On the previous week's sailing, the Viking Odin was stranded for several days in a small port near Frankfurt because of engine and electrical mechanical problems. for our trip, the following week, Viking decided to allow the trip to continue by staying at the boat still stuck near Frankfurt and bussing us to all the cities in Germany, such as Bamberg, Nuremburg, Rothenburg, Wurzburg, Heidelberg, Trier, etc. We would spend hours and hours on buses each day, with very little time for actual sightseeing at each destination. This was not a river cruise; it was an autobahn trip by bus.

By the third day of the trip, the 180+ passengers were ready to mutiny. On day 4, the captain abandoned the boat. Yes, he got off the boat carrying his suitcase. Because of electrical problems, we had no water in our cabin for several days, and no A/C. Dinners were always late becuse of complications in the galley. I thank the city of Bernkastel Germany for providing free outdoor showers to campers and Odin passengers. Viking offered no compensation, except for one-night-only open bar in the lounge only after 9 pm. Very poor customer service, with no regard for passenger comfort.

While the Hilton in Prague is very good, with a great breakfast bufffet and pleasant service, the Meridian in Paris is the opposite. The Meridien caters exclusively to large tour groups and conventions; the Convention Center is directly across the street. The room for the breakfast buffet is much too small to handle the hunndreds of tourists who all leave at the same time in the mornings. The buffet is slim pickings; the trays are mostly empty. Front desk staff, housekeeping, dining room attendants are rude or indifferent. There are no coffee or tea facilities in the room. There are vending machines on each floor near the elevators that charge 2.5 euros. The machines on the 2nd floor, where our room was, and 3rd floor were broken. No ice either. The machine on the 7th floor worked. Read more