River Cruises - Europe Cruise Reviews

On November 10, 2018 we concluded what we consider to be the worse cruise we have ever taken This cruise did not conform to what was sold to us in the Viking advertising and agreement. This was a bus trip with overnight stays at floating hotels, minimal river views, missed excursions due to significant time wasted in bus travel, and blocked views once on board due to Viking’s standard practice of double docking. Only a few days before departure did Viking disclose that our cruise could be impacted by low Danube water levels. However, evidence obtained once on board the Egil, Gullveig, and the Bragi from Viking employees and leaders clearly indicated that Viking leadership knew of adverse river conditions going back at least to July 2018 and never shared this information with us or others. A cruise line that is ethical and committed to business integrity values would have shared such impactful information with booked travelers and offered either to reschedule, or cancel with a full refund of monies paid. Clearly based upon our experience, Viking is NOT an ethical cruise line committed to business integrity values. We do not recommend Viking for ANY cruise, anywhere based upon this experience. Cruise details… 1. Our Danube River cruise was not a cruise experience; rather it was a bus/road trip where substantial vacation time was lost getting from point to point to arrive at the next floating hotel (i.e., VIKING ship Gullveig and then Bragi). Accordingly, many of the planned and promised cruise encounters were missed, including (but not limited) failure to see the Wachau Valley Austria, failure to dock in Pasau Germany proper (although many other similar sized ships were docked there as part of their on-going journey), and failure to cruise into glorious Budapest. In lieu thereof, we were forced into bus travel to move on to meet the next ship. This was not a river cruise by any shape of the imagination. 2. As a result of a late arrival, we could not participate in the rescheduled 4 pm excursion to the Gottweig Abbey as it would now be conducted after dark; we were concerned about safety. As it turned out one of our travelers had a serious fall and was injured due to the dark/unsafe conditions surrounding the exterior of the Abbey. 3. Instead of spending seven nights on the Gullveig as booked and unpacking once, we were on three ships for seven nights with multiple unpackings, repacking’s, and two four-hour bus trips each to meet the next floating hotel. Also, instead of docking in Passau, we docked in the remote village of Staubing and had to travel to Passau by bus for more than 90 minutes with a similar return trip (again more lost vacation time – more stress). Also, more time was wasted waiting on the bus as the Gullveig was late arriving into Vienna. 4. Even with the limited time on board the ships, our French Balcony view was fully obstructed frequently due to VIKING ship double docking where all we could see was another ship flush against our balcony within 12 inches. This created a dismal feeling of being imprisoned and clearly precluded river and shore views. 5. We had clearly communicated to VIKING and again aboard ship that I had dietary restrictions, not withstanding this prior communication staff continued to provide me with normal/undesirable meals. 6. Interviews with staff and employees of all three ships clearly revealed that the river conditions that VIKING sighted as the basis for non-performance were known by VIKING senior leadership at least as far back as July 2018. 7. VIKING knew that they could not provide the cruise experience they promised yet continued to operate in gross disregard to known conditions. VIKING leadership knew that it did not have or was unlikely to secure local governmental authority to pass through needed river locks to continue the journey it had offered to its’ customers. Yet it continued in gross disregard to this prior knowledge. Also, VIKING on board ship senior leadership boasted to passengers in an open meeting that there was no need to worry about “ship swaps” as it had perfected the “famous ship swap process” over many months. Another example demonstrating significant advance prior knowledge of the operational problem, and failure to inform booked passengers early on to afford a cancellation opportunity. 8. Instead of this vacation being a pleasant stress relieving experience, it caused significant stress and was a source of constant anxiety. As noted above, there was a significant gap between what was offered/promised by VIKING and what was provided. Overall this was a bus excursion road trip at best, certainly not a river cruise. It was totally stressful, and fully lacked the relaxing experience one would expect from being on a river cruise. We do NOT recommend Viking to anyone for any cruise based upon this experience and their lack of ethics and business integrity.

