Why did I choose Viking? After watching PBS for years, I was captivated by the Viking commercials and told my wife that one day we would take a river cruise. The day came in Oct 2019. We( couple no kids) were originally scheduled to embark on the Skadi, however, due to lower river water level, we set sail on the Bragi. Our group was called Skadi on the Braggi by our cruise director. Viking is a first class organization. We booked a standard cabin but were as well treated as if we had booked the owners suite. Food was excellent, itinerary very exciting, local guides were good and the cruise director was outstanding. The dining arrangement allowed us to meet most of the 190 guests onboard. Beer and wine flow freely at meal times and the chef onboard was known for his outstanding soups. The main dining room will accommodate all guests. Dinner was usually at 7 PM. An alternative for breakfast or lunch was the Aquavit Terrace, where you may eat a lighter meal or order from the menu. If you are accustomed to the entertainment variety found on an ocean cruiser, then you may be disappointed with Viking. Some form of nightly entertainment is offered in the bar/lounge area. There was a musical duo( piano and vocalist) each night as well as occasional trivia types games. We were very fortunate to have a classical trained singer as our cruise director. His two performances during our cruise were both standing room only. Additionally, Viking brings on local entertainers as enrichments as you sail past their region.. We watched opera singers, musicians and even a glass blower! Service was outstanding.Our stateroom was always clean and our steward instantly responded to all requests. The included shore excursions were very informative and enjoyable. We the most impressive guides of any shore excursion to date. I don't have any complaints about Viking. In fact, within two weeks of returning home, we had booked another cruise for March 2020. Read Less

I very much enjoyed this cruise because of the ship and it’s excellent crew. The cabin was clean and neat with great housekeeping staff. Food choices were often a bit overwhelming during dinner. Breakfast and lunch were very good also. The wait staff in the lounge was very efficient and friendly. The staff often remembered my preference of beverage. My only dislike were the size of crowds at various venues that we visited. The alternative choice of smaller groups with less famous attractions would be nice. Maybe not famous, but still interesting. More wineries, night time pub crawls, even old artisanry professions. Leather working, wood working. Even boat building. More bike touring. I will cruise with Viking again. The cabin was much nicer than the Corinthians hotel in Prague. That hotel had poor service and terribly prepared breakfast entrees. Poor facilities in the hotel room....eg. Only one luggage easel for four suitcases. No drawers for clothing. Bathtub was a waiting lawsuit for safety. Handicap bars in wrong positions and bathtub bottom was different elevation than the floor. Poorly designed room facilities wound up injuring one of my toes to the extent that I could not participate in walking tours for the remainder of the trip because shoes with closed toes would not be possible to wear. Lucky to have brought a pair of Hawaiian flip flops to hobble around in. Bare skin on long haul aircraft for return flight to my home in Hawaii. Thanks for spoiling me on the boat. I will never go to that hotel in Prague again. I mean never!. Read Less

This was our second Viking River cruise (our first was only 7 days as an introduction to see if we would enjoy and if my husband who has mobility issues could manage). He managed very well, in fact we've booked another River Cruise for next year! Viking was very accommodating and attentive to our needs. 14 days was long enough to enjoy not having to pack and unpack and see multiple destinations. We had a very enjoyable vacation, Viking thinks of everything and made our stay on board very effortless and enjoyable. Lots of excursions to choose from so something for everyone and every level of activity. The staff on board the Viking ships are absolutely first class - and very friendly and always smiling. What is impressive is you only had to introduce yourself to the staff once - they remembered your name and cabin number! Very impressive! What we also like to do is arrive in advance of embarkation and spend a few days enjoying the departure city on our own, and then spend another few days after we disembark in the departure city - again on our own. Lovely way to start the cruise feeling refreshed and not jet lagged! Read Less

This was a wonderful cruise because it covered so much of Europe. The staff on the ship were so friendly and attentive. They quickly knew your name and your tastes. The food on the ship was delicious and varied with the region. We loved sitting out on the Aquavit terrace for lunch and riding up top as we cruised along the rivers. All of the excursions were very informative and the quietvox technology made it easy to hear every word. It was also so helpful to have a Viking representative at the hotels during the extensions in the cities before and after the cruise. Those representatives were great at recommending local places and making any reservations needed. River cruising is the best way to see everything but still be able to relax and enjoy yourself. The small number of passengers let you get to know others and everyone was incredibly friendly. The onboard entertainment was also great. Loved the glass blower and the singers. Read Less

