Viking River Cruises
Sep 19th, 2009, 06:53 AM
#2
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You can get a lot of input if you go to www.cruisecritic.com. Select "Boards" in the upper left of the bar. Then scroll down to "Special Interest Cruising" and pick "River & Canal Cruises".
Sep 19th, 2009, 08:26 AM
#3
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I recently returned from the Grand European Tour on Viking Legend. I was very disappointed with the quality of this cruise. Starting with the food - not gourmet. My airline food on KLM was superior to food on board. The on board lectures were pitiful. Unqualified staffers reading from a script which they hadn't practiced before hand. Too much time in a few cities and not enough in many cities. Lots of river boats tying up at the same time which resulted in huge crowds at all the sights. I felt the boat was understaffed. This trip was not inexpensive. When I signed up it was $6600 per person. They have discounted the fares since then due to the economy. Don't expect to get your money's worth.
Sep 21st, 2009, 04:42 AM
#4
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Minogami - check out cruisecritic.com for information on river and canal cruises. Go to cruise critic, click on boards, go to the special interest cruising section and find river & canal cruises. There is a lot of information posted there about the various cruises and cruise lines.
Lately Viking hasn't been getting very good reviews. That's just my opinion. I've not been on a Viking cruise.
Lately Viking hasn't been getting very good reviews. That's just my opinion. I've not been on a Viking cruise.
Oct 22nd, 2009, 02:12 PM
#5
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Before I comment, I should disclose that I work for Viking River Cruises. Naturally, I would be inclined to sing the praises of our cruises, but I will let our guests comment, in the interest of unbiased feedback. I would like to address, possibly in a separate conversation, the issues viking2 encountered. Your experience was not typical and I am sad to hear we could not meet your expectations. You can contact me at [email protected]. To Minogami: it would not be credible for me to 'recommend' our own ships. I am happy to provide whatever information I can, via the e-mail listed above. Whether you travel with us or with one of the other companies that provide river cruising, I do firmly believe it's a great way to explore the world.
Oct 24th, 2009, 11:22 AM
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We have taken many cruises over the years, but took our first river cruise with Viking in July 2007 on the Viking Pakhomav. We started in Moscow and ended in St. Petersburg. Our experience was certainly different than the poster above. We didn't expect gourmet food and thoroughly enjoyed the rather ethnic meals we had. Lunch was particuarly good, a buffet of many, many choices and the chance to put together your favorites.
Staff couldn't have been nicer. Our Guide was exceptional, as were the guides in all the cities we visited. All were well informed about their cities, spoke good English and some had wonderful senses of humor.
The Pakhomav is not "luxury" but our room was compact, clean and surprisingly efficient for its size. We were very comfortable throughout our 12 days onboard.
We were fortunate to have a two for one fare and because it was less expensive, we certainly didn't feel the trip was lessened because it was a bargain!
We would like to take the Grand European Tour, which I believe starts in Amsterdam and ends in Budapest (a city we love). I'm so sorry it didn't reach the above poster's expectations. If this tour meets the quality of the Waterways of the Czars (I believe this was the name of our cruise) we would be very happy and satisfied with our choice.
Incidentally, I don't work for Viking!
Staff couldn't have been nicer. Our Guide was exceptional, as were the guides in all the cities we visited. All were well informed about their cities, spoke good English and some had wonderful senses of humor.
The Pakhomav is not "luxury" but our room was compact, clean and surprisingly efficient for its size. We were very comfortable throughout our 12 days onboard.
We were fortunate to have a two for one fare and because it was less expensive, we certainly didn't feel the trip was lessened because it was a bargain!
We would like to take the Grand European Tour, which I believe starts in Amsterdam and ends in Budapest (a city we love). I'm so sorry it didn't reach the above poster's expectations. If this tour meets the quality of the Waterways of the Czars (I believe this was the name of our cruise) we would be very happy and satisfied with our choice.
Incidentally, I don't work for Viking!
Oct 25th, 2009, 07:34 PM
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Our experience with Viking on their Grand European Tour-Budapest to Amsterdam (Oct 4-18) was outstanding. This was on the Pride/Danube because of low water we were bussed from Melk to Regansburg and traded ships. The Viking staff made this switch seamlessly-and frankly I enjoyed seeing some of the country by land.
Overall Viking provides a great experience-tours are included and 9/10's of the local guides are great-humorous and informative. Food is very good to excellent. No it is not large cruise ship food but it is very good. Viking staff are good humored and competent-my hat off to Verona, Henrietta, Catalina, George, Tibor, and everyone who made the trip enjoyable.
One word of info: there is a difference between the Danube (1999) and the Pride (2001). They may look the same and hold about 150 persons, but we found that the sound insulation and cabin storage as well as small design aspects in the bathroom was far superior on the Pride and I presume sister ships that were built in the same year. And the Danube's lounge area is in need of refurbishing.
We had an excellent ship talk by an German Prof on the EU and a fun glass blowing demonstration. A couple of the presentations by the tour director could have had a broader appeal.
Bottom-line is that Viking provides great value for the money. Viking caters mainly to Americans/Canadians. It would be nice to have some Aussies on board-they always are a lot of fun!
The low water and possible disruptions to a trip like this puts a different perspective on the advisability of trip insurance. We heard that one Viking cruise had to be cancelled. Whether true I am not sure, and whether insurance would cover such and event I do not know but it is something to consider.
Overall Viking provides a great experience-tours are included and 9/10's of the local guides are great-humorous and informative. Food is very good to excellent. No it is not large cruise ship food but it is very good. Viking staff are good humored and competent-my hat off to Verona, Henrietta, Catalina, George, Tibor, and everyone who made the trip enjoyable.
One word of info: there is a difference between the Danube (1999) and the Pride (2001). They may look the same and hold about 150 persons, but we found that the sound insulation and cabin storage as well as small design aspects in the bathroom was far superior on the Pride and I presume sister ships that were built in the same year. And the Danube's lounge area is in need of refurbishing.
We had an excellent ship talk by an German Prof on the EU and a fun glass blowing demonstration. A couple of the presentations by the tour director could have had a broader appeal.
Bottom-line is that Viking provides great value for the money. Viking caters mainly to Americans/Canadians. It would be nice to have some Aussies on board-they always are a lot of fun!
The low water and possible disruptions to a trip like this puts a different perspective on the advisability of trip insurance. We heard that one Viking cruise had to be cancelled. Whether true I am not sure, and whether insurance would cover such and event I do not know but it is something to consider.
Oct 25th, 2009, 09:46 PM
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<It would be nice to have some Aussies on board-they always are a lot of fun!>
There were a number of Australians on our cruise and we became quite friendly with two ladies traveling together. We still e-mail back and forth occasionally. You are so right, they are a fun bunch!
There were a number of Australians on our cruise and we became quite friendly with two ladies traveling together. We still e-mail back and forth occasionally. You are so right, they are a fun bunch!