We did the pre-cruise stay in Lisbon, but ended up being there too long, despite our hotel (Tivoli Avenida Liberdade) being centrally located and excellent. The ship is wonderful, although our cabin felt cramped. There is a large Lounge though, and a spacious upper deck with Pool. The scenery along the Douro (Duero) is wonderful. The staff on board look after you exceptionally well and you will always have plenty to eat and drink. Occasionally, we found the food to be bland and one day, our table of 8 all had tough, inedible steaks. Otherwise, the food was fine. Breakfast was disappointing, with packaged fruit juice (not squeezed), poor selection of fresh fruit and luke warm cooked breakfast. Eggs Benedict was fantastic, as were the freshly prepared eggs & omelettes. One major plus on this cruise, was that EVERYONE (about 100 guests is max) was warm, friendly and educated. Maybe a different class of people choose this type of cruise. We would highly recommend this cruise (Viking have 3 ships currently on this route).

We had a wonderful relaxing time on the ship. The crew was very relaxed and we enjoyed viewing the locks as well.

Our cruise was 9/24/18 - 10/5/18. We would cruise on the Viking Kadlin again with this exact crew in a heartbeat. We did a combo 3 nights in Paris/Ryder Cup/one week cruise. Every inch of our bodies is thoroughly exhausted and our brains are equally as thoroughly enriched and fulfilled. Do not hesitate to book the Viking Kadlin. You cannot be disappointed!

Very disorganized and unprofessional. Rude Management. Only docked at 2 out of 6 ports. Would never recommend Viking to anyone.

This was my second Viking in one year and I believe for the money HIGHLY OVERRATED. Food was only fair and too many buffets for my liking. Menu very limited and wine nothing special. No change in the wine and they never spoke abouit. Overall just pretty disappointed. I’ve been on many cruises so I do have a lot to compare to. Just not worth the money, but this is my opinion.

My partner and I booked the Viking Cruise for Romantic Danube on the Egil for ,August 4,2018. Two days before we left we were informed that the river was low but no explanation as to what that meant. What it did mean was that instead of a river cruise we got a very overpriced bus tour. We were told that the level of the river is arbitrary but when I checked on the web it looks like this company has been getting complaints since July. The bus trips were not enjoyable and we were not able to enjoy evenings in any of the cities we visited because we had to be back on the bus. The views of the dock were horrid. To top it off, someone on our cruise was injured and she was taken to the hospital. They made her pay for the taxi as well as the hospital. She tripped on the gang planks between ships trying to exit. At the end of our journey we offered a 25% discount on our next cruise. I feel that this is an insulting offer. We did not get what we payed for and Viking made no effort to improve the voyage. At the very least, they could have booked hotel rooms for the guests instead of having us spend our time crammed into a bus. I was very dissatisfied with their revised offer. They offered 30% off the next cruise I am not going to take. The woman I talked with said this was an act of nature and had never happened before. Perhaps, she was not born yet in 2015. Aside from that her demeanor was not conciliatory, in fact she was rude. Also, it looks like I bought trip insurance which was never explained to me but she said because of that, they could do no better. I am sure that if I did not have insurance she would have admonished me for that. I think this company should cancel cruises when they are not able to perform. If it is to late to cancel, they need to treat their guests more like customers and less like cattle.

Although the Garonne near its mouth is not as scenic as some other rivers in Europe, this wine themed cruise was terrific. As usual the staff was wonderful and wine and food were superb. Be prepared to gain weight even after spending the day hunting truffles, climbing through walled towns, gathering oysters out on the bay, or visiting beautiful Bordeaux wineries.

This is a lovely cruise. The ship was beautiful and the food was excellent.

So glad we had to cancel for medical reasons. All 3 flights TO Budapest were delayed. Flight leaving Prague today at 7 am was CANCELLED !