From the very beginning of boarding this beautiful ship, the very friendly staff made you feel right at home. The staff at every level were readily available to assist with any request you would have. The cabins were very nice and were well attended to with a very friendly staff. The dinning experiences were fantastic. The menus were very diverse choices for every pallet. There were always some regional dishes offered to complement the countries cuisines. The chefs were more than willing to change up any dish to your desire The scenery was like traveling in a fairy tale dream. The rivers, the mountains, the vineyards and the castles were phenomenal to say the least. The daily guided tours were very informational while giving you a flavor of the culture of where you were. The free time was wonderful after each tour. It gave us ample time to investigate the area, get a cultural dish for lunch and do a little shopping. Someone asked us what our favorite port was. We could not answer that one was better than another. Each port was unique in its own way with a unique experience that will never be forgotten. We have been on several ocean cruises but this experience was so much more relaxing with a smaller and more intimate guest volume. For us, this definitely the way we will cruise in the future. Viking ships are spatular in every way. We loved this amazing river voyage. Read Less

This was our first river cruise and is a wonderful way to travel. We had a marvelous time and wanted for nothing! Our cabin was perfect and loved sitting on the balcony watching the scenery on cruising days. The crew were efficient, professional, friendly and oh, so accommodating. The food was delicious and the variety was amazing!!! Tried the chef's regional selection every evening and we were not disappointed! Also enjoyed the 24/7 coffee bar and pastries. We enjoyed every included excursion and loved that Viking uses local guides for every shore excursion that we took. They had everything covered, whether it was bottled water when disembarking for an excursion, or providing umbrellas when raining. We loved Carl, our cruise director. He had a great sense of humour, was very personable, knowledgeable and solved problems that we didn't even know happened!! We enjoyed his pre-dinner briefings every evening. It is unusual during a vacation to not have something that you didn't like, or wished you had, but this was not the case on this river cruise. We have no complaints and zero regrets. This cruise on a scale of one to ten, I would give it a twenty! Fingers crossed there is another Viking cruise in my future!!!! Read Less

We chose to go with Viking because many of our friends have sailed with them and gave us such positive feedback. We were not disappointed! Wonderful stops and tours. We regret not booking an extra day or two in Budapest before our sailing, but the ship’s tours before we left were wonderful and informative. Our room was very nice, and everything on the ship was convenient. The food was incredible, and there was always a choice of a local specialty. Our cruise director was very attentive, always making sure things went smoothly. We did have to change ships half way due to low water levels, but the crew worked to minimize the inconvenience. And the transfer did work in showing us even more of the countryside than we would have seen if we had only seen Germany from the rivers. The tour guides used were friendly and professional, and really knew their towns, taking great pride in showing off the features and history. The only disappointment was when we changed ships from the Skadi to the Bragi. On the Skadi we each had internet in the room. On the Bragi, we were only allowed one connection per room. As I was setting a a shared photo link with information for many on the ship, this made it very difficult, and was inconvenient. And we could not understand why one ship had better intranet than the other. Read Less

A longboat river cruise had been on our bucket list for a long time, and the time had finally come. The pre-trip to Prague was exceptional. We lost the first day due to cancelled flights and missed connections, but after that things went smoothly. The entire staff at Viking was exceptionally good at making sure everything went well. We've never experienced service any better than this. The best part about longboats is the interaction you have with other guests. The lounge was like a big living room, very comfortable, where you could relax with new friends over drinks. Dining was a special treat and our waiter did everything possible to make sure every detail was covered. I have some food allergies, and the Maitre d' met with me each morning to plan my meals for the day and make sure I had what I wanted. This level of service was outstanding, and I really appreciated how they made me feel like I was the only passenger on board. All things considered, this was one of the best vacations we've had, and it was made all the better because of the professional staff and the exceptionally high level of personal service they give. J & CM Read Less

