This was our second river cruise - first on Viking. We were luckier than a lot of people in that we had excellent weather and no problems with locks or high water, etc. Would not cruise the Rhône again - quite industrial with many locks and not as pretty as the Seine.
The transfers were excellent; the ship was very nice; cabins comfortable; service excellent and the included side trips ...
From our first day on board, we were very impressed with the tour director, crew, accommodations and food. Everyone was courteous, efficient and more than accommodating. When our luggage did not arrive with us, the tour director and concierge were more than helpful and we received our bags the next day. The food was fabulous and the excursions were very well planned and executed. We are already ...
I booked a package directly from Viking including RT air, 7 night cruise from Avignon to Chalon sur Saone, 3 night extension in Paris, and all transfers. We flew into Marseilles where a representative took us to a waiting transfer bus. The cruise was very good. Our cabin was a category A veranda on deck 3. Cabin was well appointed. The bed was comfortable. The lighting was excellent. Although the ...
We just returned from our long-anticipated Viking river cruise in France and came away wishing we had paid closer attention to the itinerary (Portraits of France) as our expectations were not met. We made assumptions (based on Viking's marketing and other friends cruise experiences in other countries and on other cruise lines) about what a river cruise would entail and felt if we had known what to ...
Although all details of our outward and homeward journeys from and to Bristol went according to plan, felt that as we lived in Bristol and had an airport that flew direct to Marseille, the fact that we had to go via Amsterdam which incorporated 2 flights each way was definitely not in our best interest.
The 'Buri' was indeed all that we had hoped for and more in that it was kept immaculately ...
We booked this cruise as at the last moment, the cruise we had planned on Danube from Budapest to Germany got canceled becuase the ship was damaged and had to go into dry dock for repairs. Our pick up at Marsailles airport was well done. So from June 22 through June 30 we were on the Viking Buri, a brand new ship for 2014. Upon arrival at the Buri, we were told we could not sail as scheduled the ...
We really enjoyed the cruise from beginning to end! There are a few areas which could use some minor changes to attract a younger crowd. Most of the guests on our cruise seemed to be in their 60s-70's and older. We are in our 50's, so some things weren't quite as suited to us. The piped in music, individual cabin music , and the piano player played music more suited to an older crowd.
The shore ...
We've just completed Viking's Portraits of Southern France on Viking Hermod (south to north). It was mostly enjoyable but the weakest out of our six European cruises. We really enjoyed the friendly passenger mix of US, Canada and several from Great Britain making for good conversation and company.
The ship: Hermod was lovely as is usual with Viking's ships. Not enough seating in the lounge ...
Arriving on our sparkling new boat, Heimdal in March of this year, we grabbed one of Viking's trademark red umbrellas for a walking tour of Avignon in the rain. Others hadn't arrived from their pre-cruise visit to Paris, so we took full advantage of the glistening cobblestones leading through the Roman Ruins and mighty ramparts of the ancient city. Returning to linen tablecloths and fresh flowers ...