Client Confidential: Viking River Cruise
Did you know that I am a certified Viking River Cruise Expert? This entails completing educational coursework to make sure I can offer my clients the very best experiences that Viking has to offer. Last month, a few of my clients returned from a bucket list Viking Cruise to Europe. Since I receive so many inquiries about the European Cruise experience, I felt you may enjoy hearing first-hand about their experiences.
A little about Viking
Viking Cruise Line offers river cruising throughout Europe, Egypt, Asia and the Mississippi. In addition, they also offer small ship ocean cruising and Expedition Cruises to multiple continents including World Cruises and Antarctica. Viking focuses on the destination -providing a culturally enriching experience while offering high quality dining and excellent service.
Which River Cruise did you sail on? We sailed on the Daube Waltz which started in Passau, Germany and ended in Budapest, Hungary. We flew into Prague, Czech Republic for our pre-cruise tour.
How many people are typically on a River Cruise? Typically, 190 people are on a Viking River Cruise.
What’s included on a River Cruise?
In addition to the actual cruise, Viking provides an all-inclusive program that includes a daily tour in each port, wine and beer during lunch and dinner and free wifi on-board.
How was your room/bathroom?
We stayed in a Category A, a Veranda Stateroom, and we were very happy with our choice. The room was very comfortable! It had a full balcony and a small sitting area with 2 chairs. The bathroom was tiny but there were shelves, so we had plenty of room to put our toiletries. The shower was also small but there was a handheld shower head that made it easier to maneuver. There was plenty of room to unpack all our things and the room was cleaned daily.
What did you hear about the other rooms?
We spoke to some of the other guests that were staying in the Category E and F staterooms, and it only had a small window so they couldn’t really see out. They ended up spending a lot of time in the lounge area.
What were the extra costs?
Alcohol drinks were extra (wine and beer are included). In addition to the tours offered daily, there are some paid optional tours that may be selected. Tipping is not included. You can pay a set amount for the on-board crew at the end of the cruise and separately you should plan to tip your tour guide for each of the tours. Viking provides guidelines for both situations.
Did you enjoy the tours? Did they offer multiple tours with multiple activity ranges?
Each tour had their own local guide. They were knowledgeable and enjoyable. Activity levels were offered so those that struggled to walk long distances were separated from those that could be more active. None of the tours required strenuous activity levels.
You participated on the pre-cruise program – what was that experience like?
We booked our air through Viking so we were greeted at the airport by a Viking representative and taken to our pre-cruise hotel. We participated in a couple of tours while in Prague over a 3-day period. A Viking team member was available daily upon arrival to assist with anything. We really enjoyed our time in Prague and are glad that we added this on.
What was the age range of the travelers on the ship?
There were a few people in their 40’s but most were between 50 and 80 years old.
Did you like the food?
The food was fantastic. The serving size wasn’t overly large but there were multiple courses. They had standard offerings (steak, salmon etc.) but also offered local cuisine. Dessert was always available. In between meals, there were cookies available and small salty snacks during happy hour. Other than that, there weren’t many in-between offerings. Coffee, sparking water and tea were available all the time.
Was their entertainment on-board?
There was a Piano player in lounge as well as some local entertainment in the evenings. They also had an apple strudel making session and high tea.
Were you able to explore on your own in the ports?
Yes, we had time to explore on our own and we could have chosen to eat lunch in the port vs. on the ship. All our dinners were on-board.
How would you describe the experience overall?
Overall, the experience was wonderful! The service was excellent, all our needs were taken care of. We were well informed with daily briefings. It was great to not have to unpack between locations. The ship was comfortable, and the sailing was very smooth. It was a nice way to see small towns in Europe that you may not visit otherwise. The only semi-negative as that the Wifi was sketchy.
After hearing about my client’s adventure, it’s easy to see why Viking River Cruises has earned such a loyal following. From the seamless service and cultural enrichment to the comfortable accommodations and thoughtfully planned excursions, Viking truly delivers a first-class experience on the water. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or considering your first river cruise, this kind of journey offers a unique and relaxing way to explore Europe’s hidden gems.
If this sounds like your kind of vacation—or if you have questions about Viking or other river cruise options—I’d love to help you plan your own unforgettable getaway. Let’s start designing your next adventure!
