I Took My First Viking River Cruise: Here’s What It Was Like

My current Viking Rhine River cruise was my first Viking river cruise. In actual fact, it was additionally my first European river cruise. My earlier river cruises may be thought-about extra unique – The Yangtze and Amazon Rivers don’t precisely evaluate to a European river cruise. My different river cruise historical past features a barge cruise with the now defunct River Barge Cruise Firm on the Mississippi and a brief cruise from Pittsburgh to Marietta, Ohio, on a paddle wheeler with lodging off the boat.

The a number of riverboats lining the banks once I visited Amsterdam and Rotterdam, which have been ports on my ocean cruises, piqued my curiosity in studying extra about European river cruising. And I used to be desperate to see how a Viking river cruise in comparison with my earlier experiences. So, onward to Basel we went!

Viking River Cruise Issues

Fee Insurance policies and Planning

One essential distinction for vacationers accustomed to mainstream ocean cruises is Viking’s distinctive cost construction. Viking operates on considerably totally different deposit necessities and closing cost timelines in comparison with conventional cruise traces, so it’s important to overview these insurance policies rigorously when reserving. Given the advance planning required and potential for itinerary adjustments as a consequence of river circumstances, complete journey insurance coverage is strongly really helpful for any Viking river cruise.

Viking excels at visitor communication all through the planning course of. From the second you ebook, they supply well timed updates about shore tour choice deadlines, packing suggestions, and switch logistics. We appreciated this consideration to pre-cruise particulars because it helps guarantee a clean embarkation expertise.

What’s Included in Your Fare

Understanding Viking’s inclusive pricing mannequin is necessary for budgeting functions. Your river cruise fare covers:

All onboard meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Complimentary beer and wine served with lunch and dinner
One guided shore tour per port of name
Complimentary WiFi all through the vessel
Specialty drinks together with premium espresso, tea, smooth drinks, and bottled water

What’s Not Included

A number of facilities generally discovered on ocean cruises aren’t obtainable on Viking’s river vessels:

Room service
Health amenities, spa companies, or swimming swimming pools
On line casino or intensive leisure venues
Alcoholic drinks past the included wine and beer at meals

For visitors preferring premium spirits and cocktails, Viking provides the Silver Spirits beverage package deal, which gives entry to a wider choice of wines, cocktails, and top-shelf liquors all through the cruise.

Ship Specs

Viking’s European longships, together with the Idun, are purpose-built for river navigation. These vessels accommodate roughly 190 visitors throughout simply 4 passenger decks, creating an intimate ambiance that encourages mingling and customized service. The dimensions ensures they’ll navigate Europe’s historic river locks and low bridges.

A Pre-Cruise Keep in Switzerland

Since we have been touring all the way in which to Europe, we determined to go just a few days early and discover castles in Switzerland. Armed with a Swiss Journey Move, we have been in a position to journey by way of practice, bus, and boat with out worrying about shopping for particular person tickets. With the Swiss Journey Move, we additionally received free admission to lots of the castles we visited and decreased admission to different sights.

We discovered the convenience of journey to be very handy for us. The Swiss trains have been very environment friendly and well timed.

Arriving pretty early in Basel, we hopped on a practice and ventured to Bellinzona, which has three castles listed on the UNESCO world heritage record. Regardless of our jet lag and our early arrival to our lodging proper throughout from the practice station, we dumped our baggage and located the bus to the primary fortress. We explored and headed to the following fortress however after we have been completed, we observed that the bus to the third fortress wouldn’t arrive for an hour, so we simply walked again to city as an alternative. As soon as located in our resort, my husband truly determined to stroll again to the third fortress.

The following day, we explored a few of Interlaken, which similar to our city is between two lakes. We then visited a number of castles on the way in which to our subsequent vacation spot, Lausanne. Earlier than lastly catching a practice again to Basel to board Viking Idun, we stopped at Chillon Citadel, set on Lake Geneva, which was positively well worth the early morning wake-up name.

We have been glad that we had flown in earlier and admit it was a whirlwind tour, however life is brief and we frequently journey this fashion. FOMO is powerful for us. It needs to be famous that Viking does supply pre- and post-cruise excursions. Nonetheless, we had our personal agenda that didn’t make group journey an possibility for us.