We chose this cruise because of the ports to explore along the various rivers. Amsterdam, Cologne, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Budapest were historically appealing for my husband and I. The excursions were very informative and comprehensive. We enjoyed on board entertainment especially the German glass blower. The meals were delicious and reflected the lands we were touring. The option of changing tables at each seating allowed us to meet many new friends. Service was outstanding from the cabin attendants, and waiters, to the cruise director, Joey. Due to water levels being extremely low, we had to transfer from the Scadi to the Bragi to continue our cruise. It was inconvenient to repack, but the crew including the captain handled everything and streamlined the process. We cruised to Vienna, but could not go on to Budapest due to the low water levels. The crew once again stepped up and diffused the situation. We boarded luxury buses and were driven to Budapest where we were lodged at the Ritz. Read Less

We had always wanted to do a European Riverboat Cruise. It was everything we had hoped for and more. The dining and entertainment was excellent, the crew and the wait staff were extremely friendly, courteous and professional. There were get togethers with the tour director every night in the lounge, showing us videos of the different ports of call and what we could expect to see and the shore excursions were well organized and really gave you an insight into what life was like in the different countries that we visited. Before the cruise even started, the airlines lost both of our bags of luggage. We can't say enough about how helpful the crew was in trying to get our luggage back. They spent an enormous amount of time with us, compiling lists of what articles of clothing we thought had been lost, filling out forms to submit to the airlines and making countless calls to the airlines in an attempt to find our luggage. We had purchased two days of clothing in Amsterdam, assuming we would get our luggage back soon and the cruise ship washed, dried and ironed our laundry every day for free until we got our first bag of luggage back, which wasn't until one week into the cruise. Hats off to all of them, they were fantastic. Between the magnificent scenery, the excursions, the local cuisine and the onboard experience, it was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable vacations we've ever had. We're already booked on another Viking Cruise in October of 2020 and we can't wait. For us, Viking lived up to the expectations and we would highly recommend it. Read Less

We enjoyed every city that we visited on this cruise and learned so much from our tour guides. Because the river was low, we had to switch ships at the midpoint. Viking made the switch seem seamless. Because we were so busy every day and walked so much, you really were too tired for much entertainment at night. You don't do a river cruise for the entertainment. You do a river cruise for the convenience of not having to pack your suitcase every night and for the all inclusive nature of the trip. I wish Viking would make it truly all inclusive and include gratuities. The food was very good, but on a 2 week cruise, it gets repetitive towards the end. But really, nothing to complain about there. We all wished that they would offer featured local beers each day. We were in Germany! They did a better job separating out the people on walkers into a seperate group this time so they wouldn't slow down the other groups. Read Less

Of all the cruises that I have taken (Viking, Princess, Carnival, Holland America), this was by far my most favorite! The boat was beautiful with an open, airy feel to it. The Veranda Suite was elegantly furnished and equipped and was extremely comfortable with plenty of room for all of our stuff. Fresh flowers and towels daily. The dining choices were beautiful with great menu choices served by attentive and gracious staff. The lounge was very comfortable with a well stocked bar and amiable crew and delightful entertainment. The tours were wonderfully well organized, great fun and very educational and interesting. The local tour guides were very knowledgeable, informative, and entertaining. Most of all, our Tour Director, Chantal, was absolutely outstanding! She was informative, gracious, helpful, attentive to our individual needs, and approached even the most challenging challenges with a great sense of humor. Our experience was so wonderful we have booked 2 more cruises with Viking and look forward to more great times ahead. Read Less

Viking does everything they can to satisfy your every need! The cruise was amazing; the scenery beautiful; the food 5 star; and the crew outstanding! We loved every minute of our 15 day cruise! We will cruise with Viking again and again! Our stateroom was small, comfortable. Who needs a large room when you’re going to be out and about every day. The bed was very comfortable and had all the amenities. The ship is wall-to-wall windows so there’s no need for a brand or balcony in your state room. We spent most of our time on the sundeck enjoying the beautiful weather! We had all day to spend in various cities throughout hungry, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands; cruising mostly at night. We loved the Large cities like Budapest and Passau, but the quaint villages of Bamberg in Regensburg were just as entertaining and beautiful! It is hard to say what our favorite city was, there were just too many excellent stops along the Danube Reiner and Main! There are so many things I could recommend, but you must take the World War II tour when in Nuremberg! Read Less

