My sister-in-law and I took this trip in September. Viking representative was looking for us when we arrived in Paris, and after that they took wonderful care of us. The ship does show wear but I understand it is being retired. The staff could not have been nicer. Our room was always spotless. Dinner was served at 7 but that was okay for us. I am not a wine snob but the included wine with lunch and dinner was awful! We immediately upgraded to the better wine package. The food was okay but you will not find a more enthusiastic chef - he really wanted to please us. The daily side trips were excellent. The guides very knowledgeable. Only disappointment was the British guide we had for Normandy - he was condescending and not very informative. Lovely to have the pianist in the lounge for buffet lunch and evening cocktails. If you have not been to Giverny or Normandy - definitely the way to visit. A cruise for the young at heart as I would guess the average age of the guests was about 75. The crew went out of their way to accommodate everyone. We did luck out as our room was on the starboard side and when docked we usually were on the water side! We did have Viking take us back to the airport where a Viking representative helped us check in - a great benefit in a strange airport. Read Less

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip along the Seine up to Normandy--at least until the Norovirus started hitting the passengers. I estimate that 10-25% of the passengers got sick at some point and their was NOTHING on board to alleviate any symptoms. It was like we're all on our own. Infection rate could have been higher or lower because virtually nothing was said by the staff publicly and I would expect them to understate the problem. Do all river cruises experience Norovirus outbreaks? Other than that, I loved the cruise, particularly the casualness, friendliness of staff and passengers alike, and the food. I have no complaints about the cruise itself. The staff admitted that the Neptune was built in 2001 and this was the next to last cruise before it was sold to another company. I found it to be a worn but very comfortable ship Read Less

The cruise itself was excellent as is the expectation for Viking. The food was superb and gourmet and the service was top notch as well....however, the ship was tired and it was obvious it was the last season before it was to be retired. A lock was not functioning so we were bussed and embarked at Vernon...none of this was Viking's fault...we assumed we would be returning to Paris the following day but it was not to be..it was decided for us to continue on to Normandy and return to Paris at the end ...that was fine... We were most impressed, as two of the very few Canadians on the trip, that they took us to Juno Beach along with British passengers while U.S. citizens went to Omaha Beach..it was a truly moving experience for my husband and myself...the tour was unhurried and we had the opportunity to place flowers on graves at the Canadian cemetery (the name escapes me at the moment)... The whole tour was excellent..it was our third tour with Viking...we then continued on the second part to the Lyon and Provence tour. Read Less

