always looking to see what they could provide. I can’t say enough positive about Crystal. Food was far beyond expectations. I tried things I would never normally try....and lived them. It will be exceedingly difficult to be on any other line after this! In fact, I doubt we will be with any other line! We depart the ship in two days. Already depressed about it! Shore excursions were included and awesome. Guides were well informed and gave us great information. Ships staff was so gracious and friendly. Thanks so much Crystal! Totally thrilled with our experience. Ship was comfortable and easy to navigate. Can’t wait for our next opportunity. When changes in itinerary were required...due to river conditions the crew scrambled to provide us with excellent alternatives. They never missed a beat. Read Less

First European river cruise and I'd do Avalon again. Loved the Rhine and the castles we saw along the way. Food and service were top notch. I felt bad for the people who just got off a flight and had to nap in the lounge since the cabins weren't available till 4PM. They ran a full size bus for just 6 passengers to get us from FRA to the boat. That was unexpected but appreciated. Hendrik, cruise director, was knowledgeable , funny and very well spoken. Two of the port calls he hadn't done before and there were minor glitches but most of the passengers just went with the flow. Several couples celebrating 50the wedding anniversaries and more than a few cochlear implants, hearing aids, walking sticks and canes. There were also a few couples in their 30s and 40s. The staff works hard, cleaning the rooms, removing trash, bringing on new supplies. They were all polite, friendly and accommodating. Moselle river was recommended as a great itinerary so I'll think about that next. Danube has challenges when the rain isn't sufficient to keep the water levels up. Read Less

We had been on large cruise ships before and wanted to try a smaller, river cruise. This cruise did not disappoint. The staff was wonderful and very knowledgeable. The ship was just the right size so you didn't get lost trying to find things. They "no specific seating" at meals was great for getting to meet a lot of people. The food was delicious and dining room staff top-notch! There weren't a lot of activities on the ship so people were more inclined to get off and explore the country -- perfect! The excursions were also perfect (even when the guides were sometimes not). Only downfall I can think of was the embarkation procedures. We arrived very early on the first day of our cruise to find we would not be able to take possession of our cabin until later that afternoon (they were still disembarking guests from the previous cruise and had to clean the rooms). This was very unfortunate for those of us who had been flying all night and just needed to rest. The day was spent with all the new guests stretched out on couches and chairs in the lounge. Then, when it was time to get our rooms, it was mass confusion as the reception staff tried to get keys to everyone and the other members of the staff were hauling bags to the rooms. Not a great start. Things definitely picked up from there though and we had a wonderful time. The cruise director was very helpful in finding us whatever we needed. All-in-all a fabulous trip -- and something we can't wait to do again! Thank you Avalon Waterways! Read Less

My husband chose this cruise line based on the active excursions offered and reviews offered about the cruise line. This was our first River Cruise and so we really didn't know what to expect. We arrived several days early, stayed with family and adjusted to the time change before ever boarding the ship. If possible, I highly recommend arriving early so on your very first day, you're ready to get the most of the first day of the cruise! The intimacy provided with the 130 passenger ship was wonderful and we got to visit with some really nice people from all over the map. The food was amazing and even though I was on a low carb diet at the time, I had no trouble finding delicious food at all 3 meals. I actually lost 3 lbs. on this cruise!! Absolutely loved and took advantage of the tea time and then the cocktail hour before the wonderful dinner. I can't say enough about the dining, superb! The service, both in the dining room and our room service, were exceptional. All of the crew that served us were very friendly and very professional. Most of our excursions were either walking or biking, so we really enjoyed that aspect. We also borrowed the on board bikes a couple of times just to ride into the towns and check them out before the excursion. There were several cities I wish we could have explored longer, but there was a lot of ground to cover in only 1 week! Our cruise director Hendrick was absolutely amazing. He was very experienced and helpful to all of the passengers!! We're already planning our next River Cruise and it will most certainly be with Avalon!! Read Less

Because it promised active excursions. Have been on an Avalon cruise before and knew we would have a wonderful experience (plus no children on board). Everything goes smoothly. Wonderful food. Enjoy the fact that there is only one sitting for dinner and we can sit anywhere and with anyone. What was especially wonderful is that even though we could not get into our rooms when we arrived, we could sit in the lounge and light lunch was available. That gave us a chance to relax a bit after our flight. We then explored our departure city with renewed energy. Service was wonderful. Everyone very polite and helpful. Reception knew what cabins we were in after about the 2nd day...did not have to give them our names. Rooms were very clean (as was the whole ship!). First time needing to use the laundry service...my husband's jeans came back pressed! Will we go again? ABSOLUTELY! Read Less