We arrived independently in Budapest but found it quite simple to get connected with Viking and Bragi. After check-in at the hotel, our bags awaited us in our stateroom and the embarkation was flawless. Halfway through the cruise we had to change ships because of low water on the Danube, but even this glitch was handled with grace, good humor, and extreme efficiency. The ship's public spaces were exceptionally inviting. We ate 90% of our meals in the Aquavit Terrace so that we could enjoy the sunrise, the sunset, and the surrounding countryside. Breakfast was ample; the luncheon buffet was varied; and the choices at dinner were almost limitless. We had intended not to eat every single meal and certainly not to eat dessert twice a day--and yet we did! We highly recommend the Spirits Beverage Package--reasonable prices; good selections; and no worries about a high bar bill at the conclusion of the cruise. The entertainment was pleasant, and some of the activities planned by our Cruise Director, Chantal, were a delight. (And speaking of Chantal, she is a gem--Viking needs to clone her!). We appreciate that Viking fares include one excursion in each port. All were worthwhile, and the tour guides were exceptionally informed and engaging. The optional excursions we took (Salzburg, Nuremberg, and Modern Aristocracy) were well worth the additional expense. As enjoyable and informative as the excursions were, I think our two favorite days were the ones spent cruising on the Danube and the Rhein: castles and cathedrals; cathedrals and castles; and an everchanging landscape--talk about relaxing. Disembarcation in Amsterdam was flawless and I really appreciated the fact that we could stay on the ship until late morning. We are singing the praises of Viking to our friends and family...and have already booked our next cruise! Read Less

Since we were planning on this being our trip of a lifetime, we chose the best, Viking. Your reputation for excellence tipped the scale to you. We booked a year in advance taking out trip insurance to be safe. Well we almost needed it. My wife was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma. With 25 brain tumors during the year we weren't sure we could go. However, she was cleared to take the trip the week before we left. Neither of us had been on a trip like this before, and had no idea how it would go. We found out it was quite challenging due to her health and mobility. However, we persevered with the help and support of our wonderful crew, passengers and local europeans. It was wonderful!!!!! We were amazed by the entire itinerary. Wonderful sights and people. Our crew and guides were excellent. So well organized and able to react to every obstacle thrown at them. The most amazing thing was how the crew and corporate were able to complete our trip after the actual cruise had to end after 11 days. The freighter that ran aground in the middle of the Danube really could have been a compete trip killer. However, you managed to find busses, restaurants, hotels and a last night dinner cruise in Budapest. All first class hotels and restaurants. We are firmly convinced no other cruise line could have pulled that off!!! We cannot say enough about your cruise line and our crew in of the Bragi in particular. From the stewards, waiters, bar tenders, chef, cruise director and staff were just wonderful. If we could we would want the same crew again!!! We are not sure if her health will allow it, but we would definitely cruise with you again. We tell every one we know that if you want a first class trip Viking is the way to go. Well worth any difference in price over the others. Thanks again for our Trip of a Lifetime!!! Read Less

The cabins were very nice and comfortable. The food and dinning staff was very good. Having wine and beer with lunch and dinner was great. We enjoyed the different ports of call each day and the excursions. All of the excursions were conducted in English and very informative. In addition we signed up for additional excursions that were also very nice the transportation at each port was conducted with top notch transportation busses and we were very impressed we have been on several cruises on different cruise lines. The Viking river cruise boats were very nice and clean. We would definitely use Viking cruise line again. We met lots of people from all over and everyone was very nice. The entire crew were by far the nicest group of people and they made us feel very welcome and comfortable. We can’t think of anything that was a negative during the cruise. Read Less

