We chose this cruise for an opportunity to spend more time in Paris and for the excursions to Auvers-Sur-Oise and the D-Day sites. The transportation strike in Paris interfered with our extension there, but the cruise itself was wonderful. Viking handled the airport and ship transfers with perfection. The cabin and public spaces were beautiful as always, although we did find the bed rather uncomfortable. Our Program Director, Max, arranged a very moving wreath-laying ceremony at the American Cemetery in Normandy. He also was extremely helpful to us in re-booking tickets and transportation to an exhibit in Paris that we had missed because of the strike. The visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise in the footsteps of Van Gogh was most memorable. Seeing Van Gogh's tomb, side by side with his Brother's was quite touching. The excursion was complemented by the ship-board watercolor class and the very informative lecture on Impressionism. Service everywhere on the ship was prompt and gracious. The food was good, but not memorable. A live pianist provided pleasant background music in the lounge. On one occasion there were three delightful young opera singers. This was our 4th Viking cruise and we have already booked the next one. Read Less

After having sailed the Seine River with Viking, we knew immediately we were booking another river cruise with Viking! After much research, we chose the Rhine. We made a great choice and LOVED sailing the Rhine! The scenery, excursions, staff, ship, food, and fellow travelers were all fabulous! For the first time, we did an add-on prior to sailing. We spent two nights in Amsterdam. That experience was worth every penny! Our hotel was centrally located and absolutely beautiful! While in Amsterdam, we took advantage of the excursions Viking offered in addition to touring Anne Frank’s house, taking a canal cruise, enjoying the Rijksmuseum, and walking the beautiful city viewing the architecture and canals. LOVED it all! Once, again, Viking went above and beyond with the shore excursion options. The tour guides, bus drivers, and the program director (George) were all fabulous! We learned so much and were not disappointed in any of our shore excursion choices. As always, the ship, staff, and food were excellent! This is the way to travel! Unpack your bags on the ship, relax, and enjoy! Let Viking take care of the details! The only decision necessary is red or white wine for lunch and dinner! The staff was phenomenal! We already have another cruise booked! Happy sailing! Read Less

This cruise was all that I wanted to do when I retired and I lived my dream! It exceeded even my lofty dreams! Viking pays attention to every detail from the moment of arrival to the moment we departed for the airport! There were many excursions to choose from. The guides for our excursions were exceptional people who went out of their way for us. One guide knew we were looking for a particular type of tea and she went to find it for us! There are no clubs on board but each evening there was an educational or musical event after dinner which was great because early to bed, early to rise so we could get ready for our next adventure! The food was amazing And the service even better. Each meal had a regular menu and a local menu featuring regional ingredients and dishes and they were all incredible! The people of Viking made our trip an amazing experience as they learned our names, preferences and treated us with the warmth of family!! They were kind, funny, informative and wonderful! Read Less

We loved our time in Amsterdam, our hotel was charming and we had a great stay. The transfer to the boat went very smoothly. Rainy weather hampered some of the enjoyment of our stops. Our time in Cologne was too short. We spent a lot of time on the bus as our boat was docked quite a distance from the city. The weather was miserable and there was little time after the tour to explore. The other shore excursions were enjoyable and there was good variety. The dining on the boat was amazing. We enjoyed all meals and the service was great. We enjoyed the evening entertainment, the cruise director and chef adding their music talents. The cabins are efficient, clean and well cared for. Disembarking also went smoothly. We enjoyed our final stay in Lucerne and the Viking staff in the hotel were helpful. Our plane in Zurich was delayed and there was no one to meet us in Amsterdam on our return. This caused a few tense moments as we were somewhat short of time. Read Less

We chose the Rhine Gateway with Viking because we believed in the Viking brand and wanted Amsterdam to be part of our trip. Also, since this was our first river cruise, we thought eight days would be a good amount of time. From start to finish we felt well taken care of, pampered really! We were met within seconds of picking up our luggage in Amsterdam and that quality of detail continued throughout the entire trip. We hated to leave the ship at the end of the cruise. Its been a while since we really didn't want to go home after a trip! The ship was beautifully appointed - right down to the heated bathroom floors. The staff were all so helpful and friendly. We enjoyed all our excursions and were so happy to find out that you could stay in town longer than the excursion, with Viking providing transportation back to the ship at a later point. We look forward to travelling with Viking again in the future! Read Less

