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Experience France’s multicultural Strasbourg and Germany’s storied Black Forest before disembarking in cultured Basel. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times.
NEW! Rhine & Main Explorer Map
If you decide to stay onboard you will have a full-service experience in terms of food and drink and the chance to relax with a book or take a nap. Also, don’t forget to enjoy scenic sailing moments along the iconic Middle Rhine to enjoy the historic castles and hillside vineyards. Discover Nordic wonders by sea, then tour highlights of the legendary Rhine River. From the seaside village of Skagen, Denmark, sail the North Sea to Amsterdam. Admire Cologne’s famous cathedral and tour Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Post-Extension: Oslo & Scenic Train
I would recommend this trip if you enjoy small colorful towns, World War II history and good food. Recently, I sailed on my first Viking River Cruise up the Rhine River to explore Switzerland, Germany, France and The Netherlands on their classic ‘Rhine Getaway’ river cruise. If I could offer one suggestion to Viking, I’d say either choose Speyer or Rüdesheim am Rhein, and spend the entire day there. However, cruising through the Rhine Gorge the next day made up for it. Sailing past all those castles was the highlight of this cruise. 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.
Exploring Switzerland Before Or After A Rhine River Cruise
I did this completely on my own; it wasn’t a part of the Viking itinerary at all. 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.
Stateroom Pricing - Rhine & Viking Shores & Fjords (Bergen-Basel)
I particularly liked the massive entryway staircase which was gilded and made my mouth drop open when we turned the corner. We explored Marksburg Castle and wandered a bit on our own after. By afternoon, we reached Koblenz, a city set at the mouth of two rivers. In the morning, we visited Heidelberg Castle, which perhaps should be called a ruined fortress, as much of it was destroyed by lightening, fires and war.
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. 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.
Yes, I know this is a trend that’s swept almost the entire world, but the number of locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge is still a sight to behold. You truly pass one castle every few minutes once you enter the Rhine Gorge. Our cruise Program Director also provided a running commentary on all of the things we were seeing as we sailed by. There’s something incredible about seeing these archaic stone structures from various angles as you move along the water.
Also unlike many other cruises or guided tours, almost everything was included, which made it feel like a truly relaxing vacation. Marksburg Castle was the most fascinating castle I have ever visited, and I’ve visited quite a few. Our Viking River Rhine Cruise tour guide gave an intriguing glimpse into what life was like during the time of castles, kings, knights and princesses.
My favorite part of our floor was the coffee & espresso bar to grab pastries and java any time of day. I helped myself to endless madeleines and double dark chocolate muffins. There’s also a flat screen TV to listen to the daily on-boarding speech (if you don’t want to leave the comfort of your room) or to check the weather, watch TV, etc. The ships are well designed to really maximize space and cabins feature a giant closet and tons of drawers to put away your clothes, should you wish to fully unpack.
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. There’s also the option to purchase a Silver Spirits drink package if you wish to indulge in wine, beer and/or soft drinks before or after dinner. One night we had an Austrian / German night, with local specialties like sauerkraut, sausages, pretzels, schnitzel and plenty of German beer. Another advantage to booking airfare through Viking is they also include round trip transfers.
For a couple stops on the journey, boats running in opposite cities are docked together. Colleen Lanin, MBA, is the founder and editor Travel Mamas and Grownup Getaways. She is an expert in family travel and travel for adults aged 18 to 88. As the author of the book, "The Travel Mamas' Guide," she teaches parents how to make the most of traveling with babies and children. Colleen loves sharing tips on hotels, cruises, spas, theme parks, and global lifestyle topics.
We were pleased to get our first taste of Strasbourg during this full-day excursion which served as an introduction for our future stay in the fairytale Alsatian city in France. Our ship had a prime location with a spectacular view of the bridge and the cathedral! The ship has two dining areas and this is the more casual Aquavit lounge with seating inside and out on the front (or the bow) of the ship. Each ship has a giant painting of the Nordic god at the top of the main staircase, dedicated to the deity it’s named after. When I went on my cruise to Cuba, we received a group number each evening for the next day’s stop.
In all honesty, the Rhine (which turns into the Waal) is less scenic in the Netherlands than it is in Germany. Some notable landmarks include the Dom zu Speyer (Speyer Cathedral) and the Altpörtel (Old Gate) directly west of there. The two are connected by the short Maximilianstraße, which serves as the main street in the historic district. This tiny neighborhood is split up by canals that are lined with gorgeous half-timbered homes (the iconic style of German architecture with wood beams on the exterior). We walked through here on our guided tour, and I came back afterwards to enjoy the views for a bit longer. Neuf-Brisach is a sleepy little French town that is surrounded on all sides by a visually stunning series of fortified walls.
Enjoy an onboard lunch as you marvel at this scenic passage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where castles overlook the river from their hilltop posts. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. As an extra bonus, we loved unpacking our bags and feeling ‘at home’ during the length of the Viking Rhine River cruise. Since we use packing cubes when we travel, it only took us a few minutes to settle into the room and start enjoying the cruise. As part of Viking’s generous offer, we were able to select a European riverboat cruise that appealed to us.
Newest Viking River Cruise Ships - Cruise Critic
Newest Viking River Cruise Ships.
Posted: Thu, 18 May 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
See the Palace of Justice, old town and Market Square in this history-filled city. Despite this, the Viking Hermod had a beautifully designed interior. The lounge and front terraces were comfortable places to sit, relax, or sip a drink. The ship’s common spaces never felt cramped, even when all the passengers were gathered together (e.g. during dinnertime). I really looked forward to coming back on board after each excursion or tour to enjoy whatever was being served that day.
If you are flying in from the U.S. on a first time river cruise it is well worth getting Viking to book the air and advise you of the best flight timings. Cruise through the morning as you enjoy breakfast and the passing scenery. Arrive in Mannheim and disembark for a tour of Heidelberg to see Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386.
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