Essentially took this tour with another couple who where wanting to celebrate their 30th Wedding Anniversary. Despite the fact our airplane arrived well over an hour late in Prague the very approachable Scenic representative was their to greet us and take us to the local hotel. Likewise for the balance of the trip all the services from presentations by the Cruise Director, departure for excursions to opening of the restaurants were completely on time and very timely. The Chef on our cruise provided an excellent array of culinary delights both on the buffet and a la carte services. The cut on everything from slices meats to vegetables and dessert items was flawless. I inquired with the Chef who frequently made table checks about the "secrets" about a "Clear Tomato" that was being served for lunch. Chef Broccoli was most generous and provided a recipe for this exceptional soup. The effort put in by the entire staff of our trip was 110%. They worked well as a team and professional ignored the occasional unthinking and too casual guest. My only concern would be that the dining room was a slight bit noisy and congested and that for "older" folks (70 +) might find it tiring after more than a week. Likewise the rooms will be a tad small for those on the "heavier or tall" side. The Tailormade Scenic software very innovative and highly effective. I only recently have been using a smart phone but found it enhanced the trip. The system was occasionally nonfunctional when listening to the tour guides in large congested areas. However the information and pictures while sailing down the picturesque Danube River very complementary. Did find the survey questionare at the end of the tour rather long and time consuming. I thought it might take 20 minutes to complete but it had so many questions that I ran out of time and had to omit the last quarter of the survey. Cabin balcony excellent. Really liked the size, the glass, even the comfortable chairs. Read Less

My wife had always wanted to visit Prague. I thought: if we are going to do that, why not do a "river cruise" also? It was the best decision we could have ever made! I had researched cruise lines and Avalon Waterways always received top marks. Plus they had a Prague to Paris cruise. It was a "no brainer"! The stateroom was the perfect size for the two of us and the bed was fantastic; when we wanted to we could lie in bed with the curtains open watching the scenery go by. And the food onboard was top notch! The breakfast and lunch buffets were fantastic! And dinner was terrific! We were never lacking in anything. All of the crew - from the captain and cruise directory on down were extremely friendly and helpful. At each of our ports of call, again there was another fantastic excursion with a local guide that provided us with a tremendous amount of information and history. Would we do it again? Without a doubt!! Read Less

This was our second Tauck river cruise, the first one being from Milan to Amsterdam on the Rhine and it was wonderful! This cruise however was terribly disappointing for a number of reasons. First, and this of course is no one's fault, was the weather. It rained for most of the days, but that's neither here nor there. Second, the time spent on buses from the docks to the various excursions was excessive. The buses were comfortable, but if we had wanted to book a bus tour we would have done so. More importantly, it seemed we had very little time to just "hang out" in the ports and get a feel for the towns as we had on the previous cruise. In fact, due to spending four hours on the bus round trip for the excursion to Salzburg (of "Sound of Music" fame) we barely had time for a nice lunch before we needed to meet back at the bus loading area. Thirdly, unlike the previous cruise which had excursions that varied from wine-tastings to museums to rides on the tram above the Rhine, this cruise seemed to focus on history over and over again. It was the same story: oppression by the Austrian Empire, the Nazi's and the Communists with a slightly different spin depending on the country we were in. It was fascinating and compelling the first couple of times but after that, it got old. More variety in excursions and the focus of the native guides would have much appreciated. The cabin was by far the biggest nightmare, however which will be reviewed below. All in all, this cruise fell well short of our expectations and we were severely disappointed. Read Less

Viking made the whole process easy and seamless from our arrival in Prague to our departure from Paris. The cruise director was friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, entertaining--both fun and funny! The on-board service was outstanding throughout the ship. The reception desk staff went above and beyond to repair an item of my husband's that had been damaged in transit. And the dining room staff were very attentive and greeted us by name by the second day on-board. I enjoyed the itinerary which traversed 3 rivers through Germany as we went from Prague to Paris. The Middle Rhine is so scenic to cruise, with 35 castles dotting both sides of that stretch of the river. The view from the top deck was perfect, along with informative commentary and warm blankets to snuggle in against the chilly morning air! The included excursions were excellent, especially Bamburg, Cochem, and the not-to-be-missed Bishop's Residenz in Wurzburg. With one exception, the tour guides were fantastic (she was good, but a bit dry). Although the bus trip into Paris was long, the stop in Luxembourg City was a bonus, especially the American Cemetery, which is beautiful, historical, and very moving. Read Less

