We decided to go with Viking at the recommendation of a friend and were so glad we did. Despite the initial cost being higher than other cruise lines, the value was in the included excursions (all of which were first rate), wi-if, and wine and beer at meals. The food was far superior to any other line, including Celebrity and RCL. We opted to upgrade our beverage package to include cocktails and more select wines and felt that was worth the cost as we enjoyed cocktails in the lounge each evening both before and/or after dinner while listening to music and speakers. The staff were the most accommodating and personable we have ever met on our various trips around the world. The ship was beautifully maintained, we loved the decor, and the amenities were very nice. We particularly enjoyed the fresh cookies and coffee station which was available 24/7. The itinerary was perfect and spectacularly beautiful. We highly recommend this particular cruise and Viking in general. Read Less

We took this cruise based on places it would stop and time year. We flew into our departure city Budapest three days early to sightsee the city. We stayed at the Hilton on Castle Hill so we were well acquainted with the hilly side of Budapest; so the Viking excursion was a recap of our previous sightseeing. Our embarkation went very smoothly, mainly due to arriving at a time when Viking buses were not off loading passengers just arriving in country. The "quick one hour tour of the lower side-Pest was very good and a surprise...good way to get started. The tour guide was very good and entertaining...the disembarkation went smoothly in Amsterdam since we were one of the last ones to depart and our hotel limo helped a lot with the move. We knew the rooms would be small but the bathroom was smaller than anticipated...took us sometime to get use to. The storage of luggage was good because you could fit four pieces of luggage under the bed. The ship was well situated with sufficient space to relax; the only negative was the top deck with the walking track...it was closed 50% of the time due to low bridges, etc....Viking should inform passengers this will happen cruising the river. The room cleaning was outstanding and very timely; service overall was excellent with the maitre'd being the highlight. He was superb and quickly learned our names within a few days; he was instrumental in celebrating my wife's 70th BB and our wedding anniversary; he was by-far the best maitre'd we have come across in all our travels. He went beyond the call of duty when we delivered meals to passengers who were sick and could not come to a meal...that is caring for the passengers. Nightly entertainment was good especially the glassblowing demonstration. I would recommend you have on-board first rate movies on a couple of nights to keep people occupied. The cruise director was excellent with her knowledge of the areas the ship would dock and her nightly pre-excursion briefs. He set the tone for the next day and what to expect. The dining was very good BUT we have had better on other ships. The breakfasts and lunches were excellent and according to my wife the soups were all very good. The ability to eat on the second deck where it was more quiet and one could eat as a couple was very refreshing vs the dining room all the time. Most excursions were excellent BUT after a while, one can only visit so many churches and palaces before they are seem the same. The walk through the towns were excellent and your no noise devices worked very well. My husband took the WWII optional excursion in Nuremberg BUT was very disappointed the tour could not visit the court room of the Nuremberg Trials (that was one of the main reasons in taking it). The tour guide on this one was outstanding and full of WWII knowledge but could have moved the tour to better locations at the Zepplinfield to take pics vs on the side. When we were stationed her, we saw the best fireworks on the 4th at this field....not sure why this tour could not take place at a different time so one can also take the included excursion of Nuremberg. The one hour in the AM was not enough time. We thought "old Nuremberg" gate would be a better place to tour vs the castle entrance since some of the castle was under renovation. The town of Bamberg was a key stop because we got married at the Rathaus when my husband was stationed her prior to Desert Storm...it brought back memories. All and all is was very good cruise and full of information...sometimes overwhelming. Read Less

the itinerary the 5 star food and service the knowledgeable crew all stops were well choosen the food selections were special, like having a Michelin chef on board,couldnt wait for breakfast the ship size just perfect with many opportunities to meet people. very gracious wait staff with a smile every where you turn.the port stops were choosen with care. the first and last stops were special bookends to spend time before and after the cruise-amsterdam and budapest.we would seriously consider future river cruises.highly recommend suites selection, the remaining portion is too small for my taste. the wine and beer selections were perfect and blended with surroundings. viking lived up to all the hype and their marketing pitch. also recommend spending two weeks on a cruise to enjoy the full treatment of a river cruise. this was our first river after 12 ocean cruises around the world. probably do france or Portugal and maybe Egypt -viking seems to do its homework Read Less

