Leaving Amsterdam July 27th for two week cruise to Budapest. Anyone else going?

Dear Cameron: We just returned from Viking's Eastern European Odyssey (Vienna, Black Sea, Vienna). It was great! We hope to take your itinerary next year. Please keep us posted. Thanks and Bon Voyage!!!! Mimi

Did you get their newsletter special of $700pp best available cabin for the 14 night cruise? We tried but it was sold out.

cbo86, So sorry you missed out on this wonderful cruise.

I was sitting at the computer when the Viking email came in and had the cruise booked within 30 minutes. The woman I talked with said I was her first call on this special and we were able to get a cabin on the highest priced deck.

Actually we did this cruise in reverse last Oct, but it was chilly and rainy on several days. In spite of that, my husband says it was the best trip he's ever taken.

The $700 ($800 including port charges) sure beats the $2600 we paid last year! We've decided to be "last minute Vikings" from now on!

Mimi, We want to take the Eastern European trip. Maybe Viking will have a last minute deal on it next year.

What were your favorite places on your trip?

We saw the special (free air) for the St Petersburg/Moscow trip, but waited too long to decide and the only cabins left were tiny, so we passed.

Cameron: We were so excited about the Eastern European itinerary, that we booked it last November!!! So, of course, we paid full price (less previous passenger discount) Nevertheless, it was an extraordinary trip. We felt like pioneers in uncharted territory. Never having been there before, we loved Vienna and Budapest. Surprises to us were Bratislava, Pecs, Ezstergom, Szentendre, and most especially the magnificent limestone formations in Belogradscik (spelling?) and the overnight foray into Transylvania. Bran Castle was interesting, but Peles Castle in Brassov was fantastic and totally unexpected. However, as this route is still very new, there were minor inconveniences and itinerary changes due to border crossings and passport control, so flexibility is key. However, Viking did their best for us. The food was fabulous and the included guided tours were informative. Sailing through the chaging landscape of the Danube (flat plains to imposing peaks and gorges) was a never-ending visual treat. (Bird-watching has become a new interest - so don't forget binoculars.)

We took the Moscow/St. Petersburg trip with Viking last year and absolutely loved it. I would highly recommend it, though be prepared for a little less luxury than on the rest of their fleet. There are a great many posts on Fodor's about this trip -- search for My River Cruise in Russia part 1 and 2. It was invaluable for me both pre- and post-trip. Mimi

Cameron,
I just received an email from my travel agent this morning and the Nov 1st Eastern European sailing is discounted to $1789. While not exactly a 'steal', it's still much better than high season prices. I'm interested in this itinerary too, but I'm already doing the Danube Explorer cruise in November.

Cameron: Just saw a post on the Cruisemates.com message board from "edna". She's also on your trip. Mimi

Maybe you can answer some questions for me. I would LOVE to do a riverboat cruise; however the brochures that I get are VERY high. Even though I really want to take one, I can't pay those HIGH rates. I didn't know they ever came down! Where did you find the sale price on these cruises?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Carol

Carol,
I don't know about other lines, but with Viking you can go to their website www.vikingrivers.com and sign up for their email specials. Many of their offers are last minute sailings - I just received one for an August Budapest to Nuremburg cruise for $525 for 7 nights, a huge discount. But you have to be able to take advantage of them right away. They do also offer discounts several months in advance but not as much. I booked my November cruise back in February and got about a 1/3 off of their brochure price. Hope this helps.

Carol,
You can get great deals if you can travel at the last minute as Mimi said.
The cruise we're taking lists at $3200 in the catalog, but we're paying only $800 (including port charges). We booked within 30 minutes of receiving Viking's email (I was at the computer when it came in). You can see that poster cbo86 missed out. This is definitely a "snooze, you lose" situation. Sign up for their newletter and check your email often !!

We will be looking for a special like this next year for either Russia or Eastern Europe. Mimi, you have done both, haven't you? Which did you prefer? Thanks.

Cameron: I truly loved both. Russia was very much about churches, icons, palaces, the Kremlin, and glorious St. Petersburg - and for me, a dream come true. Eastern Europe was more about cities, culture, castles, history and the ebb and flow of geographical boundaries.

However, Russia was only 11 days, while Eastern Europe was 17 days. The extra time really made a difference with jet lag, etc. Given the long flights, I will be looking for 14 days minimum on future trips, perhaps even taking two back-to-back. For us, it's all about river cruising.....as someone said, it's a bus trip on a boat. Itinerary intensive, but only one check-in and not having to live out of a suitcase. Also, it's far nicer watching the changing scenery from the deck of a boat than from a seat on a tour bus. Mimi

Cameron be sure to post a trip report when you get back as I'm still kicking myself fot missing out on this trip. It's a fantastic deal and I know you'll have an experience to tell(please do).
Happy cruzin' CB

I have a question for Cameron. Were you able to get reasonable air fare from Viking also? I notice last minute air fare is extremely expensive.

Received the $800 offer as well and almost did it - it was still available. BUT I couldn't find any air out of Boston for less than $1022 each so passed on it. Viking was not offering any air program - cant' blame them. Have a great time.

I am sitting here in a hotel in Anmsterdam, we should have left on the Viking Europe this AM for a 12 night cruise. Instead we're getting jerked around by the cruise director, who can give us NO information. It seems there is low water, that is the reason we will be taking bus trips, some of which are several hours long, to various towns in Germany. We won't see all the towns we were expected to, also we'll be in hotels for AT LEAST 8 nights out of the 12. They are not treating us very well. Here in the hotel, a Renaissance which is nice enough, we get 1 selection for dinner. I'm trying to find out if we can get our $ back and fly home. NEVER AGAIN ON VIKING, OUR FIRST AND LAST........EVER! WATCH OUT FOR THIS CRUISE COMPANY. I've seedn plenty on the internet about how great it is, that's why we booked,. e feel liuke we're in the middle of a giant scam!

Reply to Unn,
Would appreciate an update on your experience. Why the 8 days? Do they expect a lot of rain or will they bus you farther down river where there is more water???????? We leave next month--so would like updates. Hope your trip gets better.
Donna

Yes, please keep us updated. I would also be interested in hearing how they ultimately handled everything.

REVISED ITINERARIES DUE TO LOW WATER LEVELS

Due to the lowest water level in decades, Viking River Cruises had no choice but to revise its itineraries and make alternate accommodations for select Rhine, Main and Danube River cruises. Athough these circumstances are beyond our control, we have taken every measure to continue itineraries with comprable tours and accommodations so that passengers may enjoy their planned European vacations.

-Viking River Cruises
www.vikingrivercruises.com

I am speaking without knowing all the facts, BUT, if I had booked a RIVER CRUISE, that would be what I expected and wanted. NOT a bus tour.

I am especially puzzled that Viking, knowing full well about the water level problems (since this was also a problem last year) would LOWER the prices to lure unsuspecting people to book a riverboat cruise. And Viking KNOWING that it would not be a Riverboat tour smacks of fraud to me. The way that other ships handle this is to refund the moneys and then give an additional discount on another cruise. What horrid publicity for Viking. Would anyone trust them again?

So sorry for all of the disappointed and disallusioned passengers.