We wanted to do something special for our 50th anniversary and saw the discovery cruise. It was great. Everything was planned for us. We had no worries. The towns and tours were great and most days were saw 2 places a day. The ship was so special and took excellent care of us. We got to hike, bike and do things on our own. At the end we spent 2 extra days in Amsterdam. We enjoyed our time there also. The staff on the ship was excellent. They were always there to help make you feel welcome answer all our questions. Went on many excursions. They were always well planned and had lots of information and the guides were very informative One hike around a lake was very fast. Would have liked to see the area not just go through it. Also we could not hear the guide so just had to walk through the area. All and all, it was a great trip and would love to take more cruises. Read Less

We have been on numerous ocean cruises and this was our first River Cruise. The two are very different and a River cruise is perfect for us at this time in our lives. I loved the daily tours, the cities were absolutely beautiful. Our tour guides were very knowledgable and entertaining. The food on the boat was delicious. I was sure I gained at least 10lbs but was surprised I only gained three. All the walking is great exercise! The crew was very accommodating and so nice. We made several friends from around the world and we look forward to seeing them again. The boat was beautiful and very clean. I loved having a suite with a full view window. There was one glitch. Due to the weather (not something any River boat company can control), the river was low in one spot and the boat could not make it any further. Well Avalon, bused us to the other side and we boarded another boat to finish our cruise. They credited us all a nice amount, and paid for one of our excursions and meals in the cities. I think we made out Read Less

My first river cruise, and it was great from beginning to end, The staff was amazing, very friendly and yet very professional. Having the clock maker from the black forest and his son there was very interesting, and the trip to their business was wonderful I so enjoyed this excursion. The Christmas Fairs were out of this world travel to and from was very enjoyable The food was very good and the special dinner was so delish. The view room was one of my favorite places to sit and reflect on the day with a great cup of coffee and a little snack. It was all that I hoped it would be, Loved the staff they made our time on board very enjoyable So all in all it was wonderful. I went with a friend and now I want to take my husband on a river cruise. Yes Yes Yes I will use Avalon again. Read Less

Had enjoyed the Crystal Mozart last fall and wanted to try the newest river boat. Again, the boat is lovely and Crystal staff, particularly in the restaurants and bar, are enthusiastic and professional. The problem comes with the front desk - inability to get accurate info on tours and destinations is frustrating. Group tours suddenly change - now it is a "trek" not a "hike", and today we have time to kill so "before we get to the vineyard we do a city tour". Remember - your tour is only as fast as the slowest member and as good as your local guide. Given that these excursions are complimentary the opinion by staff seems to be that this means no accurate description is necessary for the guest. If you decide to venture on your own there is little assistance given (even when you stress you will pay yourself) and it is difficult to get any info from front desk, probably because at this point they are still unsure as to how these excursions will play out on a new itinerary for them. We took shuttles, did our research and enjoyed the stops, but if every older guest or person with a special need is assisted, I question why those who prefer a more active trip must struggle to create a cruise that suits this request??! And do not even think you will have a "fitness class" if that is something you may enjoy!! Granted there is not much interior space for exercising - but all that room on deck for morning yoga or stretching?? The fitness instructor did her best to discourage participation in her classes and after 10 showed up to a cramped spot in front of a piano on the first day made sure no one would join in after. Get imaginative - lead walks outside when in port, move stretching, yoga outside on nice days ... trip is not over - and no decent white wine left, so ... be warned!! Read Less

What my husband and I loved the most was the atmosphere. It was sophisticated but at the same time, comfortable and welcoming. No kids onboard! Don't get me wrong, we love kids, we just don't want to travel with them! Actually, I don't see kids being a good fit for this type of cruise. This is an adult cruise where people can enjoy simple things in life like, the scenery, the views, good food, good wine, good conversations. Food was elaborated and delicious, well sized portions too. At night, after dinner, we gathered at the bar to listen to nice piano music and to dance. The crew was very polite and friendly, always caring for each person on board. Tours were well planned and well paced. Proper equipment was provided when visiting the different touristic sites. We were given enough time to visit all markets on our own. This was our first Viking river cruise and for sure, it was the first of many more to come. Read Less