We wanted to cruise the Rhine we like Viking and giot a good deal. Food excellent ship very good crew very very good all the trips were good the guides very good . I did like the war time trip to the Culmor valley it was excellent the guide very knowledgeable. made me want to see the film which I bought when I got home. Of al the ships we have been on the Viking crew are definitely the best of all. transfers to and from airport very efficient and professional. . CABIN Clean and tidy what we expected. Dining food very good the drink service a bit slow on one of the tables we moved it improved after then Entertainment good especially the chef who sang he should have done a bit more. Service apart from the drinks on one occasion very good and friendly Ports very good and the trip down the Rhine valley while we saw the castles and had a commentary very good . Read Less

This was our first river cruise and we considered that a 7 day Rhine getaway would be the most appropriate taster.We were not disappointed. From embarkation to disembarkation the experience was a delight. The ship was clean from bow to stern. Our cabin had enough space and the verandah was a welcome extension. The food was varied and excellent and I had the opportunity to visit the "galley" which was busy and pristine.The wines and drinks were very good. The resident musical entertainer was very good and the guest entertainment at certain ports of call were professional. The service received from all of the ship's company was second to none. They were courteous, professional and a delight to meet. The included excursions were interesting. We did not partake in any optional ones (this time). Our fellow guests were very friendly and we met some wonderful people. This river cruise will certainly not be our last and we look forward to cruising again with Viking in the not too distant future. Read Less

I don't like cruising. I get sea sick and I dislike the huge number of people on large cruise ships. This cruise had the benefit of a small boat with approximately 100 passengers, being on a river so no sea sickness and the itinerary was perfect. My husband and I had never been to Germany and much of the trip was in Germany. Fantastic port and shore excursions and the ability to walk around on our own to explore. The service was the best we had ever experienced with attention to detail at maximum level. The crew were happy, friendly, helpful and personable. The program director was amazing. I learned a great deal of history on the trip and we saw several small cities and villages we would love to visit. The food was fantastic. We went through numerous locks along the way and considering the length of the *long boats* it was an amazing thing to watch and experience. We will definitely do another one and Viking will be our choice. Read Less

Always wanted to take a River Cruise. The Viking staff was AMAZING and so helpful. The shore excursions were informative and well planned. Never felt rushed. The food and drink were truly an experience. Can't wait for my next Viking Cruise. The staff was very attentive and great with remembering names and preferences. The scenery was beyond awesome. The relaxed atmosphere was a breath of fresh air from the huge ships that cram people on board like sardines. The casual aspect was a welcome change. No formal dining night which was a relief. No assigned seating at meals so you got to mix and mingle with the other guests which was very nice. The crew's interaction with the passengers was also very welcome. The amount of amenities included in the price was also great. Free wi-fi, beer and wine with lunch and dinner and the self serve coffee/tea kiosk was also a definite perk. Read Less

My wife and I had gone on the Romantic Danube, 11 years prior and absolutely loved it. We rated it as our best vacation ever! Now the Rhine Getaway is up there with this one. We chose this cruise because it would take us to areas we had never been. The opportunity to explore was too much to resist! We were joined by my wife’s sister and her husband. He had never been to Europe before, so it was much fun watching him get excited about all the sights we explored. The added time in Amsterdam, before we embarked to the ship, was awesome and well worth it! Never knew they had more bikes than population. The guided tour, offered by Viking, was marvelous and so informative! Highly recommend this addition! Once we were aboard the great Viking service takes over. My brother-in-law said many times he felt almost guilty with how well he was treated! All information is handled in such a manner that you would have to go out of your way to miss it! Entertainment on board was an added treat and very well done. The excursions are well planned and so interesting. On this cruise, the day time ‘cruising’ down the Rhine was so beautiful and was a pleasure to sit and take it all in! So many excursions that it is difficult to chose just one as a favorite. The food each day was so enjoyable and enabled us to taste some traditional entrees. Being a people person, I so enjoyed meeting new friends from many different places! The most interesting was meeting a woman, from a small town that I grew up in, that went to school with my sister! Reminded me that this large world we live in can actually be fairly small! Read Less