I chose this cruise for its itinerary in central Europe. The scenery was outstanding. The Danube was very low during our cruise, however, the Avalon ship being newer with less draft had no problems sailing while other lines were forced to dock their ships and bus people from town to town. The people at each stop were extremely friendly. Pretty much everyone we encountered spoke excellent English and didn't mind conversing in English. The ship was top notch and the staff was very attentive. Dinner was outstanding with all of the wine (chose either red, white or rose) or beer you cared to drink. The waiters were constantly refilling our glasses with excellent wine. We had on-board entertainment for 3 nights. Each act they brought on was talented and funny which made for a great show. Each port visit starts with a complimentary guided tour with local guides. This was fantastic as the guides showed you around for a couple of hours and after the tour you were free to wander around at your leisure for several hours until boarding time. I would definitely book with Avalon again. I didn't rate fitness and recreation highly because the boat is limited on what it can offer due to size limitations to fit in the river locks. Read Less

We chose the cruise because of the cities we were visiting and the brochure which spoke to some education regarding the history. The service was wonderful. Food was good but definitely not exceptional . I like the concept of have beverages available during the dinner and lunch. The lounge was very comfortable and the front deck, when the sun came out ,was fantastic. It was a bit cool during the first half of the cruise so the top deck was not available. That and the locks prevented the top deck from being open. For the most part, the ship was lovely and very well attended to. Due to the brochures prior to the trip I expected more discussion regarding the city and the surrounds to be visited next, prior to the each excursion. There were announcements each evening prior to dinner, however the dialog was very difficult to comprehend/understand due to linguistics etc.With the only information to come was from the tour guides and the crowds of the excursion it became impossible to keep together and hear clearly what the guide was saying. The connection upon arriving at the airport was great and very organized. However the announcements prior to the first excursion were unclear and consequently we missed the first one we paid for and got on the wrong shuttle bus. For the staff standing on the stairs in lobby of the hotel and shouting out "instructions for the next event it was impossible to comprehend instructions with large groups of people and poor organization in that instance. The departure in Paris was quite different - it was a real nightmare with not nearly enough help at the airport. Our flight was canceled so we were hustled to another flight, but left with little an to no assistance. We were delivered to a little room for assistance but had no idea why and little knowledge of how to get to our plain. As it was we almost missed our flight causing a great deal of stress in an unfamiliar airport and staff who kept telling us we had to wait in line for a wheel chair which we did not need. The staff had no idea why we were left in a room with one service person (who spoke little Eng) and waiting for help. Viking really missed the mark on this issue as it was way to close to being a disaster for my us as well as another couple who were in the same predicament. Often the excursions were not given enough information regarding the difficulty walking etc. Quite often we got half way into a tour and found out we would not be capable to completing (i.e the Castle and Trier) We got up to the castle and then were told that the climb would be far too difficult for my spouse, so we could do nothing but sit and wait for all to complete the tour. Read Less

This was the first river cruise for both my wife and I. This was a honeymoon trip for us (in our mid-60's), and we could not have been more pleased. The basic package was a 10-day trip from Prague to Budapest. We added an extra day at each end, and that was a very wise decision. We really could have used more time in each of those two cities. The cruise staff at the hotel in Prague were very attentive and informative. We opted to book several of the shore excursions offered, and that really enhanced our trip. The The castle tour and and wine tasting in Melnk was a real treat. And the symphony in Vienna vastly exceeded my expectations. The Artistry II was wonderful, and our cabin was large (for a cruise ship) and very clean. The food on this ship was amazing! The plating for dinner meals was beautiful, and the food was all cooked to perfection. The complimentary beer and wine for lunch and dinner was a great bonus. We also really appreciated that our wine for dinner each evening reflected the region. Our wait staff was prompt and attentive, and got to know our preferences. Fortunately for us, the weather was perfect all throughout our vacation. All in all, this was our best vacation ever! Read Less

My 3rd Viking River Cruise. Just booked a Viking Ocean cruise to Australia/Tasmania/New Zealand for Jan 20, 2020. I must have liked the cruise from Prague to Budapest if I'm booking another so soon. I'm not crazy about the size of the rooms, but we spend very little time acually in the room. The greatest plus on these cruises is the crew. There is nothing they won't do to make your experience excellent. The bar and wait staff work very hard and make a point to remember names and likes/dislikes. There are no broadway shows or casinos, but there is plenty to keep you busy. Everyone finds another couple onboard that you have something in common with... By the second day, you will recognize at least half the passengers and will "pair up" with one or more other couples. Most passengers are quite financially stable and most are retired. You'll have a lot in common with most if you can afford these cruises. The meals are excellent. They are not stingy with beer or wine during meals and the bar has an excellent selection of fine wines; many from the country you're traveling through. Our cabin steward was excellent and we always felt safe on board and during the daily tours. You should at least try one cruise, maybe a modest cabin and up your choices on your 2nd cruise. I really believe that you'll have fun and enjoy the people you'll meet. Read Less

