viking cruises rhine getaway

5 Best Viking River Cruises on the Rhine

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Spectacular scenery lined with fairytale castles and wine-growing villages are among the many highlights on the Rhine, making it one of the most popular destinations for a European river cruise.

Starting in the Alps and meandering 820 miles through Switzerland, France, Germany and Holland, Viking's extensive offerings of Rhine cruises take in every aspect of this beautiful waterway. There are week-long sailings -- ideal for first-time visitors -- through longer itineraries which are ideal for seasoned Rhine cruisers looking to discover more. Viking Longships have prime mooring spots in the center of town providing the option for easy independent exploration in between guided included and optional shore excursions. For something very different, Viking has a unique 15-day itinerary combining a Rhine River cruise with a Scandinavian sailing into the Norwegian fjords on one of its stylish ocean ships.

Here are five of our favorite Viking Rhine River cruises to help you find the perfect itinerary.

On This Page

• Viking Rhine River Cruise: Best For First-Time Cruisers
• Viking Rhine River Cruise: Take a Grand Cruise Through Europe
• Viking Rhine River Cruise: Cultural Cities
• Viking Rhine River Cruise: Explore Paris and Sail the Rhine
• Viking Rhine River Cruise: A Sailing Full of Seasonal Cheer

1. Viking Rhine River Cruise: Best For First-Time Cruisers

If you're taking your first vacation on the Rhine take a look at Viking's selection of eight day sailings. They're a great introduction to the region and will leave you wanting to come back for more. Cruises include Viking's Rhine Getaway , which runs between Amsterdam and Basel and sails through captivating landscapes where Dutch windmills and tulip fields make way for German castles and vines.

You need to be out on deck for the most picturesque stretch of the Rhine between Bingen and Koblenz. You can also enjoy the view from the Lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for watching the changing landscape. The 40-mile Upper Middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the banks are lined with more than 40 hilltop fortresses and lush vineyards. Your program director will highlight many points of interest, including the legendary 443-foot Lorelei Rock where a siren is said to have lured passing sailors to their doom with her haunting songs.

The Rhine is Germany's largest wine producing area and Viking shore excursions provide plenty of opportunities for tastings in between sailing through glorious landscapes.

2. Viking Rhine River Cruise: Take a Grand Cruise Through Europe

Spanning the best of Europe, Viking's 15-day Grand European Tour covers all of the highlights on the Rhine and more. On this culture-rich itinerary you will travel through four contrasting countries -- the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Hungary -- and, like all Viking river cruises, only have to pack and unpack once.

Cologne is a must-see city on the Rhine and Viking's immersive excursions include the chance to head to the roof of the towering cathedral on an exclusive Privileged Access tour for Viking guests, visit a brewery to try kolsch, the local light beer, or marvel at a UNESCO-listed palace build for Cologne's prince-archbishops.

You will sail along the Rhine to Marksburg, where the remarkable 13th century castle is the only one on the river never to have been damaged or destroyed. From here your epic Viking river cruise continues along the Main before joining the Danube and ending in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. This trip can also be sailed in reverse.

3. Viking Rhine River Cruise: Cultural Cities

There's no better way to enjoy cities than on a Viking river cruise where your comfortable Longship is your floating boutique hotel. Sailing from one destination to the next at a leisurely pace, instead of traffic-filled highways you will admire an ever-changing panorama of riverside scenery.

If you enjoy city breaks then Viking's 12-day Cities of Light sailing is the cruise for you. The itinerary is bookended by two of Europe's greatest cities, Paris and Prague, and there's an overnight stay in both so you can make the most of the respective "City of Light" and the "Golden City of 100 Spires". Wherever you are, Viking ships dock in the heart of each city so the sights are on your doorstep.

Excursions will take you to Trier, with its Roman history, and Germany's oldest university town of Heidelberg with its imposing red sandstone castle. In Bamberg you can try the curious smoked beer and other stops include Nuremberg which, despite almost being destroyed in the war, has three miles of medieval walls.

4. Viking Rhine River Cruise: Explore Paris and Sail the Rhine

This fantastic three-in-one Viking vacation combines the highlights of the Rhine with hotel stays to discover the best of Paris, sparkling Reims in the heart of the Champagne region and scenic Switzerland. You can choose to start or end the 12-day Paris to the Swiss Alps itinerary with two days in the French capital or the largest Swiss city of Zurich, nestling on a shimmering lake. A comfortable motor coach transfer will take you to and from your Viking ship.

The cruise also takes in ports along the lesser-known Moselle, which joins the Rhine at Koblenz. Quieter and narrower than the Rhine, the tributary winds through wine-growing regions that were first cultivated in Roman times. You will stop at Cochem, the prettiest town on the Moselle, where the old town is filled with half-timbered houses. Perched on a 300-foot promontory is Cochem Castle, the highest fortress on the Moselle which dates back more than 1,000 years. To see Cochem from another perspective you can take a guided bike tour along the riverbank or join an evening excursion celebrating the wine, music and legends of the Moselle.

A lesser-known stop on the Rhine on this Viking river cruise is Speyer. A former Roman settlement, it's one of Germany's oldest towns and noted for is large Romanesque-style cathedral and rich Jewish heritage with a traditional bathhouse dating back to 1128.

5. Viking Rhine River Cruise: A Sailing Full of Seasonal Cheer

Christmas markets are the highlight of Europe's winter calendar and Germany forms the heartland of the festive market scene. A Viking river cruise provides the perfect way to soak up history and culture combined with a wonderful yuletide atmosphere. The seasonal celebrations continue back onboard your beautifully decorated Viking Longship where menus showcase seasonal specialties.

Viking's eight-day Christmas on the Rhine cruise between Amsterdam and Basel includes time in Cologne which has seven Christmas markets. A giant twinkling Christmas tree forms the centrepiece of the most famous one held in front of the city’s landmark cathedral. Smaller markets along the way include Rudesheim, where you can stroll down the colorful Drosselgasse street and try the town's warming coffee laced with local brandy.

You'll also visit Breisach, the gateway to the fabled Black Forest region which is particularly magical in wintertime. Buy an authentic cuckoo clock to take home as a souvenir and treat yourself to a slice of the region's namesake gateau made with rich chocolate and dark cherries.