For context we are a couple in our mid forties who have taken many ocean cruises. We took the "France's Finest" trip which is two 1 week itineraries combined. This is a review of Paris and the Heart of Normandy on the Viking Neptune. When we were on the ship we were mainly pleased because we had nothing to compare it to, but after our second week on the Heimdal we can see that the Neptune has had better days. It is an older ship that has been decently maintained but it simply doesn't have the same features / amentities. That being said, our stateroom was quite large. We had more storage space than we needed. We were happy we hadn't paid for a balcony because the way the ship docked most days (right up against the pier or tethered to another ship) there would have been few opportunities to comfortably use it. The cabin had one North American style outlet but it wouldn't take a grounded or polarized plug. There was one available Euro outlet plus another behind the tv and two more tucked behind the bed if you needed them. The bed was large and comfortable, the window was very large, shower was small and with a flimsy curtain but there was ample hot water and good water pressure. The supplied toiletries had a very strong citrus scent. The provide a hair dryer and face cloths. The room did not have black out curtains. The only real problem with the cabin was the thin walls. We heard the tv next door, we heard people talking next door. The ship operations are also quite loud. Rooms 200 - 215 are right below the lounge so every evening you can hear the activities from above. The newer ships have a better layout to avoid this issue. The noise will last until about 10:30 pm each night. The staff are very friendly. We appreciated the availability of a concierge to assist with land arrangements. Program director was very engaging and enthusiastic. Twice daily housekeeping was well done. We found the ship was very well organized, everything ran much more smoothly than a standard ocean cruise. Less paperwork, less lining up and waiting, less bureaucracy. The itinerary was well paced and included one morning and one afternoon (on different days) of sailing which was very relaxing. Also there was never a requirement to participate in any of the included tours so you could spend the entire week relaxing on board if you so chose. There were many tours included in the price plus some optionals at extra cost. I would not suggest taking the optional tour to Versailles unless you will have no other opportunity to go on your own. I have been to Versailles twice and it is a full day trip to see everything, appreciate everything and do it at an enjoyable pace. This tour is 3 hours in total and does not include time to see the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Hamlet. The tour of Giverny was wonderful. Les Andelys is a visit to ruins of a castle. The walk could be very challenging for some, the town itself has nothing to offer. The day spent at Normandy beaches is long and taxing but worth it. We were the only Canadians on our cruise and they offered to arrange for us to go on the "Commonwealth" tour instead of the US version wihtout us having to even ask. It included Canadian cemetary, a commonwealth cemetary, Juno beach, Pegasus Bridge and the Bayeux Tapestry. There were only 7 people who decided to take this tour so it was more enjoyable than going on a full bus. We did not do most of the provided city tours because the pace was much too slow for us. They need to break the tours into pace groups. I think the average age on this cruise was 70. The ship provides a detailed map of each port and the ship generally docks in the center of town so you can easily walk to all of the sights if you prefer to explore independently. The food was okay but nothing spectacular. Perhaps it is because we didn't have a French chef making our french food on our french cruise. Our largest complaint about the entire cruise was the dinners. Each evening was a 2 hour ordeal. We enjoy a nice dinner out but sometimes you just want to eat and then relax. The cruise is meant to be social with one seating for dinner and no assigned seats. You sit with different people each night and socialize. It becomes tiring night after night. Tips do not automatically go on the bill but you can charge them to your room when you settle your account. There were cool towels on arrival, bottled water available for each excursion, umbrellas available to borrow, free wifi which was slow in the cabin, coffee machine, ice machine, cookies in the afternoon, turn down service, free wine with lunch and dinner, a daily briefing on upcoming events, prompt laundry service, water is provided in room daily but not enough for 2 people. This is not a cruise for children which adds to relaxing vibe of the ship. We were surprised to learn that Viking does not offer much for customer loyalty. Returning guests get $200 off the price (which amounts to nothing) and it's only valid if you travel within 2 years. The service and product are very good and are enough to bring guests back but we are used to much better perks for repeat business. Read Less

The trip on the Seine was wonderful. The crew was very attentive and went above and beyond the call of duty when my husband became ill. Our cabin steward was outstanding. The food service was impressive and the selection of dishes left few wanting. We enjoyed the small villages that we stopped at. I do believe that Giverny and Monet's garden was one of our favorites, although our visit to the beaches in Normandy touched our hearts. Our tour director Leonard kept us well informed and entertained. Evenings were laid back with music and light hearted games. I especially enjoyed the trio who sang medleys of Parisian songs. I even took a water color class while on board. Our departure was very well organized as was our arrival. There was someone at the airport on both occasions to be sure that we were headed in the right direction. Our trip was relaxing and enjoyable. We are already planning our next Viking trip. Read Less

This was my first time to Paris and taking a River Cruise. It was fantastic! Everyone on the ship was so nice and helpful. Lionel the Program Director was so informative and helpful and he worked so hard to make the cruise a great experience. It was obvious that he loved working for the Viking Cruise and went out of his way to make the cruise enjoyable. Lionel was so knowlegable about the history of his country. He even gave us a French lesson. The food on the ship was fantastic - Sebastian explained in detail what we would be having for lunch/dinner. Loved going to the market with him - he had a wonderful personality. All fo the wait staff and bartenders were great, hardworking people. Loved the entertainment nightly - the piano player was wonderful. The cabaret group on the last night was wonderul. I was so impressed at how hard everyone worked and the long hours they worked and were always so pleasant. Allandall Read Less