We choose the Elegant Elbe because of the cities we would see, the days before and after in Prague and Berlin, and also because we wanted to see this part of Europe. Since we had already had one Viking River Cruise, we knew we wanted to cruise with them again...our first trip, two years ago was also amazing. One of the best things about cruising with Viking are the friendships we made on the trip. The meals were delicious--loved the many choices, too. At mealtimes, there was plenty of time to get acquainted with others on the boat. It was nice not having seating assignments, and also having the choice of where to eat...we enjoyed having breakfast on the Acquivet Terrace and watching the scenery as we ate. The crew members on the ship were also very accommodating---everyone made sure that all we having a good, but safe time, too. Read Less

This was my first cruise and it appealed to me because I wanted to see as much as possible with a group of friends. I did not want to organize anything or unpack. I am not interested in swimming, big shows or getting dressed up. This river cruise was perfect. The City of Light is part bus and mostly ship. I was able to see both Prague and Paris on this trip. Every sight along the rivers was gorgeous! The included tours were fantastic. The food on board offered a huge variety. I did not gain weight because I chose to not eat desserts each day. You don’t eat all day! You visit sights. There were things for people to do who did not have the stamina. Dining was always informal. Some people changed for dinner, most wore casual clothes or what they wore during the day. The evening entertainment was light and fun! Some nights we listened to music, other nights we danced. Many people went to bed. You make it whatever you want. I am looking forward to my next Viking Cruise. It sure sold me. Read Less

Chose the Elbe River cruise because not as high traffic as Rhine or Danube. Plus we're Lutheran and we were to stop in Wittenberg 9 days before the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Prague fabulous at the beginning; Berlin equally fabulous at the end. Of course Wittenberg was special. However, my highlight was Dresden. I was fascinated by the way the city was painstakingly & authentically reconstructed. Beautiful, particularly the Marienkirche! Food was extraordinary both onboard and on shore. Particularly enjoyed touring the museum in Prague with the seated luncheon and the live chamber music. And the onboard variety evening with Katy Luther and her dear friend Barb Cranach was a hoot! What else to say? we stayed in luxurious 5 star hotels in both the hearts of Prague and Berlin. Conveniently within walking distance of most of the sights. Accessible & not too strenuous. Finally, particularly enjoyed our cruise director... great sense of humor! Read Less

We wanted to go to Eastern Europe and visit the main cities on the Danube River Cruise. It was our first river cruise and we hope it won’t be our last. The whole crew and service was wonderful. The food was outstanding. Elvin was our main waiter and he was extremely accommodating. All the tour guides were knowledgeable and made things interesting. The onboard entertainment was fun. We enjoyed Sylvia the pianist/singer. She has an extensive repertoire and played our requests. All the shore excursions and extra tours were terrific. Two other couples were in our party and we met so many other nice people on the boat. We were really glad we signed up for the extensions in Prague and Budapest. Both are beautiful cities. We did wish we had more time in Vienna so we would suggest you allow for more time there. There are so many wonderful sights and landmarks to see and not enough time. Hi Read Less

I love Viking - it is the best river cruise company! The service is unbelievable - the staff seems to know your name after the first day! They can't do enough for you. The food is amazing - The German Food night was on point - I am very persnickety about German Food and this was just like having a meal with the German Relatives! The food is always delicious - there is always a nice variety - and even if you don't want exactly what they are offering, they will accommodate you. They truly want you to have a wonderful dining experience. The itinerary is perfect for all activity levels - I am not the best walker and I appreciate that they always offer a Leisure Walking Tour - it is definitely always at my pace. I could go on one EVERY year - in fact, I think my husband and I plan to do just that! It is such a no-hassle trip where you get to see so much! Your hotel just follows along with you - no packing and unpacking - it is perfect! Read Less

We chose this cruise as our third river experience, all with Viking, because we wanted another taste of reconstructed former Eastern Europe, and we were offered free air fare. We were in great hands from the moment we stepped off the plane until we waved goodbye to come home. The ship, one of Viking's smaller, made for an intimate and very personable voyage downstream to Martin Luther's Wittenberg, and the service was outstanding, from the captain to every member of the crew. The entertainment aboard as well as the excursions that included entertainment were varied and reflected the rich Czech, Bohemian, and German cultures along the Elbe. We enjoyed the days in Prague and the immersion in Berlin's Cold-War history. My only disappointment was the "Prague by Night" excursion -- I had been expecting a pub crawl as we had had in Cologne two years earlier, instead of the panoramic tour we received, seeing the lights of the city from several viewpoints. I certainly plan to cruise Viking again, probably somewhere in Europe. Read Less