This was to be our first-time river cruise trip, so I researched many of the various options out there quite a bit with the hope we would have an ideal experience. I read forums, subscribe to newsletters and asked acquaintances who had done on similar trips. We wanted a good itinerary within a reasonable cost range and flexible schedule. The Rhine getaway on Viking turned out to be just the right experience for us and we enjoyed it immensely. Embarkation and debarkation both were a breeze. They happily took control of our luggage, delivered it from pier-side to our room, and then back ashore when we debarked. We arranged for two nights prior cruise in Amsterdam and were fortunate to have relatives in Switzerland where we spend an additional week post-cruise. I can say that the two days pre-cruise helped immensely with adjusting to jet lag and time differences from Pacific Northwest. We noticed at least 4 different people nodding off at dinner the first night or at lunch the second day on board as they had just flown into AMS and embarked the ship immediately prior to sailing. Once introduced to our Hotel Manager, he made it a point to remember our names, along with everyone else’s, and greeted us each day by name. Our cruise director was well organized, energetic and made each day so easy, with concise, easy to understand details so everyone knew what was happening, when and where to go and return each day. I really do not know when the guy got any rest! The entire ship’s staff was always polite, friendly attentive and eager to help you, even if it wasn’t their direct responsibility. Most of them seemed to truly enjoy their work. All of the food, and food options were excellent, ALWAYS. We were even provided a tour of the kitchen, which is an amazing operation to see what they do with such small quarters. The daily included and optional excursions were enjoyable, interesting, educational and provided different options at each stop. We only did the included tours but heard mixed reviews on some of the optional ones from those who took them. In most ports, Viking had their own buses which were clean, comfortable, seemed new and had WiFi available. On our last evening, our Captain, along with the ships musician and activity director, hosted a farewell drink and entertained us for a bit as they played guitars in the lounge. Come disembarkation day, we were a little concerned about what we would do in Basel, as our ride could not pick us up until afternoon. Many people left the ship immediately after breakfast for the airport or add-on tours. However, the ship’s staff ensured us that they would take care of our luggage after check-out and that we could walk around the city or even stay aboard and enjoy one final lunch (with drinks) until we were ready to leave in the afternoon, which we did. Despite our double-checking our room before leaving, we realized, the next day, that my wife had left her nice dress slippers under the bed. We emailed Viking to tell them, providing our ship details and room number. A day later, we received notice that housekeeping had found them and the slippers were being mailed back to us at home. What service! I was so impressed that I purchased a $100 voucher for $200 off our next Viking cruise, whether it be a river or ocean cruise. The voucher doesn’t expire, so it gives us time to decide where and when we would like to join Viking again, hopefully for another wonderful, memorable experience. Read Less

We've been talking about taking a river cruise for a long time and finally decided this was the time to go. So happy we did. So much nicer than the huge ships on other cruise lines. The ship was beautiful, the cabin was comfortable and the dining was wonderful. I always like to try new foods and was never disappointed in the quality. Also, the included excursions were really good and there were additional excursions to choose from. The entertainment was very good and the service was first-rate. We picked this cruise line because there were no small children, no rock climbing wall, no disco and no hard sell to buy jewelry or artwork. The staff, including the captain, were very warm and friendly and always there to help get whatever you needed. We will definitely do another cruise with Viking. It was the most relaxing cruise we've ever had and would recommend it to anyone. Read Less

This was my first time out of the country, and the best trip my husband and I have ever encountered. We learned so much from the cruise staff and tour guides, but also broke away from the group before/after tours to explore the cities! This experience was better than I could have dreamt. The ship was tidy at all times, our room was cleaned throughout each day. Our needs were anticipated and the staff was always so kind. The food was incredible. I ate like royalty for every meal!! The excursions were rich with history and culture. I was never bored and had the perfect balance of relaxation time and sight seeing. Service was impeccable at all times. There was never a moment where staff was inattentive. If changes in schedule occurred, I was unaware because the transitions were so smooth. We are planning our next cruise and only wish we could return to sail with Viking sooner!!! Read Less

