Never having been to Europe before nor done a river cruise decided on the Romantic Danube cruise at end of December. We have done a number of ocean cruises but this was our first river cruise. Having heard so many positive things about Viking we had high expectations. The first part of our trip the 3 day Prague extension was wonderful - viking host and guides along with nice hotel made for a wonderful Christmas experience. The bus ride to Nuremberg was fine, embarkation easy. We very much enjoyed the ports visited and for the most part (Except for Nuremberg) the guides were good. In Nuremberg guide seemed to just want to get it over, instead of making stops at places like the Zeppelin Field so we could get out for a few minutes to really look at it - just a quick drive by. We had plenty of time as Christmas Market was gone and many things closed in town so stopping for a few minutes would have been fine. At end of walking tour he said ok tour is over and just walked away. We did day trip to Munich which was fun although bad timing (not Vikings fault) as it was a Sunday and most places closed. Guides in Passau, Krems, and Vienna were good. Our guide for Budapest was excellent. Our experience on board was very disappointing. Our cabin stewardess Dora was wonderful but rest of staff were lackluster and indifferent as well as not very accommodating. For example one night at dinner hubby want to switch out potatoes that were offered on his entree for ones that came on another entree - no can do according to waiter. Another guest asked for additional vegetables with her entree and was told no. It seemed to us that if you weren't in the drinking crowd or part of a regular dinner table (we ate with different people each night) then you were ignored. As for the food it was terrible. Breakfast was ok - that was best meal of day. I'm guessing that since this was last cruise of season they just were trying to use up what they had. Entrees were pretty basic and didn't seem reflective of area we were in except for the taste of Germany night. It was nice having the machines you could get hot chocolate or tea anytime but often the pastries or cookies there were dried out. They have 1 restaurant and 1 seating (7 pm) each night so not really any other options for food either which would be fine if food was good. Only had lunch on board 2 days (ate in ports other days) and food so bad the one day I ordered a burger figuring that was safe - nope not good and the other day the Reuben had bread that was rock hard. From what we had heard expected the food to be much better. As for the cultural experiences on board - very little. Of the 7 nights had a night of Franconian music in Nuremberg, the oompa band for taste of Germany dinner, and a choir on our last night in Budapest (this was at 9 pm) that many guests missed as were departing ship at 330 a.m. Also had 1 afternoon talk about Bavaria. Even if you count the 15 minute port/excursion talks before dinner that's not much so again a disappointment. What they did have was trivia every night and a piano player mostly for the drinking crowd. As for cabin - we were on top deck so that was nice, unfortunately never really had hot water in shower - it would get warm but that was it. At least not ice cold. Given our expectations don't think given the price will be sailing with Viking anytime soon but will look at other river cruise companies as this definitely wasn't worth the money. As I said we enjoyed the ports a lot, the before part in Prague was wonderful, Viking crew there met our expectations but on board the Tor fell short. Read Less