Friends that we had cruised with before invited us to go on the Grand European Cruise with them. There were 3 couples in our group. We had only cruised on the larger cruise ships before and thoroughly enjoyed the smaller ship with less people. The cabins were very well planned with lots of drawers, shelves and hanging space. The beds were very comfortable and I enjoyed a great night's sleep every night! The included excursions were great. We did choose to add 4 optional excursions and were also very pleased with them. With such a variety of excursions, there was definitely something for everyone. The staff was very friendly and helpful, and we only had one tour guide that wasn't the best. Didn't seem to be very enthusiastic about the tour. The food was very delicious, and there were always so many choices. I liked trying the regional dishes, but also having the static menu in case I wasn't feeling so adventurous. All in all, the Grand European Cruise was a great cruise, and I would highly recommend it and Viking to anyone. Read Less

This cruise was our first river cruise and was prompted by a special deal offered by Viking at the last minute. I noticed the difference between Viking and other ocean cruises we had been on right away. Just as I was about to say, "where do we go?" or "is this the right....?", a Viking representative arrived to guide us to luggage, transportation, the boat. And this level of service was consistent throughout the entire voyage. The Cruise Director was phenomenal and was expert at organizing the tours, providing information, teaching us culture and helping us maximize the experience of the trip. As a photographer, I came away with over 1,000 photos of places, people, architecture and culture that will last a lifetime. The ship is extremely well run, a model of efficiency with an emphasis on customer service. The cabins are well appointed and even our smaller sized cabin came with nice amenities. The stewards were always on time, on hand, and friendly. I recommend getting to know them a little as they are from the countries you are about to visit and will provide you worthwhile insight. I can honestly say that I did not have a bad or even mediocre meal on the entire trip. Whether on the ship or a planned outing, the food was very good, well prepared, and artfully presented. You have a wide range of choices as well but please, don't just pound down hamburgers.... try the local and regional fare offered. Shore excursions are your window into the world an I recommend that you take advantage of them. Whether free or purchased, each tour is well thought-out and local guides impart a flavor of the area. Of course, there is variation in the quality of the tour guides but it is usually around their presentation and not their knowledge and willingness to answer questions. They really made a difference for me as a "first-timer" in Europe. Having a guide help you explore the time and space of Europe is essential in securing a wonderful experience and memories that will last a lifetime. On-board entertainment was fun - from professional singers, a lounge band, Classical Duet, a Glass Blower, and of-course, the Cruise Director. Even the Chef got into the act. It was fun to experience. The majority of the passengers were 50 or over and we all enjoyed meeting each other, talking about home, and of course, making plans for the next excursion. In short, this cruise was perfectly tailored for people of similar interests and age. Because of Viking, we made friends with an Australian couple and are now making plans to visit Australia. In short, I am already planning the next Viking river cruise knowing that the Company, its employees, and representatives will do their utmost to guide me to a unique experience somewhere in the world. Release: Attached photos may be used by Viking for their exclusive, unrestricted use. Photographer retains all rights. Read Less

This cruise was a nightmare. Insufficient air conditioning in the room and on the excursion buses. They were not equipped to deal with the heat factor. I realize the weather is unpredictable; however, Viking should have been able to keep their passengers comfortable on the ship, as well as on the buses. There was virtually no entertainment. The balcony was unable to be used due to docking right next to another river boat or next to a wall. It was a very expensive trip and nothing about it was acceptable. The Viking advertisements are very distorted and it was nothing like we expected. We are retirees and live on a fixed income. We thought this costly trip was going to be a trip if a lifetime. It was anything but. Very disappointed in this holiday and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. If you are considering a Viking cruise, think twice. Wa Read Less

The entire April 3, 2019 Tulips and Windmills cruise on the Viking Mimir was flawless. We were fortunate. The weather was nice: cool but windy. The tulips were in full bloom. Timing for us could not have been better. From the shore excursions to the dining, all services were provided with grace and charm. Almost too much to fit into one week, but what wonderful memories. I was particularly charmed by the Belgian and Dutch citizens who were so pleasant. They wanted to share and show the love of their countries. I am Catholic and had the unexpected opportunity to attend daily Mass in Antwerp and Bruges. I didn't miss out on any part of the ship's tours because it so happened that Mass was offered in small chapels adjoining the large cathedrals in the town center at 11:00 A.M in both towns and the times coincided with the "free time" to shop or browse. Have another cruise with Viking already booked. I don't have to research shore excursions options. I need only to show up with good walking shoes on my feet! Read Less