We have a group of 12 friends which had taken the Danube cruise in 2015, and we wanted to have another memorable experience. And, indeed, this cruise was just that. We did the extension in Amsterdam, and that was amazing. So many interesting sights and unique adventures. The accommodation there was convenient, comfortable and beautiful. The Viking-provided walking tour was excellent. The Rhine cruise was a delight from start to finish. The crew were attentive and took care of our every need. They could not have been better. Food was great and the shore excursions with one exception were fabulous. I cannot say enough about how well George, our program director handled everything. In particular, he was so gracious when I got "lost" in Heidelberg and didn't make it back to the coach on time. Fortunately, we were able to communicate by mobile phone, and he held the bus for over twenty minutes, saving me a EU 200 cab ride. I was planning to show my appreciation with a generous gratuity supplement, but I was unclear on the procedure for that, and he was not available as we were rushing to disembark on the last morning in Basel. (Give George my sincere regards and thanks.) The only criticism of the cruise concerns the last excursion, into the Black Forest on June 6. The guide we had was excellent, and the scenery beautiful, but the main event I chose was the so-called coo-coo clock making demo. This in reality was a lengthy stop in a pricey souvenir shop. One of our group had opted for the "forest stroll", but that was so brief as to be unremarkable. I suspect there must be some other activity in the forest that would have made the 4-hour excursion more worthwhile. In summary, we all thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and the Amsterdam stay. It was another wonderful Viking adventure. We all look forward to being with your organization in the near future. Read Less

We'd wanted to take a river cruise for quite a while and had heard great things about Viking. We added two nights pre-cruise in Amsterdam through Viking and also arranged the air through them at a special rate. We really recommend the pre-cruise package, as it helps with jet lag, the city is amazing and Viking took care of everything. They were at the airport when we landed and took us directly to the hotel. A complimentary walking excursion around Amsterdam was available the next morning and we also explored Amsterdam on our own. They provided transportation from the hotel to the ship on disembarkation day. We really loved the small ship, such a different experience from large ocean cruises (which we also enjoy). We had a veranda cabin on the 3rd deck. It was very clean and comfortable. The attendant was there twice a day to make sure we had everything we needed. The food was good. It was not, however, what I would call the highlight of the experience. The staff is what made the cruise special; everyone was friendly and helpful. We met many interesting cruisers from a variety of countries who were great to talk with. We enjoyed the excursions we took, which had obviously been selected by Viking with much care. We learned a lot about the places we visited. We also enjoyed the educational presentations offered on the ship. Read Less

We wanted to experience Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands without continually unpacking and repacking. Once we landed in Zurich, we never had to handle our luggage in going from one location to another, including pre- and post- river journey stays. So, this trip was perfect in that respect. There was a wonderful, insightful excursion to Colmar, Strasbourg was charming and the Heidelberg visit was fun. I wanted to return to Heidelberg after 50 years when I was stationed there in the US Army. The ship was a perfect size for this cruise, had great amenities and was sparklingly clean. The food on board was well prepared and well planned as to specific local cuisine. The onboard staff was extraordinarily helpful and knowledgeable. Our pre-trip extension in Lucerne was a delight, with local Viking staff being most helpful, Ms. Radke especially. The post-trip extension in Amsterdam was not quite as interesting as Lucerne but the museums made up for it. Read Less

This was our fourth trip with Viking. We have chosen them because of the excellent overall quality of their cruises. One of their biggest pluses is the superb staff who is very professional but so helpful and friendly. This includes not only those on board ship but the staff in the office as well. We dealt with Jackie this year who took great care of us during the booking process and on our return. We appreciate the all inclusive costs which won’t suit everyone but we prefer. The quality of wines served at mealtimes was very good and has improved over the years. We are always very impressed with the tours provided: both included and optional, this year was no exception. The knowledge of the local guides make each excursion a pleasure. The first evening’s entertainment was excellent: the music group played music that many of us danced to. This ‘broke the ice’ and ensured a happy, social trip. I have to compliment the captain on his dancing skills! The only slight gripe we had was that the quality of the evening meal was not quite as good as on some other cruises. We look forward to our next trip! Read Less