We were able to fly ahead to Munich before transferring to Frankfurt to meet the ship. That was a nice side trip. When we were met at the airport, the airport was under construction. The staff that met us could have grabbed a cart to assist with the luggage as we had to walk quite a distance to the bus. It was quite a walk with all your luggage and we had older folks with us. We were celebrating our 25 year anniversary with the Heart of Germany tour and to see the Christmas Markets. We expected a scenic river cruise and port in the towns we were visiting at least once, which did not happen. The ship was lovely, clean and well appointed. Our cabin was a nice size and our stewardess was bend over backwards accommodating. The advertised L'Occitane products in the bathroom were absent, good thing I travel with extra toiletries. The advertised local specialties in the dining room were also absent. The dining was less than desirable. The chef could have excelled with only 200 on board. I have had better food on a mega cruise ship in the Caribbean. We did have one "German night" on this German cruise. That food was good, but the rest of the meals were definitely lacking. The service in the dining room, with the exception of one waiter was poor. They gave you what they thought you should have, not what you actually wanted (yes, there is a difference between milk and cream). Our first day out was a two hour bus ride to the town we were visiting, and a two hour bus ride to catch up with the ship that was going thru locks to meet us. One evening the ship was "late" and we sat literally in the dark at the side of the road for 40 minutes until we could embark. Too much time spent on giant tour buses, and if you didn't like the one and only tour offered that day, you apparently stayed on the ship and went thru locks all day. A bright spot was the cruise director. He put his heart in his work and it showed. Not what you have in mind when you book this trip. Very disappointing for the costs and brochure expectations. We did at least get to visit the Christmas Markets. Not sure this was worth the time and money. Read Less

We have always wanted to go and experience the the German Christmas markets during the holidays. Many of our friends had told us Viking cruises were amazing, so we selected this Christmas Market cruise and it totally exceeded our expectations. From the size of the cabin, the room amenities and the heated floor in the bathroom, to the fantastic staff who took care of us we couldn't have been treated any better. All our meals were absolutely wonderful with lots of choices and the wait staff had great recommendations when we couldn't decide and they made sure our wine glasses were always full! The Christmas markets were great fun and we loved walking through the towns and market stalls. Exploring each city/town to find the best local place to eat for lunch was always a daily goal and we succeeded. I'm sure we missed some other great places. We'll just have to go again. We are already booked for our next river cruise, this time to Normandy. Can't wait! Read Less

Visiting the Christmas Markets in Germany had been on our bucket list for some time. This Uniworld cruise that our friends found was the perfect solution to enjoying the markets, touring the area, learning the history all in extraordinary comfort and luxury! From the time we boarded the ship in Frankfurt until we disembarked in Nuremberg we were treated like valued guests... pampered actually. The daily historical tours were well organized, informative - excellent tour guides who "knew their stuff". The audio system for the tours was great - each traveler had their own small, easily wearable system and we were able to hear the tour guides wherever we wandered - had not experienced that before. The service on the ship was exceptional - never far from "more coffee" , "more wine", more anything. Very much appreciated the well staffed and professional crew and the high ratio of crew to guests - had never been on a cruise of this size before (130 guests). We were well informed every day and every night of what the next day had in store, options for the tours and the days' schedules - never had to wonder, or miss out on anything for lack of information and education. Of course the Christmas Markets were marvelous, everything we could had wished for. We recommend this cruise and Uniworld highly and absolutely do plan on more travels with this company! Read Less

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Our first river cruise. It was very good! Now. It was the Viking TOR - a small ship - not what ocean cruisers are used to. Everything is smaller and limited. The staterooms are smaller, the public spaces are smaller, and the dining room is smaller. Gotta deal with that if you were just last on the Oasis. River cruising is smaller and more intimate. 190 folks on our cruise. The ship and the staff were excellent. Could not have asked for more. I could have asked more from fellow sailors who were somewhat rude. I am always amused and set aghast by folks who rush in at the buffet and cut in as if there will be no food left. We are all here in this (and there's lot's of food). 5 minutes or so is of no import. CHILL. How fat can you get? We enjoyed our river cruise. The only downside was dinner seating. Open seating is really not that. It's a mad scramble to get to a table and fight off folks you don't want sitting with you so you can sit and dine with folks you know and love. We were a bit late one night and could not sit with our friends, Viking could easily fix this by allowing folks to reserve tables at booking and leave the rest open. No brainier. The crew and wait staff were outstanding. The lounge was large enough to accommodate everyone and there were evening activities after dinner as well as a short briefing on the next days activities given by the cruise director who was very helpful. The excursions were quite enjoyable and included at no extra charge in the base fare with well informed local tour guides in each port with audio receivers for each guest that you brought from your room and they worked nicely. There was only one optional excursion for a fee in Nuremberg to the war crime trial museum and courtroom. Each excursion was about 3-4 hrs. with free time after. Of course the highlight of the cruise was being able to visit the Christmas Market in each port. Each was enjoyable and a bit different. That was wonderful since that was the purpose of this cruise at Christmas time!! Read Less

