We had sailed with Viking on the Danube and were pleased with our experience so we picked them again for a Rhine River cruise and we're glad we did. Our balcony cabin was small, as are most river cruise cabins, but there was ample storage. The service was outstanding; we would like Marlon, our waiter, to come and live with us. He knew all of our drink preferences after the first day and, when one of our party became ill, he never failed to ask about his progress. We were very lucky: the water level and the weather were close to perfect. We spent most of the afternoon of the Middle Rhine sailing on the top deck and Viking showed great attention to details: we had maps that showed all of the 31 castles we sailed by, the program director did a commentary, we were given ice water, shade umbrellas, and ice cream (the sun was very strong that day - we all had red skin on areas where we failed to use sunblock). Most of the excursions were very good; the one exception being the Black Forest where it takes much too long on the bus to spend an hour at a very touristy visitors center (let's not talk about the rush hour traffic we hit on the way back). We would love to travel with Viking again. Read Less

We wanted to try a river cruise for our twentieth anniversary. It was true excellence all the way. The ports had lots to see. The staff was professional and very friendly. I loved the intimate feeling of a small boat versus an ocean liner. Most guests got to know each other really well. The ship was very clean and all activities were well organized. The food was delicious and planned to themes with the area the boat was visiting. The cruise director Gavin made our experience extra special. He was funny and personable. The alcohol was top shelf. The idea of an adults only cruise was very romantic and a great way to spend our anniversary. The tour guides were very knowledgeable about their ports. The one add- on excursion we took to the monastery with dinner was advertised as a working monastery and it wasn’t. That was our only disappointment of our trip. I have recomended Viking to all my friends and family. Read Less

I've travelled a lot but this was absolutely the most wonderful travel experience that I have ever had. My husband and I went with friends and we all loved it! We can't wait to take another cruise next summer and plan to do it at least annually. It was relaxing while cruising the river whether inside watching out the expansive windows, or on top outside (with drink in hand)... The food, what can I say about the fabulous food??? (It may be the last time I ever get on a scale). It was really interesting that just the views from the ship were exciting to watch, even if we didn't stop at every point. Having usually travelled very independently, I initially thought that the tours may be confining, but it was the exact opposite. It was so easy, and we also ventured out doing lots of things on our own as well. I found going through the locks fascinating. The ship was great, the crew was engaging, the service could not have been better, and we really did not want to come home! Frankly I wish I was boarding right now... Read Less

We went on this cruise on a recommendation from our daughter and son-in-law, plus the Viking reputation. We went on this cruise with our daughter and son-in-law law, and his father and girlfriend. The cruise was perfect. We went on daily shore excursions which were very good. They made each day something to look forward to as we got a good taste of Germany in different locations. Each day, before dinner, around 530-600, the tour director went over the next days tour plans. A shout out to the tour director, who did a great job. The casual atmosphere from start to finish kept everything comfortable. Food: excellent. Ship: excellent. Service: could not have been better. Embarking and disembarking: excellent from the airport to the boat. Expanding on the service: I must give my highest compliments and thanx to a few individuals: Jerome and Julia. Both were more then excellent. We saw them numerous times daily. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and often in the early evening in the lounge. It seemed as though Julie & Jerome’s only goal was to make our cruise perfect and one to remember. They accomplished this fabulously, from the minute we met them, until the cruise was over. I cannot say enough about their service and about them personally as individuals. They weren’t just servers, they made us feel like we were all friends and welcoming us into their home. Also, in the lounge, 2 more folks need to be pointed out for excellent service as well: Dmitri and the bartender (forgive me, I forgot his name.) these two gentlemen also made us all feel welcome no matter the time. The silver spirits package is the way to go! These four helped turned an excellent cruise into one that was “over the top”. The entire cruise experience was the best vacation my wife and I ever had, and do plan on another one in the future. Everything exceeded our expectations. Thank you all for a fabulous experience. Read Less

See Don465's review...my sentiments exactly! When making plans to go on a cruise, my only goal was that it be a river cruise. Not being on the ocean with thousands of other people was what initially drew me to a river cruise. What an excellent decision that turned out to be! Everything from start to finish was wonderful! I can't say enough about the staff! If there is a school on how to make passengers feel comfortable, and well taken care of, the Lofn staff were all star students! Matter of fact, every Viking employee, no matter what their job was, was superb...from the staff that met us at the airport, to the employees who took care of our cabin, to the chef and his staff, to the tour guides on the excursions, to the Viking woman that helped us during our stay in Basel, to every person with a Viking name tag! Our trip was truly one I will never forget! Read Less

