After having an incredible experience aboard the Viking Longship Idun on the "Romantic Danube" cruise, we ached to return to Budapest and explore the Danube further. The cruise "Passage to Eastern Europe" aboard the Viking Longship Lif was a perfect introduction to lands beyond our imagination.
The itinerary was a reverse one where we started in Bucharest and ended in Budapest. As the cruise director noted to the passengers upon our first evening aboard the Lif... "This cruise is for explorers, not your typical tourists". Her expertise and insight gave us valuable information with which we were better engaged to experience the wonderful sights and ports of call!
Our arrival in Bucharest was without complaint or concern. The Viking staff greeted us and promptly delivered us to our lovely hotel which was perfectly situated and allowed us to get out and explore on our own after an overnight airplane trip. The next morning we were escorted to our ship n Gir Giu (so?) on the Danube.
We were initially reticent to book at standard stateroom but were pleasantly surprised by its comfort and appointments. It is basically the same room as a French Balcony room in square footage, with the only exception being the window. We were very happy with our room.