After a fabulous river cruise last year with Viking, we had high hopes, especially the Danube and Vienna. Half-way into the cruise, after going through dozens of locks in Germany with the sundeck closed and boring shore excursions, we were told a barge had blocked the Danube just before Passau. We docked Next to a sheep pasture and lock Sun. to Wed. Several key excursions were cancelled. Other ships moved passengers around the blockage but not the Bragi. All the passengers had to leave the ship and bus to Budapest. The top deck & the lower deck passengers were separated, sticking 2/3s of us in an airport hotel far from Vienna. Two days there became 1/2. Meals were in bad restaurants. Worst, Vikings’ story about what happened was contradicted by what we saw when we got to Budapest. Somehow the Bragi found another load of passengers to bring to Budapest. Read Less

River cruising is a relaxing and interesting way to travel. There is much more focus on experiencing the local environment, culture and history than on Ocean Cruises. Viking did an excellent job of organizing tours, coordinating transport and and enabling us to get the most out of our brief visits to towns and cities along the Rhine and Danube. The staff was excellent, proficient and friendly. The Program Director "Joey" was excellent and made even the inconvenient times bearable. Due to an accident blocking traffic on the Danube we had to complete our cruise by bus, which is no ones idea of a great way to travel. However, Viking went a above and beyond to ensure we were taken care of and completed our journey. Joey and Sandra, Viking Staff, stayed with on the buses and in the hotels and did everything in their power to make sure we had an enjoyable experience. Their professionalism, friendliness and enthusiasm kept us all together and made up for the disruption and inconvenience. The food and accommodations aboard the Bragi were excellent. The ship was clean and all services were provided professionally. A word to those considering River Cruising. There is a limited number of things to keep you entertained aboard the boat. Much of the value of the trip is in the side trips and tours of the towns and cities. If you cannot comfortably walk for at least two hours, these side trips will not be practical. For much of the trip the upper deck of the boat is closed so that if you elect to stay on the boat you will be confined to your stateroom or the small public lounge on the ship. It is not always practical to take your own side trip as the boat often drops tours off and picks them up at a different docking place. To those who have committed to a River Cruise, please think seriously about the convenience of the local population and other passengers as you walk around in your large tour groups. Don't block traffic, don't block the entrance to businesses, be considerate of locals trying to get about their daily business. And be considerate of other passengers. Pushing to get first in line, asking long and irrelevant questions, monopolizing the guide's time and attention, asking for breaks because you're unable to keep up, all make the tour unpleasant for others. Read Less

A friend asked me to go as she was already booked. The excursions were great as well as the people who came on board to talk about the upcoming excursion. Dining was great, and staff actually knew my name after a day or two. The cruise director, Joey, was a crackup! I had never had such a relaxing cruise as this one was. I was able to just sit and read in the afternoons, after returning from a morning excursion. I loved cruising down the river, watching the castles and vineyards go by. I would not choose the lower deck again, as it was a bit noisy. I met lots of new friends from various parts of the world. It was amazing going through the 98 locks on our way from Budapest to Amsterdam. We had the best husband and wife entertainment duo each night, giving us a variety of songs. Read Less

My wife and I had been talking of taking a river cruise for years. So we finally took one for our 45th anniversary. It was a wonderful cruise. We had been on several ocean cruises, which we enjoy, but a river cruise is somewhat different due to the smaller number of passengers and more personal attention by the staff. The service in all areas (dining, cabin, service) were great. Extra kudos to Betty who waited on us in the dining room and in the lounge area made the cruise really wonderful. She was so sweet! We had purchased the drink package and she would recommend different wines at dinner that she thought we would enjoy which most of the time we did and if we didn't, she would get something else. They try to serve food that is of the local cuisine, which I enjoyed most of the time, my wife was a little more sceptical so she would chose more of the standard menu items. Our cruise director, Joey, made sure we stayed informed of what was happening and was going to happen. He did a great job. The included shore excursions were well planned and enjoyed them. We also had purchased several optional excursions also. We meet some new friends on the cruise that we really enjoyed spending time with, playing cards, dancing and dining. At night, after dinner we really enjoyed the music in the lounge, my wife and I love to dance. I can not recall their names, but they were a husband and wife. He played the keyboard, both sang. They were very good and played all types if music. There was a downfall to the trip though, we did not enjoy the flights from the US and back as we flew economy and will play a big part of a decision to go again. The flights were full and in economy seats very uncomfortable. Was glad to get off of the plan when it landed, going and coming home. Read Less