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What It’s Really Like on a Viking River Cruise

Want to know if a Viking River Cruise is right for you? I’m spilling all the details, including what they don’t tell you in the brochure, so you can make an informed decision. I’ll take you from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland along the Rhine River with lots of stops at charming old towns and villages in between. This Viking River cruise Rhine review is chock full of information that is helpful in planning your own Rhine getaway cruise.

I took 8 million photos so it’s impossible to share them all in one post. I’ll break up this trip into two posts so stay tuned for part two next weekend.

When Viking invited me to set sail with them, I immediately packed my bags! Who wouldn’t want to sail to all the charming little European towns that dot the riverside? We traveled in October and I highly recommend Europe during this time of the year because not only do you get to experience the beautiful foliage and cooler temps, but it’s much less crowded and it’s cheaper too!

What I love about the Viking Longships is that they are just the right size to float down the river and get up close and personal to all of the little towns. Plus there are only 90 staterooms which means it’s easy to get to know the crew and passengers. I love that you only have to unpack once instead of changing hotels every couple of days.

We sailed on the Hlin (pronounced “Lynn) on the 8 day Rhine River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel , Switzerland (they do the same tour in the opposite direction too).

Booking was a breeze and a few weeks before we set sail, a package arrived in the mail with our personalized itineraries, red leather Viking luggage tags and more.

Airfare Tip: Viking can book your airfare and while I thought I could get a better deal by handling my own flights, I was wrong! I saved so much money by booking through Viking and I was able to have complete control over which flights I chose. So be sure to do your research. We flew into the Amsterdam airport.

We decided to add three nights in Amsterdam before the cruise and we’re so glad we did! With 165 canals, I can see why this is called “The Venice of the North.” Don’t let the stories of sex shops and pot scare you away because Amsterdam is so much more than that! I’ll share more about our time here in a separate post. Fun Fact: Amsterdam has more bikes than people!

Hotel Tip: If you are adding on time before and/or after your cruise, Viking offers lots of hotel packages you can choose as add ons to your trip. We saved money by booking our own hotels in Amsterdam and Basel because we didn’t feel we needed the extras that Viking offered including city tours and shuttle service to and from the ship.

Day 1 – Board Ship in Amsterdam

We celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary this day (October 13) and what a way to celebrate! We were greeted with a bottle of champagne and that night, after dinner, we were surprised to find a special “Happy Anniversary” dessert waiting for us in our room!

A buffet lunch was perfect for people who were arriving at different times of the day not to mention a late afternoon cheese and wine tasting, then dinner before we set sail that night. Can you say food coma?

Our veranda stateroom was small but well laid out and I used the desk as my vanity (I loved the huge, well lit mirror) which made getting ready a breeze. The veranda made the room seem larger and I loved being able to pop outside to check the weather or just relax with a glass of wine. The bathroom was tiny but adequate (I loved the heated floors) but don’t expect to be able to bend over to shave your legs in the shower!

I’ll let you in on a little insider secret … when the boats dock, they often tie up to each other which means sometimes, you’ll have another boat parked smack dab against your window as you can see form the photo above. This is common on river cruises no matter which company you choose but it’s definitely something I want you to know before you go.

It’s all about the common spaces and the lobby, with its glass roof, was such a welcoming place to come back to after a day spent exploring.

The top sun deck was the perfect place to walk off all of the food we seemed to be eating at every waking moment but hey, isn’t that what vacations are all about! I loved the fresh herb garden too.

Day 2 – Kinderjidk

We woke up to this peaceful view from our veranda. After breakfast, we only had to take a short walk to our destination (led by our guide of course).

Tip: There is an intercom in every stateroom so you can hear early morning wake up calls and announcements of when and where to meet for excursions. If you plan on sleeping in, be sure to turn off the intercom!

You may be wondering is it worth getting a balcony on a river cruise and I can definitely say it was amazing! However, if it’s not in your budget, the French balcony cabins with their floor to ceiling doors that can be opened to catch the breeze are wonderful too.

Today’s shore excursion takes us to Kinderdijk which is a UNESCO World Heritage site with 19 enormous windmills. This is an included tour so it costs no extra money! It is such a spectacular sight to behold and straight out of a fairytale. Our local guide took us into a working windmill where families still live today.

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My rain coat was the perfect layering piece for the unpredictable weather and I recommend a cross body bag (I love this water resistant bag ).

The best part about returning to the ship was being surprised with a different daily treat in our stateroom.

The afternoon was spent on board taking in the scenery as we cruised along the Rhine.

Day 3 – Cologne Germany

It’s all about the food and the breakfasts on the ship were fabulous! We loved the made to order omelettes. Breakfasts were casual buffets while lunches and dinners were more formal sit down meals. I loved the casual dress code because after a long day of exploring, it was nice not to have to worry about getting all dolled up for meals.

We boarded a bus for a short ride to Cologne where our tour guide gave us a quick lay of the land then left us on our own to explore. The Cologne Cathedral (another UNESCO World Heritage sight) is HUGE and it was pretty impossible to get a decent photo!

Did you know Cologne is where the original Eau de Cologne was invented! I had to find the Farina Fragrance Museum and pick up some of the iconic red packages for friends and family (and of course one for me).

When in Cologne, you must drink Kölsch beer in an original “Brauhaus” (a traditional German pub where the beer is brewed). The waiters will continue to refill your glass unless you put your coaster on top to signal that you’re done!  By law, this refreshingly light brew can only be produced in Cologne so don’t miss it!

When we had our fill of Cologne, we enjoyed strolling across the Love Locks Bridge to get back to the ship.

Our ship had a prime location with a spectacular view of the bridge and the cathedral! The ship has two dining areas and this is the more casual Aquavit lounge with seating inside and out on the front (or the bow) of the ship.

We loved getting to know the friendly crew including Captain Wim, Sara our Program Director, and Mohamed (or Mo as everyone called him) the Hotel Manager. They mixed and mingled with the guests and one morning when we found the Captain sitting alone at breakfast in the main dining room, we joined him and had a great time chatting.

There are lots of optional night tours too like the popular Cologne’s Beer Culture Dinner but we enjoyed touring the beer halls on our own so we were happy to eat dinner on the ship.

Tip: House wine is served at lunch and dinner but if you prefer a nicer bottle of wine and cocktails, I recommend buying the Silver Spirits package so you can get unlimited drinks any time of the day or night!