It was our second cruise with Viking and we decided on France's Finest. Almost everything was wonderful : the cruise director Nico was exceptional, the crew was friendly and we had top notch service, the food and dining room service were very good and the excursions were well planned. The weather could have been better and the ship was on the old side, I was disappointed with our cabin. I had expected something similar to the longships and we had a single sofa bed and a Pullman single bed that were not comfortable at all. I know it was not the best category but for the price you expect a little better. Our suitcases did not fit in the room and were left at the entrance of the corridor the whole week ! The embarkation location was close to the Eiffel Tower and we could walk on Swan Island just next to the ship to exercise after dinner. All meals were well prepared but the chef wanted to star all the time, it was annoying. Our first stop was in Vernon/Giverny and Monet's gardens and house were wonderful. After the visit we went hiking in the Tournon area (map near the Tourelles castle, over the bridge) and it was wonderful. Next day we had a very entertaining guide in Rouen and after the tour we went to the new Joan of Arc museum, we also saw the light presentation at night on the cathedral. We went on the bus tour to Normandy and got the Canadian tour which was wonderful and a lovely lunch in Arromanches, everybody was pleased that day. Our cruise director led us to the excursion of Chateau Gaillard and it was one of the best event of the cruise, he was interesting and very involved. We took the optional excursion to Versailles and had a wonderful time. We like to dance and in the evening the pianist could have played more, it seemed he was not interested if there were not enough people in the lounge. We could definitely feel that although the crew was great, they knew that the Neptune was on its last legs (will be sold shortly) and had a lot of uncertainty. Read Less

We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on the Seine. Although the Neptune is an older ship which has to show its age and without the "flash" of newer vessels -- we had traveled on a sister ship four years ago so we new what to expect. However, in some ways, I liked the smaller size of the Neptune. The public areas easily accommodated the passengers without crowding. There were more smaller, round dining tables that facilitated conversations compared with the long, rectangular tables on some of the newer, large ships. Some of the reviews complained about delays in dining service. I am amazed at those comments -- we had lovely meals with never a problem of delays, and we never noticed anyone else having difficulties. The tour itself was great. All the stops along the Seine were interesting, including Monet's house and garden at Giverny, Rouen and, of course, the day excursion to the D-Day beaches in Normandy. Of note, there were very few optional excursions at an additional cost -- the standard tours were all you needed. Of special note, we greatly enjoyed our program director Lionel. He was informative while being very entertaining by injecting his great sense of humor into a pleasurable trip. Read Less

Enjoyed Paris/Normandy very, very much. Every moment of the cruise was superb. Each day was perfect. Every one of the "crew" - personable, knowledgeable, patient, extremely helpful. Tour buses, guides - the best. Every day was exciting, educational, enjoyable. The waiters at each meal were very friendly, pleasant - anxious to serve with a smile. Went out of their way to serve anything we wanted, including something that might not have been on the menu. There isn't one thing more that Viking could do to have made my trip "better". An "over the top" experience. I hope to be able to taking another cruise next spring. No one can beat VIKING. THANK YOU FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL EXPERIANCE! We were met at the airport as soon as we arrived by a Viking rep. and taken to the ship. Thrilled that the Neptune was right by the Eifel Tower. Wonderful start to an absolutely delightful cruise!. Read Less

Vikings service is the very best we have ever experienced from a cruise company. The close up tours of the ports felt like we were part of the community. Every port was so unique. Visiting Monet's residence and the Water lily pond was such a treat. Of course Normandy was very moving seeing how history was made and honoring all the people who gave their all for our freedom. Read Less

This was our first river cruise and it was extremely enjoyable. We took the pre-cruise stay in Paris and this enabled us to see all of the extra sights we were interested in visiting. The overall experience was great, we would have liked to have had more detailed information about the various excursions in Paris before we left, we saw some of the sight on our own and then duplicated them on the ship excursion. We could have enjoyed some of the other sights if we knew more details in advance. The ship board experience was excellent. Due to the low bridges, we were not able to see a great deal from the observation deck. The staff both ashore and on the ship were extremely helpful and friendly. we plan on another river cruise since we enjoyed this one so much. Did not need the unlimited wine with the meals, almost wish the overall price was reduced and that you could purchase the wine package separately. Read Less