We had such a great time it's hard to know where to start! I love being able to enjoy the experience, to relax knowing that each little thing is taken care of by the staff of the Mimir. They were so nice, professional and were always ready to help. The food was so exciting, always delicious but just a bit better every meal. From breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner we loved it! Our cabin was so comfortable and well taken care of every day, all day long! We learned a lot on the shore excursions, loved the floral experience of the tulips, learning about the countries we were in, saw exquisite art work and cathedrals. What fun! We thought the bus travel was excellent and always on time. We liked the ear phones and could hear everything the guide said. Upon arrival we were greeted and had no problem getting to our hotel, luggage delivered to our room. We were delivered to the boat since we decided to tour Amsterdam before the main trip on the ship. This trip was a memory I will enjoy for years to come. Read Less

This was my first river cruise, and I cannot wait to go on another trip. There were a wide variety of excursions on offer - including art, history (both medieval and modern), engineering, farming, food, music, etc. - it was an excellent introduction to the area. The optional extension in Amsterdam before the cruise was a definite plus - we got to explore the city in greater detail and it allowed us to take the excursions farther afield while the ship was docked in Amsterdam. Viking was terrific about coordinating our transits to and from the airport, and making sure that our needs while in town were met (all this before we experienced their hospitality onboard). On the ship, the Viking crew was exceedingly attentive and the facilities were excellent. It seemed as though everything I could have thought about wanting was already ready and waiting. I was amazed at how quickly the crew grew to know my preferences and anticipate them. The cabins larger than I had anticipated, and well appointed. The public areas of the ship were open and inviting. I had not anticipated the amount of mingling that would take place (having only done bus tours before) while the ship was in transit, it definitely enriched the experience. The food onboard was top notch as well; I appreciated how each meal endeavored to present local favorites while also providing variety and new takes on dishes (it was the just the right blend of traditional and innovative). Looking back, I regret not eating in more local establishments while docked, but the cuisine offered by Viking seemed too good to pass up. The logistics of the trip were handled expertly as well. Whether it was the transit from the airport, the embarkation, or the organization of the shore excursions, I was impressed with how smoothly and effortlessly (at least from the passengers' perspective) everything went. All in all, it was a superb trip. I would recommend it to anyone. PS - when in Amsterdam, be sure to check out the Dutch Resistance Museum in the Plantage district - it is a thoughtful look at the complexities of civilian life during the Nazi occupation. The museum doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves, as it is overshadowed by the larger (and justly renowned) establishments in the Museum Quarter. Read Less

Stay away from this one! Viking....ugh. Worst cruise we have ever been on. Drought impacted the river levels and they SHOULD have cancelled the cruise but of course they didn't want to lose the money so they kept it going. Didn't see many of the areas we were supposed to see on the shore excursions. Had to change boats middle of trip. Lengthy bus rides because couldn't get up the river. Minimal water and no food on the bus rides. Boat parked beside train tracks and loud trains rumbling past all night. And of course half the time they wouldn't tell us what was happening; probably because they knew people were getting more and more angry over the course of the trip with the changes to the itinerary vs what we had all paid for. The icing on the cake? Credit vouchers issued for a future cruise to make up for the disaster that was this trip. ...but then when you go to use them you find out that the vouchers aren't valid. Call guest relations and find out that they were "issued by mistake". Why didn't they tell you they were cancelling them? "They were issued due to a system error. We don't advise they were cancelled." So after you think weeelll, maybe I'll use the vouchers and give Viking another try, they show their true colors...that they don't give a flaming, flying furry rat's behind about customer service or doing the right thing. In contrast, a friend is traveling on another cruise line soon. That cruise line listed inaccurate pricing for their beverage package...people booked at the lower price (1/3 of what it should have been). The cruise line sent out a message to passengers advising of the error, and OWNING their mistake. Viking? Own their mistake? Their mistake in a horrible cruise? Their mistake in cancelling vouchers offered in compensation for the horrible cruise? Pfft. So long, Viking. In a world full of competition, you can bet your actions will serve to drive you to the bottom of the industry, where you belong. Read Less

