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European River cruises worth it?
Posted on 8/1/22 at 2:41 pm
Posted on 8/1/22 at 2:41 pm
Reading the thread about Basel Switzerland had me looking at maps and that lead to studying the Rhine river. A trip from Basel to Amsterdam looks likes a nice trip. Think the wife would like the leisurely pace.
Do the boats normally sail at night and have most of the day in town excursions?
Anyone been and would recommend. Any other nicer cruises worth looking at.
Do the boats normally sail at night and have most of the day in town excursions?
Anyone been and would recommend. Any other nicer cruises worth looking at.
9
Posted on 8/1/22 at 4:28 pm to Nodust
I am a Viking fan for the river cruises and they can be fun.
I have taken 2 of their river cruises and am booked for a 3rd through eastern Europe.
They sail at night and Viking has an assortment of excursions along the Rhine and/or Danube, depending on the direction you are traveling.
I do enjoy driving many parts of Europe, especially where they drive on the right (correct) side of the road.
I have taken 2 of their river cruises and am booked for a 3rd through eastern Europe.
They sail at night and Viking has an assortment of excursions along the Rhine and/or Danube, depending on the direction you are traveling.
I do enjoy driving many parts of Europe, especially where they drive on the right (correct) side of the road.
Posted on 8/1/22 at 4:51 pm to Nodust
A river cruise through the French wine region is very high on my list of trips to take.
Posted on 8/1/22 at 4:56 pm to SagesSon
Viking were the ones I was looking at.
I'm more of a diy traveller but the Mrs wants something a little more relaxing.
Thanks for the Info
I'm more of a diy traveller but the Mrs wants something a little more relaxing.
Thanks for the Info
Posted on 8/1/22 at 5:20 pm to Nodust
Posted quite a bit about these on some other threads. Been on 4 Viking Cruises. Doing their Normandy one in November. Just booked the Douro River Cruise in Portugal in April 2023.
Only way to go in my book. Why? They do everything for you. Unpack once and that's it. Great bulk airfare. Amazing service and food. If you want to self-direct, do it on your own before or after your cruise since you're already over there. Winter time Christmas Market Cruises by far are the best.
Yes they often cruise at night. Some "downsides" could be age demographic (all ages, but probably 50'ish average.) Water levels "could" be lower on certain rivers, so they may portage you via bus. All "could" happen, but Viking does EVERYTHING to make your trip memorable. If something happens, they give you lucrative credits for future travel. Happened on our Baltic Ocean Cruise in May. Couldn't go to Estonia or St. Petersburg because of the war. Gave us 125% off future travel.
My other recent posts:
If it was me, you gotta map out when the Christmas markets are open and where you want to go.
Christmas markets in Europe start anywhere between November and December, and finish before Christmas or carry on into the first week of January.
When
Where
My favorite time of year. Festive. Less tourists. Cheaper.
Every European City has a Christmas Market. Of the ones I've been to, I'd highly recommend Prague, Budapest, or Poland (Yes Poland. Warsaw or Kraków). Maybe Vienna. Pick one country or City and immerse for that time so you don't stress the fam out.
Magical.
Some selected photos:
Poland
Czechia (Note some booths were closed due to Covid, but Prague is one of the great Christmas Cities in the World!)
Budapest:
Vienna:
Only way to go in my book. Why? They do everything for you. Unpack once and that's it. Great bulk airfare. Amazing service and food. If you want to self-direct, do it on your own before or after your cruise since you're already over there. Winter time Christmas Market Cruises by far are the best.
Yes they often cruise at night. Some "downsides" could be age demographic (all ages, but probably 50'ish average.) Water levels "could" be lower on certain rivers, so they may portage you via bus. All "could" happen, but Viking does EVERYTHING to make your trip memorable. If something happens, they give you lucrative credits for future travel. Happened on our Baltic Ocean Cruise in May. Couldn't go to Estonia or St. Petersburg because of the war. Gave us 125% off future travel.
My other recent posts:
If it was me, you gotta map out when the Christmas markets are open and where you want to go.
Christmas markets in Europe start anywhere between November and December, and finish before Christmas or carry on into the first week of January.
