Here's What it is REALLY Like Onboard Viking River Cruises

No casino, SIGN me up. No unlimited drinks, fantastic. I don’t want to be surrounded by drunks.

As a single traveler, I can see that Viking is not for me. I wish more cruise lines would cater to those of us who are widowed or divorced but still like to travel. Everything is for couples only.

To each his/her own, I can really care less about Casino's and unlimited hog barn eating and drinking. The quality, the scenery and stopping at interesting places and being able to take our time is what appeals to me. Good video.

I have been on four different river cruises and have enjoyed them all. Gliding down rivers on boats so quiet that I can hear birds singing on shore is my idea of wonderful. It's so nice having somebody else cook, and the food is superior to what I could produce at home. It's so nice not having to pack up every day. The excursions add variety and sparkle. If you want to rest, relax, and restore your soul, I recommend a river cruise.

I saw a TV ad for Viking which convinced me to take my first Viking River cruise last summer with my 80 year old mom, who was also doing her first river cruise. We had a great time on the Amsterdam-Basel itinerary. I wanted to see tons of midieval castles and it did not disappoint! I liked the different activity levels offered for shore excursions so passengers can choose the pace that works best for them. I did the "leisurely" level for my mom. It wasn’t as slow as I expected but was the right pace. Our trip included free airfare. I don't think I could have afforded to go otherwise. I also didn't realize that our room did not have an outside deck or large window like I had seen in the TV ad. We had just 2 portholes. It was an extra $800 to upgrade so I decided just to enjoy the scenery from the upper deck. The food was amazing. I would travel Viking again. Watching for complimentary airfare!

Not emphasized: 1. You can bring your own beverages and food onboard. I would bring sodas, beer, Kahlua and Irish Cream to mix with coffee, nuts, candy, snack cakes, and chips. Ask room service to empty your mini-fridge and their expensive snacks. I would also grab some deserts set out and take back to my room. 2. There's usually a lounge with cookies, breads, juice, tea, and coffee left out all the time. 3. If you can splurge, get a higher deck cabin. Newer ships have moved the deck into the room with a massive door you can open. Sometimes it is nice to sit in your room with snacks, open the deck door, turn on some music, and watch the scenery flow by in comfort. Lower decks often have their view blocked. 4. I didn't, but try bringing a magnet and small piece of ferrous metal. The AC is disabled when the room deck door open, you might be able to use the magnet or piece of metal to trigger a switch in the door frame so the AC stays on. 5. On excursions, it is fine to venture on your own, just make sure you photograph your ship and the nearby street signs to find your way back, if you miss departure you will need to get a taxi to the next stop. Carry paper with the boat phone and other information in addition to having on your phone (in case your phone battery dies or you lose it). 6. With group tours, they give you headphones. If the item the tour guide was discussing didn't interest me, I would jump ahead to the next earlier group, finding the channel. If a shop or something else caught my attention, I would duck in and catch up with a later group (can hear where they're at). Can spot groups by the flags. 7. They give you free time at every stop. If you wanted a longer excursion, I have seen people arrange to go to a distant site, then catch up with the ship at the next town, just make sure the cruise knows. 8. If you do a pre trip, you can check out of your hotel and drop your luggage at the ship before they accept passengers, tour around, then return and check into the ship. 9. Note the passengers are almost all old, the median age is likely in the upper 60s, almost no kids or people under 50, kids seem to get bored on these cruises. 10. The ships dock side by side, often walking through a ship's lobby to get ashore. Close your curtains at night, or you might wake up giving the cabin of the adjacent ship, or anyone walking down the street, a free show. 11. Research the typical river levels by season when you schedule your cruise. Sometimes the river is too low, they can't run the boat, and your river cruise turns into a coach (bus) and hotel tour. The larger lines do try to compensate by having 2 ships travelling in opposite directions so they can swap out if only the middle portion of the cruise has low water. 12. Expect either 2 small town shore excursions, or 1 large town with lots of attractions, a day. 13. The big cruise that everyone raves about is Amsterdam to Budapest, which is awesome. I've done others like Paris to Normandy that would have been better from a rental car and hotels. 14. They say pickpocket in some cities is a concern. Carry your money - credit cards - copy of passport in your front pocket, never take your passport on an excursion unless specifically told to do so, I would put my items in a lanyard ID badge holder, tie the ends (no snap) and wear inside my shirt, not gonna easily pickpocket that.

As a single traveler, Viking was The Best!! I’m more of a keep-to-myself person, so the cozy/closet size room was just fine. I’d keep a bite from lunch to eat my own in room dinner and went happily to bed before all the evening hoopla. I went to LEARN, not to meet and yak, and learn I did. Thank you, Viking. I’ll be back. Donna