I booked this cruise to have a nice, relaxing time on the river, having been inspired both by a friends past trips and by their wonderful television commercials. Sitting leisurely on the deck, with a glass of good wine and enjoying the gorgeous views along the Rhine and Danube rivers, eating great food with excellent service at meals, and having the occasional guided tours by expert guides was my dream fantasy, and unfortunately, that's what it turned out to be, a dream fantasy. Instead of having the wonderful time on the river I anticipated, we had a series of bus trips to connect with our next of four separate boats. Because of low water, we spent more time on buses than on water which meant that almost all of the actually river was seen only through bus windows occasionally. I understand that Viking cannot control the water levels in several countries in Europe, but they knew about this as early as July and when asked about it before hand, were told everything was fine. Not until approximately 4 days before our plane ride to connect with the boat in Amsterdam were we notified of any problems, and that was for Passau, a city toward the end of our trip. Because of the busing, most of our excursions were reduced by as much as 65% which meant that the 'expert tour guides' were rushed and our 'free time' almost non-existent. The boats were mostly dock at ports that were anything but scenic, especially when we paid for a veranda stateroom with a balcony and the boats were often parked sandwiched together putting us in the middle which gave us a 'wonderful' view of the adjoining boat. Much of the time when we were on water, we were in lochs, which meant that our view was of concrete walls and our upper decks, where on only one night were we allowed outside to take pictures of the sunset while the rest of the time this deck was closed due to low bridges. Supposedly this would not have been true on the most scenic parts of the river, but because we were on a bus, not a ship, we did not have that experience. On each bus they had a guide. I was never sure sure why as there was only one time that this guide gave us any real information about the landscape or history of the area. Mostly, they told us what we needed to know at the potty breaks and when we got off the bus to get on the new ship. For that, we got to tip the guide and the bus driver 2 Euro each for everyone of these bus rides. At the last rest stop, all 7 Viking buses stopped which meant our 1/2 hour break took almost the entire time waiting on line to use the aforementioned potty as the line wrapped around the building. At each of these stops, the potty cost money, and most people got something to eat or drink because 4 hours on a bus takes it's toil on you and the bottle of water given to each of us just didn't do it. That meant more expenses incurred to our already costly trip. On one of the excursions, we were forced to pay for our own lunches for which Viking repaid us 25 Euro shipboard credit. As I did not intend to drink other than wine at dinner, and as I was not interested in their pricey products, all with the Viking name on them, the money was not used. They would not apply it to decreasing anything on the trip, consequently, that meant I paid for my own lunch when all lunches were meant to be paid for on the trip. Another 2 times, we were herded as a group to mediocre at best restaurants because we were not on the boat. Because of the need to continually change ships, we were living out of our suitcases, or repacking every other day. Our luggage had to be out in the halls an hour or so prior to disembarkation to cue at the buses which meant that getting a good nights sleep was impossible as we left early to have any time to see any sights. Meike, our program director, did an amazing job and should be complimented, but at the same time, she was giving us the company line that we had to wait till the day before to know whether we would be changing boats. This could not have been true because in everyplace where we talked with the locals, it would have taken days if not weeks of pouring rain for the water levels to be high enough. Some of the stories about our bus trips are also laughable; the first bus broke down, the second bus back into a tree destroying the back window, and the buses were over 1/2 late picking us up at one point leaving us to stand on the sidewalk on a busy street for over that time. The one saving grace, we were close to a public bathroom. The staff on each ship were obviously frazzled as they had to do so much more work; meeting a greeting different groups of people almost daily and then having to get ready for a new group the next day. As you might imagine, some of the staff was better than others. Out of the four boats, I feel 2 had good service, the other two less than good. The desk staff, however was great on all boats as was Meike. The boats were identical but some were obviously more worn than others. The last one being their 'hotel' as it is permanently moored at Budapest. It did show its wear. We were given a key to open the doors to the room which was VERY hard to use and many of the people around us had to ask for help. Except for the glassblowing entertainment, we did not participate with the planned activities. They held no interest for us and were not very exciting; Country and Western night, an historian, and a musical duo for each separate ship. I must say that I was disappointed in the food. One night we ordered a Ribeye steak that was so touch and gristly, I could barely eat it. Most soups appeared to be made in a Vitamix and were so pureed that there was no substance only a rather bland liquid. When I ordered the potato soup, I was amazed that their was absolutely no sign or taste of potato. The wines they served with dinner, always the same every night on every boat unless you paid an additional price for their special selection, were often cheap table wines that were more vinegar than wine and needed at least 2 hours to breathe to be palatable. Lastly, our flights. I cannot complain about our flight to Amsterdam. Everything went well, but our flight home is another matter. We had Viking book our flight. We live in Phoenix, Arizona, which is one state East of California for those who are in other countries. Our flight was booked through Los Angeles, California, where we also had a 4 hour stopover. When we ask about changing this so that we could go directly home, we were told that would cost an extra $50 each just to talk to someone even though they were responsible for this booking. This meant that we were either in the air or in airports for over 24 hours. As Vikings customers or mostly seniors, this seems like a lot to ask. To summarize a long account, if I had wanted a bus tour of Germany, Hungary, Austria and the Netherlands I would have booked with a company that specializes in them. This tour would have cost much less and also been much better in every way I am sure. Do not believe Viking's hype. They do not put their customers first. They could have informed us in advance of what was happening, offered to decrease the price of the cruise or allowed us to cancel, especially as we paid for cancellation insurance, but instead all we heard was, "We cannot be responsible for the weather." Think twice bout Viking, it is not worth it. Read Less