Boarding the Viking Idun

Fortuitously, Viking Idun didn’t depart till 7 pm. However we discovered early that flexibility is crucial. Similar to on expedition cruises, ports can differ given every part depends on the river circumstances and climate. Viking was so good at preserving us abreast of the departure time and the boarding port because it did change from what was first indicated.

Armed with the brand new particulars, we determined to board as early as attainable. We have been met on the boarding spot by a number of crew members who grabbed our baggage, took us to our stateroom, and instructed us the place we may seize lunch. We did simply that after which joined our included tour of Basel. Given our pre-cruise fortress explorations, the one a part of Basel that we had seen was the stretch from the airport (in France) to the practice station.

Following our tour, we loved our first dinner in The Restaurant. By this time, the darkness overtook the river, however we may see the lights of one other Viking longship forward. We felt fortunate that we had arrived just a few days early, eliminating most results of jet lag from our first day of cruising.

Our Viking River Cruise Stateroom

After we returned to our Veranda stateroom, #315, we lastly had just a few moments to go searching extra totally. At 205 sq. toes, it appeared spacious in comparison with the scale of lots of the resort rooms that we stayed in whereas in Europe. Clear and effectively laid out, the cabin suited our wants.

We loved the balcony just a few instances once we weren’t tied as much as one other Viking vessel. Though we knew that river ships rafted up, we hadn’t thought of how awkward it may be. Even so, we didn’t fear a lot as we not often stayed in our room.

Lighting within the room was good, and we had loads of cupboard space for every part. We did solely have carry-on although as a result of we used the trains and coping with massive baggage on trains didn’t enchantment to us.

The small toilet with heated flooring labored completely for us. Although, we by no means took benefit of the nice and cozy flooring as we loved very nice climate all through our voyage.

We did satisfaction ourselves on packing an additional lengthy USB cable, which ended up being very helpful, as ports have been absent on one facet of the mattress. We did discover loads of electrical shops for our wants and had additionally carried a few 220 plug adapters for additional energy shops.

Eating on Our Viking Rhine River Cruise

It’s so onerous to explain the eating expertise throughout the fleet particularly when cooks come and go, however our great chef by no means failed us together with his menu. On Viking Idun, there are two important eating areas, The Restaurant and the Aquavit Terrace. The Restaurant resembles a typical important eating room, whereas the Aquavit Terrace is a extra informal setup with al fresco seating.

Moreover, the Aquavit Lounge transforms right into a lunch and dinner spot with a restricted variety of tables to enhance the few tables which might be within the adjoining Aquavit Terrace. We didnt’ understand till just a few days into our cruise how in style this non-compulsory eating space is. On additional visits, we realized that chair hogs exist even on vessels with out a pool.

In fact, fish was all the time on the menu, as have been sure different dishes that by no means modified all through the cruise. The chef ready every part á la minute, so meals served on the correct temperature and with the correct spices improves any eating expertise.

Breakfast consisted of a buffet with some made to order meals, like omelettes. Lunch had sufficient choices to make it troublesome to determine what to attempt. The identical may very well be stated for dinner. We even had a buffet unfold one night that includes native German specialties.

At lunch and dinner, complimentary choices of wine and beer are served.

Between meals, we frequently went to the drink station the place we all the time discovered a alternative of cookies and a wide range of teas, espresso, and scorching chocolate. This proved in style all through the cruise since there isn’t a meals service outdoors of the designated eating instances.

Onboard Facilities and Actions

In contrast to expansive ocean vessels, the intimate Idun options simply 4 passenger ranges with a thoughtfully curated choice of facilities. The second deck homes Visitor Companies together with a boutique carrying Viking-branded merchandise, together with The Restaurant.

The third stage provides visitors a small library stocked with studying supplies and board video games. This deck’s centerpiece is the Lounge, which serves as the first gathering spot for drinks and night leisure.

The uppermost deck gives an open-air area spanning the ship’s full size, full with seating for scenic crusing. Extra highlights embrace an herb backyard and a promenade monitor the place visitors can take a stroll since there isn’t a onboard gymnasium.

