Beings fans of Masterpiece on PBS whom Viking sponsors, we had seen the commercials many times and so we decided we would like to take a river cruise. I booked the entire trip including before and after extensions w Viking. Company was very efficient w all aspects of the trip, including my being kept informed of each step of the trip including airfare and hotel changes as I had booked more than a year in advance which could warrant changes. By booking via Viking the trip included transfers from the airport to hotels and the ship, all of which went very well beginning w being picked up at the airport in Zurich and taken to Lucerne.
We spent 2 nights in Lucerne before the cruise at the Hotel Schweizerhof, an old style European hotel, where Viking had a concierge table. Hotel is located on the lake and walking distance to Old Town. Staff was very efficient; room was large and very comfortable. Our stay included a wonderful buffet breakfast each morning. I would recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Lucerne. Viking then transferred us to our ship, Viking Eir, in Basel.
The Viking Eir was just a little more than a year old so very much in the condition of a new ship. Style is Scandinavian w lots of light wood decor, w floor to ceiling windows in the public areas. Travel was wonderfully smooth so much so that one did not really feel the ship moving
We had a Veranda room w a balcony right at river level so standing on our balcony was like standing on the shore looking at the river. Room was very comfortable and had open space under the bed to store our suit cases, bottled water delivered daily and a vase was provided when I had purchased some flowers on shore. Bathroom had a wood look heated tile floor.