We chose this cruise because the reviews were good and we like to cruise but have only done ocean cruises with Princess Cruise Lines. On this “cruise” we spent a lot of time on busses being transferred from one boat to another, which meant we had to waste time packing and unpacking multiple times. The people on board wouldn’t tell us if or when we would have to jump ships again until after dinner the night before the swap, and we had to have our luggage outside our cabin by 07:00 the next morning, so that evening and morning were wasted packing and traveling by bus to the next boat. The cabins were all fine, although the last boat was kind of dated, the service personnel were attentive and seemed to know their jobs, but the food was mediocre. They spent WAY too much time TELLING us what a great time we were going to have, and wasting our touring time in the process, after all, all of that information was in the bulletin they left in our cabin each evening. This cruise was VERY EXPENSIVE, about $15,000 for two including airfare from the USA and pre and post extensions in Amsterdam and Prague respectively. Changing ships so often took a lot of time out of our vacation, so much time that we only had about 4 hours in Budapest, when we were supposed to have two days. The low water in the rivers wasn’t Viking’s fault, but they KNEW the problem in advance and SHOULD have given us the facts and the option to reschedule to a time when we could actually DO the expensive tour we paid for, but they didn’t! Viking wouldn’t even be honest with us about when and how many ship changes we would have to make! We spoke with customers of other companies and they were given a full refund and sent home, I would have liked that option, but Viking never brought it up, and when asked directly, wouldn’t answer the question. Read Less

This is going to be your most expensive bus tour, if you have it scheduled cancel if you can!! Started the tour on Oct 12th 2018. A week before VRC sent an email stating that there might be a ship swap at Regensburg. Nine days later we are on our THIRD viking boat, Vili. Mimir and Gefjon are a distant memory. Packing and unpacking is the highlight of the day. Had VRC informed us on a timely manner about the low water level on Europe’s rivers I would have cancelled this expensive trip. We will be in Passau for 3 days being bussed around for hours to the tours which have not been canceled. The ships Vili and Embla are docked as a pair, and we have no window view of the industrial docking area. Rumor has it that we will reach Budapest by bus. The crew releases the news one day at a time, so nothing is clearly known. Everybody gets more tired and I am counting down the remaining days while my luggage is ready for the next ship swap. Cancel your trip if you can!!! Read Less

We had never been to Europe and thought a Viking River Cruise would be the best way to see several countries. Viking has a great reputation and they didn't disappoint us. From start to finish, we were pampered and treated luxuriously the whole time. River levels were at an all-time low on the Danube, so we had to swap ships at the midpoint, but even that was handled with such excellence that we hardly noticed. We also did a pre-trip 2-night stay in Amsterdam. The hotel Viking chose for us couldn't have been in a better location. We could walk to absolutely everything! The guides they use for their excursions are always local and absolutely the BEST! The 2500+ pictures we took don't even do the trip justice. The ship overall, our rooms, the staff, the food, the excursions.....everything was A+!!! We didn't want it to end. We will definitely consider another Viking river cruise. Read Less

We chose this particular cruise because it was comprehensive and included wine growing regions. The food was fantastic and the service was excellent. The only glitch was the low water levels on the Rhine which necessitated us switching boats and missing one port. However, the cruise line made the switch as painless as possible- the water levels were beyond their control but they handled it flawlessly. All of the included shore excursions were excellent and the optional excursions we did were great fun. We particularly enjoyed the winery visit (Morwahld). Spending two days in Vienna was a bonus as it provided us the opportunity to go off on our own the first day without worrying about getting back to the ship before departure. We found that the food and service were very slightly better on the Mimir than the ship we moved to after our switch. Perhaps we’d been spoiled. Read Less