The itinerary on Viking Idun typically included alternatives for 2 shore excursions per day or free time for impartial exploration of the ports. One way or the other although, the exercise director left no free time empty. There have been video games and trivia, day by day port talks, and dwell music within the evenings.

Studying concerning the fashionable Germans and Germany, from a German with a dry wit, wanted no rationalization. He engaged us all through. When his presentation time was up, we bombarded him with questions.

Every day, we listened to the piano participant throughout cocktail hour and once more after dinner. On just a few days, we loved performances by particular visitors which included a Pop duo and likewise a chamber orchestra.

When in Rudesheim- making an attempt the native espresso is a should. Even higher, the employees delighted us with a pattern cup. They demonstrated the right way to make it; combine the particular espresso with Asbach Uralt brandy, darkish chocolate and high it with whipped cream. An ideal finish after an extended day of cruising the Rhine.

The Rhine Getaway Itinerary

Our Viking Idun river cruise began in Basel and led to Amsterdam, the place the vessel turns round and heads again to Basel. We handed a wide range of riverscapes, some pure and others artifical. The Rhine is a working river, so we did see industrial areas alongside the way in which, one thing that drew feedback from a few of the passengers.

Breisach, Germany

At this port, we opted for the included tour and hopped on a bus to succeed in the Black Forest.

I anticipated one thing fairly totally different, however did study Cuckoo clocks, blown glass, and Black Forest cake, one in all my favorites.

All of this takes place in a small touristy space. Though we did benefit from the cuckoo clock demonstration and the life-size cuckoo clock, the very best half concerned the cake. We loved the demonstration, however actually anticipated a pattern style of the completed product. Who wouldn’t desire a style of a dessert with 5 cups of heavy whipped cream, chocolate, cherries, and cherry liqueur? Slices of the cake have been obtainable on the market with a beverage. At the very least, I did obtain the recipe to attempt at house.

Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg all the time calls to me. Its timber body buildings, a number of canals, and cobblestone streets outline this French city with a German affect. Our tour in the present day was the included tour, which gave a pleasant overview of Strasbourg.

We shuttled to and from Strasbourg by bus. Our competent information shared the historical past of Strasbourg. We knew that an fascinating sort of flatbread pizza known as Tarte Flambée may very well be discovered right here and requested the place we would discover some. We loved our free time after the guided tour and strolled to the town gates, alongside the river making our solution to the really helpful restaurant.

Seeing no foreigners there, we took a seat outdoors and awaited our Strasbourg particular. It wasn’t simply the pizza, however the next apple tart that accomplished the meal. Each fairly scrumptious and price in search of out Mama Bubbele. After our native lunch, we headed to the bus to return to Idun.

Speyer, Germany

Our information together with his pink lollipop signal met us as we left the ship. For the primary time, we have been docked shut sufficient to the city that we may stroll. On this present day, Idun then sailed forward to fulfill us on the subsequent port the place we’d arrive by bus.

Speyer boasts an enormous cathedral. This cathedral was the main focus of the tour, with free time afterwards to discover the city, which was a fairly nice shock. We had been instructed to look at for pretzel distributors, since Speyer was the birthplace of the pretzel. Though we solely noticed just a few pretzel photographs, we did discover that the a number of gelato shops have been value it.

After our impartial discovery of Speyer, we returned to the church to go to the non-compulsory vault of this grand cathedral. Seeing a bunch of sarcophagi felt unusual and since most have been alike, I wasn’t positive if it was value the additional euros. We left the cathedral and located our designated ready spot from which our information led us to a bus, which took us to the small city of Rudesheim, the place we reboarded Idun.

Fortunate for us, lots of the different visitors booked a gaggle dinner on the town – one of many non-included choices. So, we headed to the Aquavit Terrace and located that a few of the ordinary suspects have been absent as that they had gone ashore.

After participating in one more nice meal, we left to discover Rudesheim ourselves. Rudesheim didn’t seem like a busy city, like many locations we had visited, outlets closed very early – or comparatively early for People.