We thought we would try Viking because, let's face it, they have great marketing. It was very reasonably priced, but you really do get what you pay for. We are experienced travelers who have traveled on Uniworld and Windstar for years, so we are used to small ships, but the Viking ship was really disappointing. There are no amenities on the ship. No spa, no gym, no Jacuzzi, no room service, no library, no space to go sit anywhere, no free sodas, no attention from the staff and definitely no river cruising. Some nice people on the cruise, but most were traveling in groups and were exceptionally rude. Constantly saving tables in the dining room, chairs in the lounge and seats on the bus. Were were told many times "you can't sit there". Really, people! Even chased away from dining room tables after we were seated. Room was much smaller than it looks in the pictures. You walk in, take 2 steps and fall into the bed. Shower was so small, my husband didn't even fit. Water fluctuated between freezing cold and boiling hot. There was no where to go on the ship. You either sat on the bed in your room or in the lounge. We were so uncomfortable the whole trip. Meals were rushed, always clearing the tables and food away before meals times were over. Had to pay for soda if it wasn't at dinner. Not about the money, it just seemed petty. I'm going to try and summarize the trip itself. Embarked in Budapest, took the included tour the next morning expecting to return to the ship and cruise the Danube to our next stop. Well, the ship left! We were bused 1 1/2 hours to Vienna, nowhere near town. Viking proved no transportation to downtown unless you took their tour. Pointed out the U-Bahn stop and told us to take that. Did that and took a taxi back at the end of the day. Next stop was Krems. Ship was leaving at noon, so we had no time to do anything. Then told we had to pack everything and leave the ship the next day to a sister ship. We pulled to a random dock, got on a bus, 1 1/2 hours to Passau where we stayed until they picked us up at 4:30. Another 1 1/2 hours to a random dock in the middle of nowhere. Cruised overnight to Regensburg. Finally docked in town! We were so excited we could come and go as we please. Well, the ship left again. Had to stay in town until 5:30 in the freezing cold because there was no where to go. Next day we pulled in to Nuremberg more than 5 miles from town. We had pre-booked a hotel to get off the ship early, and we were so glad we did. We wanted to get off in Passau, but our luggage was on a truck somewhere up river. If you are fine with being on a bus, taking group tours and not thinking for yourself, this is the trip for you. If you are interested in really seeing the towns you are in, skip this mess and do it independently. Really a poor value for the money. I would take the excellent reviews with a grain of salt, because even without the river water level problems there is so much more wrong on this cruise that I have time to go into. Read Less

Beautiful part of France. A wine tasting excursion In Beaujolais country. The Nouveau Beaujolais uncorked when we were visiting. Year of Van Gogh and there was a wonderful day long excursion immersing in Van Gogh’s days in Arles. A variety of affordable excursions were offered at each stop, including one included excursion at no additional cost. The three included excursions I took were excellent. All tour guides were professional, congenial, and knowledgeable. I always felt safe. Local food opportunities numerous including a Taste of Lyon, the gastronomy capital of France. Viking ships are very comfortable. The staterooms are equipped with TV and free WiFi. Storage and closet space provide plenty of room. We unpacked all of our belongings for easy access. The bathrooms are very nice with great water pressure. The service onboard ship was of the highest caliber. From serving dinner to cleaning rooms, everyone was professional, congenial, and knowledgeable. The sailing crew were professional at all times. Food on board ship was very good. There was a variety each day as well as standard fare if one preferred. The free coffe/tea bar is a bonus. Onboard entertainment and lectures were outstanding. Read Less

I chose this cruise because I had been to Lyon once before but only for a day and I wanted to see more and I am a fan of French food, history, culture, wine and pretty much everything else. The stops were all wonderful and the tour guides quite good. The staff on the ship was observent and attentive, all spoke English (since my French is pretty creative that was helpful!). The wine and truffle day was most amazing- my favorite and well worth the investment. My room was nicely appointed and larger than I expected. The food and wine onboard was superb. One little story: After tramping through the damp, rainy, muddy forest in pursuit of truffles, my suede hiking boots were trashed. There was no way I could get the mud off the soles. I finally took them to the desk for some help. 2 hours later housekeeping returned them to me in a logoed box, wrapped in tissue, looking brand new! That was above and beyond expectations for sure!!! So the onboard experience was ib a scale of 1-5-- it was a 10! But the arriving and leaving, not so much. Arriving in Lyon in the pouring rain, the 11 travelers on this ship were greeted by one woman with one umbrella. After traveling for 12 hours, we had to gather all our checked and carry on luggage and drag it, in the cold rain for about a 10 mionute hike across the parking lot to where the bus was parked. She left us cold and wet on the bus to get another group. Upon leaving at 4 in the morning to Marsille, we were once again deposited in the icy wind, to get all our luggage off the bus and find the terminal from which we would leave, again a long walk with all our luggage, no help at all and no one to tell us where to go or what to do when we go there. An inauspicous end to what was a an overall wonderful experience, Beginnings and Finishings count. score 2 in my book. Read Less