Viking was suggested by my sister-in-law and I read reviews here on TripAdvisor before deciding to go. I couldn't be more disappointed. Prior to our trip we had heard from a german neighbor that the river levels were low. We called Viking who told us, that rain was coming and that they were well versed on how to handle the situation and if not to our satisfaction we would be fairly compensated for ANY inconvenience. The first sign things were going awry was when they told us we would be on the Mimir, not the Vili that we were originally slated to be on in our contract. For all the ports on the Rhine and Main, we were NOT docked at city ports, we were at ugly industrial areas far from the ports that were advertised in the brochure and had to be bussed to them on supposedly "short" bus rides. With the elderly population on the boat, it always took at least 2 hours for this transport. Two hours each day of our valuable vacation time for most days of our 15 days on Viking. It did appear that other river cruise lines were docked in the towns. When we got to the Danube, we were told that we were to transfer to the Vili. Again this consumed valuable vacation times to re-pack and re-unpack. Vienna and Budapest were the ONLY two ports that we were docked in town, not at some ugly industrial port that we were then bussed to and from. There were other disappointments but these were the major ones. When we called Viking customer service to register our complaints and ask for compensation and told them that we recorded the promise of possible compensation, we were threatened with being sued for recording the conversation. Many lies, many misleading statements, and being threatened. Their people are trained well to deflect. They are focused on quantity, not quality and making money, NOT customer satisfaction. We may take another river cruise but Viking would have to make this up to us for us to chose them again. With global warning and more drought they need to change their practices. I wish I had seen a review like this, prior to our decision to take Viking. Read Less

We chose this cruise because of the tulips -- it turned out to be much more. We took the 2-day pre-extension and enjoyed every minute. The walking tour was different from the walking tour that we took after boarding the boat, so we got to see much more of Amsterdam and learn much more history. Of course, the museums were wonderful and we enjoyed both walking and riding the tram. After boarding, each place we stopped had a fascinating history, plus so much to see and enjoy. The crew was wonderful; the service was impeccable; activities were fun; excursions were interesting; the food was delicious; our accommodations were comfortable; the weather turned out to be beautiful -- and now I want to go back to Amsterdam! We made wonderful friends on the boat and are still in contact with some of them. I took about 3,000 photos -- so much beauty and history to record, it was difficult to put the camera down. Read Less

Enjoyed all the small towns in Germany and the outstanding countryside. We especially enjoyed the Rhine valley area, absolutely stunning. Overall the food and service on the ship was good. We enjoyed getting to know our servers and they did a great job taking care of us. Even though we were traveling with 12 other people, we enjoyed meeting other people from either the United States or countries outside the U.S. We unfortunately ran out of water on some parts of our trip but realize that is out of the control of Viking. They did their very best to accommodate us with bus trips or changing ships.The shore excursions were very enjoyable, and loved that they were mostly done by locals who love their towns they live in. We would have loved to have seen more of Budapest, absolutely gorgeous. We did add several days to Amsterdam which was wonderful. Read Less

I would definitely take another Viking River Cruise. The staff was very friendly and the food was good (always cookies in the galley). Our accomodations were spacious (great bathroom and sitting room). They use the ship spaces very well for entertainment in the lounge as well as conveying ship information. The onboard ship discussions of the places we were sailing by on the river was wonderful. Due to river levels we had to change ships. The crew handled the change marvelously. We did not travel with children and there weren't any on our cruise. We went on many shore excursions and loved the winery tour, cheese tour and Melk Abbey. There were many small touches like fresh flowers in our room and common areas. I also enjoyed the warm towels and small drinks upon returning from excursions. We used the ships laundry service and the clothes came back the next day, clean, pressed and ready for the next adventure. My favorite part of the trip was docking in town and walking around after our included or extra excursions. To walk off the food and drink, there was a track on top of the ship. I highly recommend a river cruise on Viking. Read Less

This was a most disappointing holiday for the high price we paid. When booking this trip we assumed that you are able to step off the boat in to the towns listed and enjoy exploring on our own. Unfortunately we spent more time on buses as the docking stations are too far away. We also had to change ships which meant a 3 hour bus journey therefore missing an afternoon in Nuremberg. That then necessitated a 1.5 hour coach journey back to visit Regensburg from Passau on the following day. When in Koblenz the ship only docked for 2 hours so again little time to explore. If you intend to book find out exactly where you will be docked and for how long. We were also not informed at booking that the sun deck would be closed for 2 days because of low bridges. Had I been informed at booking I would not have paid extra for a balcony as we could not sit on it for about half the trip as the ship was docked along side other Viking boats a number of times. The included tours would have been good had it not been so busy. The number of tourists at the venues being taken around on guided tours meant they were packed (many of them from other Viking ships). Most of our guides however were knowledgeable and interesting. I cannot complain about the ship, cabin , staff or food. The sip was clean, the cabin whilst small was good and the food very good. I would not do another river cruise and would not recommend this one. We have emailed Viking but as expected have had no response. Read Less