Day 4 – Koblenz Germany

We chose to tour Marksburg Castle (there are many tour options to choose from every day) which is one of the few remaining castles on the Rhine that has remained intact. We took a short bus drive up a winding road to the top of a hill and were met with this spectacular view! There are optional tours this day including a walking tour of Koblenz so you’ll have to decide which one works best for you.

Middle Rhine Castle Corridor

When we were done exploring the castle, we went back to the ship to enjoy the most scenic sailing day of the trip!

This stretch of the Rhine is filled with castles perched high in the hills. Most have been turned into luxury hotels! There are tons of castles on both sides of the river.

We sailed past this spectacular 430 foot Lorelei Rock where legend has it that the beautiful maiden Lorelei sunk the ships of distracted sailors.

A little wind and rain didn’t dampen our spirits! The upper deck of the ship has a clear overhang making it perfect for being able to take in the sights while staying dry. Viking handed out a map of the castles and Sara, our Program Director, gave commentary over the loud speaker. If you want to see the castles up close and personal, pack a pair of binoculars.

Tip: Pack layers! We traveled in October and some days called for heavy coats while other days, a long sleeve shirt was all that was needed. Also, pack a small travel umbrella (Viking provides bright red umbrellas but you’ll stand out like a tourist if you use one)!

Rudesheim Germany

What a day! After being wowed by the castles, we docked in Rudesheim around 5 pm just in time for dinner. The only problem was, not many restaurants were open so we spent our time wandering around this charming little town of vine covered, story book buildings.

I was a little bit disappointed and didn’t think there was much to do here (lots of touristy t-shirt shops) so we eventually took the scenic walk along the river back to our ship where it was time to dine!

Wein is a universal language!

I’ll be back soon with part two of our Viking River Cruise where I’ll share more amazing sites including my favorite city that we visited! I’ll share who we hung out with and an unbelievable blast from the past that we ran into on the ship!

P.S. I posted more in my Instagram Stories here including some great videos!

Read Part 2 of My Rhine River Cruise Here

Have you ever been on a Viking River Cruise ? Are you thinking of going on one? Feel free to ask questions or leave your reviews and tips in the comments.

My friend Diane wrote a great post about her Viking Cruise along the Seine from Paris to Normandy and you can read it here !

See More of Kelly’s Travels Here

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36 Comments

Wow, sounds amazing. I can’t wait to read part 2. Happy Anniversary!

I can’t wait to share Melissa! Rooting through 8 million photos right now!

We took this fabulous Viking cruise a couple of years ago, so reading this post brought back so many memories! The canals and charm of Amsterdam (even the red light zone : ), the castles along the Rhine and the spectacular windmills were just a few of the many enchanting sights we viewed from the balcony of the ship. Having sailed on both ocean liners and river cruise ships, I have to say that river cruises have so much more to offer in terms of comfort, size and individual services. Highly recommend! Happy Anniversary and can’t wait to hear how you enjoyed Strasbourg!

Amsterdam is incredible and I definitely want to go back! The best part about a river cruise is no sea sickness!

Oh, wow! I loved this! I get mail from Viking and wondered what one of their cruises would be like. I feel like all cruise ships have small rooms and bathrooms so that won’t deter me. The sites look amazing! Thank you for sharing! I am looking forward to Part 2!

Small bathrooms aren’t the end of the world I was just happy to have such a great counter space in the bedroom. Very well thought out!

We were on the Viking Villi during that same time! Our trip was Amsterdam to Budapest and then we racked on days in Amsterdam and Prague. Beautiful sights on the river and cities. Loved Cologne, Kolsch beer, Cathedral and the Lock bridge, and also bought cologne!

How funny! Maybe we sailed by each other Linda!

First, Congratulations on 24 yrs of marriage! Second, can’t wait to hear more about your trip, it looks amazing. The trip has lots of beautiful sites to see. Looks like I’ll have to add this journey to my list.

So many places to see, so little time Tammara!

What a beautiful trip! We haven’t gone a cruise before, and have even been reluctant. Thank you for sharing the beauty saw and tips on how to set up everything.

I’ve only been on a big ocean cruise over 25 years ago and didn’t love it but this is so different! Smaller ships that go right to the little towns!

Happy Anniversary!! This was very informative Kelly. Awesome job! I love the windmills and the pics of you and your husband. May I ask about all the purses hanging up??

Ok I’m so dumb and embarrased. I just googled it and saw that they are locks, not purses. On my phone it looks like purses. 😢😔

Don’t be embarrassed Lisa! Now that I look, they do look like a bunch of purses!

Viking is wonderful! We did the Amsterdam, Windmills and Tulips one in March-April. It was fabulous! So beautiful. We have been on the Seine Paris to Normandy. Highly, highly recommend that trip. We have booked and scheduled our next one, the Mediterranean Odyssey. Barcelona, Venice, all and everything in between! We always book the bigger Veranda’s. Sitting area separate from the bedroom/bathroom. Highly recommend! Did I say I love Viking cruises?!?! Glad you had that wonderful time. You need to treat yourselves to another! Thanks for sharing your trip!

Wow Melanie sounds like you are a river cruise fanatic! We met so many people on the cruise who had taken others in the past and I think that shows how great they really are to have people keep coming back for more! Enjoy the Med! I’ve been to Venice and it’s fabulous but very crowded!

Thanks for all this information, yes i have thought about it and wondered what they were like so i am writing down all these tips. You guys are such a cute couple no wonder your girls are so pretty.

Thanks so much Marlene! Our girls definitely hit the looks jackpot and they’re funny and smart to boot!

We took the same cruise in May of 2013. Love revisiting & reminiscing. Thank you.

How nice! I enjoyed writing the post and remembering all the fun we had (and it’s only been 3 months)!

Thank you for your comment. We are taking this cruise this May for our 50th anniversary. First time on a cruise. Are there any hints that would help. It does not sound like there were any negatives that we need to be concerned about. Ellie

We did this journey on our own years ago, visiting Marksburg Castle which was amazing. The stories told by our German speaking tour guide was incredible (we don’t speak German so we eavesdropped on a girl who was translating for her friend). I timed our trip to do the Rhine in Flames. To this day, my family still says it was the most incredible fireworks display we’ve ever seen. Hundreds of boats, decorated with Christmas lights, even though it was July, line up and we all set sail up the Rhine. From each of those castles fireworks began going off and it was a sight to see! We stayed in Rudesheim and when I woke up early in the morning and opened the shutters, I did feel like I was in a fairy tale. I have blonde hair & as I was gazing over the rooftops I heard clicking & chattering in maybe Japanese(?) below. Apparently my blonde hair made me look like a typical German Frau and they were pushing each other out of the way to take my picture!! I’ve always wanted to do a cruise, avoid the terror I always feel driving on the autobahn so I’m looking forward to the rest of your post.