Operational: Our whole itinerary was changed 4 days before leaving, changing from the Rhine to the Moselle. Changes were very poorly communicated, so we headed off "into the unknown" thanks to Crystal. The Moselle was full of water, but because of the hot weather there was a good amount of algae/green water, but not a major issue. The only serious issue was with the first of a three night stop in Trier, when the ship docked (literally) right across from a waste treatment plant, in an industrial area. The next day after some passengers threatened to leave, and many comments to the captain, the ship relocated to a lovely area close to town. Without question we were very thankful that Crystal was able to relocate to the Moselle; in speaking with crew however we got the impression Crystal knew well ahead of when they informed us that this would be the real cruise - they seemed to hold back that info by a couple of weeks. It could be to try (up until the last minute) to make the original itinerary work, but we felt 4 days notice of these changes was very short. Communications from Crystal were very poor and incomplete. Service: Of course, very good. We had issues with them giving then awkwardly taking back "apology credits", but the overall service level was great. Taking away an apology after it's given is one of the most classless things we have seen, and even the reception person seemed uncomfortable having to do it (couldn't explain why, and we're talking 200 euros). Our only comparison point is Seabourn, and to be blunt we felt Seabourn was more thoughtful/caring/detailed; but that's ocean versus river perhaps. For example, we had only 64 people onboard, we were booked as a guarantee, yet no upgrades (we got assigned the worst cabin, haha). At earlier stops there were no cold towels and drinks waiting for us as we returned to the ship, yet the last couple stops that appeared (why not at all)? With all the changes and last minute notifications we would have expected a bit more of a "we're trying harder" attitude. Part of what we felt Crystal markets is the idea the river/ocean/yacht/plane, the service and experience is consistent. We had many experienced cruisers with Crystal (ocean cruisers) reassure us that the ocean experience would be much better, and not to judge Crystal based on this. Food: Of course, very good. Some misses, but overall just fantastic. Only pet peeve is they would present sparkling wines from Austria and Italy as "Champagne"; good wines yes, but having to ask for "French Champagne" just wrong. But overall great drinks selection. We had a great time, spent with wonderful people, in a beautiful environment where we were well catered to. Our perspective is from 20+ ocean cruises but first time river cruisers. We do not regret taking this trip - it was a great vacation with many good times. It just fell short in some ways; we're not hooked on Crystal the way we were hoping for. Will be a long time (given how many competitors they have) until we would try Crystal again.

Except for the air conditioning in the dining room of the ship which, was terrible,, the trip was excellent. The staff on the ship was wonderful, especially Dean, Mario, and Radluka(I think).

Would highly recommend Crystal Mahler- it was lavish and luxurious in every way from the state of the art modern ship and all its comforts, to the wonderful cuisine, fantastic excursions and first class service and staff. Loved it!

I would highly recommend this boat, and this tour. The ports were just gorgeous. There was always something to do, and for us the food was amazing. The dinners with their selection of food and wines and the presentations of the food is what you find in a fine dining establishment.

The ship is typical of a river cruise ship. The rooms on the lower deck are a little upscale from other river cruises we've taken. For example; on the other cruise, the lower rooms had two "couches" that flipped into beds. On this ship, we actually had a bed. It could be turned into 2 twins if you wanted, but it was a real bed. It was comfortable The air conditioner worked very well. The bathroom was nice. It even had a close-up mirror. Unfortunately, the lighting in the bathroom was poor. It was situated too far from the sink, so it was sort of behind you, That made it hard to actually see if your lipstick was on straight. The ship has a fitness center and hot tub. There are also bikes you can take out and explore the places on your own, or with an included shore excursion. Every port we visited included one or more shore excursions. I don't mean the quick walk to the city center and back. I mean, go for a 2-hour walk or bike ride and hear all about the history and modern life of the city accompanied by tastes and sips of local specialties. Or, a visit to a Chateau or Castle in the region with a local guide who knew everything you wanted to know about it and the production of wine there. Followed by a wine tasting and bread and cheese at least. We had the best Foie Gras at one of those tastings. In one of the cities, there was a special wine festival just for us, including a threesome of French singers dressed in different period costumes. Again with h'ordeuvres plus cheeses and bread. The total experience was amazing. The food choices were adequate for our needs. Everything was prepared to perfection. Potatoes were creamy, vegetables were seasoned well, meats and fish cooked to exactly the right temperature, sauces to die for and desserts to ensure you'd walk away 10 pounds heavier after the cruise. The cruise director was on top of all the details. His port talks were geared to our age and since this was a wine cruise, toward the various wines one could find in the area. He explained how the tours would be conducted. He outlined the day's events even though we had a daily program in our room. He was always available. One of our ladies missed the bus to the Chambord Chateau. He drove her there to meet us. On the pre and post cruise extensions, he took care of all our luggage and hotel registrations. He was very knowledgeable about the places we visited and offered suggestions on things to do on our own if we had the time. It was a busy but fulfilling cruise. We would definitely book another cruise with AMAwaterways.

We had an amazing time. It was our first river cruise. We have been on many ocean cruises and I was worried that my husband would get bored on the ship with not a lot going on. It wasn't the case. We met some great people and enjoyed visiting with them and of course him bringing his cigars with him helped also. We would definitely consider another river cruise.