Cabins as well as the boat were very clean. The waitstaff in the dining room were excellent. The excursions (included with the fare) were decent, but the logistics were horrible. Tour director blamed all errors on everyone but Viking. Lack of shuttles, poor docking spaces and "everyone else has the same problems" was the norm. When we booked, the airfare was included. Our agent (not Viking) suggested that we don't use that service since there were multiple flights and no seat assignments until you reach the gate. So we paid for a direct flight, and didn't ask for, or were offered a rebate or concession for not booking via Viking. I was ok with that since it was my decision. Now comes the ultimate insult! When departing, i asked when the shuttle to the airport was leaving, and was told since i didn't arrange flights through Viking I had to get my own taxi to the airport. I paid for, but didn't book through Viking, so I couldn't get on the bus. Even charge me to use the shuttle would have been less of an insult. Profit driven, not customer driven. Viking may be the most popular and have the most boats on the river, but anything would have been better. Shame on you Viking. Read Less

We liked this cruise so much we booked two for next year! Viking takes care of everything--all you have to do is get to the airport in your home city. The pre-extension helped us shift into "vacation" mode. Our ship was beautiful. We especially enjoyed the "extra touches" such as fresh flowers in many places. The entertainment was a great combination of different musicians and types of music. The pace was relaxing yet full of many interesting places with the excursion guides telling stories to help us understand the local culture and history. When Viking takes care of the transfer off the ship to the airport, that definitely eliminates stress. The Program Director was a wealth of knowledge and clearly committed to passenger satisfaction. All staff were very friendly and many got to know us by name. One of the most relaxing and definitely the most stress-free vacation we've had. Read Less

After going on several ocean cruises this was on our list for a long time. We chose Viking after doing a lot of research and chose the Mimir departing Amsterdam on May 27th to try and catch the Tulips in bloom which we did. After the trip we both said that was the best trip we had ever been on. The Viking experience was great from the arrangement of air transportation to the excursions, food, entertainment and hospitality of the ships crew. Already looking to take another one on Viking. The Grand European cruise was all anyone could ask for. Experiencing the different cultures in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary as well as the scenic aspect and food was incredible. The excursions that Viking offered whether the included ones or the extra ones that are offered were excellent. Our Cruise Director Niki was fantastic. Will definitely sail with Viking again. Read Less

Have been on 9 previous Viking cruises. Wanted to do the Tulips and Windmill cruise. I think Viking is more focused on quantity rather than quality. If this had been our 1st Viking cruise, I would probably have rated it excellent. But after 8 or 9 previous cruises, it did not measure up to my expectations. The cruise director was below average. The guides were only acceptable. Service on board met our expectations but was not exceptional. This was the least favorite of our Viking cruises. We have had recent experience with AMA cruises and they are beating you on the same routes even though they may be slightly more expensive. I think Viking is giving more attention to their ocean cruises to the detriment of their river cruises which should be their bread and butter for the business model. Don’t lose track of what has made you successful. Thanks for listeny Read Less

