We chose this cruise based on the ability fly home non-stop from Amsterdam and because we hadn't been to most of the ports before. Availability in the peak season on viking can get very slim so we booked in December for an August cruise.

We booked our own air and pre cruise hotel, opting to use miles for air and have wider selection of hotels etc. We flew into Basel and stayed 2 nights in an excellent hotel called Spalentor. Great location, lovely hotel, clean and wonderful staff and very good value. Viking sends you a book ahead of the cruise with detailed information so we knew to exit the Basel airport on the swiss side. since the airport is actually in France, it sure helps to know this. They also told us where to find the ship on the river. That turned out not to be a problem as you can see the ships from the downtown area. it was a short taxi ride from the hotel to the ship.

The ship itself was brand new and sparkling clean. well equipped and all new everything. We had booked a french balcony cabin, which really just means the doors open. it was perfect. we actually never had the doors open due to the bugs and the fact that it was so hot. Rarely did anyone who had booked a balcony cabin sit outside either. think about this when choosing a cabin in the summer. Read more