I’ve wanted to experience a river cruise for quite a while! The crew & staff were outstanding, the food was exquisite & the cooks were very accommodating for my dietary needs! The shore experiences along the Rhine were marvelous! I so enjoyed the walks through the towns along the Rhine! The town folk were friendly & very accommodating! There were more activities than could be done in one journey so there is incentive to return for even more adventures! The rooms are very comfortable with heated floors in the bath! There was plenty of room under the bed for luggage & generous drawer & closet space for our clothes! Buses took us to & from our adventures off the ship, & knowledgeable guides gave us tours of each site we visited, but when the tour guide finished there was time for walking & enjoying the sites, shops, restaurants & museums like the Chocolate Museum in Cologne! The small shops were so special as well as the larger shops! The experience will stay with me forever! Read Less

After having sailed the Seine River with Viking, we knew immediately we were booking another river cruise with Viking! After much research, we chose the Rhine. We made a great choice and LOVED sailing the Rhine! The scenery, excursions, staff, ship, food, and fellow travelers were all fabulous! For the first time, we did an add-on prior to sailing. We spent two nights in Amsterdam. That experience was worth every penny! Our hotel was centrally located and absolutely beautiful! While in Amsterdam, we took advantage of the excursions Viking offered in addition to touring Anne Frank’s house, taking a canal cruise, enjoying the Rijksmuseum, and walking the beautiful city viewing the architecture and canals. LOVED it all! Once, again, Viking went above and beyond with the shore excursion options. The tour guides, bus drivers, and the program director (George) were all fabulous! We learned so much and were not disappointed in any of our shore excursion choices. As always, the ship, staff, and food were excellent! This is the way to travel! Unpack your bags on the ship, relax, and enjoy! Let Viking take care of the details! The only decision necessary is red or white wine for lunch and dinner! The staff was phenomenal! We already have another cruise booked! Happy sailing! Read Less

We chose this cruise because we had been planning a river cruise for a fews years. Every time we booked one, my husband had an illness (a stroke for one thing) that prevented us from taking the trip. Last August we thought we would give it one more chance and since the international airfare was free and the late fall trips were on sale, we booked it and we were finally able to take this wonderful trip. We stayed two days ahead of the trip in Basel, Switzerland to get acclimated to the time change and had a delightful stay in this charming city. We were able to board at noon on our sailing day and for those boarding early, we were served a very delicious lunch. Our cabin was quite comfortable with a king size bed, plenty of storage for luggage and clothes and while we did not have a balcony with seating, we had a floor to ceiling sliding window that we could open to look out. The ship itself was quite easy to navigate since it only has 4 levels, the top one being a walking deck and outdoor seating. There is an elevator between levels two and three. We were on the 3rd floor. The dining experience was excellent. Beer and wine are served with lunch and dinner and then there is a lounge on the 3rd floor where a lot of the guests would congregate for an evening cocktail and entertainment. While there is no casino, pool or spa on board, it was not missed. The cruise director always managed to find great local entertainment or games to play in the evening. She also provided a lot of great day time excursions. Viking always offers one free excursion in every port and then you may also get off the boat and simply walk directly into the charming cities. We particularly loved being able to tour a 13th century castle overlooking the Rhine River that is still completely intact. We also loved the windmill tours in The Netherlands and just sitting on the top deck for two hours seeing the beautiful vineyards and castles high up on the hillside as we went up the middle Rhine. A very relaxing trip where you can do as much, or as little, as you please. Understand, there are no medical facilities on board and while my husband did get sick, we managed and the staff did their best to help him. The staff is extremely kind and caring and went out of their way, even if that person was not someone who normally watched over your cabin. LOVED the food choices. There is a buffet you can select from or you can order off the menu. We never had a bad meal and enjoyed being able to sit wherever we wanted to. As far as tipping, you can pay ahead of time with a set percentage or you can wait til the end. It's just easier to do it ahead of time which is what we did. And if we had a crew member we particularly appreciated, we gave them extra tip at the end for going beyond. We would love to do another trip and highly recommend Viking. One more thing: For people that have motion sickness, there is NO movement since you are on a slow moving river. The Rhine River is one of the first people choose quite often because of the castles. You can't go wrong no matter what river you choose. Read Less

