River Cruises - Europe Cruise Reviews

I felt that Viking was very expensive for what was included. The included excursions were fine but there were so many optional excursions, that, if you wished to go on them, it would double your trip cost. Having them make the airline reservations was horrible. There first try included 3 stop overs and a 20 hour trip. After paying $100 per person extra, we were able to cut the stopovers down to 1 making it a 12 hour trip. Very poor airline department!

All in all, this was a great trip. It makes me excited for my next Viking cruise (already booked) to Egypt in 2019.

The overall experience was wonderful. The cabin was smaller than expected, but comfortable. The ship's staff couldn't have been more friendly and helpful. The food was excellent.

We had a great time. The excursions were wonderful.

A lovely cruise along the Seine with great ports of call and wonderful excursions. The scenery was spectacular, and the included and optional tours were all very nice. We especially enjoyed our tours at Normandy Beaches, Honfleur and the Monet Foundation. Our on-board experience was top-notch— great, friendly service and great food & beverage.

The trip was great, one of the best of our lives. From the time we landed in Budapest through our departure from Amsterdam, everything was first class! Food was varied - local fare and standard American food - and was delicious. The various staff, whether dining, housekeeping, front desk, trips guides, etc., were first class! The ports were individual and provided, to this passenger, a panoramic and personal presentation of that city’s culture and peoples. WWII highlighted many of the talks and walks. I felt that this was important as most of our guides were too young to remember the. Many of them did remember their city’s recovery. Our program director, Marek, was the best! He always was “on” when he met passengers on or off the ship. His personality and warmth made everything, including ship transfer, work out for everyone. DON’T EVER LET HIM GO! Cheers also go out to Hristian, our room attendant. Always cheerful and ALWAYS wanting to please. Traveling with friends provided sharing time. I kept a journal, as I do for all our trips, and shared our adventures with family and friends at home. My only problem was during the second week of the trip. Because of the many low bridges, Internet reception was not good. I am sure that will change with techonology. Again, BEST TRIP OF OUR LIVES! Craig and Carolyn Thomson

Overall the cruise was very enjoyable. Disappointed that we had to change ships due to low river levels. I realize this is not something that Viking can control however the long bus ride from 1 ship to another was difficult. All of the excursions were very good.

Great way to visit with friends who meet us on these cruises and get the full benefit of each port with the included tours and evening talks about the ports. Not only are these so enjoyable but educational.

It was a great trip - will probably do one again. We had great weather. The day trips were good. Plenty of other options. Good staff. The bartenders were really great - Daniel and Zsolt - very effient and friendly.

Daniel, program director, was excellent - went beyond his way to accommodate the guests. Knowledgeable, approachable and professional. Wait staff was excellent (especially Balasz on the Viking Thor). Unfortunately, the Danube water level created adjustments in our itinerary which was disappointing but Viking did an excellent job in following the itinerary as close as possible with only one unplanned bus trip.

For the price they charge it did not meet our expectations. Biggest disappointment was the hotel we were given in Budapest...a very sub standard property Art'otel??? WHY? How did they decide who to put up at a fairly decent hotel like Sofitel(100 passengers got this) and the rest 50 of us at this TERRIBLE one? Do they realise that we have been charged $1300 for the night at this hotel which we priced at max. $150? Are they clueless as to whether we are so stupid as to not realise this This started the whole cruise on a very bitter note. We were celebrating our 50th anniversary We realise some things happen which cannot be controlled. Have travelled the world enough to know this. But WE WILL NEVER EVER DO AMA AGAIN nor will we recommend this to anyone For the sake of GOODWILL they had better be coming back to us with the explanation and a partial refund/adjustment for the terrible experience Wines were not being freely served at meals as they advertise. We struggled to get more than a glass each and after 2 days JUST GAVE UP!!!

Viking River Cruises has spent the entire summer lying to their customers about the Danube River levels. We spent more time on the bus than we did on the boat. We bussed to Vienna not cruised. We had to change boats midway on the destination. I had asked 3 weeks prior and I was offered a cancelation but not a refund. Avoid using VIking as they're totally unscrupulous as you can read on many other reviews! And if you're Vegetarian totally stay away from this line!

All ports were excellent and the tours were perfect for experiencing each locale. Despite the low water levels on the Danube which prevented us from sailing from Vienna to Budapest, Viking provided us with bus trips and shuttle buses that turned the problem into a GREAT time. Just remember to bring comfortable walking shoes - there is so much to see.

Disappointed we did not get to travel the waters. The staff and food were excellent as well as housekeeping.

Very disappointing!!!! - While we know Viking can not control the water levels of the river, they could have notified us and offered to let us re-schedule at a later date. The river level has been a problem all summer. We spent a lot of money and only got one day on the river. Basically had a bus tour that was not enjoyable.

Due to low water level, we ended up in motor coaches, 3 different ships, having to pack and unpack. Viking's air reservation had our arrival basically enough time to get to the ship and too tired to leave the ship to enjoy Budapest port and 11am air departure did not enable a visit the last port, amsterdam. The optional tours were more expensive than the larger ocean cruises. The best part of all the changes was staying at the Sheraton at the amsterdam airport.

The Viking experience is rather slow and not for those looking for even a lot of active walking. The lack of providing times, months in advance of departure, for entering and leaving each port make it impossible to plan your own shore excursions. Viking's Included shore excursions are very light and not informative. They are drive-by/walk-by tours never going inside of anywhere to do something in depth. The QuietVox technology for the tours, however, was outstanding and should be adapted by every cruise company. Overall the guides are not very good. They try to be comedians but aren't funny. Several guides told us over and over again that they didn't want to tell us too much information so that we wouldn't be confused; consequently we didn't get much information. The paid for tour of Schonbrunn Palace (Vienna) is rushed leaving you no time in the very complex, high baroque style rooms to observe the detail, and then hardly any time to look at the gardens or anything else. It's better to go on your own, get the audioguide and take your time; and the cost is a fraction. It's easy enough to do. Also, Vienna should be a 2 day stop as there is so much to do there. The wine tasting tour to Morwald Winery, on the other hand, is very worth the money and terrific fun. The Passau organ concert was a nice touch. It would have been nice for Viking to have provided lists of other concerts and things to do on your own if you wished to pursue them. The slow pace and the light information might be great for some but not for us. I have to say that every other guest on the cruise with whom we spoke was not going to take another Viking cruise because of these 2 aforementioned reasons. However, the greatest flaw was Viking's lack of honesty about what really happened at the end of the cruise, not announcing the loss of air conditioning, not apologizing for it and not explaining anything.

Beautiful Ship. Excellent and flawless organization. Very beautiful itinerary . Would recommend Uniworld to Everyone !!!

Viking takes care of the details so you can relax and enjoy the scenery and be in vacation mode.

This was our first cruise and Viking lived up to its hype. The ship, the crew, and the meals were totally first rate.