Contrary to the Viking advertisements, our cities of light cruise Prague to Paris was a bus trip with periodic interludes where one could sleep and eat on the ship. We expected to be able to walk on and off the docked ships. Surprisingly the docking points are generally remote from the towns. One is usually on a bus for most of the touring. Sometimes the bus trip is longer than the actual tour content. The tour schedule is hectic and generally requires a very early rising. We stayed onboard towards the end and found it far more relaxing. It should also be known that the tour sites are very very crowded. In some instances we could not appreciate any of the sites as the crowds were just too large. One of our tour guides noted that this is the result of nearly 800 river cruise ships following the same itinerary.

Food was ok for breakfast and lunch. Dinner was generally awful. The menu does not vary from day to day. Today's roast beef is tomorrow's beef stroganoff. Todays lamb roast is tomorrow's lamb stew. We were served the chef's idea of an amuse bouche which were overcooked and sauced mussels. They were inedible and served on two occasions. Another example of an appetizer is an olive placed on top of a dry white bread round held together by a toothpick.

Many of the crew were outstanding. Diana the tour director is a dynamo of energy and a real problem solver, She is great. Ewa in housekeeping took very good care of us. The dining room staff harkened back to the days when servers were expected to be entertainers in order to cull favor of the guests. Unfortunately no one told these guys that those days are over and that guests prefer receiving their orders on time and correctly. The buffoonery of the Maitre d' set the tone. Carrying plates of food on his bald head was a little more than I could stomach! Our dinner orders were often incorrect and cold. Read more