Viking Forseti

My favorite part of the trip was the tour, lunch and wine tasting  at Chateau Siuarac.   This trip was really all about the wine.  I would definitely recommend this cruise to my friends looking for a relaxing, safe vacation with very attentive service.  I would recommend a three day visit to the Loire Valley either before or post cruise, to see the great Chateaux of France. 

Viking staff, both ship and air were professional, courteous and friendly. We received helpful assistance from the concierge and the transfer representatives at the airport for both our arrival and departure.

From the beginning of our trip to our return Viking took care of everything.  It was seamless.  This was our second trip with Viking and it will certainly not be our last.

From transfers, to the ship (Forseti) experience, tours, extra excursions, staff, food, even the guests - were spectacular.  They have perfected the experience.

The Forseti is a new vessel.  Unfortunately it had hit a .log in the river priot to arrival in Bordeaux damaging a propeller and changing the schedule a bit.  However that did not affect the excursions to the wine villages that were well organized and well-led by local residents.  

The crew and staff were very attentive, the staterooms comfortable and nicely appointed and the ride on the river quite smooth.

The food, as on our other Viking voyage, was flavorful as well as bountiful, and the wines and beers were very good, although at times the selections and preparations seemed more aimed at Amereican taste buds and ideas about meals than the fact that the vessel was in France.

These rivers have chateaux set back from the edge and none of the castles typical elsewhere.  This doesn't mean that the views are less enchanting, just different.

Our extension to Paris was delightful, from the TGV from Bordeaux to the hotel in Paris.  Because we've been to Paris many times, we chose not to join the packaged  bus tour and went off to Rouen on our own one day and found one of villages of Paris in a different district for another. 

My first impression upon boarding was, wow, light, bright, modern, beautiful!   Although we had an economy cabin, it never bothered me.   First of all we were only there to sleep and change clothes.   We were kept busy most of the day.   The food was wonderful!    The staff pleasant and helpful.   The program manager, outstanding.   Only reason I gave it 4 stars as opposed to 5 was the entertainment onboard.   We had the same pianist every night.   I would have liked some variety.....especially, some locals from the areas that we visited.