I love that you will appear in all of those tourists photo albums Darlene! The fireworks sound spectacular!

Hi, Kelly. We did this same cruise 2 years ago at Christmas (seeing those famous Christmas markets has been on my bucket list for a while and I wasn’t disappointed). So glad to hear you had a favorable experience. Coming from Miami, I thought I knew cruising. But Viking takes it up a notch. Also, while I’m not an ocean cruise fan, river cruising is a whole ‘nother thing. Travel is about your destination – the terrain, people, customs, etc. These Viking cruises allow you to appreciate and enjoy that. Can’t wait to read the second post. Bet I know your favorite city already! Oh, and happy anniversary!

I went on one ocean cruise 25 years ago and wasn’t a fan! I know Viking does some though – maybe I’ll have to try one of theirs! The Christmas markets sound amazing and I’d love to go back for them.

I enjoyed reading this Kelly – I did an AmaWaterways cruise in Dec ’18 – basically the same route you took, but started in Basel – I THOROUGHLY enjoyed it! I’m doing another cruise in May of this year – this time up the Danube (with Ama) – looking at your pic’s of the ship, ours was pretty comparable – that was really ‘different’ the way the boats dock next to each other!

How fun Leanne! At one stop, we were tied to an Ama ship and had to walk across it to get to land! The Danube sounds fabulous and I hope you enjoy your trip!

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What a wonderful experience! Your photos are so beautiful and it’s nice to see what the ship looked like…It really is a good size and your stateroom looked comfortable too! Those huge Caribbean type cruise ships never appealed to me but this is definitely something I would like. Much more intimate with constantly changing scenery! Great tips, Kelly! Shelley

I went on one ocean cruise over 25 years ago and I wasn’t a huge fan! The small ship really appealed to me Shelley!

Fun Kelly! That’s the same cruise Mark and I took last May & we loved it. We are going on another Viking River Cruise in September to France & we are excited. It was fun to see your pics of all the places we went.

How exciting Rhoda! Are you taking the Paris to Normandy trip along the Seine? If so, don’t miss Diane’s post!

Kelly, you did a wonderful job with descriptions and photos of your excursions. My sister and I are taking the Rhine Getaway trip in July of 2023. Since the descriptions of the excursions on the Viking site are not very detailed it difficult to decide which ones to take. We are trying to decide between the Medieval Colmar and the WWII Colmar excursions. I have heard positive and negative reviews of the Medieval trip. Also it looks like the food tour in Alsace is a lot more extensive than the description of it. It looks like you see more places along the way than I had imagined. Thank you for any input you might have.

You can always call Viking for a more detailed description of the tours Elaine! The Alsace was a highlight of our trip for sure. So many great little shops and food we would never have tried on our own. Enjoy your trip with your sister!

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Enchanting Viking Rhine River Cruise Vacation – My Thoughts & 10 Effortless Tips

After recently returning from a Viking Rhine River cruise, I’m sharing my thoughts, experiences and effortless tips if you’ve been considering a similar vacation in your future!

Taking a Viking Rhine River cruise has been on my radar (bucket list) for several years now and we finally did it! Both my husband and I love to travel, especially when it involves European adventures. We have Europe in our blood, with my first trip overseas (alone!) at 14 years old to live with my French relatives for several months in Paris . On the other hand, my husband spent his formative years growing up in Switzerland with his expat parents. I believe that since we were both exposed to daily European existence as youngsters we grew to have a great appreciation for the culture and ways of life!

Air Travel Via Viking

Before I get into the actual Rhine River cruise and all of it’s aspects, I wanted to point out that we decided to let Viking arrange our air travel. When we travel within the US we do economy class but when traveling to Europe we opt for business class for the bed! Viking was able to get us better prices than we could get ourselves and they included airport transfers by private car.

Be sure to check out my recently updated How To Pack A Carry-On For 2 Weeks post that has a FREE PDF for you to download!

River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising

Living in Miami we’ve been able to hop on and take a handful of ocean cruises in the Caribbean and we also had taken one Mediterranean cruise, but this was a first river cruise for us. The appeal of less people, no children, no casinos and no rocking boats (seasickness is something that affects me) drew us to take a further look and to celebrate a big birthday for my sweet husband. I do the planning for all of our trips and decided to go with Viking due to their well deserved excellent reputation (not sponsored). By the way, Viking does ocean cruises and we talked to several couples on our cruise that have done them and spoke quite highly.

Viking Rhine River Cruise – Castles & Cathedrals

Viking calls the cruise the 8 day Rhine River cruise that we took “castles & cathedrals” and highlights the following:

Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture. Viking.com

We signed up for this Viking Rhine River cruise about 6 months before the cruise was to begin. I believe that there must be a lot of people looking to book river cruises, as they were mostly sold out and I luckily secured a cancellation by checking daily for about a week! I would highly recommend that if you are going to book a river cruise you do so well in advance, as they often do sell out quickly!

We went “all out” and booked a upper deck Veranda Suite room (only 7 on the ship) which included a bedroom with a French balcony, a living room with a small balcony to sit on and a lot of extras that were well worth it to us. Most of our fellow travelers had the regular rooms and were surprised that our room included the large living room, a welcome bottle of champagne, an elegantly laid out mini-bar with wine, beer & soft drinks (replenished daily), fresh flowers, a daily fruit plate & a small plate of cookies each day.

We did use our balcony on occasion, but the ship mostly traveled at night and there wasn’t much to see. On the day that the Viking Rhine River cruise actually cruised during the day we were up on the top deck (along with many other guests) looking at and photographing the castles! More on that below.

We also had free laundry services and we did utilize it once, so that cut down on what we had to bring along. Beautiful presentation is always appreciated by me and the laundry on this Viking Rhine River cruise came back folded and wrapped in tissue in leather boxes.

Viking Rhine River Cruise Ship – The Tialfi

The Viking ships are called “long ships” and have streamlined Scandinavian design and understated elegance. They provide comfortable spacious staterooms and fine dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can learn more about the Tialfi ship here .

