Europe in 14 days
Viking Embla Cruise Review to River Cruises - Europe
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 27
14 Night Grand European Tour Westbound (Budapest To Amsterdam)
Sail date: August 10, 2022
Ship: Viking Embla
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 103
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 2 years ago
Review summary
The entire experience with Viking was wonderful and I highly recommend this company for a river cruise. The staff, the food, the ship, the daily activities, the included tours and many optional tours were all wonderful. I could have stayed another two weeks and I hope to experience an ocean voyage next (along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea) based on feedback from others on this ship. There were only 150 guests, so we all became friends. The sun deck and lounge were great spaces to relax and meet new friends. We were on the lower level so only had a small window (upper two levels had balconies). We did not miss the balcony and since we were often docked next to other boats and while sleeping or dressing the curtains are closed, unless one plans to stay in the room a lot, I think it is unnecessary as the state rooms are the same size.Embarkation
Viking picked us up and made every step of the hotel and ship board sign in experience fast and efficient, and safe and easy. They handled the bags, delivered us to the door, told us where and how to exchange money, transferred us from the hotel in Prague to the ship in Budapest with a wonderful tour guide and escort thru the rest room stops along the way, including a wonderful lunch.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
The ship's staff from captain to executive chef and activities director were superb. As a vegan, they met with me every single day of the cruise to set a menu specific to my needs. All travelers could eat as much as they wanted, three meals per day. Also, in the lounge, all guests were provided snacks and drinks.
Onboard Activities
Don't expect pools and rock climbing. However, the activity director had a couple nights of games, brought on 2-3 acts (music, glass blower, etc), and there was a man that played the piano and sang songs every afternoon and night in the lounge. This may sound boring, but it was good. Also, the activity director provided a briefing every day about the next day's activities, and once provided a brief about the ship and Viking.
Entertainment
The three acts that I remember were all good. These were performed in the lounge, which was a nice comfy area large enough to accommodate all guests.
Service and Staff
The staff were fantastic. Every thing from cleaning, feeding, escorting, helping, etc, our needs were not only met, they were anticipated (cold water bottles to all guests at each tour, busses waiting at each stop for the included and optional tours, etc). The cleaning crew cleaned our state rooms at least twice per day. As a vegan, the matre'd met with me every morning to develop my special menu, and then checked back during meals to make sure I had everything I needed. The activity director made each guest feel special, and he was everywhere, explaining who, what, how, why of every stop, every tour, every bus or boat connection, every bathroom stop, and answering questions for 150 guests 24/7.
Ship Quality
The only thing missing is the elevator only covers two floors, and does not go into the bottom deck or top deck. Our stateroom was on the bottom, and the top deck was the sun deck. Due to circumstances at some docks, all guests that left the boat had to walk up stairs to the top deck to get off the boat. This was difficult for some guests with walkers. Everything else was fabulous.
Cabin / Stateroom
Our stateroom was great. The bathroom may be small if someone is large, but my husband and I are not large so it was fine. He actually took a picture of it because he was amazed at the layout and simplicity.
Ship tip
Pack light. We were in shorts and shirts most of the trip. There is absolutely NO reason to bring dress clothes. Twice I dug them out because I lugged a large suitcase to Europe. But next time a carry on sized suitcase is all I need. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion is provided (and hair dryer).
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Due to circumstances (low water so our arrival was late), the included tour and the optional (added cost) tour were scheduled at the same time (they were not originally at the same time). So we did the optional tour since we had pre-paid. This optional tour was actually not what I expected, it was hot, lots of standing in the sun, and I regretted missing the included tour. The optional tour I selected was the Nuremburg Historical tour. It was ok but not what I expected. The folks on the included tour did a bus drive by of the same locations we went to -- with the weather and standing around, I wish I was on the drive by version of the tour.
Due to circumstances (low water therefore the optional tour and included tour that were not at the same time when we signed up, overlapped when the ship got to port late), we missed the included tour which was about the history of the city. We signed up for the optional (added cost) bike tour. The biking was fine, but not what I expected and I'd advise against it. The weather rained (a great thing since Europe was in drought and the river was low), the guide did not speak english, we didn't get any "tour" we just followed the guide the fastest route to where we were meeting the boat 18 kms from where we started. We stopped once at a pub for a beer (paid by viking) and a potty break. There were all different skill levels on the bike ride, and with all such outings, the bike riders had to stick together and go at the lowest level (slowest, frequent stops, told to walk up and down all inclines) etc. It was almost painful and I regretted spending money on the trip, and more than that, missing the included tour of the city, since that is what we were on the cruise/trip for.
The Rhine and the views of all the castles and towns along the river are spectacular. and the view from the river is remarkable.
the boat ride ended in amsterdam. there was not a tour, but the viking crew did a fantastic job of getting our group off so the next group could get on board that night. they started breakfast at 0330 so they could take the first gaggle to the airport at 0415. we stayed extra days in amsterdam, and viking did a great job of getting us transportation and our bags loaded safely.
Disembarkation
wonderful. no issues, we were told to keep the key for a keepsake. we didn't have to do anything except watch them load our bags into the cab.