We are experienced cruisers of 77 Ocean/4 River cruises. Our Suite turned out to be a small one room cabin with A/C that was hard to control. This ship was built in 2001 and will be retired next year. The door locks went out one day and had to be reset for the entire ship. The food was mediocre and the waiters had 7 tables which far to many to serve with wine. Service was slow as a result, but I am not blaming the waiters, but Viking for being understaffed. The included tours were all excellent. Their is no fitness as Viking does not believe in fitness rooms or bicycles. Meanwhile we paid top dollar and they under delivered in my opinion. Read Less

I will start with the good things we liked about the cruise. It was wonderful sitting on the deck with a glass of wine and very relaxing DURING THE DAY. The excursions were outstanding, especially Normandy and Giverny. That's about it. We felt the staff (bar and wait staff especially) were sometimes rude, ignored us, or did not listen to our needs. Sometimes they would try and make jokes but they were really inappropriate, I felt. The food was not up to my expectations. I had it in my mind that it would be better than what I got on a larger ocean cruise ship since it was smaller. Not so. It was only ok. Dinner was 2 hours long every night because they served 150 people at the same time and had only 8 waiters. We did not get our main coarse each night until 1 1/2 hours into the dinner. I think it should have been divided up into 2 groups. Also, there should have been a disclaimer in their brochure or website that the forward cabins below would hear loud noises from the thrusters as they went through the locks at night. No sleep the first night due to this. Security was also very lax. We felt that anyone could board the ship they way they did it. Also, on the last day, at dinner, they gave us these cheesy 50 cent key rings of the Eiffel Tower that you could find all over Paris. Not the greatest experience aboard the ship. Read Less

Cruise: Paris & Heart of Normandy Expectation:An amazing cruise experience with wonderful food and service. Reality: Failed in most areas. Reasons: 1) Security: Laxed/No on board security, no ID checks when boarding, People able to board unchallenged. (See attitude of staff below) When we were in Rouen we returned to the boat at 23:35 and not only was there nobody checking boarding passes at the entrance, there was no one on the reception desk either, literally anyone could have boarded the boat! (see attached photo) 2) Noise: Cabin immediately above bow thrusters, used frequently over night when passing through locks reaching 97db in cabin at 4am through to 6.30am on the first night and at other times during cruise. Cabin also close, or immediately under piano player with noise disturbance up to 11pm every night. Viking should put a disclaimer in the brochure and be honest with your guests in cabins 200 -203 that there will be sometimes high levels of noise, not just leave it to your guests to find out. 3) Cabin: Brochure says: “Deluxe ensuite accommodation with river view.” Whilst the Cabin was adequate, for the first two days we were moored up in Paris and our view was of a wall and floating trash including bottles banging against the hull. Other times we had another vessel moored along side and still no view (We do understand that this is sometimes necessary.) The Cabin was immediately above bow thrusters, used frequently over night when passing through locks reaching 97db in cabin at 4am through to 6.30am on the first night and at other times during cruise. It was also close, or immediately under piano player with noise disturbance up to 11pm every night 4) Food: Hair in food (See below about attitude). When served a Boeuf Bourguignon one evening, all I could find was one small piece of meat in the Boeuf Bourguignon and Silver Onions (i.e. pickled onions) used instead of shallots. Not exactly Haute Cuisine! Flavourings used instead of genuine ingredients, example Rum & Raisin Ice Cream was inedible due to the cheap strong flavouring used. Being seated by 7pm we often did not receive our main course until 9pm, this is totally unacceptable. Overall the cruise fell well short and nowhere near the fine dining expected. We have taken many cruises with various operators and this experience must rank bottom in terms of the poor dining experience and quality of food. 5) Attitude of staff: When my wife raised the issue about the hair she found in the food the waiter exclaimed “well it can’t be mine because I have black hair!”, clearly not a polite answer. When security was raised with the with the Hotel Manager, whilst we were seated on the upper deck, he dismissed this as a potential problem. Whilst stating this, a man boarded the boat and was standing behind him and was later shown off the boat by the First Officer whom happened to be walking by! This is a disaster waiting to happen given the current issues in France. Other vessels on the same route had Security guards checking people trying to board their ships, with Viking they are happy to let anyone board and pay only lip service to the security of their passengers. Finally: Viking extol the quality of their cruises, perhaps this is just a poor example or maybe they feel this is an acceptable standard, but it falls far short of all our experiences with other cruise lines. It does not seem to help that you appeared to be short handed in terms of staff, because the restaurant staff were working as fast as they could, but there simply was not enough of them to serve 140 in one sitting. Read Less

