Overall, we had a fantastic time. We chose this cruise initially because it included Berlin which had been on our bucket list for a few years - and it seemed overall like a great value (free air/all inclusive, etc.). We were more than a little reluctant because we had a poor experience on a large cruise ship and vowed we would never take another cruise. Even though we weren't able to actually cruise because the depth of the Elbe was too low, the work arounds (travel by coach bus) worked out well. We loved the intimacy and décor of the ship and our veranda cabin was very comfortable. The food was incredible with multiple choices and local flavors and specialties. The evening entertainment was low key but fun and encouraged non-intrusive interaction with other passengers. An unexpected surprise was we forged a great friendship with another couple and made plans to take another Viking Cruise with them next fall. Berlin was just as incredible as we expected/hoped and Dresden and Prague were delightful and fascinating. The shore excursions were all excellent with local guides who possessed deep historical knowledge yet kept things light and enjoyable at a comfortable pace. We have never taken an "escorted" vacation before so we felt extremely pampered by all the attention to detail including pre-arranged transfers, luggage handling, pre-check in at the hotels, etc. If I could write a more glowing review or stronger recommendation, I would - but this is the best my limited powers of expression can muster. Read Less

We chose this cruise because of interest in the history and evolvement these Eastern European countries; and a personal Polish ancestral history. We were very impressed with a previous Viking sailing and felt positive about booking with Viking once again. The modern baby longship was beautiful; the crews at both stationary ports were awesome; the local guides,Heike, Jana and Nandor were knowledgeable and fun; the food was delicious, especially on the ship (somewhat North American which was a nice alternative to the local food which was good as well); the bus drivers were polite and most importantly, they were safe. We all appreciated the cold water bottles on those particularly hot days! The shore excursions were fantastic for us. No complaints. Viking went out of its way to make amends for a situation they had no control over. We were in no way disgruntled because we could not actually sail. All was verrry good and even tho we didn't rate everything as EXCELLENT because you must have some motivation to keep everything top notch! We have booked another cruise for January. Thank you. Read Less

Compared to our previous Viking river cruise, this one was a disappointment -- primarily because the cruise portion was too short. Cruise director Jamie and the ship personnel were great, as were the cabin and the meals. We enjoyed our day and a half in Berlin, both the included tour and particularly the "A Taste of Berlin" optional. Highlights on the cruise itself were Worlitz, Wittenberg (with its focus on Martin Luther, the Reformation and the art of Lucas Cranach), Dresden and its rebuilt palaces and churches, the Green Vault and the porcelain museum, the walk throughTorgau and the hike to the Bastei. Meissen was a good shopping opportunity. Prague was a disappointment -- too many fellow tourists and a hotel that was too far from the center of the city. The Polish extension had a great tour guide, a fascinating city in Krakow (and a great hotel location), and an underwhelming Warsaw. And two long bus rides. Read Less

We chose this cruise because it fit our calendar and took us to new places and some we wanted to see again. Staff was great and several stops were excellent and a few could be improved upon. Prague was superb but we had been there before and knew how to use the public transportation. The included tours were good. We also went off the Czech National Technical Museum which I had seen before. It is an amazing place for those with an interest in technology history and especially the birth of modern astronomy, which took place in Prague in 1600. There is a tie in between this and Jewish community which might be an interesting thing to develop. The Lobkowicz Palace tour is well worth its cost. The walk through the Bastei in the Saxon Alps was also very good. The Meissen stop was also excellent. A large part is a factory demonstration, museum and shopping trip but very well done. The town itself is also fine walking tour. Wittenburg was also well dpne and well planned. It is hard to argue with the amount of Luther shown but I would have preferred to see more of the Kranichs (elder and younger). I would like to have spent more time in Torgau. I suspect we missed a lot. I did not find the Worlitz stop worthwhile, although I did enjoy seeing details of how they do their plantings, I would prefer skipping the stop and spending more time in Potsdam. A city walking tour might be very good. On or last visit there we did the Palaces from t4he outside and spent more time at the Potsdam conference site and I think that is a better choice for a first visit; We did want to see the inside and it worked for us. We did not spend a lot of time in Berlin as we had a place to catch the next morning so I can't comment on the regular activities, but for me the one place I would not want people to miss is the Pergamon Museum. I see there is a section on fitness and recreation. Most of the exercise is walking on shore excursions. I do Yoga fairly regularly. I brought along a mat to do this. It would be nice if mats were available on the ship and this was made known to passengers. It would save me a bit of space in my bag. I did get added use for theYoga mat to protect the piece we bought at Meissen so it is not all bad to bring a yoga mat. Read Less

We have been on many Viking cruises both River and Ocean. We have always been pleased with the customer service. The entire crew on this Elbe River cruise were wonderful. Our Tour Director, Jamie Wilson, was the best we have ever had on the cruises. Each stop along the way he was very informative. The entire crew on the ship was very friendly and always trying to please us. After our dinner each night in the lounge he had many things for us to do. He played group games and one night he sang with the piano player. When we reached Prague we were introduced to our Tour Guide, Andrea, for our extension into Poland. She was also wonderful. At each stop along the way she gave us a history of the cities and a list of restaurants for our dinner on our own. She gave us her cell phone number in case we got lost in the cities. In Krakow we took the optional tour into the salt mines. I would highly recommend this tour. Our only negative was the Folklore Dinner in Prague. The dinner was just average and the entertainment only involved us in one song. We had been to a different Folklore Dinner another time in Prague with another River Cruise and it was excellent. we feel that viking should look for another venue for this Read Less

