While I understand that the circumstances described here are unusual I can assure you that my comments are an honest account of what we experienced

We could not wait for our very first river cruise, having heard so much about Viking and all the beautiful towns we would be able to visit. Imagine our surprise to be told night two, that we would have to get of the ship for 3 days while it had a new generator installed in dry dock. Not to worry we were told, we would have a "good" experience etc. The trouble is Viking does not charge for "good" they charge for "great". Three miserable days being bused everywhere, including two nights in a very mediocre hotel with no AC (32c) were not confidence building as was the complete lack of honest communication with the very disappointed and angry passengers. On being returned to the ship we expected to complete our cruise itinerary to Amsterdam but while we did sleep on board, days consisted of being bused from the boat to which ever port we were supposed to be in for very abbreviated visits. We averaged two hours on a bus for every one hour on shore!!!!

Out of 14 days the first two were the only days which met the itinerary the rest of the "cruise" was spent either in hotels and on buses. Seeing other Viking ships glide in and out of the ports where we were meant to be only added insult to injury. Given that we never actually were moored in any of the advertised ports there was no entertainment, or opportunity to explore on our own. Read more