When
Where
My favorite time of year. Festive. Less tourists. Cheaper.
Every European City has a Christmas Market. Of the ones I've been to, I'd highly recommend Prague, Budapest, or Poland (Yes Poland. Warsaw or Kraków). Maybe Vienna. Pick one country or City and immerse for that time so you don't stress the fam out.
Magical.
Some selected photos:
Poland
Czechia (Note some booths were closed due to Covid, but Prague is one of the great Christmas Cities in the World!)
Budapest:
Vienna:
This post was edited on 8/1/22 at 5:25 pm
Posted on 8/1/22 at 8:33 pm to Nole Man
My parents are newly retired and did a bike and barge tour and it looked fricking awesome. The barge has about 20 sleeping quarters and a crew of 4, they do dinner on the boat and it moves overnight. You bike (ebike) during the day from one place to the next stop where the barge picks you back up.
Amazing way to see the countryside, never have to pack/ unpack. And do something very different as far as travel goes.
Amazing way to see the countryside, never have to pack/ unpack. And do something very different as far as travel goes.
Posted on 8/2/22 at 5:46 am to SagesSon
quote:
I have taken 2 of their river cruises and am booked for a 3rd through eastern Europe.
Not sure which one you're doing, but we did Viking's "Eastern Passage" cruise in 2019. One of the best trips I've ever taken. We spent a week upfront in Romania. We hired a guide, with another couple, who picked us up in Bucharest and drove us up to Brasov, where we based and did daily tours of the Transylvania region. Really beautiful and unique. Hopped on the boat and got to visit stops in Bulgaria, Croatia, then stopped and spent a few days in Budapest, my second favorite city in the world (to Prague!).
Eastern Europe is more of a "cultural immersion" kind of trip. There are many beautiful sights, amazing food and drink, incredibly interesting and friendly people. But with a backdrop of poverty, political uncertainty, including a real fear of Russian invasion.
In a perfect world, I'd get to spend more time in Bulgaria, but don't think that'll ever happen.
Selected Photos
Posted on 8/2/22 at 7:36 am to Nole Man
The cruise is a new one called "Capitals of Eastern Europe". Travels the Danube from Vienna to the Black Sea.
If I could, I would cruise most places in Europe to get a flavor for a region. Then come back, rent a car and drive deeper into countries or regions that make me say, "I gotta see more of this."
If I could, I would cruise most places in Europe to get a flavor for a region. Then come back, rent a car and drive deeper into countries or regions that make me say, "I gotta see more of this."
Posted on 8/2/22 at 8:52 am to SagesSon
That one sounds nice. A little long for us at the moment. Maybe when I get closer to retirement.
Is there a preferred month you like. I would rather cooler weather so leaning towards fall.
Is there a preferred month you like. I would rather cooler weather so leaning towards fall.
Posted on 8/2/22 at 9:03 am to Nodust
As noted above, if time permits, travel when the Christmas Markets open. Typically in late November.
Various cruises and lengths. We've done the Elbe and Danube (3 times). You'd love it.
Various cruises and lengths. We've done the Elbe and Danube (3 times). You'd love it.
Posted on 8/2/22 at 9:32 am to Nodust
quote:
Is there a preferred month you like. I would rather cooler weather so leaning towards fall.
I'm not sure what you mean by cooler weather, but most of Europe isn't like the southeastern US and hot for 6 months of the year. May and August you can get Avg Lows in the high 50s and 60s in many places. Just something to consider because the later in the year you go the earlier it gets dark.
Posted on 8/3/22 at 7:43 am to Nodust
I highly recommend the Viking river boat cruises. I will say that me and my wife 30's; were by far the youngest people. We did Amsterdam to Basel. We watched the LSU vs. Bama game 2019 on the ship. Bet some Bama fans a bottle of champagne over the game.
Food on the boat is good and changes with the location. Fresh and high quality. All the staff on the boat are really friendly.
The majority of our stops were in Germany. The black forest is beautiful. The castles and cathedrals are nice. I would love to spend a week just in the Netherlands.