The Lounge on these long ships is my favorite place to be while on board. The atmosphere is lovely and changes throughout the day. The mornings are quiet, mid-day the casual lunch buffet is wonderful and picks up the pace and after dinner, the mood is lively. In the late afternoons, I love bringing my book and getting a coffee and a bit of a cookie and sitting by the window in the lounge, watching the enchanting countryside float by. We had looked into taking this cruise later in the summer and after pricing the trip decided to wait to book. A few days later we received an email that offered a 2 for 1 special with free air fare booking a "standard" room. We were delighted with the value of the trip but I was very skeptical about the accommodations. We booked the trip and traveled soon thereafter. The ship was smaller than the other long ships we had been on. It was delightful! The Standard Room was spacious, bright and beautiful. The money we saved made it possible for us to book several extra excursions and we were delighted. Read Less

While the cruise itself was 5 nights, the package included 2 nights in Berlin and 2 nights in Prague, with tours of each. Called the "Elegant Elbe," the destinations were very interesting as they were part of the Soviet sectors after WWII. The ship was very modern with streamlined decor and holds only 93 passengers. We selected a veranda cabin, and although we never actually used the veranda it gave the impression of more space. I was very satisfied with the meals. I tend to be a picky eater, but there was always something on the menu or buffet that appealed to me. Wine and beer are included at lunch and dinner, and service was attentive. Being a small ship entertainment was limited, but there was music in the lounge nightly. There is no fitness center or recreation on board. I loved being so close to the towns that we could casually walk off the ship. I participated in all the included shore excursions. Guides were very informed and shared history in great detail. I was somewhat frustrated by the often slow pace of the tours, as we were always with a full busload of people of varying mobility. We had Viking arrange our air so airport transfers were included and simplified our travel. Overall my experience was excellent and I reserved another Viking river cruise as soon as I got home! Read Less

To see Berlin and River Elbe which we had never done before. The ship was very good with excellent food, attentive staff and top notch organisation for excursions. Cabins rather snug - but we got used to going things in turn! Staff and excursions were all top notch on the ship. The food was always good and the entertainment pleasing, although the Music Quiz night went on for far too long [2 hours - scheduled, I believe, for 1 hour] and became extremely noisy. Some of us gave up and moved outside! Sadly I must report that after leaving the ship for our included post cruise stay in Prague many of our fellow travellers felt, as we did, that the holiday then rather fell apart. Having had the cruise part and filled in our shipboard form of comments we were then somewhat ignored! The transfer from ship to hotel takes well over two and a half hours and we were then taken immediately on a coach into Prague for the rest of that day without even being able to unpack. The day, with several miles of walking, was very long. Many passengers were in their seventies. This needs rethinking. Such a shame as, apart from an optional Folk evening outside Prague, we felt we no longer existed. The chosen hotel in Prague, Corinthia, is a long way from the centre. A shuttle bus was provided by Viking which was good but an hotel closer in would have been a better choice. Viking are excellent at River Cruises but less good at the hotel part. Be warned! Read Less

We are Lutheran and wanted to see Wittenberg. We were met at the Berlin airport by our escort Lisette, who was fantastic, and stayed with us through the land portion of Germany as well as the actual cruise and did not leave us until she turned us over Jana in Prague so Jana could take us through Poland (Krakow and Warsaw). Jana also was fantastic. For us it was just terrific two have two wonderful Viking escorts on our first Viking cruise. This ship is one of the smaller Viking river ships holding about 96 guests so you get to meet almost everybody. The whole crew on our trip were terrific. We were in cabin 225 and thought it was great. We had breakfast in the dinning room every morning and the food was great. Lunches and dinners were also fantastic and the whole ship's crew seemed that they just could not do enough for you. All of the shore excursions were great and we would recommend Viking to all the people we know as well as those people we do not know. The next river cruise we take will be with Viking. We can not say enough about how wonderful all the employees of Viking were from the local tour guides to the whole ships' crew. the bus drivers to our two fantastic escorts. Viking is the way to go!!! Read Less

I wanted to visit Prague and Berlin as well as Wittenberg...not disappointed. Great hotels, ship staff and food were excellent. Enjoyed included excursions, and my granddaughter was so excited to see this part of the world. Very pleased;l had travelled Viking previously, and am considering an ocean voyage with tthem next. Some wasted time awaiting transfer to ship in Prague and again on another transfer. Our cruise director (EVA) was excellent in every way. She was pleasant, professional, and was available and helpful!! Some confusion about drinks that were included, but no worries...wine was plentiful. Resaurants visited in various ports such as Potsdam and Berlin were very good. Both hotel stays were very good!! With the exception of one, all guides were superb!!! Very knowledgeable and friendly!!! Buses were comfortable and all excursions were timely. Sad to see/hear of danger of pickpockets!! An experience of that occurred at the airportt in Berlin....fortunately just an observer; I was lucky!!! Read Less