River Cruising with Viking

Cruising

Embark on the journey of a lifetime, they say, with the meticulously curated Viking River Cruise they say, where every moment is a masterpiece of discovery and luxury they say. Because they, are a wonderful way to see parts of the world in wonderful comfort, we were told.

Well, how do they stack up to the glossy self-proclaimed excellence?

Look, I'm unable to speak about all the other wonderful curated River Cruises in the world, but I can talk about what I know about Viking River Cruises. Never much of a fan of ocean cruises, as I felt like it was a 24-hour-a-day shuffle, how did the river cruise shake out?

Let’s start by saying that we are now on our fifth one.

We cannot stand being one of a thousand around a pool. Lining up and taking an hour plus to disembark or embark is also not on our fun list. Being able to leave home and never having to organize anything until we arrive home again is on our list, and it's wonderful. Of course, you do have that option if you so desire. The door-to-door service is amazing from Viking.

Rather than just agree or disagree, let me recount an overview of our experiences.

First off, the wonderful organization of it all is simply amazing. From the simple booking to the airport pickup and transfer to the lovely hotels or directly to the ship itinerary. The color-coded organization of the group and the endless patience and kindness of the Viking team are priceless.

The impetus for our first river cruise was after my father passed; I learned it was a bucket list thing for my mum. After trying to book with several river cruise lines, I chose Viking because the pricing was disclosed up front. Easy, simple, and transparent. It was my first-ever trip with Viking, and they were just amazing with my 90-year-old mother, who was starting to struggle with dementia. It’s why we went back and have again and again. It’s also never a nickel-and-dime situation.

With under 200 guests in total, you will quickly become familiar with most at least by sight, as there are only a few public spaces to hang out, and you’ll see guests time and again in the restaurant and on your tours. But you are never crowded by them. We try to rotate dinner tables for the first few nights to get to know some of them and discover if there are any we wish to get to know better.

You meander along the serene waterways of Europe and take in the beauty and the allure of centuries-old castles and charming villages that unfurl before your eyes around every bend in the river. You can take in this scenic view from inside through all the expansive glass or, weather conditions permitting, from the wonderful upper deck. Unlike on the ocean, because you are on a river, the scenery is always right there.

The meals are a combination of the finest regional cuisine, or a list of standard fare if you're a bit picky, and are very nicely paired with local wines. You can always either upgrade to the “Drinks Package,” bring a local one on board, or buy one of the upgraded bottles. The choice is yours. The regional menu changes as you travel along, so you can savor the flavors of each of your destinations.

We found there is true magic in a lot of the small towns and villages along the riverways of Europe. Beautiful split wood houses stacked together in something right out of Hansel and Gretel. Spectacular steep vineyards, amazing historical bridges, and castles around every corner. Each port included at least one complimentary shore excursion and often one at additional cost for some that are more expensive due to entry fees or extended bus rides. An example of those would be the Louvre and wine tasting, or a visit to Versailles, and they are all absolutely fabulous.

Viking's enriching cultural excursions bring history to life, from the grandeur of imperial cities to the tranquility of intimate river ports, creating a wonderfully immersive experience.

You can relax in the comfort of your well-appointed stateroom, designed with great efficiency and yet very comfortable for relaxation after each day's exploration.

With an obvious commitment to exceptional service and attention to detail, a Viking River Cruise will create memories to treasure for a lifetime. With this, we can concur.

Step on board and set sail for a voyage that will make you feel like royalty and expose the extraordinary, and the enchanting at every turn.

Look, while Viking will never be considered one of the cheapest cruise lines, once you factor in the extras they include on the front end (ones you’d have to buy separately from other cruise lines), your total vacation costs may be more similar than you’d think. While river cruising isn't cheap, with all the services added in, it is not as expensive as it seems. Besides, as we have experienced, it is a truly wonderful, stress-free vacation.

Cheers to great travel adventures,

WineWalkabout

winewalkabout_travel

We’ve been so happy with our previous Viking adventures that we are heading off with Viking again this Christmas on their ocean cruise, the Iconic Western Mediterranean from Barcelona to Rome, stopping along the shores of the Mediterranean coast with calls to Spain, Italy, and France’s famed Riviera, as well as Tuscany.

Look to book yours here- VIKING CRUISES