My husband and I choose this cruise to join friends. The cruise was relaxing. The excursions were great with enough time to wander on our own. The Christmas markets were interesting. The history and architecture were brought to life with extremely knowledgeable tour guides. They made the excursions fun. The organization of the excursions, arrivals and departures were phenomenal. Avalon waterways is a well oiled machine. There was only one glitch. Prior to the cruise we had prepaid for additional excursions that we went on. Unfortunately this was not communicated with the Tranquility ll cruise director who approached us for payment. I became sick during the second week. Our cruise director Tony helped to obtain a Doctor who came on board to assist me. The house keeping and kitchen staff were very caring in helping me during this time. Despite getting sick with bronchitis and sinusitis the trip was very relaxing. I will definitely go on another river cruise. Read Less

We always wanted to go to the German Christmas markets. They were even better than we expected. Hustling & bustling shoppers everywhere. Christmas songs being broadcast and even had a Santa at Rothenberg cranking out some music for us. Soooo worth the trip. You must drink the hot mulled wine in port...yum! And the ship's decor was very festive. Several Christmas trees and beautiful decorations everywhere. The employees were in the spirit. Super nice group of people. Made you feel welcome. Even had some schnapps on the bus one evening. Oh how fun.!! Food on board was delicious as usual. You should never go hungry...there's food available all day long. Always had special snacks when we came back from our excursions....cookies, stollen, hot drinks etc. If you've ever thought about making this trip....go for it !! You won't be disappointed. (Main River from Frankfurt to Nuremberg and then on over to Prague) Read Less