We wanted to visit the Rhine River area! We took a pre trip in Basel Switzerland and a post trip in Amsterdam The Netherlands. We prefer these options to become better acclimated to the time zone and extend our vacation time. Viking staff met us at the airport to insure that we arrived at our hotel safely and provided a short tour about Basel. We had a wonderful diner at a local restaurant before retiring for the night after traveling the previous night through the Frankfort airport and on to Basel. Viking staff guided us to the local train station so we could take an hour train ride to Lucerne Switzerland to view the historic city area and finding a great local restaurant for lunch. Travel was great via train as were the sites in Lucerne. On our third day - our luggage was transferred to our ship Mani - as we enjoyed some time to site see more of Basel. We arrived on ship and were guided to our rooms to settle in before dinner. Our luggage was already in our rooms. Room accommodations were great and the staff took daily care of fixing our bed, ensuring that the bathroom was clean and everything was in order. We also received daily paper updates on what was to transpire for us each day. Every stop had a guided tour and time to enjoy the local atmosphere. We even took a few extra tours out of the regular tours to see more of France, Germany as well as Amsterdam. All of the staff on the Mani were very courteous and helpful - with the meetings in the lounge area both entertaining and informative. Evening dining was exceptional and the serving staff most accommodating for each of us in regards to beverages and meals. Just excellent service all around! Most interesting for me was a tour of a working windmill in the Netherlands. Just before ending our River Cruise in Amsterdam, our departure was very organized and luggage moved for us to our local hotel where we were taken by bus. Basically Viking staff did everything for us. We had additional tours of the city in Amsterdam before Viking staff insured we met our flights back home. We have done two tours now with Viking on the Mani Rhine River and the Tor Danube River. Both trips were excellent and the Staff well trained and helpful. We’d recommend Viking cruises to everyone! Regards Read Less

We don't have any negatives to tell you about this cruise, the ship, the staff, the activities, or the food. Everything was so far above our expectations it would be hard to explain. Viking has excellent ships, excellent employees, and a science around how organized they are with all of the arrangements. I was worried about riding in a bus to the excursions, but the buses and drivers were a pleasure! I was also concerned about the food, having heard stories about the massive amounts of junk food on some cruises. Our chef was excellent and all the food was so delicious. The choices were wonderful and the portions were perfect. We loved our cabin, which had a balcony, and enjoyed sitting up on the deck. We met lots a great people on the ship that we have remained in contact with. We are looking forward to many other Viking cruises! Read Less

First time on Viking, C. D. - George was the best. Would rtn just to loopcruise w him and his team.The ship and all staff were superior. All excursions were very good and the narrative along the river was excellent. All scheduled stops were on time and. O delays are incurred. Cuisine was very good and ample. Did not need the beverage package as there ample supply during lunch and dinner. All staff on the Mani should be commended. Cruise director - George was the best and should be clound . We have reserved another trip with Viking and hope it is as great as the previous trip. Viking does everything first class. We enjoyed the fellow travelers on board and good time was had by all. We have continuously raved about our experience on the Mani to all of our friends and aquantences. Viking has a great reputation and does not take it lightly. Read Less

It was a trip that I wanted to take for a long time. Had been looking at advertisements and had a chance to get a Two for One deal so signed up. The ship was very clean and our cabin was well kept. The food was great and the wait staff was excellent. All of the crew members were very helpful and friendly. All of the shore excursions were full of information and the castles were just amazing to go through. There was always entertainment every night in the lounge. The music was great and the people were wonderful. The food for our evening dining was always related to the country that we were in. The shopping was excellent. In the near future we would like to be able to take another cruise. One of the best parts of the cruise was that the boat was not overly crowded and no children. Read Less

