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We are coming up on our 50th wedding anniversary in January of 2025, and have been thinking of splurging on a Viking river cruise to celebrate it in style. We have never taken a cruise. We are not interested in the huge cruise lines that seem to cater to people who enjoy letting loose and partying it up. Not knocking that, but we are way beyond that now at this point in our lives (will be 69 & 70 when we do this - reasonable physical abilities and health - no scooters or walkers or canes needed so far- although we both have slowed down some from the pace we kept when we were in our 50's). Looking for a bit of luxury and service, with shore excursions dedicated to memorable experiences of an educational or cultural nature.
We have seen some enticing commercials on PBS about Viking Cruise Lines that seem to cater more to our interests. We have looked over some of the catalogs and the prices are high, but wondering if the accommodations and services included may justify the cost. Want to hear from those of you who have taken one of these cruises and can offer your opinions on the overall value, plus any tips, criticisms, etc. Thanks in advance!
Just an FYI since Viking is mostly if not all in Europe, Europe cruises are nothing like Bahama cruises. They are not party cruises especially if you go on higher cost Cruise lines and those that don't have fancy ships. We have been on many European cruises and prefer them over the Bahama's. If you enjoy wine with dinner, it is included on a Viking Cruise but if you want cocktails you either buy a package or you pay ala carte. They also include specialty dining vs cruise lines charging you for them. You might check out some videos on youtube from real people (as opposed to people who may or may not be sponsored) like Pryde of the Villages one on Rhine River Cruise from 6 months ago.
Clarification: Viking is not all inclusive for alcohol. It includes wine at lunch and dinner only. If you want more than that, it's pay by the drink or purchase an additional alcohol package.
With cruising, It's the add-ons that financially get you. Required gratuities, tips for your guides, spa treatments, alcohol, port charges, room service fees, airfare, etc etc etc. Viking does include several of these in its base fare. A few luxury cruise lines include all/everything in their base fare. It makes comparing the costs very difficult.
One personal comment on European rivercruises: all that gorgeous scenery that you're seeing in this PBS commercials? Not really gonna happen. The ships dock during the day and travel at night.
Not really true. We saw plenty of scenery from the windows, we often took off about 5 or 6pm, & had several hours of daylight left to look at the scenery, I loved seeing the scenry as we ate dinner. And one full day, iirc, was dedicated to scenery as we passed though a valley on the Rhine with many castles. The boat tour director gave as full commentary as we sailed through the valley.
I wish people who have comments based on adverts & not real life experience would be more careful with untrue comments. I loved our Viking Rhine cruise & do plan on doing one in France next year.
A friend of mine (solo female, 70) did the Basel-Amsterdam cruise last year and raved about it. She's a seasoned world traveler and thought it was totally worth it.
Not really true. We saw plenty of scenery from the windows, we often took off about 5 or 6pm, & had several hours of daylight left to look at the scenery, I loved seeing the scenry as we ate dinner. And one full day, iirc, was dedicated to scenery as we passed though a valley on the Rhine with many castles. The boat tour director gave as full commentary as we sailed through the valley.
I wish people who have comments based on adverts & not real life experience would be more careful with untrue comments. I loved our Viking Rhine cruise & do plan on doing one in France next year.
I wish people wouldn't assume that everyone has the same experiences. the choice of river, time of year, etc. absolutely makes a difference in the amount of daylight scenery one is able to view.
The amount of misinformation about river cruises on this thread is staggering.
River cruising is not similar to ocean cruising, so anyone who tells you that they have cruised (and they mean ocean cruising) cannot tell you anything about river cruising. Ignore them.
River cruising experiences are more alike across cruise lines than different. Viking has their own cadre of cheerleaders, but so do the other lines.
River cruising in Europe is very popular with cruising the Danube and the Rhine some of the most preferred itineraries. Not sure the fighting in the Ukraine has upset river cruises on the upper Danube and the Rhine. Wonder why that came up??
Princess cruise lines do not have river cruises. Not sure why they were mentioned.
Tours, tips, and beverages at meals are usually included in most river cruise lines.
No smoking is generally the rule on all riverboats.
Having a successful river cruise is highly dependent on river levels. The boats need adequate water depth to sail, but if the rivers are too high, the boats won't fit under the many bridges that cross the rivers.
Go on the internet and search for European River Cruises. You will see sites sponsored by the cruise lines, but also sites that are dedicated to cruising and include forums for discussions of river cruising. I would include some here, but you will find it more productive to perform your own research. And besides, it's fun!
I've done river cruises. They can be very nice if you understand how they operate. Do your research so that you will not be disappointed.
You should be able to find a more informative discussion of river cruising before deciding on your vacation plans.