Have previously heard raving reviews from previous Viking River Cruise passengers. Now that we have been on the cruise itself, we want to truly share your experience with others. We love the daily included tours and we especially love the services provided by the Viking Cruise staff members. This range from the Captain, all the down to the tour bus drivers. The staff on board the cruise ship all went above and beyond . The food was excellent and the drinks bountiful. We really had a good time and met some wonderful people too. The event coordinator was superb. Very knowledgeable and make special effort to include all those , like my husband who had limited mobility on the tours. Room service was excellent and the entertainment provided every evening were excellent. This is our first River Cruise and we enjoyed it more than other Ocean Cruises we had been. We will definitely take on another River Cruise with Viking. Love that the package included airfare and ground transportation. Read Less

Always wanted to go on a river boat cruise. We took this cruise to celebrate my 50th birthday but also in memory of my mother in law who always wanted to go on a riverboat cruise! I love the intimacy, the small crew and limited amount of people. The included excursions were amazing and the excursion we chose was fantasic. The time on the ship especially on the sun deck in the evening was breathtaking. Absolutely loved the food! It was a real cultural experience. The fact that it was all inclusive really made us happy! The crew was amazing. Ivan was our favorite. He made us feel special and had a great personalitity. Definitely a great balance between friendliness and professionalism!!! We definitely will go on Viking from now on! Thinking about an ocean cruise next. Everything was top of the line and a great value. Highly recommend! Love Viking. Read Less

Overwhelmed by the many choices of ships, destinations, just had to pick one. We were told a good place to start, having never been river cruising before was the Rhine or Danube. We decided on Rhine due to my love of castles, but can't wait to go back and do the Danube. I had such high expectations, I thought I would surely be let down, which couldn't have been further from the case. Staff was fantastic, service impeccable, everyone remembers your name after the first day which I thought was just remarkable. They even remember how you like your eggs or what kind of cocktail/wine you prefer. Food was delicious and loved the fact that we never felt stuffed or over served The Silver Spirits package was most definitely the way to go if you enjoy wine with your meals. The boat never appeared crowded. They choreographed getting on and off for excursions, going to dinner, etc. perfectly. We opted to pay extra for the add on excursions in several ports and were so glad we did, they were well worth the extra $$$. The pre-cruise Lucerne bonus was wonderfully done. The hotel was beautiful and day trips awesome. Cannot wait to go back again and would highly recommend Viking. Read Less

This was our first river cruise and we selected Viking due to its high quality and excellent reputation. We were not disappointed. It was excellent. Fantastic accommodations and service. The decor was simple elegance. I loved the neutral colors with pop of blue and lovely artwork. The staff called you by name and learned your dining tastes. We also enjoyed the smaller size ship and number of folks. It made for a more personal experience. The Activity Director was fantastic! Extremely knowledgeable, helpful and thoughtful to all guests. He gave several commentaries on the sights, castles and history. Very, very interesting. The food was excellent quality with a wonderful selection. We had six in our party and enjoyed sitting at the same table with the same waiters for the entire trip. We also enjoyed the complementary wine with our meals. As a result, we are interested in taking a Viking Ocean cruise in the near future. Read Less

We had tried a river cruise with another carrier and were very much disappointed. Subsequently we were very impressed with a ocean cruise aboard Viking Sky and decided to determine whether a Viking river cruise measured up to the ocean experience. It did from an excellent crew to a great cabin complete with a sitting balcony from which we thoroughly enjoyed the passingscene. All of the shore adventures were sheparded by delightful guides that made visits to local restaurants and shops memorable and full of fun. The food aboard ship was tasty and attractively served by a staff that were clearly attuned to making each meal special. We especially enjoyed the option of formal or informal dining. The entertainment was delightful and well attuned to each point along our journey. Each day was very special because of the care and planning that was evident throughout every aspect of our river cruise. Best of all was our extended tour through Switzerland. Our guide anticipated our every need and some we didn't know we had. She was articulate and added much to each of our adventures. We didn't even have to think of handling our luggage for the entirety of our extended tour. We were particularily impressed by the thoughtfulness of Viking in handling our miss of the ship at the outset because of a 7 hour delay in our arrival due to our air carrier's equipment problems . We were suprised when met at Amsterdam very late in the evening by a Viking rep who saw us to a convenient hotel and arranged to have us motored to catch the ship the next morning. We were warmly welcomed when we arrived at the ship's first stop with the result that the trials of the previous day were quicky forgotten. We have already committed to a future Viking ocean cruise aboard Orion commencing in Japan with a shore extension under Viking's direction and we are considering another river cruise in Russia. That says it all. We are very pleased with what we have found in Viking care and service Read Less