Viking Mimir – April 9 – 19, 2018 – Tulips & Windmills Why this cruise?. We have done 37 ocean cruises, but only three river cruises, so we thought this one would be a good idea. And we were correct. It was a very nice ten days sailing on canals and rivers through the Netherlands and Belgium; and seeing huge amounts of flowers and windmills. We had Viking arrange the air which was a non-stop British Air from Phoenix to London and then a short hop to Schiphol in Amsterdam. Our flight was overnight, so we opted for business class. We were met by Viking at the airport, which is second only to Heathrow for size in Europe; and arrived at the boat in time for dinner. We were probably the last on board. Shore excursions Viking offers at least one free excursion every day, and a choice of paid trips. The cost of the paid trips is not high by cruise standards Our first day was spent touring Amsterdam by canal boat for a few hours in the morning. We have been there a few times; but love the central city. In the afternoon we took a paid tour of the Delft “Porcelain” factory. It is not true porcelain, but ceramic ware; striking nonetheless. The next day we arrived in Hoorn, which is on an enclosed bay north of Amsterdam. We took a paid tour which included a visit to a farm with a wind turbine owned by the farmer; but managed by his wife. Her explanation of the turbine, which is one of many supplying electricity throughout the country was fascinating. We then went to a tulip farm which was an amazing operation, growing millions of tulips, all for shipment outside Holland. It was difficult to understand the full process of this family run enterprise, but it was extremely enlightening. Thursday was spent in Arnhem; which was the location of a major battle, and allied defeat, in 1944. Driving through the beautiful countryside was nice, with the tour guide providimg a very detailed history of the battle. We stopped at a small, partly finished museum, and enjoyed a very good cup of coffee. We sailed at 4:00 A.M for Kinderdijk, arriving at 1:00 P.M. where Edith enjoyed a walking tour of a historic windmill, which showed how the family once lived in it. There also was a lecture on water management which she found very enlightening. Saturday we arrived in Antwerp in Belgium. The walking tour was conducted by a California girl. Most of our time was spent in the Cathedral, which had some very nice art works, but our guide did not manage time well and we had to return to the boat without seeing much else of the city. The next day was spent in Bruges, which is a very attractive old city that we had visited before. Our guide did an excellent job, and we particularly enjoyed the busy central square as well as the canal with its boats. Monday we were in Zeeland, which adjoins the North Sea and is entirely below sea level. We learned about the disastrous flooding which occurred in 1953, killing more than 1800 people. It led to the building of huge dikes to protect the land from the sea, and they are an amazing sight. We sailed that afternoon past Rotterdam, which is the major western Europe port, and very active. Tuesday we were in Amsterdam and our tour was of the Keukenhof Gardens. This is a stunning place containing a huge array of all sorts of flowers; both in the open and in buildings. It is open for only eight weeks each year from the end of March to the end of May. It occupies over 69 acres and is truly spectacular. This was a provided tour by Viking, which was nice considering that the normal entrance fee is 59 Euros. This did not stop a very large crowd of visitors, and it shouldn’t. We returned to the boat for our farewell dinner well satisfied with the day. The next day most of the passengers returned home, but we stayed overnight, visiting the Stedelijk Museum in the afternoon and attending a concert at the Concertgebouw that evening. This hall has perhaps the finest acoustics of any concert venue, and the orchestra is one of the top five in the world, so we enjoyed a Beethoven piano concerto, the Harry Janos Suite by Kodaly and a Prokoflev orchestral piece. The following day we flew home. The Mimir This is one of Viking’s “Longships” and was launched in 2015. It will carry 190 passengers and we had 183 on board, so it is as big as any river boat. The cabin furnishings are in a largely pleasant light wood, with enough room in our verandah cabin for everything. The bathroom was quite adequate with a shower that worked very well, maintaining the desired temperature. The stateroom had a small couch and coffee table, with an adequate desk. The verandah was small, with two chairs and a table. The weather did not encourage much outdoor seating. Deck two forward had the large dining room, with tables for six and eight, inviting interaction with one’s fellow passengers. The tableware was Villeroy and Boch, hotel quality of course, but very attractive. The boat’s lounge was on Deck three, and had comfortable seating, but probably did not hold all the passengers. There was an “alfresco” small dining area forward of the lounge, and an outside viewing area forward of that. The sky deck had a large covered area mid-ships, and, as always on riverboats, one could look into the captain’s bridge. A visit was provided here, and the equipment was quite impressive. The Food As river cruise boats go, the dining was quite good, although Edith felt that the vegetarian offerings fell short on some days. The choices were fewer than on ocean going ships, but the quality of the cooking and service was high. The baked goods were especially nice. The breakfast buffet did not have the full fruit selection we were accustomed to see on our ocean voyages, and the toaster was out of service for a few days. Lunches were also limited as to the items available; but we never went hungry. Wine and beer were freely poured at all lunches and dinners as well as at a few special events. The Crew Viking does a superb job with its guest relations and crew efficiency. Our cabin was made up by the time we returned from breakfast every day. The cruise director was always available, on board or on shore, and very helpful. The Captain was quite young, but always around and friendly. All the waiters were pleasant and efficient. The front desk people were especially nice. The atmosphere on board was as good as anyone could hope for. Onboard Entertainment There was a pianist and singer providing music every day. Twice a group of local musicians provided entertainment, and there were some talks on local life and culture as well. The cruise director explained the next day’s tour options every evening before dinner. Fellow Passengers A scurvy lot! No, of course not. The percentage of people from the UK was probably higher than 50%, which made conversations quite interesting. As usual we were almost all retired and enjoying life. While most on board had done a fair amount of river cruising, the number of ocean cruisers was low compared to our experience at sea. The Overall Experience This was a very enjoyable cruise, matching the AMA Waterways AmaVida we took on the Duoro River ln Portugal 4 years ago. While the weather was quite cool at times, we were able to dress warmly enough, and we had no rain on shore. The care and attention of the crew was superb, the boat very convenient, and the tours quite good. We can definitely recommend Viking for any river cruise. Read Less