Amsterdam to Basal-what’s not to love?! We started with a precruise stay in Amsterdam. What a wonderful city. There is so much to do and see: the sobering Anne Frank house, the relaxing canal boat ride, the fabulous Rijks Museum. It is a very walkable city or use the public transportation. The residents of the city are welcoming, friendly and very helpful. Our home for the next 8 days was lovely. As you board the ship, you are greeted by a member of the staff and escorted to your cabin. The cabins are nicely laid out and appointed. Love the heated bathroom floor! The staff on the Herja were attentive without being intrusive. It is so nice to have staff remember you want honey with your coffee, or prefer a glass of Rosé. The cabin steward was so kind and accommodating to our needs. Time spent relaxing on the aquavit terrace watching the world float by was time well spent. During the float down the middle Rhine we sat up top as our program director pointed out castle after castle. Renè always had such interesting facts to share. The included excursions were well guided with local residents. As the guide pointed out sights of interest, we noted where they were so we could come back and explore them in more detail during our free time. The evening were spent in the lounge area. Some evenings there are guest speakers on local customs or musical guests. The Herja also has a wonderful entertainer on board playing music to listen to, sing along with, or dance the night away. The food on the Herja was delightful. The omelet station at breakfast was very popular as omelets were made to your specifications. Lunch was relaxing with several selections. Dinner was a wonderful affair. Business casual dress and no assigned seating. The entrees were varied and highlighted fresh ingredients and local specialties. Traveling with Viking is educational, relaxing, and lovely. Would we go again? Absolutely! Read Less

We have cruised quite a bit but never a river cruise and never before with Viking. Itinerary and coordination of whole trip in a hassle free fashion were huge pluses. Lack of extraneous nickel and dime charges for everything was a wonderful change from prior experiences. Viking reputation is well deserved. Quality of service and attention to detail was outstanding. Have cruised other lines and tired of overcrowded, large ships. Tired of spending thousands more on excursions not included in original price of cruise. On this cruise we felt like many of the staff knew us as people. The small number of passengers meant no hassles standing in line for anything. The cruise director, Terry was outstanding and deserves to be recognized. Quality for the money was outstanding. Overall pricing is no more expensive than other cruise lines that charge add ons for everything. Our experience was so pleasant that I feel we will preferentially book with Viking in the future and have already booked a fly/cruise experience in China for 2021. We will also be checking out the available Viking ocean cruises. Read Less

This was outstanding. Everything was first class all the way. Captain met us on the gang plank,with cocktails and snacks after one excursion. Chef gave us dinner recommendations nightly. When it was raining, the crew met us at the bus with umbrellas. Heated mirrors in the bathroom along with heated floors. Treats from ports that were known for special things. Cruise director carried our bags on board. Escorted to our room. First rate all,the way! Stunning scenery. Definitely would recommend. Love the River Cruise over the ocean cruise. Much more personalized. Able to get to know the staff and passengers. Nothing negative to say. Food was exceptional. Wine was excellent. Excursions were nice. Staff were personable and very helpful. Treated like family, although we were called explorers. Plan on taking another River Cruise. We bought on board credit for $200 valued at $400 and applied it to our future cruise in 2021 to China.... The Jewels of China. Can’t wait! Read Less