In General we liked this cruise and crew. Very through and professional. Not Quite up to Viking but much less expensive. Our only complaint was the location of our cabin, which was quite nice. It was, however, the last cabin on our level nearest to the stern of the boat. It was very close to the engine room and the steering mechanism. There was hardly a night that we weren't awoken once or twice by engine or rudder noise. The shore and on board personnel were very good. We enjoyed the open seating. For the most part the shore activities/excursions were very good. Food was very good. It was planned to match our location on the Danube as was the wine selections at dinner. We enjoyed the fact that Americans were in the minority and were able to meet people from as far away as Australia. New Zealand and Singapore. Read Less

We chose this cruise for the variety of unusual cities included in the trip. The cruise began with a few days on land in Prague and the Czech Republic. We then cruised through Bavaria, Germany, on to Vienna and disembarked in Budapest. The ship was lovely and luxurious. The staff was courteous and knowledgeable. Everything went extremely well until our ship hit a rock in the river and broke a propeller in the middle of the night. To facilitate the repair, all passengers had to be off ship for an entire day. Unfortunately, that day was 106 degrees and the shore excursions were not well planned by Avalon. For instance, all passengers were put on a non-air conditioned, non-ventilated ferry for several hours. It was extremely uncomfortable. We all understood that accidents happen, but we did not expect to be treated in such an uncaring manner. It really was a shame. Read Less

I went with my mother who is in her 80s and we wanted to end up in her childhood home of Berlin, so the Viking Elbe cruise was perfect for us. This was a lovely way to travel in comfort, style and luxury! The food was absolutely phenomenal! Everything was taken care of and planned for us. We met so many wonderful people, some of whom we are still in touch with over a year later! It was relaxing and we saw more of the cities with Viking than we would have been able to do on our own. The excursions were well thought of and planned to perfection. The guides were all very knowledgeable and personable. We were provided maps and other information so we could do a lot on our own in the cities that we were docked at as well. We extended our stay in Berlin and it was a marvelous time and we have such great memories of our lovely vacation. Read Less

I have been on several of Avalon river boat cruises, a return customer because I find the sevice and activities to be exceptionally great. After breakfast, I turned to pass the waiter my dishes, and he scolded me, "You are on vacation! Let me do that for you". I selected this tour specifically for the Christmas Markets. Yes, it is cold, and the days are shorter, but you quickly warm up back on the ship with warm drinks as you walk back on board. The entertainment was wonderful, and they really engaged the audience, sometimes pulling up passengers to assist in their presentation or show. The tour director was especially helpful to us personally when my husband became ill, finding a doctor in town who spoke english, calling the cab, and checking in on us. Perhaps my favorite reason for taking these cruises is that you port near enough most towns to walk into the town to take in the local scenery. The cold was an excuse to find another cafe to order a wonderful hot chocolate and pastry. Read Less

We selected Avalon because it offered a cruise through the Christmas Markets along the Danube. The ship was beautiful, our stateroom was spacious and lovely. The breakfast and lunch buffets offered many delicious selections, and the plated dinner options were varied and scrumptious. The onboard staff were excellent, from front desk to dining room, to housekeeping! Since the weather was cold, we were unable to enjoy the outdoor upper deck but that was too be expected. The busses provided for our excursions were prompt, and comfortable, and for the most part the tour guides were very good (we encountered just one who was not entertaining). My only "criticism" is that we were a bit rushed at one or two stops. We did not have much time to explore the Market at Nurnberg -- our first. At Melk -- where we had an amazing tour of the Abbey, we were rushed to return to the ship and had little time for their market even though it was small. Read Less