Expectation: An amazing cruise experience with wonderful food and service. Reality: Failed in most areas. Reasons: 1) Security Laxed/No on board security, no ID checks when boarding, People able to board unchallenged. (See attached photo & attitude of staff below) When we were in Rouen we returned to the boat at 23:35 and not only was there nobody checking boarding passes at the entrance, there was no one on the reception desk either, literally anyone could have boarded the boat! (see attached photo) 2) Noise: Cabin immediately above bow thrusters, used frequently over night when passing through locks reaching 97db in cabin at 4am through to 6.30am on the first night and at other times during cruise. Cabin also close, or immediately under piano player with noise disturbance up to 11pm every night. They should put a disclaimer in the brochure and be honest with your guests in cabins 200 -203 that there will be sometimes high levels of noise, not just leave it to your guests to find out. 3) Cabin: Brochure says: “Deluxe ensuite accommodation with river view.” Whilst the Cabin was adequate, for the first two days we were moored up in Paris and our view was of a wall and floating trash including bottles banging against the hull. (See attached photo) Other times we had another vessel moored along side and still no view (We do understand that this is sometimes necessary.) The Cabin was immediately above bow thrusters, used frequently over night when passing through locks reaching 97db in cabin at 4am through to 6.30am on the first night and at other times during cruise. It was also close, or immediately under piano player with noise disturbance up to 11pm every night 4) Food: Hair in food (See below about attitude). When served a Boeuf Bourguignon one evening, all I could find was one small piece of meat in the Boeuf Bourguignon and Silver Onions (i.e. pickled onions) used instead of shallots. Not exactly Haute Cuisine! Flavourings used instead of genuine ingredients, example Rum & Raisin Ice Cream was inedible due to the cheap strong flavouring used. Being seated by 7pm we often did not receive our main course until 9pm, this is totally unacceptable. 5) Attitude of staff: When my wife raised the issue about the hair she found in the food the waiter exclaimed “well it can’t be mine because I have black hair!”, clearly not a polite answer. When security was raised with the with the Hotel Manage whilst we were seated on the upper deck, he dismissed this as a potential problem. Whilst stating this, a man boarded the boat and was standing behind him and was later shown off the boat by the First Officer whom happened to be walking by! 6) Finally: Viking extol the quality of their cruises, perhaps this is just a poor example or maybe this is their acceptable standard, but it falls far short of all our experiences with other cruise lines. It does not seem to help that they appeared to be short handed in terms of staff, because the restaurant staff were working as fast as they could, but there simply was not enough of them to serve 140 in one sitting. Overall the cruise fell well short of expectations, and nowhere near the fine dining promised. We have taken many cruises with various operators and this experience must rank bottom in terms of the poor dining experience and quality of food. Read Less

Our cruise was wonderful and we will never take a cruise on a large cruise ship again. We like the smaller ship because we got to know the staff and the people who were taking the cruise. Our tours were very interesting, and enlightening because our tour guides were so knowledgeable. The crew was so wonderful and attentive. Our cruise director was so knowledgeable and funny at the same time. When we returned at the end of our tour we were always greeted with a little treat and they welcomed us back. It was like a little family. Also it was so easy to get off the boat and back on, unlike the larges ships. Our room was delightful and we enjoyed the view of the shore as we cruised the Seine. We enjoyed the games that we played (French history), our bus tour was wonderful. We will always use Viking for our tours. Read Less