We booked this cruise and my sister and brother-in-law joined us. They were returning to Europe for the first time since their marriage in Germany back in 1967. Had a wonderful time in Amsterdam (two night pre extension) walking around the city. Hotel Okura was pleasant but quite a walk to the museum area. Breakfast buffet was nice buy very pricey. Evening meals were taken at restaurants in the area of the hotel. Many tasty options. Hotel rooms were quite small, considering the cost. Transportation to the ship from the hotel was very good. Our bags were delivered to our cabin (340) without a hitch. This was a special trip for us and we booked one of the two Explorer Suites available on these type ships. They offer much more space and have the nice wrap around veranda. Unfortunately the bathroom had a continuous foul order (sewer gas) smell. This was brought to the attention of the ships steward several times yet the problem persist throughout the two weeks. This really put a damper on the whole Viking River Cruise experience. One would think that an issue of this type could and would be taken care of. Sadly this was not so. The food onboard was very tasty and diverse. We could see/tell/taste that very little was wasted. I do not point this out in a negative way, just to say that food that was prepped for a previous day could find its way into a meal the following day. Soups were a favorite place to blend veggies. The results were quite tasty. The young couple that provided the entertainment were quite engaging and a pleasure to hear. I was even allowed to sit in on a set the final night. It was great fun. Room (other than the sewer smell in the bathroom) services and dining/bar service was very good. The vast majority of the staff were quite friendly and attentive. Many of the excursions were designed for the “slow go” crowd and could get a bit tedious at times. Otherwise they provided a general overview of the ports of call. Nürnberg was one of our favorites. I lived there back in the late ‘60’s and was able to spend a night in the house where I lived. Viking made it easy for us to leave the ship for a night and meet back up with them. Spending time with the current owners of the house was an experience my sister and I will never forget. I even slept in my old bedroom after 50 years. Vienna and Salzburg were magical. The weather was kind and the vistas were wonderful. My wife loved seeing the Lipizzaner horses and stables. A lifelong dream come true. Would we go again? Well we have been on three cruises in the area with Viking and if they took better care of Explorer Suites we might consider a future trip. Read Less

Over the years many of our friends have taken Viking River Cruises and spoke very highly of them. So when we were finally able to take a River Cruise, we went with Viking. We choose the Grand European Cruise because it included stops and tours of many cities that were on our travel "Bucket List". Viking did not disappoint - our cruise was outstanding from arrival to departure. We were impressed with Viking from our first experience at the airport pickup to our final departure. We were very impressed with the entire Viking crew members. The suite room staff, concierge staff, lounge and dining room staffs,chefs, and excursion guides were to a person, friendly, very knowledgeable, and courteous. They made us feel welcomed and responded to all of our requests and needs quickly and completely. Th cruise director was outstanding and her knowledge, enthusiasm, and humor made everyone comfortable and relaxed. We really enjoyed the late afternoon cocktail time in the lounge The lounge was a perfect size for our group and perfect for meeting people and relaxing.The bar tenders and wait staff always made us feel welcome and their service top notch.The dining room was beautiful with a simple elegance that made us feel welcome. The layout of the dining room made it easy to share dinner with all kinds of people. The wait staff was excellent, thorough, efficient and friendly. The food was outstanding and the menu variety perfect. The entire sailing experience is one we will never forget. We will definitely take future Viking River Cruises. Read Less

This was our first river cruise and this cruise was exceptional. It was a great way to see the countryside as well as an opportunity to visit several different places. Viking was top notch from the time we arrived at the airport until we checked in at the airport to return home. We have never experienced a company which was as prompt as Viking was. My husband was relieved to see a Viking representative at the airport to pick us up as we have had experiences where the representative wasn't there or never showed. Every tour, and other activities.were always on time to the exact minute. We never had to wait. The ship was spotless and well maintained. There was always fresh baked goodies next to the coffee stations and when you returned from a tour there was always something great to try. The staff members were around to welcome you back. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful throughout the entire cruise. Our cabin was spotless and well stocked with toiletries and towels. All important information was always placed on the bed every evening so we would not miss anything. The bar staff was entertaining, friendly and knowledgeable. Their memories were exceptional. After the first day they would ask if we wanted the same beverage. Our steward was wonderful and always greeted us with a smile and asking if we needed anything. The food was delicious and plentiful. The soups were exceptional and wonderful especially when you returned from a tour and were a little chilly. The chef was always willing to tell you what was in them and how to make them. The before dinner briefings were extremely informative. The staff even provided blankets for those chilly days when we were up on the deck. What other cruise line does that. They took very good care of us from the beginning until the end.We were so impressed with Viking that we accepted their offer that they would match a $100 if we bought a coupon for another cruise. We are in the process of deciding where our next Viking adventure will be. It was an extremely positive experience. Read Less

