My latest Viking Rhine River cruise was my first Viking river cruise. The truth is, it was additionally my first European river cruise. My earlier river cruises could be thought of extra unique – The Yangtze and Amazon Rivers don’t precisely examine 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 had 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
Cost Insurance policies and Planning
One essential distinction for vacationers accustomed to mainstream ocean cruises is Viking’s distinctive fee construction. Viking operates on considerably totally different deposit necessities and remaining fee timelines in comparison with conventional cruise strains, so it’s important to evaluation these insurance policies fastidiously when reserving. Given the advance planning required and potential for itinerary adjustments on account of river situations, complete journey insurance coverage is strongly beneficial 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 essential 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, gentle drinks, and bottled water
What’s Not Included
A number of facilities generally discovered on ocean cruises should not accessible on Viking’s river vessels:
- Room service
- Health services, spa companies, or swimming swimming pools
- On line casino or intensive leisure venues
- Alcoholic drinks past the included wine and beer at meals
For friends preferring premium spirits and cocktails, Viking provides the Silver Spirits beverage bundle, 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 friends throughout simply 4 passenger decks, creating an intimate ambiance that encourages mingling and personalised service. The scale ensures they will navigate Europe’s historic river locks and low bridges.
A Pre-Cruise Keep in Switzerland
Since we had been touring all the best way to Europe, we determined to go a couple of days early and discover castles in Switzerland. Armed with a Swiss Journey Cross, we had been in a position to journey by way of prepare, bus, and boat with out worrying about shopping for particular person tickets. With the Swiss Journey Cross, we additionally acquired free admission to most of the castles we visited and lowered admission to different sights.
We discovered the convenience of journey to be very handy for us. The Swiss trains had been very environment friendly and well timed.
Arriving pretty early in Basel, we hopped on a prepare 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 prepare station, we dumped our luggage and located the bus to the primary fort. We explored and headed to the following fort however after we had been completed, we observed that the bus to the third fort wouldn’t arrive for an hour, so we simply walked again to city as a substitute. As soon as located in our lodge, my husband really determined to stroll again to the third fort.
The following day, we explored a few of Interlaken, which identical to our city is between two lakes. We then visited a number of castles on the best way to our subsequent vacation spot, Lausanne. Earlier than lastly catching a prepare again to Basel to board Viking Idun, we stopped at Chillon Citadel, set on Lake Geneva, which was positively definitely worth the early morning wake-up name.
We had 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 ought to be famous that Viking does provide pre- and post-cruise excursions. Nevertheless, we had our personal agenda that didn’t make group journey an choice for us.
Boarding the Viking Idun
Thankfully, Viking Idun didn’t depart till 7 pm. However we discovered early that flexibility is important. Similar to on expedition cruises, ports can range given all the things relies on the river situations and climate. Viking was so good at conserving 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 doable. We had been met on the boarding spot by a number of crew members who grabbed our baggage, took us to our stateroom, and advised us the place we might seize lunch. We did simply that after which joined our included tour of Basel. Given our pre-cruise fort explorations, the one a part of Basel that we had seen was the stretch from the airport (in France) to the prepare station.
Following our tour, we loved our first dinner in The Restaurant. By this time, the darkness overtook the river, however we might see the lights of one other Viking longship forward. We felt fortunate that we had arrived a couple of 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 a couple of moments to go searching extra totally. At 205 sq. ft, it appeared spacious in comparison with the dimensions of most of the lodge rooms that we stayed in whereas in Europe. Clear and effectively laid out, the cabin suited our wants.
We loved the balcony a couple of instances after we weren’t tied as much as one other Viking vessel. Though we knew that river ships rafted up, we hadn’t considered how awkward it could 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 all the things. We did solely have carry-on although as a result of we used the trains and coping with giant luggage on trains didn’t attraction to us.