My wife will not cruise. Our friends have been on one Viking Cruise before, When we saw the free air fare the four of us booked it. We missed our first day because of flight delay. We boarded the boat along river in the darkness at 1245 in morning. My wife crying, we would have no luggage for three days. We had drinks and sandwiches till 145 at the bar. I think it was then that my wife realized this was going to be a great vacation. My wife loved being called Miss Gail. We just had the most amazing crew. The boat was beautiful. The Rhine was great we had sun and 80 degree weather. We usually ate away from the main dining room on the bow of the boat and it was more intimate.We had a great chef and a good menu.We did only the free tours, because we were staying three days in Amsterdam .Everyone said the extra tours were good. We will probably do southern France on the Rhone River with Viking in a couple of years. If Europe was all rivers I would do Viking on every trip. Read Less

The crew was awesome and provided exceptional professional service. The tour director scheduled and supervised exceptional day trips that provided an introductory experience to Germany, France, Norway, and Switzerland on a very abbreviated schedule (10-days). The cruising experience afforded us the opportunity experience a comprehensive cultural sampling of all the visited countries and helped us to understand and appreciate what areas we would like to return to on a future date to experience the culture in more detail. The cruising experience was very "family like" allowing us to make many new friends from all areas of the United States. Destination focused cuisine was expertly prepare and provided a sampling of the area we were currently visiting. American classics were also available if we were "homesick" for a more customary fare. Evening entertainment was exceptional, by cruise completion we were in need of a follow-on vacation to relax. For us this cruise was not relaxing as we wanted to experience everything the cruise had to offer. That said many of the more senior passengers opted for a more leisurely schedule which was perfectly coordinated and executed by the Viking staff. Extensions and flexibility in scheduling to both the "front-end" and "back-end" of the cruise offered "cruisers" to experience either Amsterdam or Basel (we went to Lake Lucerne for 10-days at the onset) in more detail. Read Less

This cruise was something I have wanted to do for many years and had made plans to travel from Avignon to Lyon a couple of years ago. Although that trip did not work out I was able to make plans to take the Rhine River trip from Amsterdam to Basel this year and was so wonderfully surprised by the perfect nature of this trip. The ship was nicely appointed, clean, new and well handled. The rooms were spacious and comfortable and the entertainment just enough. You could have anything you wanted...quiet and peaceful or fun filled new friendships. The staff was happy and accommodating. The food was excellent and well presented. The excursions were very well thought out and the optional excursions provided additional entertainment when desired. Everything related to the ship was excellent. The only problems occurred on the last day when there were airline cancellations and when the boat could not dock where it was supposed to. Actually that happened when we left Amsterdam to but wasn't that much of a problem. I'll definitely travel with Viking again. My only wish is that they had some sort of accommodation for single travelers. Read Less

All the cities along the Rhine, except for Kinderdijk and Amsterdam were cities we had not visited. We were especially interested in seeing the castles and revisiting KinderdijK. When we were last there, it was drizzling and that put a damper on the visit. However, the big selling point was that there was a pre-cruise extension to Lake Como. Lake Como did not disappoint. The excursions were well planned and we were always given the opportunity to extend our time or return with the program director. We were impressed by the boat ride to Bellagio. All the excursions were interesting and, in three places, there were "gentler" walking tours for individuals who were a little physically slower and/or needed additional assistance. The transfers were handle well. Even though our original flight from DeGaulle to Milan was cancelled, the Viking representative was waiting for us in Milan, when our rebooked flight landed three hours later. Check in and check out were handled efficiently. In addition, I inquired about my $100 shipboard credit. The front desk said there was no record of it. I told then desk person who to contact. He did. The next day the $100 was in my account. The food was very good and the dining room service was outstanding. We found almost all staff to be friendly and accommodating. Read Less

First time on Viking. My daughter and I enjoyed every port. We took advantage of all the included experiences and added on several additional outings. The staff was amazing and the food and entertainment was wonderful. I look forward to checking out another Viking river cruise soon. This cruise was a present for my daughters college graduation. She would have enjoyed more passengers in her age range. Of course we would have enjoyed more free time in each port. We certainly spent every moment possible exploring. Really liked the daily newspaper and map of interesting sights for each port. Also really enjoyed the discussion during happy hour of where we were headed next and what to expect. The headphone system was great. It made it very easy to hear the tour directors. The scenic cruises during the daytime hours was fantastic. So many wonderful things to see. Drink package totally wprth the money for us. Read Less