We wanted to see Normandy, the D-Day Memorial and visit Paris again. We did not stay in Paris before the cruise, as we have been to Paris three times. Our Embarkation and Disembarkations went very well. We had no delays or problems. The ship was as we expected, as this was our third cruise with Viking. We like Viking because the crew is very helpful, the cabins are clean and the food is excellent. The dining was excellent. We knew what was being served. Viking always posts the menu outside the dining room everyday. We were on Emerald Waterways and they did not post the menus. The food was hot, appetizing and they have many choices. The head chef came out every evening and told us what his specialty was for that night and the wait staff were courteous and friendly. The entertainment was excellent. I loved the Opera singers, the games that we played, and Mia our cruise manager was excellent. All the major crew members were so much fun, as well as, informative. The crew on the Rolf were one of the best of the previous Viking Cruises we were on. The service was also excellent. Everyone was accommodating to our needs. The excursions were wonderful. Viking allows you to visit each town or city on your own and they ran shuttles to Paris from our mooring site. This is something that means a lot to us. On our cruise with Emerald Waterways, we were moored outside Amsterdam and they did not offer shuttles into the city. If you wanted to go on your own you had to get a taxi. Viking always seems to get it right. We enjoyed all the ports of call. Read Less

Could not have asked for a better trip. Smooth sailing, The ship was so easy to relax in. The service was above and beyond, friendly, accommodating and entertain and activities fit the bill. Room was comfortable and always kept clean. Ports and shore excursions were very well done Our favorite was visiting Normandy It was wonderful. I would highly recommend it to all My husband, who never travels, loved every moments. I must say the staff could not have been more wonderful. If you want a trip of a lifetime, take a Viking Cruise. The tour guides were so informatve and you were fillled with so much new knowledge. Food was excellent and your server made the food was to your taste. You will not be disappointed if you decide to embark on this wonderful cruise. We went with two other couples and they felt the same way. We are talking about another one next year. Read Less

This adventure was over the top. The staff was excellent in serving the guests. Every detail of the trip was superbly executed. I would do it again. The shore excursions were well plans and guided for specific group levels. Free time for shopping was giving usually at the end of each shore excursion. Meals on ship were great, service great, and the food was great. There was always a good variety to choose from at breakfast, lunch , and dinner. The evening meals were a bit more formal although dress wasn’t required. The whole cruise was a very relaxed atmosphere. This was my third trip to Europe it my first on a European river cruise. I would highly recommend to extend the trip either before, after the cruise or do both. By doing this you would add much more to your adventure. Again, I would definitely go again with Viking. And the Eir is one of their best by far. Read Less

We loved everything about this cruise. The excursions with one exception (the excursion to the Belvedere Museum/Palace was our most expensive one and by far the worst one--staff was so unorganized) were fabulous. We learned and saw a lot on each of the excursions. I really enjoyed all that we learned in Nuremberg at the rally grounds, museum and courthouse where the top Nazis were tried. We went on a lot of the excursions. The food choices were really good. We also enjoyed when we had to eat in a restaurant off-site because of where a tour took us. The staff was always pleasant and exceptional in so many ways. I think that they always went out of their way for any request. The only big downside of this trip was that because of low water levels, we had to change ships and ended up having one of our excursions cancelled. It was a really bummer to have to pack up all your stuff and then unpack again. This is my third Viking River Cruise. I can hardly wait to be on another one. Read Less