This was our first cruise of any kind, although we are experienced travelers. It was nice to turn all of the logistics over to Viking, and we would trust them with another vacation, based on our experience. We liked the small scale of the the boat at 170 passengers. Walking tours in our ports of call were the heart of the trip. We usually divided into groups of 10-15 for each guide. Our local guides ranged from good to excellent. Service and food on board were very good. Our room was small, but well designed and practical even for a large tall person like me. There were a variety of common spaces, all of which were comfortable and relaxing. Everything on the boat is well designed, attractive, and clean. We were seldom in our cabin except to sleep. Access to outdoor decks was sometimes limited by cool weather and low bridges. Onboard entertainment and activities were good, if low key; but that's not the focus of a river cruise. We appreciated the briefings every evening that prepared us for the following day's activities. Viking staff make sure that you have everything that you need plus some nice touches. The itinerary of this cruise included two long legs by bus: Prague to Bamberg and Trier to Paris. Those days were acceptable but not our favorites. The payoff was the opportunity to visit two wonderful cosmopolitan cities on one trip. Hotel accommodations in Prague and Paris were very good and provided easy access to scenic and historic areas of the cities. Those cities provided a nice balance to the smaller cities and villages along the river route following the Main, Rhine, and Mosel. We slipped past Frankfurt at night. We added a couple of optional excursions, but you could have a great trip with only what's included in the basic package. Our only glitch was a missed flight connection in Dallas/Fort Worth on our return trip. American Airlines boarding procedures were chaotic and the layout of the customs area in DFW is difficult. You have to clear customs and then go back through TSA security to reach your domestic flight. We'll allow more time next trip. Read Less

When thinking about our Viking cruise up the Elbe I will always remember Guntar...he looked and talked like Arnold. Which made the trip extra entertaining. The crew was so warm and embracing. Every single one was there to help make our trip as enjoyable as could be. The wait staff was above and beyond. After one meal they knew what your drink preferences were and had them immediately ready. Food was plenty and most often very delicious. The breads were absolutely heavenly. Found myself enjoying seed bread and Brie at every meal, and sometimes for my meal. Just superb. The Malbec wine that was served was also perfect for our taste. The daily excursions were easy going, but very interesting, informative and entertaining. Trip to the beer pub stands out, as does the castle where we sampled the best struddle. The little town that became the concentration camp all Though sad was a must see, for history sake. Really shook me up though. Treats like warm cookies or schnapps waiting for us upon return from an excursion were a special from the captain. He seemed like he really enjoyed having us all on his beautiful ship. Yes the Beyla is a must take river cruise. Read Less

Viking Beylang had a good deal that included air fair. This helped make our decision. My wife and i traveled with my brother in law and his wife. Went days early and were able to see Prague. Before we sailed it was questionable whether we would actually leave from prague because the rivers were low. While we were in Prague it rained several days and luckily our ship was able to sail from the prague port. We had heard several shops before us had to bus to several destinations.. we found the ship very welcoming and comfortable. The entire staff etood at attention and welcomed us. They, as well as the captain were very visible the whole trip. Very personable and friendly. We enjoyed the excursions in each town. They were easy and still gave us plenty of time to see the sights and still have ship time. Food was fabulous. Read Less

Viking is the best. The Astrid is a beautiful ship. The staff, especially our Program Director Radem, were terrific. The water in the Elba was too low to navigate as one point. Viiking let us know and offered alternatives as well as compensation. We went and were so glad we did. At one point we had to leave the Astrid and be moved to a sister ship at the point where the water was too low. All we had to do was pack. The staff took care of everything else. Even the captain was helping to move us. When we got the the other ship which was exactly like the Astrid everything was exactly in place. Very impressive. The tours were excellent - very informative and excellent guides. The cabins are very comfortable and the food is delicious. This was my fifth trip on Viking. This year I am taking my 6th and have already booked an ocean trip for 2018. Read Less

Comfortable rooms, delicious food, free flowing wine, lovely buffets, outstanding service, well organized tours, spotless ship. Entertainment was fair. Fitness was poor. Most guests were experienced and well travelled. Embarkation and disembarkation went smoothly and transfers to/from the airport were well organized. River cruising is a wonderful experience. I have been on nine so far and look forward to my next one in the Spring. What is really enjoyable is that you wake up each morning in the center of a new town. Exploring with the organized tour groups or on your own is easy...your ship is never far away. We did the add on days and stayed at the Berlin Hilton at the end of the cruise. The hotel was comfortable and in a great location. Plenty of restaurants, shopping and sight seeing near by. Again, transfers were handled efficiently from the ship to the hotel and then from the hotel to the airport. Read Less

The cruise we choose was based on the destinations and the extension available, Downton Abby. The cruise was a dream trip visiting many ports of historical interest that added to the overall experience of this trip. We were accompanied by good friends that added to the experience and added many laughs and good times that will never be forgotten. The end of or cruise was in Paris and a real highlight for us was a trip to the very top of the Eiffel Tower at night, the views were spectacular and the experience was breathtaking. The trip to Oxford England and Downton Abby is one that we will never forget. The guides were very well informed and added a great deal to this experience. There were several surprises along the way including a welcome toast by the dutchess at the Abby. Overall Viking out did themselves with this trip from beginning to end and their professionalism came through by the individuals they had to take care of use at each step along the way. Read Less