We noticed a fortress tower, discovered a path close to the impressively busy practice tracks and returned again to Idun for a restful night.

Talking of Idun, Idun is a goddess in Norse mythology. She is accountable for the magic apples of immortality. She is also related to youth and rejuvenation, one thing that cruising down the River with Viking on her namesake vessel offers a way of.

Rhine River Cruising and Koblenz, Germany

We now floated alongside essentially the most scenic space of the center Rhine. We headed as much as the Solar Deck, which on this cruise ought to have been known as the Wind Deck. It’s true we had a balcony, however castles and cathedrals skirt each side of the Rhine most of which have been on the port facet. I grabbed a chair and made a windbreak with a blanket. My husband doesn’t sit nonetheless, so he moved across the deck capturing the castles.

Viking gives a brochure of the entire websites we have been seeing that matched with kilometer markers posted all alongside the Rhine. As well as, our pleasant Cruise Director offered commentary referring to historical past and trivia concerning the castles and cathedrals as we handed.

At present, I had signed up for an non-compulsory shore tour rated reasonable. I’d be with out my husband, so I grabbed my cane to assist with navigation. We first took a gondola over the Rhine to a spot overlooking the river and the countryside.

Our information had met us on the base of the gondola. An actor on the native theater, this gentleman took on the persona of a spy to inform the story of the Fortress Ehrenbreitstein. Sadly, we didn’t tour the within of this fortress.

With storm clouds brewing, I headed again to the gondala with the information whereas some others selected to stay and discover independently. By the point we returned to the underside, the rain was beginning and the gangway awaited its visitors.

This tour appeared fairly in style, however actually not as thrilling as what my husband did. He had opted for a difficult tour of a fortress.

When again from his journey, he relayed that I’d by no means have been in a position to full it. The bus parking was on the backside of a steep winding street as much as the fortress. Some folks made it solely a part of the way in which up the steep slope and returned to the bus. Others who made it to the highest opted to not enterprise inside, which required strolling on very uneven stone paths and carved stairways.

Cologne, Germany

Our cruise appeared to have simply began, however we have been nearing the previous few days.

Cologne, well-known for its grand cathedral, can be the place the Eau de Cologne appeared in 1709.

Once more the rain appeared, however we happily have been inside. As we exited the cathedral, our information identified fascinating spots for us if we wished to discover on our personal.

Loads of historic beer halls dot the road, and several other cruisers loved the brews. The beers are Kölsch model, and the town appeared to take a sure satisfaction in its beer. Pointing to a Bavarian beer corridor, our information jokingly instructed us to keep away from it -it was Bavarian-style beer!

Alongside the way in which, our information directed our consideration to the bottom the place brass plates embedded within the cobblestones memorialized these forcibly faraway from their houses and enterprise. Germans appear to be very cognizant of previous atrocities of the Nazis, preserving reminders just like the plates in order that Germans always remember this time in historical past.

Kinderdijk, Netherlands

Our final full day on the river, we stopped on the village of Kinderdijk, a spot with many windmills from numerous time intervals. A few of them are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Web site. Our information even wore genuine Dutch wood sneakers, lovingly painted by his spouse.

He shared tales of life on this neighborhood – some folks do dwell in these windmills. The village regarded remarkably like a Van Gogh portray.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Leaving our house for the previous week brought about combined emotions. We now needed to maintain ourselves. Alternatively, stopping in Amsterdam led to new adventures and time to discover extra of the Netherlands.

Lastly, after numerous cruises the world over’s oceans and rivers, we accomplished our first European river cruise. Viking offered us with an unforgettable expertise. The slower tempo was excellent for us, and the character of the river cruise was calming. The superb employees and crew made our cruise memorable. In actual fact, our Viking Rhine River cruise has impressed us to return and discover one other river.

Searching for Additonal Viking River Cruise Critiques?

Feedback

Have you ever taken a Viking Rhine River cruise? What do you take pleasure in most about European river cruises? Drop us an anchor beneath to share your current river cruise evaluations.

The submit I Took My First Viking River Cruise: Here’s What It Was Like appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.

Trending Merchandise