This is our 2nd cruise with Viking. Our 1st cruise was in Russia in July 2014, which we loved immensely. No wonder, we booked our 2nd trip with Viking. We loved the itinerary, the land excursions, the food, the hospitality. Howver, there were certain pitfalls: in our 2nd day in Buda, we were horrified to return to our meeting point to see the bus was leaving. Our local guide did not do a head count. We list our way, trying to take a short cut and was 5 mins late! This has never ever happened to us! We had to take a taxi back yo the boat! We were never told that the bus cannot wait!

The ship was Ingvi. We sailed along the Danube, Main and Rhine into Amsterdam. In Vienna, in the tour of Schonnbrunn Palace, the Guide told a time to meet in front of the ticket gate. Thank god I was listening in the quiet box. He started the tour 5 mins early. We had to run to meet him. That was done again, without doing a headcount to make sure everyone was present.

In Passau, we were informed of the low water level in Danube and had to change ship in Regensburg and boarded Alsvin. I hate to say: but the food and service was much better! In Ingvi: there was a limited choice of dinner for my wife. she is not fond of Steak, veal, pork or salmon! Unfortunately, the fish she took smelled a little. She was unable to eat her main meal. Same thing happened in Russia River cruise, the waiter was very nice and got something which she was able to eat. We were shocked to hear from the waiter that " He cannot do anything. Have some dessert". We thought that was most inconsiderate and unprofessional! That was the waiter in Ingvi. In contrast, the waiters and waitresses in Alsvin were nicer, friendlier and more courteous!