Table Of Content
If you’re wondering how we made it to Basel, we flew from Chicago into Zürich and then booked a private car transfer. Zürich Airport is the nearest major international airport to Basel, and the drive is about an hour. There are also frequent trains that run between Switzerland’s largest city and its gateway to the Rhine.
Post: Amsterdam
River cruising is a much more intimate experience, with unreserved seating at meal times so you get to mix and mingle with almost everyone on board by the end (if you want!). Because of this, they have the flexibility to turn each propeller a full 360 degrees for precision and smooth sailing so you shouldn’t experience any seasickness on board. I think most of us are familiar with large ocean liners that sail to the Caribbean. One thing I liked about sailing with Viking is how leisurely the day to day pace is.
Viking Adds Arctic Expeditions and Winter Rhine River Cruise - TravelAge West
Viking Adds Arctic Expeditions and Winter Rhine River Cruise.
Posted: Fri, 02 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruise Review
All other cruise lines charge exorbitant internet fees and still have slow service. I thought that was such a nice touch given that I’m addicted to my phone. Internet service is a slower than usual, as it’s satellite service on the river and therefore inherently slower. My favorite part of our floor was the coffee & espresso bar to grab pastries and java any time of day.
Destinations
Longtime readers of my blog will know that I don’t shy away from giving my honest opinion when it comes to travel. With that in mind, I’m happy to report that this Viking River Cruise was an outstanding experience! I’ll cherish the memory of going down the Rhine with my extended family for the rest of my life. One thing I really loved about this cruise was that there were lots of fun optional activities onboard the ship in the afternoons and evenings. Our family group enjoyed game nights and musical performances, but you could also attend things like a glassblowing demonstration or a Q&A session with the captains of the ship. You can also pre-book one of many “Optional Excursions,” which are tours that you’ll have to pay extra for.
Post: Basel
I assume that most people flew out of Amsterdam within a day or two of ending the cruise. However, we stayed for five extra days in Amsterdam and met up with a few more family members there! I had mixed feelings about this bustling Dutch metropolis, which I’ve written about in a separate blog post.
A Viking agent or specialist cruise adviser can help select the right cabin for you. We dock this morning in Kehl and disembark for a guided tour of Strasbourg. See the European Parliament and tour the interior of the city’s famed cathedral. Dine aboard and enjoy free time this evening in the amiable little city of Kehl. Viking's eight-day Christmas on the Rhine cruise between Amsterdam and Basel includes time in Cologne which has seven Christmas markets. A giant twinkling Christmas tree forms the centrepiece of the most famous one held in front of the city’s landmark cathedral.
In the Netherlands, the Rhine (or Waal) has a rural vibe to it. We passed cows cooling off in the shallow riverbanks, a few small Dutch villages, and not much else until we approached Amsterdam. The Lower Rhine is not as industrial as the Upper Rhine, and it’s not as picturesque as the Middle Rhine.
Smaller markets along the way include Rudesheim, where you can stroll down the colorful Drosselgasse street and try the town's warming coffee laced with local brandy. The cruise also takes in ports along the lesser-known Moselle, which joins the Rhine at Koblenz. Quieter and narrower than the Rhine, the tributary winds through wine-growing regions that were first cultivated in Roman times.
Review: What It’s REALLY Like Aboard Viking River Cruises
I feel like we did get to see slightly more of the former than the latter, but both stops were rushed. All the local guides were quite knowledgeable and Viking provides headsets so you can clearly hear. There’s even a designated group for those who wish to tour at a slower pace. One night we had an Austrian / German night, with local specialties like sauerkraut, sausages, pretzels, schnitzel and plenty of German beer.
However, since we docked in the late afternoon, time felt even more limited here than in Speyer. For your best first time river cruise experience, don't be tempted to miss the daily pre-dinner port talk about the next day's port of call and activities. They also provide the opportunity for you to ask any questions. Discover the enchanting landscapes and rich cultures of the Middle Rhine, a UNESCO Site boasting turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, medieval towns and stunning scenery. Admire terraced vineyards dating back to the Romans and taste the region’s renowned red and white wines. Savor the culinary traditions of Alsace and explore Amsterdam, Basel and Cologne.
Viking will operate Rhine cruises through the winter - Travel Weekly
Viking will operate Rhine cruises through the winter.
Posted: Wed, 24 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The Netherlands is a small country, and Kinderdijk is only about 95 kilometers (59 miles) away from Amsterdam. As such, the Hermod was already passing through Utrecht by bedtime. We docked at Amsterdam very early in the morning on our final day. The landscape here is so pretty, and one of the highlights of this visit was being able to see the inside of a mill. All in all, a short visit to Kinderdijk was a great way to wrap up our final full day on the Viking Hermod.
Having sailed on a couple other river cruises, I loved how distinctively luxurious the Viking ship and rooms were. To avoid unnecessary stress from flight delays or cancellations plan to arrive at least one day before your cruise departs. You should also allow plenty of time for airport transfers at the end of your voyage, especially if you're going to be traveling during the morning rush hour. A Rhine River cruise is a wonderful way to experience Europe and a top choice for a first time river cruise. If you've never been on a river cruise before -- or have previously been on ocean cruises -- it's hard to know exactly what to expect. Take a look at our list of mistakes to avoid and enjoy your best-ever experience on a Viking Rhine River cruise.
This cruise began in Basel, a quaint little town in Switzerland right on the border of both Germany and France. If you can spend a day or two in Basel before your cruise, I highly recommend it. We booked a walking tour with a local guide (independent of Viking), and I’m really glad we did. After two long years of pandemic restrictions, Europe is fully open again! I’m lucky to have an extended family of fellow travel enthusiasts, and we’ve all been looking forward to a reunion vacation in Western Europe for a while now!
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