Compared to Baton Rouge or New Orleans; Europe is extremely safe. Even Amsterdam's red light district is tame compared to Bourbon Street. We went for a honeymoon and lived it up. Restaurants were as cheap if not cheaper than a touristy American city.
Food on the boat is good and changes with the location. Fresh and high quality. All the staff on the boat are really friendly.
The majority of our stops were in Germany. The black forest is beautiful. The castles and cathedrals are nice. I would love to spend a week just in the Netherlands.
Compared to Baton Rouge or New Orleans; Europe is extremely safe. Even Amsterdam's red light district is tame compared to Bourbon Street. We went for a honeymoon and lived it up. Restaurants were as cheap if not cheaper than a touristy American city.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 9:02 am to Nodust
We are booked for a Viking cruise on the Rhine. We are very excited about this trip, both of us for different reasons. She wanted to do a Christmas market cruise, but I don't want to come back broke 
Posted on 8/4/22 at 1:38 pm to SagesSon
This one: Capitals of Eastern Europe?
Similar to ours but 17 days. Adds some additional stops and goes on to Vienna. Think you'll love it. Spend more time in Romania if you can pre-trip. Go up to Brasov and base.
I kind of hesitate to link this YouTuber's 7 part series on this itinerary, because he needs to edit down some of his content, little long, etc., BUT..It's almost the exact same trip we did and it covers all locations. And it was recent (Fall 2021). You can fast forward if you get too bored.
LINK
Similar to ours but 17 days. Adds some additional stops and goes on to Vienna. Think you'll love it. Spend more time in Romania if you can pre-trip. Go up to Brasov and base.
I kind of hesitate to link this YouTuber's 7 part series on this itinerary, because he needs to edit down some of his content, little long, etc., BUT..It's almost the exact same trip we did and it covers all locations. And it was recent (Fall 2021). You can fast forward if you get too bored.
LINK
Posted on 8/4/22 at 3:39 pm to Nole Man
Thanks for the link. The trip is more than a year away, yet I am really looking forward to it.
Not sure if any other poster mentioned it, but Viking cruises are geared to Americans. Also, Viking does not allow people under 18, if that matters to anyone researching river cruises.
Not sure if any other poster mentioned it, but Viking cruises are geared to Americans. Also, Viking does not allow people under 18, if that matters to anyone researching river cruises.
Posted on 8/4/22 at 4:32 pm to SagesSon
quote:
Viking does not allow people under 18, if that matters to anyone researching river cruises.
Thought Viking didn't allow anyone under 60???
Seriously, that looks like an amazing trip. You'll really get a great immersion into Eastern European culture.
Belogradchik Fortress in Bulgaria is about the neatest place in the world you'll ever see.
LINK
If you want a real "insider tip", learn the culture around Rakia! (Their version of home made moonshine). So many great experiences with staff, guests drinking that stuff and learning how to speak some toasts! It's a thing in all Eastern European Countries. Goes by other names (Slivovitz, Tuica etc.) based upon the fruit (pear plums etc.)
The Elixer of the Balkans!
History!
"The Sneaky Good Liquor!
Posted on 8/5/22 at 2:52 am to Nodust
Funny you should ask because even as we speak my wife and I are enjoying breakfast in the Explorer Suite aboard the Viking Ingva on the Danube River having departed Budapest last night. So far, so good.
Posted on 8/5/22 at 5:35 am to blueridgeTiger
SIL and BIL just made that trip in July....had a blast. Enjoy. 
Posted on 8/5/22 at 7:50 am to blueridgeTiger
Give us some trip updates along the way! Current capacity? Water levels?
PS: Ask for Rakia at at bar, particularly if the servers are Serbian, Croatian or Bosnian. You'll make friends for life!
"ZhiVoli" (a toast) Živeli
PS: Ask for Rakia at at bar, particularly if the servers are Serbian, Croatian or Bosnian. You'll make friends for life!
"ZhiVoli" (a toast) Živeli
Posted on 8/5/22 at 8:10 am to Nole Man
Water levels are ok. The Captain told us the river at Budapest was somewhat low but we got past low water areas with no problem. Once we got past the first lock this morning we’ve made it to our first stop.
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