This article originally appeared in the August issue of AGENTatHOME magazine.?Subscribe here to receive your free copy each month.
I have long had a love affair with river cruising, which was further cemented when I sailed on Viking’s new 11-day Rhine & Main Explorer itinerary. There were innumerable reasons I found the trip so compelling, from the itinerary and the ship itself (Viking Skirnir) to the onboard experience.
The cruise, which operates between Basel, Switzerland, and Nuremberg, Germany, includes a superb roster of destinations, including Breisach, Karlsruhe, Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Marktheidenfeld and Bamberg in Germany, and Strasbourg, France.
And then there were the rivers themselves, which provided stunning views of villages filled with half-timbered houses, castles and terraced vineyards. One of my favorite activities was simply relaxing on my generously sized veranda, listening to birdsong while taking in the ever-changing scenery.
Viking Longships
The 190-passenger Viking Longships sailing on European waterways are identical in terms of size, public areas, décor and accommodations. (Longships operating on Portugal’s Douro River and France’s Seine River are purpose-built for those destinations and carry 106 and 168 guests, respectively.)
Each ship houses an open-seating main restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; a bar and a lounge that adjoin the Aquavit Terrace, which offers a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner; a small library; a tiny shop adjacent to the reception area; and a sundeck with shaded sitting areas, a putting green and a walking track.
Accommodations
Longships are equipped with 95 outside accommodations, including 25 Standard Staterooms (150 square feet), 22 French Balcony Staterooms (135 square feet), 39 Veranda Staterooms (205 square feet), seven Veranda Suites (275 square feet) and two Explorer Suites (445 square feet). All accommodations boast floor-toceiling windows – with the exception of Standard Staterooms, which are situated on the lower deck with fixed windows – queen-size beds that convert to twins, bathrooms with anti-fog mirrors, large televisions, telephones, safes, mini-refrigerators, and robes and slippers upon request.
Dining Options
Most tables in the main dining room accommodate six to 10 guests. Menus on my sailing included dishes reflecting the destinations visited, with appetizers such as Schweizer wurstsalat (Swiss sausage salad) and marinated cucumbers with Emmental cheese, and main courses like krustenbraten – crispy roast pork served in a beer sauce with cabbage.
Guests may also opt for always-available dishes, such as Caesar salads, Angus rib eyes and poached Norwegian salmon (all three of which I recommend).
Passengers looking for more intimate dining experiences can dine in the indoor-outdoor Aquavit Terrace, which is equipped with smaller tables.
Guest Profile
On my sailing, there was a wide swath of clientele, from a retired psychiatrist and a pediatrician to a high school principal and an accountant – all of whom shared a love of travel and a curiosity about the world.
Excursions
Viking offers one complimentary shore excursion in each port, along with a slate of tours for a charge. My favorite excursions were a canal cruise coupled with a walking tour in Strasbourg; a tour focused on Nuremberg’s history; and a walking tour of Bamberg, which was one of the most charming cities I’ve ever visited. I also recommend the four-hour paid Medieval Village of Colmar tour, which is available from Strasbourg.
Superlative Service
The ship’s friendly staff exceeded my expectations – from cabin stewards and bartenders to waitstaff. Everyone was exceptionally friendly and knew my name by the end of the first day. As soon as I left my stateroom in the morning, the cabin steward promptly cleaned the room – and ditto in the evenings.
What's Included
In addition to the complimentary excursions in each port, rates include beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; ground transfers for guests who purchase air through Viking; Wi-Fi access; and round-the-clock specialty coffee, tea and bottled water. Guests can opt to buy the Silver Spirits beverage package for $27 per guest per night.
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