Even when the weather wasn’t grand there was plenty of light coming into the main areas of the ship. There are stairs between decks but they are easy to navigate and we noticed a small elevator for those who might need one.

The lounge was a nice place to hang out with newly made friends, or to attend the daily talks about what was planned for the following day. There was a pianist playing in the evenings and local entertainment on several other evenings.

The Aquavit Terrace was set up for al fresco dining (weather permitting) and we did eat lunch out there one sunny day.

The dining room has enough tables and chairs for all and there are no tables for two. We enjoyed mixing and mingling with a variety of guests. After the first couple of nights we found that we generally sat at a table with mostly the same people that we enjoyed getting to know.

As mentioned we had breakfast, lunch and dinner available every day and most days we did all meals on board. The chef was very good and with this Viking Rhine River Cruise he excelled in putting together some local specialties. If you have any dietary restrictions the chef will do their best to accommodate.

There are two lovely coffee stations on the ship that are open all day with self-serve coffees, teas and cookies always available.

Before I share some photos of the destinations on our Viking Rhine River cruise (which I know you’re waiting for…hah!), I want to share a list of some tips that could help you in planning your trip.

10 Practical Tips For Taking A European River Cruise Vacation:

• Research Cruise Lines : I did this before choosing our Viking Rhine River cruise and you should too! Explore different cruise lines that offer European river cruises. Consider factors such as cruise duration, destinations covered, amenities offered, and budget.
• Choose the Right Season : European river cruises are popular during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild and pleasant. However, consider shoulder seasons like early spring or late fall for fewer crowds and potentially lower prices. We were very lucky with our river cruise and had nice sunny weather most days but early spring can be miserable. Be prepared for that!
• Pack Light and Smart : Since river cruise cabins may be smaller than those on ocean cruises, pack efficiently. Bring comfortable clothing suitable for both daytime excursions and onboard activities. River cruises are usually informal, so what I did for dinner was to just toss on a colorful scarf or some textural jewelry to dress up my outfit of the day.
• Stay Informed about Excursions : River cruises often include guided shore excursions in their packages. Familiarize yourself with the itinerary and excursion options beforehand to prioritize activities and make the most of your time in each port. Our Viking Rhine River cruise included one complimentary tour each day and we only signed up for two additional paid excursions. You could also set up your own extra excursions via a tour company like Viator (have used them many times!) or a recommended local guide.
• Stay Flexible : While it’s good to have a general plan, be open to changes in the itinerary due to weather conditions, water levels, or unforeseen circumstances.
• Don’t Overlook Onboard Activities : River cruise ships offer various onboard activities, including cultural lectures, cooking demonstrations, and evening entertainment. Take advantage of these opportunities to enrich your experience and meet fellow travelers. We went to two musical events onboard including a local string quartet and a trio of German performers in costume.
• Budget for Additional Expenses : While many amenities are included in the cruise fare, such as meals and some excursions, budget for additional expenses like gratuities (we opted for prepaid gratuities while onboard), alcoholic beverages, optional excursions, and souvenirs. Bring a small amount of local currency in cash.
• Be Mindful of River Levels : In some cases, low water levels may affect the itinerary, requiring adjustments to docking locations or alternative transportation arrangements. Stay informed about any potential impacts and trust the cruise line to handle such situations professionally.
• Arrive Early, Depart Late : Consider arriving at the departure city a day or two before your cruise begins to acclimate to the time zone and explore the area. Similarly, extend your stay at the end of the cruise to fully immerse yourself in the final port city. With Viking River cruises you have the option to do this through them or you can add days on your own. We arrived a couple of days early in Switzerland and stayed a few days at the end in Amsterdam.
• Purchase Travel Insurance : Protect your investment by purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen circumstances that may disrupt your vacation. We purchased ours through Viking, but there are other companies to utilize on your own.

Destinations On Our Viking Rhine River cruise

It’s important to know that on both European river cruises as well as ocean cruises the ships dock in a port that is often not the main city you might wish to visit. We experienced that on our Mediterranean ocean cruise when for example Rome was the destination and we docked in Civitavecchia, an hour bus ride away. For the Viking Rhine River cruise (and most river cruises) the destination cities are small and you won’t see large ocean cruise ships docked in those towns. We enjoyed some of the small cities but not necessarily all of them. Here is a list of those that we visited on this cruise:

• Basel, Switzerland
• Breisach, Germany
• Strasbourg, France
• Speyer, Germany
• Rüdesheim, Germany
• Koblenz, Germany
• Cologne, Germany
• Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
• Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We enjoyed Basel and spent two days there ahead of our Viking Rhine River cruise. Switzerland is incredibly clean, green and well organized with lots of trams in most cities for getting around.

Since my husband spent his youth in Zurich, we enjoyed taking a train (one hour non-stop) and visiting the city once again. It was a beautiful clear day and you could easily see the Swiss Alps in the distance.

I took a couple hundred photos via my iPhone on this trip, but have picked some of my favorites to share with you today. If you’ve been to Europe then you know that there are beautiful churches, cobblestone streets (wear sensible shoes!), grand castles, small shops and lovely towns. Below are just a few favorites!

Cologne, Germany from the river, which gives you a different perspective.

One of our favorite days was sailing on the Viking Rhine River cruise and seeing the castles along the river!

The area of Kinderdijk, The Netherlands was so picturesque with it’s working windmills! We got to walk around and go inside one of them and learn more about what they did in the past and in today’s times.

We spent the tail end of our Viking Rhine River cruise experience in Amsterdam and since I hadn’t been there in many years it was such fun to go back! We enjoyed the city of bikes and you have to be quite careful not to get run over by one, as they are the main mode of transport!

We took a tour of Keukenhof Tulip Gardens that is about an hour bus ride out of Amsterdam and this was definitely my favorite activity of the entire trip! Don’t miss this place if you have a chance to go and the tulips were in full bloom!

I hope that you enjoyed my post on our Viking Rhine River cruise and if you have any questions let me know in the comments below!

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17 Comments

Wonderful information Janet!! We are hoping to go in 2026 and I will refer back to this! Sounds like an amazing trip!

Happy to answer any questions Lorraine…you know where to find me 😉

Hi Janet, such an informative post and timely for me as we’re looking into a trip next year. I realize this is a more mature crowd, which I welcome, however, our 33-year-old daughter will be coming with us. Did you notice younger adults on your particular voyage? She’s on the quieter, more introverted side and isn’t looking to party but I’m just curious, I guess.

