We wanted to do a Viking Cruise ever since we saw commercials on Downton Abbey. We decided on a 7-day Rhine River cruise from Basel to Amsterdam with an extension in Amsterdam. We went on many extra excursions and everything, from the moment we landed in Basel to the moment we left Amsterdam, was perfectly coordinated. We had exclusive access on some of the tours and felt completely relaxed that Viking would handle everything. Even during the extension in Amsterdam, there was a Viking rep in the hotel to answer all our questions and coordinate the tours we booked during the extension.

Our 40th Wedding anniversary was the day we arrived in Amsterdam. The night before, we were celebrated on board and they even remembered after we disembarked and had a lovely anniversary greeting and surprise in our hotel room. The tours were always more then expected and were expertly lead by local guides or even the Ship's Hotel Manager herself. There were fewer than 200 guests so we got to know our fellow passengers as well as the crew.

The meals were great and included beer and wine for lunch and dinner. Every dinner included local traditional fare and the after-dinner entertainment was fun and engaging. There was no one under 40 but you would not believe how the crazy us older folks can get when doing the chicken dance. Read more