The small lavatory 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 had been absent on one aspect 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 laborious to explain the eating expertise throughout the fleet particularly when cooks come and go, however our fantastic chef by no means failed us together with his menu. On Viking Idun, there are two major eating areas, The Restaurant and the Aquavit Terrace. The Restaurant resembles a typical major 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 can be within the adjoining Aquavit Terrace. We didnt’ notice till a couple of days into our cruise how common this optionally available 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 had been sure different dishes that by no means modified all through the cruise. The chef ready all the things 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 tough to determine what to attempt. The identical might be mentioned 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 selection of cookies and a wide range of teas, espresso, and scorching chocolate. This proved common 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 Providers together with a boutique carrying Viking-branded merchandise, together with The Restaurant.
The third degree provides friends 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 house spanning the ship’s full size, full with seating for scenic crusing. Extra highlights embody an herb backyard and a promenade observe the place friends can take a stroll since there isn’t a onboard health club.
The itinerary on Viking Idun typically included alternatives for 2 shore excursions per day or free time for impartial exploration of the ports. By some means although, the exercise director left no free time empty. There have been video games and trivia, every day port talks, and reside music within the evenings.
Studying in regards to 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.
Day by day, we listened to the piano participant throughout cocktail hour and once more after dinner. On a couple of days, we loved performances by particular friends 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 methods to make it; combine the particular espresso with Asbach Uralt brandy, darkish chocolate and high it with whipped cream. An ideal finish after a protracted 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 best way, one thing that drew feedback from among 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 find out about Cuckoo clocks, blown glass, and Black Forest cake, considered one of 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 most effective half concerned the cake. We loved the demonstration, however truthfully anticipated a pattern style of the completed product. Who wouldn’t need a style of a dessert with 5 cups of heavy whipped cream, chocolate, cherries, and cherry liqueur? Slices of the cake had been accessible 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 form of flatbread pizza known as Tarte Flambée might be discovered right here and requested the place we would discover some. We loved our free time after the guided tour and strolled to town gates, alongside the river making our solution to the beneficial 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 had been docked shut sufficient to the city that we might stroll. On this present day, Idun then sailed forward to satisfy 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 advised to look at for pretzel distributors, since Speyer was the birthplace of the pretzel. Though we solely noticed a couple of pretzel photos, we did discover that the a number of gelato shops had been value it.
After our impartial discovery of Speyer, we returned to the church to go to the optionally available vault of this grand cathedral. Seeing a bunch of sarcophagi felt unusual and since most had 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, most of the different friends booked a bunch dinner on the town – one of many non-included choices. So, we headed to the Aquavit Terrace and located that among the ordinary suspects had been absent as that they had gone ashore.
After participating in one more nice meal, we left to discover Rudesheim ourselves. Rudesheim didn’t look like a busy city, like many locations we had visited, outlets closed very early – or comparatively early for Individuals.
We noticed a fort tower, discovered a path close to the impressively busy prepare tracks and returned again to Idun for a restful night.
Talking of Idun, Idun is a goddess in Norse mythology. She is chargeable 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 provides 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 either side of the Rhine most of which had been on the port aspect. 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 had been seeing that matched with kilometer markers posted all alongside the Rhine. As well as, our pleasant Cruise Director offered commentary concerning historical past and trivia in regards to the castles and cathedrals as we handed.
Right this moment, I had signed up for an optionally available 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 friends.
This tour appeared fairly common, however actually not as thrilling as what my husband did. He had opted for a difficult tour of a fort.
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 highway as much as the fort. Some individuals made it solely a part of the best way 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 had been nearing the previous couple of days.
Cologne, well-known for its grand cathedral, can also be the place the Eau de Cologne appeared in 1709.
Once more the rain appeared, however we luckily had 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 fashion, and town appeared to take a sure satisfaction in its beer. Pointing to a Bavarian beer corridor, our information jokingly advised us to keep away from it -it was Bavarian-style beer!
Alongside the best way, 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, conserving 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 Website. Our information even wore genuine Dutch picket footwear, lovingly painted by his spouse.
He shared tales of life on this neighborhood – some individuals do reside in these windmills. The village regarded remarkably like a Van Gogh portray.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Leaving our house for the previous week triggered blended emotions. We now needed to deal with ourselves. Then again, 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 good for us, and the character of the river cruise was calming. The superb employees and crew made our cruise memorable. The truth is, our Viking Rhine River cruise has impressed us to return and discover one other river.
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