Vantage in Europe Having traveled in Europe several times over the years, a few times with a friend, but mostly by myself, I've gotten to know many countries well speaking only two languages, English and German. For the first time, because of a recent handicap, I decided to try Vantage Travel for a European River Tour down the Rhine, Main and Danube aboard the River Voyager. It turned out to be a bad mistake. I advised them of my situation, being able to only walk at a slow pace, and questioned them deeply about my being able to participate in all the tours. They told me I would be able. They lied! They actually did about several things, just to get me signed up, which I'll get into. It all started with the sales office, which I called a few times over a few days. The same sales woman told me that there are two groups, a fast group and a slow group. It was all a lie, as there is only one group, a fast group for the first week, no slow group. Obviously, I wouldn't learn that until after I was on the trip, which started on the 10th. She also told me the walks would only be about 15 to 30 minutes, but that was for the fast group, not the slow group, and some of them were longer. And no consideration was given to the people who were slow movers. Probably the second or third time I called them, they told me there were only three spaces left, and that I should sign up that day or miss the trip, and I put it off for another day. It turned out she didn't tell the truth about that as well, as there were over 50 (beds?) vacancies aboard when we sailed. They were always putting pressure on you to sign up and would tell you anything you wanted to hear and more, which was not always the truth. She also mislead me about the total price as she always just kept mentioning the $2199.00, never mentioning the supposedly $500 port docking fees I had to pay until after I decided to be a part of the group to their trip. It was just not the truth to put some pressure on me to book with them. There were a few other things she mislead me about as well, regarding the food and wine. Over all, their company is not one to be trusted. I have never been mislead and lied to in the travel industry, which I have been a part of for over thirty years. I find it rather amazing that anyone would be treated this way whether your in good health or handicapped. It wasn't until I complained to them the evening of the 19th that we were then told there would be a slow guide for the tour the next day, finally, and 20 handicapped people showed up for the tour going the next day, over 10% of the passengers. It's to bad that you have to complain to get them to do what they said they were going to do in the first place. It turned out it was the only slow walk group of the whole tour. And on the walk, a woman with a walker realized she wasn't able to keep up even with the slow group and returned to the ship within about 100 yards. Still early on the walk, the very large man, probably 300 to 350 pounds or more also fell on the cobble street and it took four people to get him up. He also returned to the ship. On the very first tour, of Cologne, it was suggested that it might be best if we didn't take the tour as it was a longer walk than normal, and I didn't go because of being on a plane for so long I wasn't sure of my feet or knees, and didn't want to be a possible problem. The trip turned out to be a very poor tour and experience. I'll go back to doing it on my own from now on. I have to assume everything happened the way it did, because that's the way management told them to do it; no slow guide until they complain about it. When I complained to the front desk and then asked about cab fare to get to town, they didn't really know what it would be into town that night, and I asked them to call and get a correct fare which took forever. By then the shops were closed, and they were closed all the next day as it was Sunday. So only the normal or fast people were able to go into town that evening and enjoy the lights of the town and shop. As it turned out, I really couldn't trust the word of the staff tour guides aboard the ship as well. It was really disappointing, and we still had almost a week to go of a two week trip. Even though we were going through some of the best wine country of Germany and Austria, wines from those countries were only occasionally served, but they weren't of decent quality either. Almost all the wines served with dinner were sub standard, no matter where they came from. I would buy a bottle of wine in town for four euro's, and the people I was dinning with loved it every time, and they didn't want to drink the wine served. Can't blame them. Apparently no one ever tells the company about the poor quality wines they are serving, or maybe they are, and nothing is done about it, so now they'll have their first notice on record. By the way, I write about wines from South Africa to Canada and everything in between. Either they are buying wine for three euro's or less or their wine buyer has no taste buds or knowledge of wine, and only thinks in terms of the cost. About one week out and one person was in a hospital for two weeks with a broken hip after a fall on a walking tour, one had a broken ankle or bone and another huge man took a bad fall and was only black and blue on one side of his body a few days later. All from walking on cobble streets. The Vantage tour guides always seemed to stretch the truth or be incorrect as well. We were to do a pub crawl, which meant visiting several bars, but starting with was to be at a brewery which was almost a stone's throw from the ship. At least that's what it said on the side of the building and that's what the guide told us. But it was only a bar, no brewery; the brewery had moved four or five years ago, and our hospitality staff didn't know that? So there would be no beer tasting, only drinking. And there was no pub crawl, we only went to that one place and had to walk back, hence, no crawl, unless maybe you had a few more beers. But there were other things as well. I don't think I'll ever do another river cruise again, for sure not Vantage, and I'll tell you why. The walking tours are generally boring and dull as all you have to do is listen to someone telling you things that you'll never remember because you can't relate it to anything visually. And they throw a lot of unimportant stuff at you just to keep you busy listening. Whatever they tell you, you won't remember the next day. Your always outside of buildings 80 or 90 percent of the time, never inside to see the things that will leave an impression on you. You end up wasting a lot of time, partly because some people are late, some guides just like to talk and don't want to take questions. You always spend a lot of time on the bus. Things are not very efficient in Vantage. I even spoke to one of the VP's that happened to be aboard, Carol, and she told me they are aware of the problem with fast/normal speed groups and the requirement for slow speed groups for handicapped people. But they haven't done anything for years, and they won't. They just want to book you on board and then forget you. If that is their attitude, they shouldn't even book any handicapped people on board. She just ignored the fact that the lady I mentioned which I spoke to lied to me, obviously just to get me booked. She ignored the fact. Her lack of concern just reinforced what I assumed earlier. And most of the people resented the brain washing attempts by the directors, by having the passengers keep telling them everything was EXCELLENT just about every time we had a meal or we returned from a tour or some other experience. They would make us say it was EXCELLENT by shouting back to them every time they questioned us about how good something was. I thought the brain washing was in very poor taste. Even the Russians could have done a better job of that. My cabin was on D deck, or below the water line, and because of that there was a smell in the room, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't nice either. There was also a water or fluid leak from around the toilet or the wall behind it twice, and that may have been part of the problem. I had been in a couple on upper deck rooms and here was no smell like that. I would like to get a refund from Vantage because of the deception used to get me on this trip and other negative things that were experienced on this trip. None of the slow walkers should have been on the trip, and the accident and fall rate indicates that. I never would have signed up for the trip had I been told the truth. Jerry Read Less