As we discovered on our other Viking cruise (Tulips snd Windmills), Viking really does pay amazing attention to every detail and just does an excellent job. Service - terrific! Food - scrumptious and plenty of it! Wines - excellent, and fun to try local vintages. A highlight? There are so many to talk about. Budepest was a revelation - we just loved the city and its people. Melk Abbey was astounding. The scenes along the rivers, including vineyards and castles, were breathtaking. We had plenty of free time to wander many of the places we visited, enjoying the small towns as well as the big cities. The length of the cruise was perfect in our estimation. Oe other note - my husband wears a brace on one leg, so it is difficult for him to walk very far. I am impressed how much Viking works to accommodate folks like him, with special tours for those unable to walk very far, but it is important to keep in mind that there is only so much they can do, and to be prepared to walk some distance or skip a tour. Read Less

We were invited by another family member to accompany them. We travel a lot but had never been on a river cruise or any kind of cruise before. It was wonderful! The Viking staff was extremely organized and all travel to and from airports and then each destination was executed perfectly and in an extremely timely manner! All the buses for transport were luxury. I have some food allergies and sensitivities and each day I met with Peter, one of the officers, to go over my meals for the day. He was patient, helpful and kind and had great ideas and recommendations. Thank you to the Chef! Also Dan was our primary server for food and he helped me out with that so much! — making sure that my special needs were taken care of. Again, all of this was done with such kindness and consideration. Vladimir and Tony made great wine recommendations! And Bruno was also helpful with that! The tour guides that Viking hires are all amazing! Everyone of our tour guides was knowledgeable and interesting. Frances and Natalie we’re both not only knowledgeable and interesting but also really fun and engaging! The night tour of Viviers and the walled city of Avignon and Pope’s Palace there we are among our favorites. So interesting! I know that Viking isn’t responsible for the French people, but all of the places where we visited as tourists, we were so well received by the French people! They were so pleasant and nice even if someone did not speak French! Such a wonderful, interesting, fun experience— That was easy. The Viking Delling was a beautiful boat. Sparkling clean -5 stars on everything! Thank you Philip for doing an amazing job keeping our room spotless. Another thing that I thought was so nice, upon returning to the ship after each tour there was a little treat of some type. If it was cold outside there was a hot beverage waiting, at night time there was a yummy little mini berry milkshake waiting for us, unusual refreshing juices were another item.. I was also surprised that there were interesting talks or activity on board almost every day either about World War II and the area we were in or just educational sessions on the Provence area or a cooking demonstration or French tea. Unexpected and engaging. And you could do as much or as little as you wanted. Again, everything was so well organized and executed perfectly and I thought it was an amazing value. Thank you to the Captain of the Viking Delling and the entire staff! They all know and do their jobs extremely well and with great customer service skills and wonderful sense of humor! Looking forward to our next Viking River cruise experience! Read Less

Our previous experience with Viking Cruises has been exceptional. So naturally, Viking was our only consideration when we decided to take a Rhine cruise. From the beginning of booking the cruise to stepping onboard the Viking reps left no detail unattended, answered our questions and the web site is easy to navigate. All staff on board were superb, attention to detail, anticipated every need and very welcoming. My husband always wanted to see Marksburg Castle and Colmar. The tour and education exceeded his (our) expectations. The only disappoint was the Black Forest tour. The day was very foggy, rainy which could not be helped. But the stop at the village felt more touristy than Viking quality. Our guide was phenomenal and gave interesting history and facts on the drive. However, having a opportunity to walk on some trails OR meet local farmers, tour a home, etc would have made the visit more impactful. We loved,loved our pre trip in Amsterdam! Wonderful city, people, shirt bike ride and the museums (Anne Frank House, Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum). Public trams very easy to navigate the city, plus we enjoyed walking to take in local experiences. We are grateful to have experienced a wonderful visit to Germany, Rhine cruise, new friendships and life long memories. Read Less