This was the most enjoyable, stress-free international vacation that we have ever taken. The communication between the program director and guests gave you a complete, day-to-day understanding of the opportunities and adventures provided. Staff were always friendly and accommodating. If you did not have a wonderful time on this trip, it was your own fault. Meals were superb, with a casual option for lunch. Guided tours provided guests with excellent access to top sites, often timing the visit to avoid huge crowds. The local guides were wonderful and able to answer all of the guests' questions. Prior to the guided tours the program director or other local expert provided guests with the historical context of the site being visited. This greatly enhanced the tour experience. The accommodations were cleaned at least twice a day and were spotless. Returning from an excursion guests were handed a delightful refreshment. The lounge and decks were also spotless. We had an on-board musician and on our last night were treated to some local talent providing us a musical journey through France. Hence, from breakfast until bedtime we were cared for and entertained. Neptune staff were always highly professional and cordial; their attitude made an important difference in the overall enjoyment of this trip. I would highly recommend Paris and the Heart of Normandy, as well as the Neptune. Read Less

This was our first experience with Viking River Cruises. We chose Viking because it went the places we wanted to visit. The ship was a pleasant surprise. The food was very good. The chef, Sebastian, was entertaining. Enjoyed the lectures and the games, particularly the Liar's Club. Would do it again, for the most part. Of the seven days, six were really great. The seventh was a disappointment. Our primary objective for this cruise was to visit the Normandy Beaches. Being American we were on that branch of the tour. We had no opportunity to see the beach where the British came ashore, although we drove right by it. There was no opportunity to see where Churchill and DE Gaul came ashore, although we drove right by it. By the time we got to Omaha Beach, we were told we had fifteen minutes! There was just enough time to walk from the bus, across the parking lot and down the steps to stand on the sand, then we had to hurry back to the bus. No opportunity to walk down to the water's edge. This was a major disappointment. Read Less

The crew, the people, the cruise, the personal touches, the focus on service and beautiful Paris. If you don't try Viking, you will never know true dedication and service. My wife and i have been on 30+ cruises, all different cruise lines, from 5 star, white glove service to the discounted, middle of the road cruise ships. Overall, Viking hits all the right notes and blows away many of the much higher priced cruise lines. From the reservation service to airline help and directly to the crew on the ship, everyone is caring and helpful. The cruise is high energy, interesting and non-stop, if you want that experience. OR--lay back and enjoy. 5 star food, great wines and plenty to eat all day long. Each port was more intersting then the last. Normandy was heart wrenching, Paris was enchanting. Monets' gardens were breathtaking.We got handshakes and hugs as we left the ship on our last day-much like family leaving for a while. The crew actually escorted us directly to the check-in desk at the airport. Bring a larger pair of pants-you will need them. LASTLY-GO-TRY-DO AND ENJOY Read Less

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), I would have to rate the cruise a 15. The crew and service were excellent, the food and wine were excellent, and the shore excursions were well organized. Our tour director was extremely informative, and the chef, aside from producing excellent food, was a real character. The entire staff, without exception, were friendly, professional, and extremely efficient. Our cabin was very clean and very comfortable. Prior to the cruise, we spent 3 extra days in Paris. When we arrived at the airport, Viking was there to meet us and get us to the hotel, which was a 4-5 star hotel. They provided a walking tour of Paris, and insured we had no problem getting from the hotel to the ship. Disembarkation was well organized, and we were taken to the airport with plenty of time to catch our flight home. The only suggestion I can provide to Viking in order to improve the experience is to recommend they have a session the night before departure on how to get through the airport. For those of us who had never flown out of Paris before, it was a bit confusing as to where to go and how to check in. I highly recommend Viking to everyone. Read Less