Going on a river cruise in Europe was suggested by my cousin. We happened upon a brochure for Vantage in a travel store and began receiving their emails for about a year before making the decision to go. Full itineraries and videos provided for each cruise definitely influenced our final choice. We did briefly look at several other options, but found Vantage offered more places at a reasonable price. We were able to extend our journey by adding 5 nights which included Bratislava and Prague. This was our first cruise and so we were a little unsure just what to expect. Without any hesitation we can say that we were in no way disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful experience. The crew were outstanding and went out of their way to meet our every need on the ship. We were on a first name basis immediately, enjoying many good laughs and thoughtful conversations together. The crew even entertained us one evening with their talents and great sense of humour. The food was simply outstanding with a wide range of dishes offered daily. Some favourite included sea bass, red snapper, pork tenderloin in phyllo and even Baked Alaska complete with sparklers. Excursions each day appealed to a wide variety of interests with local guides providing detailed information. Two of the many, many highlights were the private classical concert in Vienna and the late night cruise in Budapest. We will always cherish the friends we met and the beautiful sites we saw. Read Less

The Gefjon is one of the newer Viking river ships and it is spectacular! We have cruised with Viking for many years and will continue for many more. The customer service is the best and their food is comparable to any five star restaurant. My husband didn't care for one of the entrees he chose one night and they took it away and cooked him a steak. The crew always wants you to be satisfied no matter what you are doing or eating. This was a Christmas market cruise so the best thing was the close ports to the market area and city center. You don't get that on ocean cruises. After our daily walking tour (which is included in the price of the cruise) we always had time on our own to shop or just wander around our port. Everyone needs to take at least one cruise with Viking. You won't be disappointed. Read Less

This was my 2nd Viking Riverboat Cruise. As before the experience was amazing. The Christmas Markets is something everyone should see and experience. Our ship the Tor was impeccable. Service was wonderful, the cabins attendants where there to answer our needs, even if we did not ask. The entertainment the ship provided was nice. Enjoyed the shore excursions, and having time after to enjoy the Markets. I tell everyone I drank and ate my way across Germany! Such a good time. My group of ladies decided to experience Prague after our cruise. The disembarkation when very well. The bus ride was very comfortable. Enjoyed seeing the countryside. The excursion the tour provided was so nice. T see the city and hear the history. The guide was very good. We paid extra for the tour of the Lobkowicz Palace. We where not disappointed. We looked into another day tour that the Viking assistant told us about for the next day. We where so glad we took it. The tour guide was excellent. We learned so much of the history of the area. We enjoyed the area and walking the streets going to the market and tasting the food. The activity person spoke too much on Gratuities, the last night. I appreciate everyone who services me. I always make sure everyone is taken care of. Thank you, looking forward to my next trip in October with Viking. Read Less

We selected this particular cruise for the ports of call, Christmas markets and schedule. The pick-up at the Frankfurt airport went smoothly, no problem finding the Viking representative. We were among the earlier arrivals, yet the vessel was ready when we got there. We had plenty of time to visit the market in Frankfurt. The ship was docked within easy walking distance. The Christmas market is much larger than it first appears as it meanders through the city quite a lot. The ship was very clean and bright, the cabin and dining areas also. Don't worry about motion sickness, you can barely tell the ship is moving. The food is very good, the portions are small, but you can always get more. The service is excellent. Everyone we dealt with on the ship spoke English. The shore excursions were great. The local tour guides were fantastic. We spent a few extra days on our own after the cruise, which costs extra, even though you don't get anything for it. Even though we needed to go to the airport the same time everyone else did, we would have had to pay for the shuttle bus through Viking. As it turned out it was easy to arrange a cab through the concierge and it cost less than the shuttle would have. This was our first river cruise and first with Viking. We will definitely travel with Viking again. Read Less

We had a great time celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary and marking two things off our buckets lists - visiting Germany and taking a cruise! We appreciated that all the arrangements and costs are included. We added the pre-cruise option and spent time exploring Nuremberg. The hotel there was a wonderful older building full of charm. We walked through the city, ate at a bistro and found a city wide market was held that weekend. The accommodations on board were wonderful, the service outstanding, the atmosphere could not have been better. The room had ample area for us to relax if we wanted to stay on board. We enjoyed the cultural events on board, as well as the organized tours on shore. It was exciting to try the food from the region, the meals were always relaxed and almost a family type atmosphere easily allowing you to meet new friends, but the meals were far from ordinary. We were treated as if we were the focus of a team set to meet our every need. We plan to take another cruise with Viking as soon as possible. We had the unique experience of hearing the cathedral bell "Fat Peter" ring when we arrived in port on a religious holiday. Each port had something unique to see and learn about, especially the WW@ memorial. I especially loved seeing the tulip fields and touring the Keukenhof gardens - what majestic beauty! while my husband checked out the cigar shops in Amsterdam. One of the stewards even found him a unique cigar from the area. So many one of a kind experiences that we will hold onto for the rest of our lives. Read Less