Our second Viking River Cruise. Again, the trip was outstanding and, as usual, too short. This time we added both beginning and ending extra days and added every optional tour we could cram into the available time. All optional tours were wee-ll worth the money and enhanced our trip. Highly recommended! The extra time before our cruise was spent in Lucerne and was truly spectacular. We loved all aspects of Switzerland! The cruise was, as usual, well organized, the food on the Lofn was exceptional, the crew was very efficient while still being friendly and chatty with us poor Americans. The cruise down the Rhine was typically spectacular, with yet another castle every kilometer. (Our cruise director, from our first cruise, called it an "ABC Tour", meaning "Another Bloody Castle". We spent extra days in Amsterdam at the end because we didn't before and missed seeing a lot. This time, we spent extra time with all the optional tours possible, sort of like taking a drink out of a Dutch fire hose. Well done Viking! You have more than exceeded our expectations. Any organization of this complexity requires massive coordination. It boggles the mind that you continue to pull this off with such skill while make it look so easy. Again, WELL DONE!! Our next Viking trip will probably be an ocean cruise in 2019. the Baltic Cruise is at the top of our list right now. Read Less

We started by doing a pre trip in Lucerne. This gave us time to adjust and get adjusted with the time. First day just wondered around Lucerne Very easy to do. 2nd day we did the pearls of switzerland. This is a 12 hour day trip taking you out on the lake to the top of Mt Rigi and to a Monastery then to a farm for cheese making followed by a dinner.This was a perfect way of seeing Switzerland. A wonderful trip in a mid size sedan to Basel. Each stop included a tour We did only 1 extra tour and I would say you do not need to do them. I found the walking tours were perfect then you have free time to do things yourself. The staff was wonderful. Each day you have a gathering were they discuss what the next day brings. Follow there recommendations on where to go in each city. They must have checked each place out carefully as we were never disappointed. Language was never a problem Somebody always spoke english. Did not see any of the port of calls. We left Lucerne and headed straight for the boat and docked in Amsterdam and headed to the airport. We plan on doing another Viking Tour next year. Read Less

Our trip exceeded our expectations. We had heard positive things from different people prior to traveling, but it was even better that they had shared. Everything was wonderful. From the time you arrived, you had the opportunity to visit Amsterdam with a guide. Everyday the daily trips and additional ones were well organized and fun. There was inclusivity for all to be able to access the daily tours. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and fun to have share their city/country with us. The ship was beautiful and well taken care of. Our cabin fit our needs and had great cleaning and evening turndown service. The meals represented the area we were visiting and were delicious and the staff fun to have around. There were also on boat activities and again, you could participate if you wanted. We really enjoyed being able to attend the dinners in town, too. And not being assigned to a table allowed us to meet more guests, which was really fun. It was so nice to have under 200 people travel with us. We would not hesitate to do another Viking Trip in the future. Read Less

This cruise went to places we wanted to see and experience. Everything went smoothly, from picking us up at the arrival airport to every shore excursion and to our (regretful) departure. Our verandah stateroom was plenty roomy for my husband and I. Nikki, our cabin steward was efficient and glad to help in any way, to make us comfortable and to enjoy our room. Ship's crew were all cheerful and seemed to focus on making our cruise exactly what we hoped for. Our Captain always greeted us as we returned from shore excursions and answered our every question, probably even though it was the thousandth-time he'd done so. Every member of the crew took a moment to be sure the ship was as pristine as possible every moment of the day, no matter who they were. Dining was always excellent and our wait-staff were a great team. Viking could not ask for better staff than we had. Tour guides for the shore excursions were incredibly knowledgeable. It was the first time we have traveled on Viking, and we are looking forward to see experiencing China with Vikings! Read Less

The staff were wonderful, and the the cocktail staff made me feel like I was in my nieghborhood watering hole. The meals were beyond my expectations and the service was fantastic. The wait staff went out of thir way to ensure that we wanted for nothing, even when I was to tired to get to the buffet, they brought it to me. That type of service does not happen every day. The excursion were educational and enjoyable. The transportation to the excusions were expectional and the the guides were very freindly and informed. The point of insrest on the tours were the right on point. The cabin staff did a wonderful job, the room and bathroom were always kept to the highest standards. Becuase, our curise was at Easter, the bouns of the Lindor chocolate bunnies. I have recommended Vicking to all my family and friends. I'm looking forward to my next Vicking Cruise. Read Less

