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What Is The Best Viking River Cruise In Europe

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Viking All Inclusive Cruising

Viking European River Cruises – 6 Key Must-Knows Before You Go

Your cruise includes:

  • Exceptional Accommodations aboard the newest, most deluxe river cruise fleet.
  • Enjoy your choice of staterooms, including Suites, Junior Suites and staterooms with verandas and French balconies Attentive Service from their award-wining, English-speaking staff, plus the personalized assistance of your onboard Viking Concierge – so you’re well taken care of.
  • Enlightening Daily Shore Excursions, led by friendly, knowledgeable local guides utilizing a high-tech audio headset system – so you never miss a word. Engaging Cultural Enrichment with informative talks, performances, hands-on cooking and craft demonstrations, and much more.
  • All Onboard Meals created by their Swiss-trained chefs, featuring fresh ingredients and regional specialty options, served in a variety of settings including the most al fresco dining available on the rivers.
  • Complimentary Wine, Beer, & Soft Drinks with onboard dinner and lunch service bottled water and complimentary cappuccino, coffee and tea at our 24-hour beverage bar
  • Complimentary Internet Service throughout their ships In-Room Infotainment Systems featuring movies on demand, plus CNBC, CNN, National Geographic and more
  • Deluxe Hotels for overnight stays during their pre and post packages, and land portions of their cruise tour itineraries.

Day Seven: Regensburg Bavaria Germany

This was one of those years in central Europe when the rain seems to never stop. Germany and France had seen flooding at the end of summer and rivers were swollen and overflowing their banks. As we made our way up the Danube, I started to watch the waters edge. I knew from past river cruises, if I saw tree trunks submerged and debris quickly flowing past us, it meant trouble.

With high water, river ships cannot fit under the dozens of ancient bridges. Locks get stuck. But Viking Lif made its way to Straubing and by 2:00pm, we boarded the motor coach for the short ride to beautiful medieval Regensburg.

I was so glad Regensburg was included on this Viking Grand European Tour. Its among my favorite places in Europe. This is the oldest city on the Danube and dates back to the year 179.

While the Dom St. Peter Gothic Cathedral is one of the grandest in all Bavaria and worth a visit, I always head to the Alte Würstküche, meaning, Old Sausage Kitchen, its the oldest restaurant in Germany.

The restaurant is usually packed with tourists throughout the summer but this rainy October day, I had no problem getting my own indoor table. Once youve finished your beer and extras, take a walk across the Old Stone Bridge. Built between 1135 and 1146, it was the bridge used by the knights on the second and third Crusades to the Holy Land.

Learn How To Use The Shower Controls

Jerry is always ripping on my relationship with bathtubs and showers! But hes right. Shower heads, faucets, valves, handles, and I do not get along. For some reason, they confuse me, and I rarely get the temperature or pressure right the first time in a new shower. That is why I love the shower controls on Viking longships! Simply put: The left handle controls the temperature. Set it and forget it. The right handle controls water pressure. Adjust as needed.

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S To Choosing The Perfect Viking River Cruise

What cruise itinerary offers the best value for the money? What month is the best to go? How do you pack for a river cruise? Which Europan river is best for a first-time cruiser? There are so many questions when you begin researching your first river cruise in Europe.

90% of first-time river cruisers select a Europe river cruise as the perfect introduction to the world of river cruising.

Danube Waltz Viking River Cruise

Best Cruises for 2015

Danube Waltz cruise is a favorite for many cruisers. Its the perfect combination of luxury and adventure, with plenty to see from Budapest to Passau.

The Danube Waltz has been there for many years and offers guests an opportunity to experience some of Europes most beautiful cities.

Moreover, guests enjoy fine dining, award-winning wines, and exceptional service aboard one of the ships.

This is a seven-night itinerary on the Viking Embla. The Embla is a welcoming and bright ship that takes you through the heartland of Central Europe.

Besides, the ship has large windows, balconies, comfortable seating areas, and lots of space to move around.

Thus, it is an excellent choice if you want to explore more than just your destination city.

While on the deck, guests see panoramic views of the river valley below and the surrounding countryside.

The size capacity of this ship is 190 passengers, which means no crowding or feeling like there are too many people around you.

The first stop is Vienna, where you have the option of exploring the capital on foot or taking public transportation.

Youll be able to visit Schonbrunn Palace, St. Stephen Cathedral, Belvedere Castle and much more.

The cruise dates vary so you must keep visiting the site to see changes and new bookings.

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The Most Popular Viking River Cruise: Grand European Tour

Have you dreamed of traveling through the heart of Europe? Your dream can become a reality with the Grand European Tour, the most popular river cruise offered by Viking Cruises. The 15-day voyage gives you highlights of the Danube, Main and Rhine Rivers.

