Viking Embla Review
There were some disappointments for the high price paid.
Rating by category
Additional details
I wanted to go with my friend. i always wanted to tour these countries but a bus tour, checking into a new hotel every night and checking out next morning did not appeal to me. Also all that sitting on a bus would have been painful.
The disappointing things were: no wifi for first several days until router replaced, only day in Vienna was a Sunday and all stores were closed. Because of water in part of the Danube was too shallow, we were bused to many towns so many hours on a bus. None of the ships could sail between Passau and Nuremburg, so we were bused about 3 1/2 hours from Embla to Nuremburg to be transferred to Aegir for the balance of the cruise to Amsterdam.
Embla crew was excellent, especially Stephan, the tour director and thankfully he came with us on the Aegir.
Cabin Review
French Balcony
Thankfully I was travelling as a single since the cabins are very small. The bathroom shower doors allowed water to seep underneath them several times and made huge puddles of water on the bathroom floor. Had to call housekeeping to clean up water. and replace the sopping wet bath mat. I did enjoy have the window wall with great view. When the ship docked at different towns, they often docked right beside one or two of their other ships so no privacy from your window. Also had to cross over at least one and sometimes two other ships to get to shore.
Port Reviews
Vienna
Our day in Vienna was a Sunday and all the stores were closed so we walked down the streets with closed up stores.
Regensburg
The old baroque buildings were stunning, but the walking was very difficult on the cobblestone streets in 30 degree weather. Lunch in an excellent German restaurant. We were taken to Regensburg from Passau by bus 1 1/2 hours each way because of the Danube being too shallow for the ship to sail.
Nuremberg
Excellent lunch in the Bratwurst Roselein restaurant after the 3 hour bus trip. Since I had very serious swelling in one ankle and foot I opted to go directly to the ship by taxi instead of doing the walking tour. After dinner we were entertained by an excellent 3 piece Romany band who played old gypsy and Jewish songs.
Bamberg
I went on only 1/2 of the walking tour because of swelling in ankle and foot. Just sat at a sidewalk cafe and "people watched". The group picked me up for the walk back to the bus.
Wurzburg
The Bishops Castle was unbelievable in it's oppulence. Each room was more stunning than the one before. This was Germany's largest and most ornate baroque palaces. Did not do the walking tour because of ankle and foot swelling.
After dinner, a local glass blower came on board and demonstrated how he makes glass objects - ornaments, bowls, etc. It was very entertaining.