Time of year. We're gardening people and wanted to visit the areas to see spring coming to life. It was spectacular as we're all of the other sights. Guides were great. Interesting, knowledgeable and fun. Boat crew very professional and pleasant. We were treated royally. We liked it so much that we are going on a Viking ocean cruise in 3 weeks. The cabins were great although we didn't spend much time in them because we busy with tours and activities. Food was superb served by attentive and polite wait staff. They go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy at all meals. Tours/excursions were very interesting and informative. Ground transportation was very comfortable and efficient. We felt comfortable and secure everywhere we went thanks to thorough communication by the boats personnel. I highly recommend Viking River Cruises. We will most likely take more. The Rhine Cruise in spring is beautiful. We're anxiously awaiting our Viking Ocan Cruise in 3 weeks. I'm sure it will be great just based on how much we liked the river cruise! Read Less

What a wonderful experience we had with Viking River Cruises aboard the Viking Lofn. It's staff was helpful, friendly, efficient, and alert to our needs/wants while on board and ashore. The food was excellent and served by professional and friendly staff. Our cabin (we chose a lower level room) was comfortable, well appointed, and very very clean. We chose a lower level because we did not plan to spend much time in our cabin, and we did not. The ship has so much to offer (lounges, decks inside and out, etc.) that we prefer to spend our awake time enjoying our surroundings. And meeting new friends. With only 170 or so guests aboard, it did not feel crowded, even at dinner with almost everyone in the same elegant dining room, The views from all sides of the dining room and lounge area were extraordinary. It was delightful being up top on deck while cruising down the Rhein. And for fun, take a visit to the wheelhouse. What a learning experience. The planned excursions were informative, very well organized, timely, comfortable, and so much more. The only "problem" with the entire cruise was that at the end...we had to start thinking for ourselves again. (That's a joke, well intended, to show how relaxed and how pampered we felt.) We can hardly wait to do it again! Relaxed and pampered! Who can ask for a better vacation! Thank you Viking River Cruises! Read Less

This was our 1st Viking River Cruise. The entire experience from beginning to end was great. Embarkation was seamless. Viking meets you at the airport and takes you to your ship. We loved the atmosphere of the smaller group of people. The price you pay includes a complementary excursion at each port. All of these excursions on The Rhine were great. The staff was always very friendly, helpful and willing to answer any questions if necessary. Best food we have ever had on a cruise. Again all meals are included in the price you pay. They also treat you with food specialties of every region you visit. All drinks are also included with your meals. At the end of the cruise they transport you to the airport and have a staff member inside the airport to help with your luggage and make sure you get checked in at the correct gate. Can’t wait until our next Viking Cruise. Read Less

Celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with our first trip to Europe and first ever river cruise! We were not disappointed with Viking Lofn! We were impressed with the genuine attention to the passengers throughout the trip! Comfortable, clean boat, nicely appointed without overblown décor. Food service was right on point and again not overly extravagant! Every meal was tasteful and pleasantly served! We enjoyed the variety of passengers we met by our various dinner table seating selections. The daily regional tours were outstanding on all counts from transportation, regional tour guides, featured activities and time allotment for exploring on own. We especially enjoyed the daytime cruise featuring spectacular views along the Rhine! Disembarkment and transportation to our next train was seamless! We appreciated the inclusive air transportation and Viking travel assistance as we prepared for our first European adventure! We will certainly consider another Viking river cruise and confidently invite family and friends to join us! Read Less

Recommended by a friend, and we loved every moment of this adventure. This was our retirement gift to each other. Everything was more than we imagined. Outstanding service. Our luggage was lost by the airlines and the Viking Cruise representatives assured us they would locate and have it brought to the ship. And they did! Also our flight was delayed and we had to be rerouted, the Viking Cruise team assisted us and took care of everything. Amazing. Cabin had plenty of room, comfortable beds, hot and lots of pressure in the showers, great music or movies to view on the TV. The internet was sketchy, but they shared that it would be. We met some fascinating people and now have new friends coast to coast. The shore excursions were organized,educational, and we loved each and every one of them. Viewing castles while cruising down the Rhine and sipping wine....priceless! The dining and beverage experience was outstanding. Highly recommend paying the extra for the Silver Beverage Package, well worth every penny. We did the extra three nights in Como and explored Lake Como. Yes, do this! The ferry ride to Bellagio, Funicular ride to the top of the mountain, loved it all. And we too stayed three nights after the cruise ended and explored Amsterdam. Highly recommended. I'm still dreaming about this adventure and cannot wait to plan the next one! Thank you Viking Cruise team for the exceptional service. A+ Read Less