Imagine seeing Hollands windmills and tulip fields, fairy-tale castles in Germany, the picturesque vineyards of Austrias Wachau Valley, and panoramic views of imperial Budapest.

Hear and appreciate the genius of Mozart.

Close your eyes and picture yourself savoring a decadent Sachertorte in a Viennese café.

Its easy to see why the Grand European Tour is their most popular river cruise. Read on to learn more about it.

Who Would Enjoy A River Cruise

River cruises are great for everyone, especially those desiring a more relaxed and intimate form of travel. Individuals who’ve never stepped foot on a ship before will enjoy the relative ease of a river-bound trip with little chance of seasickness. Furthermore, with a focus on cultural exploration of locations, river cruises are perfect for those with a curiosity about art and history, or a general interest in travel. Every river is unique and each tells a different storynot only of the countries through which it flows, but also of its locks, canals, scenery and bridges. Ready to set sail? Start by browsing our selection of river cruises now!

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Order Eggs Benedict And Muesli For Breakfast

I gained over five pounds on our last Viking cruise due to Chef Axels bountiful cuisine and my porcine appetite. On our first cruise I discovered Muesli on the breakfast buffet. This amazing cold cereal concoction of oats, granola, nuts, bananas, coconut, cream, and sugar was heaven in my mouth. I ate it almost every day. I discovered Eggs Benedict on the breakfast menu at the beginning of our second cruise and ordered this also quite heavenly dish most mornings.

Adventures By Disney River Cruise

Explore Europe with Viking River Cruises

Typical starting price: $4,599 for 7 days

Where they sail: Danube, Rhine, Seine

Duration: 8 days

Specialty cruises: Danube Christmas markets, Oktoberfest, Rhine food and wine, Seine National Geographic photography

Amenities : High-speed Wi-Fi, gym, sun-deck, walking track, bikes for shore use, pool or whirlpool, fitness classes, salon, massage

Inclusions: All meals, unlimited beverages , daily excursions, all gratuities onboard and at restaurants, daily cocktail hour, select meals off the ship during excursions, onboard entertainment

Pros: Adventures by Disney guides add a wonderful touch to each journey with storytelling, educational information, and goes above and beyond to ensure every guest has a great time.

Cons: The ships aren’t “Imagineered.” In other words, if you are used to the added magic that occurs on a Disney Cruise Line, you won’t find that here.

Adventures by Disney, the guided, family vacation arm of the Walt Disney Company, offers unique journeys sprinkled with signature Disney magic. Each day, you’ll receive an enamel pin reflecting the day’s adventure such as Mickey dressed as Mozart or Donald cooking goulash.

The Adventures by Disney river cruises are designed for families, and their itineraries, both onboard and onshore, have something for every age group. Kids love the Junior Adventurer dinners or Disney movie nights, and there is also a Just Teens program with dinners and separate tour groups at various destinations.

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Viking River Cruise Provides Awesome Service

One night, I had so much work to do on my laptop, that I decided to skip dinner. Did they notice? Well, yes, of course, they did! Soon I had a phone call from them wanting to know if I would like dinner in my room!?! Now I know this doesnt happen every night, but they sure do try to take care of you! And I can tell you from talking to other cruisers who have been on other Viking River Cruises, all of the staff eventually figure out who you are and take good care of each of their guests. They do notice if you are not at dinner!

They even encourage you to bring local wines onboard and they will uncork and serve with no corkage fees. I also heard an incident of someone that was sick and they also got room service. Im just saying that they try to keep tabs on you and try to make sure you are happy on board their ship. However, I did want to mention that there is NO official room service.

One last mention about the room, the maids were also very attentive and left more than enough towels, bath products, and extra water bottles in my room whenever I needed it, so you feel like the supply is never-ending instead of skimping . I love this as a smart luxury traveler. They frequently left fruit and other goodies in my room for snacking.

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Reach Out To The Viking Customer Service Team

If you need more information, reach out to the Viking Customer Service team. They are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the details of the cruises and can help guide you through your final choices.

When my husband and I were in the process of booking our cruise, we were debating between four cruises. It was an email with someone from the customer service team that helped us make our final decision.

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Viking River Cruise Review: Excursions

Viking ships sail several different itineraries, so excursions will change. The constant among shore excursions for Viking River Cruises: Each port of call features several shore excursions that are included in the cruise price. All of the tours are led by experienced local guides who reside in the towns they tour. The walking tours demonstrate the tour guides first-person, intimate knowledge of local towns and give cruisers unique and immersive experiences.

In addition, Viking cruises offers specialized shore excursions and tours at added costs. These special experiences, such as wine tours and tastings, day-long trips that include a gourmet lunch, or special cruise experiences like concerts.

TravelingMom Tip: Book shore excursions online as early as possible. You can use your credit card online. Most shore excursions are limited in capacity. These optional tours are very popular and can sell out quickly. People who regularly sail river ships know this secret to book early.