Thanks again!

Hi Cyndie, glad that you enjoyed the post! While millennials were not the majority, I did see maybe 20-30 guests of that age range. We sat at a table most evenings with a younger group, two of which included mothers and daughters. I would definitely feel comfortable taking my own daughter (same age range) along!

Hi Janet, Loved your comments about the Viking cruise especially since my husband and I did the same cruise prior to the pandemic, with his brother and sister in law. Sadly we didn’t see the tulips but still had a wonderful time. We opted for extra time in Prague, Czech Republic and had a great time exploring there. A river cruise is quite different from an ocean cruise because each day there is a new destination making on-board entertainment unnecessary.

River cruising is so relaxing and to me it was much more enjoyable than an ocean cruise! Sounds like you thought so as well Cathy!

Wonderful information. We are considering this vacation. We just returned from the United Kingdom on a fantastic trip. I really enjoy your blog. Thank you.

Lu Ann, I think that you would enjoy this type of trip. It’s quite relaxing and Viking really does take such great care of their guests!

Thank you for the informative review of the Viking River cruise experience and for the beautiful photos. I have dreamed of taking this same itinerary and you have made me long for it even more.

I hope that your dream comes true Sue and that you get to go! xo

Oh my gosh Janet, what a beautiful trip! I’ve always wanted to do this, and going through the Rhine wine region would be fabulous! I can totally see why the gardens were your favorite. Just gorgeous! I’m so glad you posted this – I love your always-beautiful photos too!

It was filled with beauty Barb and we enjoyed it so much! It was very interesting to see the vineyards along the way and learn how they grow the grapes. Glad that you liked the post! xo

So enjoyed your recap! We leave in June for our first. What month did you go on your Viking cruise?

What language do they speak on the ship? Was it difficult to communicate?

We just booked this exact cruise for next April so I enjoyed reading through your tips. We are in Paris right now and I used a lot of your packing tips and other info. Love following your blog!!

Hey, Janet, I enjoyed reading your recap of the cruise since we were on the same one 5 years ago. The destinations were charming and we loved the castle day too! What a treat to see all we saw and I know you enjoyed too. Nice post on what to expect.

Twenty years ago (goodness, time runs!) we owned a cabin cruiser on the river rhine by ourselves. It was stationed in Mainz and we spent nearly every weekend and every bank holiday in Spring and Summer on the boat. My youngest son was nearly born on the boat. When I felt that it started we left the boat in Lorch and went directly to the hospital in Wiesbaden.

It was a very good idea to book this journey. So many beautiful and pittoreske towns along the river to be explored! Especially all those castles you can visit. Wonderful! Hope you come back one da. Maybe we can do a “meet and greet” somewhere : – )

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VIKING RIVER CRUISES 8 Days | Rhine Getaway Northbound

BASEL TO AMSTERDAM Day 1 | Basel, Switzerland. Welcome to Basel on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland. Transfer from the airport to your ship. After boarding, enjoy time on your own getting acquainted with the city—or join our “welcome walk” to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. Cruise through the night to Breisach. (D) Day 2 | Breisach, Germany. Arrive during breakfast in Breisach, gateway to the Black Forest. Take a scenic excursion through the area’s renowned mountain landscape, rolling meadows and dense forests. Once there, visit a local workshop and see a cuckoo clock-making demonstration. Return to Breisach for some free time before evening departure. Or, choose an optional excursion to the quaint Alsatian town of Colmar. Dine aboard and cruise through the night to Kehl. (B, L, D) NOTE: Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Breisach’s Christmas market. Day 3 | Strasbourg, France.  Arrive in Kehl this morning and disembark for your guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. Free time allows you to further explore this Alsatian city’s blend of French and German cultures— fabulous churches, medieval covered bridges, beautiful parks and some lovely Art Nouveau and modernist architecture. As always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Return to your ship for dinner and departure. (B, L, D) NOTE:  Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Strasbourg’s Christmas market. Day 4 | Heidelberg, Germany. Rüdesheim. Wake up in Mannheim and disembark for a tour to Heidelberg to see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386. Then visit the beautiful sandstone ruins of imposing Heidelberg Castle, and take in the scenery of the Neckar River Valley and the city’s many red rooftops from its hilltop location. Continue with a walking tour through the Old Town to Heidelberg’s renowned gates. Return to your ship for afternoon cruising. Arrive in Rüdesheim in the early evening. Spend free time in the pedestrian-only Drosselgasse and sample a glass of locally produced wine at one of the restaurants or wine bars—dine aboard or stay in town if you prefer. Remain docked overnight. (B, L, D) Day 5 | Braubach. Koblenz.  This morning, sail along the most scenic stretch of the Rhine, where castles overlook the river from their hilltop locations. This part of the Middle Rhine Valley is so beautiful that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Midmorning, disembark for a tour of 700-year-old Marksburg Castle and its museum. Return to your ship for lunch and a short cruise to Koblenz, where you disembark and enjoy some time in this charming town at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. (B, L, D) NOTE:  Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit the Koblenz Christmas market. Day 6 | Cologne.  Cruise along the Rhine this morning, arriving just after breakfast in Cologne. Disembark for your walking tour of this gem of the Rhine. Stroll through Old Town past St. Martin’s Church and spend some time inside Cologne’s Dom, a remarkable Gothic cathedral. The rest of your day is free to explore the dockside taverns, cafés and shops. Dine aboard before evening departure. Sailing departures November 25–December 23 will also visit Cologne’s Christmas market. (B, L, D) Day 7 | Kinderdijk, Holland.  Spend your morning enjoying some popular Dutch diversions: sample Dutch cheeses and jenever, a distilled juniper liquor, and try your hand at sjoelen (Dutch table shuffleboard). After lunch, your ship arrives in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an afternoon tour of this ingenious network of windmills and other flood management devices. You learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, plus you enter an actual working windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Board your ship for departure and dinner. Arrive at Amsterdam after midnight. (B, L, D) Day 8 | Amsterdam. After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the Amsterdam airport for your return flight. Or, add 2 nights in Amsterdam so you will have time to explore this picturesque and cosmopolitan capital. (B) NOTE: Itinerary is subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the itinerary schedule you receive with your final documents.