We just returned from a two week Grand European cruise which exceeded our expectations in nearly every way. Joey, the program director, was a great source of knowledge and entertainment. The staff was exceptional. They anticipated our every wish without being obsequious. Our room was cleaned several times a day. The French balcony was perfect. I would recommend going with that option rather than a traditional balcony, since there were many days we were docked next to another ship, making the traditional balcony unusable. While we loved the breakfasts and lunches, we felt dinner was often inconsistent. Meat often arrived tough and or cold. The deserts and salads were always great, however. We loved the unexpected “extras” like the apple strudel demo topped off with a serving of warm strudel. German teatime was a big hit one afternoon, as was the lecture on Everything Dutch which included a drink and local cheeses. Transfers went off flawlessly at the start and end of the cruise. Looking forward to our next Viking adventure. Read Less

We wanted to see Budapest and we love Amsterdam. It just fit our plans and then exceeded them. The Bragi crew is outstanding—service and friendliness. They immediately recognize you, know your preferences and are helpful but not intrusive. The ship is easily maneuverable and attractive. Our excursions, overall, were enjoyable and informative. They are definitely well orchestrated. We only dined one night in the main dining room. We found the intimacy of the Aquafit (sp) area perfect for us. Several excursions were memorable, such as riding bicycles through the windmills and the Rhineland castle. We are already planning two ocean cruises with Viking and would like to do the lower Danube cruise also. Annamarie was a blessing. We are having trouble thinking of a cruise without her. She made our cruise experience exceptional. The organization of the shore excursions was remarkable. Really appreciated the quiet box as Steve is a little hard of hearing and he could hear everything at all times. Read Less

Viking River Cruises was highly recommended by several of our friends. We chose the Grand European Tour so that we could cruise on the Rhine and the Danube. We had a great time! The ship was spotless. The staff and crew were wonderful. Our veranda stateroom was surprisingly spacious. Our cruise started in Budapest. Viking picked us up at the airport and brought us to the ship. All of our luggage was taken care of by Viking and delivered to our stateroom. The very first night, they took us out on a little cruise to view the city at night. It was beautiful, and gave everyone a chance to get acquainted. Excursions were included every day at each stop. There was something for everyone. Local guides gave us first hand information about each of the cities we visited. We also had ample spare time to explore on our own. We met a lot of fellow passengers, who quickly became friends. The food was wonderful! The chef gave his personal recommendation every night, but there were always choices. Every day there were choices specific to the region. This was our first river cruise, but it wont be our last. Everything about it was great. We will certainly choose Viking for our next cruise. Read Less

We heard Viking was the best from others, they did not disappoint. It has been years since we were in Europe the transition from airport to ship in Amsterdam was flawless. Once on board we were very pleased with our accommodations, stateroom was just what we envisioned. The crew was fantastic, especially the servers and the Program Director. Not knowing what exactly to expect we only took part in the included tours, they gave us pleanty of time to explore on our own. We really liked the schedules allowing us time to explore the ports on our own. we fount the food to wonderful, nice choices from contentnal breakfast, full breakfast bar, lunches on the deck were an added pleasure. Dinners were well done, the options (local fare and specialitydishes) were well done, made us remember the times we were statiioned ini Germany. All in all, it was the best vacation we have ever had. Thanks. Read Less

We absolutely loved this trip! The service was excellent and the cabin with our private balcony was perfect for early morning riverside views. We truly enjoyed our extra nights in Amsterdam and highly recommend extended stay at the beginning of the cruise to help overcome jet lag. Amsterdam is a great walkable city...just watch out for the bikes! We enjoyed all of our excursions and the guides provided so much history and insight. We particularly enjoyed the smaller riverside towns and the Franconian Countryside tour more than the bigger cities like Vienna. The speakers they brought onboard were educational and funny. We had just enough choices for meals and dining variety. The Program Director was fantastic! She seemed to be everywhere making sure we all had a great time. We met some great people we will keep in touch with in the future too. Overall a great experience! We would take another river cruise based on this successful one! Read Less