We were treated to a fun time by all the staff and was surprised at the things we got to experience. The passengers were very friendly and soon became like Family. The scenery was beautiful. The food was delicious and the Staff was awesome. The excursions were very interesting and loaded with history about the places we visited. The Captain was very visible to the guest and very friendly. He would come around and socialize with the guest a lot. We had great weather and the River was very inviting. When it came time to leave, no one wanted it to end. Leaving such great people and a Super Staff made debarking a difficult thing to do. If we could have gathered up everyone, Staff and all, we would have just continued to great times back home. We are so pleased to have experienced this great River Cruise. Looking forward to getting to go on another River Cruise with Viking. Highly recommend Viking. They give you First Class service all the time. Thank you Staff of the Viking Herja. Happy times! Read Less

We had been considering a river cruise for several years and after quite a bit of research and talking with others that had been on Viking Cruises previously, some multiple times, we decided that Viking was definitely the right choice for us. We took advantage of the 2 for 1 pricing and a great deal on airfare. We selected the 7 Night Danube Waltz Cruise with two extra nights at the beginning, in Budapest, and were not disappointed at all. The excursions, both those that were included in the price, and the optional ones, were very well organized and had knowledgeable guides to make the excursions enjoyable and informative. Evenings on board the Hermod was was a wonderful blend of entertainment, fine dining, and information relating to the cruise and the regions that we were traveling through. The evening meals always presented us with the opportunity to try the local cuisine and I certainly am not one to shy away from new and different kinds of food choices. The staff and crew of the Hermod made us feel as if we were the only onboard especially in the lounge and the dining room. Read Less

We chose this cruise because of its location, the Danube, and being able to sleep in the same place every night.We have taken bus tours before this trip. Most of all we chose this Viking cruise because everyone who had taken this cruise spoke very highly of it.The ship was a marvelous five star hotel, especially the cabin. We were very impressed with the regional food and tried it most nights.The paired wines were excellent. The best part of the trip were the people and the service. I have a favorite type of wine. One was chosen for me that was excellent.We were impressed that the service remembered our names, room numbers and our drink choice. They all had delightful personalities.The young lady who cleaned our room accommodated our every move with her cleaning. Mostly the shore excursions were excellent. Loved the cows! The guide in Bratislava was knowledgeable as were the others. However he added unnecessary information and opinions. The optional tour, A Taste of Budapest was excellent. Read Less

The crew on this ship seemed to go out of their way to make the cruise as enjoyable as possible for all the passengers. There were quite a few unexpected occurrences they had to deal with ( like a train strike the day the pre-cruise people were supposed to come from Paris to Lyon to board the ship). They just hired a bus to bring them and then greeted them with campaign and an apology. Another unexpected issue was a bent prop from debris in the river on the next to last day. They again hired buses to take everyone to the next appointed stop. The food was excellent, the Cruise Directors was outstanding, and the crew and wait staff were all very capable and personable. The excursion choices were all very educational and entertaining. Each of the local guides that Viking hired were very knowledgeable and gave those of us in their group good advice, information and directions to places (call that shopping) we asked to go after the tour. We had quite a few days of rain so the "exercise top deck" was not available very much. Read Less

We choose this "bucket list" cruise for the places it was going, excursions that were happening and impressive reviews by others. It was more than I even dared hope it would be. Staff was amazing: attentive but not intrusive. We were able to become part of the "leisure" tourers and had many of the photographers with us, which was wonderful. Lots of variation in what we saw and did. Learned about the "stumbling stones" in Cologne and looked for them everywhere else we went, impressing guides that we knew about and wanted to find them. Being offered water every time we got off the ship was an impressive and appreciated touch. Also enjoyed the "day before" briefings and info sharing in the lounge before dinner. Music and activities after dinner were varied and fun, but didn't (at least for us) go on too long! Staff and other cruisers introduced us to new-to-us libations and then staff knew to offer them the next time we appeared in the lounge! One thing which I particularly liked was the small sampling dishes at lunch; made it easy to try something new without overcommitting to a full serving! Don't think we realized all the goodies which came with our suite, until about day 4. Fresh fruit, flowers, wine, champagne, etc. We were very glad we'd gotten the suite, as it just made space for breathing. Read Less