The Danube river was low so the ship did not make it to most of the promised destinations. The boat stayed in industrial locations, with boats tied up on either side, while buses (up to 3 hrs each way) were used to take us on very short tours in the promised ports. Most of your vacation is spent waiting for, or sitting on, buses. This is not the vacation we were promised. Viking wants to give us a travel voucher for a subsequent cruise but why would I trust them again? Do not travel with Viking. There are many competitors to try.

I just returned from AmaWaterways “Enticing Douro” cruise with 3-nights in Lisbon pre-cruise (7-17 July 2018) I rarely write reviews on my cruse experiences, which have included numerous river and ocean voyages with many operators, but this experience was so exceptional it deserves mention. Our Cruise Manager, Mr. Luis R., of AmaWaterways deserves much of the credit for making this experience as great as it turned out to be. Luis was organized, congenial, thoughtful and made everyone (96 guests) on the trip feel he was their personal assistant and lifelong friend. If you had food restriction, Luis made sure you received your preferences whether on board or one of our numerous meals included excursions. If you needed mobility assistance, as several of us did, Luis would arrange for alternate transportation. If you were shopping for that special gift Luis could help you find it. If you were looking for that special restaurant Luis knew what to recommend. In short, AmaWaterways should be proud they have a representative like Luis. The on-board staff were equally attentive to their quests needs. Special thanks go to Nuno and Jose in the bar. Each night after our day out we had a “Sip & Sail” where the bar was open for the guests’ pleasure. During lunch and dinner beer, wine and sodas were readily available at no cost, and the wine choices of the day were superb. Water was always available in the rooms and on the busses. As a picky eater I found the menus to be well planned. The day started with and early risers’ continental breakfast in the lounge followed by a FULL breakfast buffet in the restaurant, the breads were a meal in themselves. Each day there was a lite lunch in the lounge and a more formal lunch in the restaurant. For dinner the menus included a chef’s recommendation. If that did not appeal to you there were also fish, meat and vegetarian options, and if those still did not work for you there were always salmon, steak or chicken available. All these were served by smiling Antonio who was friendly, attentive and accurate and one of the many excellent servers on board. The courses were all presented artistically. The cruise itself could not have been better, except for a brief shower in Porto on day one the weather was more than one could have hoped for the rest of the trip. Sunny and clear every day with the temperature getting warmer as we approached the Spanish boarder (e.g., 72F in Porto and 86F in Salamanca). The itinerary was excellent! The Hotel Intercontinental Lisbon was an excellent place to call home. Good location and a great breakfast included each day. Lisbon was beautiful starting on day 2 with a city tour that included St. Jeronimos’ Monastery (with a Pastel de Belem sampling), the Belem Tower and the Discoveries’ Monument and a Sintra City Tour on day three. The high-speed train transfer to Porto (actually Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from Porto) was fast and clean. For our first night on board we were treated to and “illuminated river cruise” of Porto to see the city lit up at night, an extraordinary sight. Each subsequent excursion generally included an historical site visit followed by a wine/port tasting which typically included local tapas. Some trips included full dinners such as those to the Monastery Alpendurada, Hotel Alameda Palace in Salamanca, and Quinta de Avessada; all the food was to die for. The excursions provided options for active walkers/hikers or for those wanting a slower pace. Each person had a QuietVox synced to their guide. The bus drivers need to be complemented on their navigating skills on the hills to and from our ship and through the narrow streets. On board entertainment was provided nightly by an excellent pianist. We also had presentations on the Douro region and its’ wines as well as wine tasting briefings, a wonderful Fado group and a Tuna band. We also had a Flamenco show in Salamanca and an onboard cooking demonstration for Pastel de Belem’s. In conclusion, this was a phenomenal trip that everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing. WEAR comfortable walking shoes, the cobble stoned streets with un-even curb and steps are torturous! If you can avoid making any flight transfers thru Madrid I would suggest strongly that you do so. Going through security there is the worst travel experience you may ever have.

So far, this has been the worst experience we have ever had on a cruise line and if we could, I would leave the cruise tonight if we could get a refund of the thousands of dollars we paid to come on cruise for my siste-in-laws birthday. I am ill from carbon monoxide blowing into our cabin.

As compared to other cruise lines, Uniworld's main perk is free flowing liquor.