We arrived 3 days early to spend time in Paris. Were welcomed by a Viking Cruise representative at our hotel. He oriented us to the hotel and local area. His list of local eateries and shops was useful. Viking provided a local tour guide and bus for a 3 hour orientation to Paris. Viking arranged the bus transfer from the hotel to the ship. We enjoyed ourselves from the moment we arrived at the ship and throughout the cruise. It was our first river cruise experience and we highly recommend it without reservation. The food was delicious, our accommodations were clean and adequate, the ship's crew were polite and helpful, the land tours were interesting, the tour guides were knowledgeable and engaging. Our visit to the Normandy beaches and the American Cemetery was the highlight of this trip. Viking orchestrated the trip thoughtfully and even provided white roses for us to place at graves of American military personnel - we tell our friends how moving this was. Overall, we had a wonderful experience. We want to compliment Viking employees for their spirit of hospitality. Viking took care of all the logistics and did an outstanding job. We are thinking about taking another Viking cruise next year. Read Less

Read Less

We had an amazing staff on the Neptune. They made our trip exceptional. We enjoyed all of the stops along the Seine - the Monet Gardens were in 'spring bloom'; saw the Bayeux tapestry and the Pegasus bridge on our trip to the Normandy beaches. Les Andelys was a delightful town - including the walk uphill to the castle. Our program director, Nico Favoreel, did a wonderful job of taking pictures, keeping us informed, and sharing historical tidbits. Our captain, Nicolas Pasquereau and our hotel manager, Richard Godwin, were very attentive to everyone, but especially to several with special needs. Janka Cabadajova, our Maitre d' and Sebastian Lorenz, our chef delighted us each evening with their charm, smiles and messages about the 'specials' of the evening. We were pampered throughout the trip - and it was a fantastic cruise. Read Less

This trip was for me a check on a long held item on my bucket list. I have been to France, Paris and the area just north of the Pirineos, before. But, as a former history teacher, there was a great desire to sail north on the Seine and visit Normandy and especially the area of the D Day invasion. From the first minute at Charles De Gaulle, the Viking staff was wonderful in gathering us as a group and getting us on our way to the ship. The ship was delightful, the cabin was well looked after and the service was superb. The staff did so many little extras that it was wonderful, from the warm beverage when we returned from a tour to the towel bunny and Easter eggs in the cabin on Easter Sunday. The cruise on the Seine and the stops that we made were all interesting and historically speaking very meaningful. To visit the Normandy beaches on Easter Sunday was so moving and Viking providing the flowers for us to place at the graves and the ceremony at the American cemetery was very emotional. Viking even provided an alternate tour for those passengers from the Commonwealth countries. I wish I could have taken that one also. I especially liked the cruise on the Seine and seeing the countryside and small towns along the river where we stopped. Rouen and the Joan of Arc tour as well as the history of that city were also favorites. All in all, a wonderful experience, with excellent food and wine and those desserts and cheeses. So special and so well remembered. Can't wait for next year to go on another. Read Less

We liked the ports of call that we were to visit on the Paris to Normandy cruise and friends of ours told us about their great experience with Viking. So, we signed up and had a great time. We loved the food, wine, service and tours. The Vikings crew was awesome. We're going back next year on another cruise and are really looking forward to it. We loved the flexibility afforded us with each stop and each tour. The tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable, but if you wanted to go off and explore on your own you could do that before during or after a tour. The daily briefings let you know everything you needed to know about the upcoming day. The daily pairing of local food and drink with the area we were cruising was an added surprise. We would recommend the kitchen tour when its offered. Its great to meet the chef and his staff and hear about how the food is selected and prepared. The one thing we are changing is a stay over in our embarkation city. And, if we had it to do all over again we would have done the same thing in Paris. A few days in Paris would have made a near perfect trip that much better. If you're trying to pick a cruise Paris to Normandy is a must, especially if you are from an Ally country. Normandy was most memorable and a highlight of the trip. Go and take it all in. Read Less