What Are The Best River Cruises For Families With Kids

Viking River Cruises, Europe

Adventures by Disney is the best option for families since they curate their onboard and onshore activities with kids and teens in mind. Uniworld is also a good choice with an array of added perks for kids of all ages.

Otherwise, most welcome children but don’t offer extra programming for them, and Viking doesn’t allow children at all.

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Viking River Cruise Review: The Itinerary

Our 7-night cruise started in Passau before heading to Linz, Austria. The next day we enjoyed scenic cruising in the Wachau Valley in Krems, Austria before arriving in lovely Vienna, Austria. Next, we headed to Bratislava in the Slovak Republic, followed by scenic cruising along the Danube Bend. The highlight of the cruise for me was the evening arrival in Budapest, Hungary. The city is ablaze in lights at night and its truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The cruise ends in Budapest.

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Welcome Back Collection Now Includes Select River Itineraries In Portugal France And Along The Rhine

Los Angeles Viking® announced today that it will restart its European river operations in July 2021 with select itineraries in Portugal, France and along the Rhine. Offered exclusively for vaccinated guests as part of Vikings Welcome Back collection, the first five European river itineraries now available in July are among the companys most popular: Rhine Getaway , Portugals River of Gold , Paris & the Heart of Normandy , Lyon & Provence and Frances Finest, a 15-day journey that combines the northern and southern France itineraries in one seamless experience. This announcement comes immediately after the European Union agreed today to reopen its borders to vaccinated Americans and other travelers.

The response to our initial Welcome Back ocean voyages has been overwhelmingly positive. It is clear that many people are eager to get back out into the world, and I would like to thank all of our destination partners for their support as we plan our return to service, said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. We have been delighted to greet our first guests back on board in England this weekand we are looking forward to welcoming travelers back on board some of our European river vessels in July.

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How To Book A River Cruise

Are you thinking about a fun European river cruise? Give us a call at 550-1235 and we can help you sort through the options, discuss potential obstacles, and book a wonderful sailing. When you book with us, the price is never higher than doing it yourself, and many, many times we have special pricing options available that are not widely known to the general public.

If you prefer, you can also use our online information request by .

If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40

Choosing A River Cruise

Viking River Cruising in Europe

River cruise boats are restricted to a certain size to accommodate narrow water passages. Stateroom dimensions will be similar from line to line, and onboard amenities are scarce. For these and other reasons, the most critical factor in selecting a river cruise is determining where you want to go.

Lesson

Once you have a destination in mind, its all about the details. From priceless art and luxury interiors to interesting themes to culinary expectations, finding the best river cruise is all about identifying whats most important to you as a traveler.

If climbing stairs are difficult for you or you have a disability, it is essential that you discuss accommodations while onboard and at ports of call with the river cruise company. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply to river cruise ships nor are those regulations followed outside of the U.S.

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Cultural & History Excursions

There are also educational and demonstration classes you can do during the day if you choose to stay on the ship, but they also scheduled them for the afternoons once passengers returned from the daily excursion. Also, I really enjoyed Viking Cruises emphasis on history, culture, and the cuisine of each country that we visited and how they tied in what we were doing on the ship with which country we were in.

Viking River Cruise Secrets For First

Sharing is caring!

For many, a Viking River cruise is the top of a well-curated travel bucket listfor good reason. The destination offerings are unique, the luxurious accommodations inviting, and the on-board service is world-class. Butthere are certain travelers who have never been on a cruise and were hesitant to get on a ship. Guess what?! Not only did I take the cruise, but I loved it! These Viking River Cruise Secrets for first-time cruisers will change you from non-cruiser to cruise lover too!

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Day French Rivers Cruise

Step onboard the luxurious Viking Forseti and set sail to Cadillac, Libourne, Port-de-Blaye, and more. You will encounter incredible scenery and have the opportunity to take part on multiple complimentary activities on this memorable cruise. Prices for an oceanview guestroom start at just $2499 per person.

Sit At Different Tables

2018 Editors

Cruise dining by default requires that you share mealtimes with other travelers. During our most recent cruise, we formed close connections with two other couples early on. We enjoyed getting acquainted with these people, and it would have been comfortable to have shared all of our meals with them. In fact, we did eat breakfast at their table most mornings. If we had not migrated to other tables for lunch and dinner, however, we would have missed out on meeting some incredible people. If you are shy about joining other tables, you are not alone. But if I can learn the protocol, so can you. Repeat after me: May we join you?

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Which European River Cruise Is The Most Scenic

6 of the best European luxury river cruise lines

  • Crystal River Cruises. Crystal took the world of river cruising by storm in 2016 when they blazed into the market, bringing their exacting ocean standards to European river cruising for the first time.
  • Tauck River Cruises.
  • Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.
  • Scenic River Cruises.

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