CAVEAT: If this thread is moved to Cruises, be very wary of people who talk about cruising and have only done ocean cruising. The only similarity ocean cruising has to river cruising is that there is water outside your cabin.
The amount of misinformation about river cruises on this thread is staggering.
River cruising is not similar to ocean cruising, so anyone who tells you that they have cruised (and they mean ocean cruising) cannot tell you anything about river cruising. Ignore them.
Based on my research, river cruises tend to be more like an escorted coach tour than an ocean cruise. In general, you have an included excursion at every stop just like a coach tour.
My old boss was a happy traveler on several of the Viking River Cruises and always encouraged me to take one. Another friend did the river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow and enjoyed it. I think I would enjoy them but haven't decided which one. In the USA, the Columbia River cruise might be interesting since that is part of the country that I'm not familiar with. The small ship port hopping cruises in New England (mostly coasting and not river cruises) might be interesting. I was raised within a couple miles of the Mississippi River so that cruise would take me back home in some ways.
I have taken ocean ferry trips but never a vacation cruise. The BC ferry from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy (inside passage) was gorgeous and had a naturalist on board pointing things out along the way. It was a long day trip.
The amount of misinformation about river cruises on this thread is staggering.
River cruising is not similar to ocean cruising, so anyone who tells you that they have cruised (and they mean ocean cruising) cannot tell you anything about river cruising. Ignore them.
River cruising experiences are more alike across cruise lines than different. Viking has their own cadre of cheerleaders, but so do the other lines.
River cruising in Europe is very popular with cruising the Danube and the Rhine some of the most preferred itineraries. Not sure the fighting in the Ukraine has upset river cruises on the upper Danube and the Rhine. Wonder why that came up??
Princess cruise lines do not have river cruises. Not sure why they were mentioned.
Tours, tips, and beverages at meals are usually included in most river cruise lines.
No smoking is generally the rule on all riverboats.
Having a successful river cruise is highly dependent on river levels. The boats need adequate water depth to sail, but if the rivers are too high, the boats won't fit under the many bridges that cross the rivers.
Go on the internet and search for European River Cruises. You will see sites sponsored by the cruise lines, but also sites that are dedicated to cruising and include forums for discussions of river cruising. I would include some here, but you will find it more productive to perform your own research. And besides, it's fun!
I've done river cruises. They can be very nice if you understand how they operate. Do your research so that you will not be disappointed.
You should be able to find a more informative discussion of river cruising before deciding on your vacation plans.
CAVEAT: If this thread is moved to Cruises, be very wary of people who talk about cruising and have only done ocean cruising. The only similarity ocean cruising has to river cruising is that there is water outside your cabin.
Apart from the comment about Princess lines, I haven't found a staggering amount of misinformation.
In fact, most commentators seem to speak from their own experience. Please correct me if I am wrong.
As for your comment about no- smoking permitted, in my experience, a small deck space at the rear of the vessel is usually dedicated to smokers.
The Viking river cruises website shows distinct differences from most other cruise lines and from ocean cruising.
"No casinos
No children under 18
No umbrella drinks
No photography sales
No art auctions
No charge for beer & wine with lunch & dinner
No charge for Wi-Fi
No inside staterooms
No smoking
No waiting in lines
No formal nights, butlers or white gloves
No nickel and diming"
The Viking river cruises website shows distinct differences from most other cruise lines and from ocean cruising.
"No casinos
No children under 18
No umbrella drinks
No photography sales
No art auctions
No charge for beer & wine with lunch & dinner
No charge for Wi-Fi
No inside staterooms
No smoking
No waiting in lines
No formal nights, butlers or white gloves
No nickel and diming"
These are true of most river cruises, not just Viking.
I don't know about the others, but on the American Queen river cruise we took, the bar was available at no cost essentially from lunch through dinner and the show - about 11 am till about 10 pm - not just with dinner in the dining rooms. It only shut down maybe a couple of hours when most were out on tours. It also was not just wine and beer that were no charge - everything but a few that would be maybe $70+ a bottle was included. Never paid for any drink, including some fairly top shelf stuff.
The main dining room always had more formal white table service and you could have Shrimp cocktail, Lobster and Steak every night if you wanted - they had other stuff also every night. The other dining room was more of an upscale casual buffet.
The tours were hop on hop off tour busses - get on and off where you want based on info from the local guide on each bus. The line paid for all admission and tours at every stop. The boat always stopped right downtown so you could walk to shops if you wanted also. The hotel they put us up in the night before the cruise (part of the package) is rated one of the top hotels in the world.
It was really cheaper than many ocean cruises once you take the other stuff into account.
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