To start from the very beginning, after a short chat with an advisor from Viking, we decided to book at our local travel agent, Baldwins, a big up to them for their efficiency and advice. Viking's website, myvikingjourney.com was excellent with opportunity to research and book tours (note they charge for paying with credit card), find answers to questions and generally get accustomed to the Viking brand. Eventually our tickets arrived......well I say tickets actually everything came in a classy padded zipped folio complete with flight details, viking stickers (for us to wear on arrival at Schiphol airport.... er thanks but no thanks!!) luggage labels and two leather luggage tags for use in the future! We began to see where our money was going. We were first time river cruisers, but with a few ocean cruises under our belt. So it was sometimes difficult to compare on a like for like basis. They are pretty much two different animals. The BA flight from LHR to AMS was comfortable and short but we got to the Eir too late for lunch which was a pity as we only had a bag of savoury biscuits (included) on our flight, so a long wait till dinner time.

Check in on board was smooth, but there was a distinct lack of security before we got on the vessel this unfortunately was replicated at every stop with seemingly anybody able to walk onto the ship before being challenged, if at all. This is most odd given the world in which we now live. So to the nitty gritty, we were in cabin 111 downstairs in the bowels of the ship! Our theory with cabins is they are only there to sleep in, but of course with a Viking river cruise there is so much to see and enjoy from the confines of you're bed with the floor to ceiling windows...its going to be your choice. The room is small but light airy and well appointed, with under floor heating in the bathroom which we put to good use after doing a bit of hand laundry.....smalls dried to perfection ready for ironing!

Food was of a very good standard, varied, flavoursome, well presented and well served we were disappointed, however, with regard to dining time, there is only one 19.00, if you turned up at say 19.45 you might have to miss the starter. Wine and beer are included at meal times only, unless you ask for Rosé which we were told stock would be picked up in two days!! This was rectified when we went to reception for an explanation.....chilled Rosé then appeared on our table soon after. Read more