This was our first Viking cruise and our first river cruise, so we were learning along the way! We were not disappointed by the ship, the staff, the food, or the itinerary. I could write so much more about each of our stops and adventures along the way, but I do not have the time to do so. Andrea, our Viking liaison was excellent to work with as we planned our trip. The Bus bonus onboard credits covered the cost of staff gratuities and some incidentals.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Other than a short delay going from the airport in Budapest to the ship all went very smoothly.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Viking has one main dining room and no speciality restaurants/buffets. The food was exceptional.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
The nature of river cruise ships (they need to be small and low enough to fit through the locks built for shipping barges) do not lend themselves to extra spaces for pools, spas, fitness centers, etc.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
The evening entertainment generally consisted a piano player with approximately 4 evening with special guests and/or presentations. A river cruise is not for those who are looking for a full lineup of evening entertainment. There is a fully stocked bar and a small dance floor.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The staff aboard our Viking cruise was top notch!!! The cruise director, Cheri, knew the answer to every question and was willing to share her vast knowledge or each port along the way.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
River cruise ships are very different from ocean cruise ships and those considering a river cruise need to understand the differences so as not to be disappointed. Our ship, the Tir, was spotless!
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
We were on the 3rd floor with a balcony in a room that was as described. Not quite as large as most ocean cruise rooms of similar type, but very manageable. Our steward, Helen, always had a smile on her face and our room was always clean and ready for us when needed. The one recommendation would be to provide some kind of "softening topper" on the somewhat firm mattresses. The only time we heard noises was when the crew was folding up the deck chairs directly above our room in preparation for heading through the locks.
Ship tip
The Grand European Tour is an amazing itinerary, but the water levels in Europe can impact the ability of the ships to make the entire journey. Do your research and determine what times of the year might require you to switch ships mid cruise. We were blessed with GREAT weather and sufficient water so that we did NOT have to change ships, but were warned that it was a possibility. Viking has the capacity to make this happen, but it would have been an inconvenience to pack up mid-cruise to change ships.
We love Amsterdam and stayed for 2 extra nights to explore the Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience, Madam Toussand Wax Museum, and take a tour that included the Anne Frank house.
Appreciate you taking the time to write your review. We haven't done a river cruise. Your tips are informative and helpful as we are considering booking a river cruise.
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