Half-way through our Viking River Cruise, sailing from Passau to Budapest, it’s time to answer your questions about Christmas markets, river cruising and more. Let’s dig in.
Which Itinerary To Choose?
Jim R from Tulsa asks, “Is this the same route you took in the summer? Isn’t everything dead along the river now?”
The summer sailing was Viking’s Grand European Tour, a 15-day sailing from Budapest to Amsterdam. This one started in Passau, Germany and will end in Budapest. While a shorter sailing, the Christmas markets itinerary is jam-packed with events, tours and a variety of optional things to do.
Viking offers pre- and post-cruise packages on all their sailings. Talking to other passengers I get the feeling that more of them added a pre-cruise stay in Prague or post-cruise package in Budapest though. Bookending the 7-sailing with both would add up to 13 total days though so not much less time overseas than I spent in the summer.
Everything is far from dead along the river too. No, not as green and pretty as in the summer but the castles, structures, and amazing places are still there, as they have been for centuries.
Here’s an example: Yesterday when scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley (a personal favorite from the summer trip) we had reached the point where we needed a break from the action and a nice afternoon nap seemed in order. Lisa had settled in, about to fall asleep when I saw the first of a dozen magnificent castles outside our stateroom window. Pulling open the curtain I said, “open your eyes”. That was the end of the nap; there is just too much to see.
Time To Relax
“Chris, I have a laundry list of questions for you…from your Facebook photos it looks like you’re going non-stop,” writes Sylvia G from New Jersey, “Is there time to relax and enjoy it? Would you recommend this itinerary for a first river cruise? How is the Internet on the ship?”
Sylvia, Good questions all and thanks for asking! Say hi to Mortie!
Like any other cruise on a river or in the ocean, there seem to always be more things to do than possible in a day so choices become important. Still, one of the elements of the river cruise experience that Lisa likes best is the relaxed atmosphere aboard Viking Skadi. It is not uncommon to see other passengers with an iPad in the ship’s lounge, relaxing and enjoying the day with new friends met on board. On a ship with less than 200 passengers and 50 crew, we know far more of each than on a big ship and we like that.
First-timers would enjoy this, sure. I am finding out though that it is more common for first-timers to do the 15-day sailing, considered the classic river cruise experience, which covers more distance. One night before dinner the ship’s Program Director (like Cruise Director on an ocean ship) introduced us to a variety of other itineraries that Viking does throughout Europe which also seem interesting. To me, one of the itineraries along the Danube or Rhine rivers are perfect for first-timers but not for the reasons one might think. I like this part of the world because we get to see so many places we might have seen in movies, on TV or read about in books, replacing images stored in our brains with real-life experiences.
The Internet on a river cruise ship is about as efficient (or not) as on an ocean ship but here it is free. Technology is evolving that will bring land-like speed and connectivity soon but it is not here yet. It’s a line-of-sight satellite system so every time we go under a bridge, the signal drops.
Loyalty Program
Fred T from Atlanta wants to know “Does Viking have a past-guest party? If so, are there a lot of people there?”
You bet they do Fred and it’s nice. Held in the Aquavit Lounge at the front of the ship, those in attendance learn the story of Viking’s Norwegian heritage, meet the Captain, have cocktails and mingle.
Before it is all over, they also learn the story of Aquavit, the liquor which is aged in oak casks on board ships that sail to Australia and back, crossing the equator twice. As the story goes, it is believed that the moving seas and frequent temperature changes cause more flavor to be extracted from the casks.
Attendance Not Required But Recommended
Shirley and James from Sydney, Australia ask “On these included tours you talk about, are they really something worth doing or would it be better to arrange our own excursions like we do on other lines?” What about the tour guides? Can you hear them? Do they speak English well?”
Thanks for writing Shirley and James and yes, the tours are not only worth doing but a big part of the experience. This is coming from someone who is not a big fan of organized tours too.
The included tours are, to me, one part of a total program Viking has that begins at home. Prior to sailing, they send small books that give complete details of your itinerary and background information on the river you will be sailing. Early in the voyage, an expert on the European Union (EU) comes on board to explain how all that works with currency, customs and the relationship between member countries.
Viking also uses only local guides who speak fluent English, the language also spoken on the ship and they are also quite good. Hearing is not a problem because everyone has radios that enable them to hear every word and even stray from the group a bit and still be within range.
I like that we get a generous amount of free time to explore on our own and custom recommendations from the guides on where to eat, what else to see and shopping suggestions.