Arrived in Basal two days before the cruise. Took a train to Lucern for the day. Wish we had stayed overnight. We were able to board the ship early on our sail date. Everything was extremely well organized. Lunch aboard ship and luggage take to Cabin. The wonderful part of this travel is once you unpack, you are done. The cabin was very comfortable. It was fun to open the sliding door as we were cruising on the Rhine. The food was excellent for all three meals. You could choose either the main dining room or seating on the stern. The staff was outstanding in every way. We could not have asked for better. The excursions were fun. Being able to walk around the cities we visited was a real plus and then to be able to back to the ship, only a short distance away was great. I would recommend this tour to anyone. We stayed an extra day in Amsterdam as my wife wanted to go back to the tulip gardens which were in full bloom when we traveled. That is something everyone should consider if they go during that time frame. Read Less

This springtime trip filled our bucket list to river cruise from Amsterdam down the Rhine River to see the old historic windmills, art museums, cathedrals, hilltop castles, and many historic cities. We did the pre-trip stay in Amsterdam and were within walking distance of the old city area, and the Viking staff were helpful in giving maps and directions to get around and recommended dining options. We opted for the day excursion to the city of Haarlem to see the cobblestone streets, old cathedral and the Frans Hals Art Museum. Greatly enjoyed the lunch with old style beer at their old church. The trip to Keukenhoff Gardens luckily did have (some) beautiful tulips on display with many more to soon emerge. I did the optional excursion to the Colmar Pocket WWII battle sites and our guide was quite knowledgeable on the history surrounding Lt Audy Murphy's actions resulting in his award of the Medal of Honor. All shore excursions were led by excellent local guides and Viking staff on the ship were professional and always helpful. Viking prepared meals were all delicious and included in the evening were regional specialties, and local wine and beer was provided at both lunch and dinner. We opted to moved about and meet others with each meal and the waitstaff were exceptional. If you chose to return to a same location for meals the same waitstaff would remember your name and favorite beverage choices and if you saw them at lunch would have it ready for you at dinner if you told them you were returning to their assigned table. Our fellow travelers - mostly from the United States - were all exceptional to travel with and share the experiences. The front desk staff were also all helpful and exceptionally knowledgeable. They worked hard to ensure our trip was one to remember. Read Less

I can't recommend Viking highly enough. We had an amazing time. The crew were so kind, the food was incredible and the beds were more comfortable than mine at home. I felt that the cruise was an excellent value for the money and would have expected a higher price for how good of an experience we had. I enjoyed the variety of excursions available to passengers and just relaxing on the boat as well. I get motion sick, but could not tell that we were moving. I loved being able to see the beauty of three countries while staying in one room and not having to worry about finding my way to tourist attractions or popular areas. My grandma cannot walk very far and she was still able to enjoy the trip. We chose to extend our trip with three nights in Amsterdam and I am so glad we did. The flower markets, museums and the Anne Frank House were well worth it. The only downside to the trip was that it was not longer. If anyone is considering a Viking Cruise, don't hesitate! Read Less

We chose the cruise on the advice of friends. We were told that it is the best time to take this trip because of all the winterfest activities that we would encounter along the way. Our friends were correct. We had a memorable trip. We immersed ourselves in every activity and tour that we could fit into the schedule. We had one exception --- we had to take a slight detour and change boats along the way because of the low water level in the river. But, all things in stride, the cruise director and staff made sure that we were taken care of and provided us with a fabulous bus ride/ tour that made the day the most pleasant and enjoyable experience that it could be. That said, I was very ill with a flu virus that actually turned out to be pneumonia. I was on antibiotics during the whole trip and the crew made sure that I always had a box of tissues handy. Someone gave me a packet of cough drops like I have never had before; they worked like magic. During the trip we were able to find a pharmacy to restock. Even the pharmacy was a unique experience. There was a doctor in house. You tell them the symptoms and the doctor gives you the right thing to use. Fabulous. At the end of our trip we stayed a couple of days extra and explored Amsterdam on our own. There were four of us in our group, and we all had a very good time. We ate well every day, we drank loads of hot wine, we laughed a lot and walked our feet off while having a good time. What more can you ask for? Read Less