We did the Zurich to Paris up the Rhine and left at the Moselle. Best experience ever. Me (54) Wife (50) Mother in Law (72) Daughter (18). Expensive for us but really felt the money was well spent and never felt cheated in the least. Was going to use airmiles for air travel but after fees etc, the discounted cost of the Viking travel made it a wash. And the Viking transfers were invaluable. All we had to do was show up. They took care of the rest. We also got the early day in Zurich and two extra days in Paris through Viking. So worth the money. Even though the average age on the boat was 65-70, there were a few couples our age and 1-2 18-25 yearolds. WE met some nice people and Daughter was cool with the lack of youngsters. The impetus behind this trip was my daughter's graduation present and she helped plan it so she knew what to expect. Best to think of the boat as a floating hotel. These cruises are about the excursions. You go to sleep in one place and wake up in another. There was one day where the tour was the travel. Every 10 minutes there was a castle. Everyone was on the top deck; chairs; blankets, refreshments and the tour guide with commentary of each castle. Shore excursions were guided tours with local tour guides and earpieces to hear details about the town. We were never bored. By the time you got back to the boat, all you wanted to do was eat and go to bed. Maybe have a cocktail and watch the sunset. The boat was quiet by 10. One thing we did on our own was pay for a 4 person guided tour of The Louvre. She took us to all the Must See exhibits and got the history/details on them. Much better than unguided meandering. We did an unguided tour of the D'Orsay and it wasn't as fulfilling. (Though seeing my artist daughter weeping in front of her favorite Monet was worth the whole trip) Only thing I would have changed is to start in Paris. We were pretty exhausted by the time we got to Paris. Though the good part of starting in Zurich was the cathedrals got bigger as you got closer to Paris.

My wife and I did the Viking Grand European tour from Amsterdam to Budapest, it was great. The airline lost our luggage and Viking did our laundry for free and where superb in working to get our luggage back to us. We recently returned from the Viking Elbe River cruise, with the land extension visits to Warsaw and Krakow, Poland. I can't recommend Viking enough.

Sounds good, but as a single traveller the supplement would be hefty no doubt. I do despise the way the travel industry penalises the single traveller.

My husband and I took two Viking Cruises. Paris/Normandy and the Rhine Basel/Amsterdam. We enjoyed both immensely. My husband being an early riser witnessed the cleaning crews at work. Everything was wiped down. Both cruises were pre-pandemic. I strongly suggest the pre and post cruise add ons. We enjoyed these cruises more than the big ship cruises. My husband passed away in 2023, so I doubt I will get to go again. The single passenger penalty is a bummer. Don’t think about it, CRUISE while you can. Wishing you safe sailing.

A few years back I took my teenage daughter on a Viking cruise on the Danube for the Christmas Markets from Vienna to Nuremberg. One of our most memorable experiences. She had never seen snow before (we are from Brisbane, Australia) and it managed to snow the day before we boarded and continued to get heavier throughout the cruise. One morning we awoke to the amazing sound of the ice breaking and tinkling as we cruised through it. Every excursion we took was a highlight!

River cruises are great for people that hate ocean cruises, they are oranges and apples apart and you generally have more time ashore and smoother sailing. All stops are right in the heart of the city you are visiting. You can choose your daily activities to suit your interests. I dont cruise to gorge myself, but when I do eat I enjoy good quality. Viking was excellent.

A Viking Cruise of any kind (river or ocean) is absolutely amazing. They have high standards and pay attention to every detail. We’ve been on many of them and worth every penny. It’s everything you want and nothing you don’t want.

THANK YOU FOR highlighting the American Memorial Cemetery— there are many of them scattered across Europe. So poignant and beautifully maintained and peaceful. I recommend everyone stop and pay their respects.

A river boat cruise is the only type of cruise I would consider. I have zero desire to be stuck on a huge boat with 5000+ other people..no thank you..small and quaint works for me!

We went on the Rhine cruise Amsterdam to Basel. The Rhine being one of the most Industrial Rivers on the Planet. They were experts as passing all these Industrial spots at night. Arriving at scenic locations for day trips. You won't see pics of the 4 mile long Chemical plants on the brochure! Lol. The Viking Employees are exceptional. Like Family. The Program Director was a Historian, Comedy act, Tour Guide, and occasional Singer! Remarkable chap. Think about these people often wondering how they are doing? Particularly after the long Covid Shutdown? Service was first class. As was the food. Need to be mindful of Low Water conditions in Europe. We were notified of a boat swap due to low water. We steamed at breakneck speed to make the swap. Bypassing the Scheduled Port of Koblenz. Then heavy rains in the Alps raised the water level at the last moment cancelling the swap. And when its time to leave they schedule you off the boat really really early- (if you have scheduled your flights thru Viking). Cruise cost was reasonable until you add in Trip Insurance, European Health Coverage, etc. Can't say enough about the Viking Employees and other Travelers! World Class People!

This video is accurate. My wife and I went on their Rhine cruise and loved it. We got a special in the mail and grabbed it. Best vacation ever. We are going on their Danube cruise later this year and taking our sons and their wives with us. Their professional tour guides are top notch and add a lot to the vacation. Day trips are on comfortable busses and we saw a lot. Food is very good. Tables seat about 6 and we met some friendly travelers. The rooms are tiny but well thought out and comfortable. Viking took very good care of us. When you arrive at the airport in Europe they meet you there and take you to the ship. It is a no stress vacation where they take care of absolutely everything.

My husband and I have been on 5 river cruises and 1 ocean cruise. The ocean cruise was fantastic!! The River Cruises are wonderful. We loved both and I will definitely go on more. If note. The Ocean Cruise is so amazing you will be spoiled! That was our last cruise. I look forward to more cruising! Wonderful experiences. No issues or complaints at all. Viking takes care of its guests. We have seen this demonstrated may times. The vast majority of cruisers are elderly. Viking knows how to take care of its senior guests. I will always be grateful for their support of my husband on his last cruise. Very professional and compassionate people.

We have just completed our 10th Viking River cruise to Vietnam and Cambodia, the Mekong River Cruise with extensions in Bangkok and Ha Long Bay. We loved all of them for different reasons. Viking’s attention to detail and their ability to overcome problems when they arise is first class. We love them.