Viking Traveller 2nd Issue

TRAVEL
I’ve been an ocean cruiser for over 25 years. It’s taken
me all over the world and introduced me to people and
places I could never have dreamt of. But in all that time
I’ve never once stepped foot on a river cruise. It’s something
that’s been playing on my mind for the last few years –
partly to see if it’s anything like an ocean cruise, but also to
visit new destinations and have new experiences.
Ever since I was little, I have been fascinated by the rivers
of Europe – the arteries that feed some of the most famous
and intriguing places and the crucial role they’ve played
throughout history. The Danube has always particularly
intrigued me and when an opportunity came along to find
out more, I jumped at the chance. After a short flight from
London and a simple transfer, we joined the Longship
Viking Vilhjalm in warm and sunny Passau to experience
the Danube River in all its glory.
I’ll be honest, I had no idea what to expect, and actually
that was really exciting in itself. Stepping on board we were
warmly greeted by the ship manager, Thomas, and his
friendly staff and we were encouraged to head straight to the
sunny Aquavit Terrace for a wine and cheese tasting. We were
immediately thrown into the local culture of the Danube –
sampling local wines, cheeses and delicacies. It was a great
way to relax into the journey, have a taste of what was to
come and to get to know fellow guests and staff.
I know Viking ocean cruises very well, having sailed with
them in both the Caribbean and through Norway. I love
their approach to cruising – providing an effortless and
comfortable way to see the world. And their ships are
beautiful, too. Scandi-styling and bright, airy, outwardfacing
spaces invite you to connect with the world around
you. It was exciting to see how this would translate to river.
And I wasn’t disappointed.
The design of the river ships echoes that of their ocean-going
cousins. And I love them. Radiating Viking’s unique Scandistyle,
the whole ship is spacious and elegant, with large
windows which let light flood inside. From the gorgeous
atrium to the comfortable lounge, it has a boutique hotel feel.
The first thing that struck me was how the clever design
makes the ship feel cosy as well as open and inviting. This
is repeated in the rooms on board. While they are typically
smaller than what I’ve experienced on ocean ships, they are
very comfortable, with plush beds and bedding, plenty of
storage, heated bathroom floors and premium bath products.
While I knew the ships would of course be smaller, I had
not anticipated the intimacy of the whole experience. There
is a true family feel, with guests coming together over
dinner and drinks every night to share their experiences. It
is a very relaxed and communal affair. Staff also provide a
level of personalised service I have never experienced on an
ocean cruise. They really took the time to get to know us
all, as well as our preferences, to genuinely provide the best
trip possible.
Whenever I’ve pictured river cruising, particularly in
Europe, I’ve seen it as a great way to ‘destination hop’.
And this was definitely the case. Each day you wake up
in another place to explore. I love this concept and while
the ships are beautiful, to me, river cruising is all about
embracing the destinations you are visiting.
And the ships themselves make the possibilities endless.
Due to their design, the river ships can dock right in
the middle of a destination – something I hadn’t truly
appreciated before getting on board. Budapest is a great
example of this – you literally dock next to the famous
Chain Bridge in the middle of all the sights and sounds
of the city. It’s the perfect chance to get off the ship after
dinner for a walk along the Danube, a drink in a local bar
or a taste of the vibrant nightlife on offer in the city.
Days typically consist of a morning or afternoon of cruising,
excursions in a port for half or a whole day, and overnights
in places such as Passau and Budapest. This definitely keeps
you busy – more so than when on an ocean cruise. With
all the enriching excursions, ever-changing scenery and
activities on board the ship, there’s no lack of opportunities
to keep occupied – if that’s what you want to do.
viking.com
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