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise ship

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Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line.

Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the world’s major rivers.

That’s notably different from most cruise lines. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries.

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Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note, from the Douro in Portugal to (until recently) the Volga in Russia.

The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River .

There are 80 river ships in Viking’s fleet — an astounding number. None of its main competitors among river lines catering to North Americans, which include Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and AmaWaterways , have anywhere near that number of vessels.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Among ocean cruise destinations, Viking has a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which it considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) However, you’ll find Viking’s nine traditional ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia.

Last year, the line began cruising to Antarctica with its first expedition ship — a type of vessel built specifically for travel to remote, hard-to-reach places. Viking now has two such vessels.

Among the line’s voyages, there’s everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages.

Overwhelmed with choices? Here are the five best Viking cruise destinations where the line can truly offer you a memorable vacation.

Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Some of Viking’s most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway — the homeland of the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen.

As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers “Viking country” — a region where it wants to dominate.

During summers, in particular, Viking devotes an unusually large number of its ships to itineraries around Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and other Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland. Many, notably, use the relatively small but famously scenic Norwegian city of Bergen (population 286,000) as a gateway, something no other line is doing. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise.

The line’s most popular route in the region, “Viking Homelands,” is a two-week-long, one-way trip between Bergen and Stockholm that combines several days of exploring the fjord region of Norway’s west coast with more-typical Baltic cruise destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Note that, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. It’s unlikely St. Petersburg will return to the itinerary until the war in Ukraine is resolved.

Viking also offers a 14-night itinerary that includes several stops in the northernmost part of the country above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed “Into the Midnight Sun,” the one-way route between Bergen and London is unique because it combines calls in far-north Honningsvag and Tromso, Norway, with visits to Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands. Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history.

Itineraries that will take you from Bergen to Iceland or even as far away as France, Portugal and Spain also are available.

Viking’s Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights.

Among the longest sailings that Viking offers that include calls in Northern Europe are one-way, 28-night voyages between Bergen and New York City. The trips include stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.

In Northern Europe, Viking ships mostly sail out of Bergen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London as well as Reykjavik.

The Mediterranean

Viking has grown into a major player in Mediterranean sailings, with more than 30 distinct itineraries that include stops in the region.

The trips include voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean and some that include stops across both areas.

Typical of the latter is the line’s 14-night “Mediterranean Antiquities” routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain.

More-focused Mediterranean itineraries include the line’s nine-night “Empires of the Mediterranean” voyages between Venice and Athens, which mostly concentrate on stops along the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea in Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.

In the Mediterranean, the line’s main hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites  

Europe riverways

Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe — at least among lines that cater to English speakers. The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continent’s rivers — far more than any other river line catering to North Americans.

In all, the line accounts for about half of all river cruises taken by North Americans in the region. The next biggest player in Europe river cruises for North Americans, AmaWaterways, is less than half the size.

Among the rivers in Europe where Viking has a major presence are the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also offered cruises on the Dnieper River in Ukraine. The voyages have been suspended since Russia invaded the country in early 2022.

On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights.

Among 10 different itineraries on the Rhine River alone, offerings range from a seven-night “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, to a 22-night “European Sojourn” from Amsterdam to Bucharest, Romania. The latter adds travel on the Main and Danube rivers to days on the Rhine.

Viking offers some of the most intimate and elegant cruises on the Nile, with three ships including the recently unveiled, 82-passenger Viking Osiris — one of our favorite vessels on the river.

All three of Viking’s Nile ships operate the same seven-night Nile cruise itinerary that Viking pairs with a four-night stay at a hotel in Cairo (three nights before the cruise and one night after) to create an 11-night “Pharaohs and Pyramids” tour of Egypt.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s loyalty program

The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings. The stay in Cairo brings a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and other sites.

Viking Osiris is the first of four sister ships that Viking plans to launch on the Nile by 2025 as it doubles its footprint in Egypt. The vessels offer a clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced design that mimics the look of Viking’s Europe-based vessels.

Notably, the ship features an entire deck of sprawling suites that rival anything else found on the Nile for luxury and comfort. Each comes with two full-size rooms — a large living room with a residential feel and an adjacent bedroom with a walk-in closet and bathroom. Each suite also has an outdoor balcony with seating for two — something you don’t always see on Nile ships.

Viking is a newcomer to cruises to Antarctica, but the destination is a big growth area for the line. Viking recently added two new, 378-passenger expedition cruise vessels specifically built to travel to the White Continent.

Dubbed Viking Octantis, the first of these vessels began sailings to Antarctica in February 2022. The second ship in the series, Viking Polaris, has just joined its sister in Antarctica this year. Together, the two ships are already making waves in the market for Antarctica cruises, in part because they have several new and unusual features.

Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to two of each ship’s exploratory vessels while still in the protected interior of the ship. A first for an expedition ship, it’s something that is significantly improving the experience for passengers heading out on Antarctica exploration.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

In another first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin on both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Viking offers several Antarctic itineraries, with the typical trip starting with a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, to board one of the two expedition ships for an 11-night cruise to Antarctica and back. A longer version of the trip features 13 nights on board one of the ships and extra days in Antarctica.

Viking also offers Antarctica sailings that combine a visit to the White Continent with stops in the Falkland Islands, Uruguay and Brazil.

Viking Octantis, notably, also operated Viking’s first sailings around the Great Lakes this year. In 2023, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will spend their summers in the Great Lakes.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Engine noise on Viking Longships

By RCnotcola , September 8, 2018 in River Cruising

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I have a Viking river cruise on the Rhine on a longship booked in 2020. I'm in room 125 in the lowest level of the ship. I see that this room is the closest to the engine compartment. I'm a little concerned that I might hear the engine while sleeping. Has anybody had problems with the engine noises with rooms that are close to it?

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Room 125 is actually next to the crew rooms, and the engine should be further back. On our first Viking cruise, we were close to it, but didn’t hear a thing. Each of our other cruises with Viking have been in the “Aquarium Class” rooms and engine noise has never been an issue.

Hope this helps!

TakingFlight

We were in cabin 339 on one cruise and you could definitely hear engine noise (or some other loud banging noises) at night in our cabin. We got a great deal on that cruise and it was the last cabin available so I didn’t stress about it too much.

