re: Anyone ever do one of those Viking River Cruises through Central Europe?

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Question for the Viking veterans on this board -Which of the Rhine and Danube cruises are the most scenic and interesting?

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Viking is obviously well reviewed. And deservedly so. Great service and amazing staff. The shore excursions are very good. Guides excellent. The smaller boat allows you to get closer to the experience and quaint villages and towns in Europe. The process of embankment, disembarkment, and transport to the airport makes the trip even more enjoyable and comfortable.

Can't address the Rhine, but we are doing their Rhine Getaway (Amsterdam to Basel) this November. Have been told by other cruisers it was among their favorites. Lots of castles along the way. Get to spend time in Amsterdam (we're doing 4 days, then on to Colmar for a week afterwards). I've been told the Rhine is a little more "industrial looking" with some of the ports and scenery, but can't personally attest to that.

There are multiple Danuble River options.

We did the Passage To Eastern Europe. Bucharest to Budapest. Spent a week in Romania on our own, basing in Brasov. Hired a local guide who picked us up, drove us around each day. Split the cost with another couple. Was among my favorite trips. It's more of a "cultural immersion" type of trip as some of these Eastern European countries are poorer, but rich in history. Serbia was a favorite as well.

We also did the "Danube Waltz". Started in Prague, bused to Bamberg then on to Heidelberg. Ended up in Budapest. Great trip as well.

Personally, I will say, if you're married particularly, the ONLY way to go for your first trip(s) would be target a Christmas Market Cruise like the Christmas On The Danube. OMG! It's magical. We've did the Danube and Elbe during Christmas and wow! The food. Drinks. Christmas atmosphere. The joy everyone's experiences that time of year.

Check those out!

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Good.
We may be doing the Bordeaux cruise next spring but I think you talked me in to the Christmas cruise for the following year.

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Do them both!!

Seriously, if you do, you'd love it. Most importantly, make sure you consider building time in Budapest. My second favorite big city to visit (next to Prague) in the whole world!

A few selected Christmas Market Photos From Prior Trips

Currently on an Emerald cruise that just left Passau Germany heading to Budapest. First time on a river cruise so I don’t have anything to compare it against. A day and a half in its been great. The food has been excellent. Mostly a older crowd with average age of 60-65.

You'll like Cruise Critic if you want to research cruising options. Check out their "deals section"!

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Great advice. This happened to my parents and they ended up having a less than ideal time because it ended up being mostly a bus tour due to historically low river levels.

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Good article on water levels and what happens next.

Another good article!

Low, or high water levels in the early spring due to the snow melt, can impact a river cruise. There is no way to accurately predict whether your river cruise will be affected by low-water or high-water. But in general, high water occurs in the spring while low water occurs in heat of the summer, usually August.

Europe recently had one of their worst droughts in decades. In terms of river cruising, the most heavily affected were cruises between Belgrade Serbia and Budapest Hungary, due to the water level of parts of the Rhine and Danube rivers being too low for ships to pass.

The Rhine is perhaps the most dependable river when it comes to being able to continue navigation due to low water. Water levels aren’t uniform however. That is to say, if there’s low water on the Danube, the entire Danube isn’t affected.

The cruise lines do everything in their power to make the trip operational and still enjoyable. They may bus you to certain locations. They may swap ships along the way. Cancellation could be an option.

Either way, cruising, even on the ocean, high winds, has some risk. Hurricanes in the Caribbean for example.

War. Our Viking Homelands Cruise got rerouted due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We didn't get to go to ST. Petersburg, Tallinn Estonia and Helsinki Finland. Went to some additional ports in Norway.

Guess what. We still had a blast. AND Viking gave us some financial concessions like 25% off future cruises.

How is the silver spirits package, especially with regard to the wine?
Is the quality much better than the house wine they give you for free?

Thanks.

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How is the silver spirits package, especially with regard to the wine?
Is the quality much better than the house wine they give you for free?

Thanks.

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Depends on how much you'd want to drink on the cruise.

The cost of the package is $19.95 per night per guest in USD. Just an FYI both persons in a cabin must buy the drink package.

We now always opt for the package instead of having to sign for each drink. There are no receipts to keep up with, etc. There is someone at the bar pretty much as long as you want to be there. It might be a little pricey but it is worth less hassle.

The wine served at dinner is unlimited - but it is the house wine. I'd like to stress those wines are not bad at all, so keep that in mind. Generally, yes, I'd say you'd find better wines on the wine list that are part of the Silver Spirits Package though. Also, there are always a couple of fairly expensive wines that are not included in the package, but, after 6 Viking cruises, we have never been disappointed in the wine list.

Another thing to consider is you can always purchase the plan the day you board and I have seen it discounted at that time.

Bottom line: If you're a spirits drinker (we are not), I'd say it's overall an amazing value. I do drink some liqueurs before dinner or after, so there's a value there. A straight up wine or beer drinker might not find it as valuable, particularly if their only goal is drinking with meals. But, you can't beat the convenience!

Evaluating Drink Packages

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Ah so the drink package makes any drinks you drink at any time "free", with upgraded drinks as well? I see a regular ticket has free beer and wine at lunches and dinners.

Have you noticed a certain time the bars open and close?

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Drinks are served with any meal. You could have champagne or a Mimosa with your breakfast if you wanted to!

With the drink package, you can virtually get whatever you want at the bar at almost any hour. Even if someone's not manning the bar at the moment, there's always someone willing to get someone to help you or do it themselves.

In terms of time, there is usually someone at the bar by 10 am or so based on what we've seen. Don't know if the bar ever actually closes, but the lounge was pretty much empty by midnight most nights on our cruise. We're usually asleep long before that!

Another option for afternoon or "happy hour" wine or beer is to purchase it while on shore and keep the bottle in your room refrigerator. Seen people do that. They don't care.

Good article on the subject!

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Oh ok interesting, I didn't know you could bring on your own alcohol.

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We travel with another couple that the first thing they do before the cruise is go to the Duty Free store and stock up.

Viking wouldn't charge you a corkage fee either FYI.