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The Allure of RIVER

The Allure of RIVER CRUISING Travel writer Marcus Adams travels on his first river cruise along the Danube, from Passau to Budapest 18 VIKING.COM EXPLORE MORE

TRAVEL I have been an ocean cruiser for more than 25 years. It has taken me all over the world and introduced me to people and places I could never have dreamed of. But in all that time, I have never once stepped foot on a river cruise. It is something that has been playing on my mind for the last few years—partly to see if it is 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 have played throughout history. The Danube has always intrigued me, and when an opportunity came along to find out more, I jumped at the chance. After a short flight from London, we joined Viking Vilhjalm in warm and sunny Passau to experience the Danube River in all its glory. I had no idea what to expect and, actually, that was really exciting in itself. Stepping on board, we were warmly greeted by the Hotel Manager, Thomas, and his friendly staff. 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 get to know fellow guests and staff. I know Viking very well, having sailed on ocean ships 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 the ships are beautiful too. Scandinavian styling and bright, airy, outward-facing spaces invite you to connect with the world around you. It was exciting to see how this would translate to river. The design of the Viking Longships echoes that of their oceangoing cousins. And I love them. Radiating a unique Scandinavian style, the whole ship is spacious and elegant, with large windows that let light flood inside. From the gorgeous Atrium to the comfortable seating areas, it has the feel of a boutique hotel. The first thing that struck me was how the clever design makes the ship feel cozy, as well as open and inviting. This is repeated in the staterooms on board. While they are smaller than those I have experienced on ocean ships, they are very comfortable, with quality beds and bedding, plenty of storage, heated bathroom floors and premium bath products. While I knew the ship would 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 an incredible level of personalized service. Whenever I have pictured river cruising, particularly in Europe, I have seen it as a great way to Facing page: The Hungarian parliament building, Budapest Below: The Restaurant on board Viking Longships EXPLORE MORE VIKING.COM 19