We were in cabin 106 on a Viking Rhine cruise last month. We didn't hear any engine noise, but because the river was so low we heard a lot of noise from silt and gravel being kicked up from the bottom. It wasn't a constant noise, though. It was also noisy when we went through some of the locks. Nevertheless, we thoroughly enjoyed the cruise and wouldn't hesitate to book an "aquarium class" cabin again.

OnTheJourney

We were on a Tauck ship - upper level - I can't say I experienced engine "noise" but did feel excessive vibrations at times during the late night hours. In looking back on it, it may have been mostly while we were sailing against the current during the first part of the trip.

Anyone else have problems in cabin 339? I just booked that room as it was the last balcony left and have been having misgiving ever since.

Don’t worry, just bring some good ear plugs and you’ll sleep like a baby. The noise by no means affected our love for Viking. We’ve since taken another cruise and are booked for Provence next October.

Ryan...we leave on the 20th of this month. Noticed you mentioned water level. Were you able to sail entire portion? Were you on the the Rhine?

We were in 122 on the Viking Kvasir in July. I didn't notice any engine noise, but sometimes there were scraping noises especially when going through locks. It didn't bother me, though, and my husband didn't complain about it either.

Before the cruise, I was concerned about noise related to the crew quarters and their stairway to the upper decks being right behind us. We never heard anything from them at all - except when we happened to meet one there and said Hello!

So we too have decided that we're happy to stay in the aquarium cabins and have extra money for optional excursions and souvenirs!

Yes, scLewis we were on the Rhine and we were able to sail the entire way (Amsterdam to Basel). Have a great trip!

Thanks for the fast response! I hesitate to change to a different cabin as there are no other veranda cabins available this week. I could save a little money and go to French Balcony (we are not getting any better deal on this room than any other balcony cabin would be), but we really wanted to treat ourselves to a veranda. Did you hear much noise from the public area above?

We were in 337 last year and have booked the same cabin (on a different Longship/itinerary) for next year. Noise from above was never an issue as it's aft of the walking track and the seating area so without significant traffic overhead during the day, and we didn't hear anything at all from below, e.g. banging/engine noises as mentioned in post 3.

When you think about it, Viking would have been mad to have put the most expensive suites above the engines if there was any danger of their premium customers being seriously disturbed by mechanical noise.

We were in 337 last year and have booked the same cabin (on a different Longship/itinerary) for next year. Noise from above was never an issue as it's aft of the walking track and the seating area so without significant traffic overhead during the day, and we didn't hear anything at all from below, e.g. banging/engine noises as mentioned in post 3.   When you think about it, Viking would have been mad to have put the most expensive suites above the engines if there was any danger of their premium customers being seriously disturbed by mechanical noise.

Thanks! That was my thought, but I found it odd that on nearly every sailing that had a veranda available, it was 339. The Viking rep told me he thought it was because it was the farthest away from the dining room, which may be true, but it seemed funny to me. He assured me it was quiet, but I wouldn't expect him to tell me that it was noisy, even if that was true. Good to hear that you had a good experience!

Thanks for the fast response! I hesitate to change to a different cabin as there are no other veranda cabins available this week. I could save a little money and go to French Balcony (we are not getting any better deal on this room than any other balcony cabin would be), but we really wanted to treat ourselves to a veranda. Did you hear much noise from the public area above?   Patty

No noise from the public area above—and that’s without earplugs! Take the veranda!

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Rhine Getaway

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2024-2026 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES:  Offer applies to bookings made from April 1-30, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe . Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in CA dollars and for CA residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024: Pay in full by May 31, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025: Pay in full by July 31, 2024. 2026: Pay in full by February 15, 2025. Offers expires April 30, 2024.

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GENERAL RESTRICTIONS: Cruise fares listed are cruise only in CAD dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and for CA residents only. Cruise ship fuel surcharge may apply. All fares and offers are for new bookings made April 1, 2024 to April 30, 2024, are subject to availability; may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Credit and Viking Referral Rewards. Special cruise fares are based upon published full cruise fares; cruise fares do not include prepaid charges, optional facilities and service fees, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the  Passenger Ticket Contract  which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full cruise fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to economy, roundtrip flights only from select Viking River Cruises CA gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. The cruise ship fuel surcharge is additional revenue to Viking Cruises, as are any additional charges relating to currency fluctuation other than for fully paid cruise fares and full fares, which fluctuations are beyond our control. All fares include cruise taxes, port taxes and fees. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the  Passenger Ticket Contract  .

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Mary Shannon

An Interview With Mary Shannon

How many years have you been selling travel? 32 years

What are your hobbies? President of Truro Minor Football, sporting events, family

What type of resort activities do you favor? ie water sports, lounging by the pool, etc? Lounging by the pool or beach, watersports, nighttime shows and activiites

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Cayo coco cuba - 2022.

Took my son and friend for Grade 12 grad trip stayed at the Playa Paraiso was very clean great staff, beautiful beach.  Food is Cuban food you can always find something to eat.  

Punta Cana - 2021

  Spent a week beginning of Dec at the beautiful Majestic Elegance -- it never disappoints me.   Great property excellent staff, food, facilities. Beach is great -- entertainment staff always keeping you busy if you want - beach yoga, volleyball Nightly entertainment awesome Would return in a second !

Portugal and Azorres - 2018

Travelling with my husband with Collette Tours visiting Lisbon, and small towns around the area.  Cascai a favorite .  Continued with 4 nights in the Azorres  Portugal one of my favorite destinations in Europe great food, safe, friendly

AMA River Cruise - AMA Stella - 2018

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Santa Clara Cuba - 2011

Stayed at Barceló Cayo Santa Maria:  accommodations great close to beach Food standard with a lot of choice in buffet-- Pool area could have been cleaned a little more -- Staff not as friendly as other resorts I have stayed at.  Beach fabulous !  

Mexico- Cozumel - 2008

We stayed at the Melia Cozumel--only 10 minutes from airport and 15 minutes from the town of San Miguel Great destination for snorklers , or scuba drivers Allows you to take ferry over to Playa del Carmen for the day

Florida- Orlando and St. Petes - 2008

Attending a familiarization trip with other agents : focusing on Orlando homes and Disney properties.  As well stayed a couple of nights in St. Petes

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Lots to do the Washington/Virginia area:  Saw a Washington Capitals baseball game,  White House, Air/Space Museums

Cancun and Mayan Riviera